Socially Responsible Investing: How to Invest with Your Conscience
I can understand why investors want to invest with their conscience. Socially responsible investing can mean choosing companies that are sensitive to issues like the environment, consumers’ rights, human rights, and diversity. It can also mean choosing not to support companies whose business is tied to alcohol, gambling, military activities, or tobacco. If you want [...]
All Money Market Funds Are Not Created Equal
Thomas Jefferson got it partly right when he stated, in the opening lines of the United States Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal.” He should have included “women,” but I digress. Unlike all men and women, all money market funds are not created equal. It’s important that investors understand the differences. Let’s [...]
Asset Allocation: Maximize Your Returns and Minimize Your Risk
Few subjects in investing are more misunderstood than asset allocation. Brokers don’t like to talk about it. Instead, they entice their clients with stocks they believe will “take off” or fund managers they think are “hot.” Asset allocation refers to the division of your portfolio between various asset classes, like stocks and bonds. Maybe asset [...]
Avoid Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) as Part of Your Investment Strategy
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are similar to index funds, except they can be traded like a stock on stock exchanges, and you must buy them through a brokerage firm. ETFs are required to maintain a 99 percent correlation to their designated benchmark. There are many different indexes used as benchmarks, so be sure to understand how [...]
Property Seizure by Medicaid to Pay Medical Bill
Property seizure by Medicaid to pay medical bill is possible if homeowner is delinquent on payments with no other assets. Medicaid can seize property to pay medical bills. Seniors needing assistance to pay medical bills may receive Medicaid coverage. Seniors with funds are expected to pay medical bills or face property seizure for Medicaid. Medicaid can seize property and other assets to pay for outstanding medical bills.
How to Maximize Your Investment Returns with Your Cash Reserves
Everyone knows that cash is king, right? Actually, holding cash can be very risky. Let me tell you why. I met with a prospective client who was recently widowed. She told me the stock market terrified her and she wanted to keep everything in cash. Her assets were in a six-month certificate of deposit earning [...]