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I plan to do a few things differently next year. Sort of. Nothing drastic, though.
As it stands, the plan is to update the tables – the asset class, sector, etc – with the 2015 full year returns. I’ve already had a few people asking when – so expect it the first week of January.
After that, things are a bit fluid because I haven’t quite figured it all out. Continue Reading…
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It’s been another long, fun year with a lot written. There were hits. And misses. But overall it was a good year…I think.
This blog has always been about learning. Really, it follows my path of learning and trying to share what I learn as simply as possible. Writing helps me understand…well…how much I actually understand this stuff.
Sometimes I get it right. Sometimes it’s plain as day that I don’t have a clue. And sometimes I write purely for fun just to mix things up, or as an excuse to try out a new toy because I like to see how things work.
So, while I privately dwell on the misses (not really), here are ten of the more fun and popular posts from this year. Continue Reading…
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If you kicked off 2015 by rearranging your portfolio for the “impending interest rate hike”, you were really early – like eleven months early and counting.
Well, in twelve days you’ll know if it was worth it because that’s the last Fed meeting for 2015.
Now, before I go further, it’s fair to point out that few people expected rates to go as low as they did. Even fewer thought it would last this long. It’s probably fair to say that even less people think rates will stay low much longer. Continue Reading…
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A year end financial review is a great way to take stock of your money goals each year, see what worked, what didn’t, and make adjustments for the new year.
It’s really no different from an annual checkup at the doctor (with less poking and prodding). You want to make sure everything is in working order. In case it’s not, you can catch and fix any problems early before it gets worse. Then you can relax knowing you won’t be back for another year.
Well, your finances need a similar annual checkup to measure your progress, keep you and your family protected, and moving forward toward your goals. Otherwise, one day you’ll check in on your progress only to find you’ve fallen a decade behind. Continue Reading…
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I’m keeping things short this week to get an early start to the upcoming holiday. No, that’s not code for camping out for Black Friday deals. It does mean no posts next week too. Things will get back to a regular schedule in December.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! Continue Reading…
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Slicing and dicing up indexes are what fund companies do best these days because most can’t compete with the low-cost leader in the industry. A new story is told, almost daily, about how you might make money or avoid losing money with some new fund – then you get charged an arm and leg for that narrative. And that is how fund companies try to create demand out of thin air.
The new yarn being spun is the need to avoid one specific sector in the market. To tell the tale, the fund company uses hindsight to weave its story. Continue Reading…