The Rivalry of the Bulls vs the Bears
Like most weekends, the first weekend of 2020 was the same for the Cutter home. After church, Maeve drove Phoebe and Sophie over to “Coffee ‘O” on Main Street to hang out with some school friends. I was told that Maeve is much “cooler” than me. So, I took advantage of having her home from […]
How To Avoid These Common Financial Mistakes in 2020
Early to mid January is the time of year when I like to reflect on 2019 so I can then start planning for a productive and satisfying 2020. I find that if I give thought and thanks to the year just passed, I can dive into the new year with renewed energy and focus. Last […]
Ringing in the New Year with a Gift from Congress – The SECURE Act
I have tried over the years to teach my kids simple life lessons. Lessons such as, “Kids, there are no short cuts in life.” Or, “The road to success only comes through the desire to be successful, the determination to find a way to achieve success, and the dedication to see it through.” Or how […]
Medicare For All – What’s the Cost for The Middle Class?
With the Holiday season winding down in the Cutter household, I’ve been reflecting a lot on this past year, and looking forward to what’s to come in 2020. Maeve has been home from college for Christmas so we’ve had a lot of time to catch up, and she’s given me some new ideas to ponder […]
A Family Discussion That May Just Keep the Peace
Ben Franklin once said, “….but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. This quote has been repeated for over 200 years, and it has a certain ring of truth to it. While we may not know what tax rates will be in the future, we likely have some […]
Ways To Teach Your Kids About Money
You know, Jill and I have worked pretty hard over the years to teach our kids the real the meaning of Christmas, it has not been easy . . . but we try. But we also have commited some time to teach them about being smart with their money – including the need to budget […]
The Buy-and-Hold Works . . . Until it Doesn’t
With Maeve home from school and Phoebe and Sophie on break for Thanksgiving weekend a few weeks back, it was just great to have all the Cutters together. With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, Christmas is now in our sights. Over Thanksgiving weekend, we put up the tree, decorated the house, and everyone was in […]
What to Do if Your Employer Freezes Your Pension
In the Cutter house, Christmas is a big deal. Even as teenagers, the girls get so excited to decorate the house with Christmas knick-knacks, and put up the tree. And, of course, it’s a month of anticipation about what they’ll find under the tree on Christmas morning. It even seems like the bickering and arguing […]
How Much to Invest for Retirement – or Christmas
I love Christmas, I really do. The signs of Christmas seem to be popping up all over the place. The commercials on every channel, twenty-four hour Hallmark movies, the Christmas displays downtown, the crisp in the air . . . and the release of the Christmas Club funds. Friends of ours, Jim and Becky, reminded […]
Investment Strategies from the Uber-Wealthy
Anyone who knows me or reads this weekly column knows that I’m not an avid gambler. I really never have been. Whether we’re talking about a night at the casino or a questionable investment, I believe in taking only measured and calculated risks with money. But will I occasionally slap down two bucks for a […]
