Month: August 2024

Constantly putting out fires isn’t the same as making progress

If you’re always reacting, you’re not planning, and if you’re not planning, you’re not really in control of where you’re headed. In most professions, it would be beneficial to spend at least one day a month doing nothing but thinking. Moreover, if your profession doesn’t involve this kind of improvement, it’s probably time to consider changing it, because clearly, someone else is doing the thinking for you. Do you need that? Well, if you’re okay with it, I’m happy for you. But if you don’t like someone else doing the thinking for you, then pick a day with no calls, meetings, or deliveries. Sit on the couch and think – about what’s working, what’s not, and what to do about it. It’s difficult because it doesn’t feel like work, and you’ll likely face some resistance from those around you. Even your colleagues. And your boss won’t like it either. Which is kind of strange, especially if your job involves some level of thought. In that case, it should be obvious that you need time to think. And to avoid looking like you’re just goofing off, I recommend a simple hack – write your thoughts down. submitted by /u/FXgram_ [link] [comments]

My take on investing in what matters

In my last post, somebody shared their thoughts on spending less on important things — that they wouldn’t spend less on their PC because it would make it slower—and I couldn’t agree more! Over the years, I’ve noticed that not all expenses are created equal. Some purchases feel like a solid investment in my future, while others, well, they’re more like fleeting indulgences that don’t add much to my life in the long run. Figuring out the difference has been key to making great decisions — both financial and personal, if you will. Take, for example, my laptop. When I bought it, I didn’t go for the cheapest model or the flashiest design. I chose one that would handle everything I need for work—coding, writing, and the endless array of digital tasks that come with being a ‘digital nomad.’ It wasn’t cheap, but it’s reliable, fast, and has been my workhorse for years. Every time I open it up, I’m reminded that this was money well spent. And yeah, it’s a MacBook Pro 💻 Or consider the phone I bought a few years ago. I’m no professional photographer, but I love capturing the places we live and the moments we experience. I don’t like to go for ‘the latest iPhone’, as ‘the latest’ badge has no value for me in general, so I’ve checked out the reviews on their cameras — and took the one with a great one, that proved similar quality as the latest model’s camera. Still using that phone btw. And the money I’ve saved buying the cheaper phone I have used to buy a trip to see the northern lights (which I could capture with the new phone’s camera!) But not all spending has been as rewarding. I remember the fancy kitchen gadgets I was convinced would turn me into a master chef. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. Most of them ended up collecting dust in a cupboard, and I’m back to using my trusty basics🤦 The money spent there could have gone toward something that would have actually improved my cooking skills—like a class or some better ingredients. And then there’s dining out. My wife and I love exploring new restaurants, but we’ve learned to keep it in check. While it’s fun to splurge on a special night out, making it a habit drained our budget faster than we realized. Now, we save those experiences for truly special occasions, and honestly, it makes them feel even more special. Find the Balance. What I’ve learned is that it’s not about cutting out all the fun stuff or being super strict with money. It’s about recognizing where your dollars actually add value to your life. I’m happy to spend more on things that I know will bring me long-term satisfaction or help me grow in some way. But I’ve become more careful about those impulse buys that don’t really contribute much after the initial thrill wears off. So, next time you’re about to make a purchase, ask yourself: Is this something that’s going to enrich my life, help me grow, or bring me lasting joy? Or is it just a quick fix that won’t matter in a few months? It’s not always easy to tell in the moment, but with a bit of reflection, it becomes clearer. What about you? Have you made any purchases that turned out to be great investments in your life? Or maybe a few that you wish you’d thought twice about? I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts—drop a comment below! submitted by /u/caps-unlock [link] [comments]

El Salvador Announces $1.6 Billion Investment That Will Kickstart ‘Bitcoin City’.

El Salvador is getting a massive infrastructure investment that’s expected to support the buildout of its visionary “Bitcoin City” a planned tax-free crypto haven located near one of the two seaports set for transformation. This investment is seen as a pivotal move to boost the country’s economic infrastructure and attract further investment. https://preview.redd.it/rictla4s0eid1.png?width=1800&format=png&auto=webp&s=1d876c2ddc13f95f0f894fa74973458e5671b555 submitted by /u/Lor1al [link] [comments]

Pepperstone: A few decent market moves starting to develop, despite the rangebound and choppy trade seen in FX & equities…Treasuries extending earlier gains to day highs/yield tights led by the belly with 5s down 5bp on the day…

…that, in turn, is helping push gold to day highs with the yellow metal +1.5% testing $2,470/oz to the upside… …crude also gaining ground with front Brent back above $80bbl, while front WTI trades +3% on the day, set for a 5th straight daily advance, while also rising north of the 50- and 200-day moving averages submitted by /u/XGramatik [link] [comments]

Key Figures from the Olympics

Paris 2024 American gymnast Simone Biles will receive $38,000 for her gold medal. However, if she were from Kazakhstan, she would be bringing home $250,000, plus a brand-new apartment! Meanwhile, Indonesian medalists are gifted an entire cow! It turns out that the Indonesian bandy team really is playing for cows! The biggest prizes are in Hong Kong: $768,000 for gold and $192,000 for bronze. On the other hand, Australia offers the least: only $13k for gold and $7k for bronze. And, of course, no cow. Not even a kangaroo as a gift. submitted by /u/FXgram_ [link] [comments]

The delinquency rate on commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) for office properties surged to 8.1% in July, marking an 11-year high.

https://preview.redd.it/j8jhc6mq09id1.png?width=990&format=png&auto=webp&s=66e7d4c2c93d3b5c38474cb4307239b732cffd11 Office CMBS loan delinquencies have QUADRUPLED over the past 1.5 years. The pace of rising delinquencies now exceeds that of the 2008 Financial Crisis. A top-rated AAA CMBS suffered a $40 million loss in May, the first occurrence of this magnitude since the 2008 Financial Crisis. Bankruptcies in commercial real estate are on the horizon. submitted by /u/XGramatik [link] [comments]