by John | Apr 1, 2017 | 3-Legacy, Cash Management, Charity, Family Banking, Golden Years/End of Life, Saving, Success
“Many high-net-worth investors ignore one of the most powerful financial-planning tools available to them: Social Security,” writes Ash Ashluwalia in this past Monday’s Wall Street Journal.
He caught my attention. I’ve been assuming the system’s demise–and seeking to make alternative plans–since the mid-1980s, when I first learned from Dr. Gary North about how the program is really a Ponzi scheme and is going to fail, one way or another.
Dr. North pointed to comments by then-Sen. William Proxmire during a 1976 hearing. I have bolded the most relevant part: (more…)
by John | Mar 23, 2017 | Business, General, Legal
It’s not just the document in front of you that counts; it’s also the document to which this one refers.
Yesterday, I found out what failing to pay attention to details in legal documents can cost.
Sarita and I bought a bunch of acres in Virginia several years ago. Most is forest; some has been cleared. We were thinking we might build a house there. In the meantime, we were going to care for it with the best methods we knew to use. (more…)
by John | Feb 11, 2017 | 1-Growth, Cash Management, Family Banking, Saving
How do interest and percentages stack up?
Over the last couple of years, I have come to realize how important it is for us to think strategically—and very differently than most of us were taught in school—about interest and percentages.
I think the first time someone brought this to my attention was when one of my advisors asked, “What does your bank pay to borrow money from you right now?”
At the time, I think I was receiving about 0.1% interest on (some of) my deposits. (Many pay nothing at all. And if I were living in Europe or Japan, they would be charging me interest for parking my money with them.) So I said, “Let’s say 0.1%.”
“Okay,” said my advisor. “And how much are they charging in interest if you want to borrow from them?” (more…)
by John | Jul 29, 2016 | 1-Growth, 3-Legacy, Cash Management, Family Banking, General
Look at your family’s financial resources as a “family bank,” a family finance company. What a great way to approach funding college! (more…)
by John | Jul 28, 2016 | 1-Growth, 2-Income, General, Investing
A Ponzi scheme–like the U.S. government’s Social Security program–will only last as long as there are enough fools to cover the payments promised to those who came before. The question is: when and how will the fraud finally come to light? And what will happen when Americans finally acknowledge it for what it is?
AARP’s “Take a Stand” Program
Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) writes, “Social Security is a promise we’ve been able to keep for generations, thanks to the courage of many of our nation’s leaders.” Fascinating sentence, that.
I am intrigued most especially by the reference to “we”—that “we’ve been able to keep” some “promise.” Who is this “we”?
And the idea of “courage” on the part of “our nation’s leaders.” –Really?
Jenkins attempts to explain herself:
The struggle to enact and improve Social Security took the leadership of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, who started the program, and Ronald Reagan, whose bipartisan efforts saved the program from fiscal ruin in the 1980s. They stood up to critics, bridged political divides, and fought off constitutional challenges to protect the retirement security of the middle class and help keep tens of millions of Americans and their families financially resilient.
Now, she says, presumptive political leaders need to “tell all Americans how they’ll update Social Security . . . [to] keep [it] strong. . . . That’s why AARP [has created its “Take a Stand” program to press] the [current presidential] candidates to spell out their plans to keep Social Security’s promise alive for our children and grandchildren.”
Stirring words. Too bad they are so out of touch with reality.
If you are hoping to be Ready2Prosper in your older years, you would do well to pay attention. (more…)
by John | Jul 26, 2016 | Cash Management, General
Fail to recognize the difference between assets and cash flow or between principal and interest, and you could wind up learning painful lessons.
Two stories that illustrate why it is so important to pay attention to and distinguish principal from interest and assets from cash flow. (more…)
by John | Jul 25, 2016 | Cash Management, General
Better quality counsel should put a bigger smile on Liza’s face . . . without risk it might suddenly disappear.
Tim Cardon, a professional financial counselor, told Liza, “The Girl with the Three Loans,” to clear out her IRA in order to pay off her car loan. I thought that was terrible advice. Here’s what I believe would have been better. (more…)
by John | Jul 23, 2016 | Cash Management, General
Cash Flow Index says, “Pay off the car loan.” Good idea? Or bad?
A critical look at the “Cash Flow Index”-based advice a financial counselor gave to a woman who felt like she was slowly drowning in debt.
*******
Last time, I summarized the advice Tim Cardon, an advocate for Dale Clarke’s “Cash Flow Index,” 1 gave to Liza, The Girl with Three Loans. He told her to use her IRA to pay off her car loan. It would give her much-needed cash flow. When she heard his advice, Liza was thrilled.
Today, I want to critique Mr. Cardon’s advice. (more…)
by John | Jul 21, 2016 | 1-Growth, Cash Management, General
A professional financial counselor’s advice to a young woman who feels like she is drowning in debt. Counsel based on Dale Clarke’s Cash Flow Index idea.
*******
Yesterday, I summarized the predicament of Liza, The Girl with the Three Loans. I asked you, considering Liza’s circumstances, to think about what she should do (or should have done) to address her seemingly hopeless situation.
Today, I share the advice of Tim Cardon, an advocate for Dale Clarke’s “Cash Flow Index.”1 It was Mr. Cardon who told me Liza’s story. He hoped it would help me understand and embrace the value of CFI. (more…)
by John | Jul 20, 2016 | 1-Growth, Cash Management, General
Three loans weighing her down; which should she pay off first?
A nuts-and-bolts, real-life analysis of how to counsel someone who feels like she is drowning in debt. How can she escape the rip tide?
Today, I will set up the situation. In future posts, we will consider possible solutions to her problems. (more…)
Recent Comments