More and more of you baby boomers will be retiring , over 75 million Americans and you’ll want to make sound financial decisions, right? Right!
You might be asking yourselves: Where do I put the money I worked so hard to save?
What do I invest in? What companies are good solid investments for the next ten years?
Lo and behold, maybe the answer comes in the form of an e-mail.
I receive an advertising newsletter from the Motley Fool Stock Advisor from time-to-time and recently they’ve been plugging this: “How to Get Rich from Obama’s Stimulus Plan” theme vigorously and often.
What the ad boils down to is this: They will disclose three companies that they believe are going to make it big from Obama’s economic stimulus plan in exchange for a price. Fair enough. They’re smart guys, have been doing this for a while with success, and make good “picks”. And I have to agree: There has to be some companies that stand to gain from President Obama’s economic stimulus plan.
Just in case you don’t know who “they” are; They are Tom and David Gardener, stock gurus and founders of the “Motley Fool”.
In the letter, clues are provided about the firms they’re baiting. OK, Great! I’ll bite in another way. I’ve decided to be the sleuth and guess what three stocks they’re talking about from the hints they’re showing.
So, Let’s begin with the clues and answers:
Investment #1 in Obama’s 100-Day Profit Plan
- There’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of this company before, though it’s listed on the Fortune 500 and its history dates back over 100 years.
- For decades, it’s commanded a top spot in the transportation sector where it plays a leading role in the construction industry.
- In fact, this company is a top player in the market for transporting construction equipment and materials.
- A role that will no doubt grow exponentially bigger as President Obama’s historic infrastructure upgrade begins.
- One of the things we like best about this company is its smart management team…
- They have a stellar history of being great stewards with shareholders’ money…
- Like generating a strong 21% return on equity and paying out a quarterly dividend every year since 1941.
- Not only that, but in one of the most difficult markets we’ve seen in a long time — but this company and its smart management were able to grow sales at a compounded annual growth rate of 2% over the past three years.
- Amazing, but not surprising…
- You see, this century-old operation has been able to do what few other companies can — not only survive, but thrive no matter what the economic or political climate…
- Through decade after decade, world wars, recessions, stock market booms, and stock market busts…
- Right now, with the market’s recent sell-off, this company is selling at a bargain-basement price.
- Bottom line: This is a stock that could easily double in 2009.
My guess:
CH Robinson Worldwide Inc CHRW:NASDAQ
The Company provides freight transportation services and logistics solutions to companies of all sizes, in a variety of
industries. Founded in 1905. Return on equity is 33.4%, higher than 21%. OK, that’s different, but in a good way..
I found a piece saying they’ve paid
a quarterly dividend for over twenty-five years. That’s different, but it doesn’t mean they haven’t been paying a dividend
since 1941. It’s in the Fortune 500. It’s in the transportation sector.
Investment #2 in Obama’s 100-Day Profit Plan
- This company plays a unique role in the construction industry…
- They supply hundreds of thousands of parts and tools almost every construction company uses each day.
- And with a market cap of just under $2 billion, this small player is quickly becoming the “go-to” just-in-time partner for the many construction outfits that make up the $140 billion materials market.
- Customers already love this company’s same-day shipping and competitive prices…
- And now with President Obama’s building and infrastructure directives taking shape, look for this supplier to dramatically boost its current market share and lock in a new stream of profits.
- This company also has a history of doing right by its shareholders, including generous stock buybacks and consistently paying a quarterly dividend (in fact, it’s just sent out more than $12 million to its shareholders in just a few weeks).
- Another thing I like about this company is the fact that several key executives own significant stakes in this business.
- Including one insider alone, who owns more than 18% of the shares outstanding.
- Add in the greater market share we see ahead, and investors can look for some big stock gains in 2009 and in the years ahead.
I’m going with Stock Gumshoe on this one. Msc Industries Direct Co Inc MSM:NYSE
I’m kind of iffy about investing in this one. There’s been 925,000 shares
sold in the last three months from the largest insider holder.
Investment #3 in Obama’s 100-Day Profit Plan
- Another key initiative in President Obama’s economic stimulus plan is computerizing medical records for all Americans.
