What is a Self-directed IRA? A self-directed IRA is a type of individual retirement account designed to allow investors to diversify their retirement nest egg beyond traditional investments like stocks, bonds, ETFs and other high-risk alternatives. This individual retirement account is legally structured to work just like a Roth IRA and so, a self-directed IRA […]
Social Security
Will You Be One of the 1 in 10 to Live Past Age 95?
I like to close out each year with a mentoring article. Something from the heart, out of the mainstream, and lead into the new year on a positive note. MarketWatch labeled me a RetireMentor. I enjoy sharing my life experiences, good and bad, in hopes of helping others through their journey. I’ve had some medical […]
Social Security COLA for 2022 Projected to Be Highest Since 1983
The Senior Citizens League reports, “Social Security COLA (Cost of living adjustment) For Next Year Could Be 6.2%.” Mary Johnson, a Social Security policy analyst tells us: “With one third of the data needed to calculate the COLA already in, it increasingly appears that the COLA for 2022 will be the highest paid since 1983 when […]
When Does Inevitable Inflation Become Imminent Inflation?
Jared Dillian’s “The 10th Man” article, “Coming Apart” grabbed my attention: “ZeroHedge is fond of saying: ‘On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.’ Let me add Dillian’s corollary to that: On a long enough timeline, everyone gets to be right. Who has consistently been wrong? The Austrian gold bugs always predict […]
The Working Class Challenge
Shortly after publishing our article, “What Happens When All Our Wealth Is Gone?” I received a heartfelt letter from subscriber Bill C. He speaks for many concerned, hard-working people: “First, I want to THANK YOU for writing a top notch and informative newsletter. It is one of the few emails that I get that I read immediately […]
Is Your Retirement Now Obsolete?
I gave myself a wake-up call. Our recent article “Thinking About Retiring? Better Think It Through!” was a jolt for sure. For decades the mantra was save money and grow your wealth. We banked on the “rule of 72”. When the accumulated interest equals 72, you would double your money. Earn 6%, in 12 years you will […]
Do You Have Wealth or Just the Illusion of Wealth?
Anyone remember the commercials for “Friendly Bob Adams” of Household Finance? They advertised “debt consolidation loans”. Bring all your payment booklets, pay off your debts and consolidate them into one loan with a lower monthly payment. Theoretically it took the pressure off those living from paycheck to paycheck, up to their eyeballs in debt. A […]