Need a graduation gift?

Need a graduation gift?

The greatest gift you can give is financial knowledge. No matter how much your young graduate makes, it is up to YOU to show them the Buffett investment strategy. Make sure they can make and manage money. 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 about $150,000 instead of a Wealth Reserve of $877,233 about 33 years later.

YOUR choice: https://www.amazon.com/Give-child-leg-up/dp/1096505355

The BIG Con: Earn up to 7% with NO MARKET RISK

Looking for the Highest Guaranteed Return?

This is the current misleading ad from an annuity marketing firm. The insurer is not mentioned—for good reason. The best REAL rate is 4.3% but you must keep your money locked up for 10 years or pay the surrender charge. See the disclaimers: * Effective yield displayed. First year rate is higher than subsequent years.** Rate may be lower in certain states. Only a gimmick or trick from a carrier could show a pretend rate of 7%. But this is the only way salespeople can get your attention. Unbiased information is not easily available because most annuity contracts are complicated. 7% may be the ‘potential’ return for a SINGLE period like monthly indexed annuities. However you need to be an actuary to figure out how the terms of the contract will produce your real return. When I was in the business, we only cared about the commission to us and how brokers/advisors could push the sale to clients. None of us understood the actual calculations. But people will buy anything when the alternative is a 3% CD and a volatile market.

It doesn’t have to be that way: https://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

Liberty Mutual claims it customizes Mr Landry’s special needs coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQnbL_5ZgbY

Every insurer claims “you only pay for what you need” and then they go on to include in their ‘standard policy’ a bundle that includes life, disability, accidental death, funeral, extraordinary medical, income loss, medical payments coverage, and medical insurance. But most people already pay for these coverages. Your premium is not usually itemized so you don’t see they add charges for towing and rental car loan and insurance as well as accident forgiveness, waiver of depreciation, full replacement if totaled, uninsured /underinsured motorist coverage, family protection coverage, mechanical breakdown coverage, gap insurance, ‘stacking’ and many other things. For instance, if you are insuring an older car you may not need comprehensive coverage. You also may NOT be told about all of your insurer’s discounts or their complaint history. Remember, the commissions and profits are determined by the premium you will be paying for the next 20-30 years. Every insurance company can ‘customize’ your coverage to pay less if you know their discounts and your ‘needs.’ Cancel double coverage you don’t need.

Save over time: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

Bull market took 10 years to recover but what could you do about 2007-8?

Jeff Sommer writer of ‘Strategies’ in the Times, noted that it took a rise of 100% after a 50% decline and so we should learn that “avoiding big losses was probably more important than reaping big market gains.” YES, but how Mr Sommer? He didn’t tell readers in Nov 2007 that the market would drop and so get out. No one did. Sommer advises us to look at longer periods to understand what the stock market can do for our expectations. We don’t have to use the ‘artificial’ calendar cut offs to gauge performance. I don’t think any of us or our advisors can predict the future so I refer him to the graphic by Richard Bernstein or the chart by DALBAR showing that our best deal is a low-cost index tracking the S&P 500. Yes there are ups and downs but I will take 10.98% a year since 1976. No other asset can claim that record: Govt bond 7% since 1980; Corporate bonds 8% since 1973; Commercial real estate 10.23% since 1996; Gold 5.5% since 1993; Commodities 4.2% since 1993. Owning the 500 Index is what Warren Buffett advises.

Either 3.79% or 11%: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Investment-War-Earn-11/dp/1522916369

Is this socialism?

Trump is giving $15 billions MORE to farm corporations so they make their profit goals.

Farm subsidies go to 5 crops mostly. Large agribusiness corporations not family farmers capture most of the $ billions. It is the marginal family farm that will be hurt by Trump’s tariff war with China. His GOP friends in Congress benefit directly from this type of socialism. There are no tariff offsets for small businesses like your local bike shop. Another type is giving profiteers federal land so they can ‘steal’ our oil/gas. We earn much less in royalties than the private landowner.

Another type of socialism is the Export-Import Bank where our largest corporations receive taxpayer-backed cheap loans they don’t need to make more for shareholders. 

