All of the above posts show what a good community we have here. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...no matter where you may be.
Yep.....Road. I have four WHITE CHEDDAR that go back to 2009. As they age they develop little crystals all through the cheese......and....it becomes more crumbly and a bit sharper. I start out with a good American......International award winning White Cheddar.....called Cougar Gold. It is aged one year when I get it........and I age it from there. My go-to cheese for long term aging. This cheese has a cult following......although it is very well known and documented as a fine, award winning White Cheddar. You will find it selling from about $50 to $300. If you want to try some....here is a buying tip....it can be purchased direct from Washington State University Creamery where it is made for......the lowest price.....$33. It often sells out this time of the year.....so it might not be available right now. "Cougar Gold earned its first blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society. It eventually won three other awards in stateside competitions in the 1990s, but made its mark globally at the turn of the century. In 2000, Cougar Gold received a silver medal at the World Cheese Awards (basically the Olympics for cheesemakers) and finally struck gold in 2006 — giving the cheese's name another special meaning." Read More: https://www.chowhound.com/1643319/underrated-canned-cheese-cougar-gold/ I’m Here to Highly Recommend Canned Cheese "Once I popped a piece in my mouth, it started to melt a bit, creating a creamy, silky texture, with a nice sharpness to it. It was one of the best cheddars I’d ever had." https://www.bonappetit.com/story/co...-aCahS_MEkKBf-2W5Ok5GQHv4kvv7RFtOAuKdp0vlh1lH
TOTALLY....ignoring the markets today. They suck for me anyway. I have only two.....yes two...stocks up today...PLTR and HD. I think the very light Thanksgiving week markets are impacting what I hold this week.
Ok....I will give in and post "something" relevant to investing. US economy grows at 2.8% pace in third quarter on consumer spending, unchanged from first estimate https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-economy-grows-2-8-133916069.html (BOLD is my opinion OR what I consider important content) "WASHINGTON (AP) — The American economy expanded at a healthy 2.8% annual pace from July through September on strong consumer spending and a surge in exports, the government said Wednesday, leaving unchanged its initial estimate of third-quarter growth. U.S. gross domestic product — the economy's output of goods and services — slowed from the April-July rate of 3%, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. But the GDP report still showed that the American economy — the world's largest — is proving surprisingly durable. Growth has topped 2% for eight of the last nine quarters. Within the GDP data, a category that measures the economy’s underlying strength rose at a solid 3.2% annual rate from July through September, up from 2.7% in the April-June quarter. This category includes consumer spending and private investment but excludes volatile items like exports, inventories and government spending. Still, American voters — exasperated by high prices — were unimpressed by the steady growth and chose this month to return Donald Trump to the White House to overhaul the nation's economic policies. He will be supported by Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of U.S. economic activity, accelerated to a 3.5% annual pace last quarter, up from 2.8% in the April-June period and fastest growth since the fourth quarter of 2023. Exports also contributed to the third quarter’s growth, increasing at a 7.5% rate, most in two years. Still, the third-quarter growth in both consumer spending and exports was lower than the Commerce Department initially estimated. But growth in business investment slowed sharply on a drop in investment in housing and in nonresidential buildings such as offices and warehouses. By contrast, spending on equipment surged. When he takes office next month, President-elect Trump will inherit an economy that looks broadly healthy. Growth is steady. Unemployment is low at 4.1%. Inflation, which hit a four-decade high 9.1% in June 2022, has fallen to 2.6%. That is still above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, but the central bank felt satisfied enough with the progress against inflation to cut its benchmark interest rate in September and again this month. Most Wall Street traders expect the Fed to cut rates again in December. Wednesday’s report also contained some encouraging news on inflation. The Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge — called the personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE — rose at just a 1.5% annual pace last quarter, down from 2.5% in the second quarter. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core PCE inflation was 2.1%, down from 2.8% in the April-June quarter. The public still feels inflation's sting: Prices are about 20% higher than they were in February 2021, just before inflation started picking up Trump has promised an economic shakeup. On Monday, for example, he vowed to slap new import taxes on goods from China, Mexico and Canada. Mainstream economists view such taxes — or tariffs — as inflationary. That is because they are paid by U.S. importers, who then seek to pass along the higher costs to their customers. Wednesday's report was the second of three looks at third-quarter GDP. The Commerce Department will issue the final report on Dec. 19." MY COMMENT The economy is going GREAT. In addition the PCE inflation data.....see above.... is very nice. Good news for investors.
Here is a bit more. Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rises to 2.3% annually, meeting expectations https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/27/pce-inflation-october-2024.html MY COMMENT For those of us that live in the world of REALITY........inflation is just fine........at the LOW END of the normal range. Ignore the BS headlines you will see about inflation being.....STILL.....elevated. BUT....this does not erase the impact of the price increases driven by MASSIVE government spending and policy over the past 3.5 years on the average family.
