On a recent trip to a midsize city, I had the fortune to come across an "Occupy" encampment on the capital city's plaza. I took some time to mingle with the protesters and talk with them about their motives and hopes for their movement. I came away with the feeling that many of them were unclear about the goals they hoped to accomplish. They seemed to see the symptoms of the fiscal unrest that grips our world (foreclosures, unemployment, student debt) but were unable to come up with answers other than redistribution of wealth. It left me looking for something more. ... Continue reading Occupy All Streets

Several times in recent months, my wife has greeted me as I returned from work with the statement, "You will never guess who is getting divorced!" Sometimes there is little surprise and I can see the parting as though it were an easy afterthought. The struggle was apparent and the result is accepted. But every so often, the news comes as a shock so poignant that it makes me feel as though no marriage is sacred; no relationship sacrosanct. The truth is, none of them are. In two recent cases, I could not possibly have imagined the outcome beforehand. It has me thinking about relationships and their apparent fragility. Why do some last and others languish?... Continue reading Money and Marriage

Recently, Bloomberg News reported (8/31/11) that Standard & Poor's, the New York based rating agency, was "poised" to provide a AAA grade (it's highest) to a mortgage trust comprising bonds totaling $497 million dollars lent to homeowners with "below average credit scores and almost no equity in their properties." The mortgage trust was put together by a lender who specializes in lending to borrowers with risky credit, and who also pays S&P to evaluate the deal for creditworthiness. This is the same S&P rating agency that recently downgraded the United States to AA+ (its second highest rating) because US politicians are becoming "less stable, less effective, and less predictable." As the Bloomberg article pointed out, debt issued by the United States is now comparable in risk of default to that of Belgium.... Continue reading Subprime Mortgage Revisited

Over the last two months, equity markets have once again delivered record-breaking volatility along with jaw-dropping declines. The down grade in US Treasury debt by Standard & Poor's and the turmoil in Europe surrounding Greek credit challenges are the primary culprits. Regardless of reason, fear seems to rule the day. At one point in early August, despite any real signs of recession, selling pressure resulted in a ratio of declining stocks to advancing over a day's trading of 77 to 1, a level not reached in the last 80 years! The result was a blood bath of short-term losses that rocked the investment world and shortened the vacations of nervous hedge fund managers and short term traders. The press, of course played its part suggesting comparisons with the 2008 debacle, creating the impression that the sky was indeed falling, and opening the door for emotions to overwhelm rational reason.... Continue reading Market Upheavals: Summer of Our Discontent

Financial planning has come a long way in the last 25 years and can even be described as a “mature industry”. Despite this, there is still plenty of confusion concerning when, why and how to get started working with a financial advisor. I was encouraged recently to describe how potential clients can get involved in the financial planning process. Is there are right time? How much money do I need to have to consider doing it? Is it expensive? What can an advisor do for me?... Continue reading How to Start a Financial Planning Relationship

From time to time, I indulge myself with what the popular press has to say on various financial matters. Given the downturn in financial markets over the last few years and its affect on retirement portfolios, attention has turned to the reverse mortgage as a way to provide some measure of financial security to retirees. The press has taken the almost universal stance that the reverse mortgage is "too expensive". I would like to take the contrary view and suggest it is one of the best financial deals going. But first, a little background for the reader.... Continue reading The Reverse Mortgage