Filed in archive
on June 28, 2005
Are we saving too much for retirement? The answer is yes according to Ty Bernicke.
Bernicke's first hint that people tend to overestimate their retirement spending came from his father, Barry, t...
Filed in archive
on June 27, 2005
I just added a new category today - Liberty. It probably won't be featured much but I think it is important. Because at the end of the day, making all the right moves with our financial game pla...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 26, 2005
Fox News Channel's Terri Keenan connects the dots between CNOOC's (China National Offshore Oil Corp) takeover bid of Unocal and the market's selloff.
Can you say trade war? I guess the ...
Filed in archive
on June 26, 2005
Here's a provacative piece from the NY Times. Author daniel Akst argues. given the alternatives, "Perhaps it's (our failure to save) something closer to rational profligacy."
Here...
Filed in archive
Economy
on June 24, 2005
Reuters reports on a CNBC interview in which Warren Buffett acknowledges he took some lumps during the recent strength in the US dollar. However, he maintains a bearish outlook on the greenback.
Fa...
Filed in archive
Economy
on June 24, 2005
Hey Bob, now that Deep Throat has a face let's move on to more important things. Like a quick clarification. Which one were you referring to?
While Stephen Roach doesn't come out and say it...
Filed in archive
Housing
on June 24, 2005
I've kept quiet on housing of late because, frankly, I got tired beating that drum. How much anecdotal evidence of a mania can one really stomach without becoming tone deaf? But I'm ready to d...
Filed in archive
on June 24, 2005
Here's another option in your quest to send Jr. to the very best college. The Independent 529 Plan
What is Independent 529 Plan?
Independent 529 Plan is the first private college-sponsored, na...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 23, 2005
Here's a cautionary piece about the trend towards collectibles as investments.
Are collectibles a sound financial investment? If the past is any guide, the answer is no. Historically, collectib...
Filed in archive
on June 23, 2005
Even if you like to go into you local bank and chat with your favorite teller, it's a good idea to have another source for your banking needs. Using Bankrate.com, I've done a quick roundup o...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 22, 2005
Bonds can be confusing. I still get puzzled looks when I ask groups why prices and yields move in opposite directions. Well fear not, PIMCO has put out a bond primer in its June newsletter.
This is a...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 22, 2005
Trade publication Investment News has an article dealing with IRS treatment of botched IRA rollovers (I'd link to the article but I can't).
Based on recent IRS private letter rulings, here&...
Filed in archive
Housing
on June 22, 2005
In every area of our lives we flock to those producers that offer the latest and greatest. In fact, we demand it. The iPod and Dyson vacuums come to mind. As a society we demand innovation.
The mor...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 22, 2005
The Oracle of Omaha is already involved in the energy sector. Now he says he's still attacted to opportunities there. And the bigger the better because the puny $1 billion dollar deals don't...
Filed in archive
on June 21, 2005
Keep in mind that credit card issuers are beginning to raise monthly minimums from 2% to 4%. This is a good thing. It forces those who carry balances to pay them off quicker.
However, it goes without...
Filed in archive
on June 21, 2005
Teri Cullen over at the Wall Street Journal shows how she uses technology to streamline her tasks involved in staying on top of her family's financial game plan.
Her situation is a great illust...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 21, 2005
Stories like this (reg. required, free) have been flying off the presses the last week or so. And these guys weren't poor flunkies getting whacked by the GM/Ford debt debacle a few months ago. Jus...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 16, 2005
Annuities sometimes seem like "The Three Faces of Eve." You get people who love 'em, people who hate 'em and some just don't know.
I want to direct you to an article in a trad...
Filed in archive
on June 16, 2005
A lot of people like to talk investments. Well, maybe not as many as say 5 or 6 years ago. But thoughts of catching the next rocket launch has always, and will forever continue, to intrigue many of ...
Filed in archive
Economy
on June 15, 2005
They were piling on yesterday. It seems everyone has an answer to Chairman Greenspan's "conundrum" over the behavior of the yield curve. Yesterday we highlighted on answer to this puzz...
Filed in archive
General
on June 15, 2005
Slightly off topic but kinda funny. In the course of some research I wound up on the Ask Yahoo service. Poking around in the Business & finance section section revealed this slightly embarassing...
Filed in archive
Economy
on June 14, 2005
Alan Greenspan continues to be mystified by the apparent interest rate "conundrum." How could long term interest rates be falling in the face of all the "heavy lifting" the Fed h...
Filed in archive
on June 9, 2005
Here's an article that looks at the other side of the coin of 529 College Savings Accounts.
While each of the points in the article has merit, I'm going to offer a practical rebuttal to eac...
Filed in archive
Investing
on June 7, 2005
I always find it interesting to peer into the minds of fascinating people. In the area of investing Carl Icahn sure fits that bill.
The NY Times has a brief Q & A with Mr. Icahn here. It's ...
Filed in archive
Housing
on June 3, 2005
With mortgage rates about to hit lows not seen in over a year, it may be a good time to think about refinancing.
Here's a handy calculator to help you in your decision making.
Filed in archive
Housing
on June 1, 2005
It's always interesting to see what some "seasoned" players have to say. Here's a fellow who's been there, done that for quite some time.
Today people are certain real estate ...
Filed in archive
Taxes
on June 1, 2005
Call your senator and implore him or her to support S. 1103.
This is the stealth tax that has go to be scrapped.