Follow the Rich: Hold Cash Now, Buy Bonds When Interest Rates Rise [View article]
Nice article. While I am not a big fan of bonds ( I always think of the old saw "neither a borrower nor lender be"), I have been moving money out of equities and into cash over the last 6 months or so, also waiting for either an opportune time to move into bonds or back into equities. I have no doubt that we will be seeing much higher interest rates in the not-too-distant future and it may present a good time to consider them. I am nearing retirement, and a chance to lock in a larger yield on either corporate or muni bonds may be too hard to pass up.
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
I do like that way of thinking as well. I have two portfolios I consider my "play" money. One is just that, trying to trade short-term movements. The other, which Axion is in, focuses on companies I feel have great long-term potential, which may or may not mean current revenue and/or profits. I look for management that seems to be working with future earnings in mind, and they appear to be doing just that here.
Americans watch protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in the U.S., 1% of the people take nearly 25% of all income - an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret, Joseph Stiglitz writes. The top 1% may have the best houses, educations and lifestyles, but "their fate is bound up with how the other 99% live." [View news story]
Yes, things are perverse. The company I work for recently reported record profits, increased revenues, highest ever ROI, but then announced a layoff of 20% of the workforce because "we have to do better". Many more remaining jobs are being outsourced to an off-shore firm. The remaining executives are getting a bonus in the neighborhood of 50%. I'm not unhappy personally because I am getting a nice severance. I feel very badly for the younger workers who do not have the luxury of retiring. If the company was hurting, I'd have no problem with taking a pay cut, etc. I have no problem with corporations making money. That's what makes this country great. However, at what point does it stop? When there are no more jobs at all?
Size of Government? Could write a book about that. Not just at the federal level, but it seems as though every public-sector hierarchy has grown bloated. A local school system here is cutting teachers to deal with budget shortfalls. Twenty years ago the system had 3 principals. Today they have fewer students but now there are 5 principals. They say they are needed in order to keep up with state-mandated programs.
You are right. What happened to personal responsibility. Yep, let's help those who truly need help. Let everyone else take care of themselves. I am not my brother's keeper. Get rid of the safety nets, or at least shorten them. Years ago when someone lost their job they knew they had to find something else to do. Now with 2-years of unemployment available, along with a multitude of programs like WIC, HEAP, Food Stamps, etc. that incentive to move, start a business, go to school, etc. has been reduced.
All for getting rid of subsidies. Get rid of mortgage deduction, tax credits for electric cars, farm subsidies, etc. Let the market control what happens. Why should I subsidise someone elses purchase of an electric car?
It seems there is a growing number of people who feel like I. Not sure if any major changes will happen in my lifetime, but perhaps we have an opporunity to right this ship before it keels over.
Americans watch protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in the U.S., 1% of the people take nearly 25% of all income - an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret, Joseph Stiglitz writes. The top 1% may have the best houses, educations and lifestyles, but "their fate is bound up with how the other 99% live." [View news story]
Couldn't agree with you more, E.
I'm tired of paying more than my fair share. I just don't want to pay everyone elses. I'm not wealthy, just very comfortable. But I've been working a full-time and a part-time job since I was 18, which was 35 years ago. I went to school 2 nights a week for 16 years and worked many long hours on the road. Now that I am getting ready to retire, I get even angrier when I see what our government is doing.
I get tired of the "Tax the rich" rhetoric. The thing that has always made this country great is that if you want to work hard, you can enjoy the rewards. Why should I provide rewards for someone who does not want to work hard. I have no problem helping those who truly can't provide for themselves, but I do have a problem with providing more than temporary help to those who have the ability to do something with their lives but choose not to.
Right on about taxes. Why should I pay a larger percentage of my income just because I make more money? Am I a larger drain on society? That's why I'm all behind some form of flat tax and/or consumption tax. Tax me on what I use, don't tax me because I work my butt off and am successful because of that.
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
BTW, I forgot to say thanks for your input. I have been reading your articles for the last few months, but I have been an Axion shareholder for about 2 years.
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
That's pretty much what I thought based upon what I could determine from readily available news, and why I bought more @ .50. Wish I could go back in time. My friends whom I convinced to buy at those prices are very happy right now. I tell them the best is yet to come.
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
Interesting comment, fflow. One of the things I look for in young companies is just that. I liken it to the founders of a company being willing to work long hours for little or no pay, and workers willing to take apy cuts, etc. in order to make their dream come true. Perhaps John knows the answers to your inquiry. It would certainly be interesting to visit the plant and see if the workers are on board.
You're Retiring: Where Is Your Income Going to Come From? [View article]
David,
I have been reading your articles for a few months, and I appreciate your insights. I am 54 and in the process of being "downsized". I consider my self very lucky because when I was 22 I made a concious decision to retire comfortably when I was 50 without relying on a company-sponsored pension or SS. Kids, school, house, etc. got in the way of the 50 milestone, but I hope to make it work at 54.
To that end, I have started doing more research into growth and dividend stocks, muni-bonds, etc. I figure my wife and I can live comfortably without touching the principal since we do both have pensions and I have a military pension I can collect starting at age 60. In addition, my wife and I both plan on doing something to keep busy, but we don't want to worry about the pay.
