How to Combat Inflation for Early Retirement
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Inflation is the biggest risk to any retirement savings plan, and woe to any retiree who underestimates its effects. Inflation is the increase in the money supply, which results in a sustained increase in the price of goods and services over time. Most experts agree that retirees need to assume an annual inflation rate of 3-4%, but a good retirement plan should account for periods of high inflation as well.
10 Alarming Statistics About Credit Card Debt in America
Here’s 10 alarming statistics about consumer debt in the United States.
Avoid the Roadblocks that Prevent Early Retirement
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One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until their 50s or 60s to start planning for retirement. Waiting this long typically means that more sacrifices will have to be made and sometimes these sacrifices can be hard to bear.
A Diversification Strategy that Leads to Early Retirement
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A common investment pitfall is spending far too much time trying to pick individual stocks that will increase in value. It’s much more important to understand proper diversification.
A 401k Strategy that Leads to Early Retirement
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This week, John Bearss shows you a 401k strategy that leads to early retirement. Many investors fail to take full advantage of their employer’s contribution matching, which is just about the same as throwing away money.
10 Ways to Restore Liberty and End Tyranny in America
When the government sticks their hands down your pants and tells you its “good for you,” you know that we are nearing the end of the American experiment.
A Savings Strategy that Leads to Early Retirement
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Do you desire an early retirement? Today, I want to share with you a savings strategy that leads to early retirement. This strategy is simple to say, but can be harder to follow.
Do I Need Life Insurance in Retirement?
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Should you go out and buy life insurance as you near retirement? The answers depend largely on your particular circumstances.
Make Smart Decisions with Your Pension Plan
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“Should I choose a single life annuity payout from my pension or a joint and survivor annuity payout, which will make payments to my spouse when I die?”
Is Estate Planning Only for the Rich?
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Estate planning allows you or anyone to implement certain tools now to ensure that your concerns and goals are fulfilled after you die.
How to Reduce (or Eliminate) the Taxes on your Social Security Income
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To reduce or eliminate the taxes on your social security income, you first need to understand the term “Reportable Income”. This is the total of all your incomes that is required to be reported to the IRS on your tax form.
Is it Too Late to Make an IRA Contribution for 2011?
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We recently got this question from an FTMWeekly radio listener: “I forgot to make my IRA Contribution for tax year 2011. Is it too late to make the contribution now?” NO. Here’s why…
College Board Report Shows Tuition Costs Continue to Soar
It is no secret that the cost of a college education continues to soar. But, by planning ahead you can determine which of several creative methods will work best for you. Some people will choose the 529 College Savings Plans that are available while others will choose using a cash value life insurance policy to help pay for these cost.
Peter Schiff Takes the Crazed Occupy Wall Streeters to School
Economist and author Peter Schiff recently braved a stroll through the loony mob (affectionately referred to as the “Occupy Wall Street” movement by the mainstream media) currently inhabiting Lower Manhattan. He was armed with a video camera and a microphone. There is no need for further comment. Just watch the video for yourself.
There is no need for further comment. Just watch the video for yourself.
Retirement Minute: Four Questions That Current Medicare Enrollees Should Be Asking Now
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The Medicare open enrollment period is now here and this is the time during which people with Medicare can make new choices and pick plans that work best for them. Here’s four questions to be asking now.
FTM Weekend Roundup – October 8, 2011
After beginning the fourth quarter near bear market territory, the major U.S. stock indexes staged a rally this week on news that Europe would step in to help its ailing banking sector along with some better than expected economic data in the U.S.
Retirement Minute: Three Tax Planning Tips for 2012
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Here’s three tips to reduce your taxes in 2012. Now that October has arrived, I would like to challenge you to take this month and start planning for how you are going to reduce your taxes in year 2012. Your CPA can be a good source to help you with this planning by suggesting different tax benefits that you can implement.
Bank of England: This is the Worst Financial Crisis… Ever
The Governor of the Bank of England says that we are in the worst financial crisis ever. We hate to say it but we actually agree with a central banker right now.
Retirement Minute: Should You “Undo” Your Recent Roth IRA Conversion?
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If your Roth IRA has sustained losses as a result of the recent market downturn, you may want to consider whether it makes sense to undo your conversion. Here’s what you need to know.
FTM Quarterly: A Financial Newsletter by Jerry Robinson
The FTMQuarterly Newsletter is the premier financial publication written by economist Jerry Robinson and his staff. Subscribe now!
NJ Church Gives Away $30,000 in “Reverse Collection” Baskets
This was one collection basket parishioners couldn’t pass up. Liquid Church of New Jersey allowed parishioners at its Sunday services to forgo donating and instead take money out of the collection basket.
‘Massive jobs shortfall’ predicted for global economy
International Labour Organisation said the group of developing and developed nations had seen 20m jobs disappear since the financial crisis in 2008.
