When it comes to their portfolio’s investors hate to take losses. But sometimes a loss could be just what the CPA ordered.  As we wrap up another strong year in the stock market many people are starting to think about the tax consequences of all the gains that have realized in the past year.   The good news is that with a few weeks left in the year there are still opportunities to make portfolio changes...

Read More : A loss in December could lead to a win in April – Tax-Loss Harvesting - Full Article

Chinese Trade Wars: What Game are We Playing? This week, John and Sam answer the frequently asked question, when will the trade deal get done? The answer: probably not anytime soon.  Donald Trump and President Xi are not playing the same game.  US politicians generally think in terms of elections, 2- or 4-year increments.  President Xi could technically be president forever so what is the rush for him to come to an agreement with the...

Read More : Episode 68 of Trading Perspectives Podcast - Full Article

Getting divorced just because you don’t love a man is almost as silly as getting married just because you do. Zsa Zsa Gabor   This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced the US economy created 266K net new payroll jobs and the official Unemployment Rate fell to 3.5% during November 2019. While anyone can find dark clouds in silver linings given enough time and data, this was a pretty good report. It was...

Read More : Common Cents & Marriage on December 6, 2019 - Full Article

Socialism Slows Down Economic Progress How long can politicians hold back the inevitable? When people enjoy the rule of law, private property rights, and the development of human capital economic growth will happen.  If you don’t provide these things or try to stop them, your economy will sputter and eventually come to a halt. While people love to look at the past with rose colored glasses, change almost always brings improvement.       Listen...

Read More : Episode 67 of Trading Perspectives Podcast - Full Article

If you think Independence Day is America’s defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down. Tony Snow   This newsletter/column will go out on Friday, November 29, 2019. I am writing it on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. This week, we will celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. Although Americans have celebrated some form of harvest festival since the founding of Jamestown, history records it was President Abraham Lincoln who first established a permanent, national...

Read More : Common Cents & Thanksgiving on November 29, 2019 - Full Article

Why is everyone so angry? Lately it seems the entire world is protesting about something, even in the U.S. But why? Inequality seems to be a hot topic across the board and many feel the “wealthy” are to blame.  According to the recent Census, the average income is much lower than one would think.  Should we shift the focus to the 25% earning less than $25,000/year? Should there be more focus on the development of...

Read More : Episode 66 of Trading Perspectives Podcast - Full Article

Too much self-centered attitude, you see, brings, you see, isolation. Result: loneliness, fear, anger. The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering. Dalai Lama The media outlets are currently full of anger. It sells. Still, I can’t remember a time when the entire world seemed as angry as it does. Perhaps I am waxing nostalgic over happier times which actually weren’t. Then again, maybe I am not. The world seems at war with itself,...

Read More : Common Cents & Anger on November 22, 2019 - Full Article

The end of the year is quickly approaching. As people turn their attention to holiday shopping and celebrations with friends and family, taxes may be the last thing on their minds. However, implementing one or more of these strategies by the end of the year could make a big difference in April. 1. Max out your retirement plan Review your retirement plans to ensure you have maxed out your contributions for 2019.  For 401(k) and...

Read More : 5 Year-End Tax Planning Strategies - Full Article

Socialism: What is it and why are people for it? Socialism, a term with a historically negative connotation, has become somewhat of a buzzword lately as many democratic politicians consider themselves socialists.  So, what exactly is socialism?  Clearly Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Elizabeth Warren have a different view on socialism than those of the WW2 generation.  How do different generations feel about socialism and what makes it appealing to some people?  Should the US strive...

Read More : Episode 65 of Trading Perspectives Podcast - Full Article

Longer-Term Interest Rates Longer-term interest rates have been going up, and that is a good thing? John and Sam discuss how lower rates were supposedly the cure for what ails us earlier in the year, and how that has changed in November. Perhaps there is some truth to the argument: “higher long-term interest rates are bad for asset prices except for when they aren’t.” They aren’t, or haven’t been, recently.  But why?      ...

Read More : Episode 64 of the Trading Perspectives Podcast - Full Article