While reliable data on divorce rates is hard to come by, everyone who has been through a divorce can confirm that it’s devastating—emotionally and financially. Discussing a prenuptial agreement with the love of your life is not easy, which is why so few people have them. It’s difficult to say, “I love you, but let’s [...]
The first year-end bonus I ever got was a $25 gift certificate to the local supermarket. The best bonus I ever got was a car, $100 cash, and a box of chocolates. Alas, the 260Z was made by Tonka. But that C-note was one whole week’s wages—after only a month on the job! What a [...]
Here’s what goes through the minds of most investors when they read about the stellar returns advertised by mutual funds: “I owned that fund, and I didn’t get anywhere near those returns.” One article estimated investors end up with less than 20 percent of the annual returns of the mutual funds they once held. After [...]
Most investors have their eye on the wrong ball. They try to time the market, pick stocks, and pick “hot” fund managers. There is no data indicating anyone can engage in these activities successfully over an extended period of time. Much-touted winning streaks of the investment guru du jour are a consequence of luck and [...]
Someone just won $30 million in the California SuperLotto Plus. It wasn’t me. Doesn’t it burn you up when you look up your numbers and someone else has won? Playing the lottery isn’t the only way to try your luck and make it big these days. With the proliferation of game shows, reality shows, Internet [...]
Volatile markets make everyone nervous. Investing in stocks involves risk. Risk means you can lose money. No one likes that. What if you could increase your returns without taking any risk? You can, and with limited effort. Here are some suggestions, gleaned from Allan Roth’s excellent book, How a Second Grader Beats Wall Street: 1. [...]
Here’s the question I get most often: What percent of my retirement funds can I safely withdraw without fear of running out of money? A close second is: How can I generate enough income from my portfolio in this low-interest-rate environment? Understanding the role bonds play in your portfolio is critical to both of these [...]
This post was written by guest blogger Linda Rey. Crash! What happens if you get into an accident while traveling on business? Who pays if you get into an accident during a business trip? Will your auto insurance policy take the hit or will your company’s insurance policy cover the damage? If your work takes [...]
I can understand why investors want to invest with their conscience. Socially responsible investing can mean choosing companies that are sensitive to issues like the environment, consumers’ rights, human rights, and diversity. It can also mean choosing not to support companies whose business is tied to alcohol, gambling, military activities, or tobacco. If you want [...]
As we approach year-end, investors should start to focus on tax planning. Given the volatile state of the markets, and the steady drumbeat of bad news, this is not easy. Here are some tips to avoid taking a big tax hit in 2010. Max out a Roth IRA contribution. Tax avoidance is the holy grail [...]
