Amateurs debating the economy is a fun exercise, but worthless!

| December 17, 2023

My buddy Jeff and I enjoy debating and learning from each other while sharing what we are reading. We are far from experts on anything (I should speak for myself), but that doesn’t stop us from opining. HA! Last week with the Federal Reserve “pausing” on interest rate hikes with inflation coming down and semi-telegraphed […]

How political has science and climate change become? #video

| August 16, 2023

Deep down … I think most people know that there is something corrupt when it comes to climate science, grant money and politics. Still we are hesitate to question anything because “who am I to question these complicated issues?” It has always bothered me that so many things become an immediate, high priority “crisis” when […]

Where do you live if you want $100,000 to go furthest?

| April 6, 2023

There is probably a new survey or report out every month or so comparing the cost of living in different areas of the country. I usually gloss over them for one reason or another. Some exclude income taxes, state and local taxes or hefty property taxes. Others ignore lower salaries and some just don’t factor in […]

Audiobook – Inflated: How Money and Debt Built the American Dream by R. Christopher Whalen (published 2010)

| February 28, 2023

This past month on our trip to Florida, I downloaded an audiobook on Hoopla from the library in order to save on iPhone data (our Mint Mobile plan has a 4GB limit). I started it on my AfterShokz headset while on the beach, but Brenda soon wanted to listen with me … so we both […]

John Steele Gordon and Milton Friedman on Inflation

| March 23, 2022

From a John Steele Gordon lecture at Hillsdale College … “money is just another commodity, no different from petroleum, pork bellies, or pig iron. So money, like all commodities, can rise and fall in price, depending on supply and demand. But because money is, by definition, the one commodity that is universally accepted in exchange […]

When will Ford reinstate their dividend? $F

| April 14, 2021

Since Ford once-upon-a-time paid a solid dividend, it was one of those stocks I felt comfortable trading in and out of or  just sitting on for a while … but after the company suspended the dividend in March of 2020, I had to re-think $F stock. Owning Ford in 2020 and so far in 2021 […]

Will we ever see modest interest rates again? #TBT

| March 26, 2020

When I was growing up, I had a passbook savings account that was a teaching tool used by my parents to instill responsible money management. I deposited a small amount in it every few months or so when my mom would go to the bank and got my passbook stamped with an update as to […]

A positive 2019 for bullish investors, what about 2020?

| December 20, 2019

As the year and decade wind down, it is the time of year investors and financially prudent planners take note of their savings and retirement portfolios. Barron’s surveyed strategists who continue to expect “more gains ahead for U.S. stocks” with the caveat, “barring a jarring election or a derailment in U.S. – China trade.” So […]

For the thrifty: Do you know the best day to fill up your car?

| April 10, 2019

According to Gasbuddy.com as reported in a Fox News article, the best day to fill up your car will depend on where you live … BUT in general, “fill up earlier in the week when the traffic is a little quieter since there is more volatility and higher prices later in the week." The ideal […]

Is being creative with credit cards and banking worth the risk?

| September 16, 2018

I hate seeing any of my friends borrow money … especially when the borrowing is at high rates as it often is for those struggling with bills and  living month to month. It is particularly frustrating when they are still use credit cards with rates in the double digits, are paying the minimum and often […]

Financial planning. We are all suppose to be doing it. Are you?

| April 10, 2018

While reading a bit this past week about retirement savings and planning, it really hit home when realizing just how lifespans have changed in the past 100+ years. Did you know: •In 1900, the average life expectancy was 47 years. Only 100,000 Americans lived to age 85. •By 2010, the number of people over 85 […]

Retirement planning, hoeing rows and the root of all kinds of evil

| May 27, 2017

We’re not their yet … but we’ve been doing a little more thinking about retirement and how many more years of work it is going to be at a comfortable level when we no long punch the proverbial time clock. Brenda and I are not in harmony quite yet, as one of us would prefer […]

Saving money takes discipline – 20 ideas on Fox Business.com

| April 22, 2017

My favorite news network shared 20 excellent tips for saving money (by Daniel Kline, who writes for the Motley Fool). I highlight a favorite below. Saving money takes discipline It means forgoing things you want and making tough choices, which can be tough in our consumption-focused society. However, saving money can make it easier to […]

Cheap oil, negative returns and a confused Fed

| February 11, 2016

Markets took a wild ride today on very weak economies around the globe and oil dropping to nearly $26/barrel. UAE minister hinted at OPEC talking about production cuts, the markets Aftercame back from its lows. The pain was particularly hard on banks as monetary policies in more nations move into negative returns (negative interest rates) […]

Life skills for the long haul: 8 Financial Decisions

| February 5, 2016

Some simple financial steps, 8 to be exact, to follow from Money were shared this month and they are worth reading and remembering. I’ll post below in case they disappear … but you should read it here. 1. Save More for Retirement How much money will you need each year to enjoy a happy and […]

Borrowing money at low rates when emergencies arise

| September 9, 2015

I’m a Dave Ramsey advocate for the most part and prefer not to borrow money for anything other than a home. Unfortunately that’s challenging for most people as well as yours truly a few items in the past. Brenda and I borrowed when starting and expanding our small business, for the occasional new car (a […]

Who says Greece is too small to impact world markets?

| June 30, 2015

Seems like about every article I read pointed to the fact that Greece’s economy is only “half the size of Ohio” and that we are insulated from the turmoil over this game of chicken they are playing with the IMF and pending $1.73B payment default. Still traders on Monday in about every market decided this […]

US debt limit going up again-Maybe we need bigger currency?

| January 1, 2012

Hmm … not that I have any of these, but it was interesting to know just what the largest currency denomination was … $100,000, but it was retired as well as other bills  over $100. Seeing that our nation’s debt limit will soon rise yet again, maybe we need to bring back bigger currency denominations? […]

Archive: 10 Biggest Money Wasters (2011 edition)

| June 15, 2011

Saw this and thought it might be good to talk about with my kids … or add to that Life Lessons Learned advice book I’ve always talked about writing. 10 Biggest Money Wasters CNN Money lists the 10 biggest money wasters as follows: ATM fees Lottery tickets Gourmet coffee Cigarettes Infomercial impulse buys Brand-name groceries […]

Beware of funny money showing up in Butler County Ohio

| September 22, 2010

Having worked with ink and paper for most of my working life, I pay attention to counterfeiting with a bit more interest than most. An article in the local Pulse Journal reported on businesses finding “washed” small denomination bills being counterfeited and passed as larger bills. These fake bills are often used in drug deals […]

Consumers beware: Plastic Money regulations will impact you

| February 22, 2010

If you are like me, you like having a regular routine to start the day; for me it’s the newspaper, the Gordon Deal podcast, a large cup of coffee and review of my email inbox, although I won’t encourage the large cup of coffee. Today, one of the lead stories in the news pertains to […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog