I crewed on a sailboat from St Pete FL to Isla Mujeres MX and back at 21. Told myself I'd circumnavigate the earth after that - it was life changing. So was meeting the love of my life, Ellen. I forgot about the ocean. Five children, five self start businesses, 9 grandchildren. So far. And then I woke up one day at age 58 and thought "why the heck am I still working?" Answer: it had become easy, predictable, respectable, enriching, boring. I "sold" my last endeavor to a great young man with a lovely wife and new baby. Full list of happy clients and he's expanding and killing it. Bought two sailboats, a little one to see if it was still in my blood. Turned out to be a gateway drug. I now have a gorgeous blue water boat and pretty much all the training offered by the big three (ASA, US Sailing, USCG). I'm 65 and keep Soliloquy in the Chesapeake where I found her. I've explored much of New England. Next year I'm beginning a year long circumnavigation of the Atlantic. If that doesn't do it, I'll be heading west until I get back to where I started. Planning 5 years so I can stop and get to know people. It's not too late. Just do it.
I'm much more bullish on America after the last election. I'm bullish either way, but now I think there's reason to believe that ex-US equities outshining the US has been put on hold. Without violating my 5-years min. cash rule, I used VOO to go from ≈ 60/40 to ≈ 80/20 (stk/cash) during the recent bandwagon downturn. I wasn't aiming at a new long-term asset allocation target, I was just having a 1974 Buffett episode. I'll start selling next year to the threshold that long-term capital gains remain untaxed. "..during an interview in Forbes magazine, when he made a very stark publicprediction, calling the bottom of the bear market. Asked how he felt, Mr Buffett famously then replied: "Like an oversexed guy in a whorehouse. Now is the time to invest and get rich." (WSJ 2008, James Quinn) For the record, I'm most impressed with the folks that did nothing. : )
Gold is an investment in pessimism. This kind of pessimism results from variation in the markets amplified by the voices of those with the most to lose from change. It is my opinion that if you step off the bandwagon and look objectively, gold will become of little interest as an investment. Gold vs. S&P500. Click on 5, 10, 20, 30 years in addition to the initial presentation.
I think #3 may be the most important question I've ever read in the investment realm and the best way I've ever seen of posing the cash reserve question. It also highlights Buffett's quip "If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes." Man you're good.
My brothers and I were on the receiving end of a no questions asked gift at age 18 (UGMA). Large enough to forgo the need to work for a lifetime. Two of us followed my father's hard working ethic, two did not. Ultimately, you need to provide your children with a lived example that follows biblical principles, but that won't guarantee success. Adam's thoughts are important - we have tools, but it's the heart of the child and his parents that will win the day. My opinion is that you open Roth IRA's for the kids and match their contributions, which of course requires earnings on their behalf. When they marry, have kids, buy homes, have health issues, etc., help them as needed. Surprise them at times. Take the heat of the world off their backs, but not so much that they lose ambition. Different children require different approaches, mine have not received the same help over the years. They didn't receive the same discipline in their youth either - they are individuals with different needs. Make sure your spouse is on the same page. Communicate with them. Let them know your philosophy and pray for them. Enjoy the journey, do your best and you will succeed. Love always wins.
If the claims of Jesus Christ are factual, your socialization would be entirely against Him (John 15:18-19). Our lives are short. Are you sure what you've been exposed to about Him is true? The best challenge to the status quo is this. Don't miss it.
My mother is one of the founders of PARC (Pinellas Association of Retarded Children). They still use the acronym and still achieve excellence with its original purpose, but have dropped the use of retarded to appease people like yourself. I spent many hours there as a kid and enjoyed my time working with them beyond measure. I recently gave a keynote to an awards event for these beautiful people and for my mother. You should volunteer, I think you'll find as I did that they possess a secret many "normal" people miss.
Envy is a quest for happiness. Genuine happiness is contentment with what is in hand while pursuing what is in the bush. Not because others have it, but because it stirs your blood. Ever spent time with the retarded or a down's syndrome person or a small child? These people are my reference. Elon is arguably the richest person on the planet, yet he lives like a child; full of joy and wonder. He could lose it all tomorrow by the risks he takes. We can live at that same level if we choose to - it's just a matter of scale, not of reward. You can choose to believe "I knew you to be a hard man.. And I was afraid.. So I hid what I had in the ground" or you can go for it.
