The rich, the top 10%, keep getting richer and the gap between them and everyone else keeps widening. Some say our flawed capitalistic system favors the rich. Would I get bombarded with ugly emails if I suggested that the lower 90% should learn from the rich and consider doing what they do? A speaker at a…
DetailsEvery year I do two days of recurrent flight training to remain proficient in my airplane. During the training, the instructor will simulate potential emergencies to see how I react. For example, he may pull a few breakers causing various instruments and systems to fail. If I am able to fly the plane safely under…
DetailsHow much do you charge? It is a common question for financial advisors. No one wants to overpay for advice, but underpaying can even be worse. Rather than asking, “how much do you charge” perhaps the question should be, “how much is your advice worth?” I am often asked for referrals to other professionals such as…
DetailsHow much do you charge? It is a common question for financial advisors. No one wants to overpay for advice, but underpaying can even be worse. Rather than asking, “how much do you charge” perhaps the question should be, “how much is your advice worth?” I am often asked for referrals to other professionals such as…
DetailsI love a good football game but sometimes get really annoyed with the non-stop analysis by the supposed experts who spend two weeks before any big game trying to explain all the reasons why one team or another will win. Once the game begins the sportscasters call the game in real time, and proceed to…
DetailsI was in a store on Christmas Eve when a long time reader asked if I was having a heart attack over the record market loss for that day. I responded that if stock market movements gave me a “heart attack” then I am definitely in the wrong business. We talked about the difference between…
DetailsAs investors have been hoping for a little something from Santa Claus this year, a 1983 Anne Murray song, “A Little Good News” might seem appropriate. In her song she complains about the daily barrage of media negativity and suggests how nice it would be if just one day the headlines read, “Not much to…
DetailsWhen I was quite young I read a great book by Robert Ringer, “Winning through Intimidation.” The book contained some amazing information about negotiations, and how to win them. As I have watched President Trump over the past two years I wonder if perhaps he may have read Mr. Ringers book as well. One principle Ringer…
DetailsUp until 2013, the two leading causes of small airplane accidents were LOC (Loss of Control) and CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain). CFIT is when a pilot is flying along normally and suddenly he finds the earth at his same altitude. These “under control” accidents happen largely in poor weather or when there is diminished…
DetailsWe visited our two daughters in Dallas last week and went out one night to find some good old fashioned southern cooking. We headed to a highly recommended restaurant but were disheartened to find the place packed. As we considered our options we noticed a similarly themed restaurant right next door with only a few…
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