Cigars and Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

Cigars and Single Malt Scotch Whiskey--

There are quite a few recreational golfers who do not consider the days match complete
without spending a while in the club house lounge enjoying a good cigar and a glass of
fine old single malt scotch whiskey.  Myself, I do not care for the cigar part of the
tradition.  I do not smoke anything anymore and especially not cigars unless I am already
sick.  It would be a shame to end a beautiful day on the links on a sour or sick note.
The few times I have smoked cigars I was left with a foul taste and feeling the
next morning like a parrot had slept in my mouth.  However, I do partake in a bit
of single malt scotch whiskey.

I read in a Spring edition of Golf Digest an article by Sarah Max that it is possible
to have your own cask of single malt scotch whiskey.  Tullibardine distiller has taken the distinction to a
new level.  Casks come in three sizes.  The smallest, a bourbon barrel, holds the equivalent
of 350 bottles of 10 year old scotch and costs about $1,700.00, including 10 years of
insurance and storage in Tullibardine's bonded warehouse.  A hogshead holds about 455
bottles and costs $2,900.00. A butt holds 870 bottles and costs about $5,000.00.
The owner's whose names are stenciled onto their casks, have visitation rights and can
sample their whiskey at various stages while it ages for a minimum of 10 years.  That is
probably more than you wanted to know about scotch whiskey, but now you can have something
else to talk about if you played badly.


I am leaving for a few days of 'honey do's so I may pick up on this next week and relate
more about a fine cigar.  If you cannot wait, I suggest going to the news stand or the
doctor's office and pick up a copy of Golf Digest INDEX 2.  It is a good read.  Think long
and straight.  FL

Do You Get Smarter When You Get Older?

Unbelievably, I became three quarters of a century old today!  I do not think of myself as 'old,' but it becomes apparent when I try to do things I used to do.  Even looking in the mirror is not the same as it once was.  However, I still try.  You would think that with this much age there would naturally be some intelligence come along with it.  I am not certain I am any smarter, but I have learned several things.  I saw a web site recently which prompted me to do likewise.  My children and grand children are much the same as I was when I was their age, I wouldn't listen to my mom and dad, but I hung on every word of others thinking they were the smartest people on earth even tho' I had heard the same words from mom and dad.

I've learned...

that you can do something in an instant

that will give you a heartache for life.

I've learned...
that you should always leave loved
ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned...
that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel. 

I've learned

that the Canadian side of Mt. Rushmore

may not be as inspiring as the American side.

I've learned... 
that either you control your
attitude or it controls you.

I've learned...
that heroes are the people who do what has
to be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.                                                   

I've learned...
that my best friend and I can do anything
or nothing and have the best time.  We have!

I've learned...
that sometimes the people you expect to
kick you when you're down will be the
ones to help you get back up and vice versa.

I've learned...
that true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.

I've learned...
that just because someone doesn't love you
the way you want them to doesn't mean they                    
don't love you with all they have.                                                    Bending over backwards!

I've learned...
that maturity has more to do with what types
of experiences you've had and what you've
learned from them and less to do with how
many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned...
that no matter how good a friend is, they're
going to hurt you every once in a while and
you must forgive them for that.

I've learned...
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by 
others, Sometimes you have to learn to forgive
yourself. Even if you bend over backwards.

I've learned...
that our background and circumstances may
have influenced who we are, but we are
responsible for who we become.

I've learned...
that just because two people argue, it doesn't
mean they don't love each other. And just
because they don't argue, it doesn't mean
they do.

I've learned...
that we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.

I've learned...
that two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different.

I've learned...
that even when you think you have no more
to give, when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

I've learned...
that credentials on the wall do not
make you a decent human being. 

I've learned...
that the people you care about most
in life are taken from you too soon.

I've learned...
that family and friends are what make
us who we are today, and without them
we would never be complete.

I've learned...

that you cannot make someone love you. 

All you can do is stalk them 

and hope they panic and give in.

I've learned...

that you only get one chance to make a good

first impression.

I've learned...

there is more to fishing with people you love
than catching fish.

Some of the things I have learned in my 75 years are from my own experience and some are from watching others.  

Cause Joy!

What Is Your Investment Growth Strategy?

