<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[RSS Feed]]></title><description><![CDATA[RSS Feed]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com</link><image><url>http://direct.ecency.com/logo512.png</url><title>RSS Feed</title><link>http://direct.ecency.com</link></image><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:37:32 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="http://direct.ecency.com/@benrosenthalft/rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Your Cheat Sheet of Important Ages for Retirement Planning]]></title><description><![CDATA[When I worked as a U.S. financial advisor, I had to familiarize myself with a number of age-related rules, such as “How old do you have to be to start collecting Social Security?” and “How old do you have]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/your-cheat-sheet-of-important-ages-for-retirement-planning</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/your-cheat-sheet-of-important-ages-for-retirement-planning</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2019 05:32:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/3DLAmCsuTe3bV13dhrdWmiiTzq9WMPZDTkYuSGyZVu3GHrTX5VYsBTk89Fj8TKs5mprtPgFyMqHdDbdMbxeR6S8CBY4SsiGLwoWRXvtyRjoQobNeU7jK5CBZE5v1QPdWVBFXwWwp286G7dS82ebzwbjmKeAgTx2?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Some Things to Be Aware of When Choosing a Fee-Based Financial Advisor]]></title><description><![CDATA[You’ve probably heard that when it comes to working with a financial advisor, you should choose a fee-based advisor (meaning one whose compensation doesn’t vary by what they recommend to you) over an advisor]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/some-things-to-be-aware-of-when-choosing-a-fee-based-financial-advisor</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/some-things-to-be-aware-of-when-choosing-a-fee-based-financial-advisor</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 27 Jan 2019 02:12:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnq2ZKRvKDChv3FY2GBpC7RksyD8jMZRRM9niWGfCgqrHrsG6eCezsCktxP7zDZo4LTd8YQw6p9ErCq34dJa3TDt9qgE1owfMzpNTKX74?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Special Window of Opportunity for Roth IRAs]]></title><description><![CDATA[Happy New Year! If you’re familiar with my work, you know I’m a fan of Roth IRAs. Where else can you invest with almost total freedom and be able to look forward to reaping the rewards tax-free? I’m writing]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/a-special-window-of-opportunity-for-roth-iras</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/a-special-window-of-opportunity-for-roth-iras</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2019 17:05:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/4HFqJv9qRjVeVQzX3gvDHytNF793bg88B7fESPieLQ8dxJ6LXQgXSEw6WqHZwkudrWV6KZBUzSWbVfkUVciGvuyx7rAevBx9e5fmMR7Afb6c8yWkUpwRPy2co9ZLLUpFjq9prEGqN6NsTqEnNvc2Z3GBnf2Vx2B8evS?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to (Legally) Exceed your Roth IRA Contribution Limits]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve written before that the easiest way to set yourself up with tax-free income (and the way that offers you the most investment freedom) is a Roth IRA. However, one of the most frustrating limitations]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/how-to-legally-exceed-your-roth-ira-contribution-limits</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/how-to-legally-exceed-your-roth-ira-contribution-limits</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:29:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/LcTxR7u1XKaa3e4T1EBuBP18JezPvjFFo8gNuE9CiKHBn5azRfG1nPLV1envWc1qA7NCQub4FwK3LwT37RracupM7asUFpekQmeGCf4yizbZmisypxYcWwQr5AUz6vHLS6dB3yCdry1Y3YG4LzoUHYqqG?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Economical Way to Create an Instant Legacy]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today, I’m going to talk about a financial product that, like annuities, is highly controversial: cash value life insurance. Some people are staunch advocates of CVL for its potential to build tax-free]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/an-economical-way-to-create-an-instant-legacy</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/an-economical-way-to-create-an-instant-legacy</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 2018 22:07:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/EEEoA8oLaAxsTkPYAARp78o5cJA1o6Chv9x98TzCFT6v5GQqNjsP31W38navYNjQfP5vQQvAViekuRvUoZZ68xepxGEBarq7yD32UES41cLFF42wyBfHND5tes9Xbq44SfhYDgZpLhg4KqfmeSNAr?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Big One!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ever since spring of 2009, when the stock market started to recover from its biggest meltdown that most of us alive today can remember, a lot of people have been wondering, "When's the next big one]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/the-big-one</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/the-big-one</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2018 22:16:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/gPCasciUWmEwHnsXKML7xF4NE4zxEVyvENsPKp9LmDaFuzEJgfvtPYSt3kwHQFcGH2UPGPduW5V5FqWo9ah2Vg1PAiV3Dz2taAPFaimP8dfNKJhsLSzrwmm4d8ac8kk9XwKRR8VWwo61yGq6SS?