It is important to ask the right questions and do your own due diligence before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment. This article presents 10 basic steps all investors can take as well as certain indicators that should serve as red flag warning signs of the potential for trouble down the road.
Read More »It’s All-but-certain the Federal Reserve Will Raise Interest Rates In December – Here’s Why
Given what the charts below show it’s all-but-certain that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in December.
Read More »Central Banks Creating A Looming Bubble in Long-Term Debt
In the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007–2009, analysts and prognosticators have argued over what will likely be the next big bubble: will it be in auto loans, in equities, government bonds, or even in housing again? In fact, the biggest risk facing financial markets may be the financial asset duration bubble. Let me explain why that may well be the case.
Read More »What the Heck Is Going On With the Chinese Yuan?
If you think that China's currency is a little confusing, you're not alone. Sometimes China devalues its currency on purpose and other times, China hoards gold or dumps U.S. bonds to prop it back up and protect its value. What gives? Today's infographic demystifies the Chinese Yuan.
Read More »In Debt? Consolidate It (Without Using A Service) – Here’s How
Getting out of debt is rarely simple or painless. It’s a process that takes a great deal of time and requires a significant amount of patience. While there are a number of options to consider (including debt management and bankruptcy), the first step you should take — the least drastic one — is debt consolidation. This article looks at five alternatives, and weight the pros and cons of each.
Read More »Sovereign Credit Risk: Where Does Your Country Rank Among These 50 Countries?
Drawing on a pool of more than 30 measures spanning financial data, surveys and political insights, the BlackRock Sovereign Risk Index below provides investors with a framework for tracking sovereign credit risk in 50 countries.
Read More »Purchase A Home Without A Mortgage – Here’s How
Although a mortgage is a common way to purchase a home it isn't the only way to purchase a house. If you think outside the box, you can possibly pull off a home purchase without a costly loan. Below are 4 novel ideas.
Read More »Should you keep renting, or should you buy a home? (+2K Views)
Should you keep renting, or should you buy a home? It's an age-old dilemma nearly every American adult wrestles with at some point. No one wants to throw their hard-earned cash away on rent payments they'll never see again when they could be investing in a home that will grow in value and potentially provide a nice return one day. If that line of thinking sounds familiar, Todd Sinai, a real-estate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, would like to stop you right there.
Read More »A Long & Comfortable Retirement Can Be Yours! Here’s How
Retirement can last 30 years or more so here's what you need to do now (or by age 30 at the latest) to maintain your lifestyle once you stop working.
Read More »Doing Next To Nothing In Your Portfolio Is A Winning Approach – Here’s Why
As of the end of 2015, there were over 15,600 mutual funds, 11,000 hedge funds and 2,100 ETFs...[which] account for almost 50% more...than there are individual stocks and bonds. The paradox of choice makes it extremely difficult for investors to wade through this sea of complexity, but it also increases the temptation to make changes to a portfolio. People have a hard time sitting still in the face of this sheer number of choices, even when there are proven benefits from inaction with your investments. [Let me explain.]
Read More »