Why it’s almost Christmas Eve, Mr. Scrooge!The Global markets are closed Monday and we’re bound to have a very slow day today (I’ll be done by 1pm) – if you are looking for a continued Santa Clause rally on today’s trading, you are very likely to be disappointed. Today is a day for relaxation and reflection. Remember, the words of Jacob Marley, who said:
“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!“
Marley was a man who worked and worked until the day he died and regretted it every day after. If you don’t believe in an afterlife and you don’t believe in leaving behind the World a better place than you found it, at least find some time for yourself so people don’t call you “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” after you’re gone.I was inspired by an old post on Barry’s site titled “Give and You Will Receive” listing 13 good ways we can all give every day.
’Tis the season of giving and goodwill to all man and all that and my children, when they were younger, had an annual ritual of wrapping up all the toys they are done with to give to children who need them more than they do. Those working TVs you throw out make great TVs for so many charities – think about that before putting working appliances on the curb…
It’s a little thing, but if you want your kids to learn the benefits of charity, actually parting with things they like or liked and physically giving them to kids who clearly appreciate it is much more gratifying than writing a check to some anonymous organization. The same goes for volunteering some time (and money!)
at a local shelter and helping some people come in from the cold for a nice, warm meal – it makes you appreciate your family dinner a LOT more!
Whether 2024 will be another great year for the top 1% as they coast along the wave of this rally remains to be seen. So far, despite all the rate hikes, the signs are looking good as the Fed signals no more coal in 2024. We have, however, stayed very well-hedged into the holidays – just in case…
We stuffed $2,073 into our Members’ stocking in the past two weeks following our very popular “How to Become a Millionaire by Investing $700 per Month” series. On Dec 7th, we were at $15,427 and this morning, just two weeks later – we’re at $17,500 – that’s up 13.4% in two weeks – Merry Christmas indeed!
That’s up 56.2% in 16 months so far and we started with $700 in a no-margin account (IRA/401K) and added $700 each month and our goal is to reach $1M which, at this pace, would take us just 10 more years! Realistically, we were aiming for 30 years and we are miles ahead of schedule. The trades we have here mostly expire by Jan 2025 and they had $14,963 of upside potential as of our last review but now we’re up another $2,073 – that means we “only” have $12,890 (73%) left to gain on the current positions – still, that wouldn’t be bad for the next 12 months, would it?
Don’t forget, you can give your friends fantastic trade ideas like these all year long by giving them a PSW Annual Membership – they are easy to wrap!
FACTS have not had any effect whatsoever on this market, which seems determined to put up new highs no matter what is actually going on in the Economy or the World. Holiday shopping is going better than expected and we look forward to reviewing Q4 earnings in January but, for now, while the Gods of Finance play their little games, all we mortals can do is enjoy this time with our families and, oh yes, if you are so inclined – pray.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
From all of us to all of you: Thanks for 2023, it’s been a crazy last few years, but the century is young and, as long as we have the spirit to match it – what is there that we can’t accomplish together?
Looking forward to next year’s challenges and accomplishments to come.
All our best,
Phil, Ilene, Andy, Maddie and the whole team at Philstockworld!
