April 2017

Reverse Compounding Fuels Racial Inequality

In 2013, the net worth of white households was an astonishing 13 times greater than their African-American counterparts. If our nation is to achieve its full economic growth potential, something has to be done about this, and fast. One of the biggest reasons for this gaping chasm is a lack of basic financial knowledge by…

The Case for Early Inheritance

Who says you have to die to let your loved ones enjoy the fruits of your labor? Most studies show people are much happier giving than receiving. Why should the largest giving event of your lifetime happen when you are not around to enjoy it? Recently, my wife and I decided to send our twin…

Congress’s Blitzkrieg on our Retirement Savings

  Congress is about to declare war on the average American struggling to save for retirement. The ineptitude of Congress has no limits. Just when you thought they have reached maximum density regarding incompetence and stupidity, think again. For those who have not been paying attention, here are some of the issues Americans are facing regarding…

Bargain Hunter’s Delight

Dina here … It’s a great paradox of life that people will clip coupons, or drive out of their way to save $5 at a sale and yet, when it comes to their personal finances, they ignore the chance to save thousands of dollars. This opportunity is real: it is the employer-sponsored retirement plan.  Click…

Learning to Learn: The Ultimate Survival Tool

The way most people have been taught to learn is outdated and dangerous. The modern world requires people to frequently reinvent themselves in order to survive and thrive. Sadly, too few have the most important skill to accomplish this: the ability to learn how to learn. Many are taught in the most horrific way possible: the…

Barron’s Is Pushing a Very Expensive Happy Meal

  Institutional investors now have the opportunity “to hire the best.” If this turns out like Barron’s list of “Top Financial Advisors” for retail investors, institutional investors should run for the hills. Like its “pay to play” sibling, this list is designed to generate more revenue for the magazine rather than look out for the…

Where Are You Going?

Dina here… There are many common fears that plague investors; I hear about them all the time.  Some are easier to overcome than others; but in the hierarchy of issues, this one must be addressed first. It is non-negotiable. Without sitting down and assessing where you are and where you want to go, you are going…

How to Create Your Own Variable Annuity

Guaranteed income often comes at a very expensive price. Luckily, there is a way to avoid purchasing a costly variable annuity while still providing a steady stream of income. Variable annuities can have a place in a portfolio. There are some honest advisors who offer this type of insurance product. Unfortunately, far too many salespeople (posing…

Smells Like “Free College”

“Free college” may not mean what you think. Some states have decided to combat rising education costs and the explosion in student debt by making college “free” for their residents. My home state of New York is the latest to join this popular trend. Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken this idea one step further. Minnesota,…

Bad Medicine for Your Portfolio

“I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error.” – President James A. Garfield Less is more in making decisions regarding your investments. This can also be the case in many other fields. Candice Millard, author of Destiny of the Republic, points this out regarding the medical care of President James Garfield after…