admin | May 17, 2013
May 16, 2013 You could end up with a lot less savings at 65 than you ever anticipated because of fees charged by the financial institutions managing your retirement accounts. Robert Hiltonsmith, who researches retirement security, says those fees were disclosed to 401(k) plan participants until only recently. NPR AUDIO LINK
RichC | April 12, 2013
While trying to relax a day before Katelyn and Drew’s big day, I’ve been listening to a “new to me” album by Alexi Murdoch. It’s laid back mellow sound does for me what some people get from yoga, meditation or a stiff drink. Maybe it is just enjoying finding a new artist that I want [...]
RichC | March 11, 2013
My favorite for live entertainer is Jimmy Buffett (and I’ve been to several concerts starting back in the late 1970s) with my favorite songwriter and performer Jackson Browne together in Texas this May … wow, what great concerts (I probably listen to the Pandora station Jackson Browne more than any other station – check it out). [...]
RichC | February 25, 2013
The negative implication of “big government’s Obamacare” is just beginning to be felt by those with health care coverage and businesses are squirming to adapt to the pages of new regulations. One of the latest money saving measures is that of “dropping spousal coverage” – I’m just guessing, but I suspect it will be unpopular? [...]
RichC | January 26, 2013
It is great to see the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the niche publishing of local “paper-based” magazine, Domestica (Domestica Magazine). This venture is somewhat close to home seeing that it is local … and edited by Rachel Kirkwood, a friend of our family. She started the community oriented publication using Kickstarter last year [...]
RichC | January 22, 2013
Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and biographer Jon Meacham made a few comments that had me nodding my head Monday evening in a discussion with Bill O’Reilly. I snagged a bit of audio while replaying for my wife. He was able to succinctly communicate the fiscal issues facing our nation and the seeming lack of urgency President [...]
RichC | December 10, 2012
While following the Kabuki Theatre between President Obama and congress in Washington DC focused on increasing the top tax rate, cutting government spending and dealing with what has become known as the “fiscal cliff,” it was interesting to hear what European’s think of our latest governing hurdle. The BBC offered up a video interview with [...]
RichC | December 4, 2012
I know the clickity-click (or is it clickity-clack?) is to be expected when wearing flip flops, but some pairs are noisier than others. A few months ago I purchased a new pair of Keen Waimea H2 sandals that I intend to keep on the boat because they have toe protection, but I can’t figure out [...]
RichC | November 16, 2012
Hostess Brands Inc., an 82-year old business with household brands such as Twinkie, Ho-Hos, Ding-Dongs and Wonder Bread will close its doors and liquidate assets after a bitter battle with unions and millions of dollars from venture capital in hopes to save the company. This morning CEO Greg Rayburn talked for 10 minutes with [...]
RichC | November 5, 2012
One more post before election day as we’re finally on the home stretch to 11/6/2012. Thankfully a presidential election, and the ridiculous amount of money being spent, takes place only once every 4 years. Let’s hope we can shift this same kind of energy to governing our country and dealing with the enormous fiscal problems. [...]
RichC | September 27, 2012
After three rounds of Federal Reserve quantitative easing and the pumping money into the system, the economy remains depressed and there is growing concern over eventual inflation. The buying power of the U.S. dollar is noticeably weaker for those with stagnate earnings — most of middle-class America. Who knows when government inaction on trade, deficits, [...]
RichC | August 22, 2012
Since our nation’s oil and gas industry has expanded its capacity to produce natural gas in recent years, it only makes sense that we take advantage of this plentiful, clean, and low cost energy resource. It sure sounds like a sensible way to keep the United States an economically competitive place to build and expand [...]
RichC | August 20, 2012
Our Tivo records the 30 minute weekend broadcast of the Journal Editorial Report (JER) and I enjoyed hearing from the team that manages the Wall Street Journal’s editorial content. Generally the week’s review is a rehash, but the conservative oriented look at what was in the news is something I look forward to each weekend [...]
RichC | August 1, 2012
Age has its advantages – I felt like a sage (sophos) when relaying a bit of 70′s music trivia from The Who (I really don’t know that much music trivia). The Who — Baba O’Riley – live (mp3) In a conversation today I mentioned that I heard “Baba O’Riley” as a lead in while listening [...]
RichC | July 31, 2012
This morning on CNBC there was a discussion about the long term changes that investors and savers are looking at without the growth potential of the past. We are in a new high debt world and the workforce is growing far slower than in the past. Robert Arnott discussed the expected returns we’ve all been [...]
