Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by advertising, marketing and brand logos.  I distinctly remember often enjoying TV commercials and magazine ads more than the actual shows and articles. This near-obsession with brand logos and marketing has been beneficial to my businesses and… Read More

When it comes to the stock market, bigger isn’t always better.#-ad_banner-# Everyone heard the phrase “too big to fail” during the most recent financial crisis. The phrase referred to financial institutions that are so large and interconnected that they have become critical cogs in the economy. The idea is that if a “too big to fail” institution were to falter, it could bring down the entire financial system. Therefore, the government needs to step in to help prop up the failing… Read More

When it comes to the stock market, bigger isn’t always better.#-ad_banner-# Everyone heard the phrase “too big to fail” during the most recent financial crisis. The phrase referred to financial institutions that are so large and interconnected that they have become critical cogs in the economy. The idea is that if a “too big to fail” institution were to falter, it could bring down the entire financial system. Therefore, the government needs to step in to help prop up the failing company to prevent systemwide damage.  Large banks are being pressured by multiple sources to decrease their size. For example, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has called “too big to fail” banks a moral hazard, and Mervyn King, the former governor of the Bank of England, has suggested large banks be cut down to size. Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has said that large banking institutions should be broken up by regulators because taxation and fees aren’t sufficient to control their influence and… Read More

The old saying that death and taxes are the only certainties in life should include a third certainty.  Eventually, every one of us is going to pay bank fees.  No matter how careful you are with your finances or how much effort you… Read More

In search of a second income after graduating from college, I started a small real estate publication that worked with local real estate agents to help promote their home listings.  By broad standards, my venture could be labeled… Read More

I am usually not much fun at parties or other social situations.  I’m not dour or unfriendly by any means, but most consider my interests and passions uninteresting at best and mind-numbingly boring at worst. Rather than keeping up with the Kardashians or Kanye West, I prefer to read magazines… Read More

I love most aquatic sports. From fishing and kayaking to powerboating and waterskiing, if it’s warm out, I want to be near or on the water. I grew up near several major rivers where I often fished and boated as a youngster. Although these rivers were hundreds of yards wide, they were usually shallow. They were constantly becoming silted in from runoff, debris and assorted other factors. The same thing occurred in local reservoirs, where the water got continuously shallower as mud and silt piled up against the dam. If you have ever stepped… Read More

I love most aquatic sports. From fishing and kayaking to powerboating and waterskiing, if it’s warm out, I want to be near or on the water. I grew up near several major rivers where I often fished and boated as a youngster. Although these rivers were hundreds of yards wide, they were usually shallow. They were constantly becoming silted in from runoff, debris and assorted other factors. The same thing occurred in local reservoirs, where the water got continuously shallower as mud and silt piled up against the dam. If you have ever stepped into this muddy, silt-filled mess when boating or fishing, then you know it’s pretty disgusting. Not only is the silting of rivers and reservoirs a real issue for recreational users of waterways, but it can impede crucial transportation and navigation routes.  It’s a problem begging for a solution — and in a twist of fate, I discovered a company that provides one. Several weeks ago, when researching the Gold Trust ETF (NYSE: GLD), I inadvertently added an extra “D” to the GLD… Read More

Billionaire investor. Philanthropist. Political provocateur.  His legendary investing acumen, vast net worth and political activism have made George Soros a feared and respected power broker worldwide.  Soros is driven by an… Read More

What does Paris Hilton have in common with Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, Carl Icahn, T. Boone Pickens and Henry Kravis, along with a host of other ultra-wealthy people?  I am not talking about anything as obvious as having lots of… Read More

It’s absolutely amazing the cultural changes that can take place within just a few decades.  Several years ago, I was excited to have been given tickets for box seats at a crucial baseball game at Yankee Stadium. As I enjoyed a beautiful day at the ballpark, I noticed that smoking was permitted and that several of my fellow fans had lit cigarettes to enjoy with their beer and hot dogs. I decided to join them by lighting one of my favorite mild Dominican cigars to savor during the last few innings.#-ad_banner-# After a… Read More

It’s absolutely amazing the cultural changes that can take place within just a few decades.  Several years ago, I was excited to have been given tickets for box seats at a crucial baseball game at Yankee Stadium. As I enjoyed a beautiful day at the ballpark, I noticed that smoking was permitted and that several of my fellow fans had lit cigarettes to enjoy with their beer and hot dogs. I decided to join them by lighting one of my favorite mild Dominican cigars to savor during the last few innings.#-ad_banner-# After a few puffs, I heard an angry, high-pitched voice ordering me to extinguish the cigar. On my right, I noticed a small child scowling at me. He informed me that his school had taught him that smoking is bad for you. Not wanting to get into a philosophical argument with a child (or to upset his rather large father), I extinguished the cigar and returned to enjoying the game.  This encounter reminded me of just how fast cultural trends can change. For instance, in my middle school days, kids not much older than my young anti-smoking friend were smoking so much… Read More

Among the 100 wealthiest investors in the world, Ray Dalio cuts an iconic figure in the sometimes cookie-cutter arena of hedge funds and finance.  Not only does he manage the world’s biggest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, with approximately $140 billion under management, he is also a big-game bow hunter, meditation practitioner, and firm believer in radical honesty. Dalio didn’t earn his $12 billion net worth by following anyone but himself, and now you can discover the Ray Dalio Investment Strategy for yourself.#-ad_banner-# Ray Dalio’s Biography Dalio wasn’t… Read More

Among the 100 wealthiest investors in the world, Ray Dalio cuts an iconic figure in the sometimes cookie-cutter arena of hedge funds and finance.  Not only does he manage the world’s biggest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, with approximately $140 billion under management, he is also a big-game bow hunter, meditation practitioner, and firm believer in radical honesty. Dalio didn’t earn his $12 billion net worth by following anyone but himself, and now you can discover the Ray Dalio Investment Strategy for yourself.#-ad_banner-# Ray Dalio’s Biography Dalio wasn’t born with a silver spoon and was far from a gifted student, but he learned from an early age to work for what he wanted. The son of a jazz musician and a stay-at-home mom, he knew he wanted spending money. His first jobs were the mundane employment of many suburban youths: He ran a paper route, shoveled snow, and washed dishes in a restaurant. When he was 12 years old, his life took a turn that would place him on the road to vast wealth: He started working as a golf caddy. Carrying… Read More