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Last month, I met a delightful young married couple at a vendor fair where I was selling my investment books for beginner and novice investors. The husband, who I’ll call James, is a 32-year-old self-employed contractor, and his wife – I’ll call her Jenna – is two years younger and a stay-at-home mother, busy with their two adorable daughters under 5 years of age. They stopped at my table, and James and I chatted. I learned that they do not have a 401(k) account, SIMPLE IRA,

I was at a vendor fair last month, hoping to sell my books and enlighten people on the benefits of investing for a secure future and a comfortable retirement. One after another, the vast majority of women shoppers past me by. “My husband handles all that,” they said, with a dismissive wave of a well-manicured hand. It’s nice to have a partner leading you around the dance floor. He leads, you follow. It makes for a synchronized, smooth dance routine. But it doesn’t work a

Halloween is a scary time for kids, with spooky jack-o-lanterns and skeletons adoring front doors and walkways. Spider webs and witches' costumes are pretty unsettling, too. But, as we grew older, learned more and experienced more, we discovered that there's nothing to be afraid of. Investing is the same. It might seem scary at first, but the more we learn and know, the more we understand the stock market. History has shown that, over the long haul (10 years or more), the

The carefree days of summer have come and gone. Some of us are grateful for the relief from 95-degree heat and high humidity. Some are looking forward to dynamic fall colors as the leaves turn vibrant red and orange. And some are anxious to get their portfolios in order. Well, this is the right time! History shows that the fourth quarter of the year produces the best performance. The S&P 500 Index has averaged a 2.8% gain nearly 75% of the time in the last 3 months of th

In 1776, a group of men (with many women supporting them all the way) declared their independence from a monarch. These men believed that everyone has the right to self-determination, that the government derives its power from the people, not the other way around. The Founding Fathers broadly embraced free enterprise, a free market system, self-sufficiency and private ownership. Their vision evolved into our present-day capitalism. While capitalism has its flaws, its foun

The new year almost started without me! Yes, I know it comes the same time every year but, this year, I wasn’t prepared. Party invitations went out late, the supermarket was sold out of jumbo shrimp, and I was shopping for champagne at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. But one thing I am prepared for is my financial future. And you should be, too. Just like Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, retirement is coming, whether we’re prepared or not. This year, resolve to get invested.

The stock market can be just as scary as ghosts and goblins at times. Some years, in fact, the steep declines were downright frightening! Take, for instance, 2008 when the S&P 500 lost 37%! More recently, in 2022, the S&P 500 lost 18%. That's scary stuff, no doubt about it. But the market saw a tremendous rebound in the years immediately following those two losing years. How much of a rebound? Well, in 2009, the S&P 500 closed out the year up 26% - that's a 63% rebound fr

An early Labor Day brought unofficial summer to a swift end. Kids are back in school, renters are turning in the keys to the summer...

We’re all familiar with the word “double.” In the military, soldiers march in double time. In baseball, a two-base hit is a double, and a...

May 20, 2025 In the Don’t Get Mad . . . Get Invested! book, we learned that the rate of return is the amount of money an investment has...

Are you looking to kickstart your journey towards financial freedom and building wealth through smart investments? Look no further than a...

Today’s the big day to show your spouse, partner, kids, and Mom some love by showering them with cards, chocolates, and flowers. But don’t forget yourself!

New Year’s Day 2025 Happy New Year, All! Let’s get the new year off to a good start by coming up with an investment plan. Pick a...