Your Guide to Financial Clarity
David
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Posts by David
Bubble in Short Term Treasuries
16 years ago
in Investing
During the last two weeks we have seen incredible volatility in the markets. Fear and uncertainty is rampant which has people running to short term treasuries. Last week even saw the 3 month treasury yield go negative for part of the day. For those willing to keep their heads this spells [...]
Free Credit Monitoring for 6 to 9 Months
16 years ago
Deadline: September 24th, 2008
If you had a credit card, loan or other credit account between Jan. 1, 1987, and May 28, 2008 you will likely qualify for a settlement from a recent class action lawsuit against TransUnion. Members of the class can elect 6 or 9 months of credit monitoring.
Sign up [...]
Ensure Full Social Security Credit for Military Service
16 years ago
For active duty military service between 1957 to 2001, service members are entitled to special military credits that boost their earnings which may increase their primary insurance amount (PIA) and social security payments. For service after 1967 the social security administration (SSA) will [...]
Safe Deposit Box No-Nos
16 years ago
It goes without saying that a safe deposit box should be used to store things of importance.
For example
Copy of your will
Copy of insurance policies
Titles to your house and cars
Detailed list of bank and brokerage accounts, CDs and credit cards
Marriage license / Divorce decree
Expensive, [...]
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008
16 years ago
in Tax
Two issues immediately jumped out at me in this legislation.
Homeowners now have an above the line deduction for property taxes (maximum $500 single, $1000 joint). This is great for retirees who don’t itemize.
Starting in 2009, a rental unit that is converted to a personal residence will have its [...]
Beware of Variable Annuity GMIB Riders
16 years ago
in Investing
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB) are one of the ways that variable annuities are being sold. Unfortunately, I have yet to meet a single person who understood what they bought when GMIBs are involved.
The bold print talks about guaranteed 5% annual growth in the income base no matter the [...]
Mileage Rate Increased to 58.5 for Second Half of 2008
16 years ago
in Tax
The IRS has posted the mileage rates for businesses and charities for the second half of 2008.
US Only 30% of World Equity Market Capitalization
16 years ago
in Investing
Bespoke Investment Group released their world market capitalization numbers. The US now only makes up less than 30% of the world equity market capitalization. The change is mostly due to gains in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and oil producing countries.
Stock Market Heatmap
16 years ago
in Investing
For the visually inclined, here is a site that uses heat maps to show all kinds of market characteristics. Make sure to check out the world heat map and the different equity characteristics.
Accuracy of Inflation (CPI-U) Measures