Can you still grow a retirement fund if you start LATE?

 

Why Wall Street predictions are all wrong

The predictions financial gurus make are not reliable for your decisions. They are for circus “barkers” to attract your hard-earned cash to fuel the financial industry. Wall Street pundits’ predictions — like where the market will be in a month or a decade — is “mostly baloney,” one TV observer writes. Most people are terrible at predicting the future. That’s true of professional stock pickers too. Economists are really bad also. They have a terrible track record of predicting the economy, and the Federal Reserve has a terrible record of predicting the U.S. GDP a year [ahead]. “Wall Street refuses to acknowledge that stock forecasts don’t work because there’s too much money in forecasting,” Bob Pisani says. Traders say managing losses is more important than managing gains. But if you are not a trader, you need to “know your limitations.” His advice: behavioral biases are extremely powerful mentally. It’s very hard to shake them even when you understand. Pisani was asked, “Why don’t you hire a financial advisor?”

Why do you think they’re better? Why do you think they don’t have biases? His conclusion: use low-cost index fund. They don’t have personal biases and they minimize losses.

Automatic is best: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Robo-Advisor-Ultimate-Automatic-Management/dp/1537111957/

 

Saving a million dollars

21,951,000 people in the U.S. have a net worth of $1 million or more. Among all states, New Jersey has the most millionaire households. Only 3% of American millionaires received an inheritance of $1 million or above. Real estate makes up about 40% of a typical millionaire's net worth. 79% of millionaires did not receive any inheritance from their family or relatives. 8 out of 10 millionaires come from low-income families. So it is possible for you to grow a $ million. The secret is not inheriting or inventing a better mousetrap. The secret according to Warren Buffett: compounding interest. Over time, your $250 a month becomes $1,000,000 from compounding not high salary. Only 31% of respondents surveyed had a $100,000 annual income at some time in their careers. One-third never made $100,000 a year at any point in their career. Many millionaires have a significant percentage of their wealth tied up in their primary residence. $250 a month, $3000 a year (average tax refund) becomes $1 mil in 36 years: $51,000 in 10 years, $104,000 in 15; and $191,000 in 20; $334,000 in 25; and $569,000 in 30; $957,000 in 35 years. Compounding adds $50,000 in the last year on average. Total invested: $108,000; total capital gains $952,454. You became a millionaire by earning 9 times your savings. You do it by using the only consistent market-beating mutual fund.

Start early: https://www.amazon.com/Where-can-your-child-invest/dp/1492164240

 

Can you still grow a retirement fund if you start LATE?

Every saved and invested penny counts in retirement unless you love to work. Many retirees still love to work at a reduced pace as long as they do what they love. If you are a teacher for instance, you may have had enough during the pandemic and are ready to change jobs. Some love working with kids and kids/staff are back face to face. It is never too late to start. You have decided to get serious about saving for your future. You are at a great advantage. Right now the stock market is down 17% for the year. This means you can buy a stock or mutual fund that cost 25-40% less than it did last year. For instance, Microsoft is now $244 not $334 and the stock index is at $393 not $480. Historically, important stocks and the market index have recovered in about a year. Since you are buying during a sale, the value of your account will reach a greater value so you can retire with retirement income. Using your company 401k low-cost index account gives you the advantage of growth without immediate taxes. Your fund compounds faster since your full contributions grow. If you avoid taxes and advisor fees, you could accumulate over $300,000 in 20 years adding $400 a month. If your employer matches some of your $400, you can reach $400,000. Since you are not going to take the full amount out the first day of retirement, you may be able to reach $500,000 after you stop working.

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

 

Stock pickers lost your money

A new study of actively managed mutual funds by S&P Dow Jones Indices asked that question and came up with a startling result. It found that not a single mutual fund — not one — managed to beat its benchmark in either the U.S. stock or bond markets regularly and convincingly over the last five years. Why? Costs. Experts who are not hyping their own businesses agree that “an investor can expect to do better by holding a well-diversified, low-fee, passive index fund than by holding a few stocks.” Over time, no one Wall Street ‘professional’ is consistent enough NOT to cost you earnings. In fact, if you are paying them from your account, they may be taking up to 63% of what you would have had. In fact, Dalbar, the financial scorekeeper found that the index provides 11% return over 30 years while the investor using pickers’ funds earns only 3.79%. That is a huge loss to you. Especially in your 401k plan, mutual funds that pay rebates plus direct fees reduce your net gains drastically over time. Costs matter!

