eFinPLAN Blog

Here you'll find no-nonsense advice to help you understand and manage every one of your pennies - from how to budget yourself out of debt to tips for selecting the right kind of insurance. We write every word ourselves so you'll know that the information you read here is accurate and practical!

Money Key to Escaping Abuse

Categories: News

Very interesting article in the Columbus Dispatch about domestic violence shelters providing financial counsel and education as part of the process to help those trapped in abusive relationships, where often money is used to trap them.

Benchmarking Asset Allocation Investment Performance Results Using Indices

Categories: Invest

My article entitled The Asset Allocation Style of Investing, highlighted this method of investing made popular from the study by Garry P. Brinson, Brian D. Singer, and Gilbert L. Beebower that found that over 91% of long-term portfolio performance is derived from the decisions made regarding asset allocation, and not market timing or security selection…. Read More »

The Asset Allocation Style of Investing

Categories: Invest

There are four ways to invest money, and the most boring way works best for most people: Asset Allocation. The other three ways to invest: strategic asset allocation, market timing or picking stocks are more sexy. Next time investing comes up at a cocktail party you will be sure to hear someone touting their get… Read More »

How to Break the Pay-Day Loan Trap

A lot of people are stuck in a cycle of using Pay-Day and Checking Cashing stores, and they don’t know how to get out of them. First let’s understand how they work to both help people then trap them in an ever ending cycle of debt and pain. Loan is given, equal to one or… Read More »

Diamonds the New Gold?

Categories: Invest

There is a commercial running now advertising investing in diamonds instead of gold, touting “diamonds the new gold.” Many people have lost interest investing in gold, since the price has dropped to around $1,600 per ounce from a high of a $1,895 in September of 2011. Unlike gold, for the average consumer there isn’t a… Read More »

Stock Act Signed Into Law, Finally!

Categories: News

The Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge, or Stock act was signed into law yesterday April 4th, 2012 by President Obama, prohibiting members of congress from buying and selling stock based upon inside information. It is about time that this was passed, given the 6 years the bill has been worked on and the opportunity for… Read More »

Mega Lottery – Mega Rip Off

Categories: Gambling, News

There has been a lot of news the past few days about the $600+ million Mega lottery. If people knew the facts, they would never spend the money. It is crazy to see all of those people lined up with pockets full of cash to buy a chance at winning. Consider the facts: Tax on… Read More »

Thrift Store Finds; Clothes and Picasso’s

Categories: Spend

Thrift stores that sell used home furnishings and clothes have been a place for us to acquire needed items, but I have not come across a Picasso like Zach Bodish did, when he bought a signed print for $14.14 and might be worth $6,000 – $12,000 at the Volunteer’s of America store in Columbus Ohio…. Read More »

The Relationship of Education to Poverty

Categories: College

Interesting article in the Atlantic: College costs continue to rise, outpacing inflation, yet the cost to them and society is astounding: College graduates earn 80% more than high school graduates If US raised education performance South Korea’s level US economy would improve by more than $2 trillion (same as Italy) The impact of a good versus average teacher… Read More »

Assisted Living Costs

Insurance policies to help offset the cost of living in an assisted living facility are priced based upon the amount of benefit that one feels they need or can afford. People in their 50’s and 60’s often consider this insurance, but it isn’t cheap, neither is the cost of living in a facility.  The costs… Read More »