Radical Finances

Heavenly Bow of Stars

Is long-term care insurance still a going concern?

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Medical costs are scary. Medical needs definitely count as emergencies, but the costs can be incredible. I always recommend a savings of at least six months of bills and expenses in your emergency fund (here’s what that means for you), … Read More … Read More

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Light blobs

The problem with wanting “more”

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“I wish I had more money.” I hear this at discussion groups, coaching sessions, and even just conversations with friends. I can’t help but remember that commercial from my childhood for a trade school, with Sally Struthers as spokesperson: “Do … Read More … Read More

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Roulette wheel

Where do you put short-term savings?

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I was asked this question recently: “I have about $10,000 that I don’t need to touch for a while, and I was thinking of investing it so I could make the most of it. Where do you recommend I put … Read More … Read More

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Canadian flag

How to withdraw money from an ATM in a foreign country (and not get swindled)

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So, purchasing something in a different currency when traveling out of the country isn’t as simple as it sounds. If you’re not careful, you can get charged extra, depending on what entity does the conversion. This is also starting to … Read More … Read More

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Bath bombs

What currency do you pay with when traveling abroad?

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I just returned from a week-long excursion to Vancouver Island in Canada. I very much enjoy traveling to our health-care loving neighbor to the north, and not just because I have NEXUS (which can make the crossing much easier), but … Read More … Read More

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Inspectors

A Vanguard benefit for those without “elite” status

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So Vanguard has “elite” status tiers with extra benefits for those who qualify. The tiers start at $50,000. But $50,000 is a lot of money to many of you. Me too. And while it’s nothing approaching the roughly $1,000,000 that … Read More … Read More

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Magic carpet ride

You can get “elite” status…with Vanguard

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I’m an unsophisticated investor, but I consider that a good thing. I’d rather do something simple that has a proven track record, rather than go for big bets that are unproven and even more risky. After all, this is my … Read More … Read More

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Mattress pattern

How financial products are like mattresses

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I wanted to come up with a good analogy of why a fiduciary duty is such an important regulation to have in place in our society. And it made me think of mattresses. … Read More

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Stack of papers

The meaning of “fiduciary”, or why others looking out for you is controversial

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A “fiduciary” is a person or organization that is required to act in the best interest of another. I believe that everyone should be required to act in this way. If I’m going to work with anyone or anything in the … Read More … Read More

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Sarasota dawn

Calculate the opportunity cost

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Opportunity cost can be defined as “the value of the choice of a best alternative lost while making a decision.” Or, more colloquially, it’s “what you could have done if you had chosen differently.” I’ve talked before that one should consider … Read More … Read More

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