No matter what your age is today, at some point you’re going to want to stop working. And when you do that you will rely on passive retirement income to support yourself for the rest of your life. That being the case, the question is, how safe is that income? Even if you are already […]
What To Do About Low Interest Rates
When the Fed recently announced that they weren’t increasing the rates they charge banks to borrow, some investors got angry. News commentators were lamenting the poor situation that savers were stuck in and how little they earn on their nest egg. While I understood what they were saying, I vehemently disagreed with their position. I’m […]
How To Write A Killer Thank You Note
Most people think that writing thank-you notes after an important business meeting or a job interview is a nice idea but not really that important. I know I used to think that way, but I was wrong. Picture this. You just finished a great job interview and you are sure you nailed it. In fact, […]
How Much Should You Take Out Of Your Retirement Accounts And When?
Jim, a very sophisticated client recently called me because he was worried about the IRS. He will turn 70 next January and just wants to make sure he complies the rules on mandatory distributions from retirement accounts. He’s confused and he’s not alone. It can be easy to get mixed up on this topic. Not […]
Why People Under 35 Do Not Invest
If you are under 35, I’m worried about you. Really worried. That’s because chances are high you aren’t investing. A Gallup Poll released recently indicates that fewer than half of all households led by people who are 35 or younger own any equity funds or stocks. What that tells me is that young people are […]
What To Do When The IRS Sends You A Weird Tax Refund
It’s pretty cool to get checks in the mail. It’s even more fun to get a check from the IRS. But what if you get an unusual check from the IRS or a tax refund amount other than the one you expected? Is it a time for mourning if the amount is lower than planned? […]