Some “financial” writers just don’t know

 

Some “financial” writers just don’t know

“6 Safe and Smart Investments for Retirees” is misleading and mostly wrong. There are no “safe” investments. Even the fixed rate bank CD is subject to loss of purchasing power. That means you can’t buy what you could have 5 years or even 1 year before. Same for “tax-free” municipal bonds since bonds might end up costing you money. Lending to an individual without some security can leave you with a big loss. Peer-to-peer lending is not without risks: the borrower could default. Annuities are touted as a “safe” investment. However, you can lose money since annuities have many costs and conditions. Insurers make sure they don’t lose even if you have an emergency withdrawal. Even government I bonds have risks. The core rates are low and you will be disappointed if inflation is flat. The costs associated with being a landlord of a rental property can include the human toll of constant aggravation from tenant demands. SS benefits include an inflation-adjusted monthly payment that is good for life and backed by the government. Waiting to age 70 to claim means benefits will be much greater for life. So, every one must decide on a balance between risk and reward. Retirees will need more money for a longer period so the risk of not having enough must be addressed by continuing to invest in a diversified portfolio including stock funds.

NO safe investments: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Mutual-Funds-retirement/dp/1481114026

 

IRA: tax-FREE or tax-deductible?

Depending on where you are in your investing life, one or the other IRA is an appropriate source of retirement income. The “traditional” IRA lets you reduce your current income so you pay fewer taxes NOW. The “Roth” IRA lets you increase your retirement income by avoiding taxes then. Thus, you have a significant choice. Given your overall income level, you can reduce income taxes during your whole working life OR you can exclude federal and state income taxes later when you may need more income. This means that depending on how you invest your Roth investments, you could have a potentially greater nest egg to spend and never pay taxes on the withdrawals. In fact you can convert the money in your traditional tax-deferred account to a Roth at a later time when it may benefit you more. The IRA expert, Ed Slott, (IRAhelp.com) can explain why a Roth conversion is his No. 1 tax tip for this year. You may need to use his site to calculate which deal is better for you at your current stage of investing.

Choice: https://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Tax-FREE-Financial-System/dp/1466367466

 

Save $1000: maintain your vehicles

Don’t ignore “check engine” light. Keep tires at correct pressure. Change oil and regular maintenance as your manual says not as your mechanic wants. Check your PCV valve, windshield cracks, fluid leaks when parked, and any unusual noises. Save more over your car’s lifetime buy shopping for insurance every 2 years. Insurers change their marketing plan every year and it is easy to $500 every time you shop. Major carriers will cut premiums if you are able to raise your deductible. Many have over 20 discounts your agent may not tell you about (commissions are a % of premiums). Bundling policies (including “Umbrella” cover) may or may not save total premium. I have had home insurance for 30 years and would lose money by combining with other policies.

Shopping saves: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634/

 

Advisors are trying to become psychologists

This advisor says people are asking: Can you help me define the next stage in my life? What’s going to be my purpose? What’s my “aspirational lifestyle”? And how does that guide my financial choices? Sounds like your therapist not your advisor. Almost all advisors have had no training in answering these questions. He thinks people are demanding humanistic advice of their financial counselor, and he thinks he as a wealth manager can use this need to grow his business. His firm partnered with Columbia University to develop an advisor training program that is based on providing a more holistic, “purpose-driven” approach to planning. It’s been incredibly popular with both advisors and clients he claims. This advisor thinks advisors need to help clients “envision their aspirational lifestyle in their next life chapter.” He says people want more financial stability in retirement. This “stability” is usually interpreted by sellers to mean annuity needed. This writer actually works for an annuity company so his remarks support the push for high-commission/fee annuity sales. And most advisors are focused on revenue growth for their firms. In fact, 72% new advisors quit as most of the training programs are very sales-based. Wall Street wants revenue not therapists.

Large nest egg is ‘stable’: https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Future-Insurance-mutual-funds/dp/149355204X/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

?**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************?

