Buying Cotton Candy to Eat the Stick

Investors try to do the right things but often the wrong reasons.  Mixing our monkey brains with money creates strange concoctions akin to buying cotton candy in order to eat the stick; flying on planes for the snacks; or visiting the dentist for the magazine selection.  Basically, we get distracted. There are no shortages of…

A Prussian Educational System and Financial Literacy Don’t Mix.

Our public education system is outdated and archaic. It’s not shocking personal finance isn’t a standard part of a national curriculum to prepare students for the 21st century. Instead, we still operate in a factory model, designed to mould workers into drones working on an assembly line. Public education hasn’t strayed much from 1852 when…

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

Easter and Passover are times of great reflection about the past and future. While you can’t change the past, you can influence the future. Start by reading this week’s terrific retirement links.   Use your tax refund to help fund your retirement. The U.S. News and World Report Avoid these retirement killers. CNBC How to…

Would You Pick This Investment To Fund Your Mom’s Retirement?

Overdogs aren’t popular. Think – New England Patriots, Facebook, and Darth Vader. Large insurers in the Non-Erisa K-12 403(b) retirement market dominate this space with armies of salespeople, lobbyists, regulatory capture, and deep pockets. In some industries, overdogs provide outstanding products  – others not so much. The 403(b) market falls into the latter category. Dina,…

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

42% of Americans aren’t saving for retirement at all! 1/3 have less than $5,000 put away. If you’re consistently reading our retirement tips you’re probably not in one of these groups. Pay it forward and share this week’s terrific links with someone who really needs your help. Annuity companies are using The Rolling Stones to…

Should You Buy an Annuity from Keith Richards?

Looking for that 19th Nervous Breakdown?  Here it comes, brought to you courtesy of the Alliance for Lifetime Income. According to Tobias Salinger of FinancialPlanning Magazine, “Backed by 24 of the largest issuers and asset managers, the new Alliance for Lifetime Income will be the sole sponsor of the Stones’ 2019 “No Filter” U.S. tour,…

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

Paying taxes is no fun. One way to make next years tax bill smaller is to contribute more to your 401(k) or 403(b) account. Read our weekly links to learn more how to pay yourself rather than the government. 2019 filing tips for retirees. The U.S. News & World Report If a $5.00 daily Latte…

The $800,000 Card

Social Security may be your most valuable asset. Unfortunately, many view it as an after-thought. Ignorance about its value abounds. My colleague, CFO, and Tax-Ninja Bill Sweet came up with this amazing stat. Homes have a median value of $221,800 and half of Americans have nothing saved for retirement. Something to think about. Many Americans…

Teaching The Right Lessons

The current Stock Market Game teaches kids all the wrong lessons. Jason Zweig nailed it when he said: “If your own children are studying the stock market in school, you had better ask them what they have been learning. They might need to be deprogrammed.” For many years my classes played and often won this…