February 5, 2012

New Wardrobe Additions for the Wedding

Kelsey and Tyler's Wedding Gift

Aaron and I went shopping today for my sister and soon-to-be-brother-in-law's wedding gifts.  We also decided we wanted to wear something new that wasn't parked in our respective closets so we headed to Nordstrom and a few other stores. I ended up going with a modern cut lavender white stripe dress shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons and a silk bow tie in the same color family, which I will wear with a charcoal gray suit with white and faint blue pinstripes.  I took a picture so I could send … [Read more...]

Does Geographic Location Influence Success?

I was speaking to a relative of mine when this person (who shall remain nameless) expressed horror that after living near New York for so long, I would buy a house near my parents in the Midwest.  "I thought you were going places!" they basically decried in exasperation. It was then that I realized how truly stupid most people are when it comes to making money.  They have no idea how capital allocation works.  I started to get irritated and then I realized: If they knew how wrong they … [Read more...]

Not Every Value Investing Position Is “Buy and Hold”

Saks 10 Year Stock Chart

I'm a value investor.  My favorite type of holding is a company that generates high returns on non-leveraged equity, has a strong competitive position that is virtually unassailable, and is trading at a stupidly low price-to-earnings ratio.  These are rare and when they come along, you have to be willing to make a substantial commitment (as Buffett said, when it is raining gold, reach for a bucket not a thimble).  Since I don't like selling stuff, I love the fact they can sit in my accounts, … [Read more...]

Family Member Speculating on Citigroup Stock Options

Citigroup Stock Certificate

Some time ago, a family member of mine decided to take a tiny portion of his speculation portfolio and trade stock options on Citigroup.  This wasn't his investment capital, he was fully aware it could totally and completely blow up, but thought it would be interesting and great entertainment, plus he figured that he was right.  With the rest of his "financial house" in order, so to speak, and conservatively managed, it provided far more enjoyment for him than, say, a cruise or blowing the … [Read more...]

How One of My Family Members Used Shares of U.S. Bancorp to Build Substantial Wealth

U.S. Bancorp Stock

A member of my close family has been using a technique to build substantial wealth that doesn't require a high income or any specialized knowledge, extra work, or effort.  I was so impressed by the way he implemented this program, I thought I would share it with my other family and friends (as well as anyone else who reads my blog) without giving away who it is. Each month, he has a house payment of approximately $1,500, payable to U.S. Bank.  He decided that instead of making an extra $300 … [Read more...]

Michel Perchin Pens Really Turn Me On

Michel Perchin Pens

When I was a teenager sitting in high school French class, I recall relentlessly mocking my teacher for the idiocy of buying a $200 or $300 pen.  Fast forward to today, and not only do I have a massive pen collection, but I've fallen completely and totally in love with Michel Perchin pens to the point that when I have the retail store launch it's full in-store pen department in the fourth quarter of this year, we are going to bring them in and sell them. The average retail price for most of … [Read more...]