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist" once

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

Parallels of this era in the past may hint at our future: democracy breaks apart legally

 

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

Billionaires paid $881 million for votes in 2022 midterm elections

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

Nov 21 2020 Trump’s Plans for a Coup: criminal

 

Nov 21 2020: Trump plan: US Marshals seize voting machines

 

Jan 6 2021 Direct govt overthrow failed: guns & bombs ready

 

Trump engaged in a "criminal conspiracy" to stop Biden

 

“I don’t f—ing care that they have weapons”

 

Trump was “detached from reality”

 

Trump used mafia-style intimidation on the defenseless

 

Trump still terrorizing election woman

 

Parscale: “a sitting president asking for civil war.”

 

Trump: “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me” 

 

GOP fascism: “RINO hunt armed; no bagging limit” J6 comm threat

 

January 6, 2021 “A date which will live in infamy”

 

Trump’s Supremes END personal rights & state laws except for weapons WMDs

 

Fascism: GOP to stop women leaving state for abortion

 

It’s not a court. It’s a junta: Two Americas

 

Trump: President Biden is 'enemy of the state'

 

Christian Nationalist Party (CNP) replaces GOP

 

Nov 8 2022 Trump’s “national revolution” failed

 

Nov 15 2022 Trump announces for 2024 to avoid lawsuits

 

Dec 3 2022 Trump: cancel Constitution rules so ‘I win’

 

Mar 11 2023 Pence straddles his place in history

 

Mar 31 2023 Trump indicted misusing election money

 

Apr 7 2023 One GOP guy decided which drugs we can use

 

Apr 9 Illustrated Anne Frank book removed by Florida school

 

Apr 21 Trump: “I am your justice”

 

May 9 Trump guilty of sexual abuse

 

Jun 8 Trump indicted by the United States of America

Violation of the Espionage Act

Conspiracy to obstruct justice

Making false statements 

 

 

Jan 2025 Dictator pardons himself: his Supremes agree

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Rich get rich: lower tax rates; higher income from assets; NOT taxable income

Feds give away $200 Billion to fraud Covid fakers: at least 17% of funds lost

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

43 states passed 100 anti-voting laws since Trump attempted to overturn the 2020

Supremes kill GOP move decide our elections: saves marginal Dem voters

Study: when the candidate field is crowded, voters are more likely to sit out than turnout.

 

6 shot outside of a club in Houston: shooter escaped

 

72% new advisors quit as most of the training programs are still very sales-based

Imposter scams: fake authority figures scare us into paying $ billions

Recall: 7.5 million Baby Shark bath toys cut or stabbed children

FL ‘freedom’ gov. bans all direct car sales: protects high-cost dealers from competition

 

Business man lost $340,000 to a crypto scam. Such cases are on the rise

Moving Company Scams: no licenses OK—steal our goods; AG can’t do a thing

Army allows its financial advisors to exploit Army families/survivors: wild trading

 

ACI Worldwide caught improperly initiating unlawful mortgage payment transactions

Insurers deny tens of millions of claims every year but we don’t get stats: why, how, who

Sending money using Zelle^® /payment platforms to those you don’t know is dangerous

Ray Brewer caught stole 9 million claimed turn cow manure into green energy 6 yrs jail

Shvartsmans, Garelick caught $22 million insider trading on Trump’s firm going public

Wilson Baston NY caught stole $10 million real estate scams: convicted 2^nd time

 

Where do Congress people go for abortion if own state outlawed it?

 

GOP to rewrite history: House to expunge Trump impeachments: dictator’s clean slate

Trump’s Supremes change our lives: college, student loans, religion, speech, LGBTQ

Trump’s Supremes: colleges go back to “old boy network” for new students: $$ win spot

Trump Supremes strengthens protections for religious rights at work: religion for politics

Trump’s Supremes:  “harassing posts” on media are protected as free speech

Trump’s Supremes: use religion to discriminate against anyone you don’t like

Trump’s Supremes: even unemployed students must pay $400 billion in loans

 

Trump delays paying sexual abuse victim Carroll by suing her for ‘defamation’

 

Jobs

Military AI technology to spy on civilians, particularly in the workplace, sold to owners.

Working from anywhere: nomad visa right for you?

Chip maker TSMC hires 4,500 in AZ: culture barriers

 

Who owns your account now?

