Money Matters

The essence of this message is simple. It’s to continue living by the same traditions and values that have been passed down from generation to generation.

The biggest stumbling block for many investors is themselves. The tendency for people to get in their own way is usually what prevents folks from achieving success in the markets.

This week I’ve decided to compile some popular rules of thumb to share with readers and offer my own thoughts on the relevance of each rule. Keep in mind that it’s OK if your personal situation doesn’t alight exactly with every rule.

Annuities have a bad reputation, and rightfully so. In my opinion, they are a jungle of high fees, moving parts, and lack of transparency. In short, they are not usually the best choice.

When I meet with affluent families, I endeavor to frame money as a tool and not a scorecard. Communicating this viewpoint is often even more impactful than the investment recommendations or tax mitigation strategies I implement on their behalf.

I share this dose of reality: You don’t get a pass on math. If you do not have a high household income, you can’t live an extravagant lifestyle. You will need to make compromises on where and how you live.

To get you started, below I share some common discussion points that come up frequently in my practice when strategizing with folks who just sold their primary residence and are also approaching retirement.

When it comes to personal finances, there are also many cool things out there. However, the determinant of success always comes down to sticking to the basics.

As I say every year, it’s important to keep in mind that these predictions are nothing more than educated guesses, wishful thinking, and marketing.

There are also other ways of advocating for Israel. This may include peaceful rallies and writing letters to your local politicians. While it may feel like our elected officials have their own agenda, the reality is they like their jobs and can’t totally ignore their constituents.

The end of the secular year typically coincides with certain deadlines. It is also a great opportunity to set the stage for a financially successful new year.

No matter how challenging the environment, there is always reason for hope and items for which to be grateful. This is true for life as well as investing.

When I discuss college planning strategies with clients, I typically focus on how to afford these steep tuition costs.

I’m inspired by the people all over the world, Jews and non-Jews alike, who are donating time, money, supplies, and food, to help defend Israel.

For any reader who made it through this article, congratulations! You now know more about financial planning than the overwhelming majority of your friends and fellow countrymen!

Technically, stocks have unlimited upside. That’s why they may be the best vehicle for long-term investors who need their money to outpace inflation over that long period.

The theme of living a Torah lifestyle became much more important to me and guides my decision-making process today.

One of the biggest determinants of financial success is the ability to stick with a strategy through many different environments.

At this stage of your child’s life, the most important thing is to engage them in discussion about basic financial literacy.

While sacrifices need to be made to live a frum lifestyle, NO family should be expected to accumulate credit card debt to send their kids to yeshiva. It's the yeshiva’s responsibility to do more to help parents in this scenario!

Freeing up cash from unnecessary expenses can give you the flexibility to spend more on areas that are more meaningful for you, like family, vacation, or making necessary home improvements.

The urban legend is that in honor of Haym Salomon's pivotal contributions the 13 stars, representing the colonies, on the back of the dollar bill were arranged in the shape of the Star of David.

An open letter to recent college graduates.

It’s important to note that while you are allowed to collect Social Security and unemployment benefits simultaneously, depending on where you live, your unemployment benefits might be reduced.

Sensitivity to taxes can also manifest itself in portfolio construction. Certain investments are more tax efficient than others.

I don’t oppose lavish vacations. In fact, as long as someone is living within their means, saving for their future, and giving to tzedakah, they should be able to go on the most extravagant and over the top vacation that they want.

Yes, finances are a very important consideration when dating. In fact, I would rank it among the most important criteria.

Sadly, there is no combination that is more dangerous to your nest egg than overconfidence mixed with a lack of experience.

Start-up companies were the bank’s major clients, and they tend to borrow a lot of money. When rates were low, business was easier. When rates climbed, it became much more expensive to run their business and things gradually became more challenging for them.

Before delving into the more involved questions about life insurance, it’s worth reviewing what it is and why it is important.