Kenvesting: Building a nestegg with EGGS!

One of the most disturbing things I have had to do recently is to figure out how to protect what little money I have. I have my 401k and my rollover IRA account as does my wife. Like most people we have checking and savings and not that much of either. Fortunately our debt is low but at our age we really need to hang on to what we have. Most Americans have suffered tremendously in the stock market and even conservative Mutual Funds have been big losers at least twice in the past 10 years. In the last month the DOW has dropped about 1,000 points which basically puts us back to where we were a year ago. So you might ask yourself how this affect you and what should you do.

Well I am neither investor nor broker and have no special knowledge. What I do know is that everything I read says that the American dollar is in jeopardy. I suspect that those who frequent this blog probably already intuitively suspect this but what to do. Well it seems that the big kids, the ones with lots and lots of money, the ones who made like $5million last year (right Barry), these people have advisers. Who do you have? If you are like me you have the words of someone on the other end of the phone if that. That being the case I have come up with an investment strategy. It may sound silly but I only invest in sure fire winners. That should get your attention.

Who does the grocery shopping in your house? Ask them what has gone up the most in the last year. If those things have a shelf life of months or years, stock up. Figure it this way. Let’s say you love applesauce and that you eat a jar a month. If the expiration date is months or a year away and you find it on special I buy it. I buy about 75% of what I think I can use. Worst case scenario is that I will lose my job and end up eating applesauce for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even if the price goes down will it be worse that my stocks. I doubt it.

Now I gave a very simple example here because no one family would match the needs of others. What you see as something of value may not meet another’s needs. My rule is I have to eat it, need it, or be able to sell or trade it to someone else. I guess in a way you could call me an urban survivalist. Don’t get me wrong, I am not preparing for Armageddon here but I’m not denying the possibility either. Now my son sells guns and ammunition where he works. For more than a year now people have been hoarding ammunition. I asked him about the reason for this and he really doesn’t know. Reasons stated are fear of unavailability later to fears of increase in crime. I thought it over and reasoned that owning some is better that none.

Other things I buy are Paper Towels, Tylenol or Generics, Bath and Laundry soaps, toilet paper, and Spam. My kids love to make fun that I have a half-dozen cans of Spam. They hate the stuff. I like it and it has a shelf life of a couple of years. Now I buy all of these things on sale. If it isn’t a good price I don’t buy it. This is not about spending, it is about saving. I am buying things at a good price now that I think will be higher later. If you look around you I’ll bet you can find a few things that will stretch your dollar. With little or no pay raise in sight, Congress on a spending spree, and the World’s economies collapsing it might just be worth a little thought. If you come up with a good idea perhaps you would share it with the rest of us. Just in case you are wondering, I have enough toilet paper to make it past Halloween and still TP a couple of houses.

Oh yeah. The closest thing to cash in a 401K is a CD. I don't make much but I probably won't lose unless America goes under. I may change my mind after I am out of toilet paper 'cause I expect to outlast Congress.

I saw a great city on a hill...

Caution. Patriots will weep. Proceed at your own risk.



Just today Fox News’ web site had an article about the chaos in Greece with a headline “Could the U.S. be Next?” Also today my sister-in-law was astounded to find out that the Rev. Franklin Graham was not allowed at the pentagon prayer service. She doesn’t have cable and heard the news about Rev. Graham on the Focus on the Family radio broadcast. As I consider these 2 separate events I realize the disconnect in America is huge. Some mainstream media have been tugging at the heart strings for the Times Square bomber because he never realized the American dream. Nashville is under 10 feet of water as are numerous counties and nothing is on the news. BP and the oil spill are all over the news but the Administration’s slow response time goes almost without mention and a man stabs a bus driver to death while the bus is en route.

Considering this first paragraph I would say we are well on the way to the violence in Greece. Today I watched video of Mexican students in California snatching flag from a handicapped man in a wheelchair. I think it was a Mexican flag but a from a guy in a wheelchair. I read that the kids who were sent home from school for wearing patriotic colors received and apology from the principal. Too bad they were advised to stay home from school for fear of violence from the Latino kids. Oh yes. Two of the kids are half Mexican.

So let me summarize. The dollar is falling faster the Twin Towers of NYC on 9/11 and the stock market graph looks like a heartbeat on life support. A Christian preacher is not welcome to pray at the Pentagon because some Muslims don’t like his message and the MSM was hoping that the Time Square bombing incident was a Tea Party member. Add to that the people of Tennessee are suffering big time and none of them have flood insurance because they aren’t even in a flood plain. No news here folks. Move on. While I haven’t heard why the guy stabbed the city bus driver. I can’t wait to see the coverage of that because you sure as heck aren’t going to see any coverage of Mexican kids molesting a handicapped guy.

Perhaps by next week the Patriotic kids can return to their school. Too bad that what they will be taught will be some half truths and history redacted for convenience sake.
In answer to Fox News’ question I think it needs no answer. I think it was purely rhetorical as they see it coming plain as day. Yep. The conservatives will get the blame but the liberals have already started the violence, just no one is covering it. By the way, though no one is talking much about it the government just took over the Internet. They will say it isn’t so. Blog while you can because freedom of speech is about to become an historic concept.

Is it Loony in here or is it just ME?

In these modern times political conspiracy theories abound. In the absence of facts it seems completely human to speculate and given small amounts of info can cause those speculations to become quite extreme. We are, however, not without information when it comes to the political climate in Washington. We have seen how Obama operates and whom he befriends. Based upon that data alone it was possible to predict how he would govern once elected president. Given a cursory understanding of congress and most anyone could foretell Congress’ actions.

So, at this point it is fair to ask the reader: Who here is surprised by what Obama and the Congress are doing? Only if you should leave a comment will I or the rest of the readers of this blog know your abilities at prognostication. I betting you did well.

The more difficult question is what to do about it. What actions should the average citizen take? I followed the norms and wrote and called everyone from here to Washington at least twice. If my results were like yours I was ignored, talked down to, or otherwise treated with disdain. Even sign toting on the steps of the Congress made little if any difference. And, while all of the polls show that Americans are against Healthcare Reform as it now is, Obama and his drones are steaming full speed ahead to deny American’s their right of representation.

For months Obama administration stated he would not be attending Copenhagen for the Climate talks. Once again, who here believed that? I thought so. In days he will go and indicate his willingness to dole out millions to poor nations because America has grossly destroyed the environment and we should pay. Picking up his Peace Prize will be justified as he will be there for government business. This is predictable yet shocking given the questions on the science that is pushing this effort. Why does everything have to be done NOW? I am sure you already have the answer.

Ok so let me get back to predicting or even better finding out your prophesies. I’ll bet you are going to say something about the 2010 and 2012 elections. Do you think your vote will make the needed difference? Yes? No? I’m not at all sure. People I talk to speak of things I never dreamed I’d hear: states seceding from the union, collapse of the dollar, America becoming a second world nation, one world government, and more. I call these WCS (worst case scenarios). Sadly I expect some of these will happen and none of them sound acceptable to me. Of course even thinking these things make me feel loony.

Will all the Loons please stand up.