In Europe’s empty churches, prayer and confessions make way for drinking and dancing

Best fixed income products: compare T bills, TIPS, annuity

Home insurers don’t like these dogs: liability increases premium or cancels

 

Farmers and AIG quit insuring FL homeowners

Getting an FHA home loan: check if it fits your needs

Jersey City is now the nation’s second-priciest rental market: $3370: 2^nd to Manhattan

 

Changing landscape of wealthy folks allocations to real estate

Fastest-growing demographic groups

44% voters to consider third-party/independent candidate if Biden-Trump are nominees

DeSantis to close IRS, Commerce, Energy, Education

 

Top Robo-Advisors Ranked From Worst to Best

 

 

Miracles:

Scientists Say They’ve Reached ‘Turning Point’ in Cancer Research With Vaccines

Drug in trials helped people lose 24% body weight or about 58 pounds: no more diets

Diabetes metformin protects against long-Covid

 

Intermittent fasting is as effective as counting calories:

Study: AI predicts pancreatic cancer risk based on patient’s medical records. 

Popular steroids could mess up some cancer treatments

 

 

 

 

 

 

@

 

Our Universe is Mind-Blowing

Light is both a particle and a wave depending on how we look at the light.

I don’t think that there is any such thing as a position or a velocity of a particle.

Everything (galaxies to stones) in universe made of subatomic energy ‘vibrations’

A subatomic ‘particle’ is the smallest possible vibration (quantum) of a quantum field.

 

Mass–energy equivalence: E=mc^2.  At the smallest level; Everything is moving

Energy into matter: scientists converted light energy directly into matter in one step

In place of atomic lattice, light waves used to create an optical lattice with same geometry

Physics Nobel Prize: “entanglement” 2 particles share info instantly at a distance

Quantum mechanics violates local realism: two objects behave as single system at distance

 

“It may be that gravity and quantum mechanics are exactly the same thing,” Leonard Susskind

Gravity might induce the collapse of quantum vibrations into 1 quantum state—our world

Strange state of physics that allows energy to flow frictionlessly through a material. 

Bending light from extreme gravity reveals largest black hole so far

Curved SpaceTime: heavy masses and simultaneously quantum effects become visible

There is no TIME at this level because of force fields come and go in all directions. 

Universe expanding: events may not come together like they did before: created our time.

Our planetary system: rarest system: only 1% of all systems with same number of planets

 

Inside protons, neutrons, it is the fields of the virtual particles that creates its mass.

Gold made from neutron stars: collisions produce more neutrons:79 protons,118 neutrons

The proton is so complicated science still finds new energy entities/forces every year.

 

“Empty space is a boiling, bubbling brew of virtual particles that pop in and out of existence in a time scale so short that you can’t even measure them.” Space expanding.

The electricity we use comes from the field around the wire not from electron itself.

Scientists build 'baby' wormhole as sci-fi moves closer to fact: inside quantum computer

starts-with-a-bang/universe-expansion-not-accelerating/

Physicists knew black holes eventually disappear particle by particle. Now they think everything else does, too

 

 

 

@

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

973.746.2014

http://www.theinsidersguides.com/

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

 

 

Unbiased financial leaders say use a fiduciary not advisor/broker

 

Flaw in ban on Surprise Medical Bills

If you have a medical emergency, you will no longer need to worry about a large bill from a doctor you did not choose—MAYBE. The 2022 “No Surprises Act” is supposed to protect us against most surprise out-of-network medical bills. For Good Samaritans who donate organs this has always been the rule. However, because of the complexity of dealing with 4 or more institutions regarding medical procedures and their medical billing procedures, you may get caught in a fight with bill collectors they sell the ‘receivables’ to. (Remember, bill collectors get paid to collect the debt they purchased, not to correct a mistake a previous institution made.) Also, know that our Reps gave some providers’ lobbyists a break in which charges are exempt from the law. The ambulance industry CAN charge you even if you didn’t pick the one the in-network institution uses. Another example: I just got a bill from a provider I did not pick. My doctor immediately called in his favorite X-ray person in the same building to do my X-ray since I was in need and the machine was down the hall. So in our medical system, each entity that provides something; anything; that can be coded (an aspirin, X-ray, swab kit, glove, cold/hot pack, etc etc) will add to our bill. If you look at your hospital bill, you will be shocked to find an aspirin can cost $30. If you insist on brand Tylenol instead, it costs more. A trip to the hospital can cost more than a bomb the Air Force pays to arm its fighters.

