Buy T-Bills?

by Bill Parrott on

Stocks, bonds, and Bitcoin are down sharply this year as inflation and interest rates soar. The Federal Reserve continues to raise short-term interest rates to try and combat inflation, and, as a result, cash is an alternative to stocks and other growth-oriented assets. Why is it time to buy T-Bills...

In Hindsight

by Bill Parrott on

In hindsight, I should have sold all my stocks in January to avoid massive losses in my account. I could have traveled the world, bought a vacation home, or retired with the money I've lost in the market this year. It seems obvious now that stocks are down because interest rates are rising...

A Walk In The Park

by Bill Parrott on
Categories

My wife and I recently returned from our vacation, where we visited several national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. It was a fantastic trip where we hiked trails, gazed at stars, and waded in rivers. The vistas and canyons were breathtaking.

Most trailheads...

Do You Have A Storage Unit Problem?

by Bill Parrott on
Categories

How much is enough? It's a common question Investors ask when planning for retirement. Financial planners offer several rules of thumb about how much is enough, like the 4% of your assets rule or 80% of your employment income. One of my indicators is storage units; you have more than you need if you...

Real Estate Is Crashing!

by Bill Parrott on

According to Zillow, the value of my home fell 6.2% last month. I was shocked because I thought real estate always went up, especially in Austin, Texas, the home of Longhorn football, BBQ, live music, and weekend bridal shower parties. Is it time to panic and sell my home?

The recent housing data...

Are You Ready To Retire?

by Bill Parrott on
Categories

Are you ready to enjoy your golden years? Retirement is a goal for most investors, especially those who have faithfully contributed to their 401(k) plan for three or four decades. Is it time to cash in your chips and go all in on retirement?

A successful retirement requires years of planning and...

Have Stocks Bottomed?

by Bill Parrott on

Have stocks bottomed, or is this a bear trap? Since Mid-June, the Nasdaq has risen by more than 20%, which, by definition, is a bull market. However, the tech-heavy index is still down 16% on the year. On August 10, The Wall Street Journal declared a new bull market had arrived. [1] I hope they are...

College Football

by Bill Parrott on

Next week starts another college football season, the best time of the year. The usual suspects like Alabama, Georgia, and The Ohio State University are projected to finish near the top. The offseason was entertaining as USC and UCLA said they would leave the Pac-12 and join the Big-10, causing a...

Pikes Peak

by Bill Parrott on

Pikes Peak looms large at 14,115 feet above sea level, known as America's Mountain, and is also the inspiration for America the Beautiful. Pikes Peak Highway allows people of all abilities to enjoy the spectacular views from the summit. In addition to driving to the top, visitors can enjoy a...

Ready To Launch

by Bill Parrott on

My daughter starts her job in a few weeks, and we are helping her set up her apartment. After years of schooling, she is ready to begin her career, and assisting a child in launching her career takes years of planning and patience. It's bittersweet because she is leaving the nest to create a new...

Time To Buy?

by Bill Parrott on

The Nasdaq soared more than 12% in July, its best monthly return since 2020. Small-cap stocks, international holdings, and bonds also participated in the broad-based rally, providing some relief to weary investors. The markets are trying to recover from rising interest rates and persistent inflation...

Take A Flyer?

by Bill Parrott on

Mark Cuban invested $20 million into 85 companies on Shark Tank. Mr. Cuban recently tweeted, "On a cash basis, I'm down on my Shark Tank Investments."[1] He joined the show in 2011, and if he had invested in the Vanguard S&P 500 Index Fund instead, he could have made 214%! However, that's not the...