Why Writers Don’t Make As Much Money As They Think They Should
“We can always make ourselves liked provided we act likable, but we cannot always make ourselves esteemed, no matter what our merits are.” – Nicolas Malebranche (Traité de la Morale, 1867) Why don’t writers get any respect? Screenwriters. Novelists. Short-story writers. Magazine writers. Journalists. You ask them, they’ll tell…
READ MOREBuying Used Cars: Overcoming the Ignorance Factor
“When buying a used car, punch the buttons on the radio. If all the stations are rock ‘n’ roll, there’s a good chance the transmission is shot.” – Larry Lujack Prices of recently purchased new cars fall like a stone. Drive a new car off the lot, and you have…
READ MOREThe 10 Mortal Sins of Marketing
“But enough of me. Let’s talk about you. What do you think of me?” – Ed Koch Here is a short list of the dumbest things a marketer can do. 1. Assuming that your customers are interested in you, your company, or your products. This — neglecting to understand that…
READ MOREYour Career in Venture Investments
I have invested in 15 companies that later went public. So I am frequently asked how one’s career in venture investment begins. I seldom give the same answer twice. I took such a circuitous route that each time I try to recall my path, I remember a different landmark along…
READ MOREObjective: You Want to Retire in 10 or 15 Years
“Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.” – Cato the Elder (De Agri Cultura, second century B.C.) In the most recent issue of Strategic Investment, Bill Bonner says, “The average American is 44 years old, has $40,000 in his 401(k), and has more debt than at any…
READ MORETen Traits of Successful People
“Some minds seem almost to create themselves, springing up under every disadvantage and working their solitary but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles.” – Washington Irving (“Roscoe,” The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent, 1819-20) Investor’s Business Daily, according to Investor’s Business Daily, “has spent years analyzing business leaders and…
READ MOREThe Deviant’s Advantage
“All good things which exist are the fruits of originality.” – John Stuart Mill (On Liberty, 1859) The history of great ideas is a history of boldness and ridicule. The printing press, to take a relatively old example, was condemned as a tool of the devil. The steam engine was…
READ MOREBuilding a Good Support System
It’s not easy to be a new manager — especially if, instead of coming up “through the ranks,” you’ve been recruited from the outside. You’re likely to face resistance from all quarters — your new employees, your new supervisor, your new clients, and even your vendors, support staff, and/or consultants.…
READ MOREMortgage Rates Dropping Like Rocks
“For all your days prepare, / And meet them all alike: / When you are the anvil, bear — / When you are the hammer, strike.” – Edwin Markham (Preparedness, 1918) Mortgage rates are lower than they’ve been in 35 years. Even if you already have a decent rate —…
READ MOREIn Your Business Dealings, Remember That “Fair” Is Not An Exact Point Where Two Parties Meet But A Range They Can Wander Within
When two people want to do business, both sides must agree to a set of terms within which they can work together fairly. That is easy to accept, but understand that “fairness” is not an exact point but a range of acceptable considerations. If you think of it otherwise —…
READ MOREHow to Invest Locally in Real Estate
“Chance favors the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur Gene’s been a full-time real-estate investor for the last nine years. Because of real estate, he has never really had to get a regular job. After graduating from Brown University, Gene went to the University of Florida for a master’s degree.…
READ MOREFour Levels of Learning To Make You a Better Teacher and Student
“However much thou art read in theory, if thou hast no practice thou art ignorant.” – Sa’di (Gulistan, 1258) There are probably a dozen levels of learning. But these four — broadly defined — may help you discover problems in the way you learn (or teach) things now. 1. Telling…
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