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Predictor-Investment-Success-Cost/dp/1502524082

 

Can you safely take 3% or 4% from your egg during inflation?

There are advisors who advocate different rates of spending from your nest egg. The two most popular are 3% or 4% a year. Using the historical market data and $1 million retirement fund, this analysis says “the 4% rule does work most of the time, but watch out for periods of high inflation. Don’t blindly take out 4% a year when inflation is high and your portfolio performance is low. The 4% rule may be something like 95% effective historically, but being flexible with your withdrawals will prevent complete disaster even if you are in the bad luck 5%.” I take this advice of “being flexible” as the best advice available from the analysis. Since I have a mostly qualified retirement fund, I must withdraw a mandated RMD of about 3.2% of last year’s lesser total accumulation. If I need more income, I take out some of my losing cash account stocks. Let winners run.

https://www.amazon.com/What-your-RMD-much-spend/dp/1718946716

 

Wealthy learn new ways to avoid taxes in MA

MA has passed a new tax on millionaires. Millionaires are paying big fees to their accountants and advisors to escape the tax before they get the bill. They tell them 1 that if your income is over $1 million, you could try to receive some before the end of 2022 instead of in 2023 when the tax goes into effect. 2 spread income over time so you don’t exceed $1 million. 3 use 1031 exchange to postpone tax on a rental property gains. 4 move out of jurisdiction. Many states are run by millionaires and billionaires and thus are unlikely to ever tax millionaires. If your $ millionaire status is because you may receive a one-time bump, your accountant may already have ways to keep the income out of your 1040. Many business people use their structure to show income in different ways. This may help them avoid taxes like our former president did.

https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

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

 

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

Billionaires paid $881 million for votes in 2022 midterm elections

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

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

 

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

 

Jan 6 2021 Direct assault 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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 ‘I win’

 

Jan 2025 Dictator pardons himself: his Supremes agree

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Facial recognition at the airport: gov claims not making national database

New bomber @ $750 million each: 100 ordered to kill everyone in the world.

Tax changes for 2022: avoid filing paper return do to fewer processing staff

 

Trump Org guilty of tax fraud: Trump signed check to evade employees taxes

Meet the people who actually make US laws so their bosses can profit more

Drop in labor costs points to private sector profits as a main driver of inflation

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

BEWARE: St. Louis banishes people from swaths of city: punishment for petty crimes

15 yr old canvasser for Sen. Warnock shot in Savannah: democracy on the line

Discrimination in name of free speech: Christian Nationalist web designer hates gays

VA restaurant refuses to serve Christian conservative’s event

 

RoboCalls: almost all our phone calls go to https://nomorobo.com/: cancel land line?

AT&T caught selectively leaking financial info to Wall Street analysts: fine no jail.

Tesla caught deceptively marketing its driver-assistance systems: more complaints.

 

BEWARE: Tesla Semi may not see you slowdown or passing.

Hertz caught getting renters arrested for theft due to poor tracking: fine no jail

Hackers linked to Chinese government stole $20+ millions in Covid benefits

 

TX bans TikTok on official work machines

MiddleMen want $30,000 to see Swift: Handel’s Messiah in a historic Cathedral $40

Eight universities partnered with online sports-betting companies: 2^nd student loan

Trump took/hid more state secrets in his storage unit West Palm: selling to pay taxes? 

 

Another church hides sex abuse so no perp is arrested: sex in the name of God

Child abuse doctor indicted in jail: priests bishop minister abusers never indicted-run free

Rage: 40% drivers admit they carry gun while on the road: 50% knife; 45% pepper spray.