We do have a really good group here! I am thankful for everyone's contributions! Here is a little exercise I decided to do today. Compare the yearly returns on my 401k against our benchmark, the S&P 500. As you can see below I made some mistakes in investment choices but I also did some things right. Hopefully others can learn from this. The bad: I started with the majority my money in a Blackrock LifePath Fund. Not the worst life choice but it is bad for two reasons: 1) High fees 2)Consistently underperforms the market. I also had some smaller positions in investments that had high Fees. The Good: I started investing from day 1 right out of school. Time in market is king. My company has a 9% match. I also contributed as much as I could afford, I believe I started out putting in around 10% or maybe a bit more. Every raised I would up my contribution by the raise amount. I didn't start maxing it out until the past couple years when my salary finally hit a point that I could afford to do so. Also a few years back I did a cleanup and moved everything into a Vanguard S&P 500 fund with very low fees. The company stock is doing EXTREMELY well the past couple years so I recently opted to have that as 5% of the portfolio, it was <1%. Also good is I learned my lesson when the account was small, and I learned early in my investment path. The past couple years my company offered a Roth where I pay taxes now which I have opted to put a good % into due to the fact I am projected to make more in retirement than I do working which would put me in a much higher tax bracket. Even with 2022 being a bust, the past 5 years have given us some amazing growth. The funny part is I invested a fraction of the money into my brokerage account and it's over twice as big as my 401k, go figure. Date Rate of Return S&P500 11/26/2024 29.15% 27.82 12/31/2023 26.28% 26.29 12/31/2022 -17.94% -18.11 12/31/2021 22.34% 28.71 12/31/2020 23.16% 18.4 12/31/2019 25.05% 31.49 12/31/2018 -7.82% -4.38 12/31/2017 18.62% 21.83 12/31/2016 8.60% 11.96 12/31/2015 -3.63% 1.38 12/31/2014 8.16% 13.69 12/31/2013 23.41% 32.39 12/31/2012 15.07% 16.00 12/31/2011 -11.51% 2.11 12/31/2010 16.26% 15.06 12/31/2009 69.88% 26.46
A very nice history TireSmoke. And simple and easy investing. Only 4 down years out of 16 years. A perfect example of the power and ease of long term investing.
I forgot Strathmore in the EU. Another travel companion for Lori and RG for the trip to Texas for Thanksgiving.
I just completed an art trade. I traded four paintings for three paintings. I had to throw in an additional $3100. The main focus of the trade was to upgrade one of my pieces to a better example. The trade also helped me get rid of a couple of lesser pieces and diversify a bit more. talking about art……but…..the language sounds like investing.
I ignored the markets.....all day. It was obvious that the big cap side of the markets was a total waste of time today....at least for me. I ended the day in the red. I also got beat by the SP500 today by 0.44%. AND....I did not even care. short term....short holiday week.....low volume......nothingness.
This stuff is just ASININE. We need to quit ripping our big companies apart. Hopefully there will be a change with the new government. Microsoft Faces Broad Antitrust Investigation From US FTC https://finance.yahoo.com/news/microsoft-faces-broad-antitrust-investigation-205809602.html MY COMMENT Even when this WARFARE against our business fails....it still creates uncertainty, washes out earnings, and takes money and resources away from other projects and uses.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE. Here is a reminder for us all to appreciate what is around us every day. Thank God for the 'invisible hand' https://jeffjacoby.com/28194/thank-god-for-the-invisible-hand "It is commonplace to speak of seeing God's signature in the intricacy of a spider's web, the grandeur of a mountain range, or the ethereal beauty of a rainbow. But even they pale against the kaleidoscopic energy and productivity of the free market. If it is a blessing from Heaven when seeds are transformed into grain, how much more of a blessing is it when our private, voluntary exchanges are transformed — without our ever intending it — into prosperity, innovation, and growth? The social order of freedom, like the wealth and the progress it makes possible, is an extraordinary gift from above. On this Thanksgiving Day and every day, may we be grateful."
Yes ......Road. A very good deal for 30 oz at about $33. It is aged for one year and has a very nice texture and flavor immediately. If you try some I would get 4-5 cans and try one immediately to see how it is at one year.....and give yourself a taste baseline. I would age the rest for 3 years, 5 years, 8 years, and up. I like it because you dont have to have a "cheese cave" or high end equipment. Just refrigeration that you can keep at the right temperature. Basically a regular refrigerator will do if you pay attention to what shelf or drawer you keep it in. Over time it definately stays alive and ages. I have tried it at 3 years, 5 years, 8 years, 10 years, 13 years, etc, etc....it definately continues to age. I dont know what sort of can it is....but I have never seen or heard of a can failing or rusting......even though the cheese inside will generate a bit of oily moisture. As I said the longest ones I have right now are at 16 years. I have read about people going as long as 20-30 years. Over the years i have told a few professional chefs about this and usually they rave about it. One sent me photos later of his stack of cans aging. Anyway.........worth a try if you like high end cheese.
