Author Archives: David John Marotta

Multifamily offices and private banks see an increasing need for self-defense programs that help protect their wealthy clients.

There are four minor advantages to using exchange traded funds instead of mutual funds.

“With more adult children relying on their parents amid the economic uncertainty – or moving back home – well-laid financial plans could get trampled.”

Starting October 1, price controls were set by law on debit card swipe fees. Such populist well-intentioned legislation reduces economic freedom and slows economic growth.

Investors in this year’s fund IPOs should be protesting. Investors who got suckered by brokers have been massacred by fees and poor performance. Their total losses — hard to believe — total about $1 billion.

I’m in my 20s and I’m just getting started in the working world. I’m also looking at a Roth IRA. Is there a certain Roth you recommend?

I’m in my 20s and I’m just getting started in the working world. Which of the attached 401(k) investment choices do you recommend?

I’m in my 20s and I’m just getting started in the working world. I would love to start funding my Roth and 401(k), but I have no idea where to begin!

A collection of articles from and about third quarter 2011.

What makes Catan particularly interesting is that just producing the most resources is not sufficient to win the game. Knowing what mix of resources you need to meet your objectives is critical.

David Marotta and Megan Marotta were featured on October 11, 2011 on radio 1070 WINA’s Schilling Show discussing the importance of teaching your children about money and giving them a “rich” mindset.

Currency movements changed direction this summer and the dollar strengthened for a season.

Investors pulled $83.31 billion out of stock funds during the summer months. Stocks drop when there are more sellers than buyers. And when there are outflows like this stocks drop precipitously.

This summer many things that should do better over a long-term investment strategy did not. This situation is not unusual for one quarter’s worth of time. Such a result only makes reversion to the mean much more likely in the coming quarters.

Children of the rich and famous are not immune to the temptations and foolish behavior that sometimes plague the rest of this generation’s youth.

Parents with disabled children must have an estate plan to provide without disqualifying them from receiving public assistance.

David John Marotta was featured in a Wall Street Journal article about the upcoming Roth recharacterization deadline.

I love strategy games. Many people dismiss games as a waste of time. But at their best they teach principles of cause and effect that we can use as paradigms for real life.

Played at the age of 16 at a social gathering with theoretical physicist Edward Teller on 1977-07-09.

Played at the age of 16 at a social gathering with theoretical physicist Edward Teller on 1977-07-09.

Father George Marotta and son David John Marotta were featured in an article in Financial Planning magazine.

Most of us rationalize why we can’t get our finances together right now. Many Americans prolong these excuses during their entire working careers. Here are three lies you must stop telling yourself in order to build a solid financial foundation.

“Small changes over a long period of time make all the difference.” Learn how to teach financial wisdom to your children with Megan Marotta’s series, “Rich Dad, Rich Daughter.”

Robinson’s entire arguement seems to be focused on the idea that the current max capital gains tax rate is 15% but the income tax is progressive and passes 15% at middle class incomes.

“Even the wealthy aren’t setting aside enough, but changing behavior is a struggle.”

David John Marotta was featured on radio 1070 WINA’s Rob Schilling show on September 13, 2011. The topic was the CNBC million-dollar portfolio challenge, and how it does not emulate a good real-life investing strategy.

CNBC’s million-dollar portfolio challenge begins next week. Participants can trade a fictional account of stocks and currency. Prizes are given over each of the 10 weeks, and then a grand prize winner is awarded a million.

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Think of static asset allocation as where to set your sails and dynamic asset allocation as a way to keep your balance as your boat glides and sometimes bounces through the waves.

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“Structured products’ risk-reward ratio is worse than you think.”

Marotta’s Roth segregation technique of conversion and recharacterization was featured in InvestmentNews magazine.

Libertarians and economists both recognize that countries with more economic freedom experience higher gross domestic product (GDP) growth. That growth translates into higher stock returns for investors savvy enough to look for governmental fiscal restraint rather than government stimulus.

Won’t this hedge the markets and protect me in case the markets go down?

Is it worth it to file all the paperwork just to collect a few buck?

High Net Worth individuals are often solicited to provide funds for a private venture such as opening a new restaurant business. Think thrice before considering investing.

If you look at Social Security as a system of taxation and redistribution, it takes from a single minority male worker and gives to married white women who never contributed. And if you look at Social Security as a forced retirement savings program, it produces such a terrible return we might as well invest in gold. Neither perspective is worth continuing. Social Security as we know it needs to be abolished.

Working with a fee-only planner can help you make better financial decisions and balance current needs with future goals. The result can be financial peace of mind.

How can there be more sellers than buyers? Who are those “extra” sellers selling to?

When choosing between two bond funds with similar returns to team with a stock fund, choose the bond fund with lower correlation with the stock fund you’re selecting

Social Security has been called the third rail of politics. Good thing I’m not a politician. Someone has to make the tough decisions.

Between threats of cutting tax benefits and crackdowns on non-compliant plans, for the retirement industry ‘stakes are higher than they ever were’

Not every investment consultant has your interests as the top priority, or even the necessary credentials. Here’s how to find the right type of adviser.

I recently read two articles that provided insight on how investors should respond to a market downturn.

Those productive small business owners with higher earnings are a different group from the ultra-wealthy with higher net worths.

If the GAO were giving you investment advice they would suggest that you not participate in your 401(k) and convert at least half of your retirement savings into an annuity laden with fees and expenses.

Given the dangers of worldwide sovereign debt, this may be one time when investors should continue to tilt foreign and toward specific countries.

The returns offered by immediate fixed annuities aren’t as good as they sound. The sleight of hand in this case is the immediate loss of 100% of your principal. They are fixed for you to lose and the insurance company to win.

Most financial planners have a difficult time helping clients reduce their spending habits and start saving.

Ronald Regan’s speeches, including “A Time for Choosing” (1964) are worth watching.