10 Things Social Security Won’t Tell You
Worried about the future of Social Security? You’re far from alone. The Social Security Administration itself has said that unless something is done to reform the system, it will burn through its funds within the next few decades.
IMF Sharply Downgrades Outlook for U.S, Europe
The world economy has entered a “dangerous new phase,” according to the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. As a result, the international lending organization has sharply downgraded its economic outlook for the United States and Europe through the end of next year.
Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts
As Washington looks to squeeze savings from once-sacrosanct entitlements like Social Security and Medicare, another big social welfare system is growing as rapidly, but with far less scrutiny: the health and pension benefits of military retirees.
Gloom and Doom: Consumer Sentiment Plunges to 31-Year Low
Consumer sentiment inched up in early September but Americans remained gloomy about the future with their expectations falling to the lowest level since 1980, a survey released on Friday showed.
Gen Y’s $2 Million Retirement Price Tag
Retirement won’t be impossible for Generations X and Y, but they will need to save considerably more than the baby boomers to make up for less employer and government help.
10 Shortcuts to Find a Retirement Haven Abroad
There’s no such thing as the world’s best place to retire. There are many appealing options for a new life in retirement overseas.
A Roth 401(k) may be in your future
When it comes to choosing the best place to stash your retirement savings, the answer, at least in part, depends on your likely tax situation once you stop working.
5 Questions Every Worker Should Ask Before Retirement
Wall Street’s recent turmoil has many investors questioning whether they will have enough to retire the way they’ve always dreamed, or to retire at all, for that matter.
Go East, My Son! Job Seekers Flock to Asia
The weak job market in the U.S. is sending many in search of a meaningful career headed to Asia, experts say.
Income for Life, Guaranteed! (Sort of)
Low interest rates and a weak economy make it hard for retirees to turn their nest eggs into paychecks. Some strategies for coping and cashing in.
Income Slides to 1996 Levels
The income of the typical American family—long the envy of much of the world—has dropped for the third year in a row and is now roughly where it was in 1996 when adjusted for inflation.
Foreclosures Soar 200% in August
Bank of America is ramping up its foreclosure processing, sending out far more notices of default to borrowers in August than in previous months, well over 200 percent more month-to-month.
REPORT: U.S. Poverty Rate Soars to Nearly 1 in 6
The ranks of U.S. poor swelled to nearly 1 in 6 people last year, reaching a new high as long-term unemployment woes left millions of Americans struggling and out of work.
FTMDaily News Wrap – Time for “Operation Twist?”
Despite trillions of dollars in stimulus and Washington’s hype over a “recovery”, the economy is still barely growing in most parts of the country.
Weekend Roundup: A Brief Update on the U.S. Downgrade
While I am on the road this weekend, I am keeping a close eye on the unfolding drama in the global economy. After the S&P’s decision to downgrade America’s credit rating, things are certain to get interesting this week.
U.S. Braces for Possible S&P Downgrade
Editor’s Note: As stocks see their worst week in almost two years, the rating agency Standard & Poor’s may be getting ready to downgrade the credit rating of the United States government. This is no surprise to us. In fact, two days ago, the U.S. public debt shot up over 100% of GDP, according to a news story from AFP. This puts the U.S. in the same category as nations like Japan, Greece, Italy and Ireland, to name a few. Also, Moody’s announced that the U.S. needed to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio to 73% by 2015 in order to ensure the sustainability of the AAA credit status.
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$2.4 Trillion: The Largest Debt-Limit Increase in U.S. History
Editor’s Note: The debt compromise which passed the House on Monday evening with a vote of 269-161 is the largest debt-limit increase in U.S. history. In essence, the Federal government just got a blank check. This is no surprise given our current economic state. Despite months of pushing the “Recovery is here” propaganda, even the most crafty of politicians cannot hide the real economic truth from the American people. The ship is sinking and everyone is beginning to notice. With this new debt deal, Washington has at least given itself enough breathing room to glide through the 2012 Presidential election year. The can has been kicked down the road yet again. Really tough decisions lie ahead. It will come in the name of “sacrifice.” It will take the form of higher inflation, slashed spending, and finally gargantuan tax hikes. As I have been saying for years, you must prepare. You have no choice. Don’t fall for the mainstream media’s “blame game.” Right now, it does not matter who is to blame. Wake up from the “Conservative-Liberal” deception. When the Titanic is sinking, the first thing you do is grab your life boat. There will be a time for sorting out the details and placing blame later. The unprepared will remained focused on the politics of the matter. The informed will spend their valuable time preparing their financial gameplans. Its time to turn down the noise and get busy creating a plan.
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Visualizing the U.S. National Debt: Debt Stacked in $100 Bills
This weekend, I ran across this unique presentation that attempts to visualize the U.S. National Debt through stacks of $100 bills.