Another type of socialism is the price fixing that Congress allows to go on in the drug industry. We allow the drug companies to collude to raise prices on even the generic drug business the government established in 1984. Most new drugs are actually created by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). U.S.-based foundations have increased their investments in discovery and development for new drugs specific to their diseases of interest. After we pay for the research, the drug companies pay for testing and distribution (nightly TV advertising too). The government gives companies the legal right to make $ billions on each drug. After 20 years the drugs are supposed to be supplied by the generic industry at lower cost. This isn’t what happens. Congress allows Pharma to manipulate the process. Studies looking at cancer treatments have shown no correlation between the price of cancer drugs and the benefits they provide. We pay more for drugs—even 8,281% more for generics—than the rest of the world. Our government won’t bargain with Pharma on price so they are free to gouge us. I pay $15 for one Januvia pill here and $4 in Canada. Which should we pay?

The end result is socialism for the rich: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people-pay/dp/1535218584

Do you see a pattern investment strategy here?

This is the new Callan Periodic Table: https://www.callan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Classic-Periodic-Table-2019.pdf. I hope you can see a pattern but I sure can’t. If you knew what was on top in 2019, you could put all your chips there. But most of us don’t know. Others guess. Others read lines and charts and say they know. But they are paid to say they know. And even the most successful investors don’t know. So what can we do? Warren Buffett and John Bogle say, don’t try to find the needle, buy the haystack. But it can’t be that simple since a whole industry is devoted to finding that next big thing. And some of us pay them to do it even when they fail.

https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Your-Investment-Advisor/dp/1518690963

How do you judge your broker/advisor?

Are they providing the best advice possible or just OK? How do you know? How do you measure your success? Which benchmark do they use to show you how well they are doing? You know they must be paid but how are you paying them? Like every vendor you hire, you don’t want to get cheated. Unfortunately, only now is the industry starting to identify the bad brokers/advisors that move from firm to firm. John Bogle, founder, Vanguard has created low-cost investing so that we don’t need to give up 63% of our total possible accumulations because we pay too much. The actual returns of managed equity accounts have been tracked over time. DALBAR’s annual study shows we average investors earn only 3.79% on their money compared with the 11% from an index. You can end up with $854,000 or $220,000 for retirement. This is why the industry has changed. People need to hire a financial specialist like they hire a lawyer NOT like a cable firm’s monthly retainer. When we have a problem and need advice, we get it in a couple of meetings. Most of us do not need to pay 1-2% of our portfolio every quarter so that our advisor can tell us how we are doing. We can see it ourselves in our statements and strategies. Learn how to judge. Pay less; earn more: 1% or 0.04%?

Hey, it’s your money: https://www.amazon.com/Buffett-Strategy-854-000-not/dp/1978481020

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

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! 

Tariffs cost family $767 annually—exactly the 2018 tax break to average family.

Rubio enlightens Trump on China trade: CEOs make deals not Trump: Follow the $s.

Senator tells witness to violate the law: GOP backs Mob Boss to defy Congress.

Broker regulators just now propose warning investors about bad brokers & firms???

Trump use war to win 2020 election? GOP leaders never heard of Iran & war ships.

Trump to pay Taliban terrorist’s travel expenses: Really?

SCAMS/SPINS:

Trump celebrating HIS birthday this 4^th—it’s all about the Boss like Kim in N Korea

Trump tells Boeing just to rename the 737 Max: “consumers have very short memory”!

Pence commencement speech challenged as students object to WH policies of hate.

Trump goes on attack (best defense is offense) against law enforcement: FBI, CIA, Spys

FL counties 2016 votes in doubt now: will Russia decide 2020 election? Trump win again

Trump let’s banks charge $35 for accidental overdraft: reversing Obama

Trump cutting Pell Grants for college education: sending money to the moon.

Melting global ice pack allows more trade opportunities for Trump’s Mob, he says.

Coal industry changing our species and habitats forever thanks to Trump’s Mob

Private wall builders blame liberals for not using $20 million to build Trump’s wall.

Boeing ignored pilot warning about 737: killed 189 and then 157 and claims safe

Trump decides which products/firms he wants to win: he gives his tariff breaks to them. 

