Before my children understood what a lollipop was, it was very easy to swap it out with an apple slice. I was looking after their best interests, after all. But what if I wasn’t a concerned mother? What if I were a manipulative saleswoman needing to hit a certain commission level on apples that month to stay employed; or worse, to win a crystal paperweight and bragging rights among my very competitive colleagues? My example may seem strange, but if we apply this to personal finance, and not Read on...
Politics, Investing and Propaganda
I used to look forward to voting when I was younger as I was certain of what I was doing. My lack of sophistication and naiveté made me see things in very simple terms and it was easier to choose between the “right” candidates and the “wrong” candidates. Now, I am jaded, and I realize that everyone has an agenda and some have better propaganda machines. An advertising budget can do wonders in painting either a shiny, albeit inaccurate picture; or a scathing and unfair one. Many investors fall Read on...
A Plan for Easing Your Worries
It's great to be aware of what is going on in the world, but if you find yourself so pre-occupied with the markets that you are wringing your hands and stressed out, it is time to meet with your financial professional, make sure you are on board with the strategy and then stop watching the day-to-day market fluctuations. Not sure what to ask? Here are some points to raise with your financial professional: What is my overall risk relative to the S&P 500? In other words, if the S&P Read on...
Get the Most Mileage Out of Your Tax Refund
The average tax refund for 2016 is estimated to be $2,900. While it might be tempting to use this windfall for something fun, like a vacation to someplace warm and exotic, there are better ways to spend your refund that can help improve your finances for years to come. Yes, you can call me a kill-joy, but delaying gratification can have its rewards in bigger and better ways, like being able to buy your dream home sooner than expected, or being able to take that once in a lifetime vacation that Read on...