Blog

What’s the Difference Between Self-Directed IRAs and Check Book IRAs

Daily I receive questions from clients regarding the differences between a Self-Directed IRA and a Check Book IRA. I’ve laid out a summary of the two types of IRA setups as well as their respective benefits.
In a Self-Directed IRA; also known as a Custodian model; the Custodian must handle all the IRA’s funds and assets, and all transactions must go through them, since it is the IRA making the investment. The investor fills out transaction forms, and the custodian then approves, executes and funds the transaction. It must happen this way since all IRA’s are trusts and therefore the Trustee, or Custodian must be involved.

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Does Your IRA Investing Have Purpose?

Does Your IRA Investing Have Purpose?

On my daily browse of the world of finance I came across this article about successful investing. What struck me most was the first key, investing with a purpose.
Often, prospective clients will ask if we have investments we recommend or ideas of what they should do with their IRA funds.

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An Alternative to ObamaCare

An Alternative to ObamaCare

An excellent article about just a FEW of the shortcomings of the Obama Care fiasco.  We started using Liberty-Healthshare and are thrilled.  It’s not insurance but a health sharing program that is MUCH cheaper and handles all our needs. Read the article from Investors...

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If Not Now, When?

If Not Now, When?

That’s why I’d prefer to take the optimistic yet realistic view that, it is in fact, NEVER too late. Never too late to take control. Never too late to take the reins and head in a new direction. 

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Can I use my IRA LLC to Invest in the Stock Market?

Can I use my IRA LLC to Invest in the Stock Market?

Will Owning a Check Book IRA or Solo 401(k) Shut Me Out of the Stock Market? Clients are often surprised to learn that managing a Self Directed IRA or Check Book IRA doesn’t mean that they are shut out of the Stock Market.  Although information about Check Book IRAs...

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Can I Buy Prepper Supplies with my IRA?

Can I Buy Prepper Supplies with my IRA?

Can I Buy Prepper Supplies with my IRA? By Steve Sheppherd Yes you can, with a Check Book IRA. You can’t use them and you can’t loan them out to your family. But you can buy them as an investment as long as you are not in collectibles. You can buy other prepper...

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With Pensions At Risk…

With Pensions At Risk…

Government Workers Must Demand Better 457 and 403(b) Retirement Plans The article below does and excellent job of laying out the dangers ahead for those workers TRAPPED in a government retirement plan.  As with anything the government runs, is rife with incompetence,...

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Self-­Directed Custodians: Finding One that Works

Self-­Directed Custodians: Finding One that Works

When it comes to selecting a Custodian for an IRA that is Self-Directed it’s important to know what to look for. Having a Self-­Directed IRA means you have a different set of needs and your search for a Custodian should reflect that. Types of Investments:  Consider...

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How to make a Solo 401(k) Contribution after the deadline

How to make a Solo 401(k) Contribution after the deadline

How to Make a Solo 401(k) Contribution After the Deadline By Steve Sheppherd When April 15th approaches, many who are considering opening a Solo 401(k) lament the fact they may miss the contribution deadline for 2016. Unlike its IRA cousin, the Solo 401(k) deadline is...

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Super-Charge Your Retirement Plan

Super-Charge Your Retirement Plan

Supercharge Your Retirement Plan By Steve Sheppherd Many traditional IRA plans are experiencing returns that are equal to or less than their custodial and management fees. Forbes Magazine dealt with this issue in their Personal finance section in an article titled "As...

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Not as Many Americans Saving for Retirement

Not as Many Americans Saving for Retirement

CORONA DEL MAR (CBSLA.com) — Sailing off into the sunset may just be a dream for many who still need to work to save. “If you can start to save in your 20s, that’s fantastic,” said Karen Sarten of Beacon Pointe Advisors. But the reality is one in three people,...

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China Dumping Treasuries and Buying Gold

China Dumping Treasuries and Buying Gold

On Friday, alongside China's announcement that it had bought over 600 tons of gold in "one month", the PBOC released another very important data point: its total foreign exchange reserves, which declined by $17.3 billion to $3,694 billion. We then put China's change...

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