Friday, September 3, 2021

What is your investment account benchmark?

 

Stock market too high for you?

Many investors are anticipating a correction (drop) in stocks because they have been going up for so long and the Covid-19 resurgence. If this is your concern and you do not believe our economy has stopped growing, a less volatile sanctuary in these times is the Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund. This 40 year-old, income-oriented balanced fund offers exposure to stocks and investment-grade bonds. Balanced funds typically offer a higher allocation to stocks; however, this fund is unique in allocating about one-third to stocks and two-thirds to bonds. With a low annual expense ratio and long-term (1970) return of 9.7%, this fund helps you sleep at night during this period. The year to date return of 7.5% and the 3-year results of 11.8% mean you are participating in this boom while not likely to fall off the coming cliff. In 2008, when the market fell 37%, this fund was down only 9.8%. It quickly recovered its steady returns to over 7% per year.

Use Vanguard’s best: https://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

 

What is your investment account benchmark?

Without a benchmark, how do you know your advisor is not ripping you off? Everyone has a benchmark even if your advisor has not provided this information. Some don’t provide it because it may make them look bad. For instance, if your 401k money is invested in the stock market, you should have grown your nest egg by 30, 20, or 11% over the last few years. In fact you can use this calculator to know exactly how much your money grew over any given period of time. The long-term return is about 11% before inflation but in the last year you should have increased your account by over 36%. Your advisor should provide you with your funds’ returns over time with the market benchmarks side by side as Vanguard does. If you are invested in a Target Date fund like Vanguard’s 2065, your returns are shown with the benchmark composite of the stock/bond mix your plan manager is using. If you are being overcharged, over time you could be giving up 50% of the potential value of your money. John Bogle did the analysis to start the Vanguard Group and the low-cost money management revolution.

Make sure you are not robbed: https://www.amazon.com/Robbing-You-Blind-401k-fees/dp/1493588966

 

How to improve your credit: don’t get blindsided

This course shows you how to get and maintain one of the most important financial traits you can have. You can negotiate a lower cost of renting, car loans, home loans, home equity loans, utility and phone bills, insurance rates, and many other products you need. The course is in short modules so you can go at your own pace. You learn what hurts and what helps your situation. You learn when to ask for help. There are steps to improve your credit that you can take today. Keep track of your credit reports each year so you can remove the negative that appears in almost everyone’s history. Reports are FREE.

Save on all products: https://www.amazon.com/Tricks-Trade-Mutual-Insurance-Annuities/dp/1535497289

 

How to invest for retirement in 21st Century

Unless your family has provided a legacy for you, you need to create your own retirement income. Unless you plan on creating a new Apple, Amazon, Microsoft or Google, you need to build wealth in the new system—Tax-FREE Wealth Reserve. If your employer matches your contributions to a 401k, take the money and invest in the right plan options. If not, skip the employer plan and set up your own automatic payday contribution plan with a low-cost custodial account provider. Time is the key to amassing the new Wealth Reserve system. To reach a decent retirement income, you must use stocks or stock funds. This will assure you of beating inflation and average returns of at least 11% annually. At that rate, you can create a Tax-FREE account worth over $1,000,000. That amount will provide a substantial supplement to your SS benefits for 30-40 years of retirement. SS Trust Fund is projected to become depleted in 2033, one year sooner than last year’s estimate, with 76 percent of benefits payable at that time. There are no guarantees but this method is your best chance of success. And you don’t need to give up HALF your earnings in advisor fees and charges.

Go Tax-FREE: https://www.amazon.com/New-American-Retirement-System-ReserveTM/dp/1461030072

 

 

Why financial literacy in HS does not produce smart buyers

I have found that folks learn money management only when they need to use it. They are open to learning how to get a loan or invest wisely only when they are ready. HS kids are usually focused on getting a date or getting drunk or getting a scholarship. They learn how to buy loan, car, insurance, etc when they need to AFTER HS. When I got my first real job, the lady in charge of HR paperwork told me to enroll in the Stable Value Fund--the worst 401k option--Stable Value Fund is like bank savings account earning 1-2%. When you are young you should be in 100% stock funds but the employers do not want to be sued for employees losing money in the first years. For the same reason high schools never teach that stocks go up at 11% over time. Students ignore advice: investing is about TIME not get-rich-quick schemes. Teens are not interested in literacy. They want to know how to get $20,000 to buy that sports car or their Spring break vacations. 

Fix it now: https://www.amazon.com/Tune-your-401k-EARN-Tax-FREE/dp/1490591028

 

Buffett recommendations for investments in retirement

What is one of the world's greatest investor's retirement advice? Use 2 Vanguard funds for your retirement income. You avoid “high-fee managers” and the high cost of trading.  Warren Buffett's legal will provides for his family by directing that his cash assets be invested in just two Vanguard funds: One will provide cash for the coming year and the other will provide for a sound future. The best way to protect your family's future is to be invested in the stock market: Pure and simple. When you have stock assets, your money compounds at higher rates when your account fees are 0.01-0.05%, not the retail rates of 1.5-3%. You don't have to settle for retail products that are structured to provide a Wall Street firm with higher revenues. The average investor earns just 3.79%, not the 10-12% market rates according to the DALBAR record keeper. A simple plan can save you the pain of retirement income blues. Retirees regret a little saving and planning workout.

