Blog 8

Blog 8

Financial Trading

Lyn Alden has tweeted a post that I agree with. If you hold gold yourself, it will retain its value. Moreover, you could in fact sell it at any time in the future. It has no counter party risk. However, the downside is that gold has no yield. On the upside, it will counter inflation by going up in price. In other words, it has a p (price) but not a y (yield).

I do hold gold myself physically. However, I do like it, but I have in an ETF. It costs me to hold it. The fund itself has up over 41% in three years. I will be buying more in the future because I think inflation is going higher. Owning gold is a hedge against inflation. Therefore, if you believe that inflation will rise. Then gold should part of your portfolio. It only cost .15% in this ETF.

This is a good way to own gold because you get the advantages of the commodity without any risk. If you self-custody the asset, you will have to have a safe. If you do it with my recommendation, you have a .15% per cent charge but no hassle. I prefer no risk and no hassle. Keeping it simple is one of my traits. People complicate their lives, and it may make them miserable too.

You could buy the coin but there is a big gap in the spread. (Coin price/spot price of gold) Therefore, I would recommend the ETF. You may have a charge of .15% but good value if the price goes up. With the coin you will have to hold for a much longer time frame. (to be cost effective) You also have to store it in a safe place as well. (the coin)

DCA is something I believe in with trading. I trade with the 5-year time frame in mind. It may work for the private investor also. If you buy the asset over a period of time, you may cut down the volatility of the price of it as well. (Monthly, quarterly)

Timing the market is difficult. However, DCA may be a good tool. It just depends on the person. We are all different. I like risk, but not too much at one time. You just never know.

Van Life

I presently on the A40 in a layby.

I will be going into Oxford later to do my fitness. I hear the other road users going past, but I know that later I will park up in a quiet spot. At this time of writing 08.25 Monday 20th, the A40 is busy. However, I am in no rush. It is better to enter Oxford after 9am because the rush hour traffic will quieten down.

I started my generator and made my breakfast. I could have used the van’s alternator, but the petrol generator is more cost effective. The layby is in a quiet location (no housing nearby). Therefore, I will use the noisy option.

Options are my thing. Most do not have this. Most just keep doing the same thing. These are my options:

1. I could park up on the beach. However, the cost of diesel makes this option expensive. (Travel 120 miles to the coast)

2. My fitness location I must choose. I have and it is Oxford, and it is close as well.

3. After my gym, I must decide my new location.

On Wednesday I have a temp work opportunity. It is in another area, but I will travel there nearer the time. I love this life. Every day is different. With cheap living I have no pressure.

In the future, I will do a detailed weekly budget of my costs. Many just do slave away for nothing. Pay check to pay check is just an existence.

Freedom and having no money pressures are so good together. I work. I sleep. I park up legally. It is a good life.

You must have the following in order.

1. Financial literacy

2. Good nutrition with light weights/exercise

3. Continuous personal development

I do.

I will restart my FT subscription in September, but I save the money (£55) for now. It is all about being good with money and the making money work for you. The saving I will put to my daughter’s trust fund. I will buy her more silver.

The van life gives me many options. If I had a mortgage or rent it, it will impact on my disposable income. My skills all assist and make my life better. I really enjoy building my daughter’s trust fund. The van life makes is easier and it is just the truth. Transferable skills I do recommend too.

I was in a shop buying some groceries. I noticed that the woman in front had white bread in her basket. I started a conversation with her, and she told me that was a PE instructor in a nearby school. (I was surprised that she had made a white bread choice.) In the conversation, I mentioned that I did a nutrition course, and it changed my life for the better. She agreed.

This is the good thing about the van life. You are more on the level. You speak the truth more. The rat race is best avoided. Looking good but literally slaving away but getting nowhere fast.

I just say as it is.

People will find you life attractive. Others may have a stronger negative viewpoint. It just depends. I love it.

Personal development

I have just bought this audio book about offshore finance. It is a good listen. I like getting another perspective. Once I have finished it, I will be reading a book on commodities trading.

I try to listen for one hour a day. Sometimes I will listen as I drive, or I may listen in the gym too.

My six-pack I plan to do it in Oxford. I always have options. YOU MUST TOO. However, the majority just slave away. Work for money but not reaching their true potential.

If I have a problem, I will find a solution. Confidence to go as one pleases. It may be like magic. Most just keep doing the same thing all the time, but they do expect something to change. It is human nature. Conforming and not creating may be the norm for some as well Please do other things.

Goals and planning will get you there. Always have a plan b. I do. I have a plan c too. I can leave the country and work abroad at one moments notice. SAS talk about cut outs. This is a plan for an emergency.

This is the good thing about trading. The six pack is the same. The skills are transferable also. For example, I can trade anywhere in the world with an internet connection. I also have hard cash. Freedom is not just about the van life. My above average nutrition gives me confidence as well.

Good habits do grow on you. They did with me. My life is just so much better now.

The six-pack is all about nutrition and light stomach exercises. I love doing the 5-minute plank too. I have the six pack now. I just have to lose the weight.

My audio book on burn the fat will become my bible. It happens after I have finished the commodities audio book. Then I will do 100% of my spare time (1 hour a day) on the audio book on burn the fat feed the muscle.

Passing an exam is the same. You have to repeat and repeat. Then your results will get better. Having action then planning works. I had to change my area to do the six-pack. It is normal. People are jealous; it is just human nature. Many may reach a level of incompetence. A policeperson may be a good example here because they feel good dealing with a drunk. With me they are a functionary. You must think the same. If you do, it means that your skill set is improving. Tips do come with having done the journey.

This is a good tip for all. If you have a reserve of cash, you will have freedom of movement. If you are broke, you are a slave to your life. I have options; you must too.

See you next week on Friday ….

Ian’s mottos are to be good, be kind and give love to others …