In America, many investment firms won’t speak to you unless you have $250,000 or more to invest. Global median wealth per person is $3,582 in 2017. The United States might as well be in another net-worth galaxy compared to the rest of our fellow earthlings. Credit Suisse came out with a fascinating research paper, Credit…
Insanely Expensive Life Insurance
Why would anyone pay $5,000 for a $50,000 death benefit? Planning for your own demise can be very expensive; in more ways than one. Some insurance companies unearth many ways to profit from your worst fears. The credo: “If they cry they buy” sells a lot of products people don’t need. Case in point: the variable…
Learn as If You Were to Live Forever
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford We love to teach people about the markets and investing. We have nothing to hide. Free lunches and sales pitches are not our thing. On Thursday, Barry Ritholtz, Dina, and I visited Barry’s Alma mater,…
It’s Monday Again…..When Is MY Retirement?
Good Morning! Here are this week’s retirement links. Have a great day. I’m Rich, and That Makes Me Anxious – The New York Times 3 Way Teachers Get Fleeced by Financial Providers – An Exceptional Life Barron’s Guide to Retiring Well – Barron’s A Year-End Checklist for Retirees – Morningstar Ditch That Nine to Five…
How to Develop a Sixth Sense for Financial Aid- Without Seeing Debt People
We Will your children attend their dream school? Don’t let your “high school” money mistakes stand in their way. Instead of living with guilt, let’s fix this problem before the therapy sessions begin. First, there is a dangerous, but common, assumption that filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, more commonly known…
TIAA, You’re No Vanguard
”Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.” – Senator Lloyd Bentsen TIAA is having its own Dan Quayle moment. Their rebuttal to accusations made by The New York Times threw kerosene onto the flaming charges of massive conflicts of interest at the retirement…
It’s Monday Again…..When Is My Retirement?
Good Morning! Here are this week’s retirement links. Have a great day. The 3 Great Misconceptions About Retirement Saving – Can I Retire Yet? No, 401(k)’s Aren’t A ‘Great And Popular Middle Class Tax Break’ – The Atlantic TIAA’s Devotion To Investors Can Start With Fees – BloombergGadfly The Increasing Importance Of The 401(k) –…
A Nightmare on Spending Street
When it comes to money, Friday the 13th occurs 365 days a year; Americans do very eerie things with their money. We have documented here how young people have too much debt and too little savings. Halloween provides an opportunity to exorcise this poltergeist from our zombie budgets; or not. The National Retail Federation…
Run, Don’t Walk Away From “Top Producers”
Imagine paying the dues for NOT joining a fancy country club; banned from the premises and secluded from its perks. Sound crazy? Introducing: “The Top Producers’ Club.” Brokers are eligible for this “honor” by generating large volumes of commissions. This “prestigious” designation often rears its deceiving head in public school teachers’ 403(b) plans. High-cost annuity products…
It’s Monday Again…..When Is My Retirement?
Good Morning! Here are this week’s retirement links. Have a great day. Republicans Seem Bizarrely Determined To Pay For Their Tax Cuts By Crushing 401(k)’s – Slate Your 401(k) Plan Could Be A Gold Mine If You Do These Two Simple Things – MarketWatch For Ways To Change 401(k) Plans For The Better – MarketWatch…
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