Debt collectors want no restriction on calls/week or emails/texts intimidation. Trumpism.

TurboTax, Block, others in IRS FreeFileAlliance hid the free option so we pay more.

Roundup weedkiller jury asked to give cancer victims $1 billion: Bayer hid health risks.

Child abuse inside Scouts sends BSA into bankruptcy? 5,000 perversion files ignored?

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:

Elderly Are Twice as Likely to Work Now Than in 1985: Everyone is poorer

Insider attacks were responsible for most healthcare data breaches: Dr have BIG loans.

Tariffs cost over 934,000 jobs lost.

Boarding homes for singles are back: Earn helping others in need!

23 apply for President: too many so Trump wins again?

Who owns your account now?

Why we return so many electronics: can’t get started to use: no user help, etc.

Can Trump stop surprise medical billing? Some Dr you never met bills you. $17,850!

WA first state give residents public option health care plan but run by insurers: 1^st in US

United Capital Financial Partners to Goldman Sachs Group

Miracle:

Do we have to give guns to all high school children to protect them from other students? 

Habitat for humanity owners get financial help from real planners in NJ

AL has turned back time to 1960s when no abortions even if raped by a relative. Move.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

GOP 'socialism': tax money to chosen few

GOP ‘socialism’

Example: Agribiz ‘will not be able to lose money’ with these subsidies. As Trump tries to scare Americans about left-wing DEMs, Congress passed the vast subsidies to large farm corporations. This is the agriculture’s bill. America’s version of socialism includes ‘crop insurance’ which provides premium subsidies to insurance companies and guaranteed prices for crops. Corporate farmers can’t lose. They can add ‘first cousins, nephews, and nieces of farmers to receive up to $125,000 in annual farm subsidies even if they are not farmers themselves.’ Corporate farms owned by those earning more than $1.8 million can funnel subsidies through other ‘pretend’ farm associates and relatives. Already wealthy agribusiness is paid to “buy up land in order to keep it dormant.” 54% of all cropland is rented so ‘landlords’ are subsidized, just like in cities. Land prices are inflated. Subsidies favor certain crops—corn gets 46%—and so the government makes certain corporations winners. According to one Rep: “Under what we have put in the bill, you will not be able to lose money, unless you really try.” Research firms are subsidized—‘stones are commodities’? Most small farmers actually receive NO subsidy. 40% of subsidies go to top 4-7% farm conglomerates, just like in Russia. Subsidies go to the more ‘equal’!

All 87 Senators voted FOR American Socialism for the Rich. Some Reps get subsidies!

It’s GOP socialism: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

Where can you earn 9-13%?

Don’t forget to add in your dividends. Ask your broker and advisor to calculate your returns the last 10 or 12 years (including the ‘Fed bailout of 2007-8). It is your money, not theirs. Most smart money managers have most of their money in a low-cost market fund because COSTS KILL returns. Compare facts to the myth of Wall Street ‘managed’ funds: Facts: Jan 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2018 = 9.3%; 2007-2018 = 8.76%; 2008-2018 = 9.06%; 2009-2018 = 13.96% a year. Ask your advisor to show you ALL the costs and your actual NET earnings after tax each year:
Sales Loads (including Sales Charge (Load) on Purchases and Deferred Sales Charge (Load))

Redemption Fee

Exchange Fee

Account Fee

Purchase Fee (Although the fee table in Form N-1A does not specifically include "purchase fees," if a fund imposes one, it would be included in the fee table under this heading.

In the fee table, under the heading of "Annual Fund Operating Expenses," you will find:

Management Fees

Distribution [and/or Service] (12b-1) Fees

Other Expenses

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

Now explain again why John Bogle’s index fund is not the wise choice for most investors. And why Warren Buffett is right about hedge funds.

https://www.amazon.com/Pimps-Wall-Street-money-middlemen/dp/151525254X

Is your Advisor/Broker really ‘Acting in your best interest’?

