It is not normal to want prices to rise and currencies to lose their purchasing power. We look at the advantages of stable currencies and prices. Topics covered include: What's more normal, an inflationary or deflationary mindset? Why it is more normal for prices to fall due to productivity increases How central banks seek to overcome productivity-induced deflation by increasing the money supply How inflation and ongoing currency debasement encourage debt, the financialization of housing, and keep unprofitable companies in business How gold, Bitcoin, stocks, real estate, and other assets help ..read more

Some analysts suggest that now is an incredibly attractive entry point to invest in emerging market bonds. We look at how to do this and whether you should. Topics covered include: How emerging markets bonds have performed relative to U.S. bonds How frequently have emerging markets bonds defaulted What is the difference between local currency and U.S. dollar-denominated emerging markets bonds Why emerging markets nations are reforming What are the ways to invest in emerging markets bonds and what factors should you consider Sponsors Betterment - the automated investing and savings app Monar ..read more

Why most households are in better financial shape than prior to the pandemic, but remain frustrated at their lack of economic progress. Topics covered include: How consumer sentiment surveys are designed and their current findings. Reasons behind consumer frustration with increasing prices amidst declining inflation rates. The magnitude of the inflation shock and its underlying causes. The concept of reference prices and their significant role in shaping consumer sentiment. Factors contributing to the high levels of economic uncertainty among households. Key elements required for enhancing co ..read more

How to use covered call and buy-write strategies to generate income while understanding the risks and having realistic return expectations. Topics covered include: How covered call strategies work How much can you earn investing in covered call strategies What are some numerical examples based on current option prices How covered call strategies can be used for both stock and bond ETFs What are some covered call ETF examples Sponsors Long Angle is a private community of 2,500 very high net worth investors who leverage their collective expertise and scale to access and underwrite s ..read more

A primer on how the economic engine works through coordination between savers, investors, consumers, producers, governments and banks. How hoarding and unfair competition can lead to economic distortions. Topics covered include: How spending and saving are connected including the paradox of thrift How borrowing money can lead to higher income and savings and potentially to bubbles How hoarding differs from investing and why too much hoarding can deprive businesses of capital How lightbulbs, grocery stores, and kitchen appliances could be examples of unfair competition and planned obsolescence ..read more

Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay a dividend, its cash pile keeps growing, and Buffet says it's gotten too big to make acquisitions that can impact the company. Meanwhile, utility ETFs have a steady 3.5% dividend yield. Which will be the better-performing investment going forward? Topics covered include: How has Berkshire Hathaway performed relative to the S&P 500 Index and other active managers Why Warren Buffett believes Berkshire's electric utility holdings were a mistake Why California has some of the highest utility rates in the U.S. Why Berkshire Hathaway will eventually need to pay a ..read more

Japan's stock market recently exceeded the all-time high first set in December 1989. That's 34 years of zero price appreciation for the stock market. What drove this lackluster performance, will it continue, and what can we learn from it? Topics covered include: How big was Japan's stock bubble, and how much did it contribute to the stock market's underperformance over the past three decades How do Japan's demographic trends impact to its economic challenges and what are the solutions Why Japan's houses are built to depreciate in value What lessons can we learn from Japan's extended bear mark ..read more

Humans are wired to feel regret. Here's how to learn from financial regret to become a better investor. Topics covered include: What cognitive biases make feelings of financial regret unavoidable We analyze two regret case studies - one from David and one from a Plus member Why do we avoid big regrets but manage through small ones Five cognitive tricks to help manage financial regrets Sponsors NetSuite – Get your free KPI checklist Long Angle is a private community of 2,500 very high net worth investors who leverage their collective expertise and scale to access and underwrite some of ..read more

Professional investors and other market participants are lousy at forecasting interest rates. Here are three more options to lock in higher yields today. Topics covered include: The risk of buying long-term bonds and ETFs to benefit from falling yields How volatility drag has impacted a long-term bond ETF like TLT Why interest rates won't go up just because the government issues more bonds How CDs, fixed annuities, and zero-coupon bonds work We compare and contrast the seven fixed-income options reviewed in this two-part series Sponsors Monarch Money – Get an extended 30-day free trial Mone ..read more

With cash yields expected to fall, here's how you can keep your portfolio income elevated by purchasing longer-term individual bonds and bullet ETFs Topics covered include: How future short-term interest rates, inflation expectations, and term premiums impact long-term interest rates How each of those rate drivers contributed to the close to 1% drop in interest rates in the past three months How yield to maturity is our guide to locking in a fixed return using individual bonds or bullet ETFs How bullet ETFs work and what are some examples What are callable bonds and how to analyze them How to ..read more