Why I will never name ’stock tips’ or talk about investing strategies

Everywhere we turn there are people telling us what to do with our money. Websites promise to send emails of ‘hot tips.’ Newspapers are eager to bury us under in-depth analysis of this or that tarzenian bond fund. Personal finance magazines provide us with ‘ten high flying stocks for fall’ every year.

The focus of this site is not primarily on making money. The focus of this site is making a measurable difference in our own lives. If we cannot focus on ourselves, how can we ever fully focus on another? How can we expect anyone to read the material on this site with an open mind when I’m shoving brokerage service ads down their throat every other word?

Every media source has an agenda. Whether they openly state it or deny it, its there. I have an agenda. I shape my words to present ideas a certain way. Whether you choose to indulge in these ideas or not is your choice.

Don’t misunderstand me. I am not calling the media evil, selfish, or labelling them as the villains. They’re trying to make money just like anyone else. They have families to support, habits to keep fed, and like having a roof over their heads as much as I do. If you truly feel the need, go sign up for whichever service you think is best. With a little bit of research its not hard to find detailed advice on how to invest on your own for free. Research the great investors of today. Like a basketball player shooting for the big leagues, study the greats.  Magic Johnson. Michael Jordan. Patrick Ewing. Scottie Pippen. Larry Bird. The list goes on. Find the best in the field you want to succeed in and model your plans on what they’ve done. Take what you like and leave the rest. Times change and what worked yesterday may need to be changed to meet today’s unique environment.

If I believe in anything, I believe in choice. I believe in free will. There is a fundamental conflict between the media source and the consumer. They provide information. The majority of sources substitute quality with quantity. Its a giant free for all. By sifting through the information for what makes sense, what we can understand, we can build understanding and skill without signing up for $59.99 a month in services.

The biggest reason I will never give advice? The only strategies  I could talk about with a free conscious are the ones I use for my own investing. I’m wise enough to listen to the Oracle of Omaha’s advice and don’t tell anyone which specific securities I own or am getting in or out of at anyone time.

Life is harsh. I may believe in second chances but there is no guarantee any of us will have one. Sometimes the only way to succeed is to help people as much as you can while taking care of yourself. Keeping our mouths shut. Knowing how to present ourselves to people and when to shut up can save our career, our relationship, and our life under extreme circumstances.