Dear Dr. Per Cap: I started investing during the pandemic and did great those first two years. Then last year the bottom fell out of the stock market and I lost a big chunk of what I made. It’s no fun investing in a down market and I’m ready to pull the plug with what […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: We have a tribal program that offers free tax filing and a local guy who does taxes too, but maybe I can just do them myself. Is it hard to do your own taxes? Signed, Self-Starter Dear Self-Starter I’m a fan of folks who file their own taxes. Not only […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: Every year the holiday season starts earlier. A store near me had holiday displays with Christmas music in September. I’m so tired of how the holidays have been commercialized and I’m made to feel like Scrooge if I don’t break the bank buying gifts for everyone. Help! Signed, Don’t Call Me […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: Earlier this year you wrote about the credit bureaus now including payments made on Pay-in-4 loans on credit reports. However, I’ve paid back four Affirm loans this year for online purchases and my credit score hasn’t budged a point. What gives? Signed, Wise Borrower Dear Wise Borrower Thank you for sharing. […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: I’ve got a nice little side hustle doing freelance consulting for a couple of tribes and a non-profit. I’d really like to quit my regular job and be self-employed full time. Am I ready? Signed, Gig Worker Dear Gig Worker Congrats on your freelance success! Sounds like you’ve come to appreciate […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: When are Social Security payments going up? With soaring prices I could use the extra cash. Signed, Fixed Income Frieda Dear Frieda Social Security benefits are due for a roughly 9% increase starting in January. This is welcome news for the nearly 70 million Americans who receive Social Security income because […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: I bought some bitcoin last year using a margin account with an investing app. It was cool because I was able to buy more bitcoin than the money I had in my trading account. However, my bitcoin is now worth about half what I paid for it and to make matters […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: Last week our home’s old air conditioner finally died. It’s going to cost $10,000 to replace which means no family vacation and a bunch of other sacrifices. The hub suggested we just buy a few cheap AC window units and hold off fixing the main AC until next year. Do you […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: My spouse and I are trying to get our finances in order but he’s impatient and complains it’s taking too long. How can I help him see the forest for the trees? Signed, The Patient One Dear Patient One Many people grow impatient when dealing with personal finances. And contrary to […]
Dear Dr. Per Cap: The markets are in a nosedive and my 401k is getting hammered. I’m freaking out and keep hearing it’s only gonna get worse. What can the big shots in Washington do to save the sinking economy? Signed, Worried Investor Dear Worried Investor What’s been touted as the longest bull market in […]