Anthony Isola

Financial Salespeople Don’t Suck – Their Incentives Do

Imagine paying jurors on their conviction rates? Defendants wouldn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of getting a fair shake. Not much different from current financial services models that pay salespeople high commissions to sell the most expensive products. Incentives matter – A LOT! Someone recently told me a story of a school custodian who…

Everyday Is Like Monday…..When Is My Retirement?

You can spend a little time now planning for retirement or all your time worrying later. Make the right choice. Read this week’s terrific links. It’s important to have liquid assets. Of Dollars and Data How to hire the right retirement advisor. TheStreet Take a look at this terrific social security calculator. Morningstar What should…

The Best Way To Get More Financial Aid – ASK

Don’t be bashful about asking colleges for help. The Coronavirus turned the world of college financial aid upside down. Typically, schools use complex algorithms to maximize their profits while handing out funds to incoming first-year students. There are more questions than answers embedded in their models. How many families will change their original decisions by…

Everyday Is Like Monday…..When Is My Retirement?

Like John Dewey once stated, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s we rob them of tomorrow.” The same goes for your retirement. Start your modern learning process today by reading this week’s terrific links. Where should you put your retirement contributions? MarketWatch How to manage your retirement portfolio during volatile times. AARP Gratitude…

Introducing Our Personal Finance Webinar Series

People need basic financial advice in the worst way possible. The pandemic and resulting financial crisis fast-tracked demand. We’re here to help. In addition to our playlist, Lesson Plan on the Compound YouTube channel, we’re creating a series of webinars. The first –  focusing on college planning during the pandemic. We share valuable tips on…

Yes, Financial Literacy Programs Do Work

Doing nothing about a problem seldom works. Financial literacy programs have been under attack for years. Many question their effectiveness. Some say they hurt more than help. The critics are wrong. In our hearts, we always believed this to be true. Having data as an ally reinforces our beliefs. Financial Education Affects Financial Knowledge And…

Everyday Is Like Monday…..When Is My Retirement?

Proper planning for retirement is like Novacaine. Just give it some time and it works. Start your process by reading this week’s terrific links. Three steps for more efficient tax planning in retirement. The Wall Street Journal Market crashes aren’t rare events. Morningstar The average 401(k) balance fell by 19% during the first quarter. CNBC…

Don’t Listen To Zero-Sum Financial Advice

There are two types of people in this world. Those believing in a zero-sum philosophy and those who don’t The difference between being a hero or a villain is easy to distinguish Heros believe in compassion, integrity, and faith. Villians choose scarcity, fear, and cynicism. Dictators fall into this category. Believing they can only flourish…

Will Lawsuits Become The Next Hot College Major?

Getting what we pay for is part of the American psyche. The Pandemic brings us to the college dorm elephant in the room. Will students receive a refund due to  Coronavirus shutdowns? College is a massively expensive undertaking. $1.5 trillion of student debt attests to this. Students shell out mega-bucks for room and board and…

Everyday Is Like Monday…..When Is My Retirement?

Famed investor Howard Marks stated, ” These days every one has the same data regarding the present and the same ignorance regarding the future.” We can’t predict the future but we can prepare for future possible outcomes. Start preparing for your retirement by reading this week’s terrific links. Employers need to help workers more in retirement…