WV may have drug users sterilized for reduced sentence: “reduces drug babies”

 

Supremes decisions tilt toward Christian evangelicals: constitution says no favorite faith

 

Another Trump-style dictator coup fails: Peru Castillo tried to dissolve Congress

German terrorists seeking to overthrow the state caught: they are everywhere

US says Saudi prince beyond law: killing reporter is OK since prince of oil exporter

 

Jobs

On the move: 24% of U.S. homebuyers looked to relocate to new cities

Remote jobs are in demand, but positions are drying up

10 college degrees that job seekers regret obtaining

 

70,000 new staff members over the next five years in financial services: $50K - $130K

 

Chip maker Phoenix factories 13,000 high-tech jobs, 4,500 TSMC; rest by suppliers.

Warnock projected to win Georgia's Senate runoff on Tuesday

Warnock for 2024?

 

Who owns your account now?

First solar electric car: charge every 2 months or leave in the sun

Tesla self-drive RV semi gives you portable home that drives you there overnight

Why our family can’t afford a baseball game: $360 million pay for 1 player

 

Miracles:

Unemployment income exclusion: IRS sent letter 12/2/22

We’re Blessed: recent scientific research suggests that life in the universe is rare. 

‘Walnut Queen’ Broke Lots of New Ground: when you think you have difficulties

First early screening test for pancreatic cancer: urine tested in dish

 

Trump’s Supremes consider end to voter-decided elections: state pick electors a la Trump

 

 

Zelensky: TIME 2022 person of the year: Sell mags: Trump 2016 person of the year?

Women of Iran: TIME 2022 Heroes of the year

Griner free in prisoner swap for arms dealer

 

Hurricane erosion reveals 1800 shipwreck on Daytona Beach

CA homeowners losing their water to growers’ wells in the Central Valley

Covid death up: Vaccines for Holiday celebrations: https://www.vaccines.gov/

 

 

 

@

 

Our Universe is Mind-Blowing

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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.

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

@

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

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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

 

Retirees will need to un-retire and go back to work

 

These money managers have “best” investments safeguards

These managers promise to safeguard your money for the next 10 years using Treasuries or high-yield bonds or gold or real estate. But what if equities regain their glow next year like they have in the past? Buffett’s strategy of buy and hold a low-cost S&P 500 index fund has proved his genius. This index is down 15% this year but in 2009 it was up 27.11% after being down in 2008 -37.22%; it was up in 2003 28.72% after down in 2002 -22.27%; it was up in 1991 30.95% after down in 1990 -3.42% and up in 1989 by 32%. This index provides over 11% over time and reflects every sector of the market. Recently it was dominated by the tech firms since it is structured along the current market capitalizations. But also recently, the Energy index soared. The index fund you pick must be a low-cost one so that you don’t give up HALF your gains to the seller over time.

No safeguards; just hype: https://www.amazon.com/Fact-based-Investing-first-million-hardest/dp/1977574270

 

Retirees will need to un-retire and go back to work

The National Institute on Retirement Security reports that almost 40 million households have no retirement savings. An October 2020 study by the Center for Retirement Research calculated median retirement account (401(k)/IRA) balances by age from Federal Reserve survey data. The average worker will receive about $412 a month by age 66. The average SS benefit is $1,544. Instead of investing in a ‘safe’ 5% investment option, you could use the low-cost S&P 500 index fund and receive $3,491 a month based on the historical average return of 10% a year. Starting late at age 35, you can easily cover your average expenses of $2,479 monthly. Here are the current numbers:

• 35 to 44: $51,000
• 45 to 54: $90,000
• 55 to 64: $120,000

The median retirement account balances will leave the average worker in need of another job during retirement. You could also use a special tax-FREE retirement account.

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

 

Options for your 401k, 403b retirement money if change jobs

To avoid ruining your retirement fund, there are several ways to preserve your tax advantaged accounts. You may be paying taxes and fees you don’t need to and thus canceling the Miracle of Compound. Buffett regards compounding as the key to his unparalleled asset accumulation of $109 Billion. Compounding is earning money on your money without doing a thing. You give up this strategy if you do not keep your nest egg growing AFTER you leave your job. Leaving your 401(k) account behind in a former-employer plan after changing jobs can cause participants to lose up to $7,000 in fees over the long term. If you keep your account’s tax-favored status by moving your funds from your old employer to a rollover IRA directly, you keep the Miracle working for you. Directly moving money from your old account to your new account by having your IRA trustee handle it, you avoid paying tax and fees on the balance. If you cash out or take possession of the lump sum, you will lose cash and also the Miracle. Example: your 401k is worth $150,000. You lose your job and take the money or you miss the deadline for a personal rollover. First your employer must deduct 10% and send it to the IRS. There may be a fee to close out your account and send you a check.

