How Should Trump’s Election Affect Your Financial Plan in 2017?
Since Trump’s election, a lot of people are wondering if their financial plan needs amending. The concern is warranted. The biggest theme underlying a Trump presidency is that we don’t know what to expect on so many fronts. Lots of things are still playing out. Information is still developing. When calculating probabilities based on complex […]
Read ArticleThe Interdependence of Your Assets
This post is a preview of WorthPointe’s e-book Evidence-Based Investing: Separating Fact From Fiction, written by Certified Financial Planner™ Scott O’Brien. In Evidence-Based Investing, Scott discusses the myths and misinformation that most often slow or halt our financial goals. Get your complimentary copy of Evidence-Based Investing here. Correlation is the interdependence of certain quantities. For […]
Read ArticleThe Morgan Report 2016 Q4 Review: Because Financial Planning Sucks
Why can’t people release themselves from self-imposed constraints that hold them back from discovering the power of their personal future-selves in happiness, health, and wealth? Well, now we know. Because financial planning sucks. Here’s how I know. A recent consumer survey conducted by Voya Financial, found among other things that 37% of the respondents would […]
Read ArticleFinancial Strategies for a Job Change
It can happen to anyone. Suddenly, you are between employers. And you don’t know how long it will take to land your next job. Especially in Orange County, where there is a thriving community of entrepreneurs, job change is common — and is not always predictable. Even if you are voluntarily moving directly […]
Read ArticleWhy Hope is Not a Strategy
This post is a preview of WorthPointe’s e-book Evidence-Based Investing: Separating Fact From Fiction, written by Certified Financial Planner™ Scott O’Brien. In Evidence-Based Investing, Scott discusses the myths and misinformation that most often slow or halt our financial goals. Get your free copy of Evidence-Based Investing here. Most families spend more time planning their vacations […]
Read ArticleWisdom and Your Financial Planner
It truly is a fool who doesn’t want to be wise or receive wise counsel. However, I know from experience that wisdom is not the highest thing on the agenda for many people when they look for an investment advisor. For many, what they are looking for is someone who will make them rich — […]
Read ArticleGold: Is It Worth Its Weight?
Political upheaval, inflation pressure and uncertainty of global norms have recently resulted in a glitter on gold. Furthermore, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) finally approved its new Shari’ah standards on gold, potentially opening up gold as investment for an additional 1.6 billion Muslim investors heretofore not able to invest in […]
Read Article5 Lies Self-Directed Traders Tell You
We are living in the age of what I call the “Home Depot trader.” Online brokerages have essentially taken a page from the Home Depot marketing playbook by saying to the average Joe, “you can do it, and we can help.” The enormous gap in the capabilities of pros and novices has been narrowed as […]
Read Article10 Ways for Millennials to Live Frugally to Their First Million
Living “simply,” “below your means” or “frugally” is great advice that makes it into a lot of “wisdom lists,” especially those directed at Millennials. Of course, telling someone to “be frugal” is like telling them to “be smart.” It’s a start, but many people may need a few action steps. Here are a few specific […]
Read ArticleWhy Annuity Death Benefits are Trash: How to lose 50% in 7 years!
Fair warning: this is going to be a “blow your mind” article. Are you strapped in? Let’s talk about the classic “death benefit” on a variable annuity. Variable annuities are those weird investments that look suspiciously like just another cookie-cutter portfolio full of the high-cost mutual funds that brokers have the reputation of selling to […]
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