What we are reading: For week ending October 21, 2016

At ET Wealth, we know that your time is precious. There is information overload for investors and not all of it would be useful and helpful in decision making. And, it's true even for us.

So, along with the ET Wealth's daily dose of articles on personal finance, we will help bring to your notice some truly interesting articles/blogs/videos in the realm of personal finance from across the globe. These are interesting pieces we have read over the week and found.

If you think the US election means something to your portfolio, think again

There are no clear crystal balls in investing. Thus, the best we can do is to put the odds of success in our favour as much as possible

Avoid magical thinking in personal finance and make better plans
Magical thinking shows up all the time in people's financial planning, causing them to make some enormous foolish mistakes.

What are activist investors looking for?
While shareholder activism has historically been an American phenomenon, it's starting to spread to other developed equity markets in the Americas, as well as Asia and Europe.

Low rates and rising inflation punish savers in real terms
High street bank savings are set to shrink in real terms because of a "toxic combination" of low interest rates and rising inflation, according to Octopus Choice.

It takes a lot of work to be ready to retire. Don't forget these things
You thought you'd planned for everything, but these things might still sneak up on you in retirement.