How to Calculate the Internal Rate of Return on an Annuity or Pension
What is the rate of return on a lifetime fixed annuity? The answer depends on the amount of money you must invest upfront, the amount of income you will receive annually, and how long you will live….
What is “Interest Rate Risk”? Are you taking too much?
One way to look at interest rate risk is to consider what happens to the value of your investment if interest rates change. Interest rate risk is fundamental to fixed income investments including U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and bills. By way of example, as of this writing a ten year Treasury note yields 2.25% to maturity….
Need Life Insurance? Remember “Buy Term and Invest the Difference”
As a Certified Financial Planner professional, I believe that for most families with young children, not having life insurance on Mom and Dad is reckless financial behavior. The good news is term life insurance is surprisingly affordable. So if you need life insurance, should you buy term and invest the difference? The short answer is yes! …
Why Write an Investment Policy Statement (IPS)?
Why write an Investment Policy Statement (IPS)? Because an IPS can help ensure you and your investment advisor are on the same page. There are six key elements of an effective IPS for an individual investor
No-commission, No-transaction Fee ETF Lists
Schwab ETF OneSource presents a broad list of sensible no-transaction fee ETF choices. TDAmeritrade maintains an extensive list of commission -free ETFs as well. Download the lists and read Successful Portfolios analysis.
Six Steps to Successful Financial Planning
A smart financial plan can make you money and give you peace of mind. Follow these six steps to successful financial planning:
Advisor Credentials and the CFA Exam Pass Rate
Did you know the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is widely regarded as the global “gold standard” of investment advisor credentials? The CFA program ”is truly a meritocracy and if you can’t demonstrate you are capable, it doesn’t matter who you are, whose son or daughter.” That’s something you should think about if you are searching for an investment advisor.
Ten Wall Street Investing Myths Revealed
1. “You cannot invest directly in an index…” 2. Bonds are safer than stocks…. 3. Options are riskier than stock… 4. Smart money invests in Hedge Funds and Private Equity… 5. Buy and Hold is dead… & Five more myths debunked…
Memorable Investment Adages, Axioms, Maxims, and Quotations
Buy the rumor; Sell the news… Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful…The trend is your friend…Buy Low; Sell High…Never confuse genius with a bull market.
Asset Allocation Should be as Simple as Possible but No Simpler
A very simple, yet highly useful asset classification system consists of just two asset classes: (1) equity-growth-stocks and (2) debt-income-bonds.
