Illustration: The Aesop Tale of the Hare and the Tortoise The flaws of comparing two different things using just one metric … Should you try to compare different investments with each other simply by balances alone? Markets have been going up [at the time I write this] and people feel good when they look at […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). A primer on how compounding works. Over time, the effect is to have the money earned on your money, including interest, grow into ever larger sums. But, this takes time, so the sooner you […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). For those over age 62, a reverse mortgage may be a useful tool. Fundamentally, they turn an illiquid asset into money you can spend. However, they shouldn’t be used “just because you can,” but […]
https://stocksnap.io/author/directmedia Working and Social Security Benefits Most people are not aware of the Social Security earnings test, or income limits, if they claim benefits while still working prior to reaching their Full Retirement Age (FRA) [FRA is THE MONTH & YEAR you are eligible for 100% benefits. Before FRA, benefits are reduced. After FRA, benefits […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). When it comes to retirement, most people have as their fundamental goal to maintain their lifestyle, or what I call their Standard of Individual Living (SOIL). But, just what is your lifestyle today? How […]
Who doesn’t love their HSA? Contributions are made with nontaxed money, investments build up free from current income tax, and distributions are tax free if spent on qualified medical expenses. As a savings vehicle they can’t be beat. In fact, savvy investors use these accounts primarily as a savings vehicle rather than the purpose for […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). Imagine what it is like flying to the moon. The moon is right there, you just fly to it! Right? Except, where the moon is now, is NOT where it will be when you […]
Please note: The purpose of this simple exercise is to get the BIG PICTURE about your lifestyle and the total amount you spend … in the first place! Go from general impressions of your lifestyle to informed insights via the easy exercise explained below. This exercise simply keeps you from getting lost or confused by […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). This video explains a simple exercise to help women, and men, focus on what’s important to them. Once you know what you want to focus on, it is easier to have money purpose too. […]
How do you appeal the Medicare Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA? Amid the long checklist of things you must do at retirement, this can easily be overlooked, causing you to pay more in Medicare premiums than you need to. The IRMAA was first enacted in 2003 as a provision of the Medicare Modernization Act […]
