December 2019

“You Didn’t Build That”

We’re all interdependent, whether we admit to it or not. Back in 2012, President Obama got himself into heaps of trouble for stating this. His opponents viewed his remarks as an attack on entrepreneurs and business. In reality, it was taken out of context. President Obama was referring to the fact that successful businesses need…

I Don’t Like Mondays…When Is My Retirement?

Here are three simple New Year’s resolutions to fortify your financial health. Save more Spend less Read our weekly retirement links Here’s what you should be spending the most retirement planning time on. Morningstar Here’s how Grandparents can help pay for college. Wall Street Journal Do you really need an annuity in retirement? MarketWatch The…

Nobody Knows Nothing – The Investment Fee Edition

32% of Americans believe they don’t pay any investment fees or have no clue what they are. Newsflash – your local financial salesperson doesn’t work for a non-profit. Unless you include your retirement account but I digress. Public school teachers deserve an F in fee comprehension. They have terrific tutors in conflicted annuity salespeople who…

I Don’t Like Mondays…When Is My Retirement?

The best gift you can give to yourself and your family is a sound plan for retirement. Start right here for free with this week’s terrific holiday retirement links. Avoid dollar cost ravaging your retirement. BlackRock How to avoid paying 50% of your retirement income to the IRS. Yahoo How to legally become a Snowbird….

The Retirement Version Of Voter Suppression

Insurance companies are trapping investors in escape room hell. In escape rooms, participating players learn the value of teamwork. Working together discovering clues, solving puzzles, and accomplishing tasks is the objective.  Escaping in the shortest time possible is the top priority. The problem with teachers 403(b) plans –  They aren’t a game. Many educators are…

Monday’s Coming Like A Jail On Wheels…When Is My Retirement?

What does the trade deal mean for a long term retirement plan? Absolutely Nothing! Read about what really matters in this week’s terrific links.   Most would be better off is they received their social security statements in the mail. CNBC You can buy a retirement home in Italy for $1.11.  Wall Street Journal How…

Pay Close Attention To Who’s Steering Your Investments

Steering people into inferior investments due to preconceived prejudices isn’t a relic from the bad old days. Long Island’s housing market is infected with this disease. Newsday recently published a 3-year investigation documenting patterns of widespread discrimination. Long Island Divided, uncovered a widespread separate and unequal treatment of minority potential homebuyers. Testers were sent out…

I Don’t Like Mondays…..When Is My Retirement?

Holiday shopping may seem like a huge priority at the moment. Is it more important than saving and planning for retirement? Start your decision process by reading this week’s terrific retirement links. Bull markets can last pretty long. A Wealth Of Common Sense Why are more people dying before they get a chance to retire?…

Reflections on Pearl Harbor Day

  This post was originally published 4 years ago There were no “safe zones” in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In the age of “micro-aggressions” and “everybody’s special snowflake gets a trophy”, the events that happened on that fateful day stand out in sharp contrast our current diet of “fake news,” reality-show dominated media….

Tapas, Crepes, Puppies, and Tuition

Does a four-year college degree need to cost a quarter of a million dollars? Don’t be indoctrinated into believing the slick marketing. Schools are masters at selling the college experience. “Would you like to live in a castle? Done.” Our 16-year-old twin sons are beginning this journey. We don’t like what we see. Observing some…