“People have always been captivated by quests,” writes author Chris Guillebeau in his brand new book, The Happiness of Pursuit. Chris, for one, is most certainly one of those people. His book celebrates the completion of a personal quest to visit all 193 countries in the world before his 35th birthday. Are the rest of…
Boomer Esiason is busy—I mean, really busy. “Starting next Tuesday, all the way until after the Super Bowl in 2015, I think I’ve got about four days off,” he told me. Why, then, was he anxious to talk about financial planning and life insurance? It’s because he has a message for today’s youth: “Protect your…
As kids head back to school, adults spanning several generations set their sites on getting their financial house back in order. What are the most important financial planning considerations in three major demographics—Millennials, Generation X and Empty Nesters? Millennials: First things first – Before making any big financial commitments, like buying a house, figure out…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its annual “Cost of Raising a Child” report. The news from it is really no news at all to us parents—kids are stinking expensive and growing even more so. However, if you read between the lines, there are three extremely important points that don’t show up in…
There is no shortage of receptacles clamoring for your money each day. No matter how much money you have or make, it could never keep up with all the seemingly urgent invitations to part with it. Separating true financial priorities from flash impulses is an increasing challenge, even when you’re trying to do the right…
You might think that the most important work a financial advisor can do is related to allocating a client’s investment portfolio, or perhaps helping secure a timely insurance policy or drafting the optimal estate plan. In fact, their most important work is done when clients are in the midst of navigating life’s major transitions. I…
Historically, retirement planning has been likened to a three-legged stool — consisting of a corporate pension, Social Security and personal savings. Baby boomers saw the pension fade from existence, leaving them to balance on retirement planning stilts. For younger generations, however, the retirement situation can seem even worse. Sometimes, it feels like it’s all on us. We’re left with…
You’ve heard that baby boomers, as well as Generations X and Y, are behind on theirretirement savings, right? These demographics are regularly bludgeoned in the media and by the financial industry’s marketing machine for their negligence in saving for the future. While some in the media are well-intentioned in their criticism, I can’t help but recognize…
In the first of this two-part series, we discussed the amazing amount of leverage you can gain — even in the case of an apparently floundering retirement scenario — by moving from a higher cost-of-living area to a lower one. I fully recognize, however, that while many would see this as an exciting retirement adventure, others would view…
I love uncovering tidbits about our financial lives in generally nonfinancial books, music, movies and even television commercials. You’ve no doubt seen the commercials for the Mexican beer Dos Equis, in which a nameless, well-dressed, bearded man only described as “The Most Interesting Man in the World” shares supposed wisdom that is quite intentionally humorous—even hysterical at…
There’s an ongoing battle in the financial realm pitting the Roth IRA against its older cousin, the Traditional IRA. Most of the debate, however, is rendered irrelevant because it doesn’t consider the Traditional IRA’s fatal flaw. Tale of the Tape: The IRA debate is almost entirely about taxes. As long as you meet certain income requirements,…
Having the privilege of walking through life with people vocationally, aiding in the acquisition, maintenance and dispossession of earthly resources as a financial advisor, I’m burdened with a heightened sense of the battling spirits of scarcity and abundance. The dehumanizing poverty that torments the Majority World screams that resources—here and now—are scarce. Remembering when I handed…
Having the privilege of walking through life with people vocationally, aiding in the acquisition, maintenance and dispossession of earthly resources as a financial advisor, I’m burdened with a heightened sense of the battling spirits of scarcity and abundance. The dehumanizing poverty that torments the Majority World screams that resources—here and now—are scarce. Remembering when I handed…
It is absolutely possible to beat the market, just as I’m sure it’s possible that someone could climb Mt. Everest in a pair of roller skates. It is so improbable, however, that it’s rendered a fruitless, if not counterproductive, pursuit. After 16 years in the financial industry and seeing countless great investors eventually humbled by market…
It is absolutely possible to beat the market, just as I’m sure it’s possible that someone could climb Mt. Everest in a pair of roller skates. It is so improbable, however, that it’s rendered a fruitless, if not counterproductive, pursuit. After 16 years in the financial industry and seeing countless great investors eventually humbled by market…