Comments on: Eight Steps to Seven Figures by Charles Carlson http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/ A web site by Joshua Sowin that addresses culture, books, technology, ecology, religion, and other topics. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:51:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Josh Sowin http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66506 Josh Sowin Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:19:43 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66506 I tend to be an pessimist by nature, so any optimism from me is quite amazing. I have read Berry's "Thoughts in the Presence of Fear" and much else. I think he has lots of great things to say. I believe and support in local economies and agriculture, but I also know that it's not likely going to go back to that completely. If it does, great. I'm taking a long-term approach. If it doesn't work out and inflation skyrockets and our economy collapses and we're all dirt poor, then I'll be the same off as everyone else. If, however, everything continues as it has the last couple hundred years (with ups and downs), then I'll be in a good position. I also live on some land so if it comes to it I can hide out in a bunker and live off squirrels, coons, and lizards. I tend to be an pessimist by nature, so any optimism from me is quite amazing. I have read Berry’s “Thoughts in the Presence of Fear” and much else. I think he has lots of great things to say. I believe and support in local economies and agriculture, but I also know that it’s not likely going to go back to that completely. If it does, great.

I’m taking a long-term approach. If it doesn’t work out and inflation skyrockets and our economy collapses and we’re all dirt poor, then I’ll be the same off as everyone else. If, however, everything continues as it has the last couple hundred years (with ups and downs), then I’ll be in a good position.

I also live on some land so if it comes to it I can hide out in a bunker and live off squirrels, coons, and lizards.

]]> By: Artie Turner http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66504 Artie Turner Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:09:15 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66504 I admire your optimism and confidence in the economy. I fear that we're nowhere near the bottom yet, and that picking stocks now is a little like walking in a mine field. Are you familiar with Wendell Berry's "Thoughts in the Presence of Fear?" http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/oo/sidebars/America/Berry.html Since 9-11, my financial planning has been strongly influenced by Berry's ideas on local economy and agriculture. Good luck with your investments. I hope you'll post here and let us know how your strategies are working. Artie I admire your optimism and confidence in the economy. I fear that we’re nowhere near the bottom yet, and that picking stocks now is a little like walking in a mine field.

Are you familiar with Wendell Berry’s “Thoughts in the Presence of Fear?” http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/oo/sidebars/America/Berry.html

Since 9-11, my financial planning has been strongly influenced by Berry’s ideas on local economy and agriculture. Good luck with your investments. I hope you’ll post here and let us know how your strategies are working.

Artie

]]> By: Josh Sowin http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66497 Josh Sowin Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:02:16 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66497 There are always fluxuations. Things right now are not even as bad as in the 80s, yet we went through that just fine. In my financial life, I'm assuming a 11% average is certainly realistic. And if the US market scares you, invest in the world market. Lots of funds there are doing 20-30% increases per year. Wowzers. My philosophy is that this is a great time to get in, while the market is down. There are always fluxuations. Things right now are not even as bad as in the 80s, yet we went through that just fine. In my financial life, I’m assuming a 11% average is certainly realistic. And if the US market scares you, invest in the world market. Lots of funds there are doing 20-30% increases per year. Wowzers.

My philosophy is that this is a great time to get in, while the market is down.

]]> By: Artie Turner http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66496 Artie Turner Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:55:38 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2008/03/17/eight-steps-to-seven-figures-by-charles-carlson/#comment-66496 I find this an odd choice of topic, Josh, with all the gyrations in the markets these days. The dollar is tanking, we have a negative savings rate, foreign investors are buying US assets at fire sale prices, oil and gold are at record highs. In short, if a 20-something has $67 a month to invest, I'm guessing there will be a lot of competition for in other arenas for that money. Who can say with a straight face that 11% annual return is realistic anymore? Bear Stearns, the whole bank, just sold for $236 million. Now that last item - Live a simple and stable life - is good advice for anyone. I find this an odd choice of topic, Josh, with all the gyrations in the markets these days. The dollar is tanking, we have a negative savings rate, foreign investors are buying US assets at fire sale prices, oil and gold are at record highs. In short, if a 20-something has $67 a month to invest, I’m guessing there will be a lot of competition for in other arenas for that money. Who can say with a straight face that 11% annual return is realistic anymore? Bear Stearns, the whole bank, just sold for $236 million.

Now that last item - Live a simple and stable life - is good advice for anyone.

]]>