| • |
Does God Manage Your Money - By Dr. Bruce Waltke |
| [February 29, 2008] John Wesley noted long ago that, in reference to money, Christianity tends to undermine itself. In a sermon by Wesley recently featured in Christianity Today, he observed that on the one hand, Christianity causes people to be diligent and frugal and, as a result, to become rich. On the other hand, riches beget pride, love of the world, and a disposition that is destructive of Christianity. He concluded that, unless Christianity can prevent this, it cannot stand. |
| • |
Stock Market Hangover - By A Raymond Randall |
| [January 28, 2008] How can you recognize excessive stock market optimism? Optimism becomes clear when it succumbs to worry and anxiety. Sounds odd, but overly confident investors get exposed when events turn against them. Investors then begin second-guessing long-term investment methods and goals. "Did I make the right decision?" "Am I doing the right thing?" |
| • |
Making Cents of Wall Street - By A Raymond Randall |
| [October 28, 2007] The greater number of asset classes included in a portfolio, the more likely the investment returns will remain stable. When One asset is down, another should be up. Investors always look for a place to invest. As long as global markets function, an asset class will be attractive. Will your investment choices exclude or include that asset? |
| • |
This is How Asset Allocation Works - By Ethos Advisory Services, Inc. |
[October 12, 2007] There are three ways to manage an account, or a combination of three ways.
- Market timing
- Security Selection
- Asset Allocation
|
| • |
Making Cents Out Of Confusion - By A. Raymond Randall |
| [September 20, 2007] Yesterday (September 18, 2007), the Federal Reserve Bank ("Fed") decided to lower interest rates. Fed action begs the question, "Should they do anything at all, or should the economy suffer or benefit from business and consumer choices?" These questions are too debate laden to pursue (although, the subject entices me). In case you didn't hear, the "Fed" lowered the benchmark rate and the discount rate 1/2% (50 basis points; 100 basis points = 1%). |
| • |
Juggling Economic Balls - By A Raymond Randall |
| [June 14, 2007] I cannot stand on a beach ball nor can I juggle. Yet every morning my brain attempts the economic juggle, a dance registered investment advisors do in their office (privately). No need to mention the balls required, but here is an outline of what each ball lofted represents. |
| • |
Sub prime Mortgages: Baseless Commitments - By A Raymond Randall |
| [May 16, 2007] Suspicious lending practices put the buyer at risk. The loan document may bury the facts. "Just sign here. You can move into your new house next Monday." No reason to heed "truth-in-lending"; get the sale, "seal the deal" because the borrower pays no matter what. |
| • |
How To Watch a (Stock Market) Bottom - By A. Raymond Randall |
| [April 05, 2007] Recently, Lisa and I were waiting to be seated at a Kittery, Maine restaurant. The hostess stood to our left; we sat waiting. I avoided looking in her direction until Lisa said, "I like those jeans." Well, we both acknowledged the jeans and the genes. I said to Lisa, "Now that's a bottom to notice." Stock market bottoms have some common technical curves that arouse investors. Unfortunately, what the investor sees often distracts them from what matters. |
| • |
Pay Yourself First! - By Ricky Schmidt |
| [March 08, 2007] If you use up your entire salary every month without putting some of it away for yourself, you’ll never create financial wealth and freedom and have the life we all so much desire. |
| • |
Hey Buddy! Gotta Buck? - By A Raymond Randall |
| [December 19, 2006] Currently, the Japanese have no yen for the Dollar; the British may be metric, but they prefer pounds, and kids in Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, and Italy have a new toy called the Euro. Whatever happened to the U.S. Dollar? What does it mean to your investments? What does it mean to our economy, the way we live? |
|
|