I'm not concerned about leaving anything for our kids, so if we do have to touch the principal once in a while, that's OK. I started a plan for our son when he was in high school with P and G where I buy some stock every month and will do the same for our daughter. They should be OK in 40 years.
I do enjoy trading in the market and plan on allocating a portion of assets just for that purpose. I've done OK the last few years but don't plan on living on the returns from that. That will be play money.
For now, I have been locked into a company-sponsored 401K, but as soon as I can I will be switching to a self-managed account. I was planning on hiring someone to manage that, but with the insight I am gaining here on SA, I think I may just do that myself.
Feb. ISM Manufacturing Index:61.4 vs. 60.9 consensus and 60.8 prior. Prices index 82 vs. 81.5 prior. Employment 64.5 vs. 61.7. Inventories 48.8 vs. 52.4. New orders 68 vs. 67.8. [View news story]
E,
Seems that a few readers do not recognize sarcasm.
Follow the Rich: Hold Cash Now, Buy Bonds When Interest Rates Rise [View article]
Let us know when when the rich are buying, ;-)
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
Americans watch protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in the U.S., 1% of the people take nearly 25% of all income - an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret, Joseph Stiglitz writes. The top 1% may have the best houses, educations and lifestyles, but "their fate is bound up with how the other 99% live." [View news story]
Size of Government? Could write a book about that. Not just at the federal level, but it seems as though every public-sector hierarchy has grown bloated. A local school system here is cutting teachers to deal with budget shortfalls. Twenty years ago the system had 3 principals. Today they have fewer students but now there are 5 principals. They say they are needed in order to keep up with state-mandated programs.
You are right. What happened to personal responsibility. Yep, let's help those who truly need help. Let everyone else take care of themselves. I am not my brother's keeper. Get rid of the safety nets, or at least shorten them. Years ago when someone lost their job they knew they had to find something else to do. Now with 2-years of unemployment available, along with a multitude of programs like WIC, HEAP, Food Stamps, etc. that incentive to move, start a business, go to school, etc. has been reduced.
All for getting rid of subsidies. Get rid of mortgage deduction, tax credits for electric cars, farm subsidies, etc. Let the market control what happens. Why should I subsidise someone elses purchase of an electric car?
It seems there is a growing number of people who feel like I. Not sure if any major changes will happen in my lifetime, but perhaps we have an opporunity to right this ship before it keels over.
Americans watch protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in the U.S., 1% of the people take nearly 25% of all income - an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret, Joseph Stiglitz writes. The top 1% may have the best houses, educations and lifestyles, but "their fate is bound up with how the other 99% live." [View news story]
I'm tired of paying more than my fair share. I just don't want to pay everyone elses. I'm not wealthy, just very comfortable. But I've been working a full-time and a part-time job since I was 18, which was 35 years ago. I went to school 2 nights a week for 16 years and worked many long hours on the road. Now that I am getting ready to retire, I get even angrier when I see what our government is doing.
I get tired of the "Tax the rich" rhetoric. The thing that has always made this country great is that if you want to work hard, you can enjoy the rewards. Why should I provide rewards for someone who does not want to work hard. I have no problem helping those who truly can't provide for themselves, but I do have a problem with providing more than temporary help to those who have the ability to do something with their lives but choose not to.
Right on about taxes. Why should I pay a larger percentage of my income just because I make more money? Am I a larger drain on society? That's why I'm all behind some form of flat tax and/or consumption tax. Tax me on what I use, don't tax me because I work my butt off and am successful because of that.
OK, I feel better now.
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
Axion Power's Market Value: An Elephant Hunter's Thesis [View article]
You're Retiring: Where Is Your Income Going to Come From? [View article]
I have been reading your articles for a few months, and I appreciate your insights. I am 54 and in the process of being "downsized". I consider my self very lucky because when I was 22 I made a concious decision to retire comfortably when I was 50 without relying on a company-sponsored pension or SS. Kids, school, house, etc. got in the way of the 50 milestone, but I hope to make it work at 54.
To that end, I have started doing more research into growth and dividend stocks, muni-bonds, etc. I figure my wife and I can live comfortably without touching the principal since we do both have pensions and I have a military pension I can collect starting at age 60. In addition, my wife and I both plan on doing something to keep busy, but we don't want to worry about the pay.
I'm not concerned about leaving anything for our kids, so if we do have to touch the principal once in a while, that's OK. I started a plan for our son when he was in high school with P and G where I buy some stock every month and will do the same for our daughter. They should be OK in 40 years.
I do enjoy trading in the market and plan on allocating a portion of assets just for that purpose. I've done OK the last few years but don't plan on living on the returns from that. That will be play money.
For now, I have been locked into a company-sponsored 401K, but as soon as I can I will be switching to a self-managed account. I was planning on hiring someone to manage that, but with the insight I am gaining here on SA, I think I may just do that myself.
Again, thanks for your articles.
Feb. ISM Manufacturing Index: 61.4 vs. 60.9 consensus and 60.8 prior. Prices index 82 vs. 81.5 prior. Employment 64.5 vs. 61.7. Inventories 48.8 vs. 52.4. New orders 68 vs. 67.8. [View news story]
Seems that a few readers do not recognize sarcasm.