Investing Advice: Start Now

Dude, you don't need a lot of money to start

Once you have your emergency fund of $1,000 -- and I prefer and recommend $2,000 -- it's time to think about investing long-term for the future. And of course, you've gotten rid of your consumer debt: credit cards, shopping store installments (furniture, etc), and that pesky car loan.

But you can start small even as you're working on those goals. The sooner your start, the more wealth for retirement you'll have.

For example, if you're now the young age of 25 and invested $5,000 a year for 10 years, and then stopped, based on an 8% annual return, you'd have $615,000. If you wait until you're 35, and invest keep investing each year until you're 60, you'll have $431,000. (There are plenty of retirement calculators on Google search).

If you're just now getting started, and don't have much -- or any -- money in your investment account, there are tools to help you out. Don't worry about how old you are now.

The key is to get started. Now.

Phil Town explains some apps that will help you get started in just seven minutes. (Note: I don't use his brokerages. I have used Schwab for 25 years and have been happy with them.) But the video will give you ideas. Also check out Mint, instead of Penny.

What are you waiting for?

Here's a free course: Learning How to Invest

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The Hidden Agenda Behind the Global Warming Hysteria

Climate change activists are not just interested in reducing carbon emissions in order to "save the planet." Their underlying desire is to overturn capitalism and replace it with socialist governments worldwide.

Our story starts with the IPCC, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a U.N. organization. "And any settlement of the Global Warming issue by the UN would entail massive transfers of wealth from the citizens of wealthy countries to the politicians and bureaucrats of the poorer countries." (1)

In 1992, at the first U.N. Earth Climate Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Program Executive Director Maurice Strong stated, very candidly:

"We may get to the point where the only way of saving the world will be for industrialized civilization to collapse. Isn’t it our responsibility to bring this about?" (2)

Former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth (D-CO), then representing the Clinton Administration as U.S. undersecretary of state for global issues, join…

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Article from schwab.com

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) can be a great way to save for retirement because of the tax benefits they can provide. If you’re eligible, you can choose a traditional IRA for an up-front tax deduction and defer paying taxes until you take withdrawals in the future. Or, if eligible, you might opt for a Roth IRA and contribute after-tax money in exchange for tax-free distributions down the road.

So, what's the catch? There are a few. If you run afoul of some of the IRS rules surrounding these accounts, the penalties can be quite stiff—all the way up to a disqualification and taxation of your entire account.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and with few exceptions, the IRS isn’t very forgiving of mistakes. Knowing the rules can help you navigate the many potential IRA tax traps you might encounter on your way to retirement.

Keep in mind that when we discuss taxes and penalties, we’re referring to those at the federal level. In most states, you will also…

Critical Financial Steps When Buying a Home

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1. Understand why you want to buy a house
Purchasing a home is a major decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s important to define your personal and financial goals before proceeding. Think about factors such as whether you’re craving more stability, whether it makes sense financially and whether you’re prepared for the responsibility of maintaining a home.

You should explore some resources on Renting vs. Buying before you make the decision. I posted a article with a couple of good videos on this subject, and bankrate.com as an informative article here.
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Personal Economics 101

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