Investing through inflation
The Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell tells us that the present surge of inflation is transitory. But whatever its duration, it is wreaking havoc on the budgets of many American families. Just in terms of gasoline, a two wage-earning couple could easily be spending an additional $100-$150 per month [...]
Ready to Retire???
Covid has been hard on us all, but maybe harder on Baby Boomers than any other group. A recent survey conducted in August by Coventry Direct provides some interesting insight into the mindset of today’s working seniors. According to the survey, nearly 4 in 5 Boomers wish to retire earlier [...]
Not Too Fast!!
As a baby boomer generation member, I can recall feeling an incredible sense of pressure as a young person in the 1960’s. There were so many of us with which to compete. Unlike now, there were more looking for work than there were positions. I thought I had to [...]
Money truths from Judge Judy
This summer it was announced that Judith Sheindlin better know as “Judge Judy” would be stepping down from her enormously popular daytime show after 25 years of being on the air. While my current job has made tuning into her afternoon show difficult, as someone who was raised on her [...]
Debt is the real threat we face
The stock market has been rocked this past week after Chinese property giant Evergrande announced they were on the brink of a total collapse and were likely to default on over 300 billion in debt. While this announcement has certainly impacted its shareholders and creditors, it is also having serious [...]
When investing, facts matter more than feelings
According to Jesus’ parable found in Matthew 25 about the three servants entrusted with the Master’s talents of precious metal, we are going to be rewarded by taking at least some risk in our financial lives. Why do I say that? You will recall that the Master entrusts 5 talents [...]
In a shifting economy who wins, who loses?
Something I learned back in algebra class was when faced with a problem, the fewer variables there are, the easier it is to solve. Businesses across our nation face a multitude of challenges right now. Supply chain failures, employment shortages and rising costs are just a few of the obstacles [...]
Comparing the pessimism of today to the malaise of 1979
In 1979 President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation in what has become known as the Malaise speech. In it, he said, “Our people are losing faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy…. It is [...]
Consider being open to closed end funds
One of our successful market strategies since the Virus turmoil of March, 2020, has been the purchase of Closed End Funds (CEF’s) that pay high dividends. Let me first explain what they are since they are not nearly as discussed and understood as other funds. A mutual fund such as [...]
Money and Marriage
This past week I met with a newlywed couple to give them a crash course on personal finance. Like so many young people, they already had a base understanding of money, but wanted to make sure they were doing the right things as they started their life together. As we [...]