Ways to Buy Cars
To start, I will extensively quote a prior article that I wrote on the topic: When I buy a car, I analyze what car I would like to buy. I look at reliability, repair costs, overall costs, and style. I use Consumer Reports to help me analyze this. Then I go to the website(s) of...
Sorted Weekly Tweets
China China’s first bond default could be good market medicine http://t.co/8ShFniYM Bond trader: “We don’t really have a credit risk culture.” $$ Mar 31, 2012 Is China’s slowdown worse than previously estimated? http://t.co/CkZw8tLK Could b business conditions that are worst since 2009. $$ Mar 31, 2012 China Banks Said to Underestimate Local Government...
Replacing Defined Contributions
I think that it is pretty certain that defined contribution [DC] plans 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s, much as they have grown to be dominant, have been a failure. Many, though not all people like the illusion of control, and seeing their cash balance — makes the pension plan tangible, even if they don’t get what they...
Misunderstanding the Tax Debate
This should be a short post, because my comprehensive view on tax reform is found here. The summary is that the problem is not tax rates. The problem is the definition of income. Just as in ancient times, people would make themselves look poor when the taxman came, so do the wealthy do today. “Income?...
Book Review: Backstage Wall Street
I have long wanted to see a book that would teach ordinary investors how to avoid being cheated by those that create/sell financial products. If this book isn’t it, the one that surpasses it will be astounding. If Wall Street is a show, this book gives you a peek behind the curtain. This book is...
An Advanced Penny Stock Scam
Don’t buy what someone wants to sell you. Buy what you have researched, and know that it is what you want to buy, because it is valuable. I have an irregular series on penny stocks, largely off of advertisements mailed to me, or things found on the web. Every promoted penny stock I have run...
Dishonest Annuity Advertisement
Those that have read me for a long time know that I am a proponent of immediate annuities. Though they pay a fixed stream of income, they are more useful than bonds, because they provide longevity insurance; they can be tailored to prove an income that you can’t outlive, for you and your spouse. But...
Buy-and-Hold Can’t Die, Redux
When I wrote my piece last night, I did not write it to say one ought to buy and never sell. In investing, I encourage the concept that one must look to relative valuations and trade assets that are worth less for those that are worth more. In doing so, one maintains exposure to the...
Buy-and-Hold Can’t Die, Redux
When I wrote my piece last night, I did not write it to say one ought to buy and never sell. In investing, I encourage the concept that one must look to relative valuations and trade assets that are worth less for those that are worth more. In doing so, one maintains exposure to the...
Sorted Weekly Tweets
I am considering making this an end-of-the-week feature as a news recap. Comments? Financials BofA’s Clash With Fannie Intensifies as Insurers Reject More Loan Claims http://t.co/fKgxwcVO Originators need to bear UW error results $$ Mar 03, 2012 Life as Libor Traders Knew It Seen as Abusive http://t.co/H5o5cH3G An inside look at the problems...
Difficult Decision
We would all like our practical decisions to go easily, and bear quick positive results. That’s not reality. As for me, I needed to decide whether I would: borrow against my home at 3% for 15 years. liquidate a portion of my taxable brokerage account liquidate shares in best private manufacturer of commercial lawn mowers...
Individual Investing Can Be Tough, Redux
I have many software robots that scan for responses to what I write. Most come directly to me. Some do not like this one at Seeking Alpha: Merkel’s reasons are, to be blunt, stupid. 1: Its too crowded and there is too much competition: While his goals may be to outperform many of us just...