Investing is not a sure thing in most cases, it is much like a game - you don't

know the outcome until the game has been played and a winner has been declared. Anytime  

you play almost any type of game, you have a strategy. Investing isn't any different -

you need an investment strategy. Keep in mind, however, having a stratedgy is not the same

 as wishing or dreaming.  A good strategy can be overturned by a trained manipulator of the

stock markets.  Even so, the long term investments and re-investments in a particular stock

or index fund, has proven to garner the highest yield.

An investment strategy is basically a plan for increasing the value of your money in various 

types of investments that will help you meet your financial goals in a specific amount of time.

Each type of investment contains individual choices that you must make. A

clothing store sells clothes - but those clothes consist of shirts, pants, dresses, skirts,

 undergarments, etc. The stock market is a different type of investment, but it contains

many types of companies and corporations all wanting you to put your faith and money in them.

Some of these companies are considered 'growth' stocks which means that their plan is to

grow that company within their niche.  Others pay dividends periodically based on how much

money you have bet on their success or continued success. "Bet" is the proper word to use

because the stock market is a gamble controlled by market makers and the economics of the time.

You may be a shareholder in British Petroleum and you likely have lost much of your investment in the

past several weeks.  No one could have predicted such a tragedy, it was a gamble that paid off

for a long time.  The trick is knowing when to hold them and when to fold them.

If you haven't done your research, it can quickly become very confusing - simply because

there are so many types of investments to choose to add or remove from your portfolio.

 This is where your strategy, combined with your risk tolerance and investment style all

come into play.

If you are new to investments, work closely with a financial planner before making any

investments. They will help you develop an investment strategy that will not only fall

within the bounds of your risk tolerance and your investment style, but will also help

you achieve your financial goals.

It is not too smart to invest money without having a goal and a strategy for reaching that goal!

You should also have an exit strategy and be familiar with stop loss orders. Nobody hands

 their money over to anyone without knowing what that money is being

 used for and when they will get it back! If you don't have a goal, a plan, or a strategy,

that is essentially what you are doing! Always start with a goal and a strategy for reaching

 that goal!

Cause Joy!

Prepare Now For Your Retirement When You Want It.

     Investing For Retirement

Retirement may be a long way off for you - or it might be right around the corner. No matter how near or far it is, you MUST absolutely got to start saving for it now.  You will not be able to live on Social Security even if there is still such an entitlement.  However, saving for retirement isn't what it used to be with the increase in cost of living and the instability of social security. You have to invest for your retirement, as opposed to saving for it!

Let's start by taking a look at the retirement plan offered by your company if there is one. Once upon a time, these plans were quite sound. However, after the Enron upset and all that followed, people aren't as secure in their company retirement plans anymore. If you choose not to invest in your company's retirement plan, you do have other options.

First, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. You do not have to state to anybody that the returns on these investments are to be used for retirement. Just simply LET YOUR MONEY GROW overtime, and when certain investments reach their maturity, REINVEST THEM and continue to let your money grow.

You can also open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). IRA's are quite popular because the money is not taxed until you withdraw the funds. You may also be able to deduct your IRA contributions from the taxes that you owe. An IRA can be opened at most banks. A ROTH IRA is another type of retirement account. With a Roth, you pay taxes on the money that you are investing in your account, but when you cash out, no federal taxes are owed. Roth IRA's can also be opened at a financial institution.

Another popular type of retirement account is the 401(k). 401(k's) are typically offered through employers, but you may be able to open a 401(k) on your own. You should speak with a financial planner or accountant to help you with this. The Keogh plan is another type of IRA that is suitable for self employed people. Self-employed small business owners may also be interested in Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP). This is another type of Keogh plan that people typically find easier to administer than a regular Keogh plan.

Whichever retirement investment you choose, just make sure you choose one! Again, do not depend on social security, company retirement plans, or even an inheritance that may or may not come through! Take care of your financial future by investing in it today.

If you have already been "retired" and it was not your idea or you weren't ready, take a look at this website and get up-to-date on the job market.  We want to send you a FREE book. You can have another chance to change your life for the best.

Coming soon, "Long Term Investments For The Future."  Here is one that will pay huge dividends. 

 Cause Joy!

Diversify Your Investments For Your Welfare Now and In Retirement

It does not matter how much investment experience you have it is always a risky business. If this is your first turn around the dance floor you need to realize first and foremost that all investing is a risk of some sort. There is no such thing as risk free investing though certain types of investments certainly involve more risks than others. This is the main reason that it is so important to have a stock portfolio that is diversified enough to offer some insulation from devastation due to one stock, bond, or fund performing poorly while also making a noticeable difference when one performs extraordinarily well.