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

 

Another way Congress lets billionaires avoid taxes we pay

Ray Dalio money manager and the industrialist Koch family have pioneered philanthropy through the 501(c)(4). More than just a charity, it can avoid punishing taxes so they can become multi-billionaires. They don’t pay their fair share as we must. Congress allows them to retain business control even though giving to charity is supposed to the opposite. When we give to a charity, we don’t get to control the assets we gave. Because the wealthy retain control of the assets they got a tax deduction for, they can use the asset values to influence politics. Corporations can now give unlimited money to candidates and Congressional lobbyists. This means they can control how and where they spread influence. This is the most effective “dark money” political giving tool. We are limited to $2,900 gifts and so don’t even get an audience from out representatives. The C4 structure allows Patagonia’s Chouinard, 84, donated his company to create a new $3 billion environmental nonprofit that will exert influence long after his lifetime. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat calls 501c4 an “increasingly powerful tool for mischief by the mega-rich.” We have one way to avoid paying their taxes.

https://www.amazon.com/New-American-Retirement-System-TaxFREE-ReserveTM/dp/1461030072

 

Is a Health Savings Account (HSA) right for you?

Many working people will enroll in a high-deductible health plan. That means that you are also eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA), which has triple-tax-free benefits: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free earnings growth, and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified medical expenses. This makes them better than even Traditional and Roth IRAs. You don’t give up your contributions each year (Flexible Spending Accounts) and you can use the funds in retirement to supplement your other retirement funds. There may be more health related expenses in retirement than when you were working. This makes this account very desirable. Find out more here.

Max out all your benefits: https://www.amazon.com/Maximize-Social-Security-Benefits-Retirement/dp/1495439224

 

How much should you invest for a decent retirement fund?

Most people have no idea how much and in which investment option they should be putting their hard-earned money into. Even though we never had a class about this important subject in high school, it becomes a critical and easily answered question. As a 30 year old in my first good job earning less than $10,000, I saved nothing. By 1988, I made about $15,000 and saved about 6% in Fidelity’s popular Magellan Fund because my boss showed me his statement’s gains. From then on I invested in stock growth funds inside my tax-advantaged 401k. Some employers matched my contributions and some did not. For those who did not, I put my now 8% into a tax-deferred IRA, taking the tax deduction which lowered my overall annual income tax. The stock market tumbled a few years but I did not know of any other alternative. Actually I tried to sell all my company fund shares during the beginning of the Gulf War but my broker did not follow my instructions. He tried to sell me a deferred annuity. This would have been a bad choice since the mutual funds soared 31% in 1991. I never used a broker after that. I moved everything to Vanguard since the fees were lower than all the other funds I owned. I stayed in growth stock funds for the rest of my working life. I owned about 10 different broad stock funds and really did well in 2021. I moved 50% of the total retirement funds to a balanced fund in 2000 and 2001 with no commissions. During my once-a-year review, I estimated my retirement income using Vanguard’s Retirement Income Calculator. Years before retirement, I used the Vanguard Nest Egg Calculator to make sure I would have enough to live on. If I started investing today, I would use the tax-FREE Roth IRA account instead. This would reduce my income taxes from other sources like Social Security benefits, which are taxable at my current income level.

 

Make sure you use all your credits and deductions

Certain credits may give you a refund even if you owe no taxes. Because the IRS does not tell you if you missed a credit or deduction and your preparer only looks for a refund of any size, you may be missing $hundreds in refunds. You need a basic knowledge to make sure you don’t overpay. In fact, you may avoid the tax prep fees if you can follow the basic pattern of your tax return from last year. Most people have the same income sources and expenses as previous years. So most income tax filings can be done by you for free with one of the sites authorized by the IRS: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free or volunteers at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers.   Saves you $323 or more.

