Financial Astrology, From Manure to Markets

Forecasting the short term movements of the markets is virtually impossible. This tidbit hasn’t stopped people from trying Making money from failed predictions is a big-time business. We are still waiting for hyperinflation and skyrocketing gold prices the “experts” warned us about from all that money printing From Dow 36,000 to Bitcoin $100,000, so-called experts…

It’s Monday Again….. When Am I Going On A Vacation To Italy?

Today! – I’m sure the retirement world won’t miss me on my hiatus. Being completely honest, this will be a lot more fun than writing about social security strategies. Not that there is anything wrong with that! We are off to Trento to visit family but not before I post this week’s awesome links. Early…

The Retirement Land That Time Forgot – The Video

K-12 teachers 403(b) plans aren’t covered by stringent government ERISA regulations? What the hell is that about? When NO ONE is responsible for the investment selections, bad things happen. The vast majority of public school teachers are sold expensive annuity products that deny them the opportunity to build wealth over time. Many school administrators and…

Where is the Fiduciary Responsibility to Capitalism?

You can’t win the game if you don’t know the rules. Capitalism relies on the free flow of information. Any rupture deprives the free market oxygen needed to sustain itself. Judging by these criteria, the K-12 403(b) market is on life support. A lack of transparency combined with toxic financial illiteracy created a market that…

It’s The Day After Memorial Day…..When Is My Retirement?

Memorial Day reminds us too many Americans never got the chance to save for retirement. What’s your excuse? Dina and I are blowing the doors off a corrupted 403(b) market. Barron’s A new law is close to being passed that will change the way Americans save. CNBC 25% of Americans have ZERO saved for retirement….

Anarchy in the 401(k)

Insurance companies are poised to begin carpet bombing 401(k) savers with costly and inappropriate annuity products. The Secure Act may change the way Americans save for retirement. Spoiler alert – change isn’t always good. Securing insecurity isn’t the answer for a country where 25% of its people have bupkas put away. The Secure Act passed the…

The Tenth Circle of Retirement Hell

Welcome to the tenth circle of retirement hell: K-12 teachers’ 403(b) plans. Numbers eight, and nine on Dante’s list are fraud and treachery. The perfect prelude for this space. Many public school teachers own portfolios that could’ve been designed by Satan himself. Predatory salespeople posing as financial advisors act as surrogates for The Prince of…

Science Is One Thing, Wisdom Is Another

Investors don’t live in a test tube. Often what looks great in the lab leads to disastrous results. The same goes for the history of curing fatal bacterial infections. This powerful story is laid out in the amazing book, The Demon Under The Microscope by Thomas Hager. Hager traces the story of a team of…

It’s Monday Again…..When Is My Retirement?

Jon Snow was lucky. He had his retirement planned for him. He will live out his life with his friends the Wildlings and his loyal Direwolf Ghost in a pre-planned location. You, on the other hand, won’t be so fortunate. Start creating your own strategy by reading this week’s terrific links. Do you know…

Money CAN Buy Happiness

It depends on how you spend it. Becoming a mall rat won’t do the trick. The dopamine rush fueled by mindless purchases leads only to a severe case of FOMO. Income isn’t a golden ticket either. How should you handle money to fill your life with bliss instead of envy? Gretchen Rubin has seven…