In 1897 the New York Sun responded to young Virginia O’Hanlon’s simple question about Santa Claus. She had heard conflicting opinions on the issue of Santa Claus but her Papa had assured her that she could find the truth by asking the paper because, ‘If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.’ The response to…
DetailsThe holiday season is a time when I meet with people to discuss their dreams, and their fears, for the coming year. They often ask why I am optimistic when there is so much to be worried about. Am I blind to the world around me or do I know something they don’t know? Author…
DetailsI had an interesting visit with a younger investor this week regarding a particular cryptocurrency. Our office does not offer, nor make recommendations on cryptocurrency investments, but I will share this story for educational purposes only. The young man wanted to buy a certain coin that all of his friends were recommending to him. It…
DetailsI had the opportunity a few years ago to drive a high-powered race car. At one point in the experience, cones were set up in an obstacle course with sprinklers creating slick conditions at many of the turns. It was a fun but frustrating experience, racing against the clock while trying not to spin out…
DetailsA contractor friend was telling me his employees’ wages have almost doubled in the past year. I asked if they were taking advantage of the windfall and setting aside money for a future slow down. He laughed and said that despite record wages, just as many were asking for Holiday advances on their paycheck as…
DetailsWhen I was 11 our family moved from Southern California to Toronto, Canada. My dad was promoted to run the new Canadian division of the defense contracting firm he worked for. There were 10 kids in our family at the time so moving was a huge project. My dad was a highly organized production manager…
DetailsI needed help from a major company that I have done business with for years. They have always provided the highest level of service. When the virus hit, this wonderful company struggled to continue the high-quality service upon which they had built their reputation. It wasn’t their fault. The changes the virus imposed made it…
DetailsI needed a new car and if you haven’t shopped for one lately let me just say, good luck. After a couple of weeks, I found myself wondering if I was living in cold war Russia. Each salesperson said some form of “You want a new car? Yes, we can get one in three months.…
DetailsMy Dad grew up in an orphanage from age five. It wasn’t a pleasant life by today’s standards but with the depression going on he recognized the blessing of having a warm bed and three meals a day. At the age of 13 he “graduated” from the orphanage and was sent out to make his…
DetailsIn 2013, after a rapid climb to glory, the world of cryptocurrency was rocked by its first major downturn. The internet lit up with chatter from largely millennial investors trying to decide what to do with their newfound, but rapidly shrinking wealth. On December 18th, in the midst of the social media back-and-forth, a poster…
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