investing

Weak economy strengthens the incentive for a Solo 401k

This is quite a simple concept so this post will be very brief. Our weak economy has brought very high inflation: currently 13% per year. Future dollars are worth much less than dollars today. With a Solo 401k you can make tax-deductible contributions to your retirement plan in today's dollars … [Read more...] about Weak economy strengthens the incentive for a Solo 401k

Asset-based thinking in the real economy

I'm reposting some of my thoughts from a blog comment discussion from last week. I agree with the perspective that our currency should go back to being pegged to gold. This would force individuals, corporations, and governments to play by the same rules of economics. The side effect is that we … [Read more...] about Asset-based thinking in the real economy

Who will bail out the government?

Although the House rejected the recent $700 billion bailout, there is plenty of bailing out that has already happened, and there is more to come. Already: $80 billion injected into failed AIG IndyMac bank taken over by FDIC Bank of America bought Merrill Lynch for $50 billion - 70% over its … [Read more...] about Who will bail out the government?

Prohibited Transactions Guide Book – 50 Free Copies

I've written a comprehensive guide book on prohibited transactions. These will be available for sale soon for $39 + $5 shipping. I'm making 50 copies available completely free of charge on a first come first serve basis. If you'd like one of these 50 free copies, please email your name & … [Read more...] about Prohibited Transactions Guide Book – 50 Free Copies

Video: Financial Statements of Publicly Traded Companies. How reliable are they?

In this brief video clip, listen to CPA/CFP Eric Wikstrom relate his experience from dealing with financial statements from large corporations during his auditing years, including during his employment at Arthur Andersen before it went down with … [Read more...] about Video: Financial Statements of Publicly Traded Companies. How reliable are they?

My Meeting with the Social Security Administration

About 6 months ago, the Social Security Administration started calling my office asking to arrange a meeting with my IRAAA colleagues and I. For months I had shrugged it off because of the fact that many of my readers, customers, and colleagues plan their finances as if SSA will fail. Taking control … [Read more...] about My Meeting with the Social Security Administration

Does the weak dollar make foreign real estate a bad investment?

In a recent meeting with a couple of real estate investors, I was posed with the question: Doesn't the weak dollar eat into the profit of foreign real estate investing? Not at all; in fact, quite the contrary. A weak dollar makes spending dollars in foreign countries disadvantageous. I ran into this … [Read more...] about Does the weak dollar make foreign real estate a bad investment?