Seizing the Opportunity: Why Now is the Time to Invest in Bitcoin

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin continues to capture attention as a potential investment. Recently, the value of one Bitcoin has been on the rise, reaching an impressive 10 million dollars. However, this might prompt some to wonder: Is it still a good time to invest? In this blog post, we'll explore the mathematics behind Bitcoin valuation and discuss why now might be an opportune moment to consider entering the market.

Understanding Bitcoin's Structure: Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, is divisible into smaller units called satoshis. With 100,000,000 satoshis in a single Bitcoin, even minute changes in the cryptocurrency's value can significantly impact these smaller units.

Mathematics Behind the Investment: Let's consider the scenario where one Bitcoin is worth 10 million dollars. In this case, the value of 100 satoshis is equivalent to 1 dollar. This implies that even as Bitcoin reaches new heights, its smallest units remain accessible for investment.

1. Micro-Investment Potential: The affordability of satoshis, even at a high Bitcoin valuation, allows for micro-investments. Investors can start with small amounts, gradually increasing their holdings over time. This flexibility accommodates a wide range of budgets, making Bitcoin accessible to a broader audience.

2. Long-Term Growth Potential: While the current value of 100 satoshis might be 1 dollar, the potential for further appreciation exists. Bitcoin has shown a historical trend of long-term growth, and investing now could position individuals to benefit from future increases in value.

3. Diversification Strategy: Diversifying investment portfolios is a common strategy to manage risk. As Bitcoin continues to gain mainstream acceptance, adding it to a diversified portfolio can provide exposure to the potential rewards associated with the cryptocurrency market.

4. Decentralized Nature: Bitcoin operates on a decentralized blockchain, immune to traditional market fluctuations. This characteristic makes it an attractive option for those seeking alternatives to traditional investments and currencies.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, timing is crucial. The current valuation of Bitcoin, with one coin at 10 million dollars, presents an opportunity for investors to explore micro-investments in satoshis. This strategy not only allows for entry at a relatively affordable level but also positions individuals to benefit from potential future growth. As with any investment, it's essential to conduct thorough research and consider individual risk tolerance. For those looking to diversify their portfolios and explore the potential of the cryptocurrency market, now might be the opportune moment to seriously consider investing in Bitcoin.

Discovering Middle Tennessee: A Guide for Prospective Residents

Greetings, future Middle Tennesseans! If you're considering a move to the heart of the Volunteer State, you're in for a treat. This region is not just about stunning landscapes and southern charm; it's a place where diverse opportunities, vibrant communities, and a rich cultural tapestry come together. Let's explore why Middle Tennessee might be your next perfect home.

1. 1. Economic Diversity: Middle Tennessee is a dynamic hub with a thriving economy that welcomes professionals from various industries. Whether you're in tech, healthcare, entertainment, or education, this region offers a plethora of job opportunities. Cities like Nashville provide the perfect blend of urban amenities and a strong job market, making it an attractive destination for those looking to advance their careers.

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   2. Community and Friendliness: One of the standout features of Middle Tennessee is its friendly and welcoming communities. From the bustling city life to the charming small towns, residents embrace a warm and inclusive spirit. Neighbors become friends, and the sense of community is palpable, creating an environment where newcomers quickly feel at home.

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   3. Cultural Richness: If you appreciate a rich cultural scene, Middle Tennessee won't disappoint. Nashville, famously known as "Music City," is a haven for music enthusiasts. From live performances in iconic venues to a burgeoning food scene, the region offers a blend of cultural experiences that cater to diverse tastes and interests.

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   4. Natural Beauty and Recreation: For those who enjoy the great outdoors, Middle Tennessee is a haven of natural beauty. The rolling hills, lush greenery, and picturesque landscapes create an ideal backdrop for outdoor activities. Hiking trails, parks, and recreational areas abound, offering plenty of opportunities to explore and unwind in nature.

As you contemplate a move to Middle Tennessee, envision a place where economic opportunities meet cultural richness, and a friendly community becomes an extension of your family. The region's diverse offerings cater to a wide range of interests and lifestyles, making it an appealing destination for those seeking a new chapter in their lives. So, whether you're drawn to the vibrant city life or the tranquility of small-town living, Middle Tennessee invites you to embark on a journey of discovery and fulfillment. If you would like to start your home search feel free to check out my website www.MT615.com

Some people are against a new bill that would limit municipalities ability to raise taxes. Guess who it is?

