Financial Perspectives

I'm an optimist by nature. I have plenty to be optimistic for: we live in one of, if not, the greatest country in the world, receiving the highest standard of living ever known to mankind. I have a wonderful family, I have great friends. I also believe in God, so like the Dali Lama said to Bill Murray in Caddyshack ... I will likely receive full enlightenment on my death bed ... so I have that going for me.

That said, I'm pessimistic about the coming one to five years as it relates to the secular world and what our political and financial leaders consider prudent. There is a line-up of issues that tells me there may be a high probability of another recession. I would love to be wrong, but at minimum, preparation for the possibility seems prudent. Full Story 

It's no secret that U.S. Government and other world governments have injected huge sums of money into the global economy. It is relatively well-known that when governments print too much money, it inflates asset value. The question now is whether the amount the respective governments around the world have printed is enough to cause larger than expected inflation. Consideration of exposure to inflation protection becomes important. Full Story 

The last article seemed to strike a chord with some readers. The primary source of contention from my last piece was a matter of semantics, not necessarily a real difference of opinion. My goal for the last piece was to simply offer readers a way to segment a home purchase decision from their investment considerations.

A few readers asked for me to expand on the idea of imputed rent. I glazed over it in the last article because it is an abstract concept, but I submit here with the right mode of thinking, a home could be an investment. Full Story 

In the past two articles, I wrote about the basic starting point for the financial planning process and investments. I would be remiss not to affirm with you that a home is a valuable cornerstone to your financial life, but it is not an investment. Full Story