 

What we regret most

Regret: I wish I had done something or not done something in the past. In The Power of Regret, Daniel Pink asked 16,000 in 105 countries about their top regrets. People regret not building a strong foundation — that is, not saving money early, not being prudent," Pink says. "With financial regrets, they're less about not hitting a home run and more about not regularly getting on base." It is TIME in the market not brilliant advisor stock picking that builds wealth. No advisor can be right all the time so in the long run, you lose more than you gain. The average advisor-managed account earned just 3.79% vs 11% for a pure low-cost stock market index fund. It is the high fees and bad market timing that ruins your investment plans. Starting early, using your average tax refund or $250 a month in a low-cost stock index fund like Warren Buffett recommends provides your best chance of providing an above average retirement income.  

Avoid advisor fees: https://www.amazon.com/New-American-Retirement-System-ReserveTM/dp/1461030072

 

Why unbiased financial leaders say use a fiduciary

A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients' interests ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust. Being a fiduciary thus requires being bound both legally and ethically to act in the other's best interests. This is the kind of person you want to handle your money and life choices. Otherwise you become an ongoing meal ticket for a salesperson and their firm’s owner. Fidelity owners, the Johnson family, have a net worth of 36 Billions. They did not get to that level working 9 to 5. They take fees every year from your savings and investment accounts (if your money is at Fidelity). On the other hand, Vanguard Group of funds is owned by its investors. You get financial products and services at cost: No middle person fees and charges. Low-cost stock index funds, like Warren Buffett recommends, provide you with your best chance of gaining an above average retirement income. Earn market rates of return not the Johnson’s rate. I don’t work for Vanguard. I moved my money from Fidelity because I earn more at Vanguard. They just cut their fees again—Target Retirement Funds—1/5^th the cost of others. I keep more!

Buy at cost and save: https://www.amazon.com/Fiduciary-Rule-BEST-dont-anymore/dp/1530980275

 

Another way wealth people make us pay their taxes

Passing on $ billions tax-FREE to the kids who never have to work and contribute to our society. Shale King Harold Hamm Is Passing Billions To His Heirs Tax-Free. If the kids don’t pay taxes on their $2.3 billions, we will be stuck paying for the courts, highways, airports, and armed forces they depend on. His lawyers carefully structure transactions so they benefit heirs but aren’t technically gifts at all. Thus no gift or estate taxes are paid. Yet he controls the company that provides the wealth. Filings show Hamm used an LLC and more than a dozen different trusts to complete the transfers. Phil Knight used a variety of techniques to move billions of dollars to his family tax-free. Eric Yuan transferred $6 billion worth of shares to unspecified beneficiaries for “estate planning” reasons last March. Late casino mogul Sheldon Adelson shuffled shares of Las Vegas Sands Corp. in and out of more than 30 trusts to pass along at least $7.9 billion to family members. Cosmetics heiress Jane Lauder became an overnight billionaire in 2013 when she received L’Oreal SA shares worth more than half a billion dollars. Our so-called ‘representatives’ wrote the tax laws that let them pay NOTHING. You have one way to avoid paying THEIR taxes.

Use your legal tax-FREE account: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Wealth-ReserveTM-Tax-FREE-Investment/dp/1484954882

 

If you earn less than $100,000 a year, start investing NOW

The only way to have enough income in retirement is to start early. Why? Because most working people need time for the Miracle of Compounding to accumulate a large nest egg. It takes large contributions or a long time to have enough retirement assets to live on later. For instance, investing $250 a month for 35-40 years will provide a retirement income of about $45,000 for 30 years. You would need to triple that—or invest $750 a month—if you only have 25 years left to invest. If you wait to start, you will need $2,500 a month for 15 years to reach your goal. This assumes you can earn 10% a year on average in a low-cost stock market index account. This is the type recommended by Warren Buffett. If you rely on a high-fee broker/advisor, it may not be possible to reach your goal at their average of 5.19% annual earnings. Low cost beats high cost over time.

