Warren Buffett famously said, “Rule #1, don’t lose money. Rule #2: don’t forget rule #1.” When I think of this, I’m reminded of Your Survival Guy’s efficient frontier. Worry more about how you invest than what you invest in. Keeping within your proper comfort zone is up to you. Action Line: If you need help finding your comfort zone, let’s talk. P.S. Happy Efficient Frontier Friday! “What do you do if the market crashes?” a new client asked me last week. “Good question,” I said. “I get that one a lot.” And it’s one of the reasons I’ve been writing to you, valued reader, on my … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy Breaks Down Boxes, Do You?
Your Survival Guy’s family does its best to live a green life. We recycle. But apparently, when it comes to breaking down cardboard boxes, that’s a one-man job—mine. I don’t remember signing up for this job. The boxes just pile up in the foyer. Then, when I trip over one and ask if “I” can take them out to the garage, I’m answered as if it is “my” job: “No leave that I need to return it.” Then there’s the humiliation of the blue recycling bin. Yes, I know how to recycle. But that doesn’t stop the city from slapping a “how to recycle” sticker on my blue bin. It’s embarrassing. And it’s … [Read more...]
Investing Is Math
Originally posted on October 30th, 2023. Sorry to burst your bubble, but investing is math. Sure, prices are fun to watch, but they aren’t the math of collecting income from your stocks, bonds, or that nephew who owes you. That’s math. You can see the money, rent, dividends, income, and even crumpled dollars coming into your possession. That’s investing. Look at today’s yields on bonds. Finally, you can sink your teeth into them. You can plunk $100,000 in a one-year bond yielding five percent and be pretty sure, especially in Treasurys, you’re getting $5000 plus your original outlay at … [Read more...]
When You’re in Control, You Have Opportunities
Control is behind a lot of the problems in the world. But you have more control than you think. You, unlike a government statistic, don’t need to buy the basket of goods the Feds use to measure inflation. You are a value hunter. You seek out good deals and live to talk about them because what’s more fun than talking about a good deal? When the government comes out with inflation stats, you and I know we’re at nosebleed levels already. It’s not like prices are going to fall. Now that we’re at this point, steady increases are just piling onto already too-high prices. But as an inflation … [Read more...]
Yes, Money Can Buy You Happiness
Yes, money can buy you happiness. When you spend within your means and still have enough to take that dream trip, that can truly make you happy. You’re spending some of your money doing just that. I know this because it’s what we talk about. Right now, for example, some of you are returning from a European vacation or Central America, while others are enjoying time in the sun from Apalachicola to Delray Beach and the Keys. You gotta live. And live you can if you’re careful with your money. As my mother always says, “prior planning” can make dreams come true. The same can be true with … [Read more...]
“That’s Why I Hired You,” They Tell Me
My clients tell me, “That’s why I hired you.” They say it when I explain why we’re buying or selling certain positions. “That’s why I hired you.” One of my long-time doctor clients tells me, “I do what I do. You do what you do.” When he says to me, “I’ll leave that to you,” I know he’s thinking, “That’s why I hired you.” Now, Your Survival Guy is no doctor. I can’t fix your teeth, hips, or knees. But I do specialize in pain relief. Because amazingly, with a few investment tweaks here and there, I may help bring back your beautiful smile or put a jump in your step. Sometimes, we don’t … [Read more...]
“What Do You Do If the Market Crashes?”
“What do you do if the market crashes?” a new client asked me last week. “Good question,” I said. “I get that one a lot.” And it’s one of the reasons I’ve been writing to you, valued reader, on my efficient frontier study. The efficient frontier is a visual expression of my phrase, “It’s not what you invest in, but how you invest that matters most.” In other words, in a diversified mix of stocks and bonds, what was the risk and reward? How does Your Survival Guy get through tough markets? I listen to those who guide me with their decades of experience, like my father-in-law Dick … [Read more...]
Costco Gold Bars Sell Out Despite Premium Price
If you can’t get your gold at Costco, consider an ETF that invests in gold. The Gagnam Times reports: Costco, a well-known warehouse discount store in the U.S., is experiencing explosive popularity for a product that has been selling out for several consecutive days. This product is none other than the gold bars sold at Costco, which were launched in the U.S. last year and quickly sold out. Costco is expected to generate ten times more revenue this year than last. Surprisingly, these gold bars are sold at 2% more than the market price. Despite the higher price, there’s a reason why they’re … [Read more...]
Is Your Retirement Life a Mess? Let’s Talk
“Is your retirement life a mess? Then call 1-800-get-HELP.” No, this is not a commercial promising to change your life. This is about my conversations with you. Let’s take last weekend for example. Your Survival Guy was tired of pulling into my garage and looking at the mess it had become and did something about it. That was a Saturday. It was raining. What else was I going to do? One fellow northeasterner commenting to me on all the rain said animals are lining up two by two in his garage. So, I got to work. And when it was done, I felt good. And when I pull into the garage it’s … [Read more...]
Don’t Be Left High and Dry
Don’t be left high and dry wishing you had a proper bond allocation for your retirement life. You know from my efficient frontier how important it is to focus on how you invest and not necessarily what you invest in. Big pension funds are looking at today's rates and deciding they'd like to lock them in. Heather Gillers and Charley Grant report in The Wall Street Journal: Stock portfolios at large pension funds had a blockbuster run. Now, managers are cashing out. Corporate pension funds are shifting money into bonds. State and local government funds are swapping stocks for … [Read more...]
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