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

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

 

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

Billionaires paid $881 million for votes in 2022 midterm elections

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

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

 

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

 

Jan 6 2021 Direct assault 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Jan 2025 Dictator pardons himself: his Supremes agree

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

606 people killed by neighbors: can America’s reps stand up to war gun fantasy

 

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Trump going with anti-Semitism this time: he and Nazis plan to take over US in ‘24

Terrorist guilty: Oath Keepers leader found guilty of trying to overthrow our gov

So far, 912 terrorist charged with crimes, 492 convicted of trying to overthrow gov

 

RECALL Lead: Sippy cups sold at Whole Foods, Amazon recalled due to lead poisoning 

Baby formula in short supply until Spring 2023

 

Tesla on autopilot repeatedly hits a child mannequin in stroller

Musk wants to put chip in our brains: what could go wrong?

 

Overcharges on your internet/cable: tricks get us to pay more

Internet tax preparers sending data to Facebook:

European Central Bank: Bitcoin is being artificially propped up: not legit

 

Loan Doctor caught promised guaranteed interest rates between 5% and 6.25%: refunds

 

 

How to stop corrupt Supreme Court: Supremes get perks from rich; give advance notice

“Grandparent scam”: You get a call from someone pretending to be your child/grandchild

 

Jobs

the-fastest-growing-jobs-for-2022

 

Who owns your account now?

Car models retiring: you might consider another brand

Elon Musk’s losses for 2022 topped $100 billion: I feel better about my account

Smoking among young adults fell from 35 percent to 12 percent during the past 20 years

 

Miracles:

Most boring game: World Cup: U.S. 0-0 England play to a scoreless draw

Hemgenix new Hemophilia B one-time gene therapy product producing Factor IX  

Toledo City OH will use American Rescue Plan to buy out medical debt for residents. 

 

Lung Cancer Screening Can Catch Tumors When They're Curable

Dallas to ban gas mowers to cut noise, co2 pollution

Same Sex supported by 19 Republicans. Thirty-six GOP do not believe in equality

 

Robot removes a 2.3-inch cancerous tumor from a 61-year-old's throat

 

 

 

 

 

Our Universe is Mind-Blowing

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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.

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

@

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

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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

Give Thanks you didn't buy crypto

 

How can we feel sorry for crypto speculators?

The financial industry is a for-profit one. It does not exist to help people invest. It can’t be trusted because each seller is promising to Make Americans Richer the easy way. Like Madoff, Sam Bankman-Fried learned a new con: get rich by “mining” a computer chip or betting on non-existant things—cryptocurrencies like Solana, which went from being several dollars a token in early 2021 to over $200. Some were convinced when a country decided to use pseudo money as their national currency. But a million FTX users have lost enormous sums. FTX will use any cash to pay the bankruptcy lawyers now. Few buyers recognized a con when they saw it. Few saw red flags as some accounts were hacked by people who can code well. Few appreciated how easily a byte or two could be stolen or misused. Some were lone gamblers: One lost his life savings, hadn’t told his wife yet, and was unsure how he was going to meet his mortgage payments. Some thought the FTX CEO was too rich to need to steal customer funds. Our most famous con man will now show us how to LOOK rich while using bankruptcy to cheat thousands of vendors, investors and banks. As one commentator reminded us years ago: ”There’s a sucker born every minute”.

We have the tools: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Investment-Strategy-Forget/dp/1484822900

 

 

How much is your advisor costing you?

Everyone who has an advisor; loves them. They must or they would have fired them. But each quarter, advisors may be deducting 1-2% plus trading costs plus hidden fees like 12b-1 marketing fees. Most financial statements do not itemize costs or even list all the costs. Most are deducted from your gross earnings and thus only show the NET after costs have been deducted. To find your total costs, you will need an accountant or a lawyer to decipher the fee table located in a fund's prospectus, under “Shareholder Fees.” Next you will need to ask your advisor for a copy of the firm’s Pricing charts and the updates. You are charged for no activity, odd lots, statements, checks, transfers, research, etc etc. Depending on the size and activity of your account or accounts, your total costs may be close to 2%. If you are moving in and out of stocks, you could be losing money on sales (not every thing you buy makes money). Depending on the status of your account, your advisor could be trading without you agreeing to each transaction. Your advisor could be buying very speculative firm offerings without you knowing. Depending on what you said your goals and strategy were at your account opening, you could be paying 2% a year. You could be losing $thousands without knowing it. These costs can easily take up to “63% of what you would have had” during your retirement investing lifetime. That’s $250,000 instead of $500,000 nest egg.

