In my 100% polyester, off-white leisure suit with its bell-bottomed pants and extra wide lapels, I thought I was hot stuff. My lime green nylon shirt sported a lion’s head on the back. My ensemble was made complete with platform shoes and a puka shell necklace. Oh, and I should mention my hair—blown dry and […]
Falling for Financial Fads? Read More »
No matter why I go see my doctor, he always does a few things first. Whether I’m complaining of cold or flu symptoms, or getting an annual physical, he first listens to my heartbeat, assesses my breathing (with an extra cold stethoscope), and looks down my throat, up my nose, through my ears, and into
Time for a Fiscal Physical? Read More »
What a year it’s been financially! Here’s a snapshot… A year ago, the stock market, as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, closed at 34,390. Today (I’m writing this on September 30, 2022) the Dow stands at 28,725—about 17% lower! Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has been falling since early January! A year ago, an
When Will the Markets Bounce Back? Read More »
“You’re saying I should invest NOW?” Jordan almost choked as he thrust the heavy weights over his head. He and his buddy Patrick regularly solved all the world’s problems during their noon workouts. On this day, the conversation had turned to personal finance. “Dude, the stock market is HORRIBLE!” Jordan said emphatically as he set
Two “Dudes” Work Out an Investment Plan Read More »
“I have some other things I’d like to do,” he said with a slight hesitation in his voice. “So, I don’t think I can commit to that right now.” He was responding to my encouragement that he establish a regular saving plan. How unfortunate. Because except for those rare souls who win the lottery or
Why People Don’t Save Read More »
One of my clients emailed me recently, saying “People keep sending me this video. What am I missing?” The video featured an attractive young man. He was glib, funny, a bit ironic, and full of confidence. The gist of his message was “Borrow money at 4% and invest it at 8%, and you’ll make a
The Long Hard Road to Instant Success Read More »
Bill scowled at his reflection in the mirror. At least his grayish beard hid his double chin. “How did I get so old so soon?” he asked himself. Bill’s not old; he’s only 45. But he is at “halftime” in his professional life. Twenty years down, roughly twenty to go. In our twenties and thirties,
Good (and Bad) News for Mid-Lifers Read More »
It’s football season again. For the next 4-5 months, every Friday through Sunday—okay, almost every day that ends in “y”— big, strong young men (and Tom Brady) will suit up and take to the gridiron. What’s fascinating is that these gifted athletes will listen to and follow the instructions of coaches twice as old and
The Benefits of Being Older Read More »
After two-plus years of pandemic protocols, 2022 was the summer we finally got back to one of our great American traditions: the road trip. Road trips can be epic or awful, unforgettable or regrettable. (We could swap stories, I’m sure.) The difference usually comes down to planning. The same is true with the journey of
On the Road Trip to Retirement Read More »
“What Hath God Wrought.” That was the first telegraphed message, sent on May 24, 1844. It traveled 50 whole miles—from the United States’ Capitol all the way to Baltimore. Before Samuel Morse’s landmark invention, news and information moved at the speed of a horse, a train, or a ship. With the introduction of the telegraph,
When Information Becomes “Too Much” Read More »
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