Having a hard time sticking with your allocations?

Having a hard time sticking with your allocations?

Market ups and downs can lead you to destroy your wealth. Actually market volatility is normal—it’s our reactions that destroy our long-term accumulations, not the allocations. How we react to news can hurt us. Usually, TV gurus and fund managers are trying to collect more assets, not manage your money for your maximum dollars. What we hear has nothing to do with our strategy. Managers get paid on how MUCH money they manage not on how WELL they manage it. These are two different but related goals. Managers get paid every quarter—we only have to worry about the final outcome. Research has shown that that small annual fee managers take from us can cost us up to 63% of our total potential accumulation. It’s the “the tyranny of compounding costs” that we don’t see until the end. Managers take our money every quarter but it adds up. Managers think they can time the market and we are happy for them to succeed. But over time, no manager can be successful all the time. They are in it for this quarter. We are in it for the long term. Warren Buffett: "The stock market is a device for transferring money from the IMPATIENT to the PATIENT."

Go with the Best: https://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

Is a private equity 401k account right for you?

In a huge win for the asset class, your 401k money is now a target for professional con men and women. Trump’s Labor department, charged with protecting your retirement investments, has changed sides. Now, if private equity is embraced, 401k costs will skyrocket, risk will dramatically increase and transparency will plummet. The private equity industry — a massive campaign donor, by the way— wants your money. The typical private equity manager charges 2% of the fund’s assets as an annual fee, just for showing up, and takes 20% of any profits. 2% of the 401k pool is $180 billion in profits a year. Private equity managers typically borrow huge amounts of money to buy a poorly run company so they can flip it for a quick sale. The managers collect huge fees and stock segments while investors are silent partners with little control. Like hedge funds, investors can lose everything with no recourse. Private equity fund investment is for investors who can afford to have capital locked up for long periods and who can risk losing significant amounts of money. This is gambling at its extreme. As one advisor said, “You don’t really know what you’re investing in.” It is ‘private’ for a reason. And they don’t even beat the simple index fund. The final test: Warren Buffett’s investment strategy beat private funds because of high fees. 

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

Is this summer the time for a new vehicle?

As dealers try to catch up on sales for 2020, watch for more discounts. Keep in mind that an unreliable vehicle is NOT a great deal no matter what the price. Most notable, CR ranks Mazda and Dodge above Honda and Audi. Buick has fallen to #18 on the list. Acura and Cadillac are now at the bottom of the list with Alfa Romeo.

Avoid the 10 LEAST reliable models of 2020, according to Consumer Reports:

Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon (same body style, different badging)

Chevrolet Camaro

Jeep Wrangler

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Volkswagen Atlas

Volkswagen Tiguan

Acura MDX

Tesla Model X

Chrysler Pacifica

Chevrolet Traverse

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

Did automation and simple options save your retirement fund?

In a period where many investors lost money, two-thirds of Vanguard’s retirement plan participants saw their account balances rise on a year-over-year basis for the 12 months ending on April 30. Vanguard found that automation and simplified investment options have led to superior investment outcomes for plan participants. The median account balance among its 401(k) participants increased 71% between April 2015 and April 2020. As founder, John Bogle said, “stay the course.” https://www.amazon.com/Best-Robo-Advisor-Ultimate-Automatic-Management/dp/1537111957

Do you really need a will?

My house is owned jointly. It becomes my wife’s automatically at my death. Some of my financial accounts are held jointly. Most of my assets are in IRA accounts with beneficiaries already chosen. My business is a partnership with the partners already in control. There are very few assets that need a will to designate their new owner. If I died today, my wife gets my car and my life’s ‘junk.’ I made a will for $100 that was witnessed by a local notary for $20. My wife will consult with a lawyer to execute my will. She will pay a one-time fee to have a CFP check her financial assets once a year. My stock holdings are my ‘life insurance’: no taxes on the stepped-up basis. I have made arrangements for my cremation so no funeral/plot expenses. I don’t have ugly heirs that would contest my will and gifts. Yes, a $100 will is a necessary convenience for us.

