Showing posts with label dictator revenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dictator revenge. Show all posts

Friday, September 1, 2023

Advisors use different words to sell “annuities”

 

Have you decided what to do in your ‘next life?’

If you are 60 right now, you have a roughly 50% chance of reaching age 90. That is 30 years! 30 years qualifies as another ‘life.’ If you don’t need to work, you need to make an important decision instead of just taking ‘one day at a time.’ You can make a valuable contribution to your community, business or whatever you chose. I do taxes for the AARP tax prep program every year. I love helping people get over their fear of taxes. Some actually take me seriously and do their taxes themselves. I volunteer for other community activities depending on the need and my interests. Those projects are a choice and I am glad I made them. I could have chosen to travel a lot or work in retirement but those were not in my interests. We have chosen to live as homeowners and not renters, which takes a lot of time maintaining and upgrading a property. I am currently helping my daughter get her new business interest going. I write and publish stories, books and a blog so I have than enough to keep busy. Of course we maintain our ‘constitutional’ by walking or hiking every day. Health is important to my family and we are blessed by have longevity in our family history.

Make a plan for you ‘next life’: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Plan-Live-to-Age-100/dp/1548180793

 

Is now a great time to invest in a Gold IRA

The problems: an IRA is for long-term investments that grow tax-deferred and are then taxed as income when the account is distributed, presumably at a lower tax rate. IRA accounts do NOT protect your stock capital gains when you start withdrawals. Thus you do not take advantage of the lower taxes on gains—you are converting the gains to income which may be taxed at a higher rate. Gold as an asset has a poor long-term growth potential because it is considered a speculative commodity. It is NOT a ‘safe’ investment for retirement since a gold fund or ETF will earn less than the cost of inflation. Stocks have averaged 10.43% annual total return between 1970 and 2022, according to an analysis by Securian Asset Management. Gold had a 7.7% return over the same period. Gold has wild swings in value like stocks. Real returns (after inflation) for stocks are 6.47% vs 3.74% for gold. Only stocks have provided the buying power for your retirement (AFTER inflation is subtracted). Stocks pay dividends. Stock capital gains will cost you less in taxes than those in an IRA when distributed. Fear not company growth drives gold investments.

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

 

Annuities you may not like

The single-premium immediate annuity provides a stream of payments to support your retirement fund. However, you give up control of your money so if you needed the money back, it would cost you up to 10% of your balance. Also, this contract may not provide a death benefit to your heirs so if you die before you have received all your account balance (including any accumulations), they would not receive anything. There are variable annuities that put your money into an investment that might lose money. Over long periods, this is unlikely but you are not guaranteed your money will grow. Some annuities are sold with high fees and charges that may not be disclosed completely at purchase. Over time, 2-3% total costs can destroy your income expectations from the product. In a variable contract, your costs can exceed your earnings. There are many companies and many different annuities. Some of the most expensive and poorly structured contracts are offered by what are called captive financial institutions. If you are dealing with an agent of this type of seller, you may pay more for the worst annuities. Your agent is being incentivized to sell the institution’s products instead of recommending a better option from a different financial institution. Your independent agent should shop around for the best deal for you not them.

Alternative: https://www.amazon.com/NO-Cost-Annuity-Years-Income/dp/1508487308/

 

Advisors use different words to sell “annuities”

