Municipal Bonds Have Teeth: Do They Need Braces?
March 31st 2009The veneer of municipal bonds was recently cracked, though they were commonly thought to be ultra safe because of their traditionally rare defaults. Munis can have credit problems that are not appreciated, especially by the individual investor.
Three Reasons to Change Your Asset Allocation
March 27th 2009The large declines in global stock and bond markets reflect a lack of confidence in the financial system that has its roots in failed U.S. home mortgages. Credit has become extremely difficult to obtain, as banks unable to sell non-performing assets shun new business loans and hoard cash.
Prepaid 529s May Be Hit by Market Downturn
March 27th 2009One way parents of potential college students can pay for college tuition is through a prepaid 529 plan. Instead of putting money into a customary 529 plan, where it’s subject to market swings, parents can pay for future college expenses at today’s prices through a prepaid 529 plan.
Steps to Surviving the Recession
March 26th 2009There’s no question that today’s economy is as difficult as any we’ve seen in our lifetimes. Rising unemployment in recent months is putting pressure on the Obama administration to repair credit markets to spur economic growth and boost the stock market.
Want to Trade? Physicians See Bartering as Added Revenue Stream
March 25th 2009When you think of bartering, the image you might conjure up is of one farmer trading two cows and a horse to another farmer for his prized pig. But, that was then. Today, bartering has become a very sophisticated yet flexible form of doing business, and doctors are active participants.
Are Financial Safe Havens Really Safe Anymore?
March 19th 2009The largest US financial institutions are on government life support. Smaller banks are collapsing under the weight of plunging real estate values and worthless loans. Other than US Treasury debt, with near-zero interest rates, there aren’t many safe places left to park your savings.
Dancing to the Music, or Listening to the Words?
March 13th 2009Slowly but surely, President Obama's plan for radically shifting our economy from a private sector-led enterprise to a public-led state is beginning to take shape. Because the President is eloquent and confident, the exact message he is delivering often seems obscured by his skill in delivering it.
Friday the 13th – Not So Unlucky
March 12th 2009As if the stock market doesn’t have enough reasons to be skittish, here comes Friday the 13th, a day that many superstitious investors avoid. In a Wall Street environment that hangs on to esoteric omens like the Super Bowl effect and the lipstick indicator, Friday the 13th often brings on a serious case of investment chills.