Being smart with $$ -- Gimmicky car insurance features are not free

Nothing in life is free, including gimmicky car insurance features.  You know those ads that say OUR company gives you "better car Replacement" or "accident forgiveness"?  You pay extra for those features (says Kiplingers Feb '16).  Makes sense since insurance companies aren't in business to lose money and all those features have an added cost to them.  So forget the gimmicks and get the coverage that's right for your needs.  And don't fall for the ads' implications that switching companies gets you something for free.
- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com

Being smart with $$ -- Don't fall for scammers posing as the IRS

It's tax season which means it's time for fraudsters to try to scam you out of money.  Did the "IRS" call you or email you?  If so, it's fraud since they initiate contact only through the mail.  DON'T click any links on the emails and DON'T give away any personal information on the phone.  If concerned it could be real, contact the IRS directly.  One great way to have more money is not to be tricked into giving away the money you have.  
- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com

Being smart with $$ -- Good Credit = Good Love

Happy Valentine's Day! And if you have a high credit score, "HAPPY" is likelier for you. People with stronger credit are more likely to have lasting, committed relationships. And you are also likelier to be happier with your mate if you have similar credit scores. (Per a Federal Reserve study.) So maybe this year your Valentine's gift to your significant other should be skipping the fancy dinner and pay off some bills.
- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com

Being smart with $$ - Don't let a lower stock price fool you into thinking it's cheap

If a stock hit a high of 75, is it now cheap if it's at 50? How about 40? 23? Where a stock used to trade may have little to do with what it's worth now.  CISCO hit 75 in the year 2000 and sixteen years later it's below 23.  And that's for a great company.  Amazon has recently fallen from around 700 to 490.  Is it cheap?  Who knows?  Some experts will always says yes and others will always say no.
Larry Pike, CFA
www.clientpriority.com

Being smart with $$ - Does the Super Bowl predict the stock market?

If you want the stock market to go up this year then root for the Panthers. The Super Bowl has a decent record of predicting stock market success. The market goes up if the NFC wins and down if the AFC wins. Of course, if you believe there is a causal relationship here and plan to invest accordingly, then you need a new financial strategy.
Larry Pike, CFA
www.clientpriority.com 

Being smart with $$ -- Larry Pike advises students

See Larry Pike in StudentHealth101, a nationally distributed online student newsletter, giving advice to students on managing their money:
http://readsh101.com/m/1115/04/umflint.html
- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com

Beng smart with $$ -- The Joneses want to keep up with YOU

The JONESES are trying to keep up with YOU!  But it may not feel that way.  Median household income in Massachusetts is $67k vs. $53k nationally (US Census). In "rich" towns like Needham, it is $125k (says Berkshire Hathaway Homes).  So if you want to be able to retire some day, live like the Joneses: spend less and save the difference for your old age.
- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com

Being smart with $$ -- The experts are often wrong

The experts are wrong! Well, sometimes they are.  Billionaire Carl Icahn said Apple would go above $200/share by year end 2015.  It ended around $105.  Oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens said oil would go to $100.  It ended 2015 around $38.  (As seen is Money Mag, Dec. '15).  The experts don't have crystal balls so don't assume they will be right.  Diversifying properly will protect you from betting the farm on a wrong call. .
- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com