Rick Brooks
Rick Brooks's Latest Posts
I’ve Been Hacked! Now What?
These words bring a certain level of dread to most people who hear (or think them). But what can you really do if you’ve been hacked? First, it’s going to depend on just what information has been compromised and where the hack occurred. I got a call from AppleCare (or Dell or Microsoft) saying… No […]
The “R” Word: Recession
It’s been more than ten years since the end of the last recession, which is one of the reasons people have been talking about it lately. Historically, recessions come along every five to seven years, and so by that measure, we’re overdue for one. On the other hand, forecasts of when the next recession will […]
Interest Rates are Very, Very Low
Over the past few weeks, stock market volatility has risen and the yield on the 10-year Treasury Note has plummeted to the lowest levels since 2016. Roughly one quarter of all bonds outstanding trade at negative yields, mostly outside the U.S. With long-term interest rates lower than short-term rates in the U.S., let’s review some […]
Should I Buy or Lease My Next Car?
For some people, the decision whether to buy or lease a car is simply a matter of preference. But which is the better financial decision? To answer this, you must evaluate long-term cash flows and winnow out the (often hidden) costs. This can be difficult to do, especially when the salesman is tapping his finger […]
Turning Savings Into Income
One of the most common questions we hear from people preparing for retirement is, “How do I access my savings now that I won’t be working anymore?” It requires a bit of a shift in thinking, especially for those who’ve diligently saved funds into retirement and savings accounts. What you need is called a “Withdrawal […]
Investing In Real Estate 2: How Not To Invest In Real Estate
Last month, I discussed some of the benefits of including real estate in your investment mix. These include income, diversification and, in the case of owning property directly, some significant tax advantages for owning income properties. I also mentioned that there are some versions of real estate investing which are more attractive than others. A […]
Investing in Real Estate
Real estate as an investment can be very profitable. It has its challenges, especially if you are buying property and managing it yourself. But done properly, real estate can provide cash flow, diversification and other benefits to your investment portfolio. Fundamentally, investing in real estate is basically buying an asset, leasing the asset to others […]
Should I Retire in A Lower Tax State?
When considering how to plan for a comfortable retirement, taxes are a significant consideration. Taxes of all types are among the largest contributors to your cost of living during retirement, and cost of living can make the difference between a comfortable retirement and a meager one. What’s more, high state and local taxes have been […]
On Valentines Day, Give your Spouse the Gift of Security
Valentine’s Day is the third-largest consumer holiday in the U.S., with about 19 billion dollars spent in Cupid’s name each year. It’s big business for florists and chocolatiers, with over four billion dollars spent per year on flowers and candy alone. Flowers and candy are great, don’t get me wrong, but as a gift for […]
Keeping Track of Multiple IRAs
Besides losing weight and getting in shape, one of the more common New Years’ resolutions is getting organized. It’s also one of the first steps in the financial planning process because it makes keeping on top of your finances a lot easier. Nowhere is that more important than with your retirement savings. This is because […]
