The way most people have been taught to learn is outdated and dangerous. The modern world requires people to frequently reinvent themselves in order to survive and thrive. Sadly, too few have the most important skill to accomplish this: the ability to learn how to learn. Many are taught in the most horrific way possible: the…
Barron’s Is Pushing a Very Expensive Happy Meal
Institutional investors now have the opportunity “to hire the best.” If this turns out like Barron’s list of “Top Financial Advisors” for retail investors, institutional investors should run for the hills. Like its “pay to play” sibling, this list is designed to generate more revenue for the magazine rather than look out for the…
Where Are You Going?
Dina here… There are many common fears that plague investors; I hear about them all the time. Some are easier to overcome than others; but in the hierarchy of issues, this one must be addressed first. It is non-negotiable. Without sitting down and assessing where you are and where you want to go, you are going…
How to Create Your Own Variable Annuity
Guaranteed income often comes at a very expensive price. Luckily, there is a way to avoid purchasing a costly variable annuity while still providing a steady stream of income. Variable annuities can have a place in a portfolio. There are some honest advisors who offer this type of insurance product. Unfortunately, far too many salespeople (posing…
Smells Like “Free College”
“Free college” may not mean what you think. Some states have decided to combat rising education costs and the explosion in student debt by making college “free” for their residents. My home state of New York is the latest to join this popular trend. Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken this idea one step further. Minnesota,…
Bad Medicine for Your Portfolio
“I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error.” – President James A. Garfield Less is more in making decisions regarding your investments. This can also be the case in many other fields. Candice Millard, author of Destiny of the Republic, points this out regarding the medical care of President James Garfield after…
Bread and Circus Investors
“Got to find a reason why my money’s all gone.” – Sublime Too many investors let themselves be distracted by the financial equivalent of chariot races and gladiatorial games. They sit back with displaced trust and disengaged minds. They meekly submit to the financial industrial complex which raids their retirement accounts on a daily basis. Last Sunday,…
A Plan to Overcome Panic Paralysis
Dina here… One of the biggest challenges to achieving long-term investment goals is not market returns. It happens to be overcoming the fears that freeze you in place. Being stuck can be every bit as dangerous as being wrong. In my latest blog, A Plan to Overcome Panic Paralysis, I share my own experience with…
Who Is Your Financial Advisor?
In honor of the opening of the 2017 Major League Baseball season, Abbot and Costello’s classic 1938 comedy bit “Who’s on First” has been revised to fit the 2017 standard of conflicted financial advice. Since this is the season where “hope springs eternal,” why not add the current state of financial services to this period when 30…
The Pay Day Loan of the Middle Class: Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance policies are not suitable for the majority of the population. Due to the enormous conflict of interests in the insurance world, the worst policies pay the agents the highest commissions; heads you lose, tails they win. The worst part of this policy is this damning fact: 80% of the individuals who purchase this…
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