Retirement Watch Weekly
The Rise of Reverse Mortgages
The New York Times explored reverse mortgages and concluded that they are becoming respectable, though it referred to them as “a necessary evil.” The big news in the article is that many local and community banks are entering the reverse mortgage market. So, don’t think you’re restricted to the large banks or the firms who […]
Inside Last Week’s Disappointing Jobs Report
I will be a featured presenter at the San Francisco MoneyShow this August along with several of my colleagues from Eagle Financial Publishing and many other financial experts. We’ll be at the Marriott Marquis, Aug. 23-25. Registration is free and available by calling 800-970-4355 (please mention priority code 041205) or sign up online at http://goo.gl/QQWevw. […]
The Long View of Investment Returns
Bill Gross, now of the Janus Funds, wrote in his latest monthly essay about long-term investment returns. First, he pointed out how strong and consistent returns have been during his 40-year career. Despite all the bad events during this period, a long-term chart of most basic investment indexes reflect steadily-rising returns to investors. Even a […]
Investing Isn’t Physics
This is a wide-ranging article that makes some important points. One point of it is to show that a trading strategy using moving averages, especially when coupled with leverage, can significantly increase returns while lowering volatility. The other point is that many investors waste a lot of time by seeking precision in their investment tools. […]
The ‘Sell in May and go Away’ Strategy Backfires so far in 2016
Let me start by making a last call to hear my presentation to the Washington, D.C., chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII). It will be June 18 at the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center on the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia. Registration begins […]
Where All the Art has Gone
When wealthy people look for safe places to park their wealth, they often turn to art. In the past, when art was purchased it usually was displayed in the owner’s home or business, or perhaps lent to a museum. Apparently, that’s no longer the case. Many wealthy people are buying art simply for the investment […]
Watching the Market-Moving Forces
To have a handle on the markets these days, watch the two big C’s: central banks and China. Since the financial crisis, these have been the main drivers of investment markets and economies. Everything else is secondary. Most markets had a rocky start to 2016 because the Federal Reserve tightened monetary policy in December 2015 […]
Maximizing Medical Expense Deductions
Retirees and those near retirement often shortchange themselves on deductions for medical expenses. To be sure, there are obstacles to deducting medical expenses, and most taxpayers can’t clear those hurdles. Yet, many retirees are likely to qualify, and knowing all of the rules ensures you receive the maximum benefits of the law. It is more […]
