Your Unbiased Advisor: Trump tax tricks

Showing posts with label Trump tax tricks. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2020

Where to invest when the election has no outcome?

Some think we will be lucky to have an ‘elected’ president by January 20, the official start of the new regime. Some say both sides have already hired lawyers to have the new GOP 6-3 Supremes decide who won. Last time, GOP Bush had Supreme Scalia on his side. Scalia gave the election to Bush because he claimed, contrary to the Constitution, that FL couldn’t count the votes correctly. Scalia, claiming to know the Constitution, decided for us. But he never showed us voters where it says that the Supremes will choose presidents. He ignored the 12^th Amendment: if no winner “the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President.” Since we don’t know what will happen, we have to go with our best information. The markets may be biased in favor of those who have faster computers, talented analysts, large leverage, more influence, or more insider information. We only have the unbiased advice of the greatest investing master, Warren Buffett, who bet $1 million the Vanguard 500 Index Fund would beat the 5 hedge fund picks of a Wall Street guru. We own 500 large growth firms at low cost with few taxes. They produce 11% total return over time. Buy on sale now.

Fact investing: https://www.amazon.com/Money-Ball-Investing-Winning-unfair/dp/1548831409

Is it right for your broker/advisor to be your legacy representative?
Some so called ‘professionals’ in financial services have been caught taking on the roles of executor, beneficiary, trustee and power of attorney for customers. This is so wrong that brokers/advisors are going to extraordinary lengths to get around this most obvious conflict of interest. Honestly, do we need a rule for these salespeople? They should be in jail. “FINRA, the ‘self-regulator’ for the industry, observed situations where registered representatives tried to circumvent firm policies, such as resigning as a customer’s registered representative, transferring the customer to another registered representative, or having the customer name the registered representative’s spouse or child as the customer’s beneficiary.” "These conflicts of interest can take many forms and can include a registered person benefiting from the use of undue and inappropriate influence over important financial decisions to the detriment of a customer. The brokerage firms are just now making this rule due in February. Hire a fiduciary who is sworn to treat you right. https://www.amazon.com/Fiduciary-Rule-BEST-dont-anymore/dp/1530980275

Is a deductible IRA contribution right for you?

The rules changed for 2020: IRA contributions after age 70½ are now permissible.

The SECURE Act repealed the age restriction for Traditional IRA contribution eligibility. Effective for 2020 and later taxable years, individuals with earned income can make Traditional IRA contributions at any age, not just for years before reaching age 70½.

For 2020 and later, there is no age limit on making regular contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs if you have earned income. If you had self-employment income or W-2, that income qualifies. If your spouse had income and you did not, that qualifies too with some limits depending on participation in a retirement plan. Spousal IRAs: If you file a joint return, you may be able to contribute to an IRA even if you didn’t have taxable compensation as long as your spouse did. Each spouse can make a contribution up to the current limit; however, the total of your combined contributions can’t be more than the taxable compensation reported on your joint return. See the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA Limit in Publication 590-A. If neither spouse participated in a retirement plan at work, all of your contributions will be deductible. The annual contribution limit for 2020 is $6,000 or $7,000 if you're age 50 or older. For many of my tax clients, this means they can reduce their income and thus their taxes for 2020 due April 15, 2021.

Alternative tax-FREE IRA: https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Afford-Retirement-FEE-FREE/dp/1517738253

Which fund is best for your retirement nest egg?

We have learned that we can trim the risk of market upheavals by using a ‘balanced’ approach—stocks for growth and bonds for ballast. Since 1970 one fund has continuously provided retirees with total returns (income plus capital return) of over 9%. Since 9% is greater than inflation of 3% over time, our nest egg can maintain our purchasing power even though we may live long and prosper. Insurers sell their annuities to offer this same ‘longevity insurance’ but at a higher cost. If we don’t take the income each year, we can actually double our money in 10 years. So if we have other income (SS plus pensions plus RMD forced IRA distributions), we can provide a legacy and or have a large medical contingency fund at the end of life. To some of us, this beats every annuity plan that brokers offer.