Do you need one? https://www.amazon.com/Your-Plan-Live-Age-100/dp/1548180793

Should you work one more year?

We are facing another year of this question. Given the discussion of another home remodeling project and another possible collapse of the stock market, this year turns out like the last one: we don’t have a clear answer. We have a CFP plan that assures us of money for the rest of our lives so no matter what, we will live comfortably. But that does not change the question—work or not work. It is just NOT about money. It is hard to say goodbye to our everyday routines. We don’t have a compelling goal of travel or other must-do ‘bucket list.’ We love what we do so it is hard to give it up. And with the market and economic upheavals, we don’t feel confident that this is the time to make a change.

Fix your mistakes: https://www.amazon.com/What-did-wrong-financial-mistakes/dp/1491095946

Wealthy get another bailout from US taxpayers

The US gov announced it will reimburse the wealthy for their losses on companies they own if they were run poorly and lost money. The Federal Reserve (us) will buy individual company bonds. If you ran a company that borrowed more money than your revenue so that you could reward your stockholders, you would be rewarded with a big bonus. However, when you have to pay back the money, you should be bankrupt if revenue falls. These “zombie” firms would be dead if it were not for us taxpayers giving them money in the form of future tax dollars for their almost worthless bonds. If they could not run the business before, are they likely to fulfill ‘promises to pay’ later. Since the Fed can create money to buy bonds, it just adds to the national debt and makes the rich richer. We will have to pay interest later. Actually our kids will be paying long after our Social Security benefits are cut to help finance this bailout.

Avoid paying for this bailout: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-FREE-Retirement-code-lifetime-income/dp/1475206976

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

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—do we really want ‘low-IQ’ Mobster?

How Mobster’s 2^nd, 3^rd terms will look

With presidency usurping power of Congress and Supremes, American ideal is at risk.

IsTrump Ahab manipulating/misleading to exact revenge on demonized foes?

Mobster took revenge on his relatives: cancelled policy on ill child

Mobster: Americans wear masks to show “disapproval of me” ‘It’s all about me’

West Point alumni cautioned cadets to uphold Constitution NOT any political party or leader

Mobster gets China to hack Nov election results

How Govt wastes our money: Congress gives 3.7 Trillion to the wealthy! 

US Socialism: “Hiding recipients of federal funds is unacceptable and must end” Putin does this

FL fired virus scientist who would not fake count: she counts real spread on her own site

Socialism for the Rich: Can we afford to bailout so many companies and wealthy people?

Hackers at CIA allow bad guys to gain tools and code to hack civilians: which side on?

TX AZ govs refuse local use of masks to save lives: they give ‘liberty’ so that more die

More time for the wealthy to avoid their fair share of taxes: another Trump gift to friends

Jared buys $7.3 million tiny soda bottles instead of test tubes: FEMA accepts them.

Jared bought 63 million doses of bad hydro for Daddy but Daddy didn’t listen to science.

SCAMS/SPINS:

Wealthy make $ billions from ‘flipping’ a taxpayer-funded coronavirus drug

Garrison Courtney DEA caught scam to give gov contracts to firms he worked for

Trump cancels Obama’s LGBTQ & DACA protections: Supremes say NO NO.

Trump oversees ‘Pump and Dump’ stock sales by his mob after calling virus “zero cases”

Trump takes over Voice of America and our Post Office: ‘lost’ mail for election win?

FoxNews uses altered/misleading pictures of protesters: appear violent/dangerous

Secret Service now admits it used pepper spray and bullets to make path for photo op

GOP makes sure voting becomes 7 hour ordeal: GA is the model for Nov?

TX white man shot 8 because bar refused drinks: white guy gets away.

GA man shot in the back: police shot him while running away.

CA two Black men dead by hanging. No note, no stool, no struggle, no investigation?

NM terrorists with war weapons shoot protestor: police allow war weapons’ use

They call themselves ‘militia’ but aren’t they really terrorists with ARs?

Who are these Boogaloo terrorists in Hawaiian shirts and carrying military rifles?

