It Seems that Congress Doesn’t Want Us to Retire
November 22, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement
The Congressional not-so-super committee that was tasked with deficit reduction was a spectacular failure. I expected this and prepared our retirement portfolio for it. Yesterday as the market experienced yet another precipitous decline, the stop market order I placed on our U.S. stock index ETF (VTI) reached its trigger price and our shares were automatically sold as the market went down. At least this way we locked in some gains. I expect more bad news ahead and more declines. It is time to sit these out with less equity exposure.
Is Gold Worth the Risk as a Retirement Investment?
November 15, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement
I periodically express my views on gold as a retirement investment. Generally I don’t get it, because many of those who advocate investing in gold generally own gold as a security blanket. In other words, they have no plan or strategy for selling it. They are waiting for the world economy to collapse entirely, at which time they will buy stuff with their gold. I have my doubts about that last part. Nevertheless, we own a relatively small amount of the GLD exchange traded fund. It’s gained about 38% over two years, with a lot of volatility in between.
Changing Asset Allocations
November 4, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement
When I heard the news earlier this week of a possible referendum in Greece about the EU bailout and austerity plan, I entered a new limit order to sell our VEU shares (all world stock index except U.S.) if the share price dropped by 6%. It did and all of our shares were automatically sold. As I said earlier, I have had it with the volatility and general lack of benefit from owning this foreign stock ETF.
Investing for Retirement – Beware of Greeks and Referendums
November 1, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement
The Euro Zone is a mess and Greece is a leading cause. Why do I care? Because the markets care. This is demonstrated by today’s negative reactions in the world markets to a strange and high risk decision by the Greek government: It is going to ask the voters to decide whether to accept austerity terms offered by the other EU governments to bail Greece out- again.
Are You Part of the Great Retirement Rethink?
October 28, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Retirement Planning
Bloomberg today published yet another article on the sad state of retirement affairs for many baby boomers. The point of the article is that things have changed for our retirement – and they are not going back. The author characterizes this as “the great retirement rethink.”
Prepare Your Retirement Portfolio for Supercommittee Failure
October 27, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement
It’s portfolio damage control time again. Things are not going well for the Congressional “Supercommittee” that is working on “do or die” deficit reduction ideas. We are less than a month away from their deadline. Based on present information, you should assume that the committee will fail and prepare your portfolio for a significant downturn in the market.
Boomer and Retirement Weekly Reader – Boats Out of Water Edition
October 22, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Boomer Reading
Today was a day of beautiful weather, fun time with two of our boys, yet sad because we pulled all of the boats out of the water for the year. Theoretically we could have waited another few weeks but there would be no guarantee that the weather would cooperate.
A Refresher on Ways to Lose Your Retirement Nest Egg
October 19, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Investing for Retirement
Periodically we all need a refresher course or reminder of spending, saving, and investment strategies that are bad for our retirement plan. It can help to stare such a reminder in the face and then say “whoa, that’s me doing that.” In the past, I’ve been reminded in this way of a need to re-balance and/or reallocate our portfolio to improve its longevity characteristics.
Long-Term Care Options Change Again
October 16, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Long Term Care
What are your plans for long term care? Is it the “I won’t need it so don’t worry about it plan?” That is not a plan, of course, and if you are leaning in that direction (or just sticking your head in the sand), I encourage you to read why I bought long term care insurance and predicting the costs of long term care. That may jolt you back into a state of reality. (Sorry – someone had to do it!)
Boomer and Retirement Weekly Reader – Fall Colors Edition
October 14, 2011 by MJP
Filed under Boomer Reading
It’s been a long time since I rounded up some reading that might interest other baby boomers and those thinking about retirement. It’s not that I’ve stopped reading. (I read many financial planning/retirement planning and retirement living articles every day.) I’ve just overlooked sharing a lot of them with you. This week is different. The spectacular fall colors up here on the Cumberland Plateau have inspired me.
