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Time for Gold?

Rick Moberg  |  Mar 23, 2021

WITH STOCK PRICES so high and interest rates so low, many folks are thinking about buying gold. Tempted to take the plunge? Ponder these nine issues:
1. No income. Gold pays no interest or dividends. That means gold’s return hinges entirely on its price going up. Gold ownership also means you must forgo the interest and dividends you’d have otherwise earned on alternative investments. Still, with interest rates so low, the opportunity cost of owning gold—at least in terms of lost income—is very low right now.

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On the House

Ben Rodriguez  |  Mar 22, 2021

THIS IS THE STORY of how I thought I’d successfully timed the market—but didn’t.
I started investing in 2007, when the stock market peaked, which wasn’t great. But then came 2009 to 2019. Stocks enjoyed the longest and one of the strongest bull markets in history, averaging some 15% a year. Thanks to that great bull market, my wife and I found ourselves with more in our taxable mutual funds than we owed on our home mortgage.

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CAPE Fear

Adam M. Grossman  |  Mar 21, 2021

IN THE ONGOING battle between those who believe that the stock market is in a bubble and those who don’t, you may have heard mention of something called CAPE, short for cyclically adjusted price-earnings ratio. Among market indicators, it has the strongest track record in predicting future market returns.
What does the CAPE ratio say about today’s market? It’s flashing red. According to CAPE, the U.S. stock market is more overpriced today than it has been at any time since the 2000 market peak.

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When does it make sense to buy the extended warranty, if ever?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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What’s your No. 1 goal for retirement?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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What’s the worst financial advice you’ve ever acted on?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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If you could buy just three funds or less, what would they be?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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How has your financial thinking changed over the past year?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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Is it wise for everyday investors to buy individual stocks?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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Is a home a good investment?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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How much financial help should parents give their children?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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Is it okay not to leave a tip at a full-service restaurant?

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

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Blowing Bubbles

Jonathan Clements  |  Mar 20, 2021

ARE FINANCIAL MARKETS in a bubble? It’s a question I’ve never liked. I believe stocks and bonds are fairly valued most of the time, which means it’s extraordinarily difficult to beat the market averages and our best bet is to buy index funds.
But at the same time, during my adult life, there have been three key occasions when markets lost touch with reality: Japanese stocks and real estate in the late 1980s, technology stocks in the late 1990s and housing in the mid-2000s.

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My Retirement Plan

Dennis Friedman  |  Mar 19, 2021

I RECEIVED A LETTER from the Social Security Administration telling me I need to apply for benefits immediately. I turn age 70 this year and there’s no advantage to delaying my benefits any longer.
How does reaching 70 feel? I know I get cold easily and don’t move as fast when I’m exercising. I’m also not as sharp mentally. But I’m actually looking forward to my 70s. It will be a decade more about living and with less thinking about money.

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Housing Gone Wild

Joe Kesler  |  Mar 18, 2021

THERE’S SOMETHING very emotional about our homes—and how we think about their value. Take the conversation my wife and I had a couple of weeks ago.
“Did you see the house behind us went up for sale this week? They have it listed at 141% more than what we paid for our house.”
“Well, there’s no way their house is worth that much.”
“Oh really? I just talked to our neighbor—the one who’s a realtor—and he said they had five offers the first day it went up.

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