My Comments: My wife and I took a few days off; visited friends and family in Tennessee and North Carolina. The lowest per gallon price we saw along the way was $2.29 in South Carolina. If you read my blog posts, you’ll know I expect for the markets to stop going up and for there …
Category: Economy & Markets
Division and Crisis Risk Sapping the West’s Power
My Comments: I make no apologies for having supported and voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. Much of the pressure from the right, in my opinion, is irrational and disguised racism. Here is an opinion from England, my birthplace and true friend of America. It’s an interesting perspective and to the extent you …
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The Wall Of Worry, Illustrated
My Comments: Readers of this blog post over the past six months have noted my concerns about a coming market crash and what it might do to your ‘nest egg’. Perhaps you remember my comments about a wall of worry, a phrase that gained traction in past years as the market climbed and climbed and …
Big Bank Problems: A Culture Ratio is More Important Than a Capital One
My Comments: The financial crisis in 2008-09 could have been much worse. The Federal Reserve intervened and limited the damage. After the fact, the regulators created a major remedy, one intended to “make sure” a similar crisis wouldn’t happen again. The idea was to impose new standards regarding the amount of capital, or reserves, on …
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Falling Gas Prices Fuel Holiday Cheer
My Comments: A good friend of mine who owns several gas stations says he loves it when the price of gasoline falls. The reason: it’s much easier for him to increase his margin of profit when the price is falling than when it’s going up. Everyone loves falling prices so there is less competition among …
Employers Optimistic About Health Plan Coverage
My Comments: I make no apologies for my endorsement of the PPACA legislation (ObamaCare). I strongly believe it’s in our best interest as a nation for ALL OF US to be as healthy as possible, for as long as possible. While the cost of transitioning from what we had before may be hard to stomach …
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Bull Market Of A Lifetime May Be In 5th Inning
My Comments: According to this author, doom and gloom is a long way away. Whatever the case, it is my heartfelt wish that all of you have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully, you will spend time with those who mean the most to you. While all of us have worries, there is so much …
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Let Them Eat iPads: Why Wage Suppression Is Key To The Market Puzzle
My Comments: This one is for those of you who are nerds and interested in economics and finance. If not, then hopefully you'll check in tomorrow. But... Have you been puzzled? I have, but apparently Darwin is alive and well. Only this time it has nothing to do with bugs in the Amazon jungle but …
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Impossible Germany
My Comments: I’ve mentioned before how easy it is for us to discount the economic influence of Europe on the world stage. But it’s a mistake to do so. Collectively, the European Union is an economic engine that is just as critical to the economic welfare of the world as we are. If they go …
Fear Lower Oil (prices)
My Comments: Frankly, I enjoy paying less to fill up the car with gas. There is more cash left in my wallet for me to deal with other things I need to buy. At the macroeconomic level, it will help retailers have a stronger holiday shopping season. That will help the economy. But like most …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 