Forget their annuity: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Buy-That-Annuity-Guaranteed/dp/1466494573

Earn a guaranteed 12% to 24% return

“Guarantee” is the third rail to financial service advertising: it means fraud since there is no ‘guarantee’ in investing. However, consider paying down credit card debt of 12% to 24%. The average rate is 19%. If we pay 24% per year, charged every month, as most cards do, we would be wise to make card interest our ‘investment’ of choice. Most of us are unlikely to earn more than 11% on our investments over time so paying off high interest debt is our best ‘investment’ choice. When we are finished with the debt payment of $100 a month, for instance, we can use that $100 a month to accumulate over $20,000 for our home down payment or college or new car. Instead of making credit card bank investors rich we can help ourselves by investing that monthly payment.

https://www.amazon.com/Millennials-Investment-Strategy-BEST-journey/dp/1533079242

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

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—do we really want a Dictator?

Supremes decide election … again?

Dictator: “It’s going away.”

Dictator’s staff: “It’s out of control:” 236,000+ dead

Dictator’s ‘music’: Crowd chants Fire Fauci

Dictator: “I am the only one who can make America truly great again.”

Dictator: “Stand by” Domestic terrorists

Dictator build his Wall around our White House

Dictator has mail delayed and has Supremes void all votes received after Nov 3!

Dictator sends armed troops to intimidate vote counters

Dictator disrespecting American voter’s choice

How Govt wastes our money: Our Representatives gave 3.7 Trillion to the wealthy!

Not enough to win the votes: someone has to pay off the 270 Electors, the real voters

IRS enforcement staff cuts lower US tax compliance over time: fewer pay; higher rates

EPA poison inspectors cut from 26 to 4 for 1,400 laboratories: even industry wants more

The Wall around White House: dictator spends our money stay in WH permanently.

Trump gives $65 million virus money to a donor who has no facility to make plasma

We pay for Nazi inspired police training programs: not surprising violent outcomes

Feds bought vaccine for the wealthy: if GOP cancels ObamaCare, we can’t afford it

Trump’s PO man ignored judge’s order to process 300,000 ballots: man not arrested

National debt interest to climb: Senate to block all tax increases on wealthy/business

SCAMS/SPINS:

How Trump avoids taxes we have to pay: detailed analysis

Trump blames doctors who fight virus: “earn more money when their patients die”

Trump rallies kill 700 attendees: infect 30,000 w/ virus: pandemic 100,000 a day!

TX passes CA in virus cases even with smaller population: no masks; no tests?

GOP body-double conspiracy jumping on media: verify info with many sources

TX GOP told NO to voiding 117,000 legal votes cast by voters in cars

PA GOP counties delay vote count til Nov 4: Trump gets Supremes to void them

Trumpers ambush Biden bus in TX: police side with Trumpers: Biden cancels event

Kanye West concedes: try for presidency again in ’24 with Jr and Ivanka

It’s not over ‘til the fat man sings: AZ WI MI goes blue

Even McConnell agrees we have to count all the votes to have a legit democracy

Why GOP is in a panic: loss of power by 2022; fear clean air/water/etc regulation

Gov won’t stop robocalls; Supremes allow robocalls; https://www.nomorobo.com/

Jury Duty scam: fake email claims fine if don’t show up: real notices by mail.

Authentic-looking email pretending to be claim from Amazon: steal ID

$800 advert on your car scam: check cashing scam: their check bounces

Market America caught deceiving its MLM distributors: big con takes our money

AVALINE, CAMERON DIAZ’S ‘CLEAN’ WINE: marketing con: clay + yeast

Hoover vacuums may NOT be made in America: “globally sourced” to trick us.

SMART Payment Plan caught loan payment program contained misleading statements

JPMorgan plans to capture Black and Latino investment dollars offering seminars

Tricks internet online scams use to catch us and never let go: “I wish I had never clicked”

IRS extends short-term payment plan option to 180 days instead of the usual 120 days.

Big banks caught misleading markets again: $4 billion fines before Biden takes more

Text scam asks for bank info under the guise of $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

Terrence Chalk FL caught stealing $5 million “guaranteed return of 12%” con

Driver Loan FL caught misleading savings and loan products ride share firms fine no jail

Performance SLC CA caught charging illegal advance fees for student loan modifications

Viral 'ballot' burning video shared by Eric Trump is fake: son creates chaos for ‘fun’

Jared 1^st son evicting hundreds: MD slum lord: moratoriums over: “you’re fired/evicted”

Toyota Lexus recall 3.34 million: faulty fuel pump

Apple AirPods Pro not working: $249.00 or $41.50/mo. for 6 mo. Make appointment?