Use the Miracle of Compounding: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Compounding-Turn-day-into/dp/1470176513

 

Take all your special 2021 credits to offset taxes

2021 was a difficult year for most working Americans. Take all your credits: Child and Dependent Care Credit was supercharged through the 2021 American Rescue Plan. Parents can receive a tax credit worth as much as $8,000 — nearly four times the previous limit of $2,100. The Child Tax Credit provided funds throughout the year but some families may have been shortchanged. The expanded Child Tax Credit, by comparison, provides $3,600 for each child under six and $3,000 for children between 6 to 17. The fact that the tax credit is also fully refundable is important because it could boost the tax refund that many parents receive this year, experts say. Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in a person's tax liability, versus deductions that lower a person's overall taxable income. Save the $300-$600 tax prep cost by doing your tax return using IRS-approved tax software via IRS free file. Or AARP free tax prep. Do not mail your return since IRS is still processing 2019 paper returns. I just got my refund!

https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Credit-Class-your-credits-ZERO/dp/1539462382

 

Social Security is the best annuity available

Insurance companies make a lot of money from annuities because you receive less than you invest with them. Yes, you are guaranteed payments for the rest of your life but unless you pay more now, your benefit will be cut by inflation over time. That means you receive less and less each month in buying power. At current levels of inflation your benefit will be worth about HALF the current payments in 20 years. Compare SS benefits: annual inflation protection—in 2022, benefits were increased by 5.9% at no extra cost to you. There is no policy charge, commission, admin fees, surrender charges, mortality expenses, investment expenses, or inflation rider fee. You can also create a low-cost income stream like an annuity to supplement your SS benefits.

Use the best: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Annuity-Strategy-Income-Growth/dp/1497532019

 

 

 

?**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************?

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist" once

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

GOP guarantees itself a win

 

More subpoenas

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Ukraine the new Korea? Putin takes HALF (East of Dnieper) to save face at home

100 more incidents involving counterfeit parts in nuclear power plants in 2021

Manchin’s political veto gives friends $ millions in lobbying fees: making them wealthy

 

GOP asks truckers to come block highways in US: Putin hacker firm invites chaos

Another costly vacation: House returns to work Feb. 28 after Presidents Day recess.

IRS Adds Four “No Rule” Areas for Trusts Estates: wealthy avoid taxes; we pay their tax

 

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

WI Trumpers ban ballot drop boxes: WI supremes help GOP win elections

TX rejects thousands of ballots for primary: GOP secures win before election

Billionaire pays to oust GOP reps who voted to impeach dictator Wannabe: follow cash

 

Two MS whites chase Black FedEx driver in truck: 5 shots: another hate crime?

CA deputy shot Black homeless man in struggle for jaywalking arrest: no charges

FL former cop kills man in phone-in-theater dispute: ‘stand your ground’ defense

 

NYC employees comply with vaxx mandate or face losing their jobs: 940,000 dead

Employees don’t fight mandate for driving, guns, seatbelts, recycle, dog poop, taxes, etc

500 unruly passenger incidents first six weeks of 2022: GOP cancels US do-not-fly list

Is Putin trying to divide us again: fake Trump letter, fake crops, fake food supply chain

Zero Hedge, 1.2 million Twitter followers, published Moscow propaganda as truth

 

Volvo now owned by Geely, Chinese billionaire business magnate Li Shufu.

Fake ‘vintage’ goods sold are really new: ads for fake vintage stuff: get nothing

Russell Joseph Mutter caught $3.3 million financial fraud, fake statements 16 yrs prison

Mark Boucher, CA, caught stealing $2.2 mil by forging signatures, wire transfers, etc

Kenneth A. Welsh NJ caught stealing $1.9 mil fake wire transfers; arrest

CO elections clerk is sued after passing on voting data to groups behind disinformation

 

 

Royals pay up for Andy’s sex with minor accusation: it’s good to have Queen behind you

 

Hertz caught getting car renters arrested after mistakenly filing stolen vehicle report

 

Football $ 1 billion online gambling boom changes fans into transaction action addicts

NFL censured Super’s half-time show so some wouldn’t be offended: listen carefully.\

Email from Chase: review your contact info: but I don’t have a Chase account: scammer

Scammers reach $800 average take: can you spot them coming after you? Gov can’t

 

Chrysler now ‘Stellantis’ recalls 19,808 plug-in Pacifica Hybrid: charging fires

Tesla sued for killing driver when it ran into fire truck by itself: blinking lights attract

Sandy Hook families win $73 million vs Remington but Remington is bankrupt!

