Last week I met up with my college roommate in San Diego. I reserved us each a room on the beautiful San Diego bay. The rooms were right next door to each other. Both had gorgeous views and identical amenities. Yet, my room was 30% more expensive than hers. They were identical rooms! (That got handled, … [Read more…]
Your fees destroy my returns, Buster! “But ma’am, you get what you pay for. Stop looking at our mutual fund fees. Instead, look at our investment returns.   Returns are where the money is,” said the rep for my 401(k). With clenched teeth, I resisted grabbing him by his Armani tie and saying, “Your fees will … [Read more…]
Hey, Boomer.  There’s money to be made in index funds.  And one of the richest men in the world thinks so too. Warren Buffett has instructed that 90% of the cash he bequests to his wife be invested in index funds.  Why? Why not leave her some shares in Berkshire Hathaway, the magnificent company … [Read more…]
Boomer, today’s post is a cautionary tale on what to avoid if you want your money to last longer than you do. Consider my early forays into buying mutual funds as Exhibit A. Exhibit A is how not to do it. Exhibit A was me. And, as we’ll discuss, how I did it is exactly … [Read more…]
Early in my investing life, I purchased residential rental property for the passive income and hedge against inflation it provides. My mom was a realtor and came across undervalued houses from time to time. She had access to bankers who’d be willing to finance my purchases. She knew construction people who could estimate how much “simple” … [Read more…]