At the Capital Connection there was an interesting exchange between local leaders and Rep. Mike Sparks. His bill to limit local municipalities ability to raise taxes deserves debate. Few people realize that the debt a county or city you live in incurs is like taking a second or third mortgage out on your home. As most of these bonds are insured based on the local government's ability to raise taxes. If you limit their ability to raise taxes you will raise the cost of future borrowed funds. As a limited government guy, I do not mind and actually like limiting elected officials ability to raise taxes. 

The proposed limit would be 25% and I think we should give municipalities 2 years to get their house in order, but after those 2 years, I'm all for limiting them unless by referendum. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. 

Here are the videos: (Turn up your speakers, I'm an amateur videographer)

What is the Fiscal Cliff and what should consumers do?

The Fiscal Cliff is obviously a multi-faceted, complicated concept that has no "best" solution. The fiscal cliff is basically a safety default option that will decrease the deficit in 2013 by automatically implementing spending cuts and tax increases. Isn't this exactly what both parties and the most of the public want? The problem is to do so will surely mean a recession of some sort as the market has to realign itself to the new normal of less government spending. Our government, through many different channels, has been propping up many businesses for a long time and the bills for that lifestyle are finally coming due.

I compare this to my own college career. I was a sharp fella with lots of potential, but being from a middle-class family in order to go to college I borrowed money. 

Later I found out that I could borrow above the amount for tuition and lived a higher lifestyle than I otherwise should have during college. Being a borrower that is not worried about the future, as most college students and our federal government have the propensity to do is a lot of fun. Instead of working and saving, I was able to enjoy the college lifestyle of drinking and partying, sometimes to excess. I think the same could be said about many government programs. Although the education I was borrowing to receive was a worthwhile investment, the borrowed money I was spending to go on spring break was not. Our elected officials must discern between the two. What is an investment and good for the future, and what is superfluous and a wasteful use of taxpayer dollars?

When the cuts come, and they will eventually, it will be painful, just as it was when my student loan bills came due. I lived in cheap housing, drove an old used car, and didn't have cable, because I had to pay back my student loans. The U.S. citizenry will get the same lesson. The question is should we take the medicine now or shall we defer it until later. We shall see.

Media outlets are quick to point out taxes on the wealthiest citizens as the main point of contention between Republicans and Democrats, but there are other issues affecting the political gridlock surrounding the fiscal cliff. Both sides know that raising taxes alone will not solve our problems, nor will society be able to stand the sort of cuts necessary to solve our problems. The other issues are whose districts are going to be most affected by the cuts, whether they come via the fiscal cliff and "taxmegeddon" or they come through some brokered deal between our two parties. It is amazing that Congress can keep a straight face as they claim to want to address our long-term deficit problem while simultaneously working to avoid any essential action.

If we go over the fiscal cliff, consumers can expect bad news. If they work for a government entity or a private business who sells to the government they should expect to feel the bad news. Taxpayers can expect to pay a larger sum of their income toward the reckless spending of the past. Allowing market forces to rebalance would allow for a swift correction and then a return to stable growth, even perhaps ushering in a cyclical bull market by 2014 to 2015.

If, on the other hand, we avoid the fiscal cliff with a last-minute stopgap, most likely meaning Washington, D.C. has kicked the can down the road, the fiscal cliff will only be far higher and far more dangerous later. But make no mistake; it must be dealt with eventually. Consumers can expect inflation. The government will continue doing what it has been doing and with the help of the Fed it will slowly but surely monetize the debt, which punishes the savers and retired folks and it also punishes future generations as they will be the ones that have to deal with the mess our government has swept under the rug for the time being.

The risks are great no matter which choice we follow, to go over the cliff or avoid it. As for general advice, the old saying diversification is the only free lunch has never been truer. Because there are so many risks to be worried about the only prudent way to manage it is to be as diversified as you can afford to be. This, of course, will vary depending upon your wealth, but seeking professional guidance on how to be properly diversified is the wisest thing a family can do in these uncertain times.

