Comments for Balhiser Investing

Comment on Idea Publication: Investing Automation for improved dollar-cost averaging by Good Forex

Good Forex — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:25:59 +0000

cool, Thanks for your sharing,it’s very useful

Comment on Taxes, Tax Planning, and Unaudited Quarterly Report by Susan Kishner

Susan Kishner — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:54:49 +0000

Do you do blogroll exchanging? If you want to exchange links let me know.

Email me back if you’re interested.

Comment on Feeling Stimulated Yet? by admin

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:27:46 +0000

Unemployment is, indeed, a lagging economic indicator. What is interesting to me was how the stimulus bill was sold to the public. It was sold primarily on how many jobs it would “create or save.” In the first 3 quarters of 2009 the overall jobs picture has clearly gotten worse not better.

Another aspect of the bill was how how slowly the dollars are being dolled out. About 3/4 of “stimulus” dollars have not been spent yet. I would also characterize the stimulus bill itself as lagging.

I am left to wonder why the stimulus bill wasn’t really structured to be all that stimulative? For example, why wasn’t the $878 billion dolled out entirely in 2009. That would have been stimulative! Since there are roughly 140 million US taxpayers that work out to $6270 per taxpayer. Imagine if the lion’s share of that $6270, say $5000, was mailed to each US taxpayer in the summer of 2009? The remaining $1270 per taxpayer could have been used to grease the political skids. Now that might have been stimulating.

But nay, that didn’t happen. (Nor did anything like it — say offering employers a $10K tax credit for every net new US worked hired in 2009.)

So I’m still wondering who feels stimulated yet? I’m certainly not feeling the stim.

Comment on Feeling Stimulated Yet? by Gabi

Gabi — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:26:16 +0000

So what about the so-called experts saying that unemployment is a “lagging indicator” in the recovery? A bit more insight on your perspective would be appreciated.

Comment on Banks: Simple Principles, Complicated Games (Part I) by Shijun

Shijun — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:17:30 +0000

Interesting article and easy to understand….thanks

Comment on Work is a Fickle Mistress by dad

dad — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:50:30 +0000

Hi Dave-
I see a lot of maturation has gone on these past few years. And you write superbly.

Dad

Comment on Crazy Ivan Portfolio Update by Gabi

Gabi — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:44:34 +0000

Wow, well in this economy a flat portfolio is a successful one. Congrats!

Comment on The WHYs of Investing by Matt

Matt — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:05:31 +0000

Wow, “The Whys of Investing”, probably my favorite post so far! Excellent points and I agree with your “investing wisely in life” thoughts. I think it’s way too easy to lose the big pictures as we focus on the details. That’s a major part of why the topic of “opportunity costs” was very interesting to me when I first took economics in college.

In Christianity and several religions/philosophies, other elements of investing come into view as well – investing in others’ lives and in the life to come. I have several thoughts on how religious beliefs would impact the whys of investing, but I can probably best summarize my thoughts with the verse below (it does seem to correlate well with your initial statement).

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Comment on I’m free! by Matt

Matt — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:19:40 +0000

I agree! Here, here! Your latest paragraph puts in to words something that I’ve thought for some time. Much of our recent financial collapse may have been due to greed, but we should attempt to correct the system to have more checks & balances (that is, accountability). The average Joe/Jane with his/her retirement in the 401k doesn’t have the proxy votes alone to oust a CEO taking a $200M bonus, but an overall fund together might.
While I agree that our Freedom in the USA is wonderful, when it comes to finances many folks are unfortunately insufficiently educated to take advantage of that freedom. The vast open uncharted frontier is intimidating to those who may have a hunch, but do not know how to sell put options. Fortunately, in the USA, information is readily available and can be Free as well!

Comment on Working titles for an investing book? by admin

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:25:45 +0000

There is a general rule I’ve read about and have confirmed (to a degree):

A person’s assessment of risk is artificially high when markets have been up for long periods, particularly if the person has made money in that up market. The same person answering the same questionnaire will show a very much lower risk tolerance after experiencing a 20% market drop.

In other words, risk tolerance is often more of a variable than a constant. I think it is worthwhile to take and score the quiz. It will give you a ballpark idea of your personal risk tolerance today. Better yet retake it occasionally and see if and how your risk tolerance ebbs and flows based on market and other conditions. I even recall hearing that people are slightly more risk tolerant on sunny days than on cloudy ones