Anything Worth Having, Must Have Some Value -- September 22, 2022

When interest rates were zero percent, that suggested to me money had no value. It was free. Things that are free, by definition, don't have value.

Interest rates of three percent seem about right when things are moving along slowly but in a good direction.

In the current environment five percent interest rates are absolutely in line with the value of money. 

Older gen Z'ers, millennials, and younger gen x'ers are over-reacting to "the Fed."

April 16, 2022: how Gallup "defines" the generations:

• generation Z (born 1997 - 2004): 18 - 25 years old
• millennials (born 1981 - 1996): 26 - 41 years old
• generation X (born 1965 - 1980): 42 - 57 years old
• baby boomers (born 1946 - 1964): 58 - 76 years old
• traditionalists (born before 1946): over 76 years old

With regard to the economy, the last person to whom I would listen is Rand Paul. Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps he's a genius when it comes to the US economy. So, let me re-state that: with regard to personal investing, the last person to whom I would listen is Rand Paul.

Link here for current data. Link here for 2018 data.

How in the world did his net worth go from $800K to $400K over ten years. I must be mis-reading something or not getting the full story. Maybe he holds gold bars and values it at $0.

I have trouble getting upset with the US government sending a few thousand dollars (or even many thousand dollars) to families earning less than $25,000 / year (or even $50,000 / year) when Jamie Dimon earned $85 million in one year, in 2021. Jamie Dimon's net worth: $1.4 billion.

John Kerry, net worth:

• $103 million in 2013;
• $250 million in 2021;

Teresa Heinz Kerry: $1.2 billion.