February 5, 2012

Where Do Millionaires Invest Their Cash to Keep It Safe?

Where do millionaires invest their cash?

I've been having a conversion about investing and money with the reader "Frat Man" in the comments section of another post.  He asked: I also had one other question I have always wondered. Where do millionaires keep their money? In the sense that FDIC insurance only covers $250,000 at the bank and SIPC only covers $500,000 at the brokerage. I mean, I can't see Bill Gates putting $250,000 at thousands of banks across the country, nor can I imagine Lou Simpson's net worth getting wiped down to … [Read more...]

The House of Amouage – Fragrances for Royalty, Executives, and Stars

Sample Box of Men and Women Amouage Fragrances

I've been looking for another fragrance house to augment the Creed and Bond families.  After a few references, I decided to have a sampler box of Amouage fragrances for men and women shipped from London so I can decide if I like them or not. They are the royally appointed Omani perfume house. I have absolutely no idea what to expect - none at all.  Given the fact that the house was named for the birth place of the Sultanate of Oman, I'm going to guess the Arabian influence is heavy judging … [Read more...]

The Creed Fragrance Counter Is One of My Favorite Places in the World

Creed Bois du Portugal

This morning, I walk into my kitchen to find my grandmother and mother sitting there waiting for me, wanting to know if I want to go out and eat or spend the day together.  Long story short, the three of us, plus my youngest sister, who is in high school, end up at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City for a day of luxury shopping and fine food.  It was what life is all about, in a nutshell; experiencing great things with people you love. Creed Fragrance - One of My Favorite Companies in … [Read more...]

Wisdom for the Day – 07/01/2010

True gold fears not the test of fire. - Traditional Chinese Proverb War is like a fire; if you do not put aside your weapons, they will eventually consume you. - Li Chuan, Tang Dynasty There is no victory in winning a hundred battles. There is victory in subduing your enemy without fighting at all. - Sun Zi, Spring and Autumn Period He is victorious who knows when and when not to fight. - Sun Zi, Spring and Autumn Period The art of war lies in thwarting the enemy's plans, in … [Read more...]

The Gladiolus Project

Red Gladiolus from the Garden in the Office

Instead of paying a local florist to provide fresh flowers to the office, Aaron has been toying with mastering the art of gardening gladiolus and other flowers.  It gave him a challenge (he is also mastering the piano works of French composer Erik Satie), plus he figured he could save us thousands of dollars each year.  This is the first bloom from his batch, which he cut and had put in my investing office. I was indifferent to the plan in the beginning, but after seeing the fruits of his … [Read more...]

Dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse with Jocelyn and Aaron

Fresh Salad with Walnut from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Jocelyn came to visit Aaron and me!  After picking her up from the airport in Kansas City, we headed to a nearby Ruth's Chris Steakhouse because we wanted something good and it was unquestionably worth it.  I had read their annual report a few years ago and wanted to experience the food for myself.  I have never bought any shares but at least I understand the company better. The thing that made me happiest is that 1.) it's not the type of place you're going to run into a lot of so-called … [Read more...]

Spoiling the Concert by Carl Barks

Spoiling the Concert by Carl Barks - A Scrooge McDuck Painting

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Sun Trust Bank and the Coca-Cola Stock

Coca-Cola and the SunTrust Bank Underwriting Fee

I'm reading the Sun Trust annual report and I realized that many, if not most, of you are probably unaware of the Sun Trust connection to Coca-Cola and how it gave rise to one of the greatest investments in history.  (As many of you know, we used the Coca-Cola direct stock purchase plan and dividend reinvestment plan to teach my youngest sister about stocks when she was a child.) When Coca-Cola went public in 1919, the underwriting was handled by two institutions, one connected to J.P. … [Read more...]

The Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano – A Real Life Lesson in the Time Value of Money

Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano

The Opportunity Cost of a Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano I'm going to teach you a financial technique that can help empower you to make informed choices about your own life and keep more cash in your pocket.  I've been using it since college and it's done wonders from my bank balance and investments. From the time I was a kid and had only a few thousand dollars in the bank, I have wanted either a Steinway & Sons Model B grand piano and / or a Bosendorfer Strauss model grand piano, … [Read more...]

The Kennon Retirement Insurance Plan

Retirement Insurance Plan

One of the Things That Helped Me ... From time to time, you may come across reference to my "stupidity" insurance or my "reserve" fund.  I've had a bunch of readers write me over the years and ask about various comments I've made so I thought it might be useful to explain it.  My parents, siblings, and Aunt Donna have always known about my investing but virtually no one else did when I was a child (by the time I got into high school, though, it was all I talked about so hiding it was no … [Read more...]