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Please note: The following should not be the sole resource for your financial planning. If it is, you are insane! You should always do your own research before investing in stocks or other commodities. If you have questions regarding your financial situation, contact a professional financial planner.  You should also contact a professional accountant to see how your tax situation will change with your investments.

And, as always, when investing in uninsured securities, you may lose money.  You make a decision to take a risk when investing.  Do so carefully.  If you want your money guaranteed, invest in bonds or FDIC-insured instruments.

Furthermore, you should only invest if you have the resources to do so. It doesn’t make much sense to invest if you have loads of credit card debt.  In fact, if you have credit card debt, use the money that you want to use for investing and put it toward your debt.  You’ll save far more in interest payments than you would make otherwise.

• Limit your 401(k) contributions to match your employer’s contribution
  This is only because you double your money right off the bat.  Some employers offer a tiered contribution where the first 5% is 100%, the next 5% is at 80%, etc.  You should do this until the percentage is less than 20%.  But if you’re like me, your employer will only match up to 3% and that’s it.  From here, consider opening a ROTH IRA.  401(k) will be risky if Obama uses them to hedge his health plan.  Regardless if you agree with his health plan, it carries risk.
• Open a ROTH IRA
  ROTH IRAs provide a tax shelter from your future investments.  Depending on Congress, some ROTH IRA contributions can be tax-deductible.  But this is often an exception and not the rule.  The benefits, however, are two-fold: any contribution made on into a ROTH IRA is post-tax.  Anything earned in a ROTH IRA is tax-free, provided that you follow the rules.  You can also withdraw your principle contributions at anytime without penalty or taxes.  Think of it as a checking account, except you don’t get to reap the interest until you retire.
• Avoid trading ‘in the open’
  By open, I mean a regular, non-tax sheltered account.  Use IRAs to avoid paying capital gain taxes that Obama is sure to implement.  If you can help it, delay selling your open stocks until after his regime.  Sell only if you’ve lost money to claim the tax credit.  Then be sure to use that money and invest in other areas, but within a ROTH IRA.
• Invest in green energy
  Buy NOW while prices are low.  You don’t have to believe in global warming to make money off of the idiots people that do.  Obama is a very green president and will spurn more green energy development.  Hold onto these stocks until you’ve made 20-30% on top of your investment and then sell.  Don’t hold onto it through Obama’s presidency.  You can expect a bubble in this market within two years of his inauguration.  You may consider dumping these stocks should something happen to Obama.  If Obama becomes incapacitated, Biden will meet lots of resistance from those in the defense camp.
• Invest minimally into nuclear energy
  Obama hasn’t said much about his stance on nuclear energy.  My gut tells me that he’ll prefer wind farms over nukes.  You may want to invest a small part of your portfolio just in case he changes his mind.
• Don’t buy health care stocks!!!
  If Hawaii is any indication, universal health care will bomb bigger than Gigli.  The health care market will be incredibly speculative.  So much so that I would avoid anything even related to health care.  If you are a risk taker, however, you can invest here but be sure to watch your investments carefully as they will plummet.
• Short coal
  For the same reasons mentioned above.  Obama is not a coal guy.  This market and the coal commodity will likely tank.  But, it will rebound when the world comes out of its recession.  Keep your ear to the ground for China.  If China starts moving, coal will go up since its cheap and their main source of energy.  When this happens, buy lots of coal but sell once it hits 15-20%.  You can bet your bottom dollar that Obama will tax this industry.
• Short and/or sell your defense stocks
  An Obama presidency will mean less defensive spending, which means a lot of companies like Boeing and Northrop Grumman will bottom out.  They won’t crash, but it’s worth taking advantage of it.  Keep your eye on this sector, though.  If Biden’s prediction is true and another terrorist attack happens on US soil, you can expect these stocks start to rise.  Be cautious though since Obama is not likely to use military action.  This rise will be a result of gut-reactions.  Be sure to sell after about 10% raise and then short again.
• Avoid bank securities and other secured money vehicles (e.g. CDs)
  You should avoid these for several reasons: under Obama, these banks will be heavily regulated. It will cost more money to operate a bank, which will result in lower return and higher time horizon.  If you want guaranteed income, consider US notes or bills.  They will provide a much better security and they are easily trade-able post-market.
• Purchase U.S.-backed securities only if you need guaranteed interest or if you need to diversify
  If you are nearing retirement, you will want to put more money into U.S.-backed securities.  This allows you to have an expectation of return and are relatively low-risk.  If you are off 10+ years from retirement, I would only invest in U.S.-backed securities if you need to diversify or if you don’t have enough money to open a ROTH IRA account.  Interest gained through these securities are usually federal tax free.  However, your locality may tax you so check with your local tax office.
• Donate at least 10% of your income to a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
  The benefits of this is two-fold: you get to help out a charity of your choice and you get a nice tax break.  You’ll be surprised how much money you save on taxes if you do this.  This also allows you to dictate where your money will go without the government getting their greedy paws on it.  Be sure to get a receipt, no matter how small your donation.  While organizations are only required to give you a receipt if your gift is over $250, it’s good to get one anyway in case you get audited.
• NEVER DONATE CASH!
  Cash donations are risky.  Always submit a check where you can pull up each check if necessary.  Even if you receive a receipt for cash, always submit a check.  This means avoiding the bell ringers, the on-street donations, and other impulse donations.  The charity will be better served if you go home, think carefully about your financial situation, and then give to your heart

I like to point out that I do expect stocks to rebound shortly after Obama gets inaugurated.  However, I think it will be very speculative and will only be a short-term occurrence.  Be sure to short before the bubble pops and you’ll be good to go.

Now, if by some miracle McCain wins, most of your pre-tax investments are relatively safe.  Your defense stocks are relatively safe.  I’d still invest into green energy because it’s still a hot issue.  But remember to expect a bubble.

• Prepare for tax time now!
  You can avoid paying a good chunk of your taxes if you take the time to do small things throughout the year.  If you volunteer regularly, write down your mileage before and after your trip.  Even if its only 2-3 miles, they will add up!  I saved over $300 last year from doing this.  You can also write off any parking costs if you do this as well.  Keep receipts and detailed mileage information.
• Read the instructions for the 1040!!
  You will be surprised how many tax breaks you actually can claim.  The average American is lazy, but complain that they pay too many taxes.  If you don’t want to be like them, read through these instructions.  Circle items that may apply to you.  This is the time to go through your receipts to find out anything that you may have done that you can write off.  Home improvements, capital losses, charity write-offs are all places to remember and keep an eye on.  Be sure to also document any business-related expenses that you were never reimbursed on.  You bought a pen for your office?  Write it down!  These add up quickly.
• Use tax software if you have to, tax professional if you must
  Remember that the cost of the software and any help you hire to file taxes is tax deductible for the following year.  But the tax breaks only offset the total cost by a small fraction.  Tax software can be helpful, but no software or professional will have the same information that you do.  They are only as good as your records!
• Keep an eye on tax software deals, specifically online
  Visit taxcut.com and turbotax.com regularly.  This year, there was one day that they offered both federal and state for free.  They are likely to do it again next year.

Keep these things in mind and you’ll be able to ride out Obama’s regime safely.  Even you can avoid paying taxes, legally of course.  Keep an eye on this blog for more tips while Obama reigns in DC.

2 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

1. 

   Susan Kishner
   November 2nd, 2008 at 8:24 am #

   I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

2. 

   Allen Taylor
   November 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 am #

   Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.

   Allen Taylor