There is so Much Financial Advice out There — So Which is the Best?

Over a decade of searching has taught me one thing

The advice that’s never given, actually.

The advice that you’re given to achieve financial independence and wealth are as follows:

• Diversify.
• Buy things that are perceived as low-risk.
• Buy real estate.
• Get a CD.
• Get a savings account.
• Invest in mainstream companies.
• Follow Ameritrade/Fidelity/replace brokerage or investment service here.
• Get a financial advisor.

The list goes on.

Mortgage debt total outstanding and U.S. homeowner’s equity tracker. Source: FRED.

Above is the data for homeowner’s equity along with the outstanding mortgage debt in the United States. Both are at record highs, but, more importantly, homeowner equity completely vanished between 2009–2011. About $8 trillion or so in homeowner equity disappeared with immediacy. When we talk about the safety of investments and volatility, for some reason that never flows into the conversation.