August 2009
Money Savvy
I am so thrilled at viewing your videos because you have finally helped me organize my financial life step by step. It has not been easy.... I finally have my emergency fund in place and I have filled out the PAPERWORK to reallocate my stock investments according to my age and risk comfort zone in my 403 b plan at work. Now I am ready for the next step .What is it? Do I focus on paying off my mortgage? Save for my kids college funds? I have momentum now and I do not want to drop the ball!
Separately Managed Accounts - What are They?
I'm going to be writing a multi-part series on Separately Managed Accounts, one of the least understood corners of the money management world whose accounts tout a lot of advantages, but in reality suffer from high fees and few tax advantages. Many are simply mutual funds in disguise.
The Price You Pay for the Obesity Epidemic
Obesity has been identified as an epidemic in the US for more than two decades and yet the number of overweight and obese adults and children continue to grow. Should you care? Yes, and you should be angry about it because it’s costing YOU money not to mention fewer seats on the subway...
How the Mutual Fund Industry Makes Money
Do you ever wonder why mutual funds managers get to drive around in nice cars?
Recall that mutual funds are professionally managed investments that pool money from many investors and invest it in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, or other securities.
Index Funds - How to Beat the Stock Experts
Believe it or not, you can do this easily, simply by investing in Index funds. This is the most well-kept secret in money management. Why? Well, it’s because no one on Wall Street makes any real money off Index funds, regardless of whether they are the some of the most appropriate investments for most people.
How to Invest – It’s Easy
It’s really just two steps:
1. figure out your asset allocation, then
2. buy index funds to fill in your asset allocation
7 Steps to Remaining Poor
Has anyone ever watched the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” I’m guessing that if you haven’t been living under a rock for the last ten years, the answer is yes. When given the choice of how to become a millionaire, it seems folks would go for the easy route: game shows, lottery or bank robbery. My cousin plays the weekly lotto as a path to financial independence. It hasn’t worked for her yet, but she’s hopeful. No one ever told her about the 80-million to ONE odds of striking it rich. Now honestly ladies, I’m only being absurd to prove a point.
Emergency Fund? What Emergency Fund?
No, this isn’t the fund that you dip into because you came across an unbelievable 75%-off, sale of your favorite designer, though I do suggest starting a fund for that too – call it the designer fund. But I digress. The emergency fund is the fund that keeps you from becoming homeless when the unexpected occurs.
I’m talking about the unexpected job loss, medical emergency or other major disaster you’ve never dreamed of that negatively impacts not only your mental health, but also your financial health. The best you can do is to prepare for emergencies by having an emergency fund.
My First Blog on Why I Started Tonka Beans
I've read countless studies that tell us women are more at risk of financial disaster. Whether it's due to the fact that we don't earn as much or we live longer or spend more time out of the work force, it all leads to one conclusion. We need to start planning earlier and investing more aggressively than we've done in the past.