Advisors entice us with the promise of a guarantee income so that we can maximize our Social Security benefits. As we know, if we wait to start SS benefits, we will receive a lot more for the rest of our lives. An annuity is a costly way to provide this short-term income that works like a pension. Advisors hear “annuity” when we say we don’t want to be a burden to our family later in life. With a guarantee income for life, we can feel like we keep our freedom and dignity. There are better ways to maintain our freedom. Most annuities keep our money if not used. When we say we are afraid of running out of money, an advisor promises a lifelong income annuity. However, this guaranteed amount can be cut in half by inflation before you use up your money. When you say you must make sure you can cover expenses, your advisor thinks of guarantee lifetime payments. But the amount of each payment may be reduced by inflation. There are ways to increase the amount to outflank inflation. When you say you want to leave a legacy to take care of your family, the seller of annuities has the perfect answer—an annuity can have a death benefit rider. This death benefit costs more than a tax-free mutual fund legacy. When you die your account passes tax-free because of the stepped-up basis for tax purposes. Finally when you fear the effects of inflation or market drops, the advisor proposes having a guaranteed tax-deferred lifetime income. Sounds good but an annuity may not provide the LEVEL of income you need as you age. Stocks are the best guarantee to beat inflation over time so we must use some of our portfolio to stay invested in the market and some to provide enough income to cover our expenses. We can create a guaranteed income plus build our wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Buy-That-Annuity-Guaranteed/dp/1466494573

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

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

 

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

Billionaires paid $881 million for votes in 2022 midterm elections

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Trump engaged in a "criminal conspiracy" to stop Biden

 

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

 

Trump was “detached from reality”

 

Trump used mafia-style intimidation on the defenseless

 

Trump still terrorizing election woman

 

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

 

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

 

GOP fascism: “RINO hunt armed; no bagging limitJ6 comm threat

 

January 6, 2021A date which will live in infamy

 

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

 

Fascism: GOP to stop women leaving state for abortion

 

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

 

Trump: President Biden is 'enemy of the state'

 

Christian Nationalist Party (CNP) replaces GOP

 

Nov 8 2022 Trump’s “national revolution” failed

 

Nov 15 2022 Trump announces for 2024 to avoid lawsuits

 

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

 

Mar 11 2023 Pence straddles his place in history

 

Mar 31 2023 Trump indicted misusing election money

 

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

 

Apr 9 Illustrated Anne Frank book removed by Florida school

 

Apr 21 Trump: “I am your justice

 

May 9 Trump guilty of sexual abuse

 

Jun 8 Trump indicted by the United States of America

Violation of the Espionage Act

Conspiracy to obstruct justice

Making false statements 

 

Aug 1 2023 Trump indicted by the United States of America

Conspiracy to defraud the United States

Conspiracy to obstruct Congressional proceeding

Obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding

Conspiracy against right to vote

 

 

Attempted coup d'état by any other name

 

 

Trump and His Gang Get the Mob Treatment

 

Aug 4  “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”

 

 

Aug 14 2023 Trump & 18 indicted by the State of Georgia

 

VIOLATION OF THE GEORGIA RICO (RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS) ACT SOLICITATION OF VIOLATION OF OATH BY PUBLIC OFFICER

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT INIPERSONATIN PUBLIC OFFICER FIRST DEGREE

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FALSE DOCUMENTS

FORGERY IN THE FIRST DEGREE

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

FILING FALSE DOCUMENTS

SOLICITATION OF VIOLATION OF OATH BY PUBLIC OFFICER

FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

SOLICITATION OF VIOLATION OF OATH BY PUBLIC OFFICER

FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRITINGS

 

 

Aug 24 2023 The Don, Racketeer: GA jailhouse real ‘mug’ shot

 

 

 

 

Jan 2025 Dictator pardons himself: his Supremes agree

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

IRS delays to 2026: IRS plan to snag tax cheats with crypto Broker

5 Tax Benefits of Owning Overseas Property for Americans: we pay their tax bill!

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Mario E. Rivero NJ caught fraud: stealing $680,000  promised services but not registered

Biggest rip-offs targeting seniors: scammers go after the trusting with money

hack exposed personal information of 61,000 TD customers

Mullen accused brokerages: facilitating naked short selling and damaging the stock price.