Advisors/Brokers mislead Americans about ‘acting in our best interest.’ Two years ago, 46% of investors incorrectly believed that their financial advisor would only make recommendations in their best interest. In 2019, that statistic has risen to 65%. Most of us don’t trust salespeople whether selling used cars or financials. However, when asked about their own experience, they have become a victim of a salesperson’s strategy. Presumably once we make a commitment by giving them money, we defend our decision. No one wants to admit they made a mistake. Yet the number of frauds and ‘death by a thousand cuts’ goes higher. A salesperson is under tremendous pressure now because there are many alternatives to reach financial goals at less cost with unbiased advice. Brokers hide the total costs because they can take over 63% of your total accumulations. Only RIAs are legally required to act in our best interest. Brokers have little accountability. Trump killed the Obama Fiduciary Rule for all firms and sellers.

Don’t surrender your common sense: https://www.amazon.com/Avoid-Scams-Brokers-Advisors-Sender/dp/1726328023

Is home ownership worth it?

In today’s market, you need to ask hard questions and do your homework. Can you afford the price, ongoing costs, and responsibilities? There is really only one good reason to buy: you are able to put down roots in one place for the foreseeable future. We used to live in Manhattan—on E 7^th Street. We loved it and the rent was reasonable because the area had not yet gone ‘developed.’ We walked to work and rented a car to go out of town. However, when we had a child, we realized we could not afford to raise a child there—financially. Plus after living our adult lives in a small pre-war apartment we were tired of the lack of space, grass, air, quiet, and other unmentionables. So we did what previous generations did—we saved like mad. No more vacations, wasted impulse buys, etc. We did not stop investing in our retirement funds. We did research on where and how to live. We settled on downtown Jersey City. We could get to work on trains. We could buy a beat up 1860 brownstone and rent 3 floors—using the rent to pay the mortgage. We had to take care of tenant problems but we saw no other way. We underestimated repairs and maintenance. We spent most weekends fixing things. We had to move for better schools.

Ask for homeowners’ discounts: https://www.amazon.com/Homeowners-Insurance-Beware-False-Coverage-Policy/dp/1480100870/

Why is successful investing so hard yet so easy?

Warren Buffett gives his comments in an interview recently. Most of us are not up to analyzing or understanding everything he says but there are few takeaways that seem clear: Follow the big picture. We, including our brokers, are not equipped to judge individual companies. His advice: invest in America—S&P 500 gains have meant if you invested $1 in it over the last 77 years, it is now worth $5,000. You do nothing else. It is hard to pick the right stocks all the time. It is hard to believe that when the 500 largest stocks in America (S&P 500) go down they will go up. However, he keeps saying we must. He believes it so much he put in his Will: put 90% of my estate in an S&P 500 index fund and 10% in governments. He has invested during every period from Hoover on. He never owns more than 10% of a stock. Buffett has the money to invest in many companies. We are like Billy Beane—limited budget so we take Buffett’s advice and use the Warren stats: $1 became $5,000 over time in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund.

Remember Billy Beane: https://www.amazon.com/Money-Ball-Investing-Winning-unfair/dp/1548831409

Can I pay my Federal tax bill over time?

Sure. Many have found that Trump gave everyone else a break except them. Now you and I have to pay for the corporate and wealthy tax cut. If you got caught with the property tax cap of $10,000 and other changes, you may owe. Those who got a refund last year may owe $4,000 or more. After all the average home in northern NJ is taxed at about $20,000. Many have had their traditional deductions cancelled. Your closing costs even for a reverse mortgage may be deducted. However, many other fees are not. Save on filing fees at https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free. If you owe, file by April 15 and pay what you can. Tell the IRS that you need a couple of months by filing online: https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application. Longer payment plan requires charges.

Use Trump’s tax shelter: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Tax-Shelter-Avoid-taxes/dp/1985448300

Is Long-term Care coverage right for you?

GE Genworth is raising the price of long-term care coverage. Sales were continuing to slow so GE is halting individual sales through brokers and going with Telesales only.  Few insurers remain in the market for traditional LTC insurance: GE Genworth, Massachusetts Mutual, Mutual of Omaha, New York Life and Northwestern Mutual.

