I received degrees in both Economics and English from Amherst College in 1979 and since 1980 I have worked as an investment adviser and broker (my "real job.") For several years in the late ’80s I was also an underwriter for Lloyds of London.

People regularly ask me for financial advice and many clients have suggested I write a weekly or monthly column about financial matters. I have always balked at this for two reasons: One, that someone would follow advice not appropriate for his situation, and two, that I would unwittingly break some SEC rule.

However, there are certain financial concepts and practices that are nearly universal in their benefits, and in any case are never a big mistake for any person, regardless of circumstances. For example, I cannot imagine anyone being enraged because he took my advice when I said to pay off 19% credit card balances as quickly as possible through expense reduction and not home equity loans. Similarly, if I explain how to accumulate a position (in something a person was already going to buy) at a lower average cost than he would have incurred otherwise, it can hardly backfire.

In that light, I have created this section for financial and economic pieces that may be of interest. I will not offer any online advice on individual stocks or other investments, but instead discuss "big picture" kind of topics that don’t get much ink elsewhere.

If you like what you read here, and are dissatisfied with or ambivalent about the person who is currently handling your investments, email me at jrinvest@earthlink.net to discuss whether becoming a client of mine would be right for you.

-Class Room Dates-
April 7th, 2007
(8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

April 21st, 2007
(8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

May 12th, 2007
(8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

-Range Sessions-
April 7th, 2007
(8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

April 21st, 2007
(8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

May 12th, 2007
(8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

S&W .500 John Ross Special Edition.