Most investors are told that you can’t time the market; therefore, you should buy and hold indefinitely.  The other reason quoted for this strategy is that over time, enough time, stocks always do well.  I’d like to address both of these ideas.
“You Can’t Time The Market”
This is an interesting statement, because it’s very vague.  Think about it.  What do you mean by “time the market”.  Do you mean identifying the exact bottom or top?  Or how about within 10% of a top or bottom.  What does it mean?
Of course, it’s …

I have a personality and a mind that enjoys challenging the mainstream, status quo. If you read my blog, you know I offer opinions on things such as diversification, retirement, income and even home ownership that is not the mainstream views on these subjects. Part of this natural thought process is genetic for me, and I think part of it is that I have read with an objective mind many compelling arguments for such challenging views. The traditional savings and retirement equation needs to be challenged I …

Here is the goal of the ruling party in Washington D.C.:  Pass a second stimulus bill without calling it a stimulus bill because the word “stimulus” puts a negative taste in the mouths of Americans strictly because of the monstrosity that was the first, ineffective and terribly irresonsible stimulus bill.  Over at ZeroHedge, they cite two reasons that a coming “job bill” is ont he way:

Harry Reid, Senate majority leader, referenced a likely “job bill” in early 2010.
Obama mentioned a “jobs summit” for December to figure out this jobs situation.

Look, …

Analyzing The Web’s Current State
The topic of organizing the web, more specifically, the content of the web is very interesting in my opinion. The main crossroads of the web, Google, built their revolutionary search algorithm several years ago and has dominated the web and made billions for the one who controls it. Interestingly, while Google constantly tweaks the algorithm and improves it, the web is still a very different place when compared to its state when Google started. One of the biggest changes, web 2.0 fueled blogging, …

The transition from college student to employee is a tricky one. There are many emotions and challenges making this transition.  Having a job waiting for you when you graduate can relieve a ton of stress.  Follow these tips and make sure that you are in the minority that graduates college with a job waiting for you.
Tip #1 – Start Well Before You Graduate
Most students make the mistake of waiting until after they graduate from college to start the job hunt.  The best thing you can do is to start now, …

Today, it seems that most Americans make the mistake of confusing higher asset prices with economic recovery.  Stocks are up, housing prices have stabilized (and even increased slightly), so therefore, the economy is rebounding.  The problem is that the “real economy” is still in terrible shape.  Unemployment (calculated in the modern post 1990 way) is over 10%.  Shout all day long at the people in unemployment lines that stocks are up and see what kind of impact it will have.
The problem is that despite our President’s famous promise to “spread …

Many people argue about whether or not putting money into stocks should be considered investing or speculating.  First, it doesn’t really matter, because it doesn’t change the outcome.  But, nevertheless, let’s offer an opinion.
First, let’s take a look at the definitions of both from the free online dictionary.
Invest: To commit (money or capital) in order to gain a financial return.
Speculate: To engage in the buying or selling of a commodity with an element of risk on the chance of profit.
Doesn’t seem like too much of a difference, no?  I’ve heard …

Cash flow is the ultimate goal whether you’re an individual or a business.  Cash flow is what is left over from your revenue or income after all expenses are paid for.  There are decisions on how to allocate the cash flow such as investing, saving, etc. but it’s meaningless unless you actually are accumulating cash flow.
Let’s look at various ways to cash flow from two perspectives: a business and an individual.
Cutting Costs – You Only Can Do So Much
If you have paid attention to the earnings reports over the previous …