Ask Doc Happy New Year from me and my team here at Retirement Millionaire Daily.
Last month, we asked you to share some of your favorite issues with us. Today, we're sharing those responses. And we'll also sprinkle in a few of our own.
If you're new to Retirement Millionaire Daily, these issues are a great place to start improving your health and wealth this year.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to write in. We read every message.
What do you want us to write about in 2017? Send your suggestions to [email protected].
Q: This "worst-case scenario" information is incredibly important and something I have put off. Thanks for the inspiration (as always). Happy New Year to everyone at Retirement Millionaire Daily. – C.K.
A: The death of a spouse or loved one is the worst time to have to worry about finances. And, unfortunately, many people wait until it's too late.
Read it here: How to Prepare Your Spouse for the Worst-Case Scenario
Q: My favorite issue was today's (and the last four issues) talking about, and encouraging, especially those of us new to stocks, bonds, etc., to start investing, even if it's $25 just to get started. Please continue more issues, for those of us who are new, about more ways of asset allocation and more in-depth info about this. – A.F.
A: You don't need a lot to start investing. When my assistant starting investing 11 years ago, she could only add $25 dollars a month to her brokerage account. But she kept at it to slowly build her wealth.
Our "Five Days for a Wealthy 2017" series was one of our favorite weeks of last year. If you missed it, you can read the essays here:
- Take Control of Your Financial Future With 'Five Days for a Wealthy 2017'
- The Power of Compound Returns
- Wealth Grows on Its Own... But You Must Plant the Seeds
- The 'Do Nothing' Plan to Grow Your Wealth
- How to Make Your Most Important Wealth Decision in Minutes
Q: Hi Doc, rather than a single issue, what stands out is your consistent optimism and reasonableness. I also enjoy (and endorse from my own health-oriented research) your insights about food, meds, behaviors, etc. Please keep it up. – A.H.
A: As longtime readers know, I avoid hysteria. I prefer to look at the facts and let those influence my decisions rather than follow the crowd, whether I'm talking about investing or health.
Here are a few of my favorite health issues:
- Asking a World War II Vet to Give Up His Freedom
- Lawrence Welk Lied to You
- Take Two Tablespoons and Call Me in the Morning
Q: I am about to have cataract surgery and your daily on how to pick a surgeon and what to ask has been invaluable. Of course I do not know if he lied, but when he said in over 1,000 operations he performed only one had complications and that was corrected immediately, I felt warm all over. I checked out his batting average and apparently he told the truth. Thanks, Doc. – K.G.
A: Good luck on your surgery, K.G.
According to the National Eye Institute, "By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery." Since so many of us will experience cataracts, it's essential to know what you're getting into and the best questions to ask your doctor.
Read more: Ask These Five Questions Before a Doc Cuts Your Eyeball
Q: I like the simple ways to invest and you do a good job of that. – J.B.
A: Investing doesn't have to be difficult. And it doesn't have to be intimidating. For anyone who's a new investor or for folks ready to take the leap into investing, here are some issues to help get you started...
- Four Simple Rules of Thumb to Stop Losing Money
- Take This 30-Second Quiz Before Buying Your Next Stock
- Three Core Rules of a Successful Investor
- Possibly the Most Valuable Investment Essay You'll Ever Read
- The No. 1 Question Most Investors Forget to Ask
What We're Reading...
- A real estate opportunity you don't want to miss.
- Something different: Natural disasters hit a four-year high.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Retirement Millionaire Daily Research Team
January 6, 2017