The Wall Street Casino
What does a casino do? How does it operate? The key to its profitability is to ensure that enough money comes in the door, stays to play, the odds are hidden, and that the house gets a small percentage of the money in play, whether the patrons win or lose. Now let’s look at Wall […]
The New Approach is the Old Approach, What Financial Advisors are Really Selling You
So I was reading some of the endless spin put out by the financial services industry, in this case a NY Times article that I encountered three months ago, and then saw reposted by Yahoo Finance’s Advisor’s Corner on January 5, 2011 called “3 Schools of Thought on Wealth Management“. The financial services industry is […]
Your Mom Was Right, if It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
As a former owner of a real estate business and a stockbrokerage firm I am often asked to give investment advice. With interest rates at almost zero and a stock market that’s gone nowhere for the last 10 years, people are under tremendous pressure to make more money on their investments. There are many options […]
When NOT Investing is the Best Investment
There are periods of time where there is almost no reliable way to invest money; where the risk of losing money is just too high. So, how do you invest in an uncertain market? Choosing not to invest is usually the best investment choice during such difficult financial times. Unfortunately, not investing in any of […]
What Most People Won’t Do to Save Money
If I told you a way to save money that was quick, simple and almost always works, would you do it? What if I told you it was negotiating a better price? Is your answer still the same? Amazingly, most people don’t negotiate. One of the reasons I wrote Money Smart was to give everyone […]
The Secret That Every Successful Person Knows
Do you spend every raise you get? Do you spend a little bit more than you make on a monthly basis? About half of all families live at or above their means. The secret that every financially successful person knows is this: the key to turning family finances around is living below your means. Making […]
Give That Donation, Even When You Think You Can
Times are tough and the holidays are hectic. But I would like you to take the time this busy holiday season to consider something that I think is essential to your well-being, financial and otherwise. Giving. Giving doesn’t have to be limited to money. A wonderful gift can be just to give a little of […]
Who Should Manage Your Money?
These have been hard economic times and people are asking, “How did this happen and why weren’t we warned?” We are all looking at our money differently and, perhaps, more carefully. But the myth that “I need an expert to help me understand and manage my money” still exists. I wrote Money Smart to dispel […]
Choose Cheer Not Stress: Tips to Keep the Holidays Merry and Debt Free
With the holidays upon us, it can sometimes be tough to remember that this is supposed to be a joyful season. Celebrations can quickly dissolve into chaos, stress, and opportunities to overspend. Here are some tips to help remember the joy of the holidays and avoid overspending. Money Smart Holiday Tips: Avoid impulse buying. Start […]
What Are You Trading Your Dreams For?
What are your hopes and dreams, your goals and desires? A strange question to ask when my focus is helping people achieve financial freedom? It’s not, and in fact, it is probably the most important question you need to answer if you truly want to reach your money goals. What matters most? Is it spending […]