 

Dictator vows to lock up political enemies if he returns to White House

 

“In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you” Trump as our savior

Every GOP debate candidate signed up to vote for Trump: voters have no choice

Only 1 co-defendant denied bail—the only Black man serves jail time without conviction

 

Giuliani guilty of defamation of 2 election workers: fine + workers’ legal fees

House conservative GOP flirt with shutdown: ‘So be it’: GOP not living on SS benefits

Trump lawyer-racketeers claim “just doing my job” did not work for Hitler’s lackeys 

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick incompetent to stand trial of sexually assaulted teenager

 

Dispatch's AI-generated sports stories criticized for their robotic style and lack of player names

 

STOP: Dr. Berne's MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops - Eye Repair 

10 Cars That Will Likely Break Down After 100K Miles: costly repairs

Avis caught denying rentals to those without credit cards: fine

Ford recalls 42,000 F250 and F350 trucks because rear axle shaft may break

 

5 Types of Fraud

Parmigiano-Reggiano in Italy is adding microchips to their cheese wheels.

Texas will bill electric vehicle drivers an extra $200 a year

 

Some stores refuse you a paper receipt: insist on email/phone info

 

FL’s SAT Replacement Exam Christian Nationalism, Woke Propaganda: students hurt

 

Jobs

Best Remote Jobs

UPS: some drivers earning $170,000 pay and benefits by end of the five-year contract.

Tech skills and tech trends: where new jobs come frombe prepared!

Top 15 College Majors for Good-Paying Jobs

 

US migration rebound: labor shortage filled by immigrants as usual

 

Who owns your account now?

Help paying for a funeral

10 drugs Feds try to lower the price in negotiations: 20% Part D expenses

8 Reasons to Avoid a Roth Conversion: experts Ed Slott and Jeff Levine

 

Spending on pleasure boats continues to hover near remarkable highs

Student loan interest begins 9/1: apply for Biden’ Saving Valuable Education

Rules for tax benefits of buying a clean vehicle

 

 

Miracles:

Our Congress representatives to elect a Racketeer as President of the United States

Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes: remission

Robot saved a patient from an inoperable tumor: doctor would not do it

 

Study shows most accurate way of identifying dementia risk early

Paralyzed woman speaks again with help of her own AI avatar: brain waves

China made breakthrough developing 2D, one-atom-thick semiconductors.

 

Pope: ‘backward’ conservatives in US Catholic Church have replaced faith with ideology

Longest alligator ever to be recorded in Mississippi: too big to fail!

 

 

@

 

Our Universe is Mind-Blowing

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

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

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

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

A ‘particle’ is an event; not an objective thing. This event is set of complex relationships.

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Bending light from extreme gravity reveals largest black hole so far

Curved SpaceTime: heavy masses and simultaneously quantum effects become visible

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

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

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

 

Stars fueled by the self-annihilation of dark matter might have been spotted for the first time by JWST

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

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

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

 

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

New method to study systems with long-range interactions: previously puzzling experts

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

 

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

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

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

Astronomers discover raw materials for life are present all across the Universe: methyl cation

 

 

@

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

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

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

 

IAN

973.746.2014

http://www.theinsidersguides.com/ 

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/ No AI used in these comments

 

 

Friday, June 18, 2021

Where can your child invest those graduation gifts?

 

Where can your child invest those graduation gifts?

Make sure you teach your kids how to create wealth the easy way. My parents were not investors. At my first job, I had no clue which investment option to use for my 401k contribution 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 buy low-cost high-deductible insurance, to buy two homes and 5 cars with higher down payments or cash, and now to receive $2,500 a monthly in retirement supplement. Investing requires patience not fast trading.

Time not trading: https://www.amazon.com/Give-your-child-leg-manage/dp/1096505355

 

Do you need long-term care insurance?

Many will need day to day help in living and our long-term care facilities can be a life-saver for many families who cannot care for loved ones at home. America has not done a great job to identify facilities that fall short of the care standards required of every one of our nation’s nursing homes. In such facilities, some residents have experienced outright neglect, such as going without proper nutrition or languishing in filthy conditions. Some older adults and people with disabilities have even experienced physical abuse, sexual assault and premature death. Two Senator’s name some bad actors: POOR CARE IN AMERICA’S NURSING HOMES. We know care is expensive so the question is how to do we deal with this situation. Long-term care insurance can help cut out-of-pocket costs if you find an acceptable facility or at-home compromise. But does it make sense to invest in this product with so many exclusions, exceptions and caveats? Consider all the options before signing up—there is no refund. Remember, insurers are for-profit entities.

