Archive for the ‘401k/IRA’ Category

Should I Be in the Stock Market Right Now?

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

So many people lately are asking me more frequently, “Chris, should I be in the stock market right now, or should I get out?” With governments and economies teetering on the brink of a deeper recession, more people feel uncertain about the stock markets right now.

The first question to ask about whether you should be in the stock market now or to bail out before it’s too late is:

“If money were no longer an issue in my finances, would I still want to be in the stock market?”

Your answer will vary based on how you answer this question. Listen to my reply to both responses and what I predict the stock markets will do over the next few years.

*As a reminder, to cover my “you know what,” I am not recommending any specific investments or strategies. I am merely presenting information that will help you get more clear.

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Are You Frustrated With Your Investments?

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

How many of you are frustrated with losing money in your investments and not sure where to turn?

Are you confused because you don’t know who to trust because your financial adviser makes money even when you don’t?

Are you unsure where you should be invested? If so, you’re right to feel that way!

So many times I hear people express their frustration telling me “I’m frustrated because I’m losing money in my investments and I don’t know what to do or who to trust!” To that, my response is “Good! You should be!” It’s better to have that happen now than to have it happen to you when it’s too late.

For example, if your child were to go to a casino to gamble, would you prefer them to win their first time where they feel they have that “lucky touch,” or would you rather have them lose the first time to understand the consequences of gambling their money away? Personally, I would hope my kids wouldn’t gamble in the first place, but if they did, I would want them to fall flat on their face.

With investing, people think they’re financial adviser, or themselves, are brilliant when they make money, but then when it goes down, they want to blame the adviser or someone else. Here’s the reality: You can’t gamble your way to wealth, and your financial advisers are just nicely-dressed gamblers! They can’t perfectly predict the stock market any more than you can know exactly what will happen to you next week. The only thing guaranteed is the fact that your adviser will get paid for managing your money, regardless of the results.

The Solution: Stop trusting financial advisers that get paid to gamble it for you, and learn to control your own finances. There is a previous podcast about the best investment in today’s economy that can offer a deeper perspective on what might be right for you. The good news is that we are not going to sell you any investment. Education will make you a lot more money than ignorance.

Fire your financial adviser if they are telling you to be in it for the long haul, they tell you to buy when the market is high or low, and only invest in what they sell. Why have them gamble with your money, retirement plans, potential lifestyle, and financial freedom? Hire those that practice what they preach and believe that you shouldn’t take high risks to get high returns.

What are some of your frustrations with the financial planning advice you have received?

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How Are Financial Advisers Losing YOUR Money?

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

How do you know whether you should fire your financial adviser before it’s too late? How do you know if you have the right one working for you? How are the wrong ones costing you money and you don’t even know about it? What are some simple questions to ask when interviewing for the right financial advisor or planner?

Chris Miles and Dale Clarke expose how financial advisers are costing you your retirement and your ability to have the life you dream of today. Learn a few fast questions to easily know if you have the right adviser or the expensive adviser, and which ones can help you create wealth today, rather than wishing for retirement someday.

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Creating Peace of Mind With Your Money

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

What economic principles will create the best peace of mind in your investing? How can LOWER risk create a high return?  Create more certainty in your life! Learn some simple economic principles that can secure your peace of mind and change the way you invest for the rest of your life.

 
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Trading Vs Investing

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Is trading different than investing? Is Warren Buffett a trader or investor? Which one will make you money, and which one is gambling? Listen to learn what the difference is, and how you can dramatically lessen your risk with your investments to make a greater rate of return.

 
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The New Rules to Get Rich

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Best-selling author, Garrett Gunderson, teaches his “new rules to get rich” in today’s changing economy and lackluster investments. Learn how you can apply these new rules in your life to create change in your life today.

For more information on these rules, go to Garrett’s site - http://www.newrulestogetrich.com.

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The Hidden Danger of the 401k

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

I have often heard many well-intentioned Americans tell me that they feel they are on track to their retirement goals merely because they have been saving a good amount in their 401(k)’s or similar qualified plans. Many believe this is their only option.

My purpose is to shed light on a critical factor that is one of the causes for dramatic disappointment to our 76 million Baby Boomers now entering retirement. This covert killer can leave one with LESS THAN HALF of the money when you retire than the financial calculators will show you. Worst of all, no one would ever know why because the 401(k) providers are not required to disclose it. This lurking enemy is commonly referred to as “fees.”

Hidden fees are one of the most misunderstood components of a 401(k). According to 2007 AARP survey, 83% of respondents said they did not know what fees they were charged, many of whom believed that there were no fees! The reason there is so much confusion is because the disclosure of fees are not required by law. In fact, if they are disclosed, they are often buried several pages in a document called “Statement of Additional Information.” At times, it is nearly impossible to even get the information from the 401(k) providers!

According to the US Dept. of Labor, 17 different types of fees can be applied to any 401(k) plan. Many of these fees are 12b-1 fees, soft dollar fees, brokerage fees, redemption fees, shelf space fees, etc. that are sometimes combined into a single fee called a “wrap fee.” The combination of these fees can be over 2% per year! This could cut someone’s retirement balances by more than half of the expected balance even if they get a certain projected rate of return and make the employer match obsolete. This occurs because fees are not factored in the fund’s historical performance charts that many view in the prospectus.

Some fees are so excessive that there are class action lawsuits against the 401(k) providers. One lawsuit in Washington State has a fund that charges 12.17% in fees each year!

Fees are not inherently bad, but ignorance is not bliss when time is no longer on one’s side. How are these fees affecting your retirement? What could happen if these fees are charged as your balance is declining? Do you realize that an annual fee as small as 1.35% can cut your end balance in half after 40 years of accumulation?

I invite you to watch this video to learn more about this critical issue.

Why It’s Time to Retire Your 401k

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

This podcast is based on the Time Magazine cover story published in the October 19, 2009 issue.  Listen to why many have begun to see, like many Americans, why the 401k isn’t all it was cracked up to be, and how we were test subjects that benefited financial institutions’ pockets more than our own. Also, see the video below for an interview with Time’s editor about this article.

If you are confused, like most Americans, on what you could be doing instead, listen to an earlier podcast “Fire Your 401k and Be the Bank.”

If you cannot play the video, click here to watch video online.

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Should I Cash Out My 401k?

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Chris Miles discusses options with a 401k. If you cash out your 401k, what are your options? Is it wise to cash it out, or should you leave it where it is? Learn 3 strategies to consider with your 401k, whether you leave it in a 401k or could you do something else.

Remember, these are only options, not recommendations. This is not intended to be advice, but merely given for informational purposes.

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Fire Your 401k and Be The Bank!

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

What strategy could be better than using a 401k? Learn a strategy used by the wealthy that allows them to use their money like a bank does. This strategy can be used with a number of investment vehicles, but we will discuss one that works most effectively right now. Learn to use your same dollar 2 or 3 times.

Note: This is not intended to be interpreted as advice. The strategies discussed is for educational and illustrative purposes only. Results vary based on the investor’s knowledge.

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