Investing should be treated like a business unless you have so much money and equities that it is more or less a hobby for you.  It may be just a way to ‘turn on’ or get you excited.  However, if you have a self directed IRA or a 401K which you are managing, you need to treat it like a business.  Chances are you are depending on this stash to live on following your days of actively working and when you are ready to retire.  Re – Tire comes from the French in 1533 and means to withdraw or to leave a place or to go to bed, etc.  The worst thing that can happen is to plan to retire and have all of your savings vanish because you invested in Blimps, or a cemetery, or on line businesses.  I speak from experience.

In other words, diversifying your portfolio tempers the risks you are taking by investing to some degree. I am sure you’ve heard the old saying “never put all your eggs in one basket” Diversifying your portfolio moves your eggs around so that your nest egg has more than one layer or protection from the evils of the world and the fickle minds of men and the World Stock Exchanges.  My advice to you would be to look closely at stocks which are called “index stocks.”  An ‘index’ stock is a fund which is made up of all of the stocks in a certain sector. 

You want to diversify your investment portfolio so that one sector or one stock does not have the power to sink your financial future in one fell swoop. You want to feel secure that your investments are secure to some degree despite the many risks you will face. In fact you need that sense of security in order to sleep and continue investing and building your financial future. 'You cannot sell out of an empty cart' and if you lose your money with “friends” you may not have enough remaining to continue to build your portfolio. You will find that it is nearly impossible to work on a financial future in which you do not believe.

If that isn’t enough however you want to diversify so that you have the opportunity to spread the wealth a bit too. You want to have a few opportunities to take the risks that make the real money in the stock market game. You cannot really do this if all your monies are tied up in ventures that are designed to play it safe and run the marathon. It’s nice, on occasion to feel the wind in your hair as you sprint towards your financial goals rather than going at the snails pace in exchange for security. In other words, diversity brings a sense of balance to your portfolio too.  It ceases to be fun when you are feeling the wind and you slam into a wall.  I ran into such a wall and fell back so hard I am still reeling.  I do sleep, but it is in a smaller house.  My dad always said, “don’t invest in the stock market unless you can afford to lose all of your investment.”  Well he never took any chances since he lived thru the “great depression” in the 30’s and we are living through the ‘great depression’ of the 2010’s.  Same thing, but different!

There are all kinds of investments. You will find many different companies, many different sectors, different types of stocks, bonds, funds, and all manner of investment opportunities that each bring to the table a different type of risk and a different type of security upon which you can feast while organizing your portfolio in a meal that should is meant to last a lifetime and keep your family fed, clothed, and happy for many years to come. In order to do all of these things your financial situation needs to be as well rounded as you are as a person and your stock portfolio needs that liberal arts education that includes a little bit of everything.

If you can accomplish this with your portfolio then your financial outlook should be much brighter and bolder than it would be if you left all your efforts in one basket and dined on one plate for the rest of your life. Sounds like prison to me.  I was born in the United States where people do take chances.  The eagle is our national symbol.  The eagle has to hunt and plan on where to get what they need to survive.  It is not so with the oyster which just lays in the water and waits for the current to bring in what food he gets.  My choice is to be an eagle, not an oyster waiting to be fed.  Make sure your portfolio has a good mix of conservative and high risk investments to ensure profits in the future.

Cause Joy!

Is Day Trading Worth The Risks?

The stock market is a volatile place as stocks are bought and sold throughout the day for considerable profits and losses. The reason this is possible is because the prices of stocks fluctuate wildly during the day just as they fluctuate from one day to the next. This leaves the market open to those who relish the opportunity to profit off the pennies that others will sell to save. It can be quite a lucrative practice but carries with it a level of risk that is almost equal to investing in penny stocks.

The rush that is received from day trading efforts is often compared to the same rush addicted gamblers get when walking into a casino. In fact, those who have gambling problems are strongly discouraged from participating in day trading activities for obvious reasons. Investing in the stock market carries some risk as a rule. The risks are magnified when you enter into risky practices such as day trading but the high profits that this type of trading can bring about is often incentive enough for adventurous investors to take the risk. In fact, many enterprising investors make lucrative livings from day trading alone.

