Betting on the Bad Guys

The creator of Dilbert, Scott Adams’ article in the Wall Street Journal shares his special way of looking at investments. He shares his humors insights into putting your money on the companies you hate most. We agree with Mr. Adam’s who reminds you to ignore his investment strategy.

Click here for the Wall Street Journal Article.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

It’s not always about the money. This is an eleven minute entertaining and educational YouTube video. Humans are indeed complicated creatures and the more you understand your emotional triggers the better investors you can be. It is your positive or negative behavior triggers, not market moves, which have the biggest impact on your long-term investments returns.

View YouTube video!

Grilled Bratwurst with Bing Cherry Sauce, Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes & Arugula Salad

Time is limited on this recipe. It is our once a year seasonal favorite. Fresh Bing cherries are only available for about a month around June each year.

Click here for the recipe.

Elder Rage - Or Take My Father...Please!

Many of our clients are facing the issues that come with the aging of their parents and friends. Often the most surprising is the personality change to one of rage or a “Jekyll & Hyde” type persona. Jacqueline Marcell’s book, Elder Rage is an engaging insight into what she discovered about dealing with Alzheimer’s and is filled with flashes of humor about the journey.
Lisa Mayfield, Geriatric Care Manager has shared with us a list of books she recommends for more insight into Alzheimer’s, Dementia and care giving.

Mortgage Rates Near 40 Year Lows

Recent financial events have created some of the lowest mortgage rates we have seen in years. Professional Alliance member, Conrad Wouters relayed to us on June 1, 2010 that he had access to a conforming 30 year fixed rate of 4.75%, and a Five Year ARM rate was just 3.75% both with zero points.

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RockCandy Favorite Recipes: Blackened Halibut with Remoulade

In this dish the mild, sweet taste of halibut is enboldened by a cajun seasoning and balanced wonderfully with a creamy mayonnaise-based sauce. Bon Appetit!

Click here for recipe.

The Big Short

There are not many books I read about the securities industry where the majority of you would every make it through the first chapter, but Michael Lewis’ new book, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, is as exciting as it is educational. The book chronicles the lives of a few individuals who saw the housing crash coming and made huge bets against subprime loans.


Mr. Lewis’ first best seller, Liar’s Poker covered a period of time back in the 80s when creative securitization of bonds emerged. The bond world is so surreal, yet Lewis was able to colorfully introduce the reader to the Darwinian world of the bond market and accurately conveys the real world of the institutional bond market no mater how unbelievable it might seem. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.