My Comments: If Saudi Arabia ceases to function and Iran has a nuclear weapon, what are the implications for the rest of the world? I accept that I’ll be just a memory by 2045. However, the United States may then be the only country on the planet with the ability to both unilaterally feed itself …
Tag: financial planner
Obama’s Long, Hot Iranian Summer
My Comments: To deal or not to deal, that is the question. Most people are focused on the political implications of the agreement, and whether it's a good deal for us or not. I'm very concerned about the economic implications as well. My blog post tomorrow talks about the high probability that Saudi Arabia will …
Obama’s Climate Plan Makes for Canny Politics
My Comments: In keeping with tradition, the President’s critics are having the usual hysterics about his recent announcement designed to reduce carbon emissions. If I were the owner of a bunch of coal mines, I’d probably be unhappy too. But for the rest of us who don’t own coal mines, which is virtually all of …
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More Social Security Mistakes
My Comments: Did you know you can choose from any one of 96 months to start your Social Security benefits? If you live to normal life expectancy, your choice of month can mean as much as several extra $100k for you and your family. The message: don’t sign up without first exploring what is in …
Health Care Spending to Increase Moderately
My Comments: There was little talk among the 17 candidates yesterday about trying once again to repeal Obamacare. Why is that? Once again, projected health care cost outcomes are moving in the right direction, downward. Yes, overall spending will increase, but by far less than happened before the PPACA. Just suppose, if over the past …
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PPACA Premiums to Rise 4% in California
My Comments: During my 40 years as an insurance agent, I sold my share of health insurance policies. Over these years, it became normal to see annual premium increases of 6% to 8% every year. These increases were driven primarily by Big Pharma (the drug industry) and by hospitals. For them it was the cost …
Is it 1929, 1987 or Something Else?
My Comments: Those of us with money we plan to use in retirement have to pay attention to what is happening to the stock and bond market. If nothing else it helps us decide if we want to manage it ourselves or get someone to help us. I think we’re due for a correction. I’ve …
Social Security Mistakes That Can Be Fixed
My Comments: With so many of us soon to retire, and the not so obvious complexity of Social Security, there comes a time for many when decisions made ask for a redo. Some are possible and this short article describes some of them. If you have yet to claim benefits or are less than 12 …
Quantum Experiment Shows How “Time” Doesn’t Exist As We Think It Does
My Thoughts: I spent a little 'time' this morning with my grandchildren. Delighted that they live here and that my 'time' on the planet hasn't ended. It did for a friend of mine this past weekend. 24 hour days have been the norm here since the beginning of 'time', or have they? Spending a lot …
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Retirees Contending With Mortgage Debt
My Comments: Most of you know that my wife and I recently downsized (we now have 60% of what we used to have!) to a new house in a nearby neighborhood. I never knew how much stuff we had. Deciding what to keep and find room for is truly an ordeal. Financially, we accomplished this …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 