Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
How to Increase Income from Your Portfolio
Recently, a retired widow met with me to discuss her concerns about having enough income from her investments. I reviewed her portfolio and made some suggestions about restructuring her investments to get predictable income. Here are some ideas I brought up:
Consider bonds
Bonds pay a set amount on a fixed schedule,… Read more
Important: How to Choose the Best Power of Attorney
Have you thought of giving someone power of attorney over your finances?
Contrary to the popular myth that a power of attorney (POA) is only necessary for old people, there are times when you may need to give a trusted individual discretion over your finances regardless of your age.
When do you appoint a power of attorney?… Read more
What’s the Best Tool for Making Money in Your Portfolio?
Investors frequently diversify their portfolios between stocks, bonds, and cash in order to find the best tool for making money. Some people also diversify between different sectors of the economy, and invest in different countries around the world. However, an important but often overlooked type of diversification is active and passive management. … Read more
Husband Or Wife: Who Should Manage The Money?
At a recent client meeting, the husband asked, “Why don’t you make all of the decisions in managing our money?” I answered:
“Investment advisors don’t take discretion”
In Israel, there are two different licenses: investment advisor and money manager. As an investment advisor, my job is to talk to people about their needs and educate them about the possibilities…. Read more
Confessions of a Financial Advisor: What I Do With My Own Money
My clients often ask me how I manage my own money. I’m happy to answer this question.
Not everyone should invest the same way
Investments aren’t a matter of “one size fits all.” All folks have their own personal circumstances, risk tolerance, and goals. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend you copy my portfolio because my needs are probably different from yours…. Read more
Why You Need to Watch Your Investment Account
When you go to an investment advisor and open a brokerage portfolio, who actually watches your money?
The answer depends on the type of account you open. Generally, investment accounts are handled by a team: an investment advisor, money manager (if selected), and you. Each plays a different role, and it’s important to understand the different functions…. Read more
Should You Invest Through Your Israeli Bank?
The title of this article is a rhetorical question. You may not have a choice… many Israeli banks no longer provide investment services for accounts held by American taxpayers.
To be compliant with new American regulations, many Israeli banks no longer open investment accounts for Americans. While dual American-Israelis can continue with banking and checking services,… Read more
3 Steps to Picking the Right Financial Professional
Though there are many questions you should ask when selecting someone to help you handle your money, consider these three:
#1 Who is the subject of the first meeting
At your initial meeting, the advisor should spend much more time asking you questions than lecturing about who he is…. Read more
How Vacations Can Help You Get Rich
Summer’s here! But before you head to the beach, consider the following:
Suntan lotion: The sun’s negative effects and its ability to cause skin cancer are only seen many decades later. Though your great tan might give you a “healthy” look, it could lead to your demise in the future…. Read more
A Widow’s Dangerous Financial Decision
Here’s a story that I’ve watched unfold many times in my conference room. Do you recognize yourself, or perhaps your parents?
She made a lot of money
I sat with a new client, a woman whose husband of over 50 years had handled all of the money decisions, and she proudly told me about all of the successful stocks that he had chosen…. Read more