December 2017

Game Over

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”  – Arthur C. Clarke Does outer space provide the answers to our most pressing questions about investing? China thinks so, along with everything else. The Chinese have built the largest radio dish in the world. China’s creation…

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

Here are our holiday week retirement links. Happy Holidays! Even For The Very Rich, More Money Brings Happiness – The Wall Street Journal When It’s Best To Claim Social Security Before 70 – MarketWatch Fixed Index Annuities Do Not Fulfill Their Promises – Jason Zweig Retiring Early Just Might Kill You – Bloomberg Americans Are…

Are Large Corporations Above The Law?

Some corporations are getting away with murder, literally. It is an undisputed fact that financial executives avoided the “perp walk” despite coming perilously close to blowing up the financial system due to their unabashed greed and stupidity. According to my colleague, Barry Ritholtz: “After much research, I have come to believe that at the highest levels of…

Simple, But Not Easy

Investing is simple, but not easy. Warren Buffett coined this phrase and made billions by sticking to it. Recently, I finished teaching my first-semester investment class through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Stony Brook University. Leaving my students something “Buffettonian” was a priority upon their departure back into the investment jungle. Successful investing requires more…

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

Good Morning! Here are this week’s retirement links. Have a great day! It’s The Grandparents Stealing From The Grandchildren – The Atlantic The Secret To Getting Workers To Save More For Retirement – The Wall Street Journal Is Early Retirement A Realistic Dream? – Vanguard Four Reasons Why Your 401(k) Might Be A Giant Rip-Off…

Charlatans, Carnival Barkers, and Liars

Bubbles and manias have no shortage of charlatans. Scoundrels often fuel the blow off breakouts that end in an ocean of tears. We are currently observing financial carnival barkers emerge from the shadows in this next stage of cryptocurrency mania. Sightings of “free” crypto classes are turning up as click bait. In the words of…

A Financial Predator’s Pinata

The little guy always seems to get screwed. This is the case regarding 401(k) plans for small businesses, compared to their larger company counterparts. Darla Mercado points out this disturbing fact: “However, small businesses generally don’t have the same bargaining power as employers with large retirement plans. In 2014, plans with less than $10 million…

Small Gains + Large Risks = Terrible Results

Investors constantly try to grab nickels in front of steamrollers. Trading dollars for nickels will never make you rich. Poor risk management goes for other parts of our lives. A trainer at CrossFit helped prove this hypothesis. Yes, I go there. I don’t mention it much for two reasons: #1 –  I suck at it….

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

Good Morning! Here are this week’s retirement links. Have a great day! Tax Bill Passed By Senate Backs Off 457(b), 403(b) Plan Changes – planadviser What To Buy Recent Retirees To Transform Their Quality Of Life – MarketWatch Divorce After 50: What I Wish I Had Known Beforehand – MarketWatch Ready to Retire? Here’ a…

We Are All at Record Highs

Why do people freak out when the stock market hits and roars past previous highs? In other aspects of our lives, we are constantly surpassing old peaks. Think of our age, each second we continue to breathe we smash through our previous records of longevity. The same goes for the planet we inhabit. Life did…