Forbes Video: Is The Fed Politicized?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The Federal Reserve prides itself on being independent. The idea is that the policy makers of the Federal Open Market Committee should make decisions to further the twin goals of stable prices and full employment. And they should do so without regard to what the different political parties want. That's the idea anyway.

The question on the mind of many is whether those very important policy makers are actually now being swayed. After all, Fed Chair Janet Yellen get grilled with some frequency in Congress, and there are powers that stand to make a ton of money if they could persuade the country's central bank to move interest rates in one direction or another.

Charlie Bilello, Director of Research at Pension Partners addresses the question in this video. Curiously enough, Bilello and I are about two blocks away from the New York Fed as we film this interview.

Outside On The Street: What Are The Best Bets For Investors Now?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Pension Partner's Charlie Bilello weighs in with his picks. He speaks with Simon Constable.

Forbes: 'Mantra' Your Way To Success

By SIMON CONSTABLE

 was once asked to consult to a large hospital where the head of nursing wanted to shake things up. Or at least that’s what she said. It quickly became clear that she wanted change, but didn’t want to do anything different. Whenever I suggested something different, it was immediately shot down, with “that’s not how we do things.” Needless to say the project didn’t go well for me.

Doing something different is hard for most people because it makes them uncomfortable. The same is true for me. That’s why it’s so hard, which bring me to a new book that may help some of us change our lives: Habit Changers: 81 Game-Changing Mantras to Mindfully Realize Your Goals by M.J. Ryan. It was published last month by Crown Business. Read more here.

Forbes Video: What Are the Biggest Wine Investing Mistakes?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

If you are tired of investing in the same old standard of stocks and bonds, then you need to get educated.

For instance, should you buy cases of rare wine? It might be worth considering. But if you do so then you should avoid some of the more common missteps.

For instance, where should you store your wine? Or what happens when there is a natural disaster?

To get the skinny on the matter I spoke with wine expert and author of “How to Drink Like a Billionaire,” Mark Oldman, who elaborates on some of the things he maybe should have thought twice about. He talks with me in this video.

Photo by photo nic on Unsplash

Forbes Video: Is It Over For Gold?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Gold prices have been sliding recently, partially reversing the gains made over the last year.

The big question for many investors is whether the move means that the bull run is over? This is not a trivial question. Gold suffered a two-decade bear market from 1980 through 2000 where prices sank from $850 a troy ounce to a low of less than $300. The decade before that, 1970 to 1980 saw tremendous gains, from a low of $35 up to the then all-time high of $850.

So there it is; is the recent pullback a blip, or is it the harbinger of something bigger. Charlie Bilello, Director of Research at Pension Partners, explains his thoughts in this video.

U.S. News: 6 Ways Anyone Can Save Money

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Some people will tell you that saving money is just a waste of time, and that you'd be better off just earning more cash. But the truth for many is that pennies saved are worth far more than pennies earned.

For instance, in New York City, figure on your earned dollar being worth as little as 60 cents once you've paid city, state and federal taxes.

With that in mind here are some ways to put money back in your pocket, gathered from some of the world's top financial markets experts. Read more here.

Outside On The Street: Does More Money Mean More Adventure?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Jon Levy, author of The 2 AM Principal explains why traveling while strapped for cash might be just the thing that the doctor ordered.