Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
Why Women Need to Plan for the Future
Much has been written as to whether women should retire at the same age as men or earlier. Currently, both American social security and Israeli bituach leumi begin at an earlier age for women than for men. But regardless of how old a woman is when she retires, often women have a more difficult time financing retirement than men do…. Read more
The Financial Question Most People Ask
As a financial advisor handling U.S. brokerage accounts, I’m often asked the following question:
“I just received some cash that I’d like to use within the next 6 to 12 months. I’ve deposited it in the bank, but it’s barely earning interest. What should I do with this money?”
What are the options?… Read more
Has Your Spouse Been Financially Unfaithful?
Trust is an important component in a successful marriage. Sadly, many couples grapple with financial infidelity, sometimes with devastating results.
Here are some of the most common types of financial trust issues couples face:
Secret funds – Sometimes one spouse hides funds from the other in a secret bank account,… Read more
If Your Email Has Been Hacked, Your Bank Account Might be Next
Have you ever received an unexpected email from a friend asking you to wire him money because he’s stranded in Spain? If so, his email has probably been hacked. It happens all the time, and next time you might be the one at risk.
The two most crucial things you should do when someone hacks into your email account are:
Check your money
If you think you’ve been hacked,… Read more
Should You Buy Bonds After You Make Aliya?
Unfortunately, very few new arrivals in Israel are lucky enough to have a great job lined up for them when they get off the plane. Rather, the vast majority of new olim need to learn Hebrew, set up their homes, and adjust to a new culture. Olim who are around retirement age may have a hard time meeting a similar income level to what they had back in the Old Country…. Read more
Are You and Your Assets in Different Time Zones?
A middle-aged couple that recently made aliya told me that they were concerned about how to handle their IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) in America. They thought that the only choices were to leave these assets with a broker in a different time zone or else transfer the funds to their Israeli shekel account. … Read more
Should You Keep a Mortgage With a Low Interest Rate?
Some readers were surprised by my piece published in The Jerusalem Post and on Profile Perspectives called, “The Most Important Thing to Do Before You Retire.” In it, I argued that you should try to eliminate all debt, including mortgages, before quitting work.
One reader wrote: “Doug,… Read more
Is Fear Causing You to Lose Money?
Some investors’ fear of losing money compels them to completely avoid the stock market and other volatile investments. This phenomenon is often called “loss aversion.”
People suffering from loss aversion will sometimes wait until they see the market has gone up a lot, and then they invest. They forget about history and just believe that the economy will continue strengthening…. Read more
Problems With Your U.S. Brokerage Account?
Many readers have recently contacted me because they received a letter from their U.S. brokerage firm informing them that either “You can no longer purchase additional shares of mutual funds in your account,” or “We will no longer provide investment advisory services to you and/or you may only enter liquidating orders or non-solicited orders in your account.”
This letter is not a result of new American legislation;… Read more
How Being a Good Listener Helps Your Investments
When I started my career as a financial planner, my mother, who was also a licensed stock broker, gave me this important piece of advice: “Just listen to what the clients are saying and let them talk. Then, it will become obvious what investment is appropriate for them.”
The importance of listening to what others have to say is vital in so many fields and professions,… Read more