Anybody who reads my column regularly already knows that I love a good bargain. I have written extensively about paying less for everything from vacations and Christmas presents to clothing and food. So, when New York City Mayor and self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani announced last week that he plans [...]
In late June, one of the most influential figures in modern American economics, Alan Greenspan, passed away at the age of 100. For nearly two decades, he chaired the Federal Reserve, serving under four presidents and presiding over an unprecedented period of low inflation, rapid technological innovation, and one of [...]
Last week we received a few calls from clients who wanted to get in on the SpaceX Initial Public Offering (IPO) of stock. I explained that I generally did not favor trying to get ahead of the market by buying shares of almost any company IPO for several reasons. The [...]
My grandfather lived to the ripe old age of 89. This was especially notable because when he was in his 30’s he suffered a serious heart attack and underwent open-heart surgery. His long-term prognosis was not good, yet he ultimately went on to live a long and relatively healthy life. [...]
This summer, my family and I have a trip planned to California. Being budget-conscious, we had intended to fly with Spirit Airlines. However, following Spirit’s surprise announcement this past weekend that it is immediately shuttering operations, we are now searching for an alternative carrier. While it was a shock to [...]
This past year was good for most investors, particularly those owning stocks and precious metals. This also fits with the historical averages in being the first year of a new presidential term. Today we will look back to see the best and worst performances along with some new trends that [...]
I know it probably goes without saying, but most of the stuff we buy today costs way too much. It wasn’t that long ago that inflation was nearly non-existent. For the decade prior to Covid, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by an average of just 1.8% a year. Since [...]
By the time you are able to read this, we will or should know voters’ choices in New Jersey, New York City, and Virginia. I assume most watchers will be surprised in one way or another. There have been notable ironies in the preparations for them. First, New York City [...]
My family has started to complain about the amount of pork and chicken we’re eating. As the primary grocery shopper and cook in our home, I’ve made the decision to buy much less beef lately. Prices seem to climb higher every week, and it’s becoming harder to justify. These rising [...]
As many of you know, several weeks ago the Federal Reserve, under Chairman Jerome Powell, announced a quarter-percent cut to its key interest rate, the first of 2025. Both in announcing this cut and in later remarks, Powell emphasized that the Fed intends to move cautiously, balancing the risk of [...]
