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 [...]
Lost in the Clouds: How Washington Failed the Budget Traveler
This summer, my family and I have a trip planned to California. Being budget-conscious, we had intended to fly with Spirit Airlines. However, following Spirit’s surprise announcement this past weekend that it is immediately shuttering operations, we are now searching for an alternative carrier. While it was a shock to [...]
Do You Need Identity Theft Protection? What to Know Before You Buy
Last week I wrote about the growing danger of identity theft and fraud as artificial intelligence systems become increasingly capable of making things appear real that are not. This may have caused some of you to begin seeking advice on how best to protect yourself from this threat. One option [...]
S.T.O.P. Before Falling Victim to an AI Scam
A phone rings. The familiar voice on the other end identifies themself as your grandson. He says he’s in trouble and needs money immediately. The only problem is it isn’t him. It’s a computer program using artificial intelligence. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), AI-enabled fraud has [...]
Space X IPO Madness
Space, the final frontier, is now accepting your dollars for investment. In June, SpaceX plans to offer an unusually large allotment of its IPO to retail investors so they can participate before it goes public in what is being billed as a once-in-a-lifetime, generational money-making opportunity. Should you be looking [...]
The hidden Medicare tax most retirees don’t see coming
With the tax filing deadline one week away, many taxpayers are focused on what they owe the IRS. But for retirees, the income reported on that return may also determine whether their Medicare premiums jump dramatically as well. Most people have a general understanding of income tax brackets and know [...]
The Disability Risk
For 28 years, I have practiced as a Registered Investment Advisor, a fiduciary under securities law. When I started 44 years ago, it was not possible to serve the middle class by fees. We had no computers and Charles Schwab had not yet put together his concept of a supermarket [...]