The largest long-term-care insurers have stopped writing new business entirely, including Continental Casualty, John Hancock, MetLife and Unum Group. Some carriers sell hybrid policies—life insurance and LTC coverage together. These appeal to more buyers since their heirs receive a death benefit if the LTC coverage is not needed. More buyers have found some coverage through their employers’ group plans. LTC policies have many working parts so it is difficult to compare price and benefits.

Know all alternatives: https://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X

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

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!

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

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

Trump told to give all 47,083 children back to parents

Taxpayers give $4.5 welfare to create profit for Hudson developers: Socialism?

Trump Wall costs $25 million per mile!: $18 billion total, TX lose their land!

No WALL: Smart Port of NY seized largest drug shipment in Newark NOT TX!

Trump’s America: Tax money for war—less for human needs, no infrastructure.

GOP sells its soul to the devil: Reps turn back on American people!

SCAMS/SPINS:

DEMs could fix infrastructure (schools, bridges, roads) with GOP: spend wisely.

Trump prison guards defy Congress on abusing kids they hold in camps on border.

Trump Mob illegally stopped school equality program to end unequal special ed.

High tax states have inflows not outflows--people flock together: Avoid taxes legally

irs.gov/newsroom/irs-wraps-up-Dirty-Dozen-list-of-Tax-Scams-for-2018-vigilant

Jeb Bush caught accepting foreign money too. Does anyone follow the rules anymore?

Wealthy have always bought their way into ‘better’ colleges: Trump, Bush, etc, etc

79 brokerage firms caught overcharging us for mutual funds: no fines, no jail

BEWARE: When money managers pay us to buy their products—Look out later.

Avoid-Scams-of-Brokers-Advisors-Sender/dp/1726328023

Hedge funds lose faith in quant strategies: Losses kill the trends

AZ boosts ‘junk’ health insurance: low price=low coverage for 3 years then what?

"Money Doctor" Dallas caught stealing $20 M from seniors: risk-free return ponzi. Nojail

Richard Cody, FL caught lying to clients about loss of nest eggs. Jail 2 years.

John G Schmidt, OH, caught stealing $1.3 M from elderly. Defrocked.

Fiat Chrysler recalls nearly 865,000 for pollution: owners paid for lower resale.

‘Lumber’ Liquidator’ caught lying formaldehyde-laced laminate floors: fine, no jail time.

OppLoan funds cost 99%: $4,000 loan 36 months costs $12,600. Find alternatives

Timary Delorme, Wedbush, caught ‘pump & dump’ penny stock fraud: defrocked, no jail

Embezzlement insurance: your broker has to be in handcuffs to get paid. Most pay fine.

Many colleges caught overcharging their own employees $ millions—no jail time.

Trump declares himself winner of golf tournament he never even played in! Sick Sick Sick

Trump thinks “Airplanes are … too complex to fly”: Make America FEAR Again?

Software-driven cars may kill more people than Boeing. Programmers not omniscient.

Boeing caught hiding software problems from pilots: Killed 346—“no need to know.”

GA bill to control men’s sex acts matches pro-life control of women’s

OH judges OK cuts in planned parenthood funds to control women’s sex acts.

President of all Americans wants to put Bible study into public schools—‘turn back’ time

Don: Hunchback of Notre Dame helps explain why immigrants are necessary to society.

Ivanka makes excuses for Daddy; husband trying to act with authority plays King fool.

“Individual 1” could be a Russian “asset”: Why FBI opened a file on The Mob Boss.

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

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

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

----------------------------------

Jobs:

More employers offer college savings plans: matching & payroll deduction.

Help neighbors, earn money: https://askumbrella.com/

Jobs never returned since Trump gave corporations our tax money

Who owns your account now?

News, straight from Associated Press wire service: https://apnews.com/

Don’t need credit card in Philly—law requires all stores take cash

Your ’15, ’16, ’17 tax refund awaits: $1.8B-- irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Miracle:

Cure from sickle cell anemia: stem cells were genetically modified to correct a DNA flaw

Indian Tribe donates all the funeral charges for 23 tornado victims of Lee Co, AL.

Parents of unvaccinated child make him suffer for months from tetanus: he recovers!