 

 

NFT marketplace shuts, citing 'rampant' fakes, plagiarism; so much for online only views

 

Trump and his two eldest children must comply with AG order to testify: take 5^th 500 X

Trump’s accountant: his businesses cooked the books, “inflated property values”

 

Trump threatens Clinton advisor with death for spying

 

Jobs

The adverts without the football on Sunday: vote on your favorite: $7 million/30 sec.

Some jobs can be done from anywhere if you have the right training or attitude

Citigroup head got 32% increase to cover inflation years in advance: live on $22 mil?

 

Least cost accredited college degrees: MBA, M Ed, MSIT

 

Who owns your account now?

Insurers push Congress to allow annuities as investment’s default: high fees cut earnings

“Americans can exercise Constitutional rights without hiring high-priced lawyer or lobbyist”

Investors not families buying up homes in critical areas in each city

 

New tax we paid to gambling industry: 2021 the highest-grossing year ever: $53 billion 

4 free Covid tests sent to your home: https://www.covidtests.gov/

Some student loan cancellations: fraud rampant in some: DeVry  ITT Technical Minnesota Business/Globe .

 

Miracles:

February 12: 49* at 8 AM northern NJ. Forty nine going to SIXTY! Warming?

Western US draught worst in 1200 years: hottest superbowl ever

This is how royals cut cake: stab down like killing a vampire

 

Space weather took out 40 SpaceX satellites: don’t look into the sun directly

Skaters using drugs OK as long as they use own script and grandpa’s and under age

MIT makes $4 water desalination machine: fresh water for the world

 

Eastern cities hit regularly with costly floods as sea rises faster next 30 years

Flowering plants multiplying in Antarctica as the climate crisis has warmed the summers

Woman Appears to Be Entirely Cured of HIV

 

 

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

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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

 

The simple but powerful investment strategy

 

Is Warren Buffett's Investment Strategy right for you?

His strategy is to Set it and Forget it. "… Our favorite holding period is FOREVER.” We manage our account only once a year! We contribute $9 a day, $250 a month:  Accumulate $55,000, $200,000, $1,000,000 over time. Also our readers use a special IRS account for Tax-FREE income. We use only low-cost high-return mutual funds. Warren Buffett's Investing Strategy is buy and hold FOREVER high earning companies. This allows compounding to work. Compounding is money earning money on its earnings when it is invested. Invest your money in businesses sharing profits with you and over time you can reach $1,000,000. A special account makes it tax-FREE. Tax-FREE is like a $300,000 bonus. When we invest in successful businesses, we can earn 10% to 12% a year. After 10 years, we can have $55,000 because the businesses paid dividends and we reinvested them. After 20 years, we could have $200,000 and after 33 years, perhaps $1,000,000. Over time, stocks are safer than bank CDs because we earn more than inflation subtracts. We have more buying power. Compounding works best when we put our money to work in successful businesses paying us dividends and stock splits. When we use a low-cost AND tax-FREE account, we avoid fees and taxes so we keep more of our money to compound. This chart gives us some idea of how fast our investment can grow if we invest it in businesses like the ones we use every day.

https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Investment-Strategy-Forget/dp/1484822900

 

 

What securities do you own for the economic recovery?

Of course no advisor or fortune teller can predict the markets in the short-term. However, it makes sense that as we recover from the pandemic layoffs, businesses will rehire and expand. Usually the stocks of companies have risen after a downturn. Looking at the big picture, we note that equities have done well over the last 10 years. The index of 500 large firms has increased since 1995. Our interest rates have remained low. It would be hard to imagine a reversal of the trend at this time. Our best strategy might be to take Warren Buffett’s advice to invest our long-term money in America’s best firms and our short-term money in government bonds. Some readers invest in a S&P 500 index for retirement and a bond index fund for the short-term. Some use a Target Date fund which automatically moves money from stocks to bonds as you get closer to retirement. Every study shows that low-cost funds beat high-cost funds in every period.

Make Buffett your advisor: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Vanguard-Funds-Retirement/dp/1496148592

 

 

 

How to stop paying the taxes the wealthy avoid?

