Anthony Isola

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…

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…

Compounding Knowledge- September’s College Planning Links

In a post last week, I showed you How NOT to save for college. Here are some things you should be doing. It’s not too late to start saving for college. credit.com College planning is more than just a savings strategy. The Belle Curve Employers are starting to help pay off student loans. MarketWatch Kids…

Back To $chool

Most people are visual learners. They would rather watch a video than read a 500-page book. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Teaching kids about money is no different. Last June, Dina and I visited a Port Jefferson, N.Y. school to teach some 6th and 7th-graders investing concepts. Their teacher is very forward-…

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

If you don’t start to think about retirement planning now, it will be ALL you think about when you realize you are unprepared. Don’t let this happen to you. Begin the journey by reading this weeks links. People should start retirement planning in High School. New York Times Retiring too early can be a problem….