Your Survival Guy is working in the trenches for you. And that's OK. I like the view from where the boots hit the ground. It's where the real stuff happens. Here's what you're telling me this week: "Hello, E.J. Let me know your thoughts when you receive my Secure Upload. I'm sending statements from family members and my business. By the way, I also bought some land in South Carolina and Austin, TX, and I own some gold coins I bought years ago thanks to your father-in-law. Have a nice long weekend. Let's talk Tuesday morning," he said. "Hi, E.J. Weather's beautiful. Wish you were … [Read more...]
America’s Growth Corridors Outpace Lockdown States in Recovery
The governors of America's "growth corridor" states have made economic recovery from the COVID-19 shutdowns a priority. While blue state governors went wild with draconian lockdowns, governors like Ron DeStantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas were busy finding ways to reopen their states' massive economies safely, and to put real money back in their residents' pockets. South Dakota barely shut down, with governor Kristi Noem prioritizing the whole health of her constituents, rather than just focusing on the narrow risk posed by COVID-19. Now, the common sense measures taken by … [Read more...]
Texas Poised to Become 21st Permitless Carry State
The Texas legislature has passed a bill that will allow the state to join 20 others as a permitless carry state. The bill is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbot's signature. The governor has signaled he will sign it, making Texas the 21st permitless carry state in America. The Wall Street Journal reports: Supporters of the bill say it would allow Texans to better defend themselves in public while abolishing unnecessary impediments to the constitutional right to bear arms. Once signed into law, Texas will join nearly two dozen other states that allow some form of unregulated carry of a handgun. Texas … [Read more...]
You’re Telling Your Survival Guy This and More…
You’re telling Your Survival Guy about your recent fly fishing float trip to Wyoming, where your guide said, “We don’t wear masks around here.” Yet another reason I love the big, red, Cowboy State of Wyoming. Contrast Wyoming with NYC, and you realize the importance of having some space to move around. The same client tells me he booked a summer house on the Cape months ago but said it was a challenge booking for the fall. Your Survival Guy’s take: Welcome to the extended summer vacation and the extended spending to follow. But will the tap be dry this time next year? You’re telling me about … [Read more...]
Parents and Politicians Fight Abuse by Teachers’ Unions During Pandemic
There are still places in America where schools are closed. Despite a promise by Joe Biden that he'd have them open in his first 100 days (by April 30), teachers' unions in many places have no intention of opening schools. The selfish response to the pandemic by teachers' unions, who have left children at home dealing with the mental distress of isolation, has opened the eyes of many parents and politicians who are now fighting back. You've read a lot about West Virginia Governor Jim Justice here lately, and that's because he's leading a charge to make the state part of America's "growth … [Read more...]
Sen. Joe Manchin and Democrats Trying to Kill West Virginia’s Tax Cut Plan
You read yesterday that Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia is trying to turn his state into a destination for liberty retirees and anyone looking for a better place in America. Not to mention his desire to make West Virginia a better place for people already there. But working against him are Democrats in Congress, including Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). Democrats have lined up billions of dollars to be given to every state in America, but have attached rules to the money that will intercede in states' local affairs by preventing them from cutting taxes for their citizens. That's especially … [Read more...]
Is This State the Next Destination for America’s Liberty Retirees?
You want to build yourself an 'island' in retirement. You want to separate you, and your money, from those who would take it from you. Settling down in one of America's growth corridors is a good first step toward finding the right place in America. But if you want to get a head start on your retirement, and move while you're still working, you probably want to find a state with low, or no income taxes. There are seven states with no personal income taxes, including: Alaska Florida Nevada South Dakota Texas Washington Wyoming New Hampshire doesn't have personal … [Read more...]
A Liberty Retirement in Alabama
Once you finally make the decision to retire, and you shut off the flow of new income into your portfolio, your expenses quickly become the center of your attention. Your cost of living means a lot in retirement. One place where you can get more for your money is in Alabama. Birmingham and Montgomery are two of the least expensive cities in America to buy a midsize home. Being careful with your money in retirement is important, but maintaining a FIRE mentality during your working years, and saving more ahead of retirement is the best way to unlock the power of compound interest. But a … [Read more...]
Is There One Best Place in America for ‘Liberty Retirees?’
You might be looking for the best place in America to retire. You may enjoy owning firearms, paying low taxes, and being left alone. That's the definition of what I'm calling a "liberty retiree." Recently a liberty retiree, known as U, asked MarketWatch's Catey Hill where would be the best place for them to retire. Hill answered (abridged): To answer your question, I went right to the source: the Libertarian Party itself, where I had a lively chat with Dan Fishman, the party’s executive director, who had a lot of advice for you. He said that, while the Libertarian Party doesn’t maintain a … [Read more...]