Gas prices from around the world
In view of the soaring gas price
(with the USA average nearing $4 a gallon) and its impact on the Memorial day travel, it is interesting that people are facing much harder times in Europe, where the fuel price in many countries has already exceeded $8 a gallon!
Continue >>
Warren Buffett said in an interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel, published last Saturday, that the US is “already in recession”, even though “perhaps not in the sense that economists would define it”, and “it will be deeper and last longer than many think”.
Continue >>
I don’t know about the smartest, but at less than 180 pages this is certainly the smallest investing book I have ever read. The bargain price of $4.97 was worth it though. (The size falls below the minimum 200-page limit I follow when paying $5 for any book on investing, but that is okay, as long as quality compensates for the lack of quantity.)
Continue >>
My take on investing books
I always enjoy reading a well-written book on investing, and not because I am learning something new each time. In fact, after you are done with a half-dozen or so really good books, you pretty much know all there is to know about investing, and rest is mere detail.
Continue >>
In the recent annual meeting of the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders held last Saturday, CEO Warren Buffett was asked about the best investment idea he would recommend to an investor in his 30’s. In his own words:
I would just have it all in a very low-cost index fund from a reputable firm, maybe Vanguard. Unless I bought during a strong bull market, I would feel confident that I would outperform…and I could just go back and get on with my work.
How to secure your WordPress blog
(This post belongs to the series About blogging.)
Securing a WordPress-powered blog is one of the most pressing concerns of newbie and pro bloggers alike (several horror stories are doing rounds here). I have done my own research on this topic, and here put together a list of some of the popular suggestions and tips to secure your WordPress blog.
Continue >>
What is the color of your car?
Based on the color of your car, you may be revealing more about yourself than you realize. This is what I just read in this somewhat old news. Unfortunately the story does not link to the original source of the scientific study, so there is an extra job for you if you would like to verify.
Continue >>
Buy I Bonds by April 30 to earn 4.28–6.06%
I just came across this Savings Bond Advisory:
Given that the current fixed base rate is 1.20%, it would much better to invest in I bonds this month rather than waiting until May 1 or later. I bonds you purchase today will earn a composite rate of 4.28% for six months, followed by six month of 6.06%. These are much higher rates than are available in bank CDs or even other US Treasury securities
In Part I, I discussed the two main and opposing theories of investing – efficient market theory (EMT) and fundamental analysis (FA). Here I talk about which one of these two can be thought as “correct”.
Continue >>
(This post is a part of the series Basics of Finance and Investing.)
It did not surprise anyone when Warren Buffett, while recently hosting a group of business students from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School (his alma mater) for a two-hour question-answer session, began by pointing out the folly of the efficient market theory (EMT). After all, his objection to EMT is as legendary as his support for fundamental analysis (FA), as the foundation for smart investing.
Continue >>
