Finding yourself surprised by the rising costs of everyday purchases? You’re likely coming face-to-face with the economic phenomenon known as ‘sticky inflation’. Read More
Don’t Fall for Fancy Math
Once upon a time, in the ever-fascinating world of finance, the siren call of complex charts and mind-boggling excel sheets beckon. Cloaked in a wizard’s robe, the financial planner appears with a twinkle in his eye, pulling you into the maze of retirement planning. They allure you with tales of turning your hard-earned $100,000 into a magical $1,000,000 retirement portfolio. And as mesmerizing as it sounds, I’m here to be your reality check. Don’t fret, the journey to the financial fountain of youth isn’t as arcane as it seems. So, buckle up as we deep dive into the wild world of retirement planning, debunking myths, and sprinkling reality checks along the way. Read More
The Federal Reserve & Inflation: 3 Reasons Why the Fed can’t Cure Inflation
Inflation is a complex economic phenomenon, often simplified as a general increase in the prices of goods and services over time. It is commonly believed that the Federal Reserve, or ‘the Fed’, has the tools to cure inflation. However, upon closer examination, one might discover that the methods used by the Fed to manage inflation can sometimes exacerbate the issue instead. Read More
The Role of Luck in Investing and Life
Luck, they say, is when preparation meets opportunity. As much as we all want to believe that our successes in life and investing are purely the product of hard work and strategy, there’s an undeniable element of luck involved as well. Luck is an intriguing aspect of financial planning and how it plays into the grand scheme of our lives. Read More
Why the Government Loves Your 401(k)
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” but when it comes to tax-deferred retirement accounts, it might seem like the government is offering just that. A closer look, however, unveils an intriguing retirement strategy that benefits both parties: the individual saver and the government. It’s a tale of tax-time savings for you and eventual tax revenue for Uncle Sam. Read More
Unmasking the Debt Ceiling: A Political Stunt or Fiscal Reality?
The U.S. debt ceiling has been a hot topic of debate in recent years. Despite the serious overtones attached to this topic, is it possible that the hullabaloo surrounding the debt ceiling is more of a political maneuver rather than a genuine fiscal concern? Let’s delve into the history and the underlying constitutional provisions to find out. Read More
FedNow & the Dangers of Government-Backed Digital Currency
The Federal Reserve is currently developing a new instant payment system called FedNow. This service aims to enable banks and financial institutions to offer real-time payments to their customers, allowing for the instant transfer of funds 24/7. FedNow could have a significant impact on how individuals manage their money, as it will make it easier and faster to send and receive payments, pay bills, and transfer funds between accounts. Read More
ESG : How the Government Destroys Markets and Your Retirement
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has seen an unprecedented surge in recent years. While ESG factors should lead to more sustainable and responsible investments, there are concerns that the government push for ESG is distorting markets and negatively impacting retirees and their portfolios. In this blog post, we will discuss how government involvement in ESG investments create unintended consequences, and what retirees can do to protect their portfolios from volatility and maintain a reliable income stream. Read More
FDIC vs SIPC How Your Cash is Protected
As an investor, you want to protect your assets and ensure that your money is secure. Two organizations that provide this type of protection are the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). While both FDIC and SIPC protect investors, they do so in different ways, and it’s important to understand how each works to make informed decisions about where to keep your money. Read More
Problems with Claiming Social Security Early
Social Security is a vital retirement benefit that provides financial support to seniors who have contributed to the workforce for many years. While many people choose to claim their Social Security benefits as soon as they are eligible, this decision can have negative consequences. In this blog, we will explore four problems associated with claiming Social Security early and why waiting until full retirement age may be a better choice. Read More
