Why I’m Prioritizing a Roth IRA Over a 401(k)

March 27, 2012

Presented with the choice between maximizing contributions to either a 401(k) or a Roth IRA, many people opt for the 401(k). The prospect of “pre-tax” deductions from the paycheck is appealing since those contributions effectively reduce your tax bill each year. Additionally, the 401(k) deductions are totally on auto-drive. The money comes right out of […]

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Dependency Ratios: Macroeconomic Disaster?

March 25, 2012

Dependency ratios are a term to know and understand. As investors and individuals, dependency ratios practically define our financial futures. You can calculate the dependency ratio by dividing the number of dependent people younger than 18, and older than 65 by those between the “working ages” of 18-65 years old. This calculation essentially provides for […]

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It’s Good to be Diversified!

March 23, 2012

There have been a lot of ups and downs in my various income streams and some changes in risks and opportunities of late. A recent article at Yakezie (What Would You Do if a Major Income Source Went to Zero) made me think about this some more.  On the “real” job front, things seem to […]

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What’s Your REAL Inflation Rate? Everyday Price Index

March 21, 2012

By now, you’ve probably heard enough complaints about the cost of living going up while the contrived government index (CPI) shows virtually no inflation.  Well, the American Institute for Economic Research has put out an everyday price index to gauge the inflation Americans are really seeing in their everyday lives.  High level findings show that while, yes, […]

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The Tax Lie Politicians Love

March 18, 2012

Taxes are good for us, they say. Taxes help pay for the roads, the bridges, and the fire departments across the nation. More recently, taxes have become a way to protect us from ourselves. Higher taxes push us away from all those horrible behaviors that society simply should not have to deal with. Taxes are […]

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Real Estate Update: Tenants Breaking a Lease – Lawyer Says We’re Screwed

March 14, 2012

A few months ago, I highlighted the college real estate deal I did with a partner whereby I borrowed from my 401(k) to finance a decent-sized deal on 5 houses on a college campus.  At the time we bought, we had assurances (and signed leases) that the houses were all booked for the upcoming 2012-13 […]

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