We care about inequality: 1/3 of $ Billions on GoFundMe are for medical necessities

Yet one group wastes $61 Billions tax money on stuff we don’t really need.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts

Deduct the full cost of your ride!

Can you deduct the full cost of your ride?

The recent changes to the tax code are giving business executives a new perk: the opportunity to deduct the entirety of a corporate-jet purchase. “That is a major change. Before, buyers of new planes could generally deduct at least 50% of the cost of an aircraft in the first year. Buyers of used airplanes had to take those deductions more slowly. Marcus Adolfsson, [CEO of online tech] publisher Mobile Nations, bought a used Embraer Phenom 100 for just under $2 million at the end of December, right as the new tax law was going into effect. The rule allowing owners to deduct 100% on used equipment was retroactive to late September … Mr. Adolfsson, a CEO and licensed pilot in St. Petersburg, Fla., has used his jet to skip the hassle of commercial flights, flying to New York to meet with advertising partners and taking jaunts to Miami and Winnipeg to visit his remote employees. He lovingly compares the plane to a minivan: less sexy than some smaller planes, but a comfortable time saver. ‘It’s kind of my office on the road,’ he said, adding that he can lease it out for $1,300 an hour when he isn’t using it.”

Avoid paying the taxes these jet owners don’t pay: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Tax-Shelter-Avoid-taxes/dp/1985448300

Another tax from your take-home pay

Americans spend tens of billions of dollars on government-run lotteries each year. But as income inequality widens, low-earning households spend a disproportionate amount of money on lottery tickets. The lowest-income households in the U.S. on average spend $412 annually on lottery tickets, which is nearly four times the $105 a year spent by the highest-earning households, according to Bankrate.com. Americans making less than $30,000 a year are most likely to buy multiple lottery tickets each week. We are putting ourselves in debt—more bankruptcies than 10 years ago—in an effort to escape our economic crisis. Our economic situation hit a wall in the 1970s-1980s. Now the state licensed on-line gambling which can only make matters worse.

Help your child avoid the crisis: https://www.amazon.com/Where-can-your-child-invest-$100/dp/1492164240

Coins with no value continue to make sure you lose your money

Crypto money has outdone the dot-com bubble burst in 2000. You are guaranteed to lose because you didn’t buy when this pretend money was 1 cent. Because crypto is just computer blip, it is easy to steal. Some exchanges may be operating illegally. Lesson: buy low sell high or just go to the casino. You would be better off in the gambling game—NOT as player but as an owner. For instance, Wynn Resorts stock returned 98% so far. At least they are real and have value to some. Gambling will always be with us but you are better off as owner than participant in a bubble. Or start your own currency for a true losing game. Alternative: own part of successful companies; leverage compounding.

https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Finance-Smarties-Not-Dummies/dp/1469973030

Are home equity loans still deductible?

The IRS said that taxpayers can often still deduct interest on a home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC) or second mortgage, regardless of how the loan is labeled. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, enacted Dec. 22, suspends from 2018 until 2026 the deduction for interest paid on home equity loans and lines of credit, unless they are used to buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan. Under the new law, for example, interest on a home equity loan used to build an addition to an existing home is typically deductible, while interest on the same loan used to pay personal living expenses, such as credit card debts, is not. As under prior law, the loan must be secured by the taxpayer’s main home or second home (known as a qualified residence), not exceed the cost of the home and meet other requirements. One of the criminal charges on Manafort was that he lied on mortgage loan. Many foreigners get caught because they use questionable money to buy property and then mortgage it so it is ‘clean’ money to live on. The questionable money is not taxed and using a loan for income is also not taxed.

Use a legit tax-shelter: https://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Tax-FREE-Financial-System/dp/1466367466

What to do when your life insurance premium balloons?

Policy owners of universal life insurance are suing insurers for raising the premium on policies sold in the 1980s and 1990s. Insurers offered an attractive guaranteed minimum interest rate to policyholders of about 4%-5%, experts said, supported by higher interest rates. But the returns on bonds have been lower. Plaintiffs claim that insurers raised costs to make up for bad bets on interest rates. Insurers claim the increases are warranted, due to things such as mortality conditions that increase the frequency of claims they have to pay. However, people are living longer not shorter and extra costs are the insurers’ responsibility. Insurers have tripled CEO pay over the past 35 years. Your options: reduce death benefit, take surrender value, pay more, and ask your carrier if your policy has other options.

