Ask Chuck: Christmas Shopping on a Budget
Dear Chuck, Money is tight for Christmas this year. Any tips for shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? Looking for Deals Dear Looking for Deals, You can search for articles pointing you to the “best deals” on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but be aware that many of those articles are really just […]
Ask Chuck: The Secret Ingredient to a Great Business
Dear Chuck, My husband and I just relocated and want to start a business in which he has years of experience. He left a company that lacked integrity and was losing clients. We have money but don’t know many people here yet. Any suggestions before we step out? Pensive Entrepreneurs Dear Pensive Entrepreneurs, It would […]
Ask Chuck: Are My Investments Safe Under a Biden Presidency?
Dear Chuck, How do you think a Biden presidency would impact my retirement nest egg? It is hard to know which way this election will go! I can’t afford to lose my savings. Fearful Retiree Dear Fearful Retiree, Thanks for the question. As of this writing on November 4th, the day after the presidential election, […]
Ask Chuck: Preparing for Negative Interest Rates
Dear Chuck, Are we headed towards negative interest rates? If so, how in the world do I prepare for that? Rates Below Zero? Dear Rates Below Zero, This is a great but very challenging question. With our federal funds rate (the cost for our banks and financial institutions to borrow money) essentially at zero […]
Ask Chuck: Time for a Home Upgrade?
Dear Chuck, The real estate market in our area is booming! We are thinking of buying an upgraded home with these low rates but are worried we may not be able to find what we really want or need. Can you give us some tips? Homebuying Fever Dear Homebuying Fever, We are in the […]
Ask Chuck: Children Are A Blessing… And An Investment
Dear Chuck, My daughter and son-in-law have decided they will not have children due to overpopulation and the cost. I don’t understand how they could make such a decision. Can you give me some good stats to share with them? Hoping for Grandchildren Dear Hoping for Grandchildren, Since I have five grandchildren already, I know […]
Ask Chuck: Understanding Inflation/Deflation
Dear Chuck, I’m new to investing and don’t really understand the ramifications of inflation and deflation. I would like to position myself to minimize loss regardless of what happens. Any tips? Novice Investor Dear Novice Investor, I am not a professional investment advisor but can give you some Biblical financial principles that will help you […]
Ask Chuck: Considering Retirement
Dear Chuck, My wife is urging me to retire. I am not ready yet and do not know if I ever will be. I enjoy working. However, what do you think are the best financial moves to be ready? Prepping for Retirement Dear Prepping for Retirement, This year has caused many people to consider […]
The Presidential Election and the Worst-Case Scenario for Investors
I grew up with a generalized investing philosophy espoused by my grandfather: invest during a Democratic administration (market down), sell during a Republican administration (market up). Since I am going to write about what I think is the worst-case scenario for investors post-November 3, 2020 when the nation selects its next President, I decided to […]
Protect Yourself from Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing: Scammers
Did you see the recent headline of three men posing as pastors to scam about 1,200 unsuspecting, gullible Christians out of more than $20,000,000 in three states with an investment scheme called “1st Million”? How about the California pastor who swindled his very own congregants out of a million dollars in a Ponzi scheme? Or […]