Anger

I've been on this planet Earth for quite a while, but I sense an anger in America never before seen. I think most of it has to do with the persistent bad news we see, hear and read. But I also think some of it is directed at those who work and represent us in our various governmental jurisdictions. Perhaps we are tired of not being understood and made to feel that only those in government know what is right and just. I'm probably wrong, but I have a feeling.

Park St Shoe Repair

I highly recommend a front page article in the "Neighbors" portion of the 8/6/2010 "Wisconsin State Journal." The article on George Fabian aptly describes one of the most memorable persons I have ever met. He is truly a great guy!

Beer Garden

I attended an event at the Capital Brewery in Middleton last Saturday. If you've never gone there when they have live music in their outdoor area, I highly recommend it. And their new Supper Club brand beer is pretty good!!

Juvenile Diabetes

Those who know me know I like to road bike, despite what Mitch Henck thinks about bikers! Each year I do a charity ride for Juvenile Diabetes Research. This ride is normally in excess of 100 miles in one day. This year my ride is scheduled for Death Valley in October.

If you are interested in contributing to this cause, please go to www.jdrfride.com/donate; search for Bob Gorsuch. My oldest grandchild contracted Type 1 diabetes at age 8 and is now entering his 3rd year at UW - Madison. Believe me, type 1 diabetes is a "silent" disease that impacts the lives of these young people and their families. We feel we are getting close to a "cure". But it takes lots of $$$$ for the research.

Investor Sentiment

I just read an article on investor sentiment these days. Amongst professional investors, 39% are bullish; 31% neutral; and 30% bearish. The average asset allocation of these same investors is stocks - 60%; bonds - 15% and cash - 25%.

Financial Overhaul

In my opinion, the highly publicized financial regulation legislation about to be signed into law by Pres. Obama, will do little to correct the abuses that were present during the recent financial crisis. A huge new bureaucracy will be created creating all kinds of new compliance issues. These compliance issues costs the banking system billions of dollars. And guess who pays? You're right..... you the consumer!

Happy July 4

It looks like we are all going to have great weather this weekend. If you are going to be outdoors, be sure to take your Deet insect repellant!

What a great country we are blessed with. Yes, there are shortcomings, but can you think of a country you'd rather live in? God bless America!

Riding in Death Valley

In October I will be riding my road bike over 100 miles in Death Valley to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You see, my oldest grandchild, Prentice, has Type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed when he was 8 years old.

My goal this year is to raise $10,000. For my 2007 ride in Montana and my 2009 ride in Vermont I raised $8,000 on each ride.

Contributions of any amount are welcome. Make checks payable to JDRF and mail to Bob Gorsuch; Oak Bank; 5951 McKee Rd, Suite 100; Fitchburg, Wi 53711-5114.

Thanx.

Dot Com

Wow! This past March marked the 25th anniversary - yes, 25th - of the registration of the first dot-com domain. It was over a month before the 2nd one was registered and the 100th didn't take place until 20 months later. Now there about 668,000 dot-coms registered every month!

Final Tip

Check the benficiary designations on all of your investment accounts, including any mutual funds. You want to make sure the names and contact information are accurate and up to date.

Next to Last

Here's the next to last quick financial management tip...

If you or your spouse wear a ring with a diamond or other precious stone, have a jeweler check the prongs. Even one loose prong increases the risk of the diamond falling out.

Financial Management

Another financial management tip......

Check up on your credit. This is something that should be done every year. If there is an error, file a dispute with the reporting agency and call the creditor. Higher credit scores mean lower interest rates.

Another Tip

Investigate your broker. Run a background check of your broker at www.finra.org/brokercheck. The report will show the broker's qualifications and will list any regulatory action that has been taken against him/her in the past.

Take an X-Ray

Another financial tip.... analyze the mutual funds in your portfolio to ensure that they are not holding the same stocks.

Financial Management

Further detail on financial management tips...

A safe-deposit box provides safety against a fire or theft. We also suggest keeping a copy of important electronic files in the box.

More Financial Tips

Let me elaborate on the financial management tips I previously posted to this blog.

Copy everything in your wallets. This is a good way to protect yourself in the event of a stolen or lost wallet. Be sure to copy the front and back of all cards, especially since the customer service number is typically on the back of credit cards.

Financial Management Tips

Here are some quick financial management tips:

Copy everything in your wallet.
Rent a safe deposit box.
Take an e-ray of your mutual fund portfolio.
Investigate your broker.
Check up on your credit.
Buy treasuries directly from the source.
Calculate your future social security benefits.
Keep the bling in your ring.
Leave your cash to the ones you really love.

More detail on each of these in future blogs.

Geese & Safety

I have been following the Warner Park geese controversy. I'm kind of torn. On the one hand I am against killing the geese; but on the other I am concerned about what kind of risk they pose for air traffic and the safety of passengers on those planes. As we all know the Flight on the Hudson was caused by geese that were hit by the plane on its take off and clogging the engines.

If we kill the 100 or so geese that are residents of Warner Park, will they be replaced by another 100; and another 100, and on and on?

High Speed Train

I look forward to taking the proposed train to Milwaukee if it stops at Miller Park and the State Fair grounds. But I doubt if I will take it when I travel to see my daughter and her family in Milwauee since I'd have to take a taxi from somewhere in Milwaukee to their home and then back to the train station. And I expect there are lots of other scenarios where I would find it inconvenient not to have my car. And will I take the train to Chicago through Milwaukee? Depends how long it will take.

East Side of Madison

I had the opportunity to bike through the near east side of Madison yesterday. For a person who spends most of his time either on the west or south side of Madison, I was impressed! The neighborhoods have a special feel to them. And their proximity to Lake Monona is a special amenity. Some the homes architecture is beautiful. If it has been some time since you have driven or biked around that area, it is worth the effort.