For 2013, the S&P 500 was up 32.4%; the average 529 college-savings plan returned 14%

Several states, including California, Louisiana and Texas, have statewide matriculation agreements guaranteeing admission to a 4-year state school to any student who earns an AA at an instate community college.

In 2009, Calpers realized it was paying anywhere from $20,000 to $120,000 within California for knee surgery for its California members.

Bond Market: As of April 2013, the size of the global bond market was $85 trillion, according to Morningstar.com.

 

30-Year Treasury Volatility: From December 2008 to June 2009, an increase of just 1.65% in rates dropped the 30-year Treasury’s value by 26%, according to Jackson National.

 

Fed Rate Changes: The Fed raised rates 8 times in 2005 and lowered rates 7 times in 2008, according to FederalPrimeRate.com.

 

Perhaps the best advice to always follow is to rely on: common sense, patience, thrift, realistic expectations, and perseverance.

According to the author Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, there are five stages of dying: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

An August 2013 article in WSJ describes a man in his early 60s who needed a common type of surgery for a hernia in his lower abdomen.

Here are six positive features the U.S. enjoys:

 

[1] #1 in the world in computers connected to the Internet (505 million)

source: The World Factbook 2013-2014, CIA

 

[2] 9.8% annualized return for the S&P 500 (1926-2012)

source: Ibbotson Associates

 

[3] 19 of the world’s top 25 universities

source: World University Ranking 2012-2013, Times Higher Education

Population growth and age group composition are important indicators of a country’s future economic growth potential.

As of October 2013, most jumbo mortgage lenders (loans > $417,000 in most parts of the country and $625,501 in pricier markets) remain very selective.