My Comments: As someone who has been enrolled in Medicare for 7 plus years now, I can attest to its value for both my wife and I. At our age, things start to go wrong, and having the ability to seek medical advice and remedies without breaking the bank is critical to our peace of …
Tag: Retirement planning
Health Care Costs: Still Going Up
My Comments: Many, if not most of us, are sick and tired of the arguments about ObamaCare, the nickname for the PPACA, passed by Congress and essentially OK’d by the Supreme Court. Between you and me it's here to stay, and yet needs a lot of adjustments to make it realistic and meaningful over time. …
How to Get Tax-free Retirement Income With Life Insurance
My Comments: As a financial planner and insurance agent for almost 40 years, I’ve sold my share of life insurance policies. Many of them are still in force, though I have had my share of clients who pass away. The IRS is sensitive to those of us who promote the tax benefits of life insurance. …
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Are We Looking At A Bond Bubble?
My Comments: There are just as many ways to lose money with bonds as there are with stocks. The risk is different; what happens to interest rates in the future vs corporate earnings and their relative size. That’s an oversimplification but you get the idea. The chart above shows interest rates from 1790 – 2012. …
10 Things You Must Know About Medicare
My Comments: The people at Kiplinger have created another great blog post for me to borrow. And if you insist, you have "my permission" to click on their links and get more good information from them. At the end of the day, however, you may need someone local, a dedicated, knowledgable professional whose experience over …
Energy Price Spread: Natural Gas Vs. Crude Oil In The U.S.
My Comments: Followers of this blog may remember my frequent mention of Thomas P.M. Barnett, a prolific writer and thought leader on global economics and political forces. Years ago he said that within a couple of decades, the US would become a net exporter of energy. He asserted this transformation would re-write a lot of …
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It Is Informed Optimism To Wait For The Rain
My Comments: Yes, the title above is a little odd, but the word "optimism" caused me to stop and read. By every contemporary, standard definition, I am a “financial advisor”. That term is restricted, or should be, to those of us providing financial advice to clients that conforms to a fiduciary standard. Simply put, we …
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Are Gold And Silver Ready To Rumble?
My Comments: I’ve never been much of a gold bug. I recognize it’s value as a trading opportunity and the need for a large portfolio to include what are thought of as non-traditional investments. But since it tends to increase in value during times of high inflation and general woe and gloom, and being a …
12 Steps to a Blissful Retirement
My Comments: Monday morning, the sun is shining, and perhaps an exciting week ahead. Only I tried retirement, and it was not blissful (billsful maybe). So I’m back working full time, knowing that what used to take me an hour to accomplish, now takes at least two. That being said, whenever I see a list …
Reset the Reset – Visa Bans Will Not Deter Putin
My Comments: I made a reference last week to the effect that what happened when the Russians took over part of the Ukraine had only a temporary effect on the markets. Today’s comments are directed toward those who hate Obama and everything he stands for. The gist of those who daily and routinely criticize our …
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Helping Define Your Financial Future 