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Difference Between "Your Dreams" and "Your Purpose in Life"]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've always been a big fan of "following your dreams", but I've come to shift that to "finding and living your purpose in life". Why? Because a dream isn't necessarily that thing you]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/inspiration/@benrosenthalft/the-difference-between-your-dreams-and-your-purpose-in-life</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/inspiration/@benrosenthalft/the-difference-between-your-dreams-and-your-purpose-in-life</guid><category><![CDATA[inspiration]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2018 22:26:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnq1NuZZXiwxC2ejwFx5XR86weNH4Rs2ouNBWK74Gx9Hef2GKE1EvSa2Vfe2Y9hLBp46SNZdXkwq8LGJoGXeTfubbkgWnEtiCvr7Acz4n?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Strategies for Coping with RMDs]]></title><description><![CDATA[This post is for anyone who has a pretax account and is at the stage of life when you have to take RMDs (required minimum distributions). (If this isn't you, it may be someone you know.) First, a friendly]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/strategies-for-coping-with-rmds</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/strategies-for-coping-with-rmds</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2018 03:55:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/9vWp6aU4y8kwSZ9Gw15LFL3aMdhmgmBBFMpDJregpdP329i8MY9dYv4BBByK4uayguC8YfkVmm8DF8wAbujGbJTrESPr9GGKGRJpijfjsA25dkvhSiACk41fyH5XG13xpHCfN3jdEKfNdtxHt?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[You Don’t Have to Work for Someone Else to Get a 401(k) & Pension!]]></title><description><![CDATA[A lot of “solopreneurs” (entrepreneurs with no employees) make the mistake of relying on their business as their sole retirement plan. But that’s like investing all of your retirement money in a single]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/business/@benrosenthalft/you-don-t-have-to-work-for-someone-else-to-get-a-401-k-and-pension</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/business/@benrosenthalft/you-don-t-have-to-work-for-someone-else-to-get-a-401-k-and-pension</guid><category><![CDATA[business]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2018 02:30:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2N61tyyncFaFVtpM8rCsJzDgecVMtkz4jpzBsszXjhqan9uv2JFZNzxrdxt5K9iZCs6rdV7yeNfKmJ6zBZrrojWEZiyTwHSejSQ2AXPomhjSQqe4HYMNS8CTNLGERpYh5fZiYHcsPhuG?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Make an Informed Decision about Annuities]]></title><description><![CDATA[(Photo by Jonathan Meyer from Pexels) In my last blog post, I talked about how annuities can provide value as a form of insurance against outliving your money, and addressed some of the common criticisms]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/how-to-make-an-informed-decision-about-annuities</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/how-to-make-an-informed-decision-about-annuities</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2018 19:41:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/7b4bio5hobgskW8qdPdvSqcwwJTvbiCMpGmRey1Rtd8H5qoqovc2nMKNiziirjNK1ZGakQoyFtMbzYKsZ5rrogJrcpCYkdBgpabpPFPZBzn279zhsioiiVj6tFg3HwrsojUaz6GLgZGVs3kn1EuU9i9bz7nN?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[A way to guarantee you never run out of money]]></title><description><![CDATA[(Photo by icon0.com from Pexels) Imagine if you had your own personal pension, guaranteed to send you a check every single month for the rest of your life (starting in your 60s or later). Would that help]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/a-way-to-guarantee-you-never-run-out-of-money</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/a-way-to-guarantee-you-never-run-out-of-money</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2018 16:11:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnprPHeYd2wkQANhxdL6gASxTujfe98RWCUzbZSGUd5Lo9EYfWzLeA1tc96rtJtHoCkaaFJ9YfSzoPRGJa13gqbqUxougwPS343EL9iEa?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Should I Contribute to the Retirement Plan at Work? (Part 5)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Up to now, we’ve focused on why you might want to put some of your paycheck into your 401(k) or other workplace retirement plan. Now, let’s turn to the question of what you should select inside the plan.]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-5</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2018 21:05:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/W5LtFUPm6g7111bbdcuxu3bfUg5qaCq8seb5paCtrrT7zP1ZfCuSR2nH3Tz8zuNV2qjTCCmcCmVyNBFiAGqEsxVhvy6PApQuvzhm3wGjSRbHehJn9YWANxdqdug5XQvNr6x2Kn4J3TCizkcF2Z1qTxDcGFCBQ?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Should I Contribute to the Retirement Plan at Work? (Part 4)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Continuing from Part 3, here are a seventh and eighth scenario in which it might make sense to contribute to a workplace retirement plan. (7) You want to lock in favorable terms on an annuity that’s available]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/freedom/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-4</guid><category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2018 19:34:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/7258xSVeJbKkzXhyseBP4PYz11eBDT8sW2oR1a4vfVFS6JP3UDdwEnNeAwZXMQkEL9fhoZnfdSWZ6A1XUoda6FDzhLcUAyTyrp5Ee6ue3gdBCb4X3psXB7VmksPd5ojXwmRXVR4c4tfhx?