The phrase 'Pig in a Poke' was coined in Britain as a means of saying that a buyer should be careful to see and know what they are buying. The French word for bag or sack is poque. That has been changed in our language to poke. A dishonest seller [...]
From tornados in spring to hurricanes in late summer, we are accustomed to weather caused disasters in these United States. Environmental disasters have obviously occurred for millennia, but our societal responses have improved a great deal in recent years. My perspective comes from 20 years of personal involvement which began [...]
Today I want to provide perspective I hope will help those of you frightened to death about the financial future. For me, perspective is found by looking at circumstances from a 35,000’ elevation viewpoint. The precise details of what ifs are scary, but general principles much more positive. I am [...]
Recently I wrote about the difference between two major groups of stocks in the US stock market. The total of technology companies—1,055 by one measure—have dropped by a composite of 10.4 percent year to date through Monday afternoon. That is the worst sector thus far. On the other hand, the [...]
I am writing on Tuesday afternoon from Uganda in Central Eastern Africa, learning and hopefully helping in the work of His Voice Global. You can view their efforts at www.hisvoiceglobal.org. Today we learned about supporting local and refugee college students and helping them find worthwhile employment or to become entrepreneurs. [...]
A couple weeks ago, I traveled with 9 other volunteers from Greater Kansas City to Burnsville, Yancey County, North Carolina, to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Although it has been over 4 months since the area of Western NC and Eastern Tennessee was hit with what could be [...]
Since we do not know the ending numbers for 2024 while I am writing this column, I thought we would visit the statistical probabilities for 2025 and perhaps recall some amazing financial market performances of yesteryears. Remember that there are lies, damnable lies, and statistics! For years I have consulted [...]
I hope you and yours enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving Day last week. Yesterday was Giving Tuesday. If you have not participated yet, please join me and many others who give all year long. There is no end to the good that our contributions can do for those who have [...]
At times, some clients become quite concerned about election results and which party will supposedly be in charge for the next four years. Perhaps this is your feeling also. I am sure there will be exceptions, but my response is always that the political situation is not as important as [...]
Two weeks ago I wrote about socialist thought creeping into our American life and psyche. One gentleman took my point about unconstitutional actions, like President Biden’s foolhardy and self-serving attempts to forgive everyone’s student loans, as a sign I disapprove of poor people. He proceeded to give me examples of [...]
