How do baby boomers protect their life savings from the ravages of inflation? Our recent interview with Chuck Butler got the attention of many readers. We reviewed how gold and foreign currencies performed during the high inflation Carter years. During a five-year period beginning 1/1/77, we experienced almost 60% inflation. That destroyed a lot of wealth held by seniors and […]
» Read morePundit Bill Bonner’s article about our growing government debt grabbed my attention. “…. When it comes to government debt, the borrower never pays; the feds have no money. The lenders – big banks, investment funds, well-heeled insiders – don’t want to pay. Generally, they collude with the feds to make sure the real cost is put on innocent third parties […]
» Read moreYou can work your tail off, live below your means, save like a miser, invest like the experts, build a great retirement nest egg – and still end up with virtually nothing! Don’t take the bait! The hypocrisy of some financial professionals isn’t funny when you are talking about your life savings. When I have discussions with licensed financial professionals, […]
» Read moreCan an average investor use foreign currencies as a hedge against the rapid decline of the purchasing power of the US dollar? Last week, friend Chuck Butler and I discussed WHY investors should use currencies as an inflation hedge. This week we discuss HOW even small investors can do so from the comfort of their own home. The discussion continues… […]
» Read more“Look Ma! No Hands” refers to a kid riding his bike without using his hands; a risky act of courage and daring. Family elders used the term as a warning sign when kids were showing off. I’d have scoffed at today’s kids (“chicken!”) wearing helmets while riding their bike. Falling off and skinning up your body was how you learned […]
» Read moreRemember how excited you were when you got your first “real job”? It was early January and I was fresh off active duty. I began washing cars at an auto dealer – for $1.00/hour. I’d wash off the snow and grime from every car on the sales lot. It was freezing cold. I quickly realized what I didn’t want to […]
» Read moreThe sign on the booth touted a new, sophisticated computer-generated money management program. I walked inside and asked about stop losses. The young man replied, “Hold on to your stocks, the market always comes back.” I countered, “Can you guarantee it?” He pulled up a chart with some blips, concluding the market has always come back from a crash. I […]
» Read more“I’m no longer trying to get rich. I’m trying to keep from getting poor!” …uttered by millions… Friend Courtenay W. referenced recent articles where Chuck Butler and I emphasized diversification. He made a great suggestion, “You should explain what you mean – diversification means different things to different people.” I visited several mutual fund companies’ booths at The Money Show. […]
» Read morePresident Trump wants to increase exports and says the dollar has to come down. Janet Yellen and the Fed are hell-bent on raising interest rates, which should increase the value of the dollar. Historically the economy slows down when rates begin to climb yet the stock market is soaring. High inflation affects all of us and generally signals a weakening […]
» Read moreI was in a panic. I was living off the interest from our Certificates of Deposit (CDs). The government passed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and interest rates tanked. My world went topsy-turvy as the banks redeemed my CDs. The new, lower rates won’t pay the bills. Not even close! Isn’t high inflation caused by increasing the currency supply […]
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