A new study shows the super rich are not disclosing their income and so avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Because Congress is dependent on them to fund their elections, our representatives don’t provide strong auditing people to the IRS. “The IRS needs a lot more resources from Congress,” said Daniel Reck, a lead author of the study, via email. He said the agency should “invest in more comprehensive examination strategies, involving audits of individuals, pass-through businesses, and other private entities (charities, trusts, etc.). It needs to hire and train large numbers of experts to conduct those more comprehensive examinations.” Congress gave most of the tax breaks to the wealthy in 2018. “Ninety of the Fortune 500 companies making billions of dollars not paying a cent in taxes.” A working person has a greater chance of being audited for $500 than the wealthy who hide $ billions overseas. In total, nearly $1 out of every $12 earned in the United States is sheltered from federal income taxes because of the sophisticated evasion techniques of people earning more than $200,000 a year. We have only one legal way to avoid paying the taxes the wealthy are avoiding. Use the IRS code to help yourself. Contribute up to $7,000 to tax-FREE account by May 17: less tax later.

Fair taxation: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-FREE-Retirement-code-lifetime-income/dp/1475206976

 

The simple but powerful investment strategy

John Bogle, founder of Vanguard Group, had only 4 investment rules that became the standard of long-term investors. 1. don’t rebalance your portfolio. 2. use US market funds. 3. diversify: low-cost stock and low-cost bond funds are all you need. 4. relax: long-term investors have time to accumulate enough for retirement. Time and compounding stock returns of 10% a year create wealth. Warren Buffett recommends Vanguard funds for investors who have confidence in American companies. “My wealth has come from a combination of living in America, some lucky genes, and compound interest.”

Living well: https://www.amazon.com/Buffett-Bogle-Holy-Bible-Investment/dp/1523693045

 

 

Where is that refund?

The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that the most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool at IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go Mobile App.

Where is the stimulus 1 or 2? If you did not receive stimulus 1 or 2, start filing here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit.

 

Have tax forms; will file … for FREE but WAIT . . .

If you have unemployment income, ObamaCare coverage you should wait to file since the IRS has not yet implemented tax-FREE provisions of the new Covid law. If you already filed and paid tax on your unemployment income, IRS says it will send you a refund of the tax automatically. DO NOT FILE an amended return to obtain a refund on this tax. Taxes due MAY 17 not April 15. Input the W-2, unemployment, SS benefits, IRAs, pensions, RMD, brokerage, etc. forms you have. You can file for FREE online. If you didn’t receive a correct form, file a Form 4852.  Usually filing your state return costs as little as $15 unless you buy the Pro helpline. Avoid $300-400 paid preparer fees—new IRS forms mean higher fees. Unemployment insurance is TAXABLE on the Federal income tax return; not on some state returns. Some states do not tax your SS and pension benefits.

 

Retirees did not have to take their RMDs in 2020 so taxes may be less: it was a good time to convert IRA to Roth IRA for tax-FREE future. Unless you were self-employed, you can’t deduct home office expenses of working from home. You can deduct as medical expense all Covid prevention supplies. Some states continue the health insurance mandate and penalty unless you have an exemption. Since the IRA contribution deduction has no age limit now, you may reduce your income/taxes by making a contribution of up to $7,000. The standard deduction went up to $12,400 single; $24,800 joint. Jan 15 last day to make 2020 estimated payments. You have to report your April/May and December/January stimulus payments even though they are not taxable. Some of us receive a bank credit; some a debit card; some a check. Even if you don’t have to file, you should file so scammers can’t use your SS number to mess up your IRS file. Tested E file software ratings. Efile Jan 15; IRS processing Feb 12.

E file avoids covid at your preparers’ office: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

 

What to do if you can’t pay by May 17?

Avoid the penalty for not paying estimated tax. Ask for an automatic extension to file till October. If that does not work for you, you can apply for a payment plan. An individual can setup an IRS installment plan if you owe $50,000 or less and can pay back the amount owed in 3 years. If you are a business owner, you can setup an installment plan if you owe $25,000 or less. The IRS will charge a one-time fee of $105.

If you own less than $25,000 and can pay the amount owed within six years, ask the IRS for a streamlined payment agreement. The IRS will charge a one-time fee of $102.