Is it a scam? Check AARP scamline 877.908.3360.

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

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

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

Jobs

What the end of the middle class American Dream looks like: Remington screws workers

Walmart fires roving robots: humans can do inventory better and pick for online sales

Who owns your account now?

Car insurers don’t like to pay claims: JD Power rates customer satisfaction

Insurer denies fire damage claim even though premiums paid to agent: agent not agent

Information about your health care is yours: doctors can’t hide bad from us anymore

Student loan repayment options: pandemic deferral ends—make plan now.

Miracles:

Walmart puts guns and ammo back on display: cash in on fear? Hold T’s WH?

Reclaiming old beauty of Brooklyn breweries: conservation of what we have

Whale saves train riders

GOP 6-3 Supremes primed to reverse US back to 1950s: abortions illegal, dirty air, no wildlife reserves, no voting rights, 0 immigrants, no health care, red-lining housing, no interracial couples, Trump self-pardon, cancel IRS audit, no gays, discriminate by religion, decide our elections, dismiss suit Trump as rapist, etc

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 see/talk to folks around the world for free: using Zoom, video conferencing

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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

Friday, May 10, 2019

Give your child a leg up! Make sure they can make and manage money

Give your child a leg up! Make sure they can make and manage money

Make sure you teach your kids how to create wealth the easy way. Show them the Warren Buffett investment strategy. My parents were not investors. At my first job, I had no clue which investment to use for my 401k contributions and company match. The HR person told me to put it into the 'safe' stable value fund. That was the worst choice at my age I learned later when I got my securities’ licenses. If I had followed their advice I would have ended up with $150,000 instead of a Wealth Reserve of $877,233 about 33 years later. We have used this 'Wealth Reserve' as I call it to have funds to use low-cost high-deductible insurance, to buy two homes and 5 cars (over time) with higher down payments or cash, and now to receive $2,500 a monthly in retirement supplement.

Building Wealth Is Like Brushing Your Teeth: https://www.amazon.com/Give-child-leg-up/dp/1096505355

How long will this bull market last?

Despite what every Wall Street guru and professional economist says, NO one knows. So instead of us trying to time the market so we get out at the top and in at the bottom, we will take the average of 11% a year. If you had taken the advice of the ‘wise men’ at Morgan Stanley, you would have missed the largest YTD gain 17% since 1998. This is why we have to acknowledge that our brokers/advisors or whoever can’t know the future. Given that this is the way it has always been, we are not under broker-induced delusions. We are ‘buy and hold’ investors in low-cost funds at Vanguard. We put our money—short and long—in both stock and balanced funds. We keep adding more to our portfolio because we think American business will continue to grow globally. Even with 2008 loss of 37% we had gains of 29% in 2009 and 32% in 2013. Not many advisors were able to guide their clients to ‘sell high and buy low’ and come out ahead. The buy and hold crowd did come out ahead. Buffett: http://fortune.com/2017/12/30/warren-buffett-million-dollar-bet/

Use low-cost funds; be patient: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Millionaire-money-snoring/dp/1508887381

What to do when your LTCI premium rises?

Genworth, the largest long-term care insurer by number of policyholders, received approval in the first quarter to increase premiums an average 62%. Other carriers have received even larger premium increase nods. Insurers cite increased longevity, spiking health-care costs and sustained low interest rates. State insurance heads have granted almost every request. So what can you do? You will need to check with your seller or read the contract and see if there are options. Nearly 90% of people will NOT need a big policy. Generally you could cut benefits, pay up or cut your loses and build your own fund. After all, if you pay the insurer $2-3,000 a year, you could have $200,000 in 20 years. What if you don’t need LTC, you would lose your entire premium values. You could use it to supplement your income since everyone is living longer, experiencing increasing drug prices and lack of investment yield. Beware the salesperson will try to re-sell you and keep the policy by scaring you with huge potential costs in the future.

Consider alternatives: https://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-Updated/dp/148274001X

Best ways to protect yourself from identity theft

1. Freeze your credit report with appropriate credit bureaus—list of bureaus.

2. Use random symbols, letters and numbers to fill up password block.

3. Use email not text to send passwords, names, address, and sensitive data.

4. Use an encryption key set up for very sensitive data.

5. Avoid public Wi-Fi devices and rental car Bluetooth to connect to the internet.

6. Using Chrome to save passwords is a trade off—caution: settings/passwords.

7. Phishing is your greatest threat—confirm by phone anyone asking for data.

8. Change critical account passwords every 3 months—never use same one for all.

How could Trump claim billionaire status and lose $1.17 billions?

