The Self-Discipline Do’s

Today we have a guest post from Alexis Bonari – Thanks Alexis!

I recently read that people with a higher level of self control display the following traits:

1. Less likely to be obese
2. Earn more money
3. Score higher on tests
4. And are happier in general

If someone told you by following a few simple steps you could acquire these traits, wouldn’t you do it? Of course you would! So, with a little research, I discovered that it is as easy as following a few simple steps. We as a society are in such a hurry that we tend to continue reading »

What Are Your Highest Priorities?

For years my priorities were to climb the corporate ladder (or to at least stay employed and provide for my family!)  It was important for me to have the respect of my peers too and this meant working numerous hours (or so I thought), and giving up things in other areas of my life.

That changed when my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia.  It made me realize how precious life is and how much we take for granted when we feel well, and are able bodied.  I began to spend more time and energy on my relationships.  After a gallant 4 year fight, my husband passed away….. I finally understood that true wealth doesn’t appear on a balance sheet.  I also realized that continue reading »

By the End of the Year Will You Recognize the Country?

A trusted adviser of mine (Kip Herriage) sent this article a couple of days ago.  I’m normally an optimist, so to me this is down right scary.  Reading all types of information helps with making informed, educated decisions though, that’s why I’m sharing this with you today….

Richard Russell, the famous writer of the Dow Theory Letters, has a chilling line in today’s note:

“Do your friends a favor. Tell them to “batten down the hatches” because there’s a HARD RAIN coming.  Tell them to get out of debt and sell anything they can sell (and don’t need) in order to get liquid. Tell them that Richard Russell says that by the end of this year they won’t recognize the country. They’ll retort, “How the dickens does Russell know — who told him?” Tell them the stock market told him.

Here’s more on what he sees in the market:

And I ask myself, “Am I seeing things? The April 26 high for the Dow was continue reading »

Why is Gold Lifting Off in a Non-Inflationary Environment?

I read a number of newsletters, some on stock trading, & others on the world economy in general – some in my family feel it’s all rather boring.  Regardless though, here’s an article that I wanted to share, and hope you take the time to read.  I will be posting some others similar over the next few weeks.  Educate yourself as to what is really going on…..

By Alexander Green, Oxford Club Investment Director

Last Friday, the most actively traded gold futures contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange, for June delivery, hit an intraday record high of $1,249.70 a troy ounce.

In the investment world, gold is best known as an inflation hedge. Yet world central bankers are virtually unanimous that inflation does not pose an immediate threat in the West.

So what’s going on here?

Let’s start with a bit of history. A few thousand years ago, trade meant exactly that. “I’ll trade you my two pigs for your cow.” “Here’s a bushel of wheat for six dozen eggs.” “I’ll help build your barn if you’ll help me dig a new well.”  This system was effective but not particularly conducive to economic growth. So money – coins with tangible value – was invented to facilitate trade.  But gold is heavy and cumbersome. It was decided that it was easier and safer for the government to hold the gold and issue paper money (always backed by gold) instead.

Yet Uncle Sam cut its last link to the gold standard in 1971. It was discovered that more abstract forms of money are a powerful economic tool. In particular, unlike gold, money can grow.  Government officials quickly recognized that they can crank up the printing press and create new money. In fact, even the press isn’t necessary today. During the recent financial crisis, for instance, the Fed continue reading »