Do you need it: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Insurance-Need-Save-right/dp/1480002178

Is a deductible co-pay LTC policy right for you?

Since prices have been rising and current owners of these products keep getting premium increases, you might guess that this ‘new’ coverage from NY Life is too late to the party. Yes, boomers are getting older and on paper, there is a huge unfilled need. However, this coverage has a deductible and a 20% coinsurance to lower the cost. Policy benefit caps mean that you could easily run out of benefits. To sweeten the deal, you can earn a dividend. If you don’t need it, there is no refund.

Compare alternatives: https://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-Updated-2013/dp/148274001X

Is a ‘Retirement’ bond right for you?

The retirement bond would not pay back the principal; instead, after 20 years, it would become more like a deferred annuity paying a stable, secure income—but investors would get more bang for their buck. Martellini says the retirement bonds could be offered as transparent, low-cost products that are easier to get out of than a typical income annuity. Someone five years from retirement today, a 61-year-old, would be buying 2023 retirement bonds. The bonds would start paying cash in 2023, and continue paying for 20 years. If launched, the new retirement bonds could be offered in lieu of bonds or annuities to investors. 

Is your 401k may be robbing you blind?

M&T Bank workers’ lawsuit challenges high fee, poor performing proprietary mutual funds in the bank’s 401(k) plan. Many other lawsuits against financial companies have accused employers of adding affiliated, high-fee, poorly performing funds in 401(k) plans at their workers’ expense. Some employers have had to settle: Deutsche Bank ($21.9 million), American Airlines Group Inc. ($22 million), Allianz SE ($12 million), TIAA ($5 million), New York Life Insurance Co. ($3 million), and Principal Life Insurance Co. ($3 million).

Keep your money safe: https://www.amazon.com/Robbing-You-Blind-401k-fees/dp/1493588966

Should Congress force employers to offer high-cost annuities?

All the big annuity insurers are greening Congress to make it legal and easier to put their products in your retirement plans. Hoping to cash in on all the retiring workers of America, insurers are calling their products a “boost to Americans' retirement security through greater access to products that provide guaranteed lifetime income in retirement." What most of our Reps don’t know is that we could give up over 50% of our retirement dollars to fees, costs, and charges built into the contracts. Every year insurers take 2-3% of your total nest egg. That could be $3-5,000 a year. Sure, annuities are secure and can provide ‘guaranteed’ income. However, over time the purchasing power of the income is cut in half--$1,000 a month benefit becomes $500. Unlike Social Security, most plans don’t raise the income to keep up with inflation. And when interest rates go up, you will want to cancel the contract for a higher income. Then surrender charges apply.

Check alternatives: https://www.amazon.com/Combo-Annuity-Guaranteed-Income-Growth/dp/1493572237

Wealthy buying into companies directly: skip the hedge fund commissions

The superrich have invested in businesses directly for a long time. One of the oldest direct investments has been real estate. Family money built the malls, the department stores and commercial buildings directly. Many billionaires have been rewarded by purchasing shares in Warren Buffett’s firm Berkshire Hathaway 40 years ago. The wealthy are now envious of those who bought early in Uber Airbnb etc. They want the prestige of being the early investors. This requires understanding the risk/reward of direct investing. They think they are smarter and can save on the costs. And so can you with the help of industry insiders. However, if you are NOT connected to an insider, you might want to follow Warren Buffett and John Bogle advice about investing.

