September 2018

How an NFL Player Became My First Guest Blogger

NFL players often drop the ball when managing their money; but punter, Jeff Locke, is trying to change this. Punting in the NFL is not for the faint of heart; Jeff knows what it’s like to have 250 lb. linebackers trying to remove his head from his body.  He has also seen the financial beheadings of…

The Only Benchmark that Matters

What is true wealth? Answer:  Funding your contentment and the ability to underwrite a meaningful life. Brian Portnoy magnificently explains this in his new book, The Geometry of Wealth. He answers one of life’s eternal questions:  Can money buy happiness?  Yes, but Brian has an important caveat. “It’s only those who have calibrated their own…

Malice, With Love

About a decade ago, my first blog was born. Bloodied but Unbowed launched in all its glory. Don’t remember it? I designed this blog myself. (You can see where this train wreck is heading.) It was supposed to be an eclectic mix of politics and economics. In reality, it was poorly written rantings of extremely…

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

No matter who the president is, YOU are the one responsible for your retirement planning. Don’t let your political beliefs keep you from reaching your goals. Do something positive.  Turn off the talk radio and read this week’s awesome links. Some of the best places to retire are also some of the most affordable. CNBC…

Hardwired to Help

Dina here … Sometimes you find a cause to support, but when a cause finds you it means something in life has sunk its teeth in and has torn some of your flesh. Such was the case for our family when, in 2014, our fifth-grade son showed me a lump on his neck.  What appeared…

Don’t Drink the Financial Gatorade!

Some things “sound” good but are hazardous to your physical and financial health; for example, fitness foods and complicated insurance products. According to Precise Nutrition, the popular sports drink Gatorade contains 32 grams of sugar. Combine this with a granola-based protein bar and your post-workout meal is equivalent to a deep-fried, jam-slathered Twinkie. There is a subset…

A Gushing Geyser of B.S.

Who knew that the key to making money is buying high-fee mutual funds with sales loads? Contrary to data and common sense, high-fee products generate the best returns over the long term, according to Jared Dillian’s article, “Sure, everyone loves low mutual fund fees. But the fee wars will encourage bad behavior.”   Dillian contends that high fees…

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

Don’t let a financial hurricane destroy your retirement. Start planning now by reading this week’s links. Merril Lynch decided to change its mind about commissions. I wonder why?? InvestmentNews You can avoid the tax penalty for early retirement withdrawals with this strategy. CNBC Spending and saving are much more important than market returns when planning for…

A Three Question Guide For Speculators

Friends, relatives, and clients will often ask me my opinion on speculative investments. In my younger days, I responded with something like this. “Are you crazy? Do you want to lose all your money? If you do this I will not help you or play any part in this impending dumpster fire.” Times have changed….

Escape from Financial Alcatraz

Some financial advisors are trapped in their own version of financial incarceration: A small cog in a web of financial deceit chasing commissions and pushing product; moving on to their next kill. In some ways, it’s better to be a clueless drone in such an environment. Creating a shield to protect against client’s pain is better…