Hi All,

In light of the long string of bailouts and Federal interventions on behalf of big business and the financial sector last September, some of you may have been wondering why Washington keeps getting involved, despite the mixed results?

Well, according to Simon Johnson’s recent piece in The Atlantic Monthly, the financial sector has effectively captured the Washington establishment, thus transforming the United States into an oligarchy.

Johnson’s thesis is not new. Its been around at least since the 1950s. The critical sociologist C.W. Mills wrote an influential essay entitled The Power Elite. In it Mills argued that ordinary citizens had fallen under the sway of powerful military, corporate and political elites.

The “US as Oligarchy” theory has some problems, but current events do make one wonder if perhaps there is some merit to perspective. But the real question we must ask is: How does this affect our wealth and personal finances?

Click here for Johnson’s essay.

Click here for a summary of The Power Elite.

Best,

James

MANAGE YOUR MONEY TOGETHER

Here are some simple guidelines for DINKS to build wealth:

1) Collaborate: Meet regularly to talk about money, set goals together, track and monitor them.

2) Understand and respect your partner. Take time to understand your partners values about money.

3) Watch the numbers. Get a budget, monitor your spending and track your net worth.

4) Max your retirement. Maximize contributions to your tax deferred retirement accounts.

5) Invest in stock. Stocks perform better than bonds or cash.

6) Avoid high interest debt. Credit cards and title loans are financial cancer.

7) Diversify. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Click Here to Download
DINK's Free
Budget Template
Click Here to Download
DINK's Free
Net Worth Template

Couples Finance

Websites You Should Read

Companies Supporting The DINKS

Please consider visiting our gracious supporters:

Get an education with the Online Certificate Programs at Washington Tech

State-approved Online Middle School at EHS