For a long time now I have been skeptical of hedge funds. When the research clearly shows active managers fail to out perform broad-based index funds like VTSAX over time, how could hedge funds? Especially considering active stock funds charge expense ratios (ERs) ranging from ~.5 to 2% while hedge funds take 2%, plus 20%… [Continue Reading]
Develop Your Skills and Talents
By Shawn Jenkins and Jonathan Mendonsa Shawn Have you ever considered your career to be like a brokerage account for financial freedom? You want to make the most of what’s in your account—or career—but you also want to do things to grow the account. In terms of a career, that translates to increasing your income…. [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XXIX: How to save money for college. Or not.
Ever since I published this post — Why I don’t like Investment Advisors — people have somehow gotten it into their heads that I don’t like investment advisors. Go figure. And ever since he first interviewed me on his podcast, Radical Personal Finance, my financial planner pal Joshua takes me to task for this. He assures me, with great… [Continue Reading]
Stocks—Part XXVIII: Debt – The Unacceptable Burden
A couple of years after I was out of college, I got my first credit card. They were tougher to come by in those days. Not like now when my unemployed pet poodle has his own line of credit. The first month I racked up about $300 or so. When the bill came, there was… [Continue Reading]
High School Poetry, Carnival, cool ads and random pictures that caught my eye
I’m an old English major. I don’t much like poetry. Go figure. But this is a whole ‘nother frame of reference. Be warned, this is a bit erotic: Sucker for Spanish Speakers My pal Fran is her coach. Yeah. I didn’t know poets had coachs either. If you like that one, you’ll find a couple… [Continue Reading]
Is College Worth the Cost?
my alma mater Back in the day, I put myself through the University of Illinois taking down diseased Elm Trees. I was paid $20 a day, @6 days $120 per week. I saved $100 and kept $20 for pocket money. I sponged off my parents for the summer’s room and board. Over the 12 weeks… [Continue Reading]