Virus scammers’ psych tricks: fake voice, fake creds, fake charity, fake fears, fake ‘now’

Re opened Texas, Florida and California recorded record numbers of new cases

Trump: Stopping C-19 Tests Would Result In Fewer Cases: Yes Don, so would wearing masks!

Finally, drug price-fixing/gauging investigated by states

Probiotics don't do much for most people's gut health, review finds: costly hype!

Fake gov grants to seniors: scammers use virus fears

Fake Robinhood account balance: Teen panicked at $ 730,000 loss on trading.

Frederick Stow TN caught stealing a total of $933,500 in client funds by forging names.

Scam Q&A: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud 877.908.3360

Jobs

Tips on avoiding virus at work: https://www.cdc.daily-life-coping/activities.html

Like abusive priests, bad cops get work in towns that want aggressive lawmen

Tom Brady selling supplements: $20 millions not enough; just bored with game?

Supremes save some of the best workers we have: DACAs want to succeed!

Who owns your account now?

Get forgiveness: revised EZ Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application 

Eviction process put on hold for 2 months for federal-backed loans: check your servicer.

Miracle:

Biden for prez? : “I’m beginning to get bored by my own talk here”

Human compassion saves lives: human discussion brings him back to life

FL scientist raises money so residents informed of actual virus counts not official fakes

Those without rights are saving us and risking themselves: gov should be on their side

Volunteers to take the virus vaccine test: possible serious illness!

60 year old generic drug helps some virus patients: don’t tell for-profit drug makers

White ‘christian’ evangelical tries to explain “slavery is blessing to whites” Warped religion!

TX 6/19/1865 Army tells slave owners their 250,000 slaves are not slaves anymore. 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

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

Only 17 states require your child to learn how to determine which investment pays the highest return on their money. Most think it is a savings account. This could be one reason most of us are going to be broke in retirement and the amount of credit card debt has doubled to over $8,000 per household. Children are moving back home after racking up huge student loan debts. Most parents have no clue about the fundamentals of personal finance—investing, interest rates, compound interest, why the rich get richer, and avoiding debt by creating your own ‘bank’ of tax-FREE accounts. Unbiased advice is easily available. For instance, if I loaned $250 a month to big companies we use every day, over time, with interest on my money left with them, would grow to be $63,000 in 10 years, $245,000 in 20 years, and $790,000 in 30 years. The Miracle of Compounding: I loaned them $90,000 ($3,000 X 30 yrs) and now I have $790,000. If I use a tax-FREE account, the amount is not taxed—now or later. I learned from John Bogle that you give up 63% of your total potential nest egg if you pay someone 2% a year to handle your money. Warren Buffett’s advice is so simple, anyone can follow it.

Use Unbiased Advice: https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-every-school-graduate-century/dp/1466427906

Is financial planning really like Netflix?

Instead of a 0.28% fee on your assets every year, Schwab will charge $300 financial planning fee once and a $30 flat monthly subscription that will not increase with assets. $360 a year sounds great compared with the $350 ($125,000 portfolio) that rises each year. You get investment management, a financial plan and unlimited guidance from a certified financial planner, whether you have $100,000 invested or $2 million. Of course, the details matter. We did a complete evaluation and plan with analysis for $750 from a CFP on less than a $1 million. If your situation is complex and changing, Schwab is a good deal especially if you have a good planner on over $1 million. If you have a smaller simpler nest egg, you may be overpaying. $30 a month for 30 years is over $10,000 and no extra benefit. If you believe in market timing with the right advisor, you may have a bargain here. Schwab makes their profits on the 8% cash you are required to keep instead of securities. However, most investors with active management earn just 3.79% vs 11% with an index fund. If you are a Warren Buffett investor, Schwab is not worth it.

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

Is your advisor becoming your ‘therapist’?

