Investors waiting to pounce? Not buying it. They finally have rates they can sink their teeth into. They’re in no rush to take on more risk. At least, that’s not what they’re telling me. In The Wall Street Journal, Jack Pritcher suggests investors are looking for more risk. He writes: Stocks and bonds have surged in November. With record investor balances in money-market funds, some analysts are optimistic that they have more room to run. Everything from technology stocks to junk-rated company debt has been rising after an encouraging inflation report reinforced bets that the Federal … [Read more...]
Happy Black Friday
You know how Your Survival Guy feels about money: save a third, spend a third, pay taxes with a third. Well, today, let’s focus again on the spending. One of the best ways to keep you motivated and in the game is to take some trips every now and then. Your Survival Guy and Gal just got back from Anguilla, celebrating our 25th anniversary. It wasn’t cheap, but it had also been 25 years since we were last in the Caribbean. That’s a long time. You know there’s plenty of bucket trips you want to take. Now is the perfect time to start making it happen. Action Line: Enjoy Originally … [Read more...]
Preparing You and a Loved One for Thanksgiving
Your Survival Guy’s here to help you prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Not with the turkey, stuffing, or desserts but with the conversation. We all know the third rails of holiday conversation: religion, politics, and money. And not in any particular order. I think politics and religion have worn everyone out and are only brought up in safe spaces like away from the kitchen when you can say how you really feel or not. But not money. Money talk is thrown all around the table like dinner rolls. “Can you believe this economy?” “I’m buying…” “Looks like interest rates higher for … [Read more...]
How Low Can Home Sales Fall?
Your Survival Guy is watching as existing home sales hit levels last seen during the aftermath of the housing crisis. According to the hopeful economists at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales will rise next year by 13.5%, and mortgage rates will pull back to 6% to 7% by Spring. All that remains to be seen. NAR writes: "Builders are back on their feet, up 5% in newly constructed home sales year to date," said [NAR Chief Economist Lawrence] Yun. "Builders can simply create inventory. In a housing shortage environment, builders are really benefiting." He explained NAR's … [Read more...]
“Inflation Is Killing Me,” He Said, “No It’s…”
“Inflation is killing me,” he said. “No, it’s not,” I said. “You have income coming into your account, a sizable portfolio, and yes, maybe asset prices are off, but the cash flow is solid.” The cost of everything has been up, but now deflation is certainly a risk to consider. What we worry about today often doesn’t come true tomorrow or the next day or year. May we all live long enough to be eaten alive by inflation. You’re still able to put food on the table. The key is to have a plan and stick to it. To look at your overall portfolio yield and how it did through some rough … [Read more...]
Retirement Income: We All Want It, We All…
Retirement income. We all want it. We all need it. How do we get it? Well, dear reader, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s start with bonds. My feeling about them is once you get to age 50 or so, if you don’t already have them, then you need to get some. Your Survival Guy rounded that corner not too long ago, and I have had bonds for years. But I’m probably one of the more conservative investors you’ll come across. I don’t “play” interest rates. I don’t try to predict where they’ll be. I look at what the markets are paying today, and I decide if I like the value proposition. A big part … [Read more...]
“Survival Guy Prepare Yourself and Your Clients Accordingly”
Ahhh, Mr. Market. He goes up, he goes down, but in the long run, so they say, he always goes up. Maybe. But not necessarily on your schedule. The long run might not be in time for your short-term needs. Mr. Market might not show up on your schedule. Stocks can stay down for a long time. Which brings me to your retirement life. When it comes to you, I don’t want you hoping you’ll get your portfolio to a certain level. Hoping something will happen to you is no way to live. Instead, I want you to control everything you can control. Your savings, your earnings, your money. In other … [Read more...]
Investing Habits of the Fairly Wealthy: #3 “Promiseland”
Are you committed? Committed to being a fairly wealthy, highly successful investor? Then this habit is for you. Because I believe you can reach your “promiseland.” I believe you can live your dreams. But can you keep them? Because investing is a lifelong, multi-generational endeavor. Imagine how you’ll feel when you have enough to retire and no longer worry about where your income will come from. I wish I could say it happens the minute you retire. But when the paychecks stop, a new anxiety begins. Having guided hundreds of investors through their retirement lives, my happiest clients … [Read more...]
Inflation? Stocks? Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
With everyone talking about inflation, here’s a good question: What if they’re wrong? What if the Federal Reserve’s intention to keep rates higher for longer turns out to be a hope, and not a reality? What if the dollar runs into trouble? With the record debt, America’s current standing as the nicest house in a bad neighborhood may get overrun by a zombie apocalypse. What about deflation? With all this talk about rising prices, let’s not forget to stop and smell the roses in your neck of the woods. You can’t go into most cities after dark without being on high alert. As one friend … [Read more...]
Migration
You may have noticed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is leaving Washington state for Florida. Pay no attention to the change in Washington State's tax on capital gains. He just wants to be closer to family. Sure. Washington’s legislature passed a new cap gains tax (Engrossed Substitute S.B. 5096), which was signed by Gov. Inslee on May 4, 2021, and took effect in Jan of this year. Capital gains that exceed $250,000 will be taxed at 7%. It used to be a tax-free transaction. Welcome to Miami! Action Line: Money travels to where it’s respected. If you're looking for respect for your … [Read more...]
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