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

 

Advisor checklist: sales people you should fire

Most advisors/brokers/financial consultants are sales people. They are trained to sell the products their employer picks for profit. Rather, your advisor should be a fiduciary—give unbiased advice—for a stated price. They shouldn’t have a rap sheet—BrokerCheck. Work with a specialist who understands what you need. Avoid advisors who advertise or do ‘free’ meals or who serve family members. Learn about what you need before you interview. I have found that fee-only planners give more honest answers than financial salespeople. Planners have a reputation to protect.

It is your money: https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Financial-Advisors-Told-alternatives/dp/1478281545

 

 

Investing is not hard unless you ask a ‘professional’ to do it

Ever find out after an expensive plumber visit that you could have done the same thing for almost nothing? I recently had a stopped up tub drain and called the guy used by my neighbor which cost me $400. After running his cable auger for 20 minutes and checking that he hit the bottom of the soil stack, he asked me to provide a bottle of dish-washing liquid. I got my $5 blue Dawn from the kitchen and watched him squeeze a stream into the drain with running water. Wham! In minutes the drain was clear and running fast. This professional collected my $400 and said, yes, soap builds up a grease blockage. Now I clear it once a week with my dish-washing liquid for fifty cents. According to Warren Buffett successful investing is about letting compounding work its miracle automatically in time. Investing is a habit—just keep adding to your fund and it will flow.

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Wealth-Like-Brushing-Teeth/dp/1470141469

 

 

Is it worthwhile to learn personal finance?

Have you taught your child how to handle money? More high schools are promising to offer personal finance classes but are they really helpful? In the past, surveys show kids forget more than they learn about personal finance. In short, most courses provide too much info at a time when your child is not ready to learn. There is no immediate use for learning the difference between stocks, bonds and municipal bonds. And most of the content is sourced from the industry so you never learn that Warren Buffett recommends low-cost Vanguard fund. Courses perpetuate the myth that only paid professionals can provide sound advice. After running programs in security firms and banks, I concluded that the folks who needed the help the most were not going to get it from the industry. My colleagues and I put together how-to books for every separate topic. When you need to know which insurance to buy, you learn it then. When you need to know which 401k or IRA investment option to pick your first day at work, you learn which is best for you. No one will remember what they learned in high school. Plus when you learn on your own, you learn about more UNBIASED alternatives.  

Get them started: https://www.amazon.com/Give-your-child-leg-manage/dp/1096505355

 

Patience makes you rich, Warren Buffett says

From 1985 to 2014, the average stock fund returned 10.7%, but the average stock fund investor got just 3.8%. Why? They tried to time the market, jumping in and out and invariably getting it wrong. During the same period, the average bond fund returned 6.9%, but the average bond investor earned just 0.7%. As one member aptly put it, “Seems hard for people to just buy and hold for the long term.” They get greedy and try buy low and sell high. That means being a stock market genius TWICE. It may seem counterintuitive, but over the long term you really do make money sitting on your hands. Warren Buffett: “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”

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

 

 

Is rental real estate a good investment?

The market value of Single Family Rental assets totals more than $2.3 trillion. This analyst offers the first systematic analysis of total returns to Single Family Rentals over a long time period. They find that total nominal returns are approximately equalized across US cities, at about 8.5%, the same order of magnitude as equity returns. On average, net rental yields and house price appreciation have each contributed around half of the 8.5% total return. However, these two components are negatively correlated. High price tier cities accrued more capital gains, while low price tier cities had higher net rental yields. Within cities, they show that lower-price-tier zip codes have higher total returns as a result of both higher yields and higher house price appreciation. You can imagine how much work it is to be a landlord so the better deal is to invest in a real estate investment trust (REIT). You can earn 10% over time using a low-cost fund like Vanguard’s VGSLX. Low-cost funds beat high-cost funds every period.

