Earning interest on safe investments is hard to come by these days. And with inflation here, the risk of losing purchasing power on savings accounts is a concern. When interest rates are low I must throw up the caution flags about the dangers of reaching for yield, that is, purchasing riskier and riskier securities that…
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Writings
When What’s ‘Not Working’ Is Actually Working
“My investments don’t seem to be working” “Something should be changed” Have you ever thought that? Take a look at this investment and you tell me if it seems to be working. Whatever that investment is should be replaced! And fast! It lost almost 4%! Alright, let’s do one more. Look at this investment and…
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3Q 2021 Market Overview
Market Update Markets were basically flat in the 3rd quarter. After basically 18 months of great market returns, this past quarter reminded us that excellent returns are not the normal market experience. I definitely wouldn’t get worked up about these numbers, but it did feel a bit uncomfortable to experience some losses when the recent…
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How to Hedge Against Tax Rate Increases
Here’s how the top marginal tax brackets have changed over the last 100 years or so: I don’t know how or when tax rates will change, but if this graph tells us anything it’s that they probably will. As I write this, tax policies have been proposed, but nothing has been implemented yet. Lower tax…
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What Living Below Your Means Actually Does
My first introduction to investing was my senior year in high school when my economics teacher gave Dr. Thomas Stanley’s book The Millionaire Next Door as an assignment. The book covers the lifestyles of actual American millionaires and their lives look much different than what may be portrayed by the rich in the media. The…
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My Euro Cup Endowment Effect
This past year I’ve been watching a new sport that I have never invested much time in before: international soccer. I took a break from football, basketball and jumped over the pond to enjoy a fresh taste of a different sport. I mainly watched the Premier League (England’s top-flight club football division) since NBC broadcasts…
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