The idea of simply signing up for Social Security checks once you reach at 62 used to be a good idea. Not anymore. For each of us, there are 92 possible months to sign up. How do you know which one is best. And once you sign up, there is no turning back. I’ve recently …
Continue reading 6 Things About Social Security You Should Know
My Comments: I’m stepping in political waters here but I can’t help myself. This came from the Financial Times and the insights shed a lot of light on how we got to where we are in Washington. There is no reason to think this doesn’t apply to both the Republicans and the Democrats alike, but …
My Thoughts: Employment numbers are higher than normal, though coming down slowly, and the argument made by those who oppose this idea is that it will cause more unemployment. Some marginal workers will lose their jobs, but the ability of those who do not and instead receive higher wages will spur consumption. That will have …
Continue reading A Higher Minimum Wage is the Tonic America Needs
My Comments: Amid all the discussion about whether to raise the minimum wage, or whether it’s in our best interest for ALL of us to have health insurance, and how to keep the Social Security system solvent for the next generation or two, it’s easy to forget how it was before all that happened. I …
My Thoughts: Having the IRS look closely at you is not something you are likely to enjoy. But the good news is there are fewer agents than before and unless your “mistake” is grievous, you are likely to be overlooked. But you can’t count on it. With computer technology advancing by the minute, it will …
My Comments: We live in a world of competing economic forces that in the past were almost always resolved by conflict. Since the end of WW2, those types of conflicts have diminished, even though the media would have us believe its the end of the world as we know it when they happen. All of …
My Thoughts: Here we are, it’s December 2, and the President has assured us the website issues are fixed. I doubt they are; there were too many issues to get fixed. But they will get fixed since the PPACA is here to stay, and all the paranoia and hysterics will fade over time and we’ll …
Continue reading What went wrong with HealthCare.gov – and what now
I hope everyone had a fine Thanksgiving, with family and friends, as did all of us (27 people plus 7 dogs!). Great to see everyone on this annual event. But back to reality... I’ve long been fascinated by the scale of time and my inability to get my arms around the concept. I suspect I’m …
My Thoughts: My favorite all time writer in the world of finance, Nick Murray, brings another fine thought to the table. Being optimistic seems so much more reasonable than getting bogged down, week after week, month after month, in woe and gloom. Being positive seems so much more productive. And it reinforces the notion I’ve …
DOW AND S&P 500 AT RECORD HIGHS - The Dow Jones industrial average jumped more than 100 points on Tuesday, to finish at a record closing high. The S&P 500 ended Tuesday at a record high for the third straight day. The S&P 500 has risen 6.4% since October 8, when it hit its lowest …
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