Author Archives: Money Reasons

About Money Reasons

A offbeat personal finance blogger that comes from the tech world.

Sometimes Investing is a Lose Lose Scenario but that’s okay

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My sad, sad lose lose scenario story…

The year is too long ago, and I’m just a young boy talking to a friend that also have an interest in investing in stocks.  We both separately found this incredible product called “New York Seltzer” water during our employment at a grocery store… It the closest thing to the perfect flavored beverage that we ever tasted.  It seemed like a no-brainer investment, a sure bet!

Myself being a poor boy, I could only muster up $200 to use as the cash for investing in the stock.  I told my grandfather of my plans and he said to go ahead, but that it’s very risky and the investment will probably not turn out the way I expect!  He also said a new word that I was not familiar with, he said my investment was a “speculative” investment. I reassured him that this product was a sure bet since the product was even better and healthier that pop.

Needless to say the stock was doomed, but not because of an inferior product… In fact that product was far superior than anything that I encountered on the beverage market.  The problem is that nobody wanted to pay a premium for “flavored water”, even if it did fizz like pop.  I believe that there was also business reasons that the stock was doomed, but I didn’t have the foresight or knowledge (or access) to dig up that type of information.

So the moral of my sad, sad story (I was devastated) is that even though the product may be the best I’ve ever experienced, there may be other reasons that such investments of time and money maybe be a lose lose bet from all angles.  Quality does not always mean a win, and sometime such investments are lose lose scenarios from the start.

So what did I do?

Lesson learned…, took my beating, licked my wounds and move on less speculative investments that have less chance of going to zero.

Do you homework and think it through from all angles…

Good luck,

Don

Is Capitalism Dead or Dying?

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Why the Capitalism economic model might be Dying and in the near Future, Dead!

I was raised in a capitalistic society and it was, and currently is, a great economic model but I have to wonder if it’s starting to die and will soon be dead.

Are they are in control?

AI killing capitalism?

The intelligent systems that are being created may very well be the death of the Capitalistic model, but in a good way…  let me explain.  If the companies and governments are providing intelligent systems via robotics and automation that provide free energy, food, transportation and possibly shelter, that would kill the concept of the “needs lacking” poor.  The term poor is relative to others in a society, so to a degree, term poor could still exist in a society, but it wouldn’t be for lack of food, shelter or clothing or even other consumables.

If there exists autonomous “free” intelligent systems (like AI), then you have a complete intelligent ecosystem that could be society supporting.  While it wouldn’t be free like perpetual energy, it could be a free perpetual ecosystem based off of autonomously operating intelligent systems that would freely provide needed resources for a society to exist, without human labor or even money.

Once the “autonomous AI systems” that provide basic needs are running smoothly, eventually other advanced, “higher layer” intelligent systems could be based off of it, providing lifestyle enhancements to society.

An example of such a system could be a augmented reality system that could exceed reality with “extra” stimulation or benefit.  So it could be that such augmented reality systems could provide much, much more than reality could provide, Once the minds of those more creative than the rest of us start to create such virtual constructs within such a system, augmented reality could take forms unseen or at least beyond what we can imagine today.  So perhaps the net effect would be to experience remote locations in virtual reality than actual exceed physical reality (like the removal of trash from the virtual reality, or no crime because your safe in a virtual app).  To me this is a wild concept, but believable… look at what the effects of TV has been on society!  I know people who come home from works and just watch TV until it’s time to go to bed and start the process over again the next day, week, month…

So if a society exists where everything is free (provided by the government, which of course will have to become more intelligent too, maybe even creating the rise of a sort of politics based on technology, like a Technocracy), and you have entertainment provided by free “entertainment or learning” intelligent systems, what is the worth of Capitalism?  Especially if those governmental systems provide all the necessities of life for free (hello Star Trek money concept).

Technology implemented in a smart and ever improving way, could be the death of the Capitalistic model, because once free intelligent systems and subsystems exist, why work?  Besides, what labor related jobs would be available anyway?  Perhaps there could always be a need for art though, but most of the labor intensive jobs could be eliminated.

In closing, this would be a gradual, but accelerating journey, because overnight disruptions are often times harmful to society.  So, perhaps we don’t have to worry as much about AI, intelligent robotics or other labor robbing technologies after all, at least if we as a society (or government) are smart about it.  That said, we do have to worry about the weaponization of AI, intelligent robotics, drones and the like…  But we can handle that too if we are smart!  I’ll be back!

I would love to hear other thoughts around this!

Don

Your Lifestyle and the Way you Live your Life is More Important Than Money

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I’m guilty of neglecting my body, health and overall life for years.  Luckily, my physical state and mental awareness has now changed for the better.

New Total Lifestyle

I went from daily crunching and projecting financial scenarios, to just occasionally checking and readjusting my investment portfolio every so often.  I’ve evolved to this state because of a few tweaks to my lifestyle changes.

