Start Here, Go Anywhere

“If we don’t educate our children about money, one day a broker will teach them lessons they’ll never forget” Jonathan Clements Some people are ahead of their time; think Jack Bogle, Jason Zweig, and Jonathan Clements. Jonathan has always been one of my favorite financial writers. I recall reading his column in the Wall Street…

Timeshares: The Variable Annuities of Real Estate Investing

High fees, illiquid investments, free buffets, and sleazy salespeople. Variable annuity, anyone? Welcome to the domain of “investment” timeshares. The timeshare industry was created in the 1970’s. Instead of selling one condo unit to a solitary buyer, 52 people could purchase them for one week, each paying a share of the price. According to the…

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

Your retirement may last for 30 years or more. Changing your strategy because of a bad day, month, or year in the market is a terrible plan. Enlighten yourself by reading this week’s retirement links. Are annuities coming to your 401(k)? MarketWatch Retiring to a small town may not be a good idea. Wall…

Data Over Dogma

The best investment advice often comes from books that have little to do with money. Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, by The Dalai Lama is no exception. The Dalai Lama (the term means ocean of wisdom) is the spiritual leader of Tibet. He has been in exile since 1959, driven out by the…

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

If the decline in the Turkish lira has a large impact on your retirement plan, you need a new plan. Read this week’s links to separate the signal from the noise. Source: Michael Batnick Three times as many people 65 and older are filing for bankruptcy compared to 1993. The New York Times Wells Fargo is at…

Hooray for Me, the Hell with You!

When my mother wanted me to be aware of someone’s self-serving nature she would say, “Hooray for me and the hell with you!” That one sentence was a much-needed warning as my tendency was to follow the Golden Rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”). The trouble is, sometimes you…

Something for a Mid-Life or Market Crisis

Investing isn’t hard science. According to Tadas Viskanta,“The first law of finance is that there are no laws.” Part of what determines investing success is influenced by forces beyond our control. Nick Maggiulli, stated, “You need to be in the right place at the right time.” J. Paul Getty agreed: “My formula for success is rise…

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

Apple’s market capitalization reached $1 trillion this week but 50% of Americans have nothing saved for retirement. There are several steps you can take if your company doesn’t offer a 401(k). MarketWatch The 50/30/20 rule is an excellent strategy to save $$. Forbes 61 is the new 65 Random Roger 10 ways to make 401(k) plans…

Compounding Knowledge – Our Monthly College Planning Links

Don’t worry about college costs- Do something about it. You can start by reading this month’s links. 6 ways to lower college costs. The White Coat Investor AP and CLEP exams can reduce tuition in a big way. A Humble Dollar An excellent 529 Primer. The Art Of Manliness Just because Bill Gates didn’t graduate college…