FINANCIaL
FIELd NOTES
Mixing Investing With Entertainment Is A Bad Idea
I worry that the young adults who are dipping their toes into the investing world for the first time this year will associate investing with a gambling sort of rush.
But I also can understand where they’re coming from. It is exciting to see small investors make out like bandits in companies like GameStop, AMC, and others. But take caution – this has ended badly before…
Why Losing Feels Worse Than Gaining Feels Good
This idea that we feel losses more than we feel gains is commonly referred to as “loss aversion.” Renowned Psychology and Economist Daniel Kahneman says “losses loom larger than gains.”
Here are a few real-world examples…
How To Be Happier – Stop Adapting So Much
When my wife and I first got married, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment that was the cheapest option in our zip code. We literally went to apartments.com, sorted from least expensive, and then signed on the dotted line. Our room was sandwiched between habitual smokers. Our assigned parking spot was a 5-minute walk to the front door. They didn’t plow the parking lot when it snowed.
And we were so happy…
Is Buying An Extended Warranty On Your Car Worth It?
You just got done picking out your car and are invited to finish the deal by talking with the “finance guy.” This typically involves sales pitches for extended warranties on everything from your tires to your favorite Beatles CD…okay, that last one might be a stretch but they really do offer protection on just about everything.
Have you ever questioned whether it was in fact worth it? In 2013, Consumer Reports did an extensive survey to find out the answer to that question…
How Cash Can Earn You More Than 0%
Do you know the interest rate you’re earning on your savings account? The last time I checked, my “high-yield” savings was paying a meager .4%. When savings accounts pay nearly 0% in interest, as they did from 2002-2004 or 1992-1994, it is tempting to think of cash as a worthless investment.
But as investors found out during the Covid-19 crisis, 2008 financial recession, and many recessions prior, cash was anything but worthless.
Three Refinance Strategies for 2021
It seems everywhere you go people are talking about refinancing. Your neighbors, family, friends, Facebook & TV ads, mailers…the list goes on. As we enter 2021, there are a few refinancing strategies to consider, possibly even if you refinanced as recently as last year.