Is your advisor ‘helping you change your behavior’ when it comes to money? This is their new role: “guide the client’s behavior so they can live their best life possible with the money they have.” But how can advisors do this—inputting your data in planning and trading software? Some think that advisors need to evolve to the more emotional aspects of money. Some brokers are told they must help us align our money with our values. They are told to find out our purpose in life. They are told to ask: “I’d love to get a sense for what gets you up in the morning.” Brokers must know our goals in order to plan the uses of our money. This requires that they “help us dream a bit and add real value to our lives.” Vanguard has studied this added value since they use paid staff not commissioned brokers. They use a ‘service-centric’ model not a ‘beat the market’ model. Brokers are told to raise their value to us by “positioning themselves as a truth tellers.” But brokers can’t tell us the truth—“my firm overcharges you because we only use high-fee products.” Problem is, most brokers don’t have time for counseling us. They must make enough sales daily to meet their firm’s revenue target. If we have less than a $1 million, therapy is too costly to perform on us. Unbiased fee-only planners are the best advisors.

https://www.amazon.com/Unbiased-Advisors-Network-helps-tax-FREE/dp/1470106841

Where is FREE tax preparation?

The free AARP tax-aide sites are filling up quickly: aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/. 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.

Check the status of your fed refund: https://www.irs.gov/refunds

Is your ride un-reliable and expensive?

Consumer Reports' annual survey: greatest risks of problems in 10 models counting down to the least reliable model, the Jaguar F-Pace. Climate system, steering/suspension, power equipment are possible trouble for Volkswagen’s Atlas. Climate system, drive system, transmission are suspect in Caddy’s CTS. Power equipment, engine, in-car electronics may hurt Alfa Romeo Giulia. Engine cooling, emissions/fuel system, climate system may hinder Kia Cadenza. Climate system; transmission, minor; in-car electronics slow The Escalade. Climate system; transmission, minor; in-car electronics may knock the $65,000 CT6. Fuel/emissions system, drive system, steering/suspension may fade HD Silverado. Body hardware, paint and trim, in-car electronics, noises and leaks may annoy Tesla’s X. Transmission, minor; power equipment; noises and leaks may bother Buick Enclave. In-car electronics, drive system, power equipment, noises and leaks irritate Jaguar’s “SUV”. (Can sports car be an SUV too?) Is Chevy reliable? Compare JD Power voters: https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2019-us-vehicle-dependability-studyvds

Find reliable discount coverage: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

Health Care is the issue for 2020

People were in favor 55% to 32% of improving the current health care system instead of replacing it with something new. When asked whether to remove the current system and replace it with single-payer through an expansion of Medicare to cover all citizens, 43% called it a “good idea” while 45% said it was a “bad idea.” By political party, 69% of Democrats and 42% of independents supported it while only 14% of Republicans did. For many voters, assuring family members of having care when they need it (including for pre-existing conditions) may be 2020’s 3^rd rail issue. Some have to borrow to pay for care and some do not get treated because of the cost. Trump vowed to kill our coverage for 20 million new insured and destroy the full comprehensive care guaranteed by ObamaCare. 55% of us worry a great deal about healthcare, topping a list of 15 issues. 49% worry a great deal about hunger and homelessness -- a new high. HALF of us worry about hunger & homeless. Hunger and Homeless are top concerns in America despite our growing wealth. For instance, today I got my annual physical free of charge. I need a colonoscopy and endoscopy which will also be free. If I had switched to one of Trump’s association plans, I might have a $3,000 charge since my procedures must be done in a hospital. I might just skip this hospital treatment and save the $3,000. The last time I got treatment I was sent a bill from a doctor who just wandered by my room. I had pre-qualified all the doctors for my tests in advance so I refused to pay this scammer.

Cover for pre-existing conditions: https://www.amazon.com/Health-Insurance-ONLY-right-policy/dp/1480125083/

Is your 401k plan too small to qualify for reduced fees?

Employee 401k plans that have few participants are paying 4 to 5 times what employees in large plans pay. The average costs are 28 vs 7 basis points respectively. That means that over time, you may end up with $500,000 vs $700,000. Unless you have a sizable match to your contribution, you need to find an alternative. You can earn more by paying less using a tax-deferred IRA. Your investment options may be more suited to your goals also. After all, the market index is up 15% so far after last year’s loss but you have earned 15% per year for 10 years. Think “Time is on your side.” So if earning more by paying less sounds like a good strategy, take Warren Buffett’s advice and put most of your investments in a simple low-cost stock market fund. If you use a low-cost Vanguard fund, you will earn close to the market rate of 11% not 3.79% in a managed account. An IRA is tax-deferred just like a 401k. The IRA trustee can debit your checking account similar to payroll deduction. Buffett’s advice is don’t sell and lose your compounding boost.