Answer: US tax code and ‘creative’ accounting. The 10-year total: $1.17 billion in paper losses from commercial real estate ‘depreciation’ so he could avoid paying taxes on his actual cash income. Mr. Trump was able to declare he lost all that money without facing the usual consequences — such as a steep drop in his standard of living — in part because most of it belonged to others, to the banks and bond investors who had supplied the cash to fuel his acquisitions. And as The Times’s earlier investigation showed, Mr. Trump secretly leaned on his father’s wealth to continue living like a winner and to stage a comeback. Running for president was just a “marketing opportunity” for Trump according to his lawyer. After US lenders were burned by Trump’s poor management skills, he turned to Russia and its money-laundering oligarchs to keep the con going. The marketing worked. The GOP gave him another tax break and Congress kept silent.

Use your tax break: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Tax-Shelter-Avoid-taxes/dp/1985448300

Can your broker/advisor really find the sweet spot of investing?

More studies show that whatever the current fad—factor investing or ‘smart beta’ could be worthless like its predecessors. As soon as someone thinks they have found the holy formula that provides more return with less risk, it probably will fail. Stocks with better returns get purchased, driving down any future superior returns. So if investors are avoiding only funds that are correlated with the market they are avoiding risks that just don’t matter that much. If investors think that a hedge fund manager has a new formula, the rush to capture the fund’s returns cancels it out. Charles Ellis pointed this out long ago in Winning the Loser's Game. The delusion of a rational market persists so Wall Street can make its’ $ billions from our money. I can live with 11% long-term return.

Keep your money: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Robo-Advisor-Ultimate-Automatic-Management/dp/1537111957

**************

Make

~~America~~

, “The Don”, Great Again

Senile Psychosis or Parkinson’s delusions? quetiapine and clozapine

Truth isn’t truth, his lawyer says

“The campaign -- for him -- was always a marketing opportunity.”

Two

Americas

: A Banana Republic? Do we really want an infant king? Daddy Putin!

Will voters who need ObamaCare vote for it?

Can a mob boss snub Congress’ subpoena?

***********************

How Govt wastes our money: Congress spends $1.3 Trillion we don’t have!

Can Trump raise 63% job participation rate or is that too ‘socialist’? Wealthy got theirs!

$3.7 Trillion spent for better health care but failed: all agree data firms got rich.

Air Force upset GOP: buys F15 not F35, A10—reliability over gadgets; saves money too.

GOP violated Constitution to assure GOP elections in OH. Dems were locked out.

Trump revokes press pass; stops briefings: Dictators have only propaganda-no free press.

Public schools violate church/state law: high schools learn religionists’ biases not God

SCAMS/SPINS:

GOP already kills infrastructure plan of Trump-Dems: tax breaks OK; bridges roads Nyet

Did Boeing kill 2 planes full of people? Failed to warn pilots about bad equipment.

Tariffs are national sales tax (socialism) we pay: Trump continues B.S. for the ignorant.

400 Fed prosecutors say Trump is criminal: obstruction if he were not above the law.

Trump sends combat ships to Iran to divert attention: gin up his supporters.

GOP uses religion to let your doctor/hospital refuse your medical procedures.

Andrew Scherr, Robert McGraw caught fraud on insurance firms so the claims not paid.

Brian Fettner caught stealing info for insider trading from friend’s home: fine no jail

Stephen Querzoli caught trading A shares for larger commissions losing client money

Reviva Brain sued for fake brain health claims: Tiger Woods testimonial not his skill.

Young Living sued for fake health claims as pyramid scheme enriches owners.

Trump’s double sent to jail for swindling hotels/banks: fake ‘German billionaire’ lied

Acadia Healthcare defrauded WV Medicaid $8.5 million: fined $17 million.

Jeep & Ram owners get $3,000 for buying high emission vehicles: Fiat cheated on tests.

Angie's List’ ‘top-rated pros’ really advertisers: Home Advisor too. We guessed all along

UBS caught promising low risk high yield from leveraged, esoteric options: lose 20%.

