Money, Therapy & 20 Years Later

From the Archives of 2016 with excerpts and updates to “The Coronavirus Life Experience” version of this edition (February 2021) plus a closing message.

Money and Therapy. Two things that people may love or hate. However, among other things, both money and therapy can help. 

From the must-read book for people of all ages The Number* was written by Lee Eisenberg, long time editor-in-chief of Esquire magazine.

Continue reading “Money, Therapy & 20 Years Later”

Looking Ahead to What’s to Come

As we approach the end of an extremely weird and difficult year, no doubt what is on lots of people’s minds: What is to come in the months and year immediately ahead?

From an economic and financial standpoint, a great deal depends on several factors very well summed up in a recent The Wall Street Journal article.*

In order to gauge how early 2021 will look, we need to understand:

  • How bad this latest surge in coronavirus cases might get?
  • What measures people and state and local governments take and the resulting effects on spending?
  • How much relief will come from the federal government?
  • How much better things will look toward the end of 1Q 2021?
As we approach the end of an extremely weird and difficult year, no doubt what is on lots of people’s minds: What is to come in the months and year immediately ahead?

Continue reading “Looking Ahead to What’s to Come”

The Corona Purchase

This past week, at a neighbor’s drive-by 11-year old birthday gathering, I learned a new term: The Corona Purchase. The term refers to money spent on a larger one-time purchase amidst the sadness of being forced to stay home for the past three months. The concept also confirms an observation mentioned in a recent edition of TGIF 2 Minutes about families experiencing lower spending overall the past several months – so therefore possibly accumulating extra savings here and there.

Items reported to have been purchased or installed include:

  • Cars
  • Boats
  • Home gyms
  • Swimming pools (think: kids missing swim teams)
  • Outdoor landscaping
  • Small- and medium-sized home remodeling projects.

close up photography of white poodle
“Corona Purchases” may have added value to a home or saved money or monthly expenses in the long-term (in the case of a home gym) which is positive.

Continue reading “The Corona Purchase”

Silver Lining to Spending

Quick note for your weekend thoughts.

As difficult as it has been to find a silver lining to the pandemic, there have been one or two recurring themes that could be classified as positive, or at least opportunistic. One theme is that a fair number of people with whom I have spoken have reported far lower overall (or at least discretionary) spending in the past couple of months compared to “normal” times. Think:

  • Going out to dinner & drinks
  • Travel… whether weekend or vacations
  • Hair color & hair cuts
  • Nail salons
  • Massage & spa appointments/memberships
  • Traditional Gym memberships
  • Kids’ camps & activities

blue and white sorry we re closed wooden signage
As long as we are stuck with the coronavirus for a little while longer, there are ways to use this time to come out on the other side smarter and more aware of spending

Continue reading “Silver Lining to Spending”

What Comes Next? – Part 1

In these times of knowing virtually NOTHING for sure… there are a handful of possible “What Comes Next” topics that can be covered:

  • What Comes Immediately Next with Coronavirus Closures & Re-openings?
  • What Comes Next in the World Markets?
  • What Comes Next in the US & World Economy?
  • What Comes Next Further Down the Line in General?
  • …When do we all get to go back to work, sports and Life?

hands with latex gloves holding a globe with a face mask
Let’s simply digest that fact for now: there will be immediate, serious change to the way we literally wake up, work, and conduct our lives. 

Continue reading “What Comes Next? – Part 1”

Free Advice Offer

In the spirit of helping as many people as possible get through these truly trying times, I am volunteering my services in the following way:

Do you know or have you noticed a friend, family member, someone at your work, church or a parent at your kid’s school struggling (perhaps financially or job-wise) during the coronavirus pandemic and the related market turmoil?

In the case that you have, I am offering to get on the phone or a video call with that person or people and start by listening to them. If appropriate, I volunteer (free of charge) to offer advice on the basics of financial planning. Continue reading “Free Advice Offer”

Jobs Amidst An Economic Slowdown

As we continue to watch both from the sidelines and the interior of the Coronavirus tragedy, there exist lessons learned and lessons yet to be learned. Mistakes made past and present. But in looking at history and researching the aftermath of past global tragedies there is evidence of subsequent innovations along with lucky breaks that surpass the imagination.

woman in yellow tshirt and beige jacket holding a fruit stand
Let’s not forget the warehouse workers and truck drivers of America that keep all of the essential food and consumables in our homes and on our tables.

Continue reading “Jobs Amidst An Economic Slowdown”

What the Markets Are Telling Us

The markets are telling us that the Coronavirus situation and the aftermath of an economic slowdown is likely not going away any time soon. The evidence is in the “indiscriminate selling” of nearly every asset class:

unnamed
Data of the history of major market declines since 1926 – and their 1, 3 and 5-year aftermaths on average.*

Continue reading “What the Markets Are Telling Us”

Not-So-Fat Tuesday

Originally titled, “Gut Check in Rocky Markets” but with a new twist the following excerpted edition from the archives of TGIF 2 Minutes is timely on (Not So) Fat Tuesday. Please keep in mind three new factors:

  • The political divide currently in the US is adding to market tensions and even politicizing the Coronavirus,
  • Primary Elections and Debates and the policy issues being brought forth are next-to-center stage in the media,
  • A still very recent UP 29% equity market in 2019,

and there exist the makings of a potential market correction. A market correction is defined as a decline of 10% from a recent high; the US equity markets are down over 6% in two days and are nearing an official “market correction” in 2020.

Coronavirus Stock Market
A “Not-So-Fat Tuesday” as the Dow sank 879 points after worrisome forecasts about the coronavirus.

Continue reading “Not-So-Fat Tuesday”

Brexit, Impeachment, Coronavirus: Preparing for Exogenous Threats is Key to Minimizing Risk

Exogenous Threats. These types of threats or risk factors come from an external place and affect markets – unexpectedly. Already in 2020, only 38 days into the year, the US and global markets have been presented with at least three major exogenous threats:

  1. Brexit becoming abruptly final
  2. A US Impeachment trial
  3. A viral epidemic, the unnamed Coronavirus in China (and now spreading to other countries too)
  4. (Bonus 4th threat) US-China and US-World trade policy

trump_newspaper
Photo Credit: NBC News

Continue reading “Brexit, Impeachment, Coronavirus: Preparing for Exogenous Threats is Key to Minimizing Risk”