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Remember the Little Red Hen?

Remember the Little Red Hen?

The Little Red Hen wanted to bake some bread.  So she asked her friends to “partner” with her by helping harvest the wheat, grind it into flour, and bake the bread.  None agreed.  But when she went looking for “partners” to help her eat the bread - well - you know...

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The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street - starring Leonardo DiCaprio - glamorizes crooked Wall Streeters who figure out the latest way to scam an unsuspecting public. The film has drawn fire from both sides of Wall Street - including the Motley Fool - whose commentary I generally...

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Einstein’s Ninth Wonder of the World

Einstein’s Ninth Wonder of the World

Einstein was a pretty smart guy.  And while Einstein didn’t invent the “Rule of 72” (it was first advanced by Luca Pacioli in 1494), he is credited with declaring it the “ninth wonder of the world.” What is the Rule of 72 - and why is it so important? The rule of 72...

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Good Debt – Bad Debt

Good Debt – Bad Debt

Certain “financial advisors” - who are little more than media-made celebrities - declare that debt is bad and must be purged.  They have names that rhyme with Rave Damsey, Floozie Orsman, and Spark Coward. There is partial truth in their words - but the whole truth is...

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New Math:  When is 5% Equal to 12.6%?

New Math: When is 5% Equal to 12.6%?

Here’s a funny little mathematical fact that turns out to be not-so-funny.  If we lose 5% on a $1,000 investment, we’ve lost $50. Probably happens more often than we care to admit.  After all - we have to break few eggs to make an omelet - right?  And what’s the big...

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Are Fonzie and Fred Right?

Are Fonzie and Fred Right?

Chances are, you’ve seen Henry Winkler (aka Fonzie) and Fred Thompson on TV lately.  Are the reverse mortgages they’re hocking snake oil, or smart moves? First, let’s understand what a reverse mortgage is.  A bank is making you a loan, and sending you the money.  The...

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The Greatest Fear of Seniors

The Greatest Fear of Seniors

Next to outliving their income, seniors’ greatest fear is the cost of long-term care.  Statistically, 50% will require some form of long-term-care, and the average cost in most parts of the country averages $60,000/year and is on the rise. They tend to deal with this...

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