Boring Money is Beautiful

Dina here … I have a bird’s-eye view into the many ways investors have been misdirected by their financial salespeople; but this past week I encountered a perplexing situation – which is rare, as I’ve seen a lot. In the past, the usual “suspect-behavior” has been selling investors expensive mutual funds and annuities when better,…

Rule Breakers

Break the rules to learn about money. Dina and I, along with Anora Gaudiano of MarketWatch, visited one of New York City’s most prestigious and ultra-competitive schools – Stuyvesant High School. Kudos to them for taking a much-needed step in educating their student body about personal finance. Financial literacy courses are greatly lacking across the board; even in high caliber…

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

Working in a family business can be a tension convention. Here’s an idea, How about not working at all? Start by reading this week’s retirement links. Getting “suitable” advice is a horrific idea regarding retirement planning. Bob Veres Most financial questions don’t have an answer that’s right for everyone. Humble Dollar Get ready for more…

Compound Knowledge-Our Monthly College Planning Links

Most people have little knowledge of how to save properly for retirement. College planning is not part of their vocabulary. Don’t be one of those people. Start your adult college planning education by reading our monthly links. Watch Out! For-Profit Colleges have a new life. MarketWatch The government WILL collect upon your student loans. Bloomberg…

If They Cry, They Buy

When and why did the sales profession become such as powerful force in America? The answer explains why most of the financial services sector focuses on this model. The Big Change by Frederick Lewis Allen answers this and many other questions concerning American culture. “The 1920’s saw the canonization of the salesman as the brightest hope…

Less Money, More Problems

It’s expensive to be poor. Financial institutions like banks and insurance companies consider poor people the ultimate “risk asset.” The poor seldom obtain the financial services most of us take for granted. If they do, the markups are off the charts; they are trapped in an endless loop of financial misery almost impossible to escape. The…

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

It would be great to have off the day after Easter every year. Begin to make this a reality by reading this week’s links. Many people contribute to both a 401(k) and an HSA. 401kSpecialist Annuity peddlers love that the fact the fiduciary rule is under fire. Financial Advisor New York may offer its own retirement…