Inflation Never Stops Key Take-aways: 1. Inflation operates continuously, similar to a "compounding machine," and rarely produces negative numbers, with a recent example being in 2009. 2. A decrease in inflation rates does not imply a decrease in prices but rather a...
Inflation Is Cumulative Key Takeaways: Inflation is cumulative, not just year-by-year; it builds up over time affecting the cost of goods and services. The rate of inflation can vary each year, but even when it decreases, it typically does not negate the previous...
Automatic IRA Act of 2024 - Video Episode 372 Key Take-aways: 1. The "Automatic IRA Act of 2024" requires employers with ten or more employees to set up automatic retirement contribution plans for all full-time and "long-term part-time" employees, with...
Using a Roth IRA for a Down Payment - episode 371 Key take-aways: If your company offers a match, consider contributing up to the amount where you will get a match. If you have an option for a Roth 401(k) contribution, you really ought to consider it. Start building...
The S&P 500: cap-weighted or equal-weight? Key Takeaways: Diversification is key to a smoother investment journey; different types of investments (e.g., mid-caps, small-caps, large-caps, international vs. US) perform differently at various times, helping to...
Do I Owe Taxes on a Gift? Key Take-aways from the question, "Do I Owe Taxes on A Gift?": If you are the recipient of a gift, you do NOT owe a gift tax on this money. In 2024, if you are a gift GIVER, you can now give up to $18,000 to one person, without needing to...
Higher Taxes Headed Your Way? Are higher taxes headed your way in the future? These potentially higher taxes may be due to higher than expected required minimum distributions (RMD's). The starting age for RMD's is now 73. We even had a period where there were no...
Should You Buy Gold Bars at Costco? Costco recently began selling one ounce gold bars. Should you take advantage of this? Costco recently began selling gold bars online, not in stores, and sold one hundred million dollars' worth in the recent fiscal quarter. Buying...
Real Estate vs. Stocks In video episode 365: Tony invested his $50,000 inheritance in real estate by putting it down on a $250,000 house and renting it out, initially earning $24,000 a year in rent but facing mortgage and maintenance costs associated with real estate....
Cash Flow Matters In video episode #364, Tom covers: - Cash flow matters - and is crucial at every stage of financial planning, whether starting out in life, getting out of debt, preparing for retirement, or running a business. - People often focus too much on assets...
