Today’s blog is not about competition, heaven forbid! I am not a financial adviser. I show how I evaluated my portfolio so that it is following the overall stock and bond market index returns. Our goal is to earn the market averages, not exceed them. I invite you to share your portfolio return so everyone learns.
Because I am a retired teacher, from time to time I will post guest articles from other teachers anything about money management and classroom instruction. Susan Lee wrote an excellent article for teachers on how to fund educational projects with your money. As teachers, we all know that we spend hundreds of dollars each year to purchase supplies and other materials for those special projects. Susan skillfully integrates her ideas with the four major subjects: English, Math, History, and Science.
Before I report on my takeaways from this year’s conference, I want to discuss the background of NAGDCA and what this wonderful professional organization does for us. Our Los Angeles Unified School District “Retirement Investment Advisory Committee” members may not realize how important NAGDCA is in supporting and assisting us with our ultimate goal of reforming the 403(b) into a fiduciary powerhouse. Public K-12 403(b)s have never been a fiduciary. Thus, LAUSD took advantage of showing the world by providing a fiduciary example with our Award Winning 457(b). Sandy and I thank the committee for voting to pay for our expenses in each of the last four years. We thank Benefits Administration for paying the annual NAGDCA governmental membership fees. Without LAUSD’s institutional membership, Sandy and I could not attend. Finally, we thank this great organization for doing the right thing for all public sector employees.
If you have questions about the 403(b)/TSA, Steve’s free book is a must read for all Los Angeles Unified School District Employees and public PreK-12 Educators across the country. Knowledge of the 403(b) will provide you a valuable guidline to retirement security and income.
Take a look at what readers have said about Fighting Powerful Interests at the bottom of this page.
Have you been excited about sharing some news or valuable piece of information? Of course. In the 403b world, however, shrewd and astute educators are less inclined to share their investing knowledge with colleagues. The 403b is a potentially powerful retirement plan IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING! If you invest in no-load mutual funds offered by Fidelity, TIAA CREF or Vanguard, consider yourself extremely fortunate. Our employers and the teacher’s unions have done NOTHING to help and usually have their own agendas. This blog post is for both savvy investing educators and for those educators who want to talk but don’t know who.
Many different types of Doom and Gloom aficionados have been around for thousands of years. Don’t be intimated by the financial doomers and gloomers–be inspired and encouraged with financial knowledge!
Book Review by Steve
My husband of 40 years, co-author, lifetime companion, friend, confidant and the kindest person to all left this world on October 20, 2015. He died with grace, courage and at peace from leukemia.
Introducing “Stan the Annuity Man”
Dan and I like what this man says about annuities!
Because of our negative experiences with surrender fees, putry returns, misleading and conflict of interest sales pitches from insurance agents, we have been critical of large insurance company annuities. Stan the Annuity Man says the same thing that we have been preaching for years.
Quarterly reports are historical landmarks on how the economy is performing. April 1, July 1 and October 1st are important reports offered by all of the financial networks. Wow! And what a quarter!
Dr. Bernstein starts with a simple three-fund portfolio. The Total Stock Market Index, Total International Stock Market Index, and the Total Bond Market Index are spot-on for those who already have the basics of a diversified investment solution.