Regardless of how many times I see it, I am always astounded to find bread and milk shelves laid bare prior to a forecasted snowstorm. In the 40 something years I have lived in the metro, I cannot remember a single occasion when two days after inclement weather I was [...]
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 [...]
The stock market has been rocked this past week after Chinese property giant Evergrande announced they were on the brink of a total collapse and were likely to default on over 300 billion in debt. While this announcement has certainly impacted its shareholders and creditors, it is also having serious [...]
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 [...]
Something I learned back in algebra class was when faced with a problem, the fewer variables there are, the easier it is to solve. Businesses across our nation face a multitude of challenges right now. Supply chain failures, employment shortages and rising costs are just a few of the obstacles [...]
In 1979 President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation in what has become known as the Malaise speech. In it, he said, “Our people are losing faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy…. It is [...]
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 [...]
Last week I wrote about the very real threat inflation poses to retiring comfortably. With inflation up almost 5.5% from a year ago, most of us need to find ways to reduce our spending by that same amount just break even. This week I thought I would share a few [...]
