Joshua Kennon - Joshua Kennon

The Story of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews

February 22, 2012 By Joshua Kennon Leave a Comment

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews by Thomas Gainsborough

There is a painting from 1750 by artist Thomas Gainsborough called Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. The original hangs in the National Gallery in London, England, where it has been held in collection for more than 50 years. I have a reproduction hanging in my own home because I love the story behind it. The painting depicts a man, Mr. Robert Andrews, and his wife, Frances Mary Carter. The two were promised to each other when Mr. Andrews was 15 or 16 years old and were married on November 10th, 1748; … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Art, Case Studies & Profiles

A Life Lesson from The Girl Next Door

February 22, 2012 By Joshua Kennon Leave a Comment

Last night, I was working late and watching the most recent episode of House, M.D. on Hulu Plus. There is a scene where an Amy Grant song plays and one of the doctors goes, "Amy Grant? Really?". That response mirrored the response of some music critics when she burst onto the music scene decades ago, turning out hit after hit that the general public loved. I remember her music as an integral part of my childhood, at home, in the car on the radio ... When I was in first or second grade … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Philosophy

The Dangerous Trap of Bread and Circuses

February 22, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 1 Comment

There is an old latin phrase, panem et circenses, made famous by Juvenal of Ancient Rome. “Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses ... -Juvenal, Ancient Rome The concept of bread and circuses refers to the strategy of rulers that involves … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Psychology

When Is The Best Age to Get Married?

February 21, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 3 Comments

Mail Bag Questions and Comments for Joshua Kennon

This mail bag question has to do with marriage and figuring out the answer to the oft-posed question, "When is the best age to get married?" ... Dear Mr. Kennon, Your writing has helped me so much since I first found it. My question isn't exactly related to money or investing but I want to hear your take. In your opinion, when is the best age to get married? Pipp29 Not everyone wants to get married. That's perfectly okay and fine. For those who do desire marriage, generally … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mail Bag

Mail Bag: Did You Decide Against Launching a Mutual Fund?

February 18, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 2 Comments

Today's question comes from someone named Aran. (Is that pronounced like Erin or Aaron?) Anyway, it involves launching a mutual fund. Hi - Why did you decide against launching a mutual fund? Were there any specific operational barriers that you didn't realize existed? What did you estimate the cost of establishing the SEC-registered vehicle would be? Thanks,Aran I didn't (decide against it, that is). The start-up costs were relatively low, the operational barriers were all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mutual Funds, My Businesses

Honey Lemon Cake in a Bee Hive Cake Pan Mold for Family Movie Night

February 18, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 1 Comment

Bee Hive Cake Pan Mold with Our Finished Cake

A few nights ago, I saw a bee hive cake pan mold on Pinterest one of my family members posted that looked awesome. I finally found it here, and bought it. The recipe for the honey lemon cake comes with the cake pan so I won't post it but we didn't use the icing recipes, but I'll write about that later. The cake pan was delivered this morning so I decided to make a bee hive cake and bring it to family movie night, where my four-year-old niece helped me ice the cake. After much ado, we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gourmet Food, My Day In Pictures

Why I Avoid MDF and Furniture Built with MDF (and Think You Should, Too)

February 16, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 2 Comments

Something has been bothering me. I haven't really gotten into it on the blog, but the case studies I'm doing on the furniture industry makes me very uncomfortable. For the past couple of decades, there has been a drastic increase in the percentage of consumer furniture and goods manufactured using a material known as MDF. The average guy on the street probably isn't familiar with the term, so it is understandable some of you might be asking, "What is MDF?". It is an acronym for Medium … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Furniture

Sometimes, To Get Ahead, You Have to Turn Down Opportunities

February 15, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 1 Comment

Dolly Parton Composed I Will Always Love You

With the death of Whitney Houston a few days ago, I was doing a case study of her life and the lessons that can be learned from her successes and failures. One of the big ones has little to do with Whitney Houston per se, and more to do with her connection with Dolly Parton. For someone in business or the arts, it is a life changing warning if you heed it well. Let me explain. I Will Always Love You was composed by Dolly Parton. She wrote it in 1973 for her mentor, Porter Wagoner, who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Case Studies & Profiles

The Secret Project Publicly Launches Next Week

February 10, 2012 By Joshua Kennon 6 Comments

I'm working from home today. Er, trying to but work not a lot of work is actually getting done. There is a team of 11 or 12 movers valiantly attempting to transfer the grand piano from what was-going-to-be the music room to the secondary living room but they are having a very difficult time doing it. The music room idea was great but I scrapped it because the piano is too big for the space and I'd rather keep the office as my home study. The full public launch of the secret project … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Day In Pictures

Borrowing Money Is the Equivalent of Renting Someone Else’s Savings

February 10, 2012 By Joshua Kennon Leave a Comment

Money Dividends, Rents, Interest in Passive Income

In economics, it helps to ask the questions, "What is really going on? What is the heart of what we are discussing?". It surprises me that things most familiar are most often taken for granted and, in many cases, not understood very well. By reframing things through that lens, decisions often become clearer. Consider the relationship between saving money and borrowing money. I've been helping some friends and family members lately go over their personal finances so the nature of saving … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economics, Saving Money