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….
Fake It Until You Make It
Often, I have seen people burdened with a financial secret; something that they have not faced head-on or have been hiding from their families, and it leads to emotional overwhelm. Over the last month, I have had several conversations with a successful career woman who has amassed credit card debt that she cannot pay off…
The Simplest Way To Lower Your Investment Fees
Sometimes, we just make things too complicated in our lives and especially our investments. Darla Mercado of CNBC hits this theme out of the park in her latest piece. Here’s one way to determine if fees are devouring your retirement savings: Open up your mail. About 6 out of 10 retirement plan participants are cracking…
How NOT To Save For College
Saving for retirement is hard; putting money away for college is even harder for many parents. For those with the means, the sharks are circling. 529 plans can be a great deal. These accounts grow without taxes weighing on them and withdrawals are free of taxes when used for education expenses (private K-12, college, graduate…
It’s Labor Day Again…..When Is My Retirement
Labor Day is a celebration of your human capital. One day you will need to rely on your financial capital. Start the process now by reading this week’s links. The 4% rule needs to be modernized. MarketWatch Here are 8 ways to boost your Social Security benefits. InvestmentNews Fixed Indexed Annuities are an awful investment for…
Start Here, Go Anywhere
“If we don’t educate our children about money, one day a broker will teach them lessons they’ll never forget” Jonathan Clements Some people are ahead of their time; think Jack Bogle, Jason Zweig, and Jonathan Clements. Jonathan has always been one of my favorite financial writers. I recall reading his column in the Wall Street…
Timeshares: The Variable Annuities of Real Estate Investing
High fees, illiquid investments, free buffets, and sleazy salespeople. Variable annuity, anyone? Welcome to the domain of “investment” timeshares. The timeshare industry was created in the 1970’s. Instead of selling one condo unit to a solitary buyer, 52 people could purchase them for one week, each paying a share of the price. According to the…
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