Saturday, June 6, 2026

How Can We Tell if a Stock Market Correction or Bear Market is Near?

 With stock markets at or near all-time highs, it is natural to begin considering when the next significant downturn will happen. 

Here are some thoughts on the topic.   I don't agree with everything said, but there are some very good points in these videos.  Take from them what you want!

"Permabear" Jeremy Grantham on Why Wall Street Won't Tell You



Sasha on What's Goin' On Right Now



Jamie Dimon on the World Right Now



My favorite investors are Warren Buffet,  Charlie Munger and Jack Bogle.  As I run across great videos of them, I will include them below.

Changes to Index Fund Inclusion Rules

 In or around May 2026, some index funds have made significant changes to how they determine what stocks to include in their indexes.

I am not real thrilled with these rule changes and it will likely affect which index funds I invest in going forward.  

In case you haven't heard about these changes,  watch a few of the videos below so you can make up your own mind.


Space X IPO and the S&P 500



Who Changed Rules Right Before SpaceX IPO



If I come across videos with additional info, I will add them below.

Where To Park Cash

 Let's discuss relatively safe places to park money.  By "relatively safe", I mean with low to no risk of significant decline in value and accessible for withdrawal within just a few days (under a week in most cases).

Most investors consider options such as savings accounts, CDs, US Treasuries and bonds.

Savings accounts can be accessed the fastest in most cases, but often don't offer returns that keep pace with inflation.

CDs typically offer higher returns, but usually still don't keep up with inflation.

Short-term US treasuries, aka t-bills, keep up with inflation but don't do much more than that.

Longer-term US treasuries can return more than inflation, but also come with higher risk of loss in value if you sell them before maturity or hold them in an ETF type of environment.

Investment-grade bonds offer even better returns but also come with a high risk of significant loss in value in some time periods - especially when interest rates are rising.

Note all of the thoughts above are my opinions and are not meant as advice to you - study publicly available information and reach your own conclusions.

Below are some good videos on the topic.

What are bonds?




Options on where to park cash.




I will add more videos below as I run across them.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Spring Concert at Escondido Center for the Arts

 Performed by San Marcos Woodland Park Middle School musicians



Symphonic Band Wings of Wonder written by Tyler S. Grant

Thawing written by Kazuki Shimoda

How to Train Your Dragon written by John Powell

Heroes of the Marvel Universe

Jazz Band Mamacita by Chris Sharp

Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie

Un Poco Mas by Paul Baker (watch confetti fall onto musician's head at end of song!)

Blue Note Special written by Mike Tomaro