Consider your options: https://www.amazon.com/401k-IRA-Tax-FREE-Tax-Deferred-retirement/dp/1475057938

Will our health care cost be over a Quarter Million Dollars?

Fidelity estimates the cost of future health care at $285,000 for a couple living to age 87 and 89. The estimate have 3 parts: (39%) - Monthly expenses of Medicare Part B and D; (42%) – Medicare cost-sharing including co-payments, coinsurance and deductibles (e.g., for doctors’ office visits and outpatient services) and excluded benefits (e.g., vision and hearing exams, eye glasses, hearing aids, etc.); (19%) – Prescription drug out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., co-pays and amounts not covered by Medicare Part D that individuals pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs). Actual expenses may be more or less depending on actual health status, area of residence, and longevity. The estimate assumes that no employer-sponsored retiree health coverage is available, and does not include other anticipated future health expenses. Things that are not covered by Medicare — dental, basic vision, over-the-counter medicines, long-term care — would be on top of that $285,000 estimate. Because we don’t have all that money available, we borrow the money—an estimated $88 Billion. 25% of us skipped treatment because of the cost. Nearly half fear bankruptcy in the event of a health emergency. Still 2/3rds of GOP think this is the best health system in the world. Most people don’t believe the cost can be controlled—the health care industry has more lobbyists stopping Congress from negotiating the costs. Our future income is committed to the industry. 

America pays more and gets less benefits: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Only-little-people-pay-taxes/dp/1535218584

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

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?

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

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

IRS delayed penalty on tax owed this year: Estimate your new rate: 22, 24, 32, 35%

Judge stops Trump opening of federal Artic Atlantic waters to drillers/destroy wilderness.

Mueller staff says Barr summary misleads: Cover up underway by Trump/DOJ More lies.

$36 Billion for electronic health records: Death by clicks, errors; & errors from fixes, etc

TrumpCare in 2020 budget is block grants: your state reps pick care options for poor.

TN cut 128,000 kids from wellness program—many end up at expensive ER.

SCAMS/SPINS:

Trump-Hannity solve energy problem: Wind “only blows sometimes” so use coal.

Lobbyists not EPA decide which cancer-causing chemicals you can use in child play area

Jury decides asbestos in talcum powder does not cause your mesothelioma. 

Trump removes 78 regs on our health: more mercury, pollutants cause more sickness.

Trump bank Deutsche Bank kept money-laundering flowing despite knowing facts.

Wind turbines cause cancer according to TrumpCoal propaganda machine.

Govt receives more robo complaints but does little to stop them: Robos pay carriers!

CA has law against unwanted spam emails sent without our permission—fine $1,000 per.

Vision plans not help us but push us to buy high markup frames: kickbacks to Dr.

Fake news online confusing aging population: society effects health, wealth, safety.

JPMorganChase failed to inform clients: conflicts of interest managing money. No jail.

Dennis Gibb WA caught defrauding 15 investors of more than $3 million. Fine no jail.

Scott Capps PA stole $2 million from dormant accounts with stolen firm passwords.

Omar Zaki stole $1.7 mil mislead clients with fake formula claimed 80% return. Fine.

Greg Lindberg Eli Global, GBIG caught bribing NC public officials to regulate GBIG

ABB caught ripping 401k employee funds: moving from Vanguard to Fidelity $55 M.

Jose Ramirez, ‘Whopper’ caught stealing $1 million: client loans to buy bonds. Jail 

Direct Lending Investments, CA caught overcharging $11 M on fake loan values. No jail.

GOP to start ‘Bengazi’-type hearings to distract from Trump Troubles: Redo 2016?

GOP is NOT ‘party of health care’: No plan to make a plan Trump to destroy ObamaCare

Trump again promised “Great healthcare” if he is re-elected in 2020: GOP says no way!

GOP Senate becomes rubber stamp for Trump judges: American law turns right.

