What Should We Expect From Our Stock Investments?

My Comments: Lots of questions about the markets these days. I came across this short summary and thought it relevant. I didn’t understand the chart until after I finished reading, so be warned. I’m in a very cautious mode and have my clients positioned to avoid large losses and perhaps make money as things go …

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Smart Retirement Income Strategies

My Comments: This comes from the staff at Financial Planning, a well known magazine that appears monthly and is subscribed to by financial professionals. It contains valuable information for anyone soon to be retired or even already retired. These are summaries and if you want to read the full article, reach out to me and …

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Shoeshine Boys and Thinking At The Margin

My Comments: When the last crunch time came in 2008 and 2009, I vowed to find a better solution for my clients. The idea of losing 30% or more of the value of your retirement holdings over the course of a few months is devastating. For many, it’s taken years to get back to where …

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“Are We There Yet?”

As a parent, I remember this question well from days past. This time, however, it’s being asked by those of us with money invested in the global stock and bond markets. All of us are following a life path that includes stops along the way. Some stops we choose to make and others are forced …

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A Crisis Less Extraordinary

My Comments: For those of you who can stomach economics and the sometimes arcane language of investments, this is an interesting analysis. It comes from a source called Seeking Alpha where I have a membership. Their articles are also infused with lots of charts which I often choose to leave out. So if for any …

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Long-Term Care Update: 6 Trends to Watch

My Comments: The baby boom generation is going to be hit hard by this phenomena, and most of us know it. We just aren’t sure how to deal with it. This is not a solution but a needed reminder that pretending it will go away is not likely. While I disagree with their conclusion about …

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For Safety and Yield, Where’s the Best Place to Park Cash?

My Comments: There’s an old adage in this business that “Cash is King”. You be the judge going forward. By Adam Zoll | 09-16-14 Question: I'd like to invest a portion of my cash holdings in something safe that will earn at least a little interest. Between a money market account and a short-term bond …

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Exactly Where We Are In This Cycle

My Comments: This is a major question for investors. Whether you are accumulating money for the future or are already retired and focused on making sure you have enough money to last, knowing what is likely to happen in the near future leads to peace of mind and financial freedom. This is one opinion. Watch …

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Hidden Bonus: Taking Early Social Security Payments

My Comments: I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again: when to claim Social Security benefits is a complex question. On one hand, if you know you will live to life expectancy, it’s a fairly simple math question. But on the other hand, if you don’t know when you will die, or …

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America’s Perpetual War on Terror By Any Other Name

My Comments: This has nothing to do with financial planning. However, for me it has a lot to do with my perception of myself as a contributing member of society. I vote at every opportunity, which I think gives me the right to voice my opinions, which sometimes includes a lot of bitching and moaning. …

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