“Do you do financial planning?” “How much income can I expect to draw?” “Do you consider taxes?” “Will I receive checks?” These are just some of the questions I receive from investors. If you’re with me, you know these items are part of our regular conversations. If you’re not with me, then I hope you have someone you can depend on for the answers you need. But for today, let’s tackle some of these and get into this. As I’ve said before, investing is more of an art than a science. As we all know, you can’t always follow “the science.” In other words, glossy financial plans or … [Read more...]

You know that Your Survival Guy thinks you should keep working if you still can. For most Americans, the years just before retirement are the most lucrative. You've reached the top of your field, and are paid well for your experience and deep knowledge. Why give that up if you still love your work? Now, Tom Brady, who claimed to retire earlier this year has already decided to come back to football for another year. He obviously loves his work, and feels like he can contribute more to his field. The Wall Street Journal reports: Six weeks, basically. The life cycle of a hardy mayfly. A brief … [Read more...]

You want to see Your Survival Guy’s Super States on a buck a day? In my conversation with you yesterday, you said, “Hang on Survival Guy, we just arrived at the RV manufacturing plant in Iowa.” There’s a brief pause, I’m put on speaker, and I hear my client say “OK hon, you can drive. I have him on speaker.” Not knowing their travel plans just yet but knowing they would be available at this specific time, I was curious. “What’s up? Where are you guys?” I asked. “We just picked up an RV,” they said. “We flew into Minneapolis last night, we’re in Iowa now, and just left the lot. For a dollar … [Read more...]

It’s pitch black outside Your Survival Guy’s home office this morning. It’s blowin’ a gale, feels like a tree could come down at any moment, and it’s raining sideways, with rapid-fire drops rat-a-tat-tatting against my bay windows. Louis is tucked into himself on his dog bed beside my desk. It’s a balmy 56 degrees outside—it’s February for cryin’ out loud—and get this, by tonight, it will be 21 with a chance of snow tomorrow. Crazy times. Speaking of crazy, Your Survival Guy hears the craziest investing stories on any given day. Here’s one I received this week from a husband and wife. It … [Read more...]

Happy Friday. Have you improved your personal safety and financial situation this week? Have you taken actionable steps to improve your self-reliance and financial independence? Where would your family be without you? It’s sad to think about, but it’s deadly serious business. It’s why your focus on personal safety and finance is so crucial. As Your Survival Guy, much of my day is spent talking with successful Americans like you about their lives and investments. They trust me as a partner in their financial well-being. But a huge part of our talks is how they’re living right now and the … [Read more...]

Happy Thursday. Your Survival Guy and coastal New England are prepping for a “bomb cyclone” that could dump over a foot of snow on Saturday. Bring it on. I don’t mean to sound like a parent, but, when I was a kid, we didn’t plan four days ahead for a snowstorm. It would snow. We’d help clear the driveway, and then we’d play outside to the point of exhaustion. If we went inside for hot chocolate, and wanted to go back outside, we’d put our feet in sandwich bags and stuff them into our boots and go back outside. Not a big deal. Your Survival Guy’s boots on the ground experience on Monday: … [Read more...]

In my conversations with you, you tell me how you hiked all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000 footers. You were a lot younger, but it feels like yesterday. You and I know one of the secrets to life is simply putting one foot in front of the other. It’s putting food on the table, the kids through college, and retirement checks in the bank. You tell me how much you learned from your dad. How he could build anything and how your kids feel the same about you because you’re always at their house working on something. I remember like it was yesterday a conversation we had where you said, “Dad helped me … [Read more...]

When Boise, Idaho leads the list as “The Least Affordable Housing Market in the U.S.,” something’s not quite right. Don’t get me wrong—Boise has access to it all. But least affordable in the U.S.? Hear that sucking sound? It’s Boise, and places like it, pulling all the monied “residents” from San Fran, Portland, Seattle, and Rte. 128 (outside of Boston) into the community. They’re looking to places of freedom like New Hampshire, Texas, and Florida, to name a few. They’re looking for a big backyard and a playground for the weekend or for six months and a day. But what is affordable? I … [Read more...]

Happy Friday. What a week. Are you feeling the whiplash from the market? Look at this chart below and share it with a loved one. This is how you begin teaching the next generation how to invest. It speaks the truth to investing: TIME. The key ingredient to compounding money is TIME. Without TIME you’re blowin’ in the wind, not sure which way is up. Like a child, your investments need TIME to grow. It’s said that Albert Einstein referred to compound interest as the 8th Wonder of the World. Take it from the guy who knew a thing or two about TIME. Put time on your side. How else do … [Read more...]