Retirement | Investments | Taxes | Budgeting | Security
Estate Planning | Life Planning | Fiduciary | Free Markets
Retirement
Roth IRA Conversion 2012: Are You a Good Candidate?
“You may be a good candidate for a Roth conversion in 2012 if you can answer “yes” to any of these statements.”
This post and it’s related Roth IRA Conversion Calculator series (below) have been helpful to over 90,000 people. It went viral almost instantly and, like many of David’s articles, was featured on Forbes.com.
Roth IRA Conversion 2012: A Roth Conversion Calculator
“Nearly everyone is an excellent candidate for executing a Roth conversion this year. But it is helpful to have a target amount in mind before you begin.”
This Roth IRA Conversion Calculator series features specific advice and figures of tax savings for all the various candidates for Roth Conversions.
Investments
Marotta’s 2013 Gone-Fishing Portfolio
“A gone-fishing portfolio has a limited number of investments with a balanced asset allocation that should do well with dampened volatility. Its primary appeal is simplicity. As a secondary virtue, it avoids the worst mistakes of the financial services industry.”
There are great gains in investing, but there can also be great complexity. This “Gone-Fishing Portfolio” is a simple way to get the returns of investing without losing much time. Invest today, go fishing for a year, rebalance, then go fishing again.
Previously Popular
- Marotta’s 2012 Gone-Fishing Portfolio by David John Marotta (May 14, 2012)
Taxes
Seven Tax-Planning Strategies to Dodge the Tax Bullet
“The victors in the recent election have declared it open hunting season on the rich, which they evidently believe will solve our spending problems. Tax hikes everywhere are aimed at the most productive members of society.”
The whole genre of tax planning advice summarized into seven main, practical points — no wonder this post was popular!
Budgeting
Decide to Be Rich
“It used to be that becoming a millionaire was regarded as a huge achievement. In today’s dollars, however, it is fairly trivial. The new rich is over $5 million.”
David John Marotta explains the mindset of the wealthy, the gap between the rich and the poor, and how you can traverse that expanse.
Security
The Only Right Answer To “Debit or Credit?”
“‘Debit or Credit?’ is a trick question. There is only one right answer and it’s not the one that benefits the store whose asking.”
A sensation among the college crowd on Facebook, “Debit or Credit?” teaches you what your parents potentially skipped explaining: the difference between running a debit card credit and running it debit. Little did many people know, your security is potentially on the line.
7 Things to Keep in Your Wallet & 6 Things to Leave at Home
“What should you keep in your wallet? And what precautions should you take in case it gets lost or stolen?”
Practical, easy to understand and yet perhaps not something that you’re currently doing. This is part of our security and identity theft prevention series and, easily, one of the most popular ones from it.
Estate Planning
Assuming a Will is All You Need–Mistake #2
“Taking the time to create your estate documents may protect your interest as much while you are alive as they will after your death. No matter your age, in addition to a will, you need two additional documents.”
Part of a five part estate planning series, this one took the prize of most popular one. Many people do think that a will is all you need, but those people are likely shocked by the end of life decisions that hit them long before there will is dusted off and they are dearly departed.
Life Planning
Financially Savvy Kittens on Value Wealth Management
“This kitten aligns her finances with her values. Be more like this kitten.”
Kittenomics (Kittens + Economics) is a practical, humorous series featuring financially savvy kittens and the wealth management secrets that gave them their success. The whimsical series is directed at readers who want to find practical advice they can implement today. Judging by its popularity on our blog, these kittens helped many do just that. You can look at all the kittens by clicking here.
Fiduciary
Ten Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor
“Someone asked me what disclosures I would require for financial advisors. I’ve written these principles in a yes-or-no format and reworded the questions. “Yes” is the best answer and “no” means you should seek more information or not consider that advisor at all. Although answering affirmatively to all 10 questions would be my first screen in selecting a financial advisor, it still does not guarantee the person has the competence necessary to offer comprehensive wealth management.”
Are Financial Advisors Hazardous to Your Wealth?
“Those who use the term ‘financial advisor’ on their business cards can be split into two groups: fiduciary advisors and nonfiduciary advisors. Fiduciary advisors are legally responsible to act in your best interests, and, as the name would suggest, nonfiduciary advisors are not. I should know the difference between the two better than most; I’ve worn both hats. Unfortunately, few in the general public understand this distinction.”
Free Markets
Sovereign Debt and Deficit by Country
“Sovereign debt and deficit weigh most heavily on a country’s level of government spending, one of the ten components of freedom in the Heritage Foundation economic freedom study.”
This post has continually gotten interest from our readers. Famous for his theory of freedom investing, David John Marotta explains in this post the effects of a country’s debt and deficit on the security of your investments there.
