by Roger L. Merrill | Jun 15, 2020
There’s No Proven Way to Time the Market With headlines grabbing our attention during this volatile year, we may be tempted to jump in and out of the market. We must remember the wisdom of Warren Buffett, who said: “The stock market is a device for...
by Roger L. Merrill | Apr 26, 2020
Christopher Columbus and Compound Interest “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.” (Albert Einstein) In 1492 Christopher Columbus decided to save for retirement. He had just one penny to...
by Roger L. Merrill | Apr 13, 2020
Items to Consider When uncertainty abounds, our natural instinct is to do something. We want to make a change that will improve our situation. In investing, this inclination to act can be problematic if done based on fear rather than reason. Below, we’ve...
by Roger L. Merrill | Feb 23, 2018
RMDs & QCDs (Donating Directly to Charity) The IRS requires taxpayers over age 70½ to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRAs each year. This forced IRA distribution adds ‘taxable income’ –thus increasing the amount of taxes you pay to Uncle...
by Roger L. Merrill | Feb 7, 2018
Computerized Trading – Market Volatility Wall Street’s recent wild ride wasn’t driven by nervous portfolio managers or any other human traders. Instead, machines are making the trading decisions. On a typical trading day, computers account for 50% to 60%...
by Roger L. Merrill | Jan 17, 2018
Timing a Correction The stock market is on a tear. The S&P 500 rose 19.4% in 2017 excluding dividends, and is already up over 4% in 2018. Is it a bubble or a sugar high? Or undervalued? Or the aftermath of the Trump Tax Cut? For most of us it is better to be a...
