Should You Retire Abroad?
A key factor in retirement happiness is where you retire. Familiarity, the relationships, and other factors tend to keep us planted at home when we retire. Most American retirees plan to spend their leisure years somewhere in the United States. However, a stateside retirement is not the only option. If...
The Cost of Retirement Happiness
US News recently discussed the secrets to a happy retirement. They found that people who are most content in their “golden years” have several common qualities. In addition to the proverbial good health and personal satisfaction, there were some fascinating findings: not too much TV, not being...
ETFs and Mutual Funds in Asset Allocation
Building a properly allocated portfolio requires the right tools. The first step is to understand the tools of the trade in asset allocation. Professional investment managers often use diversified pools of securities as one of these tools. While there are different kinds of pooled investments,...
Asset Allocation: The Great Balancing Act
Last week we explored the first part of asset allocation in Asset Allocation: Tools of the Trade. We reviewed the asset classes investment managers use to build portfolios for their clients. This week we will explore how client portfolios are constructed and change over time as assets are deployed....
Income Planning: How To Spend Your Retirement
Much has been written about the importance of saving for retirement. However, people pay less attention to an equally important subject – how to take income once you do retire. As we noted in a previous article on the phases of retirement investing, the third phase is less about saving and more about...
Three Phases of Retirement Investing
The concept of retirement is really a recent phenomenon, but in the last century it’s become solidly entrenched in the American worker’s mind. No one wants to work during old age, and Social Security isn’t enough in most cases. Preparing for the golden years takes a long time. There are...
Why Dollar Cost Averaging?
How do you invest new cash? Do you immediately jump into the market any time you receive a monetary windfall? Or do you patiently horde cash waiting until you think the market is low enough to buy in? If you’re attentive to the market, this may be your preferred method. The effectiveness of...
Is Modern Portfolio Theory Out-of-Date?
The investment landscape has seen some major changes in the last two decades. Financial and technology companies came and went, stock market values soared, plummeted and rebounded, housing derivatives blew up, and other foundations were laid bare. Even the bedrock of investing theories related to...
Is Buy and Hold Failing Investors?
When it comes to investment strategy, the mantra of buy and hold has been a prevailing principle of success for decades. Looking at investment indexes can sometimes support this theory that if you own “the market” long enough that you can have investment growth that outpaces inflation after taxes. ...
Five Tips For an Easier Retirement
Generally, retirement planning isn’t considered a relaxing leisure activity, but it’s a necessary step to enjoy your later years. We’ve warned you before about four risks that could ruin your retirement. In a more positive context, we want to help your retirement be secure to reduce stress and...