Costs are important: https://www.amazon.com/Buffett-Strategy-854-000-not/dp/1978481020

 

Save more tax-deferred or tax-FREE in 2023

The 2023 401(k) contribution limit is $22,500, those 50 and older can make special catch-up contributions of $7,500. That means those 50 and older can contribute a total of $30,000 to their 401(k). The limit for IRA contributions in 2023 was $6,500. The catch-up contribution total remains $1,000. For traditional IRAs, the phaseout range for 2023 starts at $73,000 and ends at $83,000 for single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan. For married couples filing jointly in 2023, the IRA phaseout range is $116,000 to $136,000 if the spouse making the contribution is covered by a workplace plan. For tax-FREE Roth plans, for singles and heads of household, the 2023 phaseout range is $138,000 to $153,000. For married couples filing jointly, the 2023 range is $218,000 to $228,000. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security payments in 2023 is 8.7%. On average, Social Security payments will go up by $140 starting in January.

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

 

Is gold a good investment?

Many advisors are recommending gold as a hedge against a recession. It is true that gold and other commodities may be a great asset to own now but you had to have an epiphany to buy before. Since 2000, this popular gold stock lost 16% compared with the S&P 500 index ETF gain of 168%. Gold hit a high in April 2011 and has been down since.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) 397.78 USD+168.88% 

Barrick Gold Corp(GOLD) 15.62 USD-16.43%

It is better to hold the 10 best low-cost mutual funds that cover the whole market than to speculate on one asset. These 10 Vanguard funds have averaged over 11% for years.

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

 

Liberté Insurance: ‘Buy Only What You Need’

As they say, “buy only what you need.” So let’s check what you are over -paying for. Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. In 2.5 years, you have saved the $1,000 deductible in case you need it. Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, purchasing the coverage may not be cost effective. See what your car is worth by checking the retail price online then deduct 20% for wholesale. Shop around—use agents and direct sellers—ask about ‘bundled’ cover. Carriers change their marketing preferences every couple of years. You may save more by separating coverages. We had such a good deal on home and auto from different firms that we could never find a better deal by bundling. We switched car cover 5 times. High credit rating and low mileage saves you premium increases. Your employer, group or association may have a discount. There are 13 discounts available from some insurers. If you have health and accident insurance, you don’t need this one. If your credit card has concierge service, you don’t need roadside. Unless you rent often, rental car cover is not needed. Same for living expenses after an accident. Use your emergency fund.

Buy only needs: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634/

 

Has your advisor raised your portfolio value by 51% in the last 5 years?

Many readers have left their retirement money in index funds for many years. They believe Warren Buffett’s advice is sound. Here is the score: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

396.26 USD+134.30 (51.24%) past 5 years. Warren Buffett gives credit to his buy and hold compounding strategy for reaching his $100 Billion net worth from his early paper route savings: “My wealth has come from a combination of living in America, some lucky genes, and compound interest.” Warren Buffett proved you can beat most Wall Street “professionals.” Plus, if your advisor is moving your money in and out of the market using his firm’s favorite stocks, bonds or ETFs, you may be giving up a lot of your potential gains. There is no perfect strategy to beat the recession we have been waiting for. Most mature investors have been through a downturn before. Most find that you are better off keeping your head and portfolio as is. The financial industry is not good at seeing the future, so when in doubt, do nothing.

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

 

Is a new car right for you right now?

