Sound Advice

Advisors are standing by . . . at 3 a.m.? One can only gag at the absurdity of the titles that are being used today to convince gullible people that those who are “ready” to serve them have notably superior qualifications for whatever they are supposed to be doing.  A few minutes listening to the radio (more likely in the car these days) will inevitably give you the opportunity to learn about offers to: 1. Take care of more than $10,000 in outstanding credit card debt; 2. Negotiate with the IRS to reduce unpaid taxes; 3. Sell your life insurance policy (because the premiums have gotten so high); and 4. Buy an extended auto warranty for a car that’s no longer covered by the factory warranty.  And so many others that make absolutely no sense. It is not unrealistic to believe that credit card companies will be willing to negotiate outstanding credit card balances.  For them, it would be better to take less than get nothing.  Although such payoffs can be arranged, ...

800-000-0000 That’s 800-000-0000 Again, 800-000-0000 That’s the typical closing for the hard sell commercials that are increasingly polluting media airwaves.   These are the commercials for products or services you rarely need or most definitely should avoid. A substantial number are on behalf of groups of attorneys who would have you believe that you and many others may be entitled to cash compensation for having used or being exposed to some evil item or substance some time in the last few decades.   The pitch always includes a comment that there’s no cost to you unless there is a settlement in your favor. Much of this is rubbish, but when the appeal suggests that there’s nothing to lose, why not take a shot.   And, as you would expect, “advisors” are standing by 24/7 to take your call and help get the process in motion.   What kind of advisor would be available at 3 a.m.? One version of this approach pops up every year between October 15 th and Decemb...

Watch Out for Financial Scams Absolutely, it's crucial to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to financial matters to avoid falling victim to scams. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself: Be Skeptical: Always be cautious when dealing with unsolicited communications. Be it emails, phone calls or messages, don't trust them blindly, especially if they ask for your personal or financial information. Secure Personal Information: Don't share sensitive information such your Social Security number, bank details or credit card information with unknown individuals or websites. Legitimate organizations won't ask for this kind of information through email or social media. Use Strong Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms. Update Software: Keep your...

Be Careful When Buying Exchange-Traded Funds Caution is necessary when investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) just as with any other investment. Although ETFs offer several advantages, investors should be aware of the risks and consider the following points before buying ETFs: Understand the Strategy: Different ETFs follow different strategies. Some track broad market indices, while others focus on specific sectors, commodities or even complex derivatives. Understand the underlying index or asset the ETF is tracking, and make sure it aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance. Liquidity Concerns: Although ETFs are generally liquid, some ETFs, especially those tracking niche markets or sectors, may have lower trading volumes. Low liquidity can lead to wider bid-ask spreads, making it more expensive to buy or sell shares. Investors should stick to ETFs with higher average trading volumes to ensure liquidity, which is essentia...