When a Hobby Becomes an Obsession
Hopefully, by now, most people understand the threat gambling addiction can pose to financial success. An occasional lottery ticket purchase or night at the boats may be fairly harmless, but we probably all know someone whose life was seriously damaged when these behaviors got out of control. Believe it or [...]
Alan Greenspan’s Complicated Legacy
In late June, one of the most influential figures in modern American economics, Alan Greenspan, passed away at the age of 100. For nearly two decades, he chaired the Federal Reserve, serving under four presidents and presiding over an unprecedented period of low inflation, rapid technological innovation, and one of [...]
If I had a million dollars
When I was a kid, I would often dream about what it would be like to be a millionaire. I remember watching cartoons like Richie Rich and shows such as Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and imagining what it would be like to have seemingly unlimited amounts of money. [...]
Investing Amazement
Last week we received a few calls from clients who wanted to get in on the SpaceX Initial Public Offering (IPO) of stock. I explained that I generally did not favor trying to get ahead of the market by buying shares of almost any company IPO for several reasons. The [...]
The $30 Billion Credit Card Transfer Nobody Talks About
For those not paying attention, credit card companies are currently engaged in an aggressive “perks war,” offering massive sign-up bonuses to attract new customers and increasingly generous rewards for those using their cards. I was literally able to subsidize a significant portion of our summer travel expenses this year simply [...]
Why Hot IPOs often cool off so quickly
Every few years, Wall Street produces a "can't miss" IPO. Investors line up hoping to be part of the next big thing. With excitement continuing to build around the SpaceX initial public offering, many investors are already dreaming of getting in on what some are calling a once-in-a-generation opportunity. For [...]
To convert or not to convert? That is the question.
Believe it or not, the average Baby Boomer is now 71 years old. That means many are approaching the age when required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin. Perhaps this is why there has been an aggressive industry-wide push encouraging seniors to convert their traditional 401(k)s and IRAs into Roth accounts. Driven [...]
Living Longer May Be the Biggest Retirement Risk of All
My grandfather lived to the ripe old age of 89. This was especially notable because when he was in his 30’s he suffered a serious heart attack and underwent open-heart surgery. His long-term prognosis was not good, yet he ultimately went on to live a long and relatively healthy life. [...]
Solution for High Prices
As I attended my oldest grandson’s high school graduation ceremony this past weekend, I thought about the general trends of higher education. I wonder how the continuing upward spiral of costs will play out in classical economic terms. People are generally shocked and amazed when I tell them of my [...]
Free plates and failed planning: What Hawaiian Bros can teach us about preparing for retirement
Over the past several weeks, a fast food chain with its origins right here in the metro made national headlines and went viral online, though not necessarily in the way it intended. Hawaiian Bros, founded in 2018 in Belton, recently launched its “Plates for Plates” promotion, offering a free classic [...]