The average monthly payment for us buying new cars climbed to $748 in October, an all-time high. The Transaction price was $48,301 in August—new car prices are $1,775 higher than they were a year ago. More than 14% of those who financed a new vehicle in the third quarter of 2022 committed to monthly payments of $1,000 or more, an increase from just above 8% a year earlier, according to Edmunds. On average, new luxury cars lose around 40-50% of their original value in the first five years of ownership. So you may save a lot by buying a used luxury vehicle. The value of your $748 a month payments may be $58,400 in 5 years when invested. If you took half of that for a 3 year old BMW, you may have $30,000 cash in 5 years and a luxury car too. A 2019 BMW X1 sDrive281 for $26,000 could be had for $435 per month. You could have your “new” car and $30,000 to your advantage. In 2-3 years you might have less inflated prices and lower interest charges. Actually, you could buy a more recent ‘used’ luxury car for the money you saved by waiting.

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

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

 

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

Billionaires paid $881 million for votes in 2022 midterm elections

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

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

 

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

 

Jan 6 2021 Direct assault 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Jan 2025 Dictator pardons himself: his Supremes agree

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

Too Hot: Attorney General Garland announces special counsel to indict Trump 

Can Trump get a fair trial in US? Are Con Men responsible? Or mentally ill?

NASA could have helped save Earth with $93B: joyride around moon is wasteful

 

Congress tells regulator to stop questioning crypto industry BEFORE it blew up

New IRS auditors to collect $1Trillion from tax evaders: lawyers can delay court orders

Trump paid only $750 in taxes each year. Paid $ZERO 10 of 15 years due to biz failures.

 

Disney lost tax-favored subsidy: state-supported capitalist must agree to deSantis’ beliefs

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

2020: ‘the “hand of God” would work for Trump’: evangelicals nowhere to be seen 2022

Jesse Benton caught giving Russian officer money to Trump’s Republican event

Hawley: the GOP is dead: illusions are not policy: dummies don’t win

Christian Nationalist Flynn ordered testify on plan to overthrow US government Jan 6

Biden gives Saudi bin Salmon free pass to kill: no court has jurisdiction like Putin

 

GOP limits voting for GA runoff: ACLU sued GOP over the shortened voting times

 

Legal help for advisor bad advice has almost disappeared: arbitration is not fair

Ford recalling ½ million F-150 vehicles due to wiper motor failure in the rain

General Motors newest business is fixing your Teslas

Airlines are Keeping Flight Delay Data Hidden: we won’t know which to avoid 

Webster University caught misrepresenting ‘masters degree’ not accredited

 

NY judge scheduled October 2023 trial for Trump and his kids, but will they attend?

Supremes spring a leak: no code of ethics to keep them honest: Alito gets paid to talk

Alex moved his money so court decision for Sandyhook blocked: only lawyers get paid

 

RD Legal Funding caught fraud offering advances from payouts from victim-comp funds

Teva AbbVie caught pushing opioids to kill millions: no jail, fine $6.6 billion $6,600 per

Tom Brady Steph Curry caught paid promoting of failed crypto exchange FTX

 

22-yr with war weapon killed five people; injured 25: Point is 5 dead; not a motive

VA Walmart employee kills 6; injured 5 in seconds: guns kill 600 dead YTD

Putin kills newborn maternity hospital bombing: Russian Orthodox bishop blesses kill

 

Avoid homebuyers’ mistakes: preparation is more important than anything

Should You Make an Insurance Claim?: half of all property claims result in a rate hike

GEICO dropped our Umbrella policy bec/ my car dented façade of a business: shoe slip

 

Jobs

Pension funds avoided losses from the collapse of crypto: young speculators OK loss

Teachers in every state: certification optional in some: $65K - $85K avg salary

 

Who owns your account now?

Despite losing your money, advisors like Raymond James generated record results 13%

 

Miracles:

Brazil’s Amazon drying up too

Single silicon chip (a fingernail) hold 50 billion transistors each about five atoms wide

Miracle in MD: 600 victims of sex abuse by 158 priests: no arrests guaranteed by state!

Save your letters: Dylan’s high school love letters sell for $670,000: hey, you never know

 

Rich Fierro veteran took down gunman machine gunning down patrons at CO club

Twins are born from embryos that were frozen 30 years ago

Germany's oldest Christmas market opens for 588th year: 1434 German Christmas bread

 

 

 

 

 

Our Universe is Mind-Blowing

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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.

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

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

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

 

 

 

@

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

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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