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

 

Give your graduate the best gift you can give them: tax-FREE money

High school and college graduates need the best gift you can give them: a future of tax-FREE income. Get them started now since your gift can grow many times its value over time. For instance, $50 invested now can provide them with $20,000 when they need it later. Since you have started your grad off with this special IRS-approved tax shelter they will find it easier to keep saving/investing the right way. They will end up with a tax-FREE retirement. They can create a $500,000 tax-FREE account. Some young people have grown their accounts to over $1 million by investing $167 a month while they work. They will pay NO taxes on their wealth. They can avoid future tax increases. They can boost their savings by 30% with just the fed/state tax savings alone. And if they need a home down payment or business start up fund, they can use the contributions tax and penalty FREE.

Perfect gift: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Shelter-Young-Americans/dp/1500426520

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

Coup: “We are here to take over the Capitol, we are here to hang Mike Pence

 

Dictator spied on own counsel and Dems

 

‘I didn’t take an oath to defend Donald Trump’

 

Will we reject American fascism again?

 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Biden Justice Dept still protecting its lawyers and Trump spying on Americans: swamp

IRS almost never audits private equity firms: illegal tax avoidance made legal for rich.

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

YouTube stops GOP from spreading lies about covid cure: Hydroxychloroquine or Ivermectin 

601,000 + deaths: some states push for more deaths: new virus variants grow

GOP TX bans social studies discussion on controversial subjects like race, sex

 

Ideology: lies are truth and truth are lies: Trump’s press sec: “I never lied” but she had to.

GOP promises to block any Supreme nominated in future no matter whom:

GOP takes up Putin charge that coup terrorist Babbitt was executed.

GOP bishops to deny Biden practicing his faith: taking host

Supremes save our health care insurance from GOP state ideologs

 

Christian Nationalists to seize Southern Baptist-ism for Trump: sexist, racist, sex abuse

 

Scam: ‘suspicious activity’ from Amazon, Chase, etal is scam to steal ID: Verify directly.

Sweepstakes/lottery scams aimed at seniors in pandemic isolation rose

Robert Armijo caught selling unregistered "distressed market" real estate "Ponzi-like"

 

 

13 shot at once: TX no license, no training: 2-3 guns or one 30 mag Assault Rifle?

Baby and Gma shot in FL store: Facebook shooter declared but no mental health offer

10 shot 1 dead in Chicago: 2 shooters 2AM get away; no motive.

3 shot 1 dead in GA: sir, please put on your mask: Bam--dead cashier

Army keeps losing guns to the street for crimes:

 

 

 

 

 

Jobs

Hotels consider fewer workers: get own breakfast, make own bed: CEO not cut $$$$

High-quality gemstone weighing 1,098.3 carats unearthed Jwaneng mine Debswana

 

Who owns your account now?

 Hoover Dam may be shut—no water no electric—drought hits Wild West

People with ALS Can Get Social Security Disability Benefits Sooner

 

Miracles:

Jonah and the big fish in Cape Cod: man spit out of whale mouth

Glacier’s Ice Shelf Is Ripping Itself Apart: Miami shrinks

Microscopic animal brought back to life after being buried in Siberian permafrost for 24,000 years!

 

10-year-old South Dakota boy dies saving sister from drowning

 

 

 

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

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

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

 

954901319457

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

MontclairNJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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

 

Friday, May 21, 2021

Can we pay fewer taxes like the rich?

 

Student loan rates going up

Interest rates on federal student loans are set to rise nearly a full percentage point later this year, increasing the price of borrowing to pay for college for current and incoming students. The new rates, which are based on the results of a Treasury auction Wednesday, apply only to loans issued for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year. Old loan rates stay the same but is it time to take some gains and pay old loans down or off? Unless you have need of the tax deduction in retirement, getting rid of debt now may be a smart move. On the other hand, the interest on this debt reduces income and taxes even if you don’t itemize. If you are concerned about your grandchild paying for higher education, you might use some of your gains to reduce the amount of loans taken out. Some of us have experienced better earnings (56%) than expected and a college education is a great use of our money. Saving for college can be less expensive using a 529 plan. You may also consider having your student do the first two years at a community college.

