Tag: retirement

The Elephant in the Room

The elephant in the room.

At the time of this post, we are headed for a breaking point.  The issues that arose in the banking and housing industry back in 2008 have only been expanded and become more unstable.  It’s beginning to look like the black swan event that many have been expecting since then is nearly upon us.  That…… Continue reading The Elephant in the Room

The Uphill Climb

For this status post I had to pass on a segment of Peter Schiff’s recent podcast where he discusses the relationship between your employer, government regulations, and you as an employee. Who Pays for Government Programs? In the linked podcast, Peter covers how government mandates something that costs an employer money to deliver that government…… Continue reading The Uphill Climb

In Uncle Sam We Trust

Slowly but Certainly, Social Security Is Failing. I see this routinely as I assist clients in preparing for retirement and other financial goals.  This statement is directly from the Social Security Administration’s web page that assists people with estimating their expected benefits at retirement: “The law governing benefit amounts may change because, by 2034, the…… Continue reading In Uncle Sam We Trust

Saving should be predictable.

You don’t have to be a securities analyst or a day-trader and follow the market daily to grow your personal, family, or retirement savings.  Many people do this by allowing a fund manager, a market professional, to run the mutual funds within their 401(k) or IRA accounts.  What people don’t often see is the 4.5…… Continue reading Saving should be predictable.

Your Stored Work Energy

In our culture, people tend to expand their lifestyle up to the limit of their cash flow.  Whether abundant or more humble, more money usually means nicer homes, newer cars, and more expenses.  Discretionary income is your financial power, your “stored work energy” that you decide not to spend before you even have it.  Someone…… Continue reading Your Stored Work Energy

The Banks’ Game

After the Dot-com-bubble from 2000-2003 decreased market values by nearly 50% sending hundreds of thousands of retirees back into the workforce, the banking industry systemically lowered mortgage qualification standards and drew more artificial value into the markets creating a housing bubble.  They washed their hands of the mess and sold these mortgages as bundles of…… Continue reading The Banks’ Game

What if…

What if falling-market-loss could be replaced by a guaranteed floor that prevents market loss against your account?  What if there were no taxes or penalties for using your wealth before 59-1/2?*  What if your 401(k)-rollover earned you up to a 10% bonus in your account at implementation and both capital and bonus earned future returns? …… Continue reading What if…

Why Wealth is Elusive

Information today in the information age is readily available.  The problem lies in the credibility and verifiable nature of the information you have at your fingertips and which is being presented to you without you having to go searching for it.  “It’s on the news, it must be true…” Oops! Your current site membership level… Continue reading Why Wealth is Elusive

Testimonial Videos Premiere!

Testimonial Video Slide

I have been wanting to include some of my best clients in video testimonials for prospective clients and for new clients to review and also share.  When you find something good, something exceptional, it’s natural to want to share it with people close to you whom you care about. Each of the instructional videos I…… Continue reading Testimonial Videos Premiere!

Motive, and Opportunity…

Yes, the market’s numbers have been higher and setting records, but why? Many companies have borrowed money at near zero interest rates and are buying back their own stock. This reduces the amount of profit paid out to shareholders, and with the company buying more (generally not caring what share prices are paid), the demand…… Continue reading Motive, and Opportunity…

Which Straw? Which Camel?

More and more I find the old axiom true: its not what happens, but how you react to events, or are prepared for them, that matters. In 2008 a bursting real estate #bubble was one key event in bringing down market values in the financial sector and therefore the entire #market. While scores of mortgages…… Continue reading Which Straw? Which Camel?

“A False Sense of Security” – Jim Rickards

Jim Rickards

As I speak with prospects, clients, and participate in chats and conversation, I find that people are having three main issues indirectly related to their financial well-being: 1) Work and family keeps them busy so they have difficulty keeping up with information that can help them. 2) Most don’t have a good source of information:…… Continue reading “A False Sense of Security” – Jim Rickards

Mutual Funds & Retirement: Strange Bedfellows

Sailing with headwinds and threatening skies.

When you dig deeply enough to understand how financial vehicles work, it’s easy to see their benefits and short-comings.  In my educated opinion, it isn’t hard to see just how short mutual funds can fall when used to grow your retirement, family, or personal wealth.  Abysmally short, in fact, when applied within the “qualified” 401(k),…… Continue reading Mutual Funds & Retirement: Strange Bedfellows

The Thinly Veiled “Hedonic” Economy

As both mainstream media news, not-so-mainstream media news, and even our current administration tout the “strength” of our present economy, we must remember that they are measuring in units that are and have been a moving target of value.  Even President Trump, who called out the misleading statistics published by the US Government as “Candidate…… Continue reading The Thinly Veiled “Hedonic” Economy

Over 60% Polled Not Comfortable with Retirement Plans

The Problems: Many people of working age are not comfortable with how their financial plans for retirement are advancing.  A link to the article that spurred my own reflection on the topic appears at the end of the article.  What follows are comments from my own perspective gleaned from working with clients on such plans…… Continue reading Over 60% Polled Not Comfortable with Retirement Plans

Retirement Expectations “Crumbling”

While many people don’t take the time to actively consider their retirement plans amid the constant press of their daily activities and schedule, it’s been suggested that such consideration today is not just important, but immanent!  It’s no surprise that the pressures of the economic times in recent history have been felt by more and…… Continue reading Retirement Expectations “Crumbling”

Seasoned Professional, 10 Years to Retirement

This engineering professional had accumulated a good-sized 401(k) with a large public firm and had a desire to remove as much of his accumulated retirement wealth from the risk of any Wall Street market exposure as possible.  The description on his account statement that he was “100% vested” lead him to believe that he was…… Continue reading Seasoned Professional, 10 Years to Retirement