A reader asks, “…I’m an architect suffering under this dreadful economy like so many of us are, and I need to do something to help carry me through… What I’d like to do is use a portion of my IRA funds to educate myself further in the investment arena, pay back the loan, and use the remainder of the IRA to actively invest for income and growth. In other words, keep a portion of the earnings to supplement my income and reinvest the rest for growth. Does that sound like a reasonable idea?” My short answer is…
How Do You Know If You’re Living In Financial Integrity?
You are living in financial integrity when your daily actions are congruent with your financial plans and the principles that lead to wealth. Why should you care? Because one path results in wealth and the other results in financial mediocrity. For example, you are out of financial integrity if…
Should I Buy Insurance From A Commission Salesperson?
The question of the week comes from a reader who asks, “Do you think the only kind of advisor one should hire is a fee based one? I was told by a commission person that when they have a client buy an insurance policy they HAVE to take a commission. Is this true?” To answer that question we must expand the discussion to make some important distinctions that will allow you to make smarter investment decisions…
What Causes Inflation And Why Should You Care?
For the first 400 years of our economic history inflation was benign at under one percent and then suddenly in the last 100 years it jumped dramatically. What caused the sudden and abrupt change in inflation? Simple – the Federal Reserve bank was established. Why should you care? Again simple, because inflation changes everything…
6 Steps To Recover From Financial Disaster
If you’re suffering from a serious financial setback recently don’t worry – you’re not alone and there is a solution. In fact, your path to recovery and prosperity is well worn with proven action steps. So let’s get started with the six steps you need to recover from financial disaster…
6 Ways To Profit From An Economic Downturn
Smart wealth builders know how to make the best out of a bad situation. The natural and easy response during an economic downturn is to become despondent – but “natural and easy” is seldom profitable. Even in a recession you can find clever ways to extract economic advantage and position yourself for the next economic recovery if you just know what to look for…
New Bull Market Or Bear Market Rally?
The critical question for investors today is whether the current rally is a new bull market or just a correction of the recent bear market that has likely already run its course? To answer that question you must understand the following…
Bank Bailouts Are Wrong
Let me be clear – this asset deflation will not end until asset values decline to the point that their cash flows support valuations. This is basic investing and economics. Any governmental attempt to reinflate values by incurring debt on behalf of the taxpayer is a waste of your money. It is merely tranfering value from you (who never benefited from the speculative excesses) to bank bondholders and corporate shareholders. It is economically foolish and morally wrong…
