Sunday, September 16, 2018

Buying Junk Silver Coins

Recently, we found a coin dealer that sells "junk" silver coins very close to spot silver prices.   Junk silver describes coins that have no numismatic value over the value of the silver it contains.   Generally, these are Roosevelt dimes and Washington quarters minted for circulation up to 1964.  With the decline of silver prices, soon I expect to be able to purchase these coins at 10 times face value.  So a dime would cost $1 and a quarter would cost $2.50.   A bonus is that our state does not charge sales tax on coin and bullion sales.

Here are some of the advantages of this approach:

  • Enjoyment.   I collected coins as a kid and found many silver coins in change.   I can add to my missing dates in the collection, although at higher than face value.
  • Liquidity.   Very easy to buy and sell.  If the prices goes up, I can sell small amounts to coin dealers or individuals.
  • Hedging.   If inflation returns, the nominal value of US currency will go down, but the value of these coins will increase.
I plan to buy about $100 dollars worth of junk silver coins each month for rest of this year.  


For more on New Beginnings, check back every  Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial, numismatic, or investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2018 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Sunday, September 09, 2018

Trump Is Great for the Stock Market

Yesterday, I posted Why Obama Was Great for the Stock Market.  IMHO, Trump is great for stock market for the same reason, there is no sign of exuberance.    In fact, this market continues to be the most unloved bull market ever.   However, the cause it different.   In Obama's case, it was the administration's policies.  In Trump's case, it is his unpredictability and impulsiveness.   Many pundits, professional investors and retail investors are quite sure that the market will crash soon, which is keeping the market from being overheated.

So despite being the longest bull market ever, I expect the stock market to continue to grind up 10-20% to new highs by the end of the year.

For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial or investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2018 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Saturday, September 08, 2018

Why Obama Was Great for the Stock Market

The stock market gained over 200% under President Obama, one of the best advances during a presidency.   To me, Obama's greatest contribution was his policies kept the stock market (and the economy)  from becoming overheated.   The business community did not over invest.  So it was the slowest ever recovery from a recession. 

In hindsight, the slow recovery has been a great positive.   None of the short cycle boom busts that typically occur.   Just a continuous steady upward trend, with periodic brief pull backs. 

I guess steady economic growth requires a balance of strong economic results tempered by near term economic uncertainty.

For more on Reflections and Musings, check back every Saturday for a new segment.

This is not financial or investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2018 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Sunday, September 02, 2018

Everything is Leaking

When it rains, it pours. ~ old adage

About six months ago, I noticed a leak under my F-150 truck.   At first, I thought it was my transmission, but it turns out it is the oil pan gasket.  Then I find out our hot tub is leaking water, about several gallons a day.  Then, this weekend, it appears that our in ground sprinkler system has started leaking.

Arrgh!

I guess I will have higher repair expenses than usual for the rest of the year.

For more on  New Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor repair advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2018 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Purchased a CSA Share

From late Spring to early Fall, we do some of our grocery shopping at the local farmers markets.   This year we decided to purchase a biweekly CSA share from a local farm.   We have been enjoying the service for the following reasons:

  • Delivery - It comes to our door every two weeks.   
  • Variety - There are around 10 different fruits and vegetables.
  • Good quality - All the items have been as good as those we hand pick.
  • Cost - It is $40 for each delivery, about what we would spend a grocery store
  • Surprise factor - We usually get one or two items that we wouldn't buy, in addition to the staples we usually eat.
At this point, we expect to continue buying a CSA share next season for the same delivery cycle.


For more on New Beginnings, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor shopping advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2018 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

Saturday, September 01, 2018

Looking for the Next Big Winners

Ten years ago, I didn't expect Netflix or Amazon to be the big winners that they are today.  If I had bought and held, we'd have significantly more in our are retirement savings accounts.

So I thought I would try to identify companies today that may be big winners 10-20 years from now.  My hypothesis is that small/mid capitalization companies that use tech to better serve a convenience oriented, home oriented consumer will have the  potential to be big winners.   

My initial picks that meet the criteria are:  StitchFix (SFIX), Shopify (SHOP), Grub (GRUB), Baozun (BZUN), IQIYI (IQ), and Twitter (TWTR).

I have also chosen stocks of companies that provide the technology:  Zuora (ZUO), Square (SQ)

My dark horse pick is Kroger (KR).

At this point, it is unclear which or whether any of these will become big winners.    In fact, some of these companies may become unsuccessful.   So I have bought all of them, with the hope that one will be come a star.

I will also continue to look to buy additional stock in companies that meet my criteria.

Disclosure: At the time of posting, we own shares of StitchFix, Shopify, Grub, Baozun, IQIYI, Twitter, Zuora, Square, and Kroger.

For more on Reflections and Musings, check back every Saturday for a new segment.

This is not financial nor investing advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2018 Achievement Catalyst, LLC