Hey, CEO! You Hate Fiscal Stimulus. So Tell Me: What Would You Do Instead?

My Comments: On the one hand, I hear candidates on the right say how opposed they are to fiscal stimulus, and on the other hand, I hear them say we need to reinvigorate the military and spend more money there. From an economic perspective, that’s just another form of stimulus. Personally, I’d rather have the …

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Exploring Mitt Romney’s Taxes and Tax Plan

My Comments: There’s really nothing I can add to this. Bruce Bartlett held senior policy roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and served on the staffs of Representatives Jack Kemp and Ron Paul. He is the author of “The Benefit and the Burden: Tax Reform – Why We Need It and What …

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IRS Exams: What They Mean for Taxpayers

My Comments: Right now is a relatively quiet time for those individuals and firms who make a living doing tax returns. Everyone I know, and I know many of them, have a lump in their throat when they think about January and the coming year. That's when the rubber hits the road and most, if …

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Americans’ Sense of Security Rises

My Comments: There are six questions asked here and the responses to these questions lead the author to conclude that we as Americans are experiencing more comfort as the economy slowly improves. At least that's my conclusion. This is not easy to follow but on a rainy Monday, this might give you a measure of …

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J.P. Morgan Weekly Market Recap – August 27, 2012

For those of you who pay attention and want to time the market, here’s this weeks best summary:

Another Overview of Trusts, Part 2

Trusts, Pt. 2: When should they be used? My Comments: This comes from Hale Stewart, an attorney in Houston, Texas. He and I have spoken as a result of his interest in captive insurance companies and asset protection. He is the author of the book U.S. Captive Insurance Law and is currently working on his …

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Top 10 Biggest College Savings Plans

The 10 biggest 529 plans for the fourth quarter of 2011 are ranked by asset size My Comments: A 529 Plan is an IRS approved idea that allows you to set aside after-tax money in a special account where it will hopefully grow. Then, when you withdraw the money to pay for college education approved …

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Top 10 Dangers of Alternative Investments

My Comments: I think we can agree that one objective when designing an investment portfolio is to have diversity. For those of you who remember a company and a scandal called Enron, apart from the fact that Enron fell off the face of the earth, the retirement plan investments for most of their employees was …

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Hong Kong is Bringing Democracy to China

My Comments: The proper mangement of clients money is something I take very seriously. Not only because I’ve been entrusted with a critical component of someone’s financial future, but also because my livelihood is at stake as well. If I screw up your trust in me, my ability to buy groceries and gas for my …

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Another Overview of Trusts, Part 1

My Comments: This comes from Hale Stewart, an attorney in Houston, Texas. He and I have spoken as a result of his interest in captive insurance companies and asset protection. He is the author of the book U.S. Captive Insurance Law and is currently working on his Ph.D. From time to time, my clients ask …

Continue reading Another Overview of Trusts, Part 1