Consider your options: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Funding-Save-right-plan/dp/1482549956

 

Advisors having a hard time beating low-cost index funds.

If you did not notice or your advisor does not use a benchmark, your low-cost index fund beat almost all the traders this past year. Vanguard’s 500 Index is up 56% for one year. Yes the stock market goes down but you get a long-term average of about 11% in a low-cost fund. Since 2010, advisors have been hard pressed to earn their fees. Vanguard charges 0.04% a year because we investors own it—no middle people—so we keep almost all of our gains. Many of my readers hit or passed their goals for the year already. Just consider how right your advisor must be buying and selling to beat the market. Even the smartest gurus have trouble beating the markets. Yale’s legendary manager David Swensen with his 12.4% record failed to beat the market rate of 13.02% during his 1985-2020 tenure. Most advisors earn you only 3.79% over time. You can do better.

Earn 11%:  https://www.amazon.com/You-Beat-Wall-Street-professionals/dp/1986031373

 

Does “bundling” insurance save you money?

Several carriers claim “bundling” or “customizing” saves you money. Certainly, it saves the insurer money. But buying two or more policies from the same company may actually cost you more. We need to shop for the best deal for each—auto, home and umbrella—since each contract has good and bad elements. For instance, my homeowner’s has been in place for 40 years and no other provider can match the price. On the other hand, my car company keeps raising the price despite me driving less, taking the safe driving course, and keeping my cars longer. And only my vehicle insurer will write my lawsuit coverage since it depends on a certain amount of vehicle liability coverage. Giving all your insurance business to one agent makes sense for their convenience but often costs you more, not less. Worse: some folks buy their retirement income and investments from their insurance agent. “Bundling” is a sales gimmick not an insurance discount.

Shop and save: https://www.amazon.com/Save-000-every-year-Only/dp/1500681571

 

Can we pay fewer taxes like the rich?

Inequality has grown dramatically over the last four decades: The top 1% have enjoyed extraordinary income growth, while growth for the vast majority has been anemic. Yet high-income households have not been asked to pay higher tax rates and corporations’ contributions to federal taxes have fallen to historic lows. Wages have fallen over time—they have become detached from productivity gains. Tax assessments come from wages and the rich don’t live on wages. And Social Security stops taking taxes on incomes over $142,800. Most of their income is tax-deferred or tax-advantaged. For instance, Warren Buffett with over $108.2 Billions pays only 17.7% while his office workers pay over 32.9%. The wealthy use complicated legal entities to hide their incomes. Take the former president’s claim that you are smart when you can pay professionals to manipulate your income. They found him a way to subtract his failed businesses on his personal income taxes so he can avoid taxes for years. Stop paying taxes like the rich; but do it legally.

Tax-FREE IRS account: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Tax-Shelter-Avoid-taxes/dp/1985448300

 

How to keep your retirement full of income

First, you gotta beat inflation—25+ years may be the length of your income needs—but the VALUE of your fixed income is cut in half in 25 years. In the past, when people died right after retiring, they never had this problem. Today your $800 a month will be able to buy only $400 worth of goods in 25 years. You can’t beat inflation by holding your nest egg in 1% CDs and bonds. Stocks will protect you from inflation since the average return of 11% is greater than the 3% inflation rate. Prepare for a down market by using two buckets—one with a year of living expenses and the rest in a stock mutual fund like Warren Buffett’s heirs. Second, you can’t be assured of cash later if you spend it unwisely now unless you continue to grow your portfolio. Third, you can’t buy your kids happiness at the expense of your future. Most grandparents want to give financial support but they also don’t want to become a financial burden. Relax; your offspring will make it on their own by learning how to save. Fourth, get out of debt as soon as you can so you can have enough for later. Fifth, use tax-advantaged accumulation accounts. You have a great legal tax shelter available so use it for a tax-FREE retirement.

