Month: August 2025

“Dog” Days of Late Summer

“Man’s or Woman’s Best Friend”. At a time when true friends have proven to be more valuable than ever, it seems getting a dog is something a good number of people and families do. Long-time dog lovers seem to agree that dogs can bring true happiness to unbearable situations. The saying, “if you want a friend, get a dog” has been around for years, even in the movies. “Dog benefits” range from personal joy to family togetherness…with a good deal of responsibility mixed in.

While a dog can turn out to become a true best friend, the “getting a dog” decision is a BIG one and not to be taken lightly. Considerations are several:

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Shrinkflation & Jackson Hole

Today is a day that has become quietly (or not so quietly) famous in market and global economic circles. Today is the Friday of the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium held in the city of same name in Wyoming since 1978. The “summit” is organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and gathers central bankers, economists and policy makers from around the world. Friday at Jackson Hole has evolved to become an occasion when the US Federal Reserve Chairman serves up his or her keynote speech.

One key topic of the speech will be inflation: is inflation still around and how to contain it. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will probably not mention shrinkflation but he will mention inflation.

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Knock, Knock (No Joke)

Compliments to one of my colleagues for highlighting this disturbing trend – under the heading, “this could never happen to me”:

Apparently, there is a new trend emerging in the ever-evolving landscape of fraud. In this case, fraudsters are showing up at victims’ homes or arranging in-person meetings with the aim of collecting physical cash, gold bars or other valuables. This in-person, “show up at the door” version of fraud is a significant shift from digital scams – where the victim’s financial and other assets and data are at risk – to a scenario in which the victims could end up in imminent danger of physical harm.

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The Economics of a Hole In One

Despite holding an MBA in finance and the CFP certification, the “economics” of a Hole in One are over my head. It is summer, so the topic is relevant – and there have been one or more Holes in One per month for the last year at my golf club. Even pickle-ballers can sound in on this one.

A Hole in One for a golfer – from professional to putt-putt – is a big deal! On a regulation golf course, public or private, there are actual (unwritten but established) rules around the accomplishment ranging from:

  • Tradition since the beginning of time holding that the person scoring the “ace” buys everyone in the clubhouse a cocktail or drink.
  • Local members of golf clubs and friends are known to have driven from home to participate in the “free drink” celebration. (Hold the thought: “free drink”).

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