Comments on: Forget Stocks – Vanity is on Sale!

By: Matt @ Steadfast Finances

Matt @ Steadfast Finances — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:02:42 +0000

@ TML

Yes I know – I was being somewhat facetious in my comment on BoTox and Allergan. I used to work with BoTox on the research side of the equation, and it’s somewhat disheartening to see progress on disorders like epilepsy linger while it was pushed through plastic surgeons offices with little to no problem.

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:07:30 +0000

Matt: While Botox does have some therapeutic value (e.g., it’s being used to treat migraine patients who do not respond to other therapies), I agree with you that it generally falls into the sin stock category. Allergan, on the other hand, makes lots of stuff of genuine value so don’t judge it solely on Botox.

By: Matt @ Steadfast Finances

Matt @ Steadfast Finances — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:02:30 +0000

Perfect reasoning why companies like Allergan (maker of BoTox) are perfect “sin stocks”.

Toss in a cigarette maker, an alcohol distiller, and a defense company, and you’ve got a portfolio the morally conscious objectors would love to hate.

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:16:25 +0000

Lara: Interesting thoughts and interesting lifestyle. For those of us with families to support, not all of that will work. I certainly agree with the concept of inner beauty.

Miranda: Glad you are on board. I think the “longer timeframe” concept is misunderstood by many. Even a 65 year old has a 15 – 30 year timeframe for needing investments that provide inflation protection, e.g., equities.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:40:28 +0000

In our consumer culture, this doesn’t really surprise me. But it is kinda depressing nonetheless. Too bad about the investments, though. Personally, I’ve upped my contributions. But I do have a longer timeframe…

By: Lara Braveheart

Lara Braveheart — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:21:16 +0000

Hi Mr. ToughMoneyLove,

This was a real Critical Thinker Whammer!! Wow!

Found the Investment Mall, hilarious!!

The “investment mall” will display large and colorful signs with messages such as

“stocks marked down 40%”

“mutual funds on sale – lowest prices in ten years”

“buy now – our loss can be your gain.”

Well, others are welcome, but I consider ‘Stock’ Exchanges to be a very slick Willy Form of Ponzi Schemes…

If or where I have a bit of spare money, I invest it in Gold Coins; I would not invest one penny of my money in the Stock Market… Not even if you put a gun to my head. No Thank You!!

I never had a health care plan, nor a life insurance plan. I have travelled with a backpack around the world for 14 years, eating whatever was available or not, and I never caught so much as the flu.

I got some spare food and seeds for times that are tough… and before I buy something I usually think long and hard: DO I NEED THIS?

To me the most beautiful people in the world, have nothing to do with their outer beauty, but with their inner beauty; their ability to increase my awareness (like Patch Adams did to get people’s attention); their ability to be true to themselves, to be Jonathan Livingston Seagulls; even if I may disagree with them on some issues; just their courage to say what others are often scared to even think; let alone to be willing to consider it a serious opinions..;

Those to me are the most beautiful people in the world — not Hollywood stars, or so. They may be physically beautiful, but to me there is much more to a person than outer beauty…

Anyway, thats just my views.

Lara