LOL.....a few weeks ago when one of our refrigerators went out.......after about 6 hours of it not working it suddenly hit me......"OMG THE CHEESE". I got them all moved to another refrigerator. It would have ruined years or hauling those cheeses around through 3 moves over that 16 years.
Road....I still find it strange to see cheese in a can....listed with...... Caña de Oveja (Spain) is the sheep’s milk version of the better known—and easier to find—Caña de Cabra Capriolina (Italy) is a newcomer from Arnoldi, a respected name in northern Italian cheese Export versions of Tomme de Savoie (France) always left me underwhelmed until I tasted the wheels shipped by Hervé Mons La Dama Sagrada (Spain), an aged wheel from raw goat’s milk, comes from a Manchego producer Estero Gold Reserve from Valley Ford Creamery (California) is a 14-month-old wheel from raw cow’s milk I discovered Hornkuhkäse (Switzerland) at Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco, after cheesemonger Gordon Edgar told me it was one of the great values at his well-stocked counter. https://www.janetfletcher.com/blog/2024/7/20/eight-great-values
I agree with this little article. 10 Reasons for Investors to be Thankful in 2024 From a rallying stock market to a stronger-than-expected economy, investors have plenty to be grateful for this year. https://www.morningstar.com/markets/10-reasons-investors-be-thankful-2024 1. The fact that we’re investors. 2. Fabulous recent investment returns. 3. Inflation has subsided. 4. Bonds are back. 5. The US economy is strong. 6. The election is over. 7. The US financial system has not collapsed. 8. Some speculative excesses have been flushed out. 9. Artificial intelligence is exciting. 10. Attractive valuations are out there.
I hope everyone enjoyed some good food and fellowship. As mentioned above, there are many things I am thankful for too. Freedom. Family and a few good friends. Good health. A nice portfolio of investments and wonderful pension to have a secure retirement (in the not too distant future). And my investing friends here too.
Happy Thanksgiving for all who celebrate. Thanks for inviting us W We are planning a family trip to NY city next year. That will be our first time visit in USA. I'm in a process of leaving the UK. I'm not entirely happy about that decision. One of the downsides is losing a tax wrapper ISA, not sure if any country in the EU offers that kind of investing account. I'm going back to my home country, Croatia. Good thing is that there is no capital gain tax in Croatia if you hold stocks more than 2 years. The same tax relief applies to Real Estate.
Ok.....Black Friday.......but I think this is more important. US Thanksgiving online sales up about 4% so far this year, data shows https://www.reuters.com/business/re...out-4-so-far-this-year-data-shows-2024-11-28/ (BOLD is my opinion OR what I consider important content) "Nov 28 (Reuters) - Online sales in the U.S. were up about 4% for the first half of the Thanksgiving holiday, compared to a 2% rise last year, Salesforce (CRM.N), opens new tab data showed on Thursday, a fresh sign that shoppers are lapping up steep discounts from retailers. U.S. retailers have been rolling out bolder discounts early and bulking up their holiday deals to capture the attention of more frugal shoppers this year. Earlier this week, Best Buy BBY.N CEO Corie Barry said the electronics retailer "expected lower demand between sales events, but the impact was steeper than expected," echoing Target TGT.N executives who reported a stronger-than-anticipated response to promotions this year. While department stores such as Kohl's (KSS.N), opens new tab and Macy's (M.N), opens new tab are being cautious with their annual forecasts due to a slowdown in sales, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF.N), opens new tab and Gap (GAP.N), have raised their forecasts because of strong demand for trendy apparel. Retail giants Walmart (WMT.N), and Amazon.com (AMZN.O), also are expected to benefit from what could be a mixed holiday shopping season. The peak Thanksgiving window for online shopping in the U.S. will be between 7 p.m. and midnight EST, when 35% of sales are expected to occur, according to Salesforce, a cloud-based software company. That figure is based on traffic patterns of thousands of online retailers. This year's holiday shopping season, which runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas, is expected to grow at its slowest pace in six years, according to separate reports from the National Retail Federation and Deloitte. Salesforce reported online sales of $7.5 billion on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. in 2023, a rise of 1% from the previous year. On Nov. 20, the company projected that Cyber Week, which runs from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to the Monday after the holiday, would generate $311 billion in global sales. Thanksgiving is expected to be the best day to shop for toys, appliances, furniture and sporting goods, according to data from Adobe Analytics." MY COMMENT Looks like the negative expert predictions in the article above are already proving to be the usual....BS. Hope so in the end when we see the Holiday figures in a month or so.
