As I sat, crouched in the corner on a tenth floor balcony at a Palm Springs resort, hoping I would not decide to jump over the side, I kept thinking, “This isn’t normal.”
The financial advising industry has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. When I worked for the country’s second largest brokerage firm back in 2005, we acted as our client’s broker. A broker is an investment professional who has passed their Series 7 licensing exam (as well as other state level exams) and charges a commission when transacting stock orders they recommend to their clients. Back in 2005, there was very limited access to the stock market via the internet. Discount brokerage firms like Scottrade® and E*TRADE® were just starting up. From the early 1900s, the only way to access the stock market was through a brokerage firm. This allowed brokers to charge what are now considered to be very high commissions. I remember buying $20,000 worth of Apple stock for a client and charging them $500 for that one transaction. It was the client’s way of paying for my advice. With the internet and technology advances, discount brokerage firms started to pop up everywhere. They would guarantee $25 commission per trade when no advice from a broker was given. Then, more and more online platforms popped up, the beauty of capitalism kicked in and the race to the bottom on commissions commenced. On October 2, 2019 Charles Schwab announced completely free stock trades and within 24 hours, E*TRADE and TD Ameritrade followed suit. Granted, these platforms are not designed for people who are seeking financial advice and are designed for the “do it yourself” stock traders – not for the faint of heart.
Anyone who has driven on the roads lately or traveled by plane knows that America’s infrastructure could use an upgrade. Fifty percent of Michigan’s state and county roads are rated as being in “poor” condition. State roads are in better shape, but their condition is projected to deteriorate and be in poor condition within the next five years. Flying involves crowded airports and flight delays in part due to too few runways and an antiquated air traffic control system. Thus, the $2 trillion infrastructure bill proposed by the Biden Administration could potentially make a big impact.
Before Flint United, Flint City Bucks, the Firebirds and even the Generals, baseball ruled the day in the city. Playing all games at Atwood Stadium, the first minor league team to play in Flint was the Flint Flyers, playing one season (1889-90). Next, the Flint Vehicles took the field and were a mainstay for 20-years, playing competitive ball from 1906-26. Baseball took a small hiatus from the city during the Great Depression but roared back in 1940, when the Cleveland Indian-affiliated Flint Gems won the Michigan State League Pennant with a record of 67-41. The team became the Flint Arrows for the 1941 season and once again won the league championship, finishing 70-38. Playoffs were canceled due to the impending world war.
Film festivals have come and gone in Flint, but the longest continuous cinema fest in Genesee County is going strong – even during the pandemic.
Spring in Michigan provides the tastiest spinach. After making an endless variety of spinach salads, I’m always looking for a creative way to utilize fresh garden greens. A new dip recipe is always great for a summer picnic or a quick snack. Whatever you like to dip with, this is a great and yummy side dish.
On March 11, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill. Although many Americans will welcome the $1,400 checks and other benefits, the bill presents numerous issues.
Watching “Nomadland,” as I did the other day, was an experience I will never forget. And not just because the movie was exceptionally good.
Long ago, when the world was young, the Sun traveled on her journey through the sky and looked down upon the people of the Middle World. She hoped to see lovely people, but all she could see was squinted, frowning faces. She spoke to her brother, the Moon, about the ugly faces of the people of the Middle World and the Moon laughed. He told the Sun that he felt that the people were quite handsome, for when they looked up at him at night, they always wore a pleasant smile. This made the Sun very angry. She began to resent her brother and the people of the Middle World for loving him much more than her and she vowed to put an end to them.
According to its spiritual meaning, the month of April is a time of growth and moving forward in new and positive ways. The birth flower for the month is the daisy (one of my favorites) which is associated with purity and innocence. For me, April is a sign of rebirth, as I watch daffodils and crocuses slowly unfurl in my flower garden.
One of the most positive aspects of living in Houston, TX is that with almost year-round high temperatures, you don’t mind escaping to someplace a little chillier for a holiday. The off-season then, is one of our best friends. It isn’t so painful to pack a heavy coat and hat when you know that upon your return in a week or so, you’ll be back in shorts and shirtsleeves.
One of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is famously quoted as declaring, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” In a world driven by marketing and extreme consumerism, many Americans have bought into the lie that having more “stuff” will bring happiness. The newest iPhone, the coolest jeans, tailor-fit brand-name suits and the trendiest shoes are all ways we can imply our status level to the world. Everyone wants to be viewed as successful, and unfortunately, the “fake it until you make it” mentality is causing many to overspend and neglect their savings.