A post about someone else's post.

   I haven't written in while, but the recent post from Cardinal Dolan To Christ Through His Churchs  inspired me to compose my own thoughts. First let me say this guy gets it. Almost makes me want to be a Catholic. No offense to my many Catholic friends including Kirk Freeman but its a lot of hoops to jump through, but with this return to a more traditional stance, if the whole Catholic Church embraces it while other churches go the way of the world I may have no choice.  Nonetheless this entire piece is brilliant, he captures what I have been feeling for some time in the section about liberty:

"we now face a chilling reduction of liberty to libertarianism.    For some, this means a selfish callousness to the needs of those beyond our own little world, a stubborn claim that we only need tend to ourselves, nobody else, even those in need.  For others, this libertarianism means we have the unfettered right to do whatever we want, wherever, however, whenever, with whomever we want, unchained from any limit placed by ethics, morals, faith, or reason.  No divinity, no church, no faith, no natural law, they say, has any claim upon our urges and drives." 

   35 and under are almost all in this classification. That is why I have said many times our political parties must return to their liberty roots or face dying a slow death as less and less people care about what they have to say and who they represent.  The Church is already seeing it, a recent pew research center poll said that nearly 1 in 5 no longer believe in God, they aren't Atheist, so much as they simply do not care and I think its because they do not want anyone to rule over them.
   Its unfortunate I can not speak to all of them as I believe there is far more Liberty in Christ than they have been told. Yes we follow rules and should try to live a Holy life, but we do so out of love not out of fear, and there is a big difference between those two options. Somehow the church, you and I if you still consider yourself part of the church, must find a way to share this good news with people. We must love the sinner, and yes hate the sin, but first and foremost love the sinner.
   He closes his post discussing a very troubling aspect of this new belief system; as more and more people, lose what Cardinal Dolan speaks of this "ought" to do, the seams of society begin to stretch. A lawlessness of morals will eventually lead to a lawlessness in society. We saw the same thing occur during the Roman Civilization, and the Church held what was left of society together after its fall, I do not doubt that it may be called upon again to do the same.

Betting on America...With Whose Money?

It is campaign season and so with every bit of financial news both contenders for the highest office in the land use the numbers to their advantage. This past Friday the Employment Situation Report was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a major report that comes out usually the first Friday of every month and can affect the stock market in a huge way! This is mostly because the news is very timely as its data consist of the previous month. Furthermore, the report itself is rich with details about the job market and household earnings, so many believe that this report can give a glimpse into the future. It’s quite elementary to see that if this report shows wages and salaries are lower, or fewer people are working, spending will drop off and businesses will suffer.

President Obama’s economy has not taken off as he said it would. He has had nearly 4 years to propel us toward an economy of hope and change, but in the end I personally believe he is over his skis. When questioned about the jobs report Obama said, “That’s a step in the right direction.” I can’t help but disagree and here is why. In June the working population grew by more than 180,000 people, so in order to just break even we would have needed to create 100,000 more new jobs than the 80K reported by the BLS this month.

Luckily for the Obama administration many workers are falling out of the workforce and that helps the overall picture of unemployment. You see according to the BLS you must be actively looking for work in order to be considered unemployed. So if someone gives up looking, they are no longer considered unemployed, and Obama rejoices! The unemployment rate would be much higher if workers were not falling out of the workforce. Consider the following fact from this recent report, there are now 1.82 million more people not in the labor force than there was just 12 months ago. Instead of getting new jobs many people are evidently either giving up or signing up for disability. As more workers joined the federal government’s disability program in June than obtained new jobs according to the Social Security Administration.

Whose future is at stake?

So as Barack Obama rides across the county on the tax payer dime in a bus made in Canada, his bus tour slogan, “Betting on America” has me wondering just whose money is he betting with? As a Young Republican I can’t help but worry that it’s my daughters’ future he is gambling with. It upsets me to see these job reports and to know that the main cause is an out of control Federal Government who makes it far too difficult to be in business. I long for a return to smaller and smarter government just like we see the state of Tennessee doing under the leadership of Gov. Bill Haslam. This November’s election has so many important issues, but one of the most important is making sure we get America back to work. I know that the Young Republicans of Rutherford County will be working hard to ensure our future is brighter by getting Mitt Romney elected president and I encourage all people to join us in this endeavor.

