Every week my dad organized a family chess tournament among the kids, offering one dollar to the winner and an additional dollar if that winner could go on to beat him. I never lost one of those tournaments which made them increasingly fun for me but decreasingly fun for the other siblings. Eventually he added…
DetailsIn a recent column Andrew Sorkin commented, “We have a financial literacy epidemic in America.” His was referring in part to some foolish fiscal Ideas being floated by elected officials. Many of these ideas are coming from the younger members of congress, those of the so-called millennial generation. Millenials are often ridiculed by other generations for…
DetailsIn training, flight instructors often give challenges far beyond what you are likely to experience in a real flight by artificially simulating multiple system failures at the same time. On one challenging maneuver I missed an action to which my instructor replied, “Make sure you never forget to hit that switch in this situation.” Exhausted,…
DetailsI remember the very first time I held a five dollar bill of my own. I earned it by working 10 hours over two Saturdays at my Dad’s shop. When I got the job, I dreamed of the candy I would buy when payday came. But as I sat on my bed that day looking…
DetailsMany years ago I was affiliated with an investment firm that was bought out by an insurance company. We were promised the deal would improve service and product availability. As an added bonus the new company provided health insurance coverage to its reps. Initially it was a good relationship, with them leaving me alone to run…
DetailsIn 1975 an unsuccessful man by the name of Gary Dahl was hanging out with friends at their favorite bar. They happened to be discussing their family pets and how much trouble they were. The more they drank the louder they laughed until Gary, without any forethought, blurted out that he had the best pet…
DetailsThere once was a farmer who wanted to raise a turkey so he built a pen with a nice bed of straw, fresh water daily and plenty of food. He put a baby turkey in the pen and each day checked on the bird, changed its water, and filled its food bowl. The turkey loved…
DetailsSaint George, Utah, is often listed as one of the top retirement cities in the country. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth, surrounded by National and State parks with breathtaking scenery. The beauty is magnified by the temperate climate with mild winters. According to the Chamber of Commerce, the city enjoys…
DetailsFrom a young age I was interested in business, and airplanes. Now I have the privilege of owning a business that uses an airplane for visiting clients. I am fortunate to be able to do what I love, and get in a lot of enjoyable flying along the way. My Dad was brilliant and I…
DetailsI suggested last week that if you want to be wealthy you should find what the wealthy are doing and copy them. Another step in following the wealthy is to avoid those areas that diminish your wealth. Some call these the “holes in the bucket.” One of the biggest holes is created by taxes. Few…
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