Following the herd in life — or investing — tends to end badly. Last night we were trapped in the transportation hell-hole called New York Pennsylvania Station. There was some sort of “signal” problem which ended cancelling 80 trains. When this happens, a nuclear chain reaction ensues. Since so many trains are cancelled, the crowd then…
Kids Think Financial Literacy Is Pretty “Lit”
Kids love learning about money. This makes the fact this subject is rarely taught in school more maddening. Last week, Dina and I were privileged to go into a local middle school and teach three classes of 6th and 7th graders some money basics. Our presentation centered on debt, budgeting and investing. This was supplemented…
Morgan Stanley Clients: Assume the Position
Dina here… Perhaps Tony and I have been hanging out too long because I swear, the snark factor in my latest blog sounds a lot like him — but it’s all me, and it’s all true. Click here if you’re curious to know why it really is déjà vu all over again (and not in…
Exit Light, Enter Night — We’re Off to 403(b) Land
“Sleep with one eye open gripping your pillow tight.”– Metallica Ruthless predators in disguise are raiding the retirement accounts of public school teachers. Just like wildlife lurking in the rain forest on the banks of the Amazon River, they manipulate their environment to consume unsuspecting prey. In the words of some other famous head-bangers, welcome to…
Many Investors Have a Contradiction-Addiction
Most investors are a walking contradiction. You cannot love both Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump; root for both the Yankees and the Red Sox; nor can you put grated cheese on linguine with clam sauce (shout out for all you hardcore Italians out there). Some things just cannot go together. Don’t tell this to investors. Their belief…
Teach Your Daughters to Fish
Dina here … In spite of the fact that women lead men in attaining higher education degrees, when it comes to money-smarts, they are falling short. Clearly, raising financially savvy, independent daughters is more about experiences than test-taking. Make sure that you are encouraging your daughters to think in empowering ways so they will have the…
The Ultimate Alternative Investment: Happiness
What is the point of accumulating financial assets if they don’t make you and those around you happy? Though our nation’s total net worth has never been higher, our individual levels of anxiety are moving in the opposite direction. Real financial planning is so much more than pontificating about the benefits of a low-cost, globally diversified…
Reverse Compounding Fuels Racial Inequality
In 2013, the net worth of white households was an astonishing 13 times greater than their African-American counterparts. If our nation is to achieve its full economic growth potential, something has to be done about this, and fast. One of the biggest reasons for this gaping chasm is a lack of basic financial knowledge by…
The Case for Early Inheritance
Who says you have to die to let your loved ones enjoy the fruits of your labor? Most studies show people are much happier giving than receiving. Why should the largest giving event of your lifetime happen when you are not around to enjoy it? Recently, my wife and I decided to send our twin…
Congress’s Blitzkrieg on our Retirement Savings
Congress is about to declare war on the average American struggling to save for retirement. The ineptitude of Congress has no limits. Just when you thought they have reached maximum density regarding incompetence and stupidity, think again. For those who have not been paying attention, here are some of the issues Americans are facing regarding…
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