RichC | July 27, 2012
Peter Fisher, the head of Blackrock Global‘s fixed income, made a few observations this morning regarding economic slowness worldwide. One of the important conclusions that I’ve been hearing from experienced voices is that the U.S. is the safest bet when securing capital and inching out returns. In other words, investors globally move to the security [...]
RichC | July 16, 2012
WSJ This Morning Podcast (MP3 Snippet) – “outdated notion of two parents” Every once in a while there is a morning when I wake to read, or in this case half-listen to the news and think, “I must have over-slept … by a couple generations!” The WSJ This Morning podcast (MP3) relayed an article that [...]
RichC | June 5, 2012
Although I’m not a big advocate for President Clinton, I do respect his intellect and ability to navigate the politics and the economy more than the current POTUS. Maria Bartiromo on CNBC had an interview which was both political (stumping for the Dems) and reasonably accurate when it comes to the dealing with the stalled [...]
RichC | April 19, 2012
SiriusXM Radio’s The Spectrum (ch28) highlighted Jack Johnson on Wednesday afternoon and I just happened to be in the car to enjoy the broadcast. I’ve also recently installed a RAM Mount for my Honda Pilot and decided to test out the WavePad app and decided to send the mp3 audio clip to my nephew (both [...]
RichC | March 22, 2012
It’s easy for someone like me with a fiscally and socially conservative ideology to disagree with President Obama and his expansion of government. I disagree with his irresponsible deficit spending, his liberal social philosophies and adding new entitlements. As he approaches re-election he has also returned to blaming someone else for problems, even after 3+ [...]
RichC | February 1, 2012
Hmm … and Dylan thought that the “times were changing” back in the 1960s. Can you imagine where this technology is going when it comes to “nano” or “not so nano” quadrotors and their military or CIA use? Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin
RichC | January 31, 2012
Intrade.com is probably one of the more interesting ways to track/trade the election. The ups and downs of a campaign are pretty clear to see … from the Gingrich surge after South Carolina to the precipitous drop we’re watching in Florida. If I had to vote today, I’m not sure I would even go to [...]
RichC | January 23, 2012
David Walker is an idea man that speaks as clearly as any in stating our country’s issues and would be a great advisor to any administration lucky enough to add him. His ideas, that “I believe” the majority will agree on, could be a reasonable approach for most of America who elect moderate Democrats or [...]
RichC | January 21, 2012
I’m archiving the comments of guest Doug Dechille (First Principles Capital Management LLC) on CNBC’s Squawkbox this week. It gave me pause as our politicians and media debate the capital system which helped grow our country. Dechille brought light to the problems financial institutions have with government involvement and the heavy hand of the Federal [...]
RichC | December 22, 2011
Once upon a time, the word “Plasitcs” was uttered by Mr. McGuire as “enough said” advice for The Graduate in 1967 … nowadays I think we need to start thinking three words or perhaps just the acronym … UAV? The Graduate – one word for you, plastics All I can say is find me the [...]
RichC | October 6, 2011
I’ve been thinking about the passing of Steve Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) and realized that there wasn’t enough time to include all I wanted over a lunch hour. First, his innovative vision, business savvy and keen sense of “what customers wanted” have earned him a place in my list of [...]
RichC | October 4, 2011
Wipeout Beach Boys The government grows, the private sector slows. As I listen to Fed Chairman Bernanke answer questions from our elected representatives this morning, the bulk of question seems to focus on the politics of class warfare. Once again the economies of the world sputter while bureaucrats argue over ways to manage our economy. [...]
RichC | September 13, 2011
After struggling this past week with WordPress, posting and particularly hosting issues, I’m going to be making a few … as David Bowie says it in 1971 … Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes to My Desultory Blog. Hopefully they will not be all that noticeable or long lasting but a few of the immediate problems will be the multiple [...]
RichC | September 11, 2011
I knew reflecting on the tenth year anniversary of 9/11 was going to be difficult to capture in a single blog post — I have been mulling what to archive. Watching the names scroll by on FoxNews coverage on 9/11/2011 The obvious would be to reflect on those Americans who were killed and are the [...]
RichC | September 9, 2011
Like him and his policies or not, it would be great if all politicians were as succinct and committal as Congressman Paul Ryan. His interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box Friday morning after President Obama’s speech was sharp and to the point although respectful toward the president and those holding other ideas. Well worth a listen. [...]