Welcome to Happy Hour, where I offer up some of the more interesting and informative things I’ve come across this week. Sit back, relax and enjoy the weekend!
Shipping Beer And Wine Via USPS
New legislation was recently passed in the Senate to help the financially strapped Post Office. The legislation includes several things like a 5 day delivery week, restructuring health benefit payments, provide retirement incentives to many employees, and most important, allow shipping of wine and beer by the postal service. Imagine, a 103 year old law has prevented the Post Office’s profitability and we’re only finding out about this now. If it we’re only true.
$50,000 To Happiness
Who says happiness can’t be measured in dollars.A recent survey had participants rank their level of happiness in several areas of their life. Then asked about their annual income. Apparently at $50,000 in income, happiness is achieved. I don’t know about all this. The biggest difference between those under and those over that mark, were satisfaction in housing, friends and just life in general. The takeaway, money may provide happiness, but it definitely buys you friends.
Last Call
- Why Passive Investors Should Become Stock Pickers – There is nothing wrong with being a passive investor, but this post offers up a couple of reasons why using a part of your portfolio for stock picking could be a good idea.
- Is a Strategic Asset Allocation a Failed Model? – Offers an interesting take on the “set it and forget it” allocation strategy. Should we be taking a more active role, by adjusting our allocation based on opportunity.
- To Win Big, It Helps to Be a Little “Nuts” – Different is not a bad thing, when it comes to a company’s business plan. And well-known companies aren’t always the best performers. This article offers up a few things to consider when researching stocks.
- Want to Invest in Commodities? Consider Producers Instead – Offers some interesting insights on commodity investments from a value investing point of view.