by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Travel
TSA Pre-Check is one way frequent travelers reduce the stress of air travel. After paying a one-time fee of about $100, submitting fingerprints and a personal interview, the TSA does a background check. If the traveler meets the requirements, a “Known Traveler...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Enduring Principles, Financial Plan, Kids and College, Running Money ®
Dear Kids, Today you brought your first baby into the world! We are so excited, and mom is in her element. We can’t wait to spoil her. She’ll be joining our annual father/daughter date at the Angels’ home opener. Doing a little quick math, there are...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Economic Commentary, Enduring Principles, Market Update, Politics, Videos
“My Fellow Americans …”Are you already weary of the latest edition of America’s quadrennial election year shenanigans? I know that this year seems worse than any in recent history … but it’s really pretty typical. We get questions...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Enduring Principles, Financial Plan, Retirement, Running Money ®
About 15 years ago, both Ross and Bobby retired. Bobby had about twice as much money in his retirement plan; neither had a monthly pension, except for Social Security. They lived in the same neighborhood and had comparable incomes. We calculated the maximum withdrawal...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Diversification, Economic Commentary, Enduring Principles, Market Update
With five inbound lanes, including a state highway, a connector to an Interstate, and Main Street changing from two to one way, everyone passing through my hometown’s “five points” intersection needs to pay attention to the signals. Likewise, the...