- After all the technological advancements we’ve made over the past few decades, it’s almost unbelievable that two-thirds of
- our hospitals and 90% of all U.S. doctors still rely on paper patient records.
- Now with the U.S. population topping 300 million, you can easily see how this type of technology mandate will not only produce better and more efficient health care, but also a huge windfall for key health technology companies.
- In our extensive research over the past few weeks, we uncovered one tiny software company that’s already built a strong position in large medical and dental practices.
- In fact, it’s already been in the early stages of a major uptrend…
- Sales have grown at a compounded 28% per year over the past 5 years…
- Its return on equity is a stellar 35% and…
- The stock has rocketed nearly 700% over the past few years…
- And now that President Obama has given a green light for upgrading the entire U.S. health care system to electronic records — look for it to really take off…
- Right now its balance sheet is rock solid with more than $57 million in cash on hand and absolutely no debt.
- And while most businesses were struggling to survive in 2008, for its quarter ending October 31, 2008, this company posted record revenue… up more than 35% over the same quarter for the prior year.
- A revenue jump that helped boost its stock price 27% while the S&P 500 grew just 2% over the same time period.
- Amazing.
- Add in the fact that the folks who work there are highly vested in just how well this company does — almost 35% of its outstanding shares are owned by insiders — and you can see why this is one company you need to know about and own in 2009.
I agree with Stock Gumshoe again. The company’s a winner. My guess: Quality Systems Inc QSII:NASDAQ
Warren Buffett says, “Only buy something that you’d be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years.”
Till Next Time, Nostradumas
What are the baby boomers facing the empty nest syndrome supposed to do? Wikipedia can’t say if it’s a myth or if it really exists.
We know that depression and loneliness are real things, don’t we?
What can us empty nesters do to combat the general feeling of loneliness that occurs when the children have flown the coup?
One of the ways parents can deal with being empty nesters is by accepting the fact that their child has moved on to “another phase of his/her life,” according to Dr. Phil. Their parents must move on, too.
“This time offers you an opportunity to begin a new journey
that will reveal your special creativity and even hidden passions.”
Baby Boomers Network says.
There’s a feeling of pride of successfully parenting you’re children that
accompanies this sadness, too. Get out and talk to other baby boomers with empty nests. They might like to hear from you.
Tell some stories about raising your children. You might actually be surprised how good it can feel.
If you’re in the market for drugs I found a source that supplies a plethora of information at Drugs com.
Drugs.com is an informational website listing complex information about prescription drugs currently on the market. Along with important information about side effects and medication interaction risk, Drugs.com also lists its rating from 1 to 10 and further information about how each drug works within the body. Drugs.com only lists FDA approved drugs however, to guarantee consumer safety and satisfaction.
While Drugs.com specifically says it does not recommend any type of drug it does claim to be a helpful tool for consumers interested in new medication to treat pre-existing conditions.
Another great place to look for drug reviews is WorstPills.org. This site supplies an unbiased analysis of information from a variety of sources – including well-regarded medical journals and unpublished data obtained from the Food and Drug Administration – that allows Public Citizen to warn the public about potentially dangerous drugs long before they are banned or adequately regulated by the federal government. For example, Public Citizen warned consumers about the dangers of Vioxx, ephedra, Baycol and Propulsid years before they were pulled from the market.
Just a couple of sources to provide you with helpful guidelines in doing research on choosing a drug courtesy of The Baby Boomers Blog.
The Baby Boomers Blog is not endorsed, affilliated, or compensated by these sites or drugs.
Well folks, it’s that time of the year again.
Annually produced and now in its celebrated 17th year, The Great American
Think-Off question was released on January 1, 2009.
Anyone is eligible to participate in the contest. You may be named this year’s
“America’s Greatest Thinker” by submitting an essay of 750 words or less.
Four finalists will be chosen to debate the question on June 13 before a live audience.
All essays will be taken and reviewed at
“The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s Great American Think-Off” website.
This year’s tricky and perplexing moral question:
“Is It Ever Wrong to do the Right Thing?”