Debt collectors allowed to send consumers unlimited text and e-mails. PAC payoff.

Melting global ice pack allows more trade opportunities for Trump

Trump grabs Kim’s N Korea ship: Unlock your bomb shelters, new rations, batteries

NY State voted to give Trump tax returns to Congress—not ‘under audit’—he lied.

The Mob Boss can never go to jail: Trump has Kava as Supreme so no contempt.

‘No man is above the law’ … well up till now. Dictators nullify courts first, then votes.

Supremes protect Don’s ‘Orders’? – GOP: ‘Sure, prez can change Constitution anytime.’

Jobs:

Where did good jobs go?

Female eighth-graders scored higher than their male peers on TEL test

Nestle cuts 4,000 jobs at store delivery units

Columbus digital insurer Root Insurance to hire 400 of 940.

Who owns your account now?

Big Brother recording everything you say and you don’t have attorney–client privilege

Trump has won! 7 million more people do NOT have health insurance: use expensive ER

Wash Post identified 33 or 37 Trump misinformation tweets—best in class

Make your will free: https://www.freewill.com/r=ga Verify requirements for your state: https://statelaws.findlaw.com/estate-planning-laws/wills.html

Miracle:

Humans killing millions of species needs miracle to stop us.

Kendrick Castillo gave his life for his peers: “Greater love hath no man” John 15:13

How many guns do you need to go hunting for defenseless animals? FL arms teachers

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts

Friday, April 12, 2019

How much does it really cost to invest?

How much does it really cost to invest?

Warren Buffett suggests we invest in two low-cost funds at Vanguard for life. He thinks John Bogle, Vanguard founder, was right—low-cost investing beats Wall Street advisors over the long term. Trading securities does not pay unless you have insider information (which is illegal, except for Congress). Bogle calculated that, over our investing lifetime, that little 2% broker/advisor fee will erode 63 percent of what you would have had. As Bogle puts it, “the tyranny of compounding costs” is overwhelming. Do the facts back up these claims? Buffett bet $1 million on the Vanguard 500 Index and beat 5 hedge fund strategies from 2008-2017. DALBAR tracks investments over time. They found that a simple S&P 500 index fund earned 11% a year over time while the average equity investor using a manager earned just 3.79%. “Cost matters” as Bogle used to say.

Pay less; earn more: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Your-Investment-Advisor/dp/1518690963

Trump tax returns may not reveal his hidden tax avoidance schemes

Since the 70s, Trump has been paying accountants and lawyers to hide his income and net worth for tax and negotiating reasons. With over 500 subsidiaries and entities, his situation may be difficult to understand from tax returns. He has been involved with foreign entities and shady characters for many years. Trump uses the alternate American tax system—the one designed for the wealthy. Tricks and perhaps illegal financial practices have stumped his bankers and auditors. His specialty is real estate which is one of the best methods of avoiding income taxes. When you buy a building with a loan, you can deduct from rents all the expenses and maintenance and ‘depreciation’—the full cost the building can be used for years to provide tax-free cash. For instance, in 1995, Trump paid no tax on his income of $10,846,076 because he had ‘paper losses’ of $915,729,293. That $ BILLION ‘paper loss’ would enable him to avoid taxes for up to 18 years. Each entity can have ‘paper losses’ for years. Plus Trump wrote off his loans for his bankrupt casinos, resorts, and buildings. And Mr Christie, Gov of NJ, even cut his casino taxes from $30 million to $5 million. Even his profitable golf firm in Westchester worth $50 million on some of his statements pays taxes on only $1.4 million tax assessor’s value. Jared has his own little tax avoidance gig going on too. He’s in on Dad’s new tax scam.

We pay Trump’s taxes: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Only-little-people-pay/dp/1535218584

Is it too late to file taxes?

Before spending $200-400 for a paid preparer, try filling in the screens using the IRS partners at irs.gov https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/. The instructions are easy to follow especially if you have last year’s return to compare what forms you need. I have found https://www.freetaxusa.com very easy to negotiate and respond to email questions. This one charges only $15 for your state return: Fed is free. It is still $15 when as complicated like mine. Basically, you must pay tax on all your taxable income—wages, pensions, etc. This year you have less to deduct because the standard deduction was doubled. Beware some software glitches. However, you lost the personal exemption of $4,050 for yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents. For each child under age 17 you receive $2,000. In high property tax states—NY, NJ, CA, CT, etc you will probably owe this year. The deduction cap is now $10,000 and the average homeowners in these states pay about $20,000 property tax. The law was written by a Rep from a Red state.

