I read The Naked Investor: Why Almost Everybody But You Gets Rich on Your RRSP. It would make a good magazine article, but 288 pages? This guy is long-winded. However, the message is good: most mutual funds are a rip-off. The lesson I’m taking from it is stick with index funds and keep it simple: 1/3 bonds, 1/3 TSE, 1/3 S&P 500. I’ve been burned with stocks before, so I might even go with 1/2 my assets in a bond index fund. The book also turned me onto Barclay’s iUnits–index funds that are traded like stocks.

Cities are stressful. Even if you’re just sitting at home, relaxing on your couch, there is something stressful about being in a city. Is it the low background hum from all the vehicles and factories? Or is it the negative energy from 2 million stressed-out human beings? Should I have a glass of wine? Or move back to Fruitvale?

Some people have friend portfolios. A single friend, a couple friend, a friend with kids. A white, a black, an asian. An eternal student, a blue collar worker, a professional. Sometimes I feel like I’m getting invited just to round out the portfolio. For some I fill the “religious fanatic” market segment; for others, I fall into the “says shocking but funny things” high-risk category.

On day two of kid-free life, I… 1) Washed the car; 2) Replaced all burnt-out light bulbs in the house; 3) Had a service call to reconfigure my home security system; 4) Unclogged the sink and tub drains; 5) Replaced the compression washer on the kitchen sink; 6) Performed preliminary analysis on 8 digital asset management systems; 7) Framed 3 pictures; Did a half-hour Pilates work-out; 9) Purchased supplies to build a closet organizer for Gina; and 10) Made myself 3 meals and managed to keep the kitchen clean. If I was this productive all the time I would be very rich or very burnt out.

Day 1 of bachelor life is pretty good. Without kids, it’s like I have 5 extra hours in the day. What do single people do with all their time?

Why does everyone keep getting cancer?

Gina told me today that working after 6pm or on weekends in unacceptable. She is very right. Work is a slippery slope, especially when you find it engrossing. I have been caught in its poisonous tentacles for the last 10 days. I will have to cut off its legs.

30 years ago, the CEO of the average corporation made 30 to 35 times the wage of the lowest paid factory floor worker. Today, it’s 1000 times.

The 3 richest men in the world have a combined net worth equal to the gross domestic product of the world’s 48 poorest countries.