Request an Offer in Compromise if you cannot pay the total amount owed. This allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the total amount owed if you will be unable to pay back the total amount owed within 10 years. The IRS will charge a one-time fee of $150. Given the pandemic economic hardship, apply for the extension to file now: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

Special circumstances help: call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service 1-877-777-4778 for free assistance.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist"

 

 

Americans killing Americans: New gun sales at record level

 

 

Our ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’? 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Congress cuts IRS auditors so wealthy keep $ billions we need tax for debt they made.

Biden’s $2.3 T infrastructure cost less than Trump’s $3.9 T tax cuts for the wealthy

 

91 Fortune 500 companies paid $0 taxes: average corporation paid just 8% in taxes

HALF seniors pay tax on Social Security benefits: up from 10%: rich pay less; we pay more         

 

States lifting Covid bans: cases and deaths rise 555,000+

Hospitals, even nonprofits took pandemic money for profit and dumped 1200 workers

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Trump’s SS head refuses to let IRS send $1,400 to 30 million SS beneficiaries

Trump’s post office admin still holding up mail: Biden on the fence?

Trumpist ‘scientists’ fired from EPA: 40 industry lobbyists go back to pay to play roles

Trump sued by 2 Capitol police for causing their injuries from his domestic terrorists

 

RoboCalls rising: how to stop some unknown callers: pay to stop others using our phone

Fake IRS logo phishing scam asks all your info for “Tax Refund Payment” etc.

 

GOP to jail good Samaritans: give water to folks online is a crime: Trump got to GA gov

GOP legalizes discrimination: states make sure no Dems win ever again: Trumpist win

FL GOP copies GA voter suppression: no water within 150 feet voting. No voter fraud!

 

GA suppression laws are unconstitutional and violate the Voting Rights Act. 

China’s new law will drastically restrict the right of Hong Kongers to stand for election

 

MO to legalize vigilantes whose guns ‘belong to state’ so no registration, limits, blame

GA makes it easier to kill people in GA: Killings in spa had no effect on GOP

 

Man not guilty of rape in MN if woman has a drink: NY has same law: men made laws

Man kicks 65 year-old Asian female in street outside Brodsky condo: everyone watches

 

Toxic chemicals we use everyday: Strawberry pesticide residue

UV disinfectant wands claim more than can be proved: use wipes instead

FL bans suits against business for Covid-related deaths/infections/damage/harm: blame self

 

Wall Street shaken by collapse of hedge fund: risking more than they could afford to lose

Michael Carter VA caught making $ 6 million unauthorized transfers from clients: 5 yrs

Anthony Diaz PA caught selling $3.5 mil “low-risk guaranteed” alternatives: 17 yrs

Tom Girardi CA caught misappropriating millions in client funds, dishonesty 

Douglas Elstun MO caught overcharging clients in high-risk leveraged and inverse ETFs

 

Being evicted?: what you can do to stay off the street: ban extended to June

 

IRS: Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone and Avoid Phishing Emails.

IRS: Free special ID protection PIN goes on your return so scammers can’t take refund

IRS: Previous tax returns available online: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

IRS tips to avoid scams: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

 

Is it a scam?  Check AARP scamline 877.908.3360. BBB Scam tracker

 

Check IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-1-taxpayers-should-be-on-the-lookout-for-these-scams

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-2-thieves-work-all-year-to-scam-taxpayers

Find tax preparer: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional

 

Check Social Security: https://blog.ssa.gov/

Safeguard data: ConsumerReports help: https://securityplanner.consumerreports.org/

 

Jobs

Reagan’s 1986 pathway to citizenship for undocumented revived: TX CA need workers

916,000 new jobs in March; manufacturing up to new high

 

Who owns your account now?

The medical gods are sometimes wrong: always get a 2^nd opinion on everything

Vaccines only good for 6 months: most of us will need booster/masks years?

 

Miracles:

Asteroid Apophis won't hit Earth for at least 100 years: Congress has time to think of fix

The Louvre just put its entire art collection online https://collections.louvre.fr/en/page/apropos

U.K.report says there’s no institutional racism  but “overt and outright racism persists in the UK” ER

 

 

 

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

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