Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
Are You Too Healthy to Retire?
In times gone by many people had physically taxing jobs that made retiring mandatory when their body aged and their strength diminished. But in today’s world of office cubicles, often the most physically demanding work that one must do is walk to the water cooler. Therefore, the question being asked in financial planning circles is,… Read more
Watch Out for Investment Ads
Recently, I flew to an investment conference. As I settled in for the long trip, I read the in-flight magazine. When I got to the advertisements for financial companies, I reviewed them carefully and realized a critical distinction: Whereas some sold form, others sold content.
Don’t invest in image
One Swiss bank’s ad stressed two images,… Read more
Sell These Bonds Before You Make Aliya
If you are in a high tax bracket in the United States, you may own some municipal bonds in an effort to minimize your tax bill.
First of all, what are muni bonds? As their name suggests, these are issued by government entities. When you purchase a municipal bond,… Read more
Four Things to Do After Receiving an Inheritance
Receiving an inheritance is an emotionally wrought event. However, don’t let your emotions get in the way of making fiscally sound decisions.
Some folks expect to receive an inheritance, and they even factor it into their financial plan. If you are reasonably certain that you’ll receive an inheritance in the future,… Read more
Give a Check…and Some Knowledge
The advice to take care of yourself first is not selfish. All too often, I meet with people who have who gifted away their own financial security…all in the name of helping their adult children. Remember, you are not responsible for paying your adult children’s bills.
The right way to gift
The best gifts are those that come with thought behind them…. Read more
Are Your Pensions Safe?
The “three-legged stool” approach to retirement – a traditional pension, social security, and individual savings plans – is not necessarily stable anymore. Instead of depending on an increasingly cash-strapped government or pension plans with portfolio managers whose actual investment results may fall short of your anticipated benefits, perhaps it’s time to look inward…. Read more
Does Your Financial Plan Include a Visit to the Mechanic?
Financial planning, and its emphasis on long-term cash flow and preparing for the unknown, extends beyond the realm of your bank account and investment portfolio. It’s a mindset, a way of looking at the world.
For instance, the backseat locks of my car haven’t been working properly. … Read more
Why You Should Keep Your Receipts
Recently one of our guests was on her way to toss her used bus ticket into the garbage can when Yosef, my pre-teen son, politely suggested that she keep her receipts. “Why?” she asked. “So this way you’ll know how much you spend on the important things and you’ll know how much you have left to spend on the fun things,” he answered. … Read more
Can Investors Avoid Taxes by Going Offshore?
If you decide that you want to enter the illicit world of money laundering, consider the following three things that you will need:
- An unscrupulous lawyer/accountant/financial advisor,
- A lot of money,
- Amnesty from the tax authorities when you repatriate your money.
News stories abound about people who feel that they no longer have the obligation to their country and fellow citizens to pay tax,… Read more
Are Fears About Inflation Exaggerated?
Even though American inflation is currently under control, it still poses a risk to investors. The problem with inflation is that it erodes the real purchasing power of your money. But if inflation isn’t rearing its ugly head in today’s economy, why should investors be concerned?
The problem is that inflation affects other variables apart from the purchasing power of money…. Read more