My Comments: History does typically repeat itself. Whether its human frailty or the laws of physics, the past is usually a glimpse into the future. Cries of ‘this time it’s different’ usually prove to be false. It’s not what happens that has a critical effect on your financial future, it’s how you manage the inevitable. …
Tag: gainesville florida
PPACA and Premium Increases
My Comments: 40 years ago I cut my teeth as a financial advisor, selling health insurance policies to local families. Many of them were employed at the University of Florida and all paid exactly the same premiums. Older folks were effectively subsidized by younger folks, which meant that if what I sold was age sensitive, …
The Fed’s Dilemma
My Comments: Last week the Fed board of governors met and nine of the ten voted to NOT raise the Federal Funds Rate. That’s the rate charged to commercial banks who borrow money from the Federal Reserve. It’s the fundamental tool used by the central bank to influence the economy. For those of you who …
An Unheralded Force Shaping US Policy
My Comments: I’ve been registered to vote since about 1960. During these 55 years, I’ve managed to cast a vote in almost every election held for which I was eligible. Some of the time, my votes have been positive and others negative. But I’m convinced my participation was meaningful and remains meaningful today. This article …
Hump Day – New Disease Identified
My Comments: Mindful that life is short and it’s too easy to take oneself seriously all the time, it occurred to me that each Wednesday, or Hump Day, it might make sense to share something not so serious. With the GOP debates tonight on CNN, keep this in mind if you plan to watch them. …
Fixed Indexed Annuities: Good, Bad or Ugly?
My Comments: In many circles, a FIA, or fixed index annuity, is an evil thing. As a professional retirement income planner, I believe they can be a lifesaver for many people. That billions of dollars flow into FIAs annually tells me nothing; we have less than sophisticated buyers being sold stuff by self-serving salesmen just …
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Capitalism Can Defeat Economic Inequality
My Comments: I came across this the other day and failed to note the source. As an economist interested in the sustainability of the economy and sensitive to the growing divide between the haves and the have nots in this country, it caught my attention. I'm not saying whomever wrote this is right. I think …
Plutonium Is Unsung Concession in Iran Nuclear Deal
My Comments: I think I’m beating a dead horse here but I’m going ahead anyway. This new article points out something I’ve missed in every single argument I’ve read that argued either in favor of or against the agreement on Iran. As a financial professional, I often hear arguments in favor of or against the …
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A Global Recession Underway?
My Comments: The ability to accurately predict the future is something I cannot do; if I could, you wouldn’t be reading this blog post. On the other hand, I’m OK with saying an economic downturn is very likely already under way. The writer below suggests it will bottom out sometime in 2017. So, do we …
5 Reasons the Fed Shouldn’t Raise Rates
My Comments: You've already read my comments about the significance of interest rates. They are going to start going up; when is the big unknown. By Akin Oyedele, September 9, 2015 Larry Summers is convinced the Federal Reserve will make a huge mistake if it raises interest rates next week. Two weeks ago, Summers wrote …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 