Tweaks to my Life, Lifestyle and Beliefs:

  1. I now realize that money doesn’t make me happy, but that money does provide additional options in life.  Unfortunately, living so frugally for so long has made my frugality mindset habitual in nature, and at first, very hard to change.  I’m still not a spendthrift, but I do spend more on things the bring my life value.
  2. Realizing that my body and mind are more connected than I realized.  Since I started working out, I now think and move better in mental and physical activities.
  3. By working out, I now have strength, and having physical strength gives me confidence.  By having confidence, I now approach things differently than when I was out of shape.  So the saying “Fortune Favors the Bold” is correct, but to be bold (or brave), it helps to be strong both mentally and physically… and that’s where I believe I am now.
  4. Since I’m bolder, I have no problem talking to people who I use to perceive as being special or unapproachable.  If you are the most beautiful person on earth or a CEO, to me, you are just another guy/gal and I will treat you as such. Without hesitation or acknowledgement that you are different because to me you are not.  It’s kind of funny, but I didn’t even realize that I was “that guy” who gave such “shining” people extra status…  oh well, lesson learned.
  5. I realize that my happiness scope of control is more important than I originally believed.  This is a “leading the horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” kind of thought.  I can provide those I care about with tools and advice, but if they don’t listen to what I perceive or fail to believe me, then it’s not my fault when they lose or miss opportunities that I predict or take time to explain..
  6. Just because the media and popular opinion on something says it’s one way… do you own research and come to your own conclusions base on your experience, knowledge and your own experimentation.

Bicep – Improvement

So what have I changed?

  1. I joined two gyms and go to them at least four days a week, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours per workout day.  This is not frugal, since I have the basic equipment I need at home to workout, but there are side perks of the gyms that make it worthwhile to me.
  2. I talk to more people without preconceptions on who or what they are based on their age or status in life.  This have made me a more rounded person with more social options.
  3. I don’t worry about money as much, and while still having an investment strategy… I don’t feel the need to constantly worry about it.  I still manage it, but not daily or even weekly.
  4. I realize that things that make me happy are important too.  I’m here to help others out, but I need to help myself first!

So while I’m a work in progress, I’m very happy about where I am today versus where I was for the past five or so years!  Today, I’m a better version of myself…

Wishing and hoping everyone that reads this, the best!

Don

What To Look For In A Property Maintenance Company

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An old saying goes: “People who represent themselves in court have fools for clients.” Like jurisprudence, certain aspects of residential property maintenance are also best left to those who have a particular understanding of the nuances. Anyone who claims to do it all is probably leaving something undone. For this reason, smart landlords outsource. To help you find the right people to care for your investments, here’s what to look for in a property maintenance company.

Reputation

Once you’re convinced the range of services a company offers will cover your needs, do some digging into their background to get an idea of the nature of its reputation. Run an internet search for the company’s name. Odds are they’ll come up on business review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List. You should also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company is prone to attracting complaints.

Verifiable References

Any company bidding for the contract to maintain your property should be capable of providing references so you can talk to people who have worked with them previously. Some of the key details you need to explore are timeliness, adherence to budget and the professionalism of their appearance, conduct and services.

You also want to ascertain how well they integrate themselves into the fabric of the property. Do they fit with the character of the environment, or is their presence a disruption? Emergencies tend to ignore the clock — will you get amiable service 24/7/365? Good residential property management companies who also offer maintenance services like Onerent understand the importance of flexibility.

Do they provide regular status reports? Do you learn of maintenance needs right away? The maintenance team should inform you of developing problems long before your tenants notice them.

With due respect to all of the above, perhaps the single most important factor is the quality of the company’s work. Does the company  keep to a preventive maintenance schedule? Does it get repairs right the first time, or do workers have to make several trips — resulting in multiple inconveniences for your tenants?

Cost

How does the company’s management fee compare to other companies you’re considering? Is it higher or way lower? If it’s at either of those extremes, you’ll probably want to consider a different organization. Because costs are largely the same, most quotes should be within dollars of one another. Too low means the company will likely cut corners to live with the bid. Too high means it’s overcharging clients.

Insurance/Licenses/Bonding

Ask for proof of insurance. The contract should specify that adequate insurance coverage is to be maintained for the duration of the contract. The company should have liability insurance to cover any property damage they might inflict during the course of providing their services. It should also carry worker’s compensation insurance for its employees. If the company fails to provide coverage and someone is injured, you could be left liable.

Licensing requirements for your city and/or state should also be met and all required licenses should be current. Because licensing and training go hand-in-hand, if the company is licensed, its employees are also likely to be well trained.

In many cases, maintenance people will be in your tenants’ homes unsupervised. Insisting upon bonded personnel adds a layer of protection should tenants claim valuables go missing after a service call.

While these are among the primary factors when considering what to look for in a property maintenance company, a number of other factors will vary according to the specific needs of your property. Still though, if you cover these basics, you’ll be well on your way toward hiring a solid property maintenance company.

Hope you enjoyed this,

Chase