Note: This 2011 post was updated in 2018… What we own and why we own it: 2018 In the simple path to wealth I created for my young daughter nine basics guidelines. Readers noticed that the plan called for only one investment: VTSAX — Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund. Here’s why: 1. VTSAX is an Index Fund at… [Continue Reading]
The Ten Sales Commandments
THE TEN SALES COMMANDMENTS I. Thou shalt believe in thy company and its products, that others may believe. This is #1 for a reason: It is absolutely critical. If you intend to be a top sales professional you’d better select something in which you truly believe. In your heart of hearts you want to… [Continue Reading]
My ever so formal and oh so dry CV
You don’t want to read this post. Really. This is the most boring post I intend to ever place on this blog. If you want to just skip over it, I understand. Unless you are considering asking me to sit on your corporate board. In that case this CV should show I can clean up pretty… [Continue Reading]
How I Failed My Daughter and a Simple Path to Wealth
Literally since the day she was born people have been complimenting my daughter. Her looks, her brains, her charm (she takes after her mother) and her behavior. For that last one I sometimes get credit. Not that I deserve it. Mostly I’ve stood by and simply watched in awe and tried not to get in… [Continue Reading]
The Myth of Motivation
Alec Baldwin, with his best flinty-eyed glare, announces the new sales contest. “First prize,” he says “is a brand new Cadillac Eldorado. Second prize is this set of steak knives. Third prize: You’re fired.” The movie is “Glengarry, Glenross.” Baldwin is the ruthless sales manager addressing his motley crew of losers and has-beens. Their mission… [Continue Reading]
Why You Need F-You Money
Shortly after 9/11 my company kicked me to the curb. Six months earlier our division president had taken me to a congratulations lunch for a record breaking year. We were explosively growing and embarrassingly profitable. Over a bottle of fine wine we discussed my very bright future. It was the best job I’ve ever had…. [Continue Reading]
My short attention span
Now that I’ll probably never have a full-time job again I’ve finally figured out something. I’m good for about four years. I just quit my job. Best boss I’ve ever had. Great properties. Wonderful team. Fine industry. Customers who were friends. My boss said, “You may not believe it now, but in a couple of… [Continue Reading]
Why I Can’t Pick Winning Stocks, and You Can’t Either
Don’t feel bad. Most pros can’t either. Indexing vs. active management is always a fascinating debate, at least for us stock geeks with nothing better to do. Over the decades I’ve been on both sides of it at various times. For a very long time I laughed—ha, ha, ha, ha—at the indexers. I made all… [Continue Reading]
The Monk and the Minister
OK, let’s get this blog off and running. Here’s one of my favorite parables to get us started: Two close boyhood friends grow up and go their separate ways. One becomes a humble monk, the other a rich and powerful minister to the king. Years later they meet. As they catch up, the minister (in… [Continue Reading]
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