Wealth and Wisdom: Week of September 7, 2026
It takes both hands to be a stock investor these days. On the one hand, the indexes are hitting record highs with regularity – supported by record corporate earnings and rising profit margins. Beneath it all, we ponder the possibility that we could only be witnessing the early days of the AI boom.
On the other hand, there’s persistent inflation, rising interest rates, and a government-spending-inspired national debt crisis that seems to be spiraling out of control. (By the way, I read a report last week from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee that says we’re adding to the nation’s debt at the rate of $90,000 per second. The Tax Foundation calculates the average American paid about $14,000 in federal taxes each year – which means it takes more than half a dozen of us working and paying taxes all year long just to cover one second’s worth of government borrowing.)
But I digress.
The reason investors need two hands these days is that it’s nearly impossible to wring just one. Yet even with all we have to fret over, history tells us that long-term equity investors have been generously rewarded for patiently looking beyond short-term uncertainties and sticking with their plan.
Amateurs and skeptics often claim the market is rigged. If it is, it’s probably rigged in your favor – at least most of the time. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Based on annual economic output, Missouri is the size of Denmark, Illinois is as big as Saudi Arabia. And the U.S. economy is equivalent to China, Japan, and Germany - combined. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
You just got a big bonus, a gift, or an inheritance. Before you spend it all, think about how you can use it to finally start getting ahead. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
Here’s how to set one up – and if you’re retired, yes, you still need a reserve. My recent podcast episode explains why. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
When planning for retirement, it’s not always about what you know – but what you think you know that just isn’t so. (Reading time: 7 minutes)
If you retire before age 65, you’ll need to find ways to fill the healthcare gap until you become eligible for Medicare. Here are some ideas. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
You’ve got a choice to make the first year you’re required to take withdrawals from retirement plans – and there are pros and cons to consider. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
Losing a spouse can mean lower income, higher expenses, and a bump up in tax brackets for the survivor. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
A few minutes on the phone or online can help you better cope with rising costs. Here are a dozen ideas to get you started. (Reading time: 8 minutes)
The average U.S. wedding now costs about $36,000 – more than half of what we paid for our first house. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“Unless you can watch your stock holdings decline by 50 percent without becoming panic-stricken, you should not be in the stock market.”
– Warren Buffett
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