Buffett’s simple plan: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Vanguard-Funds-Retirement/dp/1496148592

 

BMW highest loss in value in 5 years

High depreciation in value means poor trade-in sale value when you go for a new ride. You will find these 10 cars are worth only 30% of what you paid for them: you lose over 70%. Luxury cars see their value quickly fade in part because they have expensive features and technology that used-car shoppers do not value. Repairs are outrageous. Luxury wheels on lease are a favorite business expense by owners since they are deductible and can be renewed easily. The flip side is that a 5-year-old Audi, Volvo, Benz, or Maserati may be a great bargain. However, when you check on the reliability and cost of repairs, you may have a disaster instead. Check the cost of insurance too.

Buy only what you need: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

 

**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracyWe rejected an "American fascist" once

 

 

Our Jan 6 ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission

 

Contempt of Congress to Trump?

 

Lawmakers encouraged terrorists?

 

US terrorists smile at Taliban win

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Finally, common sense in FL: stop filling hospitals with Covid cases. Judge: wear masks

 

Get it for the kids: Pediatric COVID-19 Cases Are Surging, Pushing Hospitals to limit

650,000 deaths still don’t convince the anti-vaxxers: ideology still strong: Trump booed

Covid cancels EU vacations: ONLY US vax travelers wanted in Europe this year

 

Recall troops from Japan Germany Korea 177 countries: domestic terrorist greater threat  

NY pays $9.5 million to lawyers representing and investigating Cuomo: sex harassment

Corp lobbyists to determine who wins in economic recovery: drug prices, fair taxes issues

 

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

FL Covid survivor goes home: finds husband decomposing with Covid: Gov to blame?

TN school district closes schools for Covid:  TN fired Covid expert for pushing vax

Teacher took off mask to read-aloud: within days, half her class was positive for Covid

 

America’s Frontline Doctors caught profiting from fake Covid drug for de-worming cows

GA cop anti-vax Facebook; took de-wormer; died of Covid virus; ivermectin poisonings

FL radio host Mr Bernier "Mr. Anti-Vax" criticized vaccine died of the coronavirus

FL punishes schools for wearing masks to protect children: no ‘freedom’ from Ron’s ban

Wife gets OH judge to order hospital to give husband de-wormer: life insurance benefit?

FL ‘cooks’ the Covid death books to show “artificial decline” in deaths: state Health Dept

 

GOP wants more US troops to die in Afghanistan: Wasted 20 years; $2.2 Trillion already

Trump made the deal; Biden takes blame for leaving Afghans; 13 more Americans die

GOP Gaetz described the Taliban as “more legitimate than the last gov or our gov here”

 

 

GOP calling for blood in next election: since election rigged/stolen; so “bloodshed” used

TX encourages citizens collect bounties for abortion ban: $10,000 per fetus found

TX bans women’s choice; voter’s choice; race education choice: white Taliban country?

Fox Carlson on Taliban: “They like the patriarchy. Some of their women like it too.”

 

Philip Morris will give you cancer and sell you the treatmeant: “Beyond Nicotine” 

 

Jason Bullard Angela Romero-Bullard caught $17.6M Ponzi currency trading 12% return

Cetera, Cambridge, KMS caught put client data at risk with poor cyber protections fined

J.W. Cole Advisors FL breached fiduciary duty: sold higher fee shares: failed to advise

Some colleges adding cost of no attendance to tuition: may not cover Covid absence

Some hospitals charge us MORE with insurance than cash price: tricks for profits

George Constantine Marc Elefant Andrew Dowd Sady Ribeiro caught fake fall $31 mil fraud

Charles Sebesta chairman stole $11 million LA Christian Science and school

 

 

Tesla auto pilot attracted to police flashing lights: nearly hits driver then car 

Extensive Corrosion in Collapsed Condo video shows engineers “powdered concrete

GA DA indicted in investigation of killing of Ahmaud Arbery, jogger killed by 2 whites

 

Can you tell a scam from a fact? Easy tutorials here

 

Jobs

Many folks are NOT retiring: good reasons to keep doing your routine

Teacher pay by level and state: $44,000 to $86,000

Amazon.com is planning to hire 55,000 people for corporate and technology roles

 

Who owns your account now?

Best Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Mobile driver’s license and state ID initiative with Apple and 8 states: airport OK

Home prices double: $357,900 for median (half above; half below)

 

Miracles:

Egypt’s Ibrahim Hamadtou lost both arms— now, at 48, he’s a 2-time Paralympian.

Age of Stupidity? Vax for Virus; Earth overheats; US civil ideology war; inequality

Weather disasters are now far more frequent and costly but less deadly,

 

New Yorker keeps cougar as ‘pet’ in apartment: cute pet 11 months ago

LA state workers save someone’s cow in tree: IDA did it!

 

Molecule in Brazilian viper venom can inhibit virus to multiply by 75% in monkeys

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

MontclairNJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/

 

 

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