Archive for March 31st, 2008Filed under: World wide web, Video, Features, Social Software Untitled from Download Squad on Vimeo. At SXSWi 2008 we had the pleasure of speaking with Gary Vaynerchuk, wine connoisseur and host of Wine Library TV’s daily videocast. Gary, who is truly one of the most dynamic individuals we have ever met, spoke with us about the importance of loving your community, the power of on the internet video and the essence of “radool.”
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Sovereign wealth funds, and their $3.3 Trillion arsenal.. VC’s & PE’s move overPosted by: in Raising MoneyFiled under: Raising money, Investments, Public or private? The late 1990’s and early 2000’s were the years of venture capital funds. 2006 and 2007 were the years of private equity funds. Gone are the multi-billion dollar club deals that were nothing short of the old leveraged buyouts. But 2008 and perhaps beyond might end up being the years of sovereign wealth funds. The Financial Times is reporting that sovereign wealth funds grew 18% last year as commodity prices rose and as foreign exchange reserves in Asia built up. But the raw dollar amount is astronomical….. $3.3 Trillion…. $3,300 Billion…. It looks like high oil and gold prices suck away dollars faster than they have the ability to be spent otherwise, plus all the goods that come to America and Europe from Asian countries has created a vast wealth transfer. That’s the new world, enjoy it or not. If you’d like to compare this $3.3 trillion figure, this compares to an estimated $13.79 to $13.86 Trillion total GDP according to the CIA’s World Factbook. It’s pretty tough to plunk down $10 Billion in a transaction because the size of that alone is massive. If they could magically place that much money each time, there would be enough for 330 investments of $10 Billion per transaction. Having $3.3 trillion in liquidity and being able to place $3.3 Trillion into raw investments is another issue entirely. If the U.S. needs help with those mortgages they will end up taking, maybe its time to pick up the hotline. The reality is that this would take thousands of transactions before that $3.3 trillion would be fully invested.
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2008
To sell or not to sell or what to sell. That is the question.Posted by: in Money General TalkFiled under: Ask WalletPop, Borrowing, Budgets, Debt, Home, Real Estate, Simplification, Wealth
Now here’s my input: It sounds like you’ve a plan Abe. However, I’d like you to think a tiny more about if you really want to sell that home. The market is down right now which means you probably won’t get your best selling price for it. Also, did you take into account that if you sell the home, you’ll lose your mortgage interest deduction when you file your taxes? That deduction loss will cut into the monthly savings you anticipate to get by selling. Although you won’t notice it month to month, you’ll feel it when you file your yearly income taxes. Consider also the upset that moving can cause. It’s expensive. It will disrupt operations. In the long run It could cost you more than you think.As much as it might hurt you, I’d still recommend that you take into account selling your Harley. Remember, they’re still making them, you can purchase another one some day. Is the bike regular transportation or is it just a pleasure ride? Consider it hard. If you sell the bike now, you can probably buy another one in a couple years. If you sell the home now it could be a very long time before you can buy another one. Is $300 a month worth that to you? Stop stressing about your credit score. For right now, it is what it is. Keep on a path of responsible buying habits and the score will slowly take care of itself. Besides, if you already own a home and you’re trying not to purchase things that you don’t need, what do you need a higher credit score for so soon? Ease up on yourself, be proud of what you’ve accomplished so far. Hug your wife and kids in your own home. Screw the credit lending companies. They have no idea what you’re really worth to us anyway. Finally, comprehend that most of the people in this country of ours live paycheck to paycheck just like you. Don’t let that bother you for a second. If your plan is to do what it takes to earn next week’s paycheck, no one can ask any more than that from you. Worrying about what MIGHT happen if you lose your job is just wasting your valuable energy. Forget about it. It might never happen. If it happens, you’ll deal with it then. So, here’s the short version: 1.)Decide if you really, really, really need and want to sell your house. 2.) Decide if you really, really, really, need to keep that bike. 3.) Focus on being financially responsible and let your credit score take care of itself for now. |
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Our man Abelicio Padilla has been blogging about his personal financial situation and he has been seeking advice for making sound money decisions. I wrote this piece as my input into his situation. If you’d like more background before you proceed, 