US Stem Cell caught blinding patients with injections of stem cells from fat. Continues

Catholic priests are burning books again: since Inquisition 1585

More immigrants will come from 3 countries Trump cut aid to since conditions get worse

Mob Boss gives in to N. Korea: lifts sanctions for NOT scrapping missiles: “I like Un”

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

Mueller ignores Mob Boss family Russia deals: OK to conspire with enemy.

1. “Russia, find Hill’s emails” 2. Don’s Mob made Russian deals 3. Russia intel tricked voters 4. Polling data payoff 5. Special Russia deals 6. Fire FBI 7. Refuse give testimony

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:

Few graduates know which investment provides the highest returns: https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-every-school-graduate-century/dp/1466427906

Why people don’t vote: Reps get to Wash and give

Who owns your account now?

Home buying: https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/apps-homebuyer-homeseller-best/

Get Advisor: https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Wisdom-Questions-Wealthy-Families/dp/1119331536

Buy Driverless? https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2019/04/02/522530.htm

Miracle:

One student shows HOW to make a difference: And it rubs off on others.

Pope gives convicted archbishop of Lyon another abuse chance: not accept resignation!

Most drivers are distracted while driving—miracle not more accidents.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alert

Best January tax-saving move

Best last minute January tax saving move

Tax filing begins next week—Jan 29—even though all the forms are late in arriving. If you find you owe tax instead of hitting the refund button this year, you may still be able to claim your refund. You can reduce your income up to April 17 and receive a tax credit. Credits reduce your taxes dollar for dollar. In effect, Uncle Sam can help you reduce taxes AND save for retirement at the same time. On line 32, Form 1040 or line 17, Form 1040a, you can enter up to $5,500 ($6,500 over age 50) per person IRA contribution to reduce your income. If you meet the qualification, a credit will show up on Line 51, Form 1040 or Line 34, 1040a. You subtract this credit from your tax. EG: Income $66,000: tax refund is $3,335, without IRA contribution. With the contribution, the refund is $4,392 or $5,553 if you both make the contribution. Credit against tax is $400.

Take the deal: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Refund-Millionaires-Let-Uncle-Help/dp/149595644X

How did your advisor/broker do last year?

There were some lucky advisors/brokers out there last year. I settled for 21.1% total return but some clients got 62.8% return on their picks. Did your advisor/broker pick United Rentals, Avery, Marriott, Cadence Design, or Estee Lauder? These had 60% plus gains. Of course, for some of those returns, you had to NOT sell the year before when the stock cratered 60%. Trouble is only one or two people actually bet the ranch on one of these high flyers and got rich and they were ‘insiders.’ And what do you do for next year? Unless you have insider information, your advisor/broker is unlikely to pick the new winners for 2018. You have a 1 in 7,000 chance. In fact, studies show the annual winning managers are almost always next year’s losers. Again, if you were lucky you had these 4 top pickers: Steven Wymer, Larry Puglia, Paul Viera, or Henry Ellenbogen. This is why legendary manager, Charles Ellis calls stock picking the Loser’s Game and Warren Buffett recommends his SIMPLE strategy to NOT pick stocks.

https://www.amazon.com/your-Wall-Street-Stock-traders/dp/1490533273

IRS free tax filing sites to avoid $300+ cost of filing

Commercial tax prep sites offer expensive loans as advances on your refund but you can keep your whole refund using the IRS free filing partners. Refunds can be in your account within 2-3 weeks. The average refund is over $3,000. You can create a tax-free retirement fund of $500,000 with that amount each year. If you need free tax preparer service, use AARP Tax Aides near you. https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/

Start your tax-FREE IRS approved account today: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-FREE-Retirement-code-lifetime-income/dp/1475206976

Buffett's SIMPLE Strategy Beats Wall Street—22% in 2017; 11.11% since 1976.

