Category: best way to invest money

The Article Forbes Asked Pamela Yellen to Write – But Got Too Scared to Publish

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Recently I was asked to write a full-length article for the Forbes website by one of their regular columnists, who I’ll call “Pat” to protect the guilty.

Pat had taken my Financial IQ Quiz and found it very insightful. So Pat asked me to answer ten questions in writing for publication in Pat’s column.

The questions indicated Pat knew full well that I have a contrarian take on Wall Street and that I’m an advocate for consumers and investors.

They included questions like…

  • “What are some of the scams in the mutual fund industry?”
  • “What’s the shocking truth about 401(k)s and IRAs?”
  • “How can investors protect themselves?”

So I painstakingly answered Pat’s questions, supporting each statement with highly credible, unimpeachable sources including Morningstar, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Government Accounting Office and the Department of Labor.

As requested, I made no mention of Bank On Yourself or the asset it is based on (super-charged dividend-paying whole life insurance).

About two days later, Pat thanked me for sending the article, but declined to run it “because there’s just too much controversy” surrounding my work.

Pat even suggested I repurpose the content for my blog (a good case for “be careful what you wish for”…).

So below are Pat’s questions with my answers in full, which I think you’ll find very interesting. Some of these questions I’ve never addressed publicly before. (Check out question #5 about “what mutual funds do you recommend?”) [Read more…] “The Article Forbes Asked Pamela Yellen to Write – But Got Too Scared to Publish”

A 9.94% Annual Return Without Market Risk? [Video Proof]

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What if I told you that it’s possible to get an effective annual return of nearly 10% over time – without the risk of stocks, real estate or other volatile investments?

NeTIuNRIoCk

Watch the Video above to see proof of the return of Bank On Yourself (then click on the icon in the lower right to enlarge)

I’m pretty sure you’d wonder what I’ve been smoking!

But I’m going to prove to you how you would have to get a 9.94% return every year in a tax-deferred account like a 401(k) or IRA to equal the return of a Bank On Yourself Plan over the last half century.

NeTIuNRIoCk

Watch the Video above to see proof of the return of Bank On Yourself

To quickly recap, Bank On Yourself relies on a super-charged variation of an asset that has increased in value every single year for more than 160 years – dividend-paying whole life insurance. It’s never had a losing year – EVER – including during the Great Depression. [Read more…] “A 9.94% Annual Return Without Market Risk? [Video Proof]”

Get all your questions about Bank On Yourself answered – Live Webinar

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You’ve been reading about Bank On Yourself. You may have thought about trying the program. But you might have questions like…

  • “I don’t totally get how the concept works.”
  • “How can I be sure this is really legitimate?”
  • “Could this really work for me in my situation? How can I find out, without actually meeting with an Advisor or feeling obligated?”

That’s why I’d like to invite you to join me and three of the most experienced Bank On Yourself Professionals in the country (learn why only 200 Advisors have met the rigorous requirements) for a no-holds-barred online event where you can get all your questions answered anonymously.

Space on this online event is limited, so reserve your spot here now. [Read more…] “Get all your questions about Bank On Yourself answered – Live Webinar”

The Checklist: What You Need to Know Before You Commit to a Financial Product or Plan

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People are quick to dispense advice on any subject, regardless of their qualifications. Most people don’t even distinguish between ‘opinion’ and ‘knowledge’. That’s why you must.”
— Dan Kennedy

Your Uncle Vinnie corners you at the Sunday barbeque: “You got to get on board! It’s like buying into Microsoft in the ’80’s.” Your dentist tells you to open wide and “You gotta check out this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s the mother lode!” Your golf buddy swears she’s found the “ultimate tax shelter.” Your advisor calls with an exciting new financial product “that will get you 15% plus annual returns with little or no risk!”

Whatcha gonna do?

Hey, I’ve spent 25 years investigating over 450 financial products and vehicles. The research was intense and required sleuthing skills that probably qualify me for CSI. I can tell you that, though these products were sparkly and seductive on paper, 99.9% of them didn’t stand up to scrutiny!

