Author Archive

Post #15 – Managing your Investments in a Bear Market

This post will discuss an investment principle that is both simple to understand and easy to implement, the practice of “Re-balancing.” Re-balancing is a concept that many of you may already be familiar with. But I think it is one of the most important investment management principles you can follow, especially in a long term […]

Post #14 – Equity Allocation – Some Final Comments

In my previous post, post #13, I suggested a couple ways to decide on your appropriate asset allocation. But, what should a person do if the average annual return, indicated by the suitable equity allocation, will not provide the long term results necessary to retire?  This is a situation that, undoubtedly, applies to many people […]

Post #13 – The Importance of Equity Allocation, Part III

In Post #12, I discussed the importance of managing your investing emotions through maintaining your portfolios volatility. This is done by deciding on the appropriate percentage equity allocation. Deciding on the proper asset allocation is a very important decision for every investor. It is also a personal decision as each person’s risk tolerance is different. […]

Post #12 – The Importance of Equity Allocation, Part II

In my last Post, “Post #11 – The Importance of Asset Allocation, Part I,” I make the point that the percentage equity allocation of your portfolio is the major determinant of its long term returns. I’m sure many of you are probably thinking “Great, next he’ll be telling us the world is round!” But my […]

Post #11 – The Importance of Equity Allocation, Part I

The single most important concept in investment planning is asset allocation. At its most basic level, asset allocation is deciding how to apportion your portfolio between equity assets and fixed income assets. This is a fundamental decision every investor must make. Asset allocation is important because, on a long term basis, it affects both your […]

Post #10 – First Rule of Investment Planning

Based on what I see in the media concerning stocks and other investments, it’s not surprising that some who have an interest in investing for retirement may get so bewildered that they just want to give up. I sympathize with these people. All the media outlets offering confusing and conflicting investment advice can be daunting, […]

Post #9 – Retirement Savings – Staying on Track

I thought it might be helpful to provide one more post on retirement savings before moving on to investment concepts and strategies. In Post #7 I provided a simple 4-step process on how to estimate the size of your future retirement nest egg. In Post #8 I included a table for determining what your annual […]

Post #8 – Retirement Planning Simplified, Part II

This blog post will provide a simple guideline to estimating what your personal annual savings rate should be in order to reach your retirement nest egg goal.  This post is a follow-on discussion of the 4-step process I discussed in my last post, Post #7. If you have not done so already, you should read […]

Post #7 – Retirement Planning Simplified, Part I

For those of you who would like a simple method to quickly estimate the amount of assets necessary to fund your retirement, and how much you need to save annually, the next couple blog posts are for you. The essence of retirement planning simplified. This post will provide a 4-step process that can be used […]

Post #6 – What can you expect from Social Security and Medicare? Part II

I have done a lot of reading and talked to many professional financial planners about what changes may be coming to federal old age entitlement programs as well as private pensions and state government retirement programs. I will provide the general thinking by experts on what may lay ahead for the old age entitlements and […]