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Individual Income Taxes were (re)born in 1913, having appeared briefly (1862 – 1872) to finance the Civil War, and again for one year in 1894, when the tax on income was found unconstitutional. Hence, the 16th Amendment (allowing an income tax) was permanently installed in 1913, and the rest is history. Over decades of change, […]

Nearly 65 million people receive Social Security retirement income benefits monthly (data as of May 2024, from the Social Security Administration). A vast majority of recipients would rebel against any person or plan to reduce or eliminate their monthly benefits. Congress knows this, and only Congress can prevent the system from going broke, or even […]

This is the best of times, this is the worst of times (my apologies to Charles Dickens). Having spent my considerable adult lifetime studying economics, investing, and personal finance, I cannot remember a more confusing economic landscape. Advising clients as to their financial future options requires balancing the pros and cons of the national (and […]

Inflation is rampant, and our lifestyles are suffering from the ravages of ever-higher prices for necessary goods and services. Our government touts a falling rate of inflation, but they mislead the public by implying that prices are falling. This is categorically untrue, as a decreasing rate of inflation simply means that prices are rising a […]

Long-term investing requires patience, diligence, and an understanding of financial markets. For many, a helping hand in the form of an experienced financial advisor is valuable. Any competent advisor understands the importance of diversification to long-term success. Those who do not are speculators, not worth the fees and commissions they collect from clients and customers. […]

Comprehensive Financial Planning is an exercise in problem-solving. At the basic level, the retirement problem/goal we all face is to create a lifetime income sufficient to outlast a minimum 30-year post-retirement life. Thanks to advances in health, safety, and nutrition, coupled with reduced lifetime physical challenges (resulting from working in the information age), significant numbers […]

Baby Boomers were born following our decisive victory in World War II, which produced record family formation. Wealth creation among Boomers escalated as the American economy morphed from wartime production to satisfying consumer wants and needs. Economically, the USA became a peacetime powerhouse. Boomers now control about $84 Trillion (12 zeroes) of assets, which will […]

Young people have long been stressed about their finances. Recent inflation and higher interest rates have joined forces to render the American Dream of home ownership nearly impossible for all but the highest earners. Throughout 2023, only 4% of home buyers were under the age of 24. Interestingly, that is the same percentage of buyers […]

Imagine, if you can, becoming not just financially comfortable but confident of a fully funded 30-year retirement. Does that require a degree or two from a prestigious university? In truth, it never has, but our current national economy seems to signal a more emphatic “NO!” Thanks partly to a few influential people, including Mike Rowe […]