The News Star columns

The following column was published in The News Star on Thursday, July 3, 2014.

Question: We’ve gotten deeper into debt than I would have ever imagined possible. In addition to my house, we’ve got two car loans and four credit cards. We’re not behind on anything, but I’m paying nearly half my paycheck on loan payments! My parents offered to help, but with interest rates so low, they are struggling with lower income themselves. What do you suggest?

Answer: Cut out the middle man.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, June 28, 2014.

Question: My wife and I have struggled to be able to save money. There are just so many things that come up and we just don’t have that much money left over. How do other people do it?

Answer: One way to get the wrong answer every time is to ask the wrong question.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, June 21, 2014.

Question: Finances are a very volatile subject in our home. We’ve gotten to the place that whenever the topic comes up, I can feel myself getting mad. We actually do fairly well with most of the big stuff, but some little things can just set us both off. Any suggestions?

Answer: It sounds like you are both reacting.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Question: I hear and read a lot about income inequality. There have always been rich people and poor people. I don’t really see myself as rich or poor. It doesn’t bother me that somebody makes more money than I do. Why is this a problem now? Has something changed?

Answer: It depends on whom you ask.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, June 7, 2014.

Question: What’s happening with the downslide in the market price of gold? When can we expect gold’s price to increase?

Answer: The last time I wrote a column addressing the price of gold was 2007. At the time, gold was trading for about $700 an ounce. At this writing, gold is trading for a tad above $1200 an ounce. That’s about 8% growth per year.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, May 30, 2014.

Question: I heard an economist say that 2014 would be a year of very slow growth? If that’s true, what does it say about the stock market?

Answer: Stop trying to aim at a target you can’t see. Doing so usually results in harm to yourself or others.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Question: Can you tell me what really makes for a good financial plan? I’m not really sure what all I should try to plan for. What do most people do?

Answer: What do most people do? Nothing.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, May 17, 2014.

Question: I like to consider myself as a positive person. I don’t want to be negative about myself or my future. But when I look around at what’s going on in the world and in our country, it’s hard not be somewhat pessimistic. Is my newfound pessimism justified, or am I just getting to be an old curmudgeon?  

Answer: Curmudgeon? No. Let’s just say you’ve got a case of emerging maturity.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, May 10, 2014.

Question: I wanted to know your thoughts on the new “myRA” that should be rolling out this year.  I have a 401k with my current employer but really like the idea of principal protection even with the small amount of return.  I'm 33 years old with approximately 30k total in both accounts.  My 401k is set for medium risk with a 3% deposit with 3% match.  Should I be more aggressive?

Answer: You’re asking about whether to throw deep or run it up the middle during the first quarter.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

Question: We’re trying to get our budget re-worked for when we retire in a few years. I know we’ll have Medicare and our costs for medical insurance will go away and that we’ll have Social Security coming in. Our debts should all be paid off. What else do we need to be thinking about?

Answer: Hold your horses, Roy Rogers. You need to check your assumptions.