I don’t recall anybody ever accusing him of being a modest person, but he was indeed brilliant. More sociologist than economist, he wrote “The Affluent Society” among his many books and popularized the discussion of conventional versus unconventional wisdom. The dictionary defines conventional wisdom as “the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a … Continue reading John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-2006)
Welcome to The Flinchum File
I am an Accredited Investment Fiduciary at Bay Capital Advisors, an investment firm headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA. After retiring from Truist Bank, I started this firm to work more closely with a smaller number of clients, and it has been great! Our client load is about 25% of the national average.
Writing is not for the shy or the meek. It exposes a person’s mind and character. I hope you enjoy the view.
A Turkey For Thanksgiving . . . ?
Longtime economic truism — money goes where it is most appreciated! In other words, why would I buy a certificate of deposit from a bank with a lower interest rate, when I could get a higher rate at a different bank. Funds would flow out of the bank with the lower rate and into the … Continue reading A Turkey For Thanksgiving . . . ?
Just Do It !!
It is the duty of financial planners to initiate uncomfortable conversations with their clients. One of the most difficult is end-of-life planning. Unless you plan to live forever, it is too important to procrastinate. Let’s make it easier! First, sit down at your computer. Second, ask yourself who should make healthcare decisions for you, if … Continue reading Just Do It !!
In “Romeo and Juliet”
Shakespeare wrote “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Does that mean any new name is the same? How about: … Continue reading In “Romeo and Juliet”
Ancient Writing
As a lifelong gun-lover and owner of many guns, I am appreciative of the Second Amendment, even though it was so poorly-written and has been so badly interpreted by the courts. The Second Amendment is not in the Bible, nor the Torah, nor the Quran. Yes, it is important, but it is not sacred. It … Continue reading Ancient Writing
Thank You, Senator Roth
To my Democratic friends who think Republicans are bad, I offer the example of Senator William Roth of Delaware. In addition to voting for the Brady bill and for banning semi-automatic weapons, he was also responsible for Roth IRAs, an often overlooked retirement vehicle since 1998. With a traditional IRA, you get an income tax … Continue reading Thank You, Senator Roth
Easy Choice ?
If China has a population of 1.4 billion and the U.S. has 333 million, that means China has about 4.2 citizens for every American. So far, the U.S. has lost about 760 thousand people to Covid. China admits to less than six thousand dead from Covid. Outsiders put the Chinese dead at about 125 thousand, … Continue reading Easy Choice ?
Expectations
Veterans of President Gerald Ford’s “Whip-Inflation-Now” campaign in 1978 tend to see inflation hiding behind every tree. Wednesday’s CPI report of 6.2% price increases over the past twelve months vindicated their suspicion. After all, it is the highest inflation rate in 30 years. While that concerns me, it does not worry me. If you believe … Continue reading Expectations
I disagree . . . therefore, I am !
According to Wikipedia, an iconoclast is “one who attacks cherished beliefs.” Aaron Rogers is one of the all-time great football quarterbacks. He describes himself as a critical thinker. I would describe him as a mere iconoclast. If I spent the rest of my life studying football 24/7, I would not know 1% of what he … Continue reading I disagree . . . therefore, I am !
Too Exhausted To See ?
Just because there is always something to be worried about . . . that doesn’t mean you should always be worried. A recent CNN survey reported that 60% of Americans think the economy is doing poorly. Let’s see? The latest ISM-Services data is the best since 1997, catching up with ISM-Manufacturing which boomed after the … Continue reading Too Exhausted To See ?
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