The five dirtiest words in personal finance are “now, next, best, top and must.” As in “Five money moves to make now,” or “The best funds for the new year,” or, doubling up “The next move all investors must make.” For years, lines like those – appealing to base instincts of consumers …
Carl is a 75-year-old retiree from Mercer Island, Wash., splitting time between charity efforts, yard work, family and trying to make sure his money will last for the rest of his life. In September 2018, Carl’s portfolio — 100 percent invested in index and specialty exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – was up more than …
Many people believe that some of life’s best lessons are learned at the worst of times. But a recent study shows that the worst of times in the stock market’s recent memory brought out the worst behavior in most investors, and people who fail to learn from that experience will severely damage their …
Americans don’t save enough for retirement. Countless studies show that. There are a lot of causes to the problem, and none of them are coffee. Yet the seemingly constant banter when it comes to people’s finances is that individuals can save a boatload of money if they just give up paying for …
Market downturns don’t necessarily get average investors to run for cover, but they do convince a lot of people that it’s time for a free lunch or dinner. That meal generally comes as part of an “investment seminar,” and while the food often can be good, the products pitched in these sessions can …
Investors have a lot of reason to think they should avoid the stock market these days. “I’m making so much in my certificates of deposit” is not one of them. And yet, I have met a number of seniors recently who worried their way onto the sidelines for much of the long-lasting …
“There’s a lot of money in the money business.” In the world of the modern financial blogger, podcaster, celebrity financial adviser and journalist turned radio host – and yes, that means me – an increasing amount of money being thrown around to buy influence, insights and to directly attract money. It leaves …
We’re just days away from the 10th anniversary of the start of the bull market recovery, and most investors can’t remember exactly how they felt back then. Chances are, however, that one of the following adjectives applied: Miserable, gloomy, crestfallen, pathetic, anguished, agonized, dejected, despondent, distressed, tormented and/or broken-hearted. Those words all …
