Technology – TGIF 2 Minutes with Kerrie Debbs, CFP

“AI” Is Changing It All

Call it Tech Summer. Last week’s topic was cryptocurrency; this week’s is AI, or Artificial Intelligence. AI is driving markets and businesses with unstoppable speed. Speaking of speed, today’s note will be a short one!

The original title of today’s TGIF 2 Minutes was, “AI is and will continue to change everything“. But that title was too long. A quick request to an AI assistant for a shorter title offered: “AI is changing it all.” Hence, today’s title. PS. the remainder of today’s note is written by yours truly.

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The SoftBank “Secret”

By now, most investors know that in late February of this year through mid-March the stock markets kind of crashed. It was a matter of 31 days from February 20th to March 23rd….not that I had to look that up or anything.

It was swift and ugly. And then, the stock markets both suddenly and slowly recovered, hitting it big in April and then gradually reaching new all-time records by September. Hmmmm… how does that work? Is it “free markets”? More buyers than sellers? Individuals throwing money at stocks?

SoftBank reported **$4 billion of options trades** representing **$50 billion** of underlying value in the same handful of technology stocks in the US.

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Somewhere Between Bitcoin and Cash

PayPal and Venmo: Non-Traditional banking says time and fees

No doubt you have heard of PayPal – and if you have not then read on for a brief introduction. Then there is Venmo, owned by PayPal, which gives you the ability to make payments even more easily in the digital world. Think: potentially saving time and money in a secure way.

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This is NOT an article about Bitcoin, the non-cash virtual currency which, in the graphic above, would be on one far end of the spectrum (above, far right) …with coin and paper “cash money” on the other end (above, far left). Continue reading “Somewhere Between Bitcoin and Cash”

Don’t Let Market Volatility Ruin Your Spring Break

Good Morning and Happy Spring Break,

Seriously? Is this what Spring Break is supposed to be about? If you are somewhere in Florida or Hilton Head on vacation and anxiously checking your portfolio… then the answer is NO. On the other hand, if you are on vacation and you know that your Adviser “has your back” and your financial PLAN is in place, then the answer is YES. The latter is the definition of “peace of mind.” Peace of Mind does not always come easy – it takes preparation.

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What is Techlash?

A short TGIF as we enter the Easter weekend (or “Easter Triduum” in Church language).

I learned a new term this week*, “techlash” plus I found a couple of startling stats about tech – inspired by the mini- (soon to be major?) crisis going on with Facebook and the privacy of its users’ information. The situation is kind of unfortunate for those who may have given up Facebook for Lent….just in time for the #DeleteFacebook campaign to be kicking into high gear. (Full disclosure: I do not have a Facebook account.)

“Techlash” is the backlash that has affected the entire tech sector in response to Mark Zuckerberg’s – and Facebook’s – lack of response to their crisis which may spill over into other major tech companies’ operating models.
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Robo-Advisors: The Amazon of Investing

What is Robo-Advising? And why would I call this article “The Amazon of Investing?”

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Last week saw the news of Amazon bidding for Whole Foods Market in an attempt to combine the earth-shattering capabilities of online with something as everyday as food shopping. In last week’s edition, I mentioned that there are far-reaching implications for a tech company bidding for a grocer. One of these implications involves technology having moved full-force into the world of investing…and beyond. Continue reading “Robo-Advisors: The Amazon of Investing”

Balance Between Online and B&M Shopping

Very short note today due to various Father’s Day festivities, oh, and golf’s US Open with an exciting weekend ahead!

The news yesterday of Amazon looking to buy Whole Foods Market (home of “Whole Paycheck”) has a multitude of far-reaching aspects, all worth expanding upon in future “TGIF 2 minutes” editions. Continue reading “Balance Between Online and B&M Shopping”