Boldness in tough times can pay off well
The old saying "fortune favors the bold" has been on my mind. In the majority of cases, when examining success, it stems from a bold belief and action. It took some getting out of your comfort zone, having some faith, and then letting the hard work and planning to payoff. [...]
What happened to my tax refund?
April 15 has come and gone. Hopefully you did not find yourself in sticker shock when you signed your tax return this year, but if you did you’re not alone. I have heard a lot of people say their refund was not as much as usual, or they actually owed [...]
Investing lessons from tough times
A few weeks ago we noted the 10-year anniversary of the stock market low of March 9, 2009. As one might expect, others have considered this too from various perspectives. The most insightful I have seen yet is How the Financial Crisis Has Affected Individual Investors 10 Years Later by [...]
Secrets of wealth aren’t so secret
Today, in many circles it has become culturally acceptable to vilify millionaires as somehow evil or not worthy of the wealth they have accrued. Young people in particular have bought into the lie that in the interest of fairness, wealth should be taken from those who have built it and [...]
An alternative on health-care costs
For many of us struggling with the continuing growth of health-care costs, the fear of an unforeseen medical expense occurring is ever-present. This past fall, my oldest son fell while on the dreaded monkey bars and broke his arm. Aside from the pain of seeing my first-born injured, the pain [...]
Ways to reduce your tax bill
Taxes are top of mind this time of year. In a world where we have little control, especially when it comes to stock market returns, it’s important to focus on what you can control. Taxes are one of those areas that you can greatly improve your overall financial health. Small [...]
Is the Dow a good marker for the overall economy?
Many of us wanting to gauge the health of the US economy use the Dow Jones Industrial Average as our barometer. If the Dow is up big we assume the economy must be doing very well, and if it’s down we start preparing for the next recession. However, events that [...]
Financial rules affect real people
Ten seemingly short years ago, the low-water point for the U.S. stock market occurred on March 9 at 666.79. There are numbers of theories about why the decline stopped on a dime and reversed. The best and most logical one is also the simplest explanation. Alas, the following was never [...]
Debt Can Be a Crippling Burden
It was a little over a year ago that I opined on the sad news that a beloved part of my own childhood Toys R Us would be permanently shutting its doors. Recently, Sears declared bankruptcy and it would appear that another priceless piece of my childhood might soon be [...]
The key to couples’ finances
Last week, Luke Davis and I attended the Kingdom Advisors Conference for attorneys, accountants and financial professionals. Each year great speakers share insights about dealing with our finances in ways to keep money in its proper place. It is a tool to serve much more important aspects of our lives. [...]