When I was a young entrepreneur, everything seemed simple. I paid 5 cents for candy bars and sold them for 10 cents. The math was easy. As you get older, financial numbers get bigger and more complicated. Rates of return become affected by interest rates, taxes and inflation. A persons’ portfolio may have $50,000 more…
Most investors know they shouldn’t try to time the market. Stock markets react to events in ways that are often impossible to predict. The current volatility is a great example. Since the Russian war began, we have had huge swings both up and down on Wall Street, even though the news each day has been…
Human emotions can be good or bad depending on how we respond to them. A very useful emotion is fear. Though unpleasant, fear causes us to be extra cautious and to consider our options for escape if necessary. Fear helps us survive but only if balanced by good judgement. I was in a bank when…
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and its possible spread to other areas is obviously the hot topic this week. As a financial advisor it’s difficult to discuss the potential effects on investors at a time when millions of innocent people are being threatened with having their lives, livelihoods and freedoms destroyed. There are many things…
One of the biggest challenges new pilots face is keeping an airplane straight and level. Airplanes react more slowly than automobiles, creating a tendency for trainees to overcorrect. The resulting oscillation would make anyone in the back seats queasy, where motion is exaggerated. Which, by the way, is why first class is always in the…
A college football player whose injury forced him to sit out his teams’ bowl game was interviewed about his experience and future. He recounted the hit that took him down, and his severe pain as he was carted off the field. The interviewer asked if he was disappointed to be missing the big game and…
The current investment markets are in a battle between interest rates and inflation. Let me see if I can explain it a bit by starting in the 1980’s when I financed my first home with an 18% loan.No, that is not a misprint. I laugh at today’s young home buyers who worry about 30 year…
On my first date with Launa , when the waitress asked for her drink order she replied, “A glass of water please.” Thirty-six years later whenever we have eaten out her drink orders have always been the same. I don’t think any of our kids even knew restaurants offered soda. Eating out once with another…
Two years ago I wrote about our booming economy and my hopes for a strong future. I listed five key reasons why I thought the economy would continue to grow and reward investors in the process. I mentioned that maintaining those five items would be an important part of continuing our growth cycle. So today…
Achieving any success has always come with a price. My wife, a wonderful piano player, spent her whole life practicing and developing her skills. Our first major purchase together was a beautiful piano, and nothing we have ever owned has gotten more use. I used to lay on the floor listening for hours as she…