Check out the data yourself here:

www.stats.bls.gov/

www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_monthly/index.html

(Cross posted on The Rutherford County Young Republicans Club Blog http://rutherfordyr.blogspot.com/)

You can follow Gabriel on Twitter @InMurfreesboro 

Is that Uncle Ben's helicopter I hear over the horizon?

In the release of the HSBC (HBC) Flash Purchasing Managers Index, the earliest indicator of China's industrial activity fell to 48.7 in May from a final reading of 49.3 in April.

It marked the seventh consecutive month that the HSBC PMI has been below 50, indicating economic contraction, a.k.a. economic slowdown.

For weeks now I've been sensing the growing possibility of a coordinated monetary stimulus effort by the central banks of the U.S., Europe and China. 

If quantitative easing is required in China's robust economy, can you imagine how much more it's needed in the stagnant economies of Europe and the U.S.? So here's the plan on how to profit from the reaction to the eventual monetary stimulation and massive injections of capital (and increased monetary velocity) that is coming sooner than later from Ben Bernanke and the other central bankers around the world.

Begin with assets that will go up as a result of the weakening of the paper currencies. It's not rocket science, but whenever we've had Federal Reserve style quantitative easing, the symbols of wealth preservation went up sharply in value.

Here's a 5-year chart of the SPDR Gold Share ETF (GLD). You can see where economic stimuli and Quantitative Easing (QE) began in late 2008. QE1 was announced at the end of August 2010 and QE2 kicked in the spring of 2011. Each time it fueled gold's ascension higher and higher.

Two interesting ways to profit from the coming rebound in both gold and silver is to consider these two ETFs: theCentral Fund of Canada (CEF) and the ASA Gold and Precious Metals (ASA).

As the Central Fund of Canada web page makes clear, the purpose of CEF is to make it relatively easy to invest in both gold and silver in a tradable, priced-per-share basis. Over 95% of the money invested is split between gold and silver bullion, with the remaining 5% kept in cash for redemptions.

The fund's gold and silver bullion is stored in "the highest security rated treasury vaults at a Canadian Chartered Bank on an unencumbered, allocated and segregated basis".

That means there's real gold and silver behind the net asset value of each share of CEF. It's not co-mingled with other bullion and, as far as we were told, it is insured and fully inventoried.

As of May 24, the share price is selling for a 1.2% discount to its net asset value. So with each share you'll be able to participate in the rise of both precious metals, and they WILL rise IF aggressive monetary stimulation is implemented.

The ASA Gold and Precious Metals ETF is a unique breed of "self-management" investment trust.

The firm invests in publicly-traded stock markets across the globe. It primarily invests in stocks of companies engaged in the exploration, mining or processing of gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, or other precious minerals. ASA was founded in 1958 and is based in San Mateo, California.

On the ASA home page we learn that "the Company provides investors a vehicle to invest in a portfolio consisting primarily of the stocks of companies engaged in the exploration, mining or processing of gold, silver, platinum, diamonds or other precious minerals.

"It may also invest in gold, silver and platinum bullion or securities that seek to replicate the price movement of gold, silver or platinum bullion."

So investors in ASA shares get the leverage of precious metals equities and the lowered volatility of owning the bullion.

The good news for potential investors of ASA is that the current share price of $22.74 is also selling at about a 1% discount to the net asset value of the company's shares.

More speculative investors may also consider deeply discounted small- to mid-tier producers of gold and silver.

Two examples would be IAMgold (IAG) -- which is currently selling at a P/E ratio of around 5 and pays a 2.6% dividend -- and Silvercorp Metals (SVM) -- which has risen over 17% in the past week, has no debt, over $154 million in total cash, and pays a 1.7% dividend to boot.

Expect plenty of volatility with precious metals and the above-mentioned companies. Seven months from now the prices of gold, silver and these companies may make today's prices look amazingly low.

Disclosure: At the time of publication, Gabriel Fancher was long GLD and looking to add CEF.