August 11, 2026

Retirement Plans? Private Investment is still Smarter than Social Security

So, which system do you want to be covered by when you retire? One that has paid out an annual return of 6.85 percent or one that’s completely bankrupt and funded from current tax dollars? Apparently, America is split on that question:
50% of the workforce has no private pension coverage.
31% of the workforce has no savings set aside specifically for retirement.

I have only one question if you are part of that 50% or 31%: are you crazy? [cont…]

Obama’s 2012 Budget Proposal is a Trip to La-la Land.

What would you say if I told you that the Obama Administration is proposing in a budget that cuts out spending to the equivalent to getting a penny off of your Wendy’s value meal?

Let’s be clear: for an administration that has had to deal with the worst economy in decades, the Obama Administration has proven an uncanny ability to live in La-la Land when it comes time to make a budget.

I don’t say this to attack the Obama Administration on its handling of the economy. Indeed, that might be seen as a different issue. Rather, I point it out because it is significant in that budgeting is how the executive branch sets its priorities for the coming year. As yet, over the course of his tenure in the White House, the President has not had a budget survive through Congress, even when his party controlled both the Senate and House.

Further, it is widely accepted by economists that once national debt exceeds 90% of GDP (gross domestic product or the value of everything a country produces in a year), “annual economic growth tends to be about one percentage point lower.” The current GDP for the US is about$14.58 Trillion. The current national debt is at $15.087 Trillion, or about 103.45% of GDP. [cont…]

Fiscal IQ: Got it?

I found an interesting little quiz online today, put out by the Comeback America Foundation. It tests “Fiscal IQ” and fiscal knowledge. Click here to take the test.  It only takes about five minutes, and I think you should take it. After completing the five minute and 30-question quiz, participants are provided two scores (Fiscal Knowledge and Fiscal […]

Perspectives on last week’s debt debate: two sides of the same coin

How the “left” sees the recent debt ceiling debate/crisis… And how the “right” sees it… Is it any surprise that the politicians had a hard time finding a middle ground? They don’t see eye to eye on what the problem is in the first place. Also, what’s with this “super committee” that’s lacking any deficit […]

Here are the facts: you decide what they mean.

Entitlement Reform: Start with Social Security

It is almost cliché for my generation to joke that  Social Security will be gone before we retire.  It may be a stretch, but it really is no joking matter. Social Security is in a bad way, and it is getting worse. The number of Social Security recipients is  growing faster than the number of people paying […]

Adding up the Federal Balance Sheet

Do you know your net worth? If you add up all your assets (cash, property, etc) and subtract all your liabilities (debts), do you know what you are worth? As a person, your net worth on paper doesn’t really account for your intangibles, like personality, education, or dashing good looks. Just your value if you sold […]