John T. Reed’s news blog

When there is “nothing” on TV, I sometimes watch an episode of National Geographic’s “To catch a Smuggler.” . That is a misnomer. It is about people crossing an international border. Some are carrying drugs. Some counterfeit brand name stuff. Some more than $10,000 cash that they cannot explain is from a legitimate source or being transported for a legitimate purpose. Some are trying to immigrate into the destination nation by sneaking into the country. . I recommend a diversified portfolio of seven foreign currencies (AUD, CAD, CHF, DKK, NOK, NZD, SEK) to protect against USD hyperinflation. And you need...

My book How to Manage Residential Property for Maximum Cash Flow and Resale Value, 7th edition says you should use the lease created by your state landlord trade association. Realtors, home builders, Apartment Association.Do-it-yourself leases can get you into big trouble. Your state trade association lease is probably created by the top landlord-tenant lawyer in the state, or one of the top three such lawyers. He or she needs to make the lease compliant with state and federal law. Furthermore, they also need to modify the lease whenever the pertinent law changes by way of a new statute or a...

The Niners game yesterday ended when Niner LB Dre Greenlaw intercepted a Packer pass. But then he ran around and around trying to score a TD with one minute and the score 24-21 with his team leading. His teammates and coaches were going nuts yelling at him to “get down.” The Packers players were frantically trying to knock the ball out of his hand. . Indeed, he was violating one of the best practices rules in my Football Clock Managment book. Rule 3.03 Reaching take-a-knee on defense If you are on defense and recover a fumble or intercept a pass...

Today’s WSJ has their most petulant hate-buying-a home-you-idiots article yet. Nicole Friedman? No. Gina Heeb. Who she? I dunno. A bigger home investment hater than Nicole, for sure. . The article title conveys the message, “Home-Buying Math No Longer Adds Up.” The first paragraph says buying a home has become a “pipe dream” for more than a few years ago. . Another, paragraph says a couple of years ago, a monthly housing budget of $2,000 could have bought a $400,000 house; today, only a $295,000 house. . So buy a $295,000 house. . As with Nicole, 7% mortgages make it...

Interesting op-ed about how seniors are better off than ever financially in today’s WSJ: “Older Americans Are Better Off Than Ever.” . Part of the reason is the introduction of IRAs in 1974 and 401(k)s in 1978. The more recent opt in change in those is also good. . But I hasten to add that those are basically stock market index funds. In 1929 to 1932, the stock market fell 90%. So it is a disaster in deflation (depression). Houses also fell 90%. . Saving is important. Those programs greatly encouraged people to save. Good thing. . Social security benefits...