Personal Finance

Mandatory IRAs as proposed by the Obama Administration is just the 1st step in stealth nationalization and forced investment of our retirement benefits to support the treasury debt market! [As such,] every American with substantial retirement assets must [begin now to] protect themselves from having to become buyers of last resort for US treasury obligations. [Let me explain.] Words: 6349

Appearances are all that seem to matter in our society today. Dying in debt will be common place in the coming years. Fully 21% of Americans say they don’t think they will be able to pay off their debts — including their car, credit cards, student loans and mortgages — in their lifetime. Our debt addict society is dying of an overdose.

The modern consumer is becoming increasingly distinct from those of years past so for us to truly understand how these changes will affect the marketplace and our investments, we need to rethink and update our image of the modern consumer. Here are three ways the new consumer is different than in years past:

We have entered the endgame for the dollar as the dominant reserve currency and most investors and policy makers are unaware of the implications - but those who are will have positioned themselves in the one asset most likely to be left standing when the dust settles - gold.

  Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision…so avoiding these 7 common blunders can help you find peace of mind, and avoid years of stress. 1. Hiring the First Advisor You Meet While it’s tempting to hire the advisor closest to home or the first advisor in the yellow pages, this decision requires more time. Take the time to …

This article reviews the average costs of attending four-year public and private colleges nationwide since 1971. Both figures include tuition, fees, and room and board.

Today’s infographic highlights facts and figures around counterfeit goods that are passed off as quality brands, and how this type of activity damages consumers, businesses, and the wider economy.

Increasing your net worth will take time, some financial discipline and sound investment planning, but the reward is financial security. Every dollar you devote to building your net worth moves you closer to freedom from worry during a short-term difficulty or over the course of a long-term obligation.

Some excellent insights on the income history of what we might think of as the private middle-class wage earner. The latest hypothetical real (inflation-adjusted) annual earnings are at $38,159, down 11.5% from 45-plus years ago.

If you want to do something about economic inequality in this country – especially as it relates to your own financial circumstances – the important thing is not what you believe or whom you vote for. It’s how you handle your own time, choices and money.