The Mythical Social Security Crisis of 2011

Even without congressional action, the retirement system won’t go broke for decades, so why all the fuss? It’s all about scaring voters. By David Morris, Senior Political Editor, The Kiplinger Letter That’s right. The sky is not falling. It’s not, as retiring rockers R.E.M. would put it, “the end of the world as we know …

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A Crisis of Capitalism

By George Magnus, author of Uprising: Will Emerging Markets Shape or Shake the World Economy? Financial markets have had a torrid summer of breaking news about slowing global growth, fears over a new western economic contraction and the unresolved bond market and banking crisis in the eurozone. But these sources of angst have triggered turbulence …

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The Pros and Cons of Paying off Your Mortgage Early

Given current economic pressures, many people are trying to erase debt from their financial picture and focus on saving and safer investments. Americans are paying down their credit cards and cautiously borrowing money. Not surprisingly, paying down the home mortgage has become an attractive option for people in a financial position to do so. However, …

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U.S. Foreign Policy and Electoral Realities

Every now and then I come across something that helps makes sense of the world around me when all the pieces seem disconnected. These are things over which I have absolutely no control, yet all play a role in our lives. In my case as an investment advisor, they influence my clients financial success, and …

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“Let Him Die”

I want to build on comments revealed the other day in a writing by Jacob Weisberg which appeared on September 13th. He was talking about the debate in Florida that featured 8 Republican presidential hopefuls. For many years I’ve been telling my children that one of the issues they will face as they age is …

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The 2012 rivals can be named: Hayek v Keynes

From the Financial Times (Great Britain), by Steven Rattner ( A view from the other side of the Atlantic ) In a fusillade of debates and speeches President Barack Obama and his Republican challengers have firmly established the economic policy combat lines for next year. What an electoral battle it will be – a clash …

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Is College a Waste of Money?

I really don't know the answer to this question but it has been asked more frequently than I can remember during the last couple of years. I do know that it takes a lot of money to complete a four year degree, that the traditional sources of funding are increasingly a problem for many families, …

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How To Prevent a Depression

Eight drastic policy measures necessary to prevent global economic collapse. None of them will be popular. By Nouriel Roubini Posted Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 The latest economic data suggest that recession is returning to most advanced economies, with financial markets now reaching levels of stress unseen since the collapse of Lehman Bros. in 2008. The …

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Capital Market Insights – September 19, 2011

Here is your Weekly Insights update from Curian’s Asset Management Group. This informative capital market update is designed to help those who want to manage your own money stay informed about important developments in economics and the markets… CONTINUE READING HERE…

Social Security: Advanced Strategies

The decision on when to begin taking Social Security benefits is a complex one. The following discusses three strategies clients can consider in an effort to maximize the amount of benefits they receive. 1. Changing your mind Many people think that once they elect to receive Social Security benefits, the decision is an irrevocable one. …

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