Inflation and Its Effects on Your Portfolio
Inflation is a major drain on investment portfolios — and indeed, almost any other financial product. Many people don't understand fully how inflation works, so it’s often ignored. However, when a portfolio doesn't get sufficient return, it can wind up being worth substantially less than you think in actual terms, making it important to pay attention to pressures like...
Why Gold and Silver Are Climbing and What That Means for Investors
Our economy is very much governed by its surroundings. The announcement of a federal interest rate hike often causes the stock market to decline, even before it goes into effect. News of Brexit last year caused both the pound and the euro to plummet in value, even though Britain was still nearly a year away from taking even the...
4 Questions to Ask When Considering a Gold IRA
With economic stability in question across the globe, a growing number of investors are looking for retirement savings options outside of traditional 401(k) plans or IRAs. Many people are turning to gold and silver IRAs because precious metals have always provided foundational security in times of uncertainty.
Is Gold The Best Form of Money?
Through the years, money has been represented by beads, stones, metals or glass, depending on the culture. It was a way to barter for goods without needing to actually store and transport those goods immediately. The concept of money became particularly useful related to perishable goods, such as food.
Early Withdrawal From a 401(k): What Happens?
Saving for retirement can seem somewhat expensive, and when you’re in dire straits, it can be very tempting to raid your 401(k) to pay off credit card bills or pocket funds that are already in your retirement account. However, this has serious consequences on retirement income, and it’s not so good for the companies that maintain these investment vehicles,...
Largest Bomb in U.S. Arsenal Could Make Economic Waves
GBU-43/B, also called "mother of all bombs" or MOAB, has been dropped in Afghanistan, marking a dramatic change in the way the current administration plans to conduct operations in the area. While the weapon was planned for use on the Iraqi battlefield, it was never used as there was limited resistance there. The bomb was likely dropped in response...
Buy Into Gold to Avoid Bursting Bubbles
Gold — and other precious metals — are one of the few assets today that aren't overvalued. While other stocks approach potentially dangerous bubbles, gold tends to keep stable. Most investors know that buying low and selling high is the key to successful wealth building, but that's not easy to do if you're constantly purchasing from overvalued investment classes.
4 Financial Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding to Retire
You’re headed into your mid-60s and thinking that the time has come to retire. You’ve worked hard for most of your adult life. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But are you financially ready for retirement? Here are four questions to ask yourself before taking that big step.