Ideas on Personal Finance
What if America wins back its factories – and loses its financial superpower status in the process? We all know the story: China builds stuff. America moves money. That’s been the case for years. China is the world’s factory – cranking out everything from smartphones and solar panels to your neighbor’s Halloween decorations. China makes … Read more
Everyone thinks they can do it: Buy low; sell high. Retire early. Go on CNBC and talk about it. But April 2025 has been a masterclass in why that almost never happens in real life – unless you have a crystal ball! Let’s look at a couple of examples. April 9: A 90-Day Pause and … Read more
A couple of years ago, the stock market crashed, and everyone was freaking out. The S&P 500 index fell from a high of around 4,800 to a low of about 3,500 in 2022—a 27% drop. Many stocks fell even more—Amazon’s stock dropped by half, and Meta (Facebook) was down 65%. Back then, I wrote a … Read more
In my last blog post, I discussed the growing concerns about the risk of World War 3. While I still consider such an event unlikely, it is worth exploring how one can prepare for extreme scenarios. Lessons from History Many books delve into the impacts of war on wealth. For instance, Wealth, War & Wisdom … Read more
Lately, headlines warning about the possibility of World War 3 seem to be increasing. Normally, I’m not one to worry about such things. However, when respected voices, like the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, start raising alarms, it’s worth paying closer attention. Why I Used to Dismiss the Idea I always believed World War 3 was … Read more
This might be the least glamorous of the three posts I have about the election (the other two being – Revival of crypto and Rise of betting markets). But it’s an important one and worth paying attention to – the growing debate over the independence of the central bank. Why Should We Care About Central … Read more
This election cycle has been tough, and I’m glad it’s finally over! Half the country is happy, and half is not. I miss the days when people would just shrug and move on after an election. I guess I am getting old!! But since this is a finance blog, I will not drive into politics … Read more
It’s spooky time! And I’m not talking about Halloween… Every four years, our country gets excited, anxious, nervous, or downright terrified about the elections. Who will win? Who will lose? Will taxes go up? Will inflation come down? What will happen to my investments?? While I don’t have answers to any of these questions, history … Read more
In a world where everyone seems to be in a mad dash, the phrase “Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast” offers a refreshing perspective. Originating from the Navy SEALs, this idea emphasizes that mastering the basics at a deliberate pace leads to greater efficiency and effectiveness over time. Contrary to popular belief, the fastest route … Read more
In a digital age filled with fleeting moments and constant distractions, Tim Urban’s article Your Life in Weeks offers a thought-provoking perspective on the passage of time and the finite nature of life. Through a simple yet profound visualization – a grid of boxes representing each week of a person’s life – the author lays … Read more