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MONEY matters

Mark Zaifman's thoughts on money, global economic trends and politics

Mark Zaifman

Before the Holidays, Freeze Your Credit to Protect Your Identity
Mark Zaifman   |    Fri, Nov 16, 2012 @ 09:35 AM

As the holidays approach and your credit cards get ready for their annual workout, please, make a promise to yourself that before the end of this month you’ll take action and place a credit freeze on your credit reports for all three major credit bureaus.

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Consumer Watchdog-Power to the People with Consumer Financial Protection
Mark Zaifman   |    Fri, Nov 09, 2012 @ 12:12 PM
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Financially Empowering Women, The Journey Continues
Mark Zaifman   |    Sat, Nov 03, 2012 @ 10:27 AM

If you’re a baby boomer, you most likely grew up with the notion that men are born with a natural ability to be good at managing money and investing.

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Fiduciaries-Relationships Built on Trust, Not Just Investment Returns
Mark Zaifman   |    Fri, Oct 26, 2012 @ 05:28 PM

When it comes to professional investment or financial planning advice, clients want to work with someone who is both competent and committed to serving their best interests, someone that honors and values integrity as a core belief. In short, they want someone they can trust. They want a fiduciary.

Maybe you’ve just received an inheritance, or you’ve decided to get your financial house in order by developing a comprehensive financial plan, or you’re preparing for retirement and you’re seeking the guidance of financial planner. Whatever the reason for contacting me, I often get asked the same questions:

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John Bogle Lists the 7 Deadly Sins in our Retirement System
Mark Zaifman   |    Sat, Oct 20, 2012 @ 11:00 AM

I'll warn you up front, the article The Inadequacy Of Our National Savings, appearing in the current issue of Financial Advisers magazine is a long one, but information you really can't ignore.

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Retirement Planning, Who's Steering Your Ship?
Mark Zaifman   |    Thu, Oct 11, 2012 @ 01:27 PM

When was the last time you talked, and I mean really opened up and spent some quality time, with your significant other about your dreams and aspirations for the eventual next phase of your life - retirement or early semi-retirement?

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Your Money or Your Life - Twenty Years Later
Mark Zaifman   |    Fri, Oct 05, 2012 @ 02:31 PM
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Investing News - Vanguard Top 10 Mutual Fund Winners YTD
Mark Zaifman   |    Tue, Oct 02, 2012 @ 12:42 PM

Who could have guessed back in January that Vanguard stock mutual funds would have performed as well as they have year to date?

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Cost of Living Comparison and Calculating Your Real Hourly Rate
Mark Zaifman   |    Tue, Sep 18, 2012 @ 09:54 AM

Finding Your Best Place

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Financial Stress is Often a Result of Poor Money Management Skills
Mark Zaifman   |    Thu, Sep 13, 2012 @ 08:56 AM

Based on a recent trip back east to visit my elderly parents and in-laws, I realized that for some, stressing over money never ends.  Even though I have reviewed both sets of parent’s financials and showed them they are in fine shape, they still worry that they won’t have enough to last their lifetimes. The one difference is that for both of them, their first priority is making certain the kids get an inheritance. In our case, our parents have plenty of money to see them through the end of their lives, and the inheritances they planned on giving are a reserve to dip into should they need it. I imagine it is part of that generation in having a legacy of giving – so unlike the bumper stickers I often see affixed to RV’s stating “I’m spending my kids inheritances.”

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