Put your thinking caps on and give it a whirl.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Maybe you Baby Boomers are asking, “Where should we go for a
nice beach vacation this year, just the two of us Honey?”.
Or, “Hon, Where can we go this year and bring the kids, too?”
Or, “Where’s a fantastic beach we can go to this year and enjoy
with our friends”?
To answer these questions and more I put together a little feature about some
top beach spots with the help of the “WWW”.
… Continue
“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health
because they contain undeclared ingredients and in some cases
prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum
recommended dosages,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, who directs
the FDA’s drug evaluation center.
These lines come directly from a story published last Monday on MSNBC.com
titled “FDA Warns of 28 Diet Pills Sold Online”
The products are:
Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power, 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming,
3 Day Diet Japan Lingzhi, 24 Hours Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula,
7 Day Herbal Slim, 8 Factor Diet, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP,
Imelda Perfect Slim, Lida DaiDaihua, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Perfect Slim,
Perfect Slim 5x, Phyto Shape, ProSlim Plus, Royal Slimming Formula,
Slim 3 in 1, Slim Express 360, Slimtech, Somotrin, Superslim, TripleSlim,
Zhen de Shou, Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
I want fellow baby boomers and anybody interested in losing weight through
pill-taking to be on the lookout for these particular products.
Why? Because I’ve “Been There Done That”
I’m not judging anyone wanting to look slimmer and more youthful.
Look great in clothes or not.
Moderate in all things. Get plenty of rest. Have an exercise program.
These are the key elements to living longer and healthier lives.
Think positive and god-like thoughts for your self and others.
You have the will power to choose the good thought.
Be well.
Some of the stories that are being published of late just seem to be there to add fuel to the fire.
I think you’ll get my point in a moment. Here’s just a few headlines and story links that kind
of tell it for you:
A little dramatic, don’t you think? I know “You even have to sell the news”.
Well! This is the way I see it.
I don’t believe there’s a crisis. I don’t believe in the “Doom in Gloom”. I don’t believe baby
boomers must work anymore than they choose to work.
I believe we all make choices and there are consequences for our actions, however it’s
not a crisis, It’s Life.
I see people shopping everywhere. I see people at Starbucks, at the gas pumps, at the library,
at work, etc. I talk to people and they’re well. People are making it happen. Life goes on.
It’s Good to see it all! Merry Christmas!
Recent study shows vitamins E and C supplements don’t prevent heart disease and vitamin E even appears to raise the risk of bleeding strokes. Results were published
online by the Journal of the American Medical Association . The story was made available exclusively thru CBS News.com .
Give me a break! Are we supposed to lay down and accept this rubbish?
Sounds more like Big Pharma might be trying to make-up lost ground in their
fight against the nutritional companies, then “ringing in the truth”.
These studies come out all the time, and every ten years or so they contradict their previous findings.
One of the comments in the article, that might raise an eyebrow or two, and supports my sour attitude is where Dr. Howard a nutrition scientist from Medstar Research Institute in Hyattsville, MD comments: “In these hard economic times, maybe we can save some money by not buying these supplements.”
Come on now! We all know Big Pharma has been trying to undermine the vitamin, herbal, and supplement industry for years because it competes directly within their market territory.
Another thing: All these tests are done with synthetic E and C so as to remain on
a level playing field with pharmaceuticals also synthetically tarnished with side effects. Maybe something important enough not to be dismissed by a nutrition scientist.
Take a look at any drug commercial. Every one ends with a disclaimer full of potential side effects. I know they’re just covering their backsides from lawsuits. However, I have to add that, “the cure sounds worse than the problem”.
One more thing; Here we have an authoritative news station that probably shows at least a half-dozen drug advertisements a show touting them as actual stories. That’s some
creative marketing, huh?
“Winning the War on Drugs” is much more challenging and convoluted than we might think.
I recall Warren Buffett, in a rare television interview broadcast by CNBC, being asked “How’s your health?” He responds “I feel great!”
Here’s an elderly gentleman, acting just as perky, vibrant, and enthusiastic about life as an eighteen-year old would be saying “I feel great!”
I’m thinking, “That’s wonderful! How does he do it? What’s his secret?”…read more…
