9/21/11
Yes the roller coaster markets remain with us. Just today the Fed released its latest salvo, or should I say mini salvo of solutions to bolster the economy. Here’s an excerpt from a ‘Fed’ press release today:
…………..To support a stronger economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at levels consistent with the dual mandate, the Committee decided today to extend the average maturity of its holdings of securities. The Committee intends to purchase, by the end of June 2012, $400 billion of Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 6 years to 30 years and to sell an equal amount of Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 3 years or less. (My underlining)
This, coupled with the latest Obama jobs package is supposed to get the economy back on track. I’m afraid it’s far too little, and awfully late. More serious steps should have been taken long ago. But it is what it is.
So, in light of what the markets are throwing our way I’ve taken steps in recent days to put ourselves in a stronger position going forward. Read the rest of this entry »
People often ask me what I do and of course I explain. Another question, though rarely asked, is why I do what I do?
The answer to that question was driven home recently by a call I received from an elderly retiree. Her husband had died some years earlier, so in many ways she was on her own. Her knowledge of financial matters was limited and she had no relationships with anyone who could provide professional guidance. No one to turn to for answers to the many questions she had, or the many questions she did not know to ask. Read the rest of this entry »
I recently returned from a business meeting in the heartland, Topeka Kansas. I went there expecting the usual, some creative financial planning and investment ideas, as well as the current thinking of people in the business of giving investment advice.
Was I ever wrong! I came away with a totally different perspective of how to provide the service I do, and a deeper understanding of what is truly important about what I do, what we all do, every day.
You know the great philosophical question of the ages. The one that asks, “why am I here?” Or, put another way, “what is the meaning of life?” Read the rest of this entry »
4/20/07
I write this letter today struggling with sadness, for we have lost a beloved member of our family. Dear, sweet Ruth, my friend, my client, my mentor, recently left us for another place, after 90 years of gracing us with her presence.
I met Ruth in 1983, all 4 feet ten inches and 95 pounds of her. She came to see me because she was retiring from her long career as a bookkeeper for a successful insurance agency in town.
Over the years we visited each other on a regular basis, on occasion even sharing a wonderful dinner or lunch she prepared at her home. Read the rest of this entry »
