Expectations

MOST COMPANY RETIREMENT PLANS GIVE YOU THE OPTION TO SAVE MONEY PRE-TAX OR AFTER-TAX.  Many people I talk to aren’t sure which one they should select. So what should you do?  Which one is [...]

THE 20 MINUTE SEGMENT BY JOHN OLIVER OF LASTWEEKTONIGH FROM EARLY JUNE IS MAKING THE ROUNDS IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY.  If you haven’t seen it yet, here it is. Very clever and [...]

INVESTMENT RISK IS THE IDEA THAT YOUR INVESTMENTS WILL SUFFER LOSS.   Your losses could be small or big.  They could be over quickly or occur over a long time.  Losing money on your investments, [...]

I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A WAY TO DESCRIBE MOST OF THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY THOSE IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY.  I’ve struggled with the best way to put it. HOWEVER, THE QUOTABLE [...]

NEW ANNUITIES I AM NOT MUCH OF A FAN OF VARIABLE ANNUITIES.  Primarily because I don’t believe that most people need to insure their investments.  Nor do I think the value of future [...]

RECENTLY WE PURCHASED A NEW CAR.  Actually, a new used car.  We needed to replace our 2007 Honda CRV.  So after a little shopping we ended up with a 2013 Toyota Venza. IN THE PAST, I HAVE ALWAYS [...]

DO YOU HAVE “EMERGENCY” MONEY?  Many people do.  This is money that you can get your hands on quickly.  Maybe not in an instant, but possibly a day or two; or week or two; or even in [...]

I DON’T NORMALLY JUST TAKE OTHER BLOG POSTS AND REPOST THEM.  That would be really lazy – and I like to develop my own.  But I came across an overview of retirement preparations that [...]

COMPLEXITY SELLS.  The Canadian Couch Potato does a great job of explaining it here.  The industry knows that the less you understand about what you are buying, the less likely you are to [...]

DECEMBER 26TH MARKED THE TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF OUR DAUGHTER.  We chose to adopt our second child through foster care in Hennepin County Minnesota.  If you use the state system [...]