You want some ugly math? Look at public pensions. They assume an expected rate of return above seven percent. What if that’s not met? In the real world, there are consequences. Take, for example, a million-dollar portfolio. If you “need” a return of seventy thousand, or seven percent, what happens if you don’t get it? You’re underfunded. A more reasonable expectation would be, say, four percent, or forty thousand. Pensions are invested in a mix of bonds and stocks, so getting stock market returns is basically impossible. In the above example, an actual return of four percent leaves a … [Read more...]
Larry Kudlow: Director of the White House National Economic Council
Your Survival Guy is a big fan of Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council. This week, the WSJ’s Andy Kessler writes: “In the grip of the world-wide recession, we must all stick to anti-inflationary, high-productivity policies that adapt new technology, retrain workers, and increase efficiency.” Who said that? Donald Trump? Angela Merkel? Emmanuel Macron? Nope, that was Ronald Reagan in May 1983, speaking on the eve of the Williamsburg Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations. Now, the off-again, on-again Group of Seven meeting scheduled for June is off until … [Read more...]
Your Retirement Life: Run from Shiny Happy People
Let’s start with our bank of bad habits, shall we? The most common one I see is the annuity. How do they even get into a portfolio? I’ll tell you. “Well,” a prospective client might say, “I had a cousin who told me about that one.” Or, “It was sold to me years ago by some guy. I don’t remember his name.” Or, “My employer brought in this company to give us a presentation.” You get the idea. When investors are young and start making a little scratch, they don’t spend time researching investments. They’re too tired. They don’t have time. They trust who they’re talking with. Plus, the kids are … [Read more...]
Another Reason I don’t Like Municipal Bonds
The Federal Reserve has now become the lender of last resort to the nation's most mismanaged states and cities. This is just one more reason I don't like municipal bonds. Heather Gillers and Nick Timiraos report in The Wall Street Journal: The Federal Reserve said it would again broaden the number of local governments eligible for a new lending program as Illinois announced it would be the first borrower to access the facility. The central bank said Wednesday it would allow all 50 states to designate two cities or counties to sell debts directly to the central bank’s program, creating an … [Read more...]
Your Retirement Life: Bankrupt in Two Weeks
When an investment sounds "too good to be true” we immediately know the refrain. Why then do investors get stuck in this trap time after time? Because it’s those who can’t afford to lose money who take the biggest hits. Which reminds me, by the way, who can afford to lose money? No one. When investors look for the market to do something for them, they are immediately placed on a slippery slope. When investors sell out of the market they now need Mr. Market to help them make up for their losses. Then, along comes an investment product with a fancy gimmick that appears to be fail-proof. And … [Read more...]
America’s Bravest Protect Our Cities, Blue State Politicians Let ‘em Burn
While America’s bravest protect our cities, blue state politicians let ‘em burn. Last night on his primetime Fox News show, Tucker Carlson called out blue state politicians for abandoning their constituents as rioters, looters, and murderers took to the streets. Watch the latest video at foxnews.com In Philadelphia, looters tried to rob the wrong store. A band of looters attempted to rob a gun shop, but the owner was ready for them. Corey Davis reports for ABC 6: Police said one person is dead following a shooting during a burglary attempt inside a South Philadelphia gun store early … [Read more...]
You Need to Seek Some Shelter for When Things Get Ugly
Coronavirus Infects Stock Market: Part LVI “Requests for driving directions on Apple Inc.’s Maps app are back around mid January levels, while data from Dutch location technology firm TomTom International BV show traffic congestion gradually climbing in some late U.S. cities, though it is still down substantially from March levels in many,” reports the WSJ. But after this weekend’s riots, who is in a rush to visit a city? The future of the city is on the rocks. Blue state governors and mayors have gone wild. They’re a fiscal mess. Consider the self-inflicted wreckage of mismanaged … [Read more...]
Cowards Loot, You Fight
Coronavirus Infects Stock Market: Part LV You’ve seen how quickly blue state governors go wild. Now you’re seeing the looting and burning by cowards the blue-state governors aim to protect. Is this a dress rehearsal? Consider the recklessness from blue state governors and their self-crowning press conferences, stirring up resentment from the producers of the world. The allies of blue-state politicians in the media and technology industries have no problem setting one set of rules for America’s producers, and another for their favored groups. Tucker Carlson explains: Watch the … [Read more...]
Get Ready: Your Survival Guy’s Guide to the Second Wave
Coronavirus Infects Stock Market: Part LIV You read the news: “Coronavirus reaches 100,000 deaths,” streaming across all forms of media yesterday and yet, not a peep just a couple of years ago when the flu killed 80,000. It’s like the media is taking a victory lap, cheering the virus numbers higher. A group of restaurants and bars in Rhode Island want government money to stay closed, claiming it’s stressful being open. Imagine all the pushy parents wringing their hands because little Jonny can’t play travel sports this summer. Talk about an aggressive group. They along with the … [Read more...]
Big Government Politics on the Shores of Newport and Beyond
Coronavirus Infects Stock Market: Part LIII Blue state governors have completely dropped the ball in the name of science, killing businesses and creating new health problems like anxiety and depression. In blue Rhode Island, we have our governor patting us on the head after a “successful” Memorial Day weekend. “The good news is, overwhelmingly, people were out and about doing the right thing,” she said during her daily news briefing. Tonight’s Newport City Council meeting will hear a resolution to require all pedestrians to wear masks on certain streets at all hours of the day. Councilwoman … [Read more...]
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