The Master of investing, Warren Buffett, proved it, again. You do NOT need Wall Street 'professionals' to reach your financial goals. In fact, if you use them, you may give up 63% of your potential accumulations because of trading, charges, commissions and fees. Buffett’s SIMPLE strategy earns over 11% per year. DALBAR keeps track of returns and found that the average managed-account equity investor earned just 3.79% a year over 30 years. The benchmark returned 11.06%. You and I can start beating Wall Street with one phone call. Earnings are tax-FREE after age 59 ½ in special account too.

Earn 11% a year with Buffett’s SIMPLE strategy: https://www.amazon.com/MasterClass-Buffetts-SIMPLE-Strategy/dp/1983485268

Trump uses religion to maintain control over constituents

Where did Trump offer his anniversary inaugural speech? Not in the Congress where our Reps need to hear again why we are the United ‘states. No, he made it to the small sect of GOP regionists who follow only one god—anti-abortion and religious Intolerance. While claiming to fight for religious freedom, they mean ‘freedom’ to legally force all Americans to follow their creed—NO reproductive choice—sex for procreation only. Trump, as the poster boy for the ‘women as sex objects’ ideology, creates religious propaganda to unite his followers. This is the same Trump who proclaimed his lack of respect for women: he gropes them, claiming they let him grab by the pu**y because of fame. This is the same Trump who pays prostitutes for sex and for silence in front of his wife and daughters and sons. There is no celebration of life by this immoral devil. Can you imagine how they feel after being insulted and then hear his “pro-life” speech?

Surely, this person has separated himself from the God of love in order to have power.

What happened to the America that was founded on the freedom of EVERY citizen to be free to follow his own conscience and his own religion. That was a guarantee that we adult citizens don’t have to be bound by any religion/belief—we can be agnostics. Americans believe in taking responsibility for themselves, NOT in have GOP religionists decide what we do with ourselves.

We don’t need a self-righteous bully, a devilish man-child telling us what to do.

St. Augustine (354-430AD): Love God and do what you want.

Morgan Freeman: “I tell kids the surest way to lose is to quit.”

When you have a sizable portfolio, you don’t want to lose it to a downturn, especially if you are living on the principal for income. If you are 10 years or more from living on a fixed income, you can stay invested the whole time and not suffer great loss. Actually, by staying in the market you are going to benefit when the rebound comes. No one has yet figured out how to time the market to get back in for the highest gain. However if you don’t have the 10 years for recovery, you must be prepared. The market fell in ’08 big time—37%. It then gained 27% and 14% and eventually you got back what you lost if you stayed around. Now we have had a 22% gain after 12%. Since no one (even the geniuses) knows what is going to happen, consider how you can be ready. Some of us anticipate the fall and our lack of time to make it up. So some have gone to a low-cost balanced fund for the bulk of our lifelong nest egg. Vanguard presents a viable strategy in its Wellesley Income Fund. It has returned 9.85% since 1970 with 60% bonds. Even though past is not the future, what about its record for market corrections? In ’08 this fund lost 10%. Some of us can live with that 10% correction since the fund has done well overall. And if we are using the tax-FREE trust account, we don’t have to pay tax on a bad year’s gains. I am ready for a correction, are you?

https://www.amazon.com/Fact-based-Investing-first-million-hardest/dp/1977574270

Our client’s Top Ten funds

extended their 11.7% annual returns for another year. For the last 20 years, clients who picked these low-cost funds did very well. Over time earning over 11% has created $ million accounts for their retirements. Investing can be easy. They bought these funds during their working lives and have maintained their annual average of over 11%. Solid returns and they avoided all the brokerage fees too with The Vanguard Top Ten.

2017 Total Return Fund        Long-term Return Longevity

            21.7% 500 Index                     11.1%* since 1976

            3.2% Energy                            10.7% since 1984

            17.9% Extended Market          10.9% since 1987

            19.6% Health                           16.5% since 1984

            42.9% International Growth      10.8% since 1981

            29.5% PRIMECAP                 13.9% since 1984

            16.1% Small Cap Index            10.7% since 1960

            10.2% Wellesley Income            9.9% since 1970

            19.1% Windsor                        11.5% since 1958

            16.8% Windsor II                    10.8% since 1985

            19.7% Average                        11.7%

*Average Annual Returns as of 12/31/17.

