When most investors are simply scurrying for some peace of mind, that's the time for you to think long-term. What’s your cash situation like? Can you make it through the next few years? Are there areas where you see opportunities? I know some of you with second homes are thinking about cashing in, for example. The next question is, where do you put the proceeds? It’s not a simple answer. I want you to think about how long it took you to save your money. Think about how many hours, days, weeks, months, and years you worked to get to where you are. This is not a trivial exercise. For most, … [Read more...]
June RAGE Gauge: Hunker Down, Avoid Stupid Mistakes
Good morning from Your Survival Guy. Are we having fun yet? Listen, markets are brutal. It’s why I’ve cautioned you from the beginning to focus on keeping what you make and not hoping for markets to do something for you. Now is a perfect time to be reminded of the words of wisdom of the late great Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard: "Don’t just do something, stand there.” And yet, the pressure to do something continues to grind away at participants, forcing them to sell so they can sleep or to stop the question: “How much are we down now?” When will it stop? When the selling stops. When … [Read more...]
The Fed Needs Aggressive Rate Increases Now
The Fed has simply been talking its book, making bold statements about its intentions to raise rates, but guess what? Talk is cheap. Actually, this kind of talk is quite expensive. Investors are worried the Fed might not be capable of—putting it kindly—cleaning up the mess in aisle two. They need to be aggressive with the rate increases and they need to do it now. Nick Timraos reports for The Wall Street Journal: Federal Reserve officials have spent the past two months getting investors acclimatized to their plans to slow economic growth and combat inflation by raising interest rates … [Read more...]
California’s Unions Are Trying to Strangle Ronald McDonald
You won't find a state any better at discouraging business than California. Unions are pushing the state's legislature to craft new laws that will force parent companies to take responsibility for more of what franchisees do, leaving them less likely to build new franchises. It doesn't take too much thought to see how this will hurt job creation. The Wall Street Journal reports: Democrats claim fast-food restaurants pay “poverty wages,” and the legislation directs the council to “supply the necessary cost of proper living to fast food restaurant employees.” According to MIT, the “living wage” … [Read more...]
Get Out the Map, Make a Plan, and MAKE IT HAPPEN
OK, it’s a busy summer. What can I say? Deal with it? OK, fine. Here’s what I’m doing. You know I’ve enjoyed my training at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, New Hampshire. It’s about a two-hour drive. Nothing major. I’m up and out by 5:30 am and back by 7:30 pm. No big deal. It’s a staycation for me. No planes, trains, and rental automobiles. Take a look at a map of your neck of the woods. Where could you go within a four-hour radius? Action Line: The hard part about going to Sig Sauer, deep-sea fishing, skiing, hiking, or any other trip that requires a little planning is getting out the … [Read more...]
Do You Know How to Structure Your Bond Portfolio?
Do you know how to structure your bond portfolio? When companies issue debt, for example, they put out a spread of maturities and coupons. It reminds me of setting out the spread when sportfishing for sailfish. You have your three lines through the outriggers, for example, on port and starboard with kites keeping them on the surface. You have a couple lines off the stern at high and low depths trying to work the water column. You spread out your options. When it comes to your bond ladder, you want to put a portfolio together that provides income while controlling the two main risks, credit … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy’s Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget
What’s Your Survival Guy’s solution to satisfy my Champagne taste on a beer budget? One word: Prosecco. Go for the orange labeled Mionetto for $13.99 or any other comparable bottle. Prosecco costs a fraction of what you’ll pay for some Dom—about the same as a twelve-pack of Bud Light bottles. But you’ll look and feel like a high roller popping this Italian bubbly for friends and family. Cheers! Action Line: Keep some in the fridge to make an ordinary night extraordinary. Click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter. Originally posted on Your Survival Guy. … [Read more...]
WARNING: Private Equity Investing Coming to a Retailer Near You
Don’t look now, but private equity is looking to tap into the retail investor market. Looks like they ran out of money on the institutional side—you know, the pensions for firemen, teachers, and police officers. This is all about the sales pitch. But where do you think they’re investing this “alternative” money? What’s clear as day is the lack of transparency. They lock up your money so you can’t get it, and you basically pay them to make sure you’re a long-term investor. I don’t like it. The best things in life are free. Your Survival Guy is here for you. Stick with me. The WSJ PRO’s Chris … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy’s Boat Struck by Lighting, Plan B
OK, you read here that Your Survival Guy’s boat got struck by lightning. In my conversations with you, you’re asking if it’s fixed and back in the water. Well, here’s the deal. To make a long story short, I sold the boat as is and ordered the same one from Grady White, a Canyon 306. MAYDAY: Black Smoke Rising from Your Survival Guy’s Boat I’m waiting for delivery, chomping at the bit to get back out on the water. I’ve been told I should be good to go for July 4th, assuming the engines aren’t delayed. You and I know what happens with assumptions. I’ll keep you posted. Your Survival Guy: … [Read more...]
Will the Fed Tighten at Its Next Meeting?
Will the Fed tighten at its next meeting? Listen, I’m Your Survival Guy, not some gambling website. We’ll see what happens, but I’m not betting the ranch on Charlie Brown threading the needle and kicking the field goal. What I do know is the Fed’s talking its book, and the market bid rates higher. What could possibly go wrong? READ: The Dangers of a Federal Reserve Digital Currency When there’s chaos in the markets, you need to be ready to strike as opportunities present themselves to you. When stocks and bonds were tumbling, bond yields all of a sudden looked more attractive. And that’s why … [Read more...]
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