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

 

Maximize SS benefits with your spouse

Taking Social Security benefits is not so simple. You and your loved one need to look closely at the options together BEFORE making a decision since some decisions cannot be reversed. Because the SS offices are closed now, you need to use the website and get help from a knowledgeable source. If you can make an appointment, even virtually, your best source may not be the SS office personnel. However, they helped us learn of collecting higher benefits than we thought we received when we first applied. There are claiming strategies that are better long-term than taking benefits as soon as you can.

How to maximize income: https://www.amazon.com/Maximize-Social-Security-Benefits-Retirement/dp/1495439224/

 

 

Where is that refund?

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

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

Stimulus 3? https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/third-economic-impact-payment

 

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

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

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

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

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

More ways: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-people-can-pay-their-federal-taxes

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

Dictator steals reporter’s correspondence

 

When ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’? 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Lack of health insurance delays treatments: more critical care and expensive solutions

GOP wavers on rounding up tax cheats: political donations matter: workers pay more tax

We paid $7 million in fake farm owners: no D&B, property or employee checks

 

Trump continues to take our money to push his propaganda: Steve Miller on our salary

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

GOP: No Jan 6 insurrection; no Dem president; no taxes for repairs; no discrimination.

Death threats used as a tool of control of GOP: GOP policy now: It’s the big lie or death

Trumpist illegal voting: prosecuting the wrong group

Trumpist news: Census did NOT count voters: Fake pics mislead

 

GOP millionaires say extra $300 unemployment is too much: min wage “$290 is better”

Congress protects scammers once they have our money: FTC can’t return our stolen $.

GOP takes control of PA gov decisions on emergencies, schools, etc

 

Auto pilot kills another non-driver: Tesla didn’t ‘see’ truck or side of road at night

 

BEWARE: cheap hearing aides may not work well: return policy?

Masks still needed 7 places: keep one in pocket

Many conservative men fear vax needle keeping the pandemic death rate high.

Vacation in safe spot: US has pandemic hot and cold spots: Few get shots here

 

Broker violation check useless: 90% of FINRA complaints/violations removed

Knight Nguyen caught selling high-risk fraudulent securities promising low-risk alts

Richard E Jackson TX caught framing the wrong men: how many more? No jail

UBS, UniC, Nomura caught in EU bond price-fixing cartel : fine; no jail

 

CNA Financial IL raising rates to cover $40 mil to hackers: cheaper to hire the hackers

 

DMB Financial MA debt consultant caught charging unlawful fees: refunds but no jail

Frederick M. Stow TN caught stealing $930,000; forging transfer forms: 5 year jail

Fidelity allows teens to gamble: no experience/oversight required, another suicide?

 

Paying ransom or neutralize hackers: $5 million or Seal Team 6 next time.

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

Jobs

Gov hiring: good pay, benefits, pension, no layoffs,

Be creative: Neanderthals died out because they were less creative than humans

Joe Biden is selling new eF150: starting at $39,000: it is “quick” he says.

 

Coping with new work environment: yes, you must wear clothes again

 

Who owns your account now?

Homeowners insurance ratings: your best deal for coverage

Vehicle insurance ratings: you best deal for coverage

Refinance before rates go up: 3% rates won’t last forever

 

Used car prices up 12%: average $23,000: more than new

State Farm to provide electric-fire detection monitor: plug in sends message to phone

HealthCare available for pandemic victims: get subsidies just like your Congressperson

 

Best household paint: 5,804 opinions help you pick—good paint saves money/time

 

Miracles:

Texting by thoughts: computer translates thoughts into text

No mask; no 6 feet; not HALF vaccinated: 590,000 and counting

Iceberg 80 times the size of Manhattan on its way to find Titanic: friends reunited

 

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

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

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

 

 

IAN

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www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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