2011 Tax Season Considerations
Posted by Fred Dent on February 1, 2012
You don’t want to pay more in taxes than you have to. That means taking advantage of every deduction and credit that you’re entitled to, and recognizing potential opportunities to save. It also means staying on top of deadlines, and avoiding mistakes that could prove costly down
the road. So, here are some things to keep in mind this filing season: 2011 Tax Season Considerations
Retirement Plan and IRA Limits for 2012
Posted by Fred Dent on February 1, 2012
Many retirement plan and IRA limits are indexed for inflation each year. Some of the key
numbers for 2012 are discussed here: Retirement Plan Limits 2012
Keeping Market Volatility in Perspective
Posted by Fred Dent on February 1, 2012
Is it different this time? Are you getting sea sick with all the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of the stock market? When markets are volatile, sticking to a long-term investing strategy can be a challenge. Though past performance is no guarantee of future results, it might help you keep the ups and downs in perspective to see how recent market action compares to previous market cycles. Keeping Market Volatility in Perspective
Seminar: Retirement Income Strategies for 2012
Posted by Zaheer Poptani on January 13, 2012
We will be holding a seminar at the Louisiana Archives Building on Retirement Income Strategies.
- When:
Monday January 23, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM CST
- Where:
State Archives Building Baton Rouge
3851 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Nice Work if you are Willing to Sell your Soul
Posted by Fred Dent on December 26, 2011
Between 1984 and 2009, the median net worth of a member of the House has risen 2 1 / 2 times, according to the analysis of financial disclosures, rising from $280,000 to $725,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars.
Over the same period, the wealth of an American family has declined slightly, with the median sliding from $20,600 to $20,500, according to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from the University of Michigan.
As reported in the Washington Post it pays to hold elected national office. Not only are your investment returns superior to your constituents, your income much better as well…..
Christmas Inflation
Posted by Fred Dent on December 20, 2011
My wife Jeanine was flipping channels today and stumbled upon an old episode of “The Bob Newhart Christmas Special” from the 1970s. In the episode, Bob’s secretary Suzanne Pleshette asks Bob if he’d like to send their best clients a Christmas fruit basket. Bob asks how much they are. Suzanne replies, “Well, we have a choice of the $3, $7, and, if we really like them, the $20 baskets.”
This week I sent a basket to a family member that cost over $100 (the 1970s $20 version). Just another example of the erosion of purchasing power over time……