The personal finance category includes the usual topics that a certified financial planner would study and then provide advice on (planning, statements, time value of money, education funding, investments, retirement, income tax, etc.
Menu (linked Index) Your Wealth Plan: 4 Steps to Financial Freedom Last Update: April 12, 2026 Introduction Phase 1 – Determine your Financial Status Phase 2 – Establish your Goals and Determine Your Risk Tolerance Phase 3 – Determine your Capital Allocation Strategy Phase 4 – Execute your plan and be Consistent Conclusion On Line […]
Menu (linked Index) Master Investment Stack (Order of Operations) Last Update: April 12, 2026 Introduction Master Investment Stack – Chart Master Investment Stack – Descriptive Outline Summary Introduction In this post we describe the Capital Allocation Strategy which is phase 3 of the Financial Plan we described in my post: Your Wealth Plan: 4 Steps
Menu (linked Index) Rules for Funding IRAs: Navigating Your Choices with Decision Trees Last Update: April 12, 2026 Introduction The Strategic Hierarchy of Retirement Funding IRAs (Traditional and Roth) 2026 Traditional IRA Decision Tree 2026 Front Door IRA Decision Tree 2026 Back Door and Mega Back Door IRA Decision Tree Reasons to Fund a Roth
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Menu (linked Index) Tax Advantaged Plans and Other Capital Allocation Structures Last Update: April 12, 2026 Introduction Capital Allocation Structure Charts Retirement and Executive Plans Statutory Benefit Accounts Philanthropic and Specialized Plans Insurance Tax Advantaged Structures Taxable and Special Equity Legal Entities and Ownership Governance Maximum Dollar Capacities for Various Household Scenarios Establish your Order
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Menu (linked Index) Bang for your Bengen: The 4 Percent Rule Last Update: February 22, 2026 Introduction Bill Bengen’s 1994 study Calculation Details (1968 to 1997 Period) Sequence of Returns Example 1 Sequence of Returns Example 2 Key Observations on the 4% (4.7%) Rule Implementation Introduction The 4% (four percent) Rule is the backbone of
Linked Menu Last Update: March 9, 2024 Time Value of Money (TVM) Calculator Introduction Time Value of Money Equations General Steps for Using Calculator Calculator Tool Introduction Calculator Tool TVM Examples using Calculator Tool Conclusion Appendix 1 – Time Value of Money Governing Equations (for Fixed Rates) Introduction Time Value of Money The Time Value
Menu (linked Index) Last Update: March 7, 2024 Mortgage Calculator Tool Introduction Mortgage Calculator Introduction Mortgage Calculator Example Using the Mortgage Calculator Conclusion Appendix 1 – Some Free On-Line Mortgage Calculators Introduction This article contains a dynamic fixed rate home mortgage calculator that you can run to compute overall costs of owning and paying off
Menu (linked Index) Last Update: March 5, 2024 Home Mortgage Calculation Primer Introduction Mortgage Basics Mortgage Equations Derived From PVOA Remaining Balance Mortgage Equations Mortgage Financial Tools Conclusion Appendix 1 – Mortgage Equation Derivation Appendix 2 – Mortgage Remaining Balance Equations Derivations Appendix 3 – Microsoft Excel Mortgage Functions Appendix 4 – HP 12c
Inflation Rates, Real Returns and Nominal Returns Last Update: February 14, 2024 Inflation Let’s derive an equation showing the relationship between Real Returns and Nominal Returns. But first, we need to define what economic inflation means. Inflation is the general increase in price levels. Inflation could be caused by central bank monetary policies like reducing interest rates
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Last Update: December 7, 2024 Introduction The Time Value of Money (TVM) Concept states that money tends to lose its value (purchasing power) over time. TVM concepts are ubiquitous in our world. Financial companies as well as individuals use TVM concepts and methods to make various financial decisions. For example: Deciding which corporate project or
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