Try software at irs.gov https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/ before you go to paid preparers. Penalty for underpayment modified this year. Get extension: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return. Check the status of your fed refund: https://www.irs.gov/refunds

Use your tax refund to create a $1 million retirement fund

Michele had trouble saving. She seemed to always be waiting for her next paycheck. She never had enough to save for a rainy day like her Mom did. She used to make about $35,000 as a shop manager but with federal, social security, Medicare and state taxes, unemployment, disability, and health insurance, she was not able to put anything away for retirement. Years ago, her local tax preparer suggested she use her tax refund to create a retirement fund. Usually Michele would use her refund to pay bills or buy something special. The tax preparer said that if she agreed to start an IRA with $2,000 of her refund, she would be able to increase her refund--Uncle Sam would help her save. The amount she invested would reduce her income and make her refund larger. Each $2,000 would grow over time if she left it in stock mutual funds in her IRA account. Over time, it can grow large enough that she will have enough for retirement.

A Plan for those who have NO 401k at work: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Refund-Millionaires-Let-Uncle-Help/dp/149595644X

Are you driving the best car for under $30,000?

10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000: Volkswagen Passat has one of the roomiest back seats in its class. Kia Optima added a suite of driver assists as standard equipment. Hyundai Sonata offers a wide range of models and powertrains to match your budget. Buick Regal Sportback has liftback body in addition to its upscale feel. Chevy Malibu has exterior style to go along with its comfortable interior. Subaru Legacy Outback offers the rugged good looks in a useful wagon body style and dependable all-wheel drive. Nissan has answered critics of bland styling with an all-new Altima. Toyota Camry’s great resale and dependability make this comfortable 4-door sedan a contender. Solid handling, low ownership costs and high resale value all add up to a winning formula in the Honda Accord. Chevy Impala has plenty of room front and rear and stellar infotainment. Save up to 40% on a 3-year old model: quality and VALUE.

Save with insurance discounts: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

Is Medicare for All right for you?

Medicare is not socialized medicine. Socialized medicine is where the government owns the hospitals, owns the labs, owns the MRI and CT machines, and all the doctors and support staff are on the government payroll. That’s not what Medicare is. In our current political fight, some GOP are using old fears of Russian-style ‘socialism’ to discredit the discussion of finding a more effective system of medical car and payment in America. Medicare pays for the high-cost end-of-life expenses and high-cost chronic conditions. Yet, users pay only $135.50 a month from their SS benefits. For-profit plans cost over $400 a month if you can find one in your state. Medicare is national: You pay $185 per year in 2019 for your Part B deductible. After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services. Some buy an Supplement for these. Your hospital coverage (Part A) is usually free. If you have not paid for Part A during your working life and you buy Part A, you'll pay up to $437 each month. Part C pays for drugs and costs vary depending on your needs. Congress could change the law and negotiate the costs for all of us so our costs are in line with all the other countries in the world. Some pay 50% less than we do for US drugs. The reason we do not have Medicare for All now is simply money. The clerk at my for-profit health insurer decides which procedures and care I receive. The company CEO makes more bonus if the clerk excludes some treatments and procedures. My doctor and I have little to say in it. Lobbyists get $160 Million to tell Congress: “NO MedicareForAll”

Medicare for All is worth a try!

Did you know your mutual funds make money even when the fees are ZERO?

When you invest in a fund, the manager buys your share of the stocks in your fund. For the Vanguard 500 Index Warren Buffett recommends, it owns shares of the top 500 companies. Because most investors are earning 11% a year over time, the stocks in your fund are held a long time. Your fund then loans the stocks out to other institutions that need them temporarily for a rental fee. This fee is what allows most funds to charge 0.04% or less. If your fund has millions of shares, they can make a lot more than your fees. So fees are falling and some are charging ZERO. However, depending on your agreement, you may be giving up your information and perhaps good service. So you may find ‘free’ is not really true. Some firms could start charging you after they get your money. Some could start using your information or selling it to target you for sales of other expensive products. Best Robo-Advisor is low-cost and unbiased advisor.

NO FREE LUNCH: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Vanguard-Funds-Retirement/dp/1496148592