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How much does the typical American family make? This question is probably one of the most central in figuring out how we can go about fixing our current economic malaise. In this article we break down the U.S. household income numbers. Words: 464
March 6th, 2012 | Posted in Personal Finance | Read More »

Recent research by PayScale has revealed that the average ROI for U.S. university graduates (693 schools surveyed) is $387,501 over a 30-year period. 6 of the universities generated a return on investment for its graduates in excess of $1.6 million.
March 1st, 2012 | Posted in Personal Finance | Read More »
What’s the key to making good investment choices? It isn’t necessary to understand the inner workings of the securities markets or the mathematical economies underlying investment theory. Instead, 10 axioms of effective investing provide the critical cornerstone for guiding investment philosophy and making decisions. [Here they are.] Words: 2155
February 17th, 2012 | Posted in Personal Finance,Retirement Planning | Read More »

There is a common notion that stocks, at least if held for a long-time, outperform other assets [and, as such,] should be the cornerstone of any long-term portfolio. [While that is indeed true,] it is best to focus first on how much you are able and willing to lose (i.e. what risk you are able and willing to bear) when determining the optimal allocation for your portfolio. [Only] then [should you] think about what potential investment returns you might be able to capture. [Let me explain.] Words: 1503
February 17th, 2012 | Posted in Asset Allocation,Investing,Personal Finance,Retirement Planning | Read More »

This year, the average person celebrating Valentine’s Day is expected to spend $126.03 (women $85.76; men $168.74; spouses $74.12) or 8.5% more than last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. This total, which is 8.5% more than last year, is the highest in the survey’s 10 year history. Read on for more on this year’s Valentine’s Day spending patterns and to learn just where you place amongst your peers.
February 9th, 2012 | Posted in Personal Finance | Read More »

Graduating from college can be an exciting and stressful time. Suddenly you need to find a job, replay loans and make solid financial decisions. Fortunately, you don’t need to be unprepared. Below are some budgeting basics to keep your spending under control, some suggestions on how to set financial goals and a list of the top 10 American cities for starting out.
February 1st, 2012 | Posted in Personal Finance | Read More »
I invest in dividend paying stocks in order to generate a sufficient income stream that will meet and exceed my expenses in retirement. “Retirement” to me is the point where my dividend income exceeds my annual expenses by 1.5 times, which means that I no longer have to work for money. In order to get there I am following several simple, but crucial, principles [which I would like to share with you]. Words: 830
January 6th, 2012 | Posted in Personal Finance,Retirement Planning | Read More »

Financial Repression is a form of wealth confiscation and redistribution that is in some ways as effective as taxation – but the government never directly calls it that. It never appears in the budget (directly), and while it is dependent on a comprehensive network of laws and regulations – none of those go through the legislature with a stated intention of creating Financial Repression. So while the economic net effects are similar to a huge and comprehensive set of investor taxes being used to pay down the national debt, the “taxes” are never a campaign issue because voters and investors don’t understand what is happening – they only feel the results. [In this article I lay out for you what is slowly developing and expected to escalate dramatically in the next few years.] Words: 5800
December 1st, 2011 | Posted in Debts/Deficits,Economy,Personal Finance,Retirement Planning | Read More »

Americans spend more time planning their vacations than their retirement and this is the reason why 1 out 7 baby boomers are going bankrupt. With people living longer and spending as much as 30 years in retirement, if you want to maintain a moderate standard of living, it is essential to plan your retirement well in advance to secure your golden years.This article outlines 6 ways to do just that. Words: 665
November 26th, 2011 | Posted in Personal Finance,Retirement Planning | Read More »

A life insurance policy is intended to provide your family with a sizable amount of money should you meet an untimely death and, as such, can be said to be a something of a an ultimate bonanza – a pot of gold, if you will. Most people, however, think the only way to get money from a life insurance policy is to die but there is another way should your circumstances change and that is called a life settlement. In this article I provide you with some insider insights on how to go about negotiating the maximize payout on such a settlement. Words: 851
November 19th, 2011 | Posted in Personal Finance | Read More »