.
7. To pay off debts and obligations and to live as credit-free as possible.
8. To take full responsibility for your life and not rely on government doles, pensions and/or Social Security Systems should they fail, a distinct possibility in the future.
9. Add
10. Your
11. Own

How?

Here we’re going to explore a lot of possibilities. Some of the thoughts are ours; others came from sources whom we’ve come to both admire and respect. I

At the beginning of the New Millenium, the concept of investing, of “doing something” with your excess capital, has never been stronger. While this applies to citizens everywhere, nowhere has it hit home as much as in the U.S. where many of our clients live and do business.

SAVINGS SHMAVINGS

Various “analysts” and “experts” have moaned that the savings rate of the U.S. citizen has gone negative. What they fail to understand...or choose to ignore...is that savings no longer represents anything in the United States. First, there is inflation, always understated by the government, usually by at least 50%, which uses various tricks and numbers games to convince the unwary that all is well. The value of savings is constantly going down.

Additionally, the American Internal Revenue Service has chosen to tax even the negligible rate of return on savings, actually punishing sound savers for doing so. The “market” has responded by pulling savings out of the banks and risking it on what is arguably one of the strangest bull markets in history.

KEY QUESTIONS

But two questions come to mind: (1) Why should anyone invest? and (2) how should they go about it?

While we would not claim to have the definitive answers to either question, we feel we have enough background to at least offer some suggestions.

WHY DO IT AT ALL?

1. To get a better rate of return than one can get on bank savings.
2. To create a large enough egg to retire on without having to sacrifice your current quality of life, particularly if you happen to live longer than expected.
3. To provide for the ever growing cost of your children’s university educations.
4. To safeguard yourself should major illness strike.
5. To ensure that your spouse and children are not left destitute should you die.
6. To provide funds for travel, study, rest and recreation.
7. To pay off debts and obligations and to live as credit-free as possible.
8. To take full responsibility for your life and not rely on government doles, pensions and/or Social Security Systems should they fail, a distinct possibility in the future.
9. Add
10. Your
11. Own

How?

Here we’re going to explore a lot of possibilities. Some of the thoughts are ours; others came from sources whom we’ve come to both admire and respect. I

gs no longer represents anything in the United States. First, there is inflation, always understated by the government, usually by at least 50%, which uses various tricks and numbers games to convince the unwary that all is well. The value of savings is constantly going down.

Additionally, the American Internal Revenue Service has chosen to tax even the negligible rate of return on savings, actually punishing sound savers for doing so. The “market” has responded by pulling savings out of the banks and risking it on what is arguably one of the strangest bull markets in history.

KEY QUESTIONS

But two questions come to mind: (1) Why should anyone invest? and (2) how should they go about it?

While we would not claim to have the definitive answers to either question, we feel we have enough background to at least offer some suggestions.

WHY DO IT AT ALL?

1. To get a better rate of return than one can get on bank savings.
2. To create a large enough egg to retire on without having to sacrifice your current quality of life, particularly if you happen to live longer than expected.
3. To provide for the ever growing cost of your children’s university educations.
4. To safeguard yourself should major illness strike.
5. To ensure that your spouse and children are not left destitute should you die.
6. To provide funds for travel, study, rest and recreation.
7. To pay off debts and obligations and to live as credit-free as possible.
8. To take full responsibility for your life and not rely on government doles, pensions and/or Social Security Systems should they fail, a distinct possibility in the future.
9. Add
10. Your
11. Own

How?

Here we’re going to explore a lot of possibilities. Some of the thoughts are ours; others came from sources whom we’ve come to both admire and respect. I

by pulling savings out of the banks and risking it on what is arguably one of the strangest bull markets in history.

KEY QUESTIONS

But two questions come to mind: (1) Why should anyone invest? and (2) how should they go about it?

While we would not claim to have the definitive answers to either question, we feel we have enough background to at least offer some suggestions.

WHY DO IT AT ALL?

1. To get a better rate of return than one can get on bank savings.
2. To create a large enough egg to retire on without having to sacrifice your current quality of life, particularly if you happen to live longer than expected.
3. To provide for the ever growing cost of your children’s university educations.
4. To safeguard yourself should major illness strike.
5. To ensure that your spouse and children are not left destitute should you die.
6. To provide funds for travel, study, rest and recreation.
7. To pay off debts and obligations and to live as credit-free as possible.
8. To take full responsibility for your life and not rely on government doles, pensions and/or Social Security Systems should they fail, a distinct possibility in the future.
9. Add
10. Your
11. Own

How?

Here we’re going to explore a lot of possibilities. Some of the thoughts are ours; others came from sources whom we’ve come to both admire and respect. I

get on bank savings.
2. To create a large enough egg to retire on without having to sacrifice your current quality of life, particularly if you happen to live longer than expected.
3. To provide for the ever growing cost of your children’s university educations.
4. To safeguard yourself should major illness strike.
5. To ensure that your spouse and children are not left destitute should you die.
6. To provide funds for travel, study, rest and recreation.
7. To pay off debts and obligations and to live as credit-free as possible.
8. To take full responsibility for your life and not rely on government doles, pensions and/or Social Security Systems should they fail, a distinct possibility in the future.
9. Add
10. Your
11. Own

How?

Here we’re going to explore a lot of possibilities. Some of the thoughts are ours; others came from sources whom we’ve come to both admire and respect. I

.
7. To pay off debts and obligations and to live as credit-free as possible.
8. To take full responsibility for your life and not rely on government doles, pensions and/or Social Security Systems should they fail, a distinct possibility in the future.
9. Add
10. Your
11. Own

How?

Here we’re going to explore a lot of possibilities. Some of the thoughts are ours; others came from sources whom we’ve come to both admire and respect. In any case, you’ll need to choose what works for you.

First, we believe you need to work out who you are as an investor. Much of what you do should be based on your own personality, knowledge and what makes you feel comfortable.

We suggest that you honestly evaluate the kind of person you are. Do you really like risk? Are you the kind of person who likes to plunk down $20 to $100 bets on impulse at the racing track or casino?

Or are you the kind of person who, 50 years ago, would have been exclusively into blue chips, utilties and similar “safe” investments, holding on for the long haul? And who, if he does visit a casino, plays quarter slot machines and avoids the expensive games?

Maybe you are a combination of these, wanting solid investments, but willing to take a risky flyer now and then?

Whatever the case, we feel you need to consciously recognize who you are as an investor, what kind of player you’ll be at the table, no matter in which country that table may be set up. (There is nothing “wrong” with being at one end of the spectrum or the other. One is not “better” than the other.) The reason is simple: If you invest contrary to your nature, you are not going to be happy with your investment strategy nor will you sleep well.

CONSERVATIVE?

If you’re strictly conservative, making a lot of high risk investments will leave you feeling out of control, nervous and very out of sorts. You won’t trust your choices, will trade emotionally, getting out of those which frighten you because of their volatility, just when you should be letting some of them ride. Or, worse, remaining in losers long after they should have been dumped, buying more of that stock on the downhill run, desperately trying to recoup your losses. Your emotions will seriously colour your choices, never a good investment method.

GAMBLER?

At the opposite en