While the results of the recent FINRA Foundation study Investors in the United States 2016 are interesting, “what’s really valuable is to ask some blunt questions about your own investment knowledge and behavior.” Read five key findings, and some questions you should ask yourself. 1. Ask Yourself: Do you know what you own? You can…
Month: December 2016
App Traps to Watch for when Online Shopping
“A surge in bogus apps recently began flooding Apple and Android app stores mimicking well-known retailers and products — from Dollar Tree and Foot Locker to luxury brands including Jimmy Choo and Christian Dior. Some contain malware that can steal personal information or trigger ransomware to hijack mobile devices until a ransom is paid, notes…
Fake news and financial misinformation
Our political process is suffering from an abundance of fake “news” stories designed to sway public opinion and votes. Fake news is proliferating and being absorbed without question by people who have failed to learn critical thinking skills. By sticking only to news sources that agree with one’s political beliefs, too many Americana are believing…
Understand Social Security before deciding when to claim retirement benefits
“Is it better to delay and get fewer years of higher income, or start early and get more years of lower income?” First, make sure you understand how Social Security benefits are calculated. Next estimate your expected longevity with a couple online calculators. Are you better off claiming benefits on your own record or your…
Mom’s Maiden Name? The Right Way to Answer Security Questions and More Online Safety Advice
After Yahoo’s record-setting security breach, it’s time to get smarter about account logins By Nathan Olivarez-Giles 12/15/16, The Wall Street Journal. Anyone can guess the answers to typical security questions. What to do instead: “You can spell the answer backward. You can write the answer in a different language. You can write the answer…
Massive Yahoo Hack: What you should do NOW!
In a massive security breach (more than a billion users affected) Yahoo reports that names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, passwords and security questions and answers were stolen in 2013.What to do if you ever created a Yahoo account:1. Change your password2.Turn On Two-Factor Authentication3. Delete Old Accounts4. Play It Safe Online“Review your…
Four Financial Gifts to Consider for the Holidays
Presents that encourage savings and reduce debt can be a lot more meaningful than another gadget, according to Veronica Dagher, writing for The Wall Street Journal (12/13/16). “Forget about buying your loved ones sweaters or gadgets this holiday season. Instead, consider giving a financial gift, not cash or a check stuffed in an envelope. Think…
More reason to ditch Wells Fargo bank
Today (12/13/16) The Wall Street Journal reported that “U.S. regulators slapped Wells Fargo with new regulatory sanctions, saying the firm failed to address alleged ‘deficiencies’ in a plan to manage its own bankruptcy without a taxpayer bailout.” It appears that the executives running the bank are pretty clueless as reporters Tracy and Glazer wrote: the…
Dealing with the financial aspects of death of spouse
How to prepare for the death of your spouse:Important documents and account numbers to know. by Art Koff In addition to multiple copies of a death certificate you’ll need: • A copy of your marriage license • Your spouse’s Social Security number and last statement • Your spouse’s insurance policy • The last will…
GOP’s Plan to Overhaul Social Security
Tighten your seat belts as the assault on middle class America takes off even before the new administration takes office. As reported in The Fiscal Times, Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), chair of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, “has begun circulating a proposal that would make major cuts and changes to the…