There are many that carefully analyze the market and create elaborate formulas for their day trading efforts to varying degrees of success. Those who do succeed in this particular business are very secretive as to their formulas and aren’t likely to share. The point is that this isn’t completely a game of luck. There is some degree of skill involved in making the numbers work for you as well as the smile of Lady Luck upon your fortune that is required in order to win at the game known as day trading.

Most day traders prefer buying and selling on NASDAQ because it is generally more of a roller coaster ride, ideal for day trading, than the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The problem with this type of living is that you must constantly watch the market for those tell tale signs that a shift is preparing to happen. Lunch and sanity breaks can bring about destruction if you are counting on trading a specific stock at a specific price for the day (going up or down).

If you are the type of person that doesn’t do well in stressful situation this is definitely not going to be the trading style best suited to your financial and sanity needs. This is a stressful gig often compared to the job of an air traffic controller. Though the lives of others aren’t in your hands only your financial future. The truth is that much like the radar screens at busy airports though the market is constantly moving and in you take your eye off the prize for even a second you could miss the moment you’ve been waiting for and disaster may strike. It’s a real rush for the adventurous sort and torture personified for those that are prone to nail biting and drinking antacids.

There are many ‘safer’ methods for investing your money that require a little more patience and produce a little less profit but are much easier for the nerves to handle. The Internet has made day trading a bigger way of life for more people today than ever before. The stress is shared by many people across the country though this is only one of many ways to invest big and earn big if you are so inclined. If you love taking risks though and have the time to dedicate to day trading this might be a great way for you to make the living you’ve always dreamed of making. This is a great job for those who love the highs and lows of a real roller coaster ride. Of course this is one job in which nerves of steel are a job requirement. Are your nerves strong enough to take the pressure?

Cause Joy!

Are Stocks or Mutual Funds a better Investment?

It may seem a little strange to compare mutual funds with stocks but you should so you make the best decisions to secure your financial future. Some of the more notable differences will be discussed below in order to help you decide which investment type is more suitable for your financial situation.

When it comes to investing for the everyday man or woman you really can’t beat mutual funds. Stocks carry hefty fees for buying, selling, and transferring that significantly hinder any profits that would otherwise be made from the transaction. In fact, these fees often serve to deter the trading of stocks rather than encouraging it. Perversely, big trading companies offer hefty discounts for their big spenders making the stock market trading game seem even more exclusive by making it easier for those who already have a great deal invested than they make it for the new guy trying to make his way on the market. Mutual funds are much more accessible to those who don’t have massive fortunes available to invest and need to make small steps (such as $100 a month) towards their financial and investment goals.

Mutual funds typically carry less risk than the average stock purchase as well. This happens for many reasons:

• First of all mutual funds are not generally invested in one sector, industry, or company. For this reason if one of the stocks fails, the proceeds from the other stocks and bonds purchased will help mitigate the loss, making it less noticeable. 
• At the same time, the loss is shared by a large group of people so that even if a slight overall loss is experienced as the result it will be much less noticeable than if the stock purchased was yours and yours alone. 
• Finally, the fact that the funds are already diversified to a large degree helps insulate from huge fluctuations in the market such as those seen recently when the sub prime mortgage industry bubble popped leaving many investors ducking for cover or wiped out.
• Share the wealth. Share the risk. Mutual funds offer a sense of community, commonality, and shared risk among those who buy into a specific mutual fund. This is a good thing most of the time as it enables a large group of people to share a much smaller portion of risk than if they were buying stocks of their own volition. 

• The existence of a fund manager means that there is someone “in the know” who is looking after the profit of the fund and that has the success of the fund at heart. This is something that you won’t find when investing in stocks. In fact, when it comes to the stock market the only people that really care about how your stocks are performing are those that you pay to care for these things such as your financial adviser, accountant, and/or stockbroker.
• Another thing to consider about mutual funds is that they are much easier to use and/or trade than stocks. They are much less expensive to trade as well. You can purchase mutual funds from your local bank, online, and through many online trading companies as well as through many company 401 (k) plans. In other words mutual funds go out of their way to make themselves accessible. 
• The most important thing, really, when it comes to buying mutual funds is that you devote some time to studying the history and performance of the fund you are considering to purchase as well as the fund manager for peace of mind.

As you can see there are a lot of differences between stocks and mutual funds. For small investors mutual funds are often the best route to take. Mutual funds are less risky and will give you good growth over time.

Cause Joy!