I’m guessing you don’t have the time or inclination to put in that kind of effort. But to protect your family’s financial future, you need to get answers to at least a few basic questions before you (and your money) jump in: [Read more…] “The Checklist: What You Need to Know Before You Commit to a Financial Product or Plan”

It’s National Financial Literacy Month – Do You Know Your Financial IQ?

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April is National Financial Literacy Month, and here at Bank On Yourself, we’re doing our part to give Americans the knowledge and skills they need to make smarter financial decisions.

As President Obama noted in a 2011 Proclamation supporting National Financial Literacy Month, “We must strive to ensure all Americans have the skills to manage their fiscal resources effectively and avoid deceptive or predatory practices.”

And the Senate resolved in 2012 that “increased financial literacy empowers individuals to make wise financial decisions and reduces the confusion caused by an increasingly complex economy.”

Wow! I think “complex economy” may be an understatement!

So we’ve put together a quick 20-question quiz here that increases your understanding of the most critical things you need to know about managing your money, investing, and planning for a secure retirement. [Read more…] “It’s National Financial Literacy Month – Do You Know Your Financial IQ?”

Can You Put a Lump Sum into a Bank On Yourself Plan?

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Updated April, 2020

One of the most-asked questions we get is about whether you can pay a larger amount of premium into a Bank On Yourself policy in the early years, to supercharge the growth.

The answer is “yes,” and the big advantage is that it allows you faster access to a higher amount of cash value that you can use for a variety of purposes.

Here are three common situations where people do “lump sum” funding of their plans…

Situation #1: A Better Place for Your “Safe Money”

[Read more…] “Can You Put a Lump Sum into a Bank On Yourself Plan?”

Is it Too Late? Am I Too Old to Benefit from Bank On Yourself?

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One of the most-asked questions we got on our recent “Ask the Bank On Yourself Professionals” live online event was when is it “too late” to start a Bank On Yourself plan?

A number of people said things like…

I’m only 10 years away from retiring. Can I still benefit from this?”

In most cases, the answer is “yes.” In fact, one of the Advisors who presented during the event walked us through a case study of a couple who became Bank On Yourself policy owners at the ages of 59 and 60.

Happy Retirement
Is it too late for a comfortable retirement?

I started my own biggest plan yet last year when I was 61. (Oops! I just gave away my age!) And people older than I start new Bank On Yourself plans, as well.

The Bank On Yourself Professionals are masters at structuring plans to meet their clients’ unique situation and goals – and they have a LOT of flexibility in plan design.

But there’s also a different kind of Bank On Yourself dividend-paying whole life insurance policy that I call a “Bank On Yourself for Seniors plan.”

This involves a one-time lump-sum premium payment, and then you pay no more premiums – ever.

These plans are available for people up to age 85, and even come with a FREE long-term care benefit for stays in a long-term care facility or for home health care, in most states. [Read more…] “Is it Too Late? Am I Too Old to Benefit from Bank On Yourself?”

How Sequence of Return Risk Can Devastate Your Retirement Lifestyle

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There are three words that could have the biggest impact on whether you enjoy a comfortable retirement… or you have to struggle and forego life’s luxuries – and even life’s necessities.

But almost no one is talking about these three words. And there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of them.

These three words could have more impact on your retirement lifestyle than living longer than you expected… or than being forced to retire sooner than you planned (which happens to nearly 50% of Americans, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute).

The three words may sound a little technical, but I’m going to make them brain-dead simple to understand. [Read more…] “How Sequence of Return Risk Can Devastate Your Retirement Lifestyle”

The Secret to Living a Richer Lifestyle while Spending Less [Video]

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We had such a great response to the video clip from my new Your Money Revolution financial transformation program I posted a few days ago that I just couldn’t resist giving you another one.

The first clip showed you how the fees charged even by supposedly low-cost mutual funds and ETF’s can devour up to 37% of your account value – and what to look out for.

Today’s video clip will give you an idea of the wide range of strategies and tools we provide you in the Your Money Revolution coaching program for taking back control of your money and finances.

This video clip is less than 5 minutes and shows you one of a dozen ways we cover for spending less – without feeling deprived. In fact, you’ll experience a much deeper level of happiness and contentment. [Read more…] “The Secret to Living a Richer Lifestyle while Spending Less [Video]”