Buy direct and cut your fees: https://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guides-Discount-Financial-Services/dp/143480593X

Who is taking our money on Wall Street

This is the AVERAGE: $422,500 up 13% in 2017. They hired only 1700 last year—keeping more for the owners like the Johnson family. Automation has eliminated most of those who actually work on ‘Wall Street.’ My job and staff in the ‘back office’ are gone. In 1988, I automated the variable annuity sales process so no need for this staff. All the profits from my and other areas went to senior management who went out and bankrupted the firm. The profits came from the fees, ‘haircuts’ and kickbacks from the money Wall Street clients give to the sales people. Sales people earn an average of $47,000. The guys you see in the pictures of the exchange make even less. If you are trading or paying 2% for your account and products, you are giving up 63% of your potential earnings to the owners. Money management is the 2^nd oldest con. The top 1% own 25% of everything of value in US just like 1920s. We started losing ground in 1980.

Stop paying for what you are NOT getting: https://www.amazon.com/Pimps-Wall-Street-money-middlemen/dp/151525254X

Are donor advised funds right for you?

DAFs are the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) philanthropic accounts established at a public charity. They allow donations of cash, property, appreciated assets and more—and donors receive immediate tax deductions. The DAF legally controls the money from the point of donation. Subsequently, donors can advise regarding specific charities that should receive donations. Generally, the DAF follows the donor’s advice. Plus, DAFs offer the option of completely anonymous donation. Despite fast growth and unique advantages, DAFs have recently come under increasing scrutiny and criticism. Among the concerns are a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest for financial institutions that offer the funds while earning fees for their investment management. Besides financial institutions, DAFs are housed at more than 700 community foundations in cities across the country.

You can make your assets tax-free too: https://www.amazon.com/Pay-No-Taxes-Retirement-legally/dp/1507527977

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Make America, “The Don”, Great Again

Senile Psychosis

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

McGahn is ‘lodestar’: Told Trump ‘NO’ - saved Mueller!

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

Trump spent 33% more than he did last year: $895 billion more than brought in. 

Corporate tax receipts fell 30 percent in the past 11 months: CEO & shareholder benefit

Pentagon wants more money to ‘fight’ Russia and China etc—no more SS; Medicare?

Trump raises prices by 10% in trade war. We pay for his war and we vote in Nov.

Conservatives give up principles and spend $ 854 Billions we don’t have.

SCAMS/SPINS:

Tamara Steele IN did not disclose 18% commissions on risky stock to clients 

Capital Analysts PA put clients in high-fee fund shares inside wrap account. 2x fees

J Laura A Sichenzio W Gil de Rubio caught fraud oil processing $3.7 million securities 

Peter Mallouk KS caught making illegal adverts; ethics violations; trades not reported

Ernest J. Romer MI stole $2.7 million promised better return; used fake firm.

Kevin Merrill Jay Ledford Cameron Jezierski caught ponzi--returns from fake debt resale

World Tree indicted on fraud using “cherry-picking” scheme: keep good trades.

Hedge funds are raising fees as their portfolios shrink—owners still want their fees.

Florence scams: fake investment opportunities fake charity; corporate paid promoters.

Hot pot stocks like Tilray are new gamblers choice. Make sure you get out in time.

Who else earns $ billions from our high-cost drugs: Middlepeople of course!

Coke going back to its roots with marijuana instead of cocaine. cocaine-free by 1929.

Ultrasonic pest repellers don’t work as marketed

WV library refused to carry ‘Fear’ out of political fear … of The Don’s mob?

TX removes Helen Keller from social studies class; more religion less accountability

Mass killings are twice as deadly with semi auto rifle as handgun. Unsafe in own home.

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Trump is finally fighting cyber war with cyber: Target Russia, N Korea, China likely.

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Jobs:

Dayton OH used to make cash registers & Home of Aviation, now what?

Jobs are not hard to find; living-wage jobs are hard to find.

Borrow a tie and case for a good impression free at your library

Credit score affects your job options: Protect it 5 ways.

Who owns your account now?

The 70 yr old Beetle is killed by VW in favor of Porsche SUV? [SUV by Porsche?]

TIME mag sold to Salesforce

Hurricane strategy: those with actual cash not card can but gas and food till electricity on.

Nestlé’s Gerber Life to Western & Southern Financial (annuities)

Miracle:

One man drove into Florence to save 53 dogs and 11 cats and then back again next day!

Hospital assn, always short of generic drugs, decides to make their own

Anti-Muslim mayor actually talks to Muslims and admits fear of unknown drives bigots.

IAN

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