How We Live on Social Security (1)

In this morning’s report, we consider the high importance of getting your home paid off before retirement. But it goes further than that, because as we look at your “silent partner”  (government) we see the move toward “renting your Life” picking up speed…and one of the most subtle ways this works is through never ending … Read More

Ready for a Rally?

A number of factors could play into a sizeable rally, about now. For one, the market made an amazing come-back yesterday – a good thing for my SSO long position. For another, this is quadruple-witching. And for still more, we are coming up on end of quarter results. RMEINDER: BTW did you get your Q2 … Read More

Coping: Prepping for Heat Stroke

OK, I know we already talked about the hot weather once this week, but here comes another dose of it today, especially in the Central and East Texas areas. But the reason I mention this now is that as summer comes, it’s good to be ready for excessive heat, especially if the warming is as … Read More

Halfway to My Blow-Off Forecast?

Anyone with 50-cents of net worth has heard by now that the Federal Reserve left their rates unchanged at the Yellen-session Wednesday. But this just moves us closer to the point where I will finish ny dollar-cost averaging into the long side of the market for what my (twisted) logic screams MUST be a huge … Read More

Coping: Some Personal Healthcare Notes

Let me begin by stating that I am not a healthcare professional. My only medical training was a first aid/cpr card back when, and reading one of my son’s EMT training manuals. Other than being the recipient of four eye surgeries in the past two months, the only other surgeries I have personally participated in … Read More

Trader’s Notebook: Fed Day

Seems to me there is an even (or better) chance that the Fed decision today could become a major inflection point for the markets. So we shall dispense with an in-depth article to sit back and try to print a little money after the Fed decision comes out. Rather than the 90th rehash of politics … Read More

It’s Usually PRICE not TIME

This morning I want to bring you back to a column I wrote in August of last year because it may turn out to be a critical support level this week, of before the BREXIT vote: The column was titled “Watch 2,050 on the S&P” and if was posted on August 21, 2015. Before that, … Read More

Coping: Oh-zone on the Range…

…Where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard…. Oh…sorry. Got off into the weeds there (not that kind) thinking about our latest experiment in personal health and wellness. A little story as background: When I was a child (back when television wasn’t around) I had athsma something terrible. Then, along in about … Read More

Did the Fed Buy Futures Today?

We are not on the distro list, but we need to ask:  is it reasonable that the futures market would only be down 56 points on the Dow after a weekend like this one? I mean think about it: Japan was down more than 3-1/2 percent overnight. Hong Kong was down 2-1/2 percent. Europe is … Read More

Coping: Mission-Creep Weekend

It all started off so nicely: There was a bit of real work done around here Saturday. Panama had the big orange noise and dust-maker out, so the area looks like a golf course. Elaine come through with perfectly sautéed mushrooms to top a perfect steak and baked Yukon Gold’s on the BBQ. A movie … Read More

Bezos and Bentonville: Barbarians at the Mall

Better not plan your traditional trip to the mall for 2020 Christmas shopping, just yet. The Mall may not be there. Global war has broken out in retailing as Amazon and Wal-Mart are taking their “cash registers to the people” and while there may be some economies of scale, the word anti-trust and “mom & … Read More

From Bleeding to Hemorrhaging?

We are waiting patiently to see whether the “financial clotting system” will work in coming weeks, since the recent market action (to the upside) has been accompanied by record low volume for the year. Being a “sick puppy” by nature, I am always searching for creative and useful anologies in order to help me understand … Read More

Coping: A Solar Professional’s Energy Suggestions

Andrew Jennings is a wonderfully sharing fellow and long-time reader.  He’s been designing and installing solar projects for more than 12 years.  So when he offered to do a details looking at home solar for both the prepper and economically minded, it didn’t take but a second to accept.  Here’s what he sent in: Note: … Read More