A few years ago, I wrote in this space about whether it made sense to buy US manufactured tools and products even at higher prices than imports. Time has marched on. I now wonder about our future as a viable independent nation. By way of example, let’s examine computers, especially [...]
Many of you know that each year I use this week to share a column with a Thanksgiving theme. It is my favorite American holiday since it originated in our land in the 1600s. In former years, it kicked off the official Christmas shopping season, but that has already begun. [...]
Even before there was a virus named COVID19 there was an explosion in the number of jobs that were being advertised in the US. The so called animal spirits for economic growth were alive and well. Now that many Americans for various reasons seem to have left the workforce, the [...]
Last week I discussed the problem of holding bonds during a period of rising inflation. Not only does the older rate of income paid fall short of keeping up with the cost of buying goods and services, but the value of the bonds in your portfolio falls. The worst case [...]
The Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell tells us that the present surge of inflation is transitory. But whatever its duration, it is wreaking havoc on the budgets of many American families. Just in terms of gasoline, a two wage-earning couple could easily be spending an additional $100-$150 per month [...]
As a baby boomer generation member, I can recall feeling an incredible sense of pressure as a young person in the 1960’s. There were so many of us with which to compete. Unlike now, there were more looking for work than there were positions. I thought I had to [...]
According to Jesus’ parable found in Matthew 25 about the three servants entrusted with the Master’s talents of precious metal, we are going to be rewarded by taking at least some risk in our financial lives. Why do I say that? You will recall that the Master entrusts 5 talents [...]
One of our successful market strategies since the Virus turmoil of March, 2020, has been the purchase of Closed End Funds (CEF’s) that pay high dividends. Let me first explain what they are since they are not nearly as discussed and understood as other funds. A mutual fund such as [...]
Today I offer a reasoned rant about the high costs of our federal government’s Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP). If you wonder what that policy is, just think about the amount of interest you now receive on your money in the bank and have for more than a decade. Isn’t [...]
Generally by this time in July, big money investors have fled the city, found a cooler place or a beach, whichever their pleasure, and put trading on hold until after Labor Day. This year feels a little different. For one thing, millions of new Millennial speculators are still hard at [...]
