Most of us enjoy the conveniences of shopping online. But in this digital age, it is more important than ever to protect yourself against cyber-crime and identity theft. What can you do?
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Q: What is the best financial gift for a young worker?
A: Teach them to save as much as they can now.
Here’s a lesson for your adult children and adult grandchildren: It’s easier to save $400 per month toward retirement than to save $6,000 per month. To save something out of every paycheck might be the hardest thing a young person can undertake. The reward, however, is a more secure retirement with greater financial independence.
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If you do not have enough money to retire, what should you do? Should you consider investing in riskier investments to compensate for not having saved enough?
During the final races at horse tracks, gamblers tend to bet on long shots. In Las Vegas, there is a pronounced tendency for people to place long-shot bets near the end of the day. Gamblers who lose money during the day desire to go home as winners.
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Do you enjoy betting at the casino? Would you consider spending your time at a casino a sound way to prepare for your retirement?
Most people I talk to who enjoy gambling are smart enough to set a budget for their gambling, maybe $100 or $500, to go and have some fun at the tables or slot machines. Sometimes they come out ahead, but when they lose, they consider the money they lost as part of their vacation expenses.
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“I see the noise, and it’s ugly.”
Yes, an equity strategist said, “I see the noise and it’s ugly.” But he went on to say, “But understand the big picture: if you’re a long-term investor with the ability to look out beyond a few years, you’ll look back and say, this was a chance to pick up stocks I missed on the way up.”
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Studies show that people spend as much as 100% more when they do not use real money. However, the new Apple Pay smart phone payment system has great promise. You can leave your wallet, credit card, and debit card at home.
Credit and debit cards made spending easier. Now, Apple hopes its new Apple Pay system will be another leap forward in making spending even easier.
Do you understand money? How well can you answer these three questions?
- If you had $100 in your savings account earning 2% interest annually, after 5 years, would you have more, the same, or less?
- If the interest rate on your savings was 1% and inflation was 2%, after 1 year, would you be able to buy more, the same, or less than today?
- True or false: Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.
Many of us have developed a relationship with a financial advisor over many years. It can be emotionally difficult to make a change. But there are times when a change will be in your best interest.
If you have a sound financial advisor who is proactively providing you with direction, competently helping you keep your financial and investment planning up to date, don’t let them go! A study by The Vanguard Group indicates that a prudent financial advisor produces real value over the long term.
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