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

Stocks go up, stocks go down. Focus on the things you can control. Your saving and spending rates will determine your future. Read about what really matters in this week’s terrific links. Spending time outside is a great investment. The Washington Post Bad news can be better than uncertainty. The Humble Dollar Why are more…

Live Rich, Die Poor

Money is a ticket. Purchase happiness or count your daily beans. The choice is yours. Our recent trip to Italy confirmed the data presented by the likes of Brian Portnoy and Daniel Crosby. No need for fancy charts or psychologist’s white papers. Italians get it and do it. All isn’t perfect. Italy is a fiscal…

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

Back from Italia edition. In Italy older workers are covered by a pension that replaces 77% of their salary, In America, you need to save for yourself. Start by reading this week’s terrific links. Ice Cream, Pizza, and Bacon are more dangerous than a market crash. MarketWatch Do financial literacy classes make people better retirement…

Financial Astrology, From Manure to Markets

Forecasting the short term movements of the markets is virtually impossible. This tidbit hasn’t stopped people from trying Making money from failed predictions is a big-time business. We are still waiting for hyperinflation and skyrocketing gold prices the “experts” warned us about from all that money printing From Dow 36,000 to Bitcoin $100,000, so-called experts…

It’s Monday Again….. When Am I Going On A Vacation To Italy?

Today! – I’m sure the retirement world won’t miss me on my hiatus. Being completely honest, this will be a lot more fun than writing about social security strategies. Not that there is anything wrong with that! We are off to Trento to visit family but not before I post this week’s awesome links. Early…

The Retirement Land That Time Forgot – The Video

K-12 teachers 403(b) plans aren’t covered by stringent government ERISA regulations? What the hell is that about? When NO ONE is responsible for the investment selections, bad things happen. The vast majority of public school teachers are sold expensive annuity products that deny them the opportunity to build wealth over time. Many school administrators and…

Where is the Fiduciary Responsibility to Capitalism?

You can’t win the game if you don’t know the rules. Capitalism relies on the free flow of information. Any rupture deprives the free market oxygen needed to sustain itself. Judging by these criteria, the K-12 403(b) market is on life support. A lack of transparency combined with toxic financial illiteracy created a market that…

It’s The Day After Memorial Day…..When Is My Retirement?

Memorial Day reminds us too many Americans never got the chance to save for retirement. What’s your excuse? Dina and I are blowing the doors off a corrupted 403(b) market. Barron’s A new law is close to being passed that will change the way Americans save. CNBC 25% of Americans have ZERO saved for retirement….

Anarchy in the 401(k)

Insurance companies are poised to begin carpet bombing 401(k) savers with costly and inappropriate annuity products. The Secure Act may change the way Americans save for retirement. Spoiler alert –  change isn’t always good. Securing insecurity isn’t the answer for a country where 25% of its people have bupkas put away. The Secure Act passed the…

The Tenth Circle of Retirement Hell

Welcome to the tenth circle of retirement hell:  K-12 teachers’ 403(b) plans. Numbers eight, and nine on Dante’s list are fraud and treachery. The perfect prelude for this space. Many public school teachers own portfolios that could’ve been designed by Satan himself. Predatory salespeople posing as financial advisors act as surrogates for The Prince of…