The stock market/Wall Street has made a full recovery from March, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way on Main Street. The 10-year treasury pays you peanuts and that’s about what local businesses have earned compared to pre-virus. Why will they stay in business, especially in cooler New England when outside dining is basically gone for the winter? Cities like Boston that depend on sports/entertainment/dining are not coming back this season. In times like these, you can be your own barber—you can handle a bad haircut—but will you be your own investment counselor … [Read more...]
Who Wants to Live the Island Life? You Do: Part II
You read yesterday about how to live an "island life," whether that be on an actual island, or by simply protecting yourself from the dangers around you. One of the best parts of living on an actual island is access to the beach. But many islands with top beaches come along with a high cost of living. Thrillist has put together a list of the "World's Most Beautiful Beach Cities Where You Can Live for Dirt Cheap." There are some nearby places like Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic, and some further afield like Canggu, Bali. The author writes: More than a few Americans fantasize … [Read more...]
Second Amendment Principles Become Self Defense Practicality
You may be one of the many Americans who has long supported the Second Amendment but never felt inclined to own a firearm yourself. That group of Americans is shrinking rapidly, as those who have long believed in the Second Amendment but never owned a firearm are purchasing guns at record rates. First-time gun ownership is soaring, and it's not because of some newfound philosophical understanding of the Second Amendment. Gun ownership is soaring because of the practical need for self-defense. Americans are literally watching their police forces sent home. Cities across the nation are … [Read more...]
After Democrats Encourage Riots, Biden Wants to Take Away Citizens’ Guns
After two LA County deputies were shot in their patrol car, President Donald Trump called for a fast trial and harsh punishment for the perpetrator of the attack. Meanwhile, from his basement bunker, Joe Biden tweeted out that "Weapons of war have no place in our communities. We need to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines." There is a video of the shooting, and the shooter definitely wasn't using an "assault weapon," at least as normally defined by the Democrats trying to ban them. The shooter plainly used a pistol. It can't be determined whether or not the shooter was using … [Read more...]
Why You Are Your Most Valuable Asset
You have the unique ability to understand your financial situation if you can take emotion out of the equation. But unless you have an investment counselor you speak with regularly, that's a hard ask. We all get a little uptight when it comes to our money. I'm here to help you breathe a little deeper and to gain some much-needed focus. Here are my top five boxes for you to check as a mental exercise for goal setting. You'll know which ones apply to you. ☐ You're out of debt. You own your home. You and I know homeownership is an expensive endeavor. The cash goes out the front door, … [Read more...]
All She Wants is an America that Will Defend Her Freedom at Any Cost
Looks like Biden’s trying to get the band back together because, with Kamala Harris, the likes of Hillary, Kerry, and Rice will feel right at home. Remember, this Obama brain trust dumped cash on Iran, let Benghazi burn, and lined the pockets of friends and family. Welcome to the show, meet Beto, he’s coming for your guns. You have basement Joe biding his time while President Trump announces a peace plan between Israel + UAE—something Obama couldn’t do. Trump’s Iran is as quiet as a mouse, China is squirming, U.S. troop morale is sky high, Second Amendment supporters are breaking gun sale … [Read more...]
Your Retirement Life: “You Want Maine Lobster”
You’re telling me you want Maine Lobster. Lucky you, you’ve come to the right place. Allow me to set your table. Before we dig in to that sweet, juicy, mouth-watering bite of warm buttered lobster, a word to the wise: Bigger isn’t necessarily better. It just means bigger, and oftentimes, bitter. The sweet spot is 1 1/2 lbs, give or take, and if you like the delectable red roe (coral), a female is for you. Call our local seafood market before 5 pm, and they’ll steam ‘em for you or call our friends at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, and they’ll ship ‘em live to your door. Now, in terms of … [Read more...]
Your Retirement Survival Checklist: Move to an Island
In times like these, your safety tops the retirement survival checklist. If you can live on an island (Newport, Key West for example) do it. Islands can be easily defended, period. Your island doesn’t need to be surrounded by water. I like the idea of a cul de sac or some high elevation retreat. You get the point: Easily defendable and easy to shut down access. Making the thugs think twice is the point. They aren’t looking for “hard” targets. It’s why I love the work Lauren Boebert is doing in Rifle, CO (can you think of a better name for a town?) at her Shooters Grill restaurant. If … [Read more...]
You Owe it to Yourself to Continue Doing What You’re Good At
Coronavirus Infects Stock Market: Part XLVI Clients of mine on the West Coast, we’ll call them Rock and Tess, sold their business a number of years ago. They were in their early 50s. Rock could care less about money. Tess handles that. Rock fixes things. Rock can fix just about anything mechanical. Rock is still working. He doesn’t need to. But Rock loves his work. He continues to do what he loves to do. In speaking with Tess this week, I remind her that a j-o-b is one of the most valuable assets in the world today. If “retirement” can wait, why not let it? I tell her … [Read more...]
“Good Golly Miss Molly!” You Own a Bank?
Coronavirus Infects Stock Market: Part XLIV When you visit me in Newport, R.I. you’ll need your GPS. Our office is at 98 William Street, but you’ll never find a number on our building. We like it that way. The privacy. The building? It’s beautiful. It’s brick with ivy climbing up the side, manicured trees in front, protected by a black wrought iron fence. Welcoming? Perhaps, that is, if you can get beyond the startling “No Parking” sign. Once inside the gates, you’ll see a solid wood door protecting the foyer, with an American flag, and a security phone setting the tone. Once you dial-in, … [Read more...]