February 10, 2012

What Are Your Secrets Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands?

Queen of the Netherlands Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard

You know, I adore the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark but I always forget they have monarchs despite their notable western governmental structures.  They boast open, free economies despite the high income tax rates (which cause me to get tense inside when I see them ... almost like financial vertigo). The Netherlands, for example, has fascinated me for about ten years because it has some large, highly profitable mega-corporations such as Unilever, Heineken, ING, DSM, and Shell but despite … [Read more...]

Four New 64 Gigabyte iPads for the Business!

IPad for Business Review

After dropping Jocelyn off at the airport yesterday morning, Aaron and I went to Barnes & Noble to get a range of additional business books. We then returned home, Aaron decided to go to his parents' house and paint Easter eggs with his nephew and mom. A series of events then lead to my parents and I driving to the Apple store in the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, buying four (4) new 64 Gigabyte iPads with matching leather cases, as well as a new 32 gigabyte iPhone for my mom. The … [Read more...]

International Asset Allocation 101

British Pound Sterling Banknotes

Most growth asset allocation model portfolios call for exposure to the international asset class. In fact, in the article Factor In Your Income Sources When Seeking Diversification, I explained that one of the ways my own family reduced the risk involved with having such a big part of our net worth invested in private businesses involved in domestic manufacturing was to park almost all of our retirement assets and plans in international stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate. What does … [Read more...]