In the Wall Street Journal, Andy Kessler interviews Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, a "shark" from the reality TV show Shark Tank, and a self-made tech billionaire. Kessler, whose work I have been reading for years, takes Cuban through an examination of cryptocurrencies and blockchain, and of where the value lies. Kessler writes: “Weather insurance (Arbol is a great example). With a smart contract I’m soon going to be able to have the Mavs buy weather insurance where using a smart contract I pick the temperature and precipitation thresholds and the smart contract checks the … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy’s Summer Job, Inflation & You
One of my best business experiences was serving fish and chips and scooping ice cream at Oxford Creamery in Mattapoisett, MA, where I grew up. I remember feeling anxious before each shift, knowing I’d be missing out on some fun with my friends, and knowing how slammed work would be. That was especially true on a Friday night when the fish and chips special (with fresh cod from the boats in New Bedford) was the best around. With the line out the door, I had no time to think about missing out on fun with my friends. Waiting on a group of hungry customers fresh off the beach focuses the … [Read more...]
STUFF is BOILING OVER: Are You Paying Attention?
Listen up, are you paying attention? Stuff is boiling over around the world. It’s time you prepare accordingly. In talking with a client yesterday, we discussed whole life insurance. I don’t love it. I much prefer term life which we both agreed on (for me, I just want it until my kids are out of college). He said, “You know, that’s exactly what Peter Lynch used to recommend.” You remember Peter Lynch, don’t you? Author of One Up on Wall Street and famed manager of the Fidelity Magellan fund? His name was legendary in the halls of Fidelity when I was working there (Fidelity #1). In thinking … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy: Cryptos, Stocks, Bonds & YOU
Other than what someone's willing to pay you, where does a cryptocurrency's value come from? Because when it comes to sources of value, with dividends from stocks and interest from bonds, you know where you stand. With cryptos, you hope someone doesn’t jump the line. When a company pays you a dividend (or a bond pays you interest), it worries about meeting its obligations to you. It sees you, unlike the anonymity of cryptos, banging your tin cup on the boardroom table saying: “Show me the money.” When a company issues stock, it’s giving up ownership, and with a bond, it’s taking on debt. … [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...]
Time to Prepare: Big Time Summer Migration is On
Time to prepare. The summer migration is on, big time. The threat of gas shortages has everyone running on a full tank of 87 octane, preparing to cram two summers into one as if there’s a BOGO deal. Everyone’s going to the beach with loaded coolers and hot heads. Pay attention because nerves are frayed. You’re telling me traffic on I-95N is crazy, hotel prices are up, and if you don’t have a reservation, good luck finding a room. The help wanted signs are everywhere as anxious patrons (that’s being too kind) wait impatiently to be served. Is there any wonder workers are taking the summer … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy’s Conversation with Gov. Scott Walker
You can imagine Your Survival Guy’s surprise when my cell phone rang while Becky and I were driving to dinner. Not recognizing the number, I picked up anyway. “Hi E.J., this is Scott Walker.” • You may recall it was Gov. Walker whose yeoman’s work broke the back of the unions and collective bargaining in Wisconsin. Now he’s the president of Young America’s Foundation whose mission is: “[E]nsuring that increasing numbers of young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values.” Gov. Walker and I … [Read more...]
Are You The Intelligent Investor You Deserve to Be?
When it comes to your money, I want you to be a survivor. As you can see in my table, stocks have declined by over 30% three times already in this young century, and I’m talking about blue-chip stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. When we look at the tech-laden NASDAQ and the S&P 500, declines have been far more precipitous—declines as high as 68% and 55% respectively. Moving forward, your job will be to survive the wreckage. I’m here to help. In my table below, you’ll see the performance of the Vanguard Wellesley and Wellington funds during these tumultuous periods in history. … [Read more...]
World Class Food Destinations & NO GO ZONES
You and I are reminded daily of a recurring theme: Big isn't beautiful, especially when it comes to cities that lock it all down. In case after case, we've seen the success of smaller cities that are less strict, and remain open for business—they survive and thrive. Unfortunately, in big cities, the farther the "experts" get from the boots on the ground, the more oblivious they are to the suffering until it's too late. Small restaurants surviving on a month-to-month basis just don't have the running room. And why even consider going out to dinner in a big city when a protest could break out … [Read more...]
Don’t Take Government’s Word on Inflation, You See It for Yourself
Your Survival Guy is seeing rising prices on stuff we actually use. You need not be confused by some useless and outdated government measurement. You can see it for yourself. Jaewon Kang reports in The Wall Street Journal: Americans accustomed to years of low inflation are beginning to pay sharply higher prices for goods and services as the economy strains to rev back up and the pandemic wanes. Price tags on consumer goods from processed meat to dishwashing products have risen by double-digit percentages from a year ago, according to NielsenIQ. Whirlpool Corp. WHR +1.02% freezers and … [Read more...]
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