Comments
I crewed on a sailboat from St Pete FL to Isla Mujeres MX and back at 21. Told myself I'd circumnavigate the earth after that - it was life changing. So was meeting the love of my life, Ellen. I forgot about the ocean. Five children, five self start businesses, 9 grandchildren. So far. And then I woke up one day at age 58 and thought "why the heck am I still working?" Answer: it had become easy, predictable, respectable, enriching, boring. I "sold" my last endeavor to a great young man with a lovely wife and new baby. Full list of happy clients and he's expanding and killing it. Bought two sailboats, a little one to see if it was still in my blood. Turned out to be a gateway drug. I now have a gorgeous blue water boat and pretty much all the training offered by the big three (ASA, US Sailing, USCG). I'm 65 and keep Soliloquy in the Chesapeake where I found her. I've explored much of New England. Next year I'm beginning a year long circumnavigation of the Atlantic. If that doesn't do it, I'll be heading west until I get back to where I started. Planning 5 years so I can stop and get to know people. It's not too late. Just do it.
Post: Dreams I Had by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from June 7, 2025
Jonathan found a jewel when he found you Adam. Love your thoughts and historical perspective.
Post: You Never Know
Link to comment from June 7, 2025
I'm much more bullish on America after the last election. I'm bullish either way, but now I think there's reason to believe that ex-US equities outshining the US has been put on hold. Without violating my 5-years min. cash rule, I used VOO to go from ≈ 60/40 to ≈ 80/20 (stk/cash) during the recent bandwagon downturn. I wasn't aiming at a new long-term asset allocation target, I was just having a 1974 Buffett episode. I'll start selling next year to the threshold that long-term capital gains remain untaxed. "..during an interview in Forbes magazine, when he made a very stark public prediction, calling the bottom of the bear market. Asked how he felt, Mr Buffett famously then replied: "Like an oversexed guy in a whorehouse. Now is the time to invest and get rich." (WSJ 2008, James Quinn) For the record, I'm most impressed with the folks that did nothing. : )
Post: Ch-Ch-Changes?
Link to comment from May 14, 2025
Gold is an investment in pessimism. This kind of pessimism results from variation in the markets amplified by the voices of those with the most to lose from change. It is my opinion that if you step off the bandwagon and look objectively, gold will become of little interest as an investment. Gold vs. S&P500. Click on 5, 10, 20, 30 years in addition to the initial presentation.
Post: Go for the Gold?
Link to comment from May 10, 2025
I think #3 may be the most important question I've ever read in the investment realm and the best way I've ever seen of posing the cash reserve question. It also highlights Buffett's quip "If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes." Man you're good.
Post: Ask Me a Tough One by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from April 19, 2025
It's also nice to step back and look at the big picture when chicken little starts up.
Post: Making Lemonade by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from April 6, 2025
My brothers and I were on the receiving end of a no questions asked gift at age 18 (UGMA). Large enough to forgo the need to work for a lifetime. Two of us followed my father's hard working ethic, two did not. Ultimately, you need to provide your children with a lived example that follows biblical principles, but that won't guarantee success. Adam's thoughts are important - we have tools, but it's the heart of the child and his parents that will win the day. My opinion is that you open Roth IRA's for the kids and match their contributions, which of course requires earnings on their behalf. When they marry, have kids, buy homes, have health issues, etc., help them as needed. Surprise them at times. Take the heat of the world off their backs, but not so much that they lose ambition. Different children require different approaches, mine have not received the same help over the years. They didn't receive the same discipline in their youth either - they are individuals with different needs. Make sure your spouse is on the same page. Communicate with them. Let them know your philosophy and pray for them. Enjoy the journey, do your best and you will succeed. Love always wins.
Post: Giving Advice
Link to comment from April 5, 2025
If the claims of Jesus Christ are factual, your socialization would be entirely against Him (John 15:18-19). Our lives are short. Are you sure what you've been exposed to about Him is true? The best challenge to the status quo is this. Don't miss it.
Post: Help Wanted
Link to comment from March 29, 2025
My mother is one of the founders of PARC (Pinellas Association of Retarded Children). They still use the acronym and still achieve excellence with its original purpose, but have dropped the use of retarded to appease people like yourself. I spent many hours there as a kid and enjoyed my time working with them beyond measure. I recently gave a keynote to an awards event for these beautiful people and for my mother. You should volunteer, I think you'll find as I did that they possess a secret many "normal" people miss.
Post: Care to join me on my yacht cruising the Mediterranean? Do you envy the super wealthy? RDQ
Link to comment from March 22, 2025
Envy is a quest for happiness. Genuine happiness is contentment with what is in hand while pursuing what is in the bush. Not because others have it, but because it stirs your blood. Ever spent time with the retarded or a down's syndrome person or a small child? These people are my reference. Elon is arguably the richest person on the planet, yet he lives like a child; full of joy and wonder. He could lose it all tomorrow by the risks he takes. We can live at that same level if we choose to - it's just a matter of scale, not of reward. You can choose to believe "I knew you to be a hard man.. And I was afraid.. So I hid what I had in the ground" or you can go for it.
Post: Care to join me on my yacht cruising the Mediterranean? Do you envy the super wealthy? RDQ
Link to comment from March 22, 2025