Every week we share news stories, blog articles and other interesting stuff from around the web that received the most views, shares, comments and overall interest on various KeatsConnelly social media outlets.This week we offer a mix of articles discussing snowbirds and U.S. real estate, index funds, and the lottery.
A snowbird’s guide to the perils of owning U.S. real estate (www.theglobeandmail.com) It was the wrong kind of ‘ring’” she told me just a week ago. “But it came with a three-year contract, showing a lot of commitment,” I replied.This year, I bought her a gift that I now know was only slightly higher on her wish list than a sink plunger. I bought her an Elvis clock. She really does like Elvis, so I’m not sure what the problem is…
40 Years Later, Index Funds Remain The Best Wealth Management Choice For All Investors (www.forbes.com) This Wednesday marked the 40th anniversary of a new approach to securities investing, the index fund. At the time, the idea was revolutionary. Now index funds, which attempt to mirror the whole market and avoid the inefficiencies of active stock selection, are offered around the world. They are, by far, the most common way that individuals and institutions invest…
What the Lottery Has to Teach Us about Investing (http://blogs.cfainstitute.org) Probably no other phenomenon presents a greater challenge to the model of Homo economicus — and better examples of the complicated relationship we humans have with money — than this: Last year, the American public spent about $69 billion of their hard-earned money on lottery tickets, even though each individual’s chance of winning is infinitesimal.Why do so many people fall for this “mental trap”? This photo caption from an NBC News article says it all: “Ryan Zhang, after purchasing a Powerball ticket in Flushing, Queens in New York City. ‘I’m not a regular buyer. Just for fun — my wife just sent me a text saying ‘powerball is 425 Million.’ Two dollars is nothing…
Come back next week for more interesting news and articles. Enjoy your weekend!