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Mid-Year Check Up
Where were we one year ago? Have your investments gained value or slid? It’s hard to keep track when economic and political news is so loud. We’ve had two years of market anxiety – from Brexit and nominee Trump to tariff trade wars and non-stop interest rate increases. Fears persist. So let’s take a mid-year time out and figure out which way is up.
The Perils of Pessimism
In 2010 I got two client inquiries to create an “Armageddon Portfolio,” a collection of assets that would hold its value come hell or high water. Recall that we had just pulled out of the financial crisis. Many expected a repeat. For some, pessimism was so high in 2010 there was no expectation for an increase in asset value; just maintaining value was plenty. What happened next?
The Competition is On
Ever wonder who’s secretly walking around as the funniest person you know? This week from Tue July 10th to Sat July 14th, Laugh Boston is hosting a competition to find the “Funniest Person in Massachusetts.” Each night a handful of comedians will compete in short standup sets for cash prizes and most importantly, bragging rights.
6 Features I’d Add To The Financial Industry
In 2013 Google’s New York office ran an experiment that replaced the normal glass M&M containers with opaque containers labeled “M&Ms.” Within seven weeks the 2,000 person office’s consumption of M&M’s had dropped by over 3.1 million calories. Without changing our willpower or discipline, we can control our healthy habits with simple changes to our environment. We should be able to do the same with our financial health by making small tweaks to our financial environment. Here are six M&M/Google inspired features I would add to our financial lives:
Return of the Circus
Cirque du Soleil is in Boston. Until August 12th, “Luzia, A Walking Dream of Mexico” is being held at Suffolk Downs. The show takes inspiration from the Spanish words for Light (Luz) and Rain (Lluvia) to create a mystical homage to Mexican culture and folklore. Tickets are available starting at 36$.
Local Companies Hitting Home Runs as Fast as Red Sox
Three local companies were in the national news last week. They are great examples of how local innovators create jobs, opportunity and wealth. By applying new ideas in mature industries, they created two billionaires, revived an old retailer, and established a brand new billion dollar company. I am talking about Wayfair, BJ’s and PillPack.
Berklee Global String Festival
Today Thursday, June 28, Berklee is celebrating global diversity in the world of string music. Join students and staff at the Berklee Performance Center for an evening of bluegrass, old-time, Arabic, jazz, fusion, and other contemporary string styles. The event starts at 7:30, tickets are 12$ and can be purchased here.
Four Points To Consider When Holding Debt
Owing money makes many people queasy, even if their assets far exceed their debts. Holding zero debt eliminates that unease and fosters a sense of robust financial safety. There’s nothing wrong with that approach if it helps you sleep at night. However, businesses use debt as leverage to increase their enterprise value faster than they could or would otherwise. Investors can use debt in the same way. Here are four points to consider when considering when and how to use debt.
Raise Your Expectations Again
Five years ago I wrote, “Raise Your Expectations.” This week I am again urging investors to look at their after-tax investment returns. This is not the number your advisor or fund company may want you to focus on, but it’s really the only one that matters. Because it’s so important to your investment results, let’s revisit the after-tax topic and see why it’s still a problem the financial services industry tends to sweep under the rug.