You enjoy high returns with less volitility too: https://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

How the GOP will take away the Medicare benefits we paid for

What can Trump say NOW?: here is what Trump said back in 2013 on the topic of cuts: “It’s not unreasonable for people who paid into a system for decades to expect to get their money’s worth – that’s not an ‘entitlement,’ that’s honoring a deal.” But now Ryan and the GOP millionaires, flush with their $1 Trillion extra income, are claiming they must stop paying our Medicare bills. The GOP’s 2018 budget resolution calls for $500 billion in Medicare cuts, largely by adopting Speaker Ryan’s privatization scheme: we will be given vouchers that do not pay full premiums for traditional Medicare or private health insurance. Since the GOP will control the voucher amounts, we will be forced to use our SS benefits which will also be cut starting in 2034. Rising health care costs will leave us without coverage in some situations. Ryan also wants to hike the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67. Congressional millionaires just assume that the promises America made to its citizens can be broken rather than make cuts to a bloated defense industry and industry subsidies. Congress relies on these donor groups for their election money so the only place left to cut is US citizens. We are not represented in this process. We lose.

Rich take from the poor because they can: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

Where do you keep your money when you need it in a year?

Short-term savings vehicles are easy to find. Lots of CDs provide guaranteed return of about 2%. However, what if you want more? Taking a calculated risk with a diversified bond fund may be your best bet. A low-cost government and corporate bond fund that offers 3-4% is a solid foundation. You can access your money quickly and you are not paying a redemption/penalty charge. You pay 0.05% a year not the average bond fund cost of 0.75%. You are paying for fund maintenance not for ‘star’ fund managers. Or, depending on the amount, you can hedge with a set or ladder of longer-term CDs which provide money using climbing interest rates. If you are in retirement, low-cost annuities can be laddered so that you stay ahead of inflation in future years.

Know your risks: https://www.amazon.com/Annuity-Laddering-Inflation-proof-Retirement-Income/dp/1484849663

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

Make “The Don” Great Again

The Path to Dictatorship

“I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department,”

Trump Says He Has An 'Absolute Right' To Control The FBI and Justice Department.

(Court judges in Reich were instructed to submit lists of lawyers who would be trustworthy. The main requirement was absolute political reliability. Hitler’s Justice)

“I’m a very stable genius” Can you pass Trump genius test?

No real businessman would act or communicate like The Don. Incinerate the world?

Art of the Deal does NOT work in government: too many power players

“Trump can’t be a racist: he had a TV show”

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?

Trump creates religionists agency to justify discrimination

‘I’m the only one that matters’ Mob Boss, Nov 3, 2017

The Don’s enforcers lie re: contacts to Putin and list longer: Why all the lies if innocent?

The Don’s election money from Russia via NRA

GOP suppresses vote: can voters make America normal again?

‘I was elected President.’

Bannon and I wish to “destroy the state”–our government: “I don’t care.”

GOP to destroy FBI investigators and rule of law to save their mob boss

Dictator’s great weapon is fear: Dems are evil TV ad

’I could shoot someone on 5^th avenue and not lose voters’

How Govt wastes our money:

Party politics brings end to American democracy and Reps get paid to do it. $6.5 biln/wk

We pay and train Afghan units implicated in “gross human rights violations”

Lobbyists direct how and where taxes are avoided for each industry

SCAMS:

Kushner, in hock up to his ears to China investors, is meeting in secret with the Chinese. 

Chase gives raise to 9% of employees; Disney gives 1 time bonus to some. Propaganda!

Trump’s lawyer: Trump didn’t mean he will actually answer FBI questions truthfully Hey he’s The Don.

Jobs:

Trump’s Labor proposal: employers to pocket their workers’ tips if pay minimum wage.

Trump’s new solar tax eliminates 23,000 jobs

Trump’s white nationalism keeps tourists away and 40,000 lose jobs.

Who owns your account now?

PA considers ending property tax: fund schools via sales and income tax.

Miracle:

Biblical warming trend: 17 of the 18 hottest years have all occurred since 2001. 

“Fake news is a sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred. That is the end result of untruth.” Pope Francis

IAN

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