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Should I Contribute to the Retirement Plan at Work? (Part 3)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Continuing from Part 2, here are a fifth and sixth scenario in which it might make sense to contribute to a workplace retirement plan. (5) It’s a 457(b) (“Deferred Comp Plan”) Despite their overwhelming]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-3</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2018 20:49:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/21PRtjKRXPQybj4WUXScWv5QPLninWRxfbcWNsx7SenD7Fp4r9FUXmkKe2UQWzpeAbo1cQir9GEtMn2E4AqXw3pjbSJzYzDux4bfy5k996QMG6uAPPTo5H7aCRBW1azw2SC8LejGVDFEkkCp1VTB2AA?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Should I Contribute to the Retirement Plan at Work? (Part 2)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Continuing from Part 1, here are a third and fourth scenario in which it might make sense to contribute to a workplace retirement plan. (3) You want to lower your tax bill for the current year further]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-2</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2018 17:05:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2N61tyyncFaFVtpM8rCsJzDgecVMtkz4jpzBsszXjhqan9w6SmX6kLJ9FBzt1G8nwJ8aSjaoe6kGvzezcdhevsZajZaZw8DeDSkKttgtL17svZNGQJqVp76Le63ce48TdPidqUUKbQK8?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Should I Contribute to the Retirement Plan at Work? (Part 1)]]></title><description><![CDATA[In a recent post, I talked about how relying too heavily on your 401(k) as a retirement vehicle can lead to unintended tax consequences later in life. Well, another issue with 401(k) plans is that they]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/should-i-contribute-to-the-retirement-plan-at-work-part-1</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2018 21:10:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/BgxWBRxjvNhnbM9DiyHtCptYaDNF3xx85r8if8spuMjfmb1hwEep1S3NDyYhLk2jHTScdWtR9F9LThYRWncaqGFCA4sAKsQwgxR19W1Tc9QUQMRC8Ae7FP96rpZKPQx89ocNrfF9M1Q6zyk2Zn8hvb3zyYHRZuzb7HjgKYnWXfLzn6S?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Easiest Tax-Free Account to Open]]></title><description><![CDATA[In my last post, I talked a little about tax-free accounts and how my wife and I are making use of them. So I thought it only fitting to introduce the easiest type of tax-free to open: the Roth IRA. I’m]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/the-easiest-tax-free-account-to-open</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/the-easiest-tax-free-account-to-open</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2018 22:58:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/5ShzsKnKF7vppGeV6VN3m3GSDcLoRruAhMmifZtFSDkYScFZWoxWzRbiYwDVdJ2TZAX3YuW2GXKGvsQchKVxoAfGLYBoECmCVuCFT92TeiRWSMKgdiSnPTEEL2KXPvN7A7JhXnSygwnfekeKuxwCqPWE?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Enjoy a Satisfying Tax Life! (Part 2)]]></title><description><![CDATA[In Part 1, we went over the hidden trap of making a pretax account like a 401(k) your primary retirement vehicle. Here, I want to give you some ideas on what you can do to avoid that trap. But instead]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/enjoy-a-satisfying-tax-life-part-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/enjoy-a-satisfying-tax-life-part-2</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2018 20:17:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnqDwE55rnA9Cr8ZT5P4R8tCoyeVfU7ok3FFtr9x4QzxeYaETY85PFiyaTfUitAXgTgXqjRtHr5dQVasxi8FgnPihMWwY3k8hCUp7rLce?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Enjoy a Satisfying Tax Life! (Part 1)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s face it: we all have a tax life. And most of us would like to make our tax life more satisfying (or at least less painful). Whatever your views on taxes are, it’s an inescapable fact that our ability]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/enjoy-a-satisfying-tax-life-part-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/enjoy-a-satisfying-tax-life-part-1</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2018 23:14:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/5ShzsKnKF7vppGeV6VN3m3GSDcLoRruAhMmifZtFSDkYScUaUfU19gdTwiXUEgE3rfqLUv7jvdTmkcJRjZSui6R77K7zB8HhyKqQC4SJYxmvksqEMvGk7jPVwMfPQyo5h3uy16H3cPHpE6nb1c584aGv?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[How not to get swept up in financial hysteria]]></title><description><![CDATA[I remember a day back in high school when the TV news and newspapers reported that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (a common measure of the condition of the U.S. stock market) had experienced its largest]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/how-not-to-get-swept-up-in-financial-hysteria</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/money/@benrosenthalft/how-not-to-get-swept-up-in-financial-hysteria</guid><category><![CDATA[money]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[benrosenthalft]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2018 04:23:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/7258xSVeJbKkzXhyseBP4PYz11eBDT8sW2oR1a4vfVFS6Hu3f9zQ7jDMVC22g3dGDiG2AtmmtUhBQCAZCLnwxdpjXVvZDTLw8HGSi3umXh6mTTTxxfrxAY9mE5LETckMsQYQdkGLDdn7x?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item></channel></rss>