Showing posts with label granite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label granite. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Butcher shop Prevent Counter Tops|Quartz Counter Tops Are usually Manufactured On the Kitchen's|Concrete Counter Tops pertaining to Exclusive House Finishing

In case you are some sort of admirer of do it yourself exhibits then you certainly almost certainly learn the best issue on every one's cooking area number is corian countertops. The reason why in which? This materials is just not cheap in addition to there are several some other products on the market of which look stunning however are less expensive. Your residual question is why do you want to expend all that income in order to have got anything quite.




To begin with marble counters can be extremely resilient. Other product are not able to consider this mistreatment that this substance can easily. On the list of advantages of this stuff could be the warmth in which normally it takes. You can set a hot marijuana straight down along with that and not concern yourself with the top obtaining harmed. surface encounters chuck russo Other material just simply can't take that kind of heat. You have to make sure you use a pot holder or towel with it or you could risk leaving a scorch mark on it. Not only can it take the heat, it is also stain resistant when properly sealed. No more worries about what you spill while you're making dinner.

Because it is actually warmth proof and mark resistant, you can actually take care of. It's not necessary to possess a particular solution to ensure it's cleaned upward. A few straightforward kitchen's better or perhaps comfortable soapy water and also you can actually thoroughly clean your tables way up without any difficulties what so ever. Make use of a delicate material any time wiping this down although, you do not want to inadvertently damage journey sealant. Papers bath towels likewise work effectively when you're doing all your everyday cleansing schedule





Granitic counters tend to be created from organic product. Not any artificial substances right here and also because it will be organic you won't have to worry about having precisely what all the others features. Even though the colours may be related you'll find that no a pair of slabs usually are the same. There will be minor bits of personality that will ensure it is truly your own house. Understanding that for anyone who is doing a design and style within this material ensure that your own biological materials usually are from the precise slab that your builder will be employing. As well as the identity the actual deep colours and also decor help it become a genuine issue involving beauty





Sturdy, effortless to manage, as well as fully individual are typical wonderful advantages for deciding on corian work tops. One particular final great explanation to decide on this specific material as soon as redoing the kitchen area, it's actually a selling point. If you ever want to advertise your home, visitors this will likely really enhance the importance of your home. The majority of people want a family house together with this type of floor within their kitchen and yes it is going far in order to letting you sell your house





That the kitchen area design any let down? Would it be avoiding people through cooking food? Can there be constantly some sort of muddle if you use your kitchen? Carry out you end up purchasing foods from outside the house even though using a kitchen area you can use? If you are contemplating without a doubt to one of the inquiries earlier mentioned subsequently it can be time for it to consider a butcher block counter top installment on your kitchen's.




In case you are wanting to know what these types of work tops are usually then without a doubt about these. For the reason that title indicates there're countertops built by sweets maple lumber. These are termed consequently simply because i thought this was the particular solid wood utilized in butcher shop outlets in the past. Right now the actual solid wood is used intended for countertops with the remarkable end and also the all round consequence of the usb ports. However, there are both strengths and also disadvantages to help employing most of these counter tops. This information will certainly inform you of equally so as to come to a decision for yourself


First of all, associate programs: � This can be a great enviroment cognizant selection because wooden used by your countertops is actually most reclaimed. Therefore you're keeping woods and yes it addresses quantities regarding people to be a person. Furthermore, lumber is usually aceded using anti-bacterial properties and also this causes it to be among the soundest possibilities. � Solid wood provides each kitchen area some sort of comfy, old-fashioned as well as alluring physical appearance. Other products including gemstone along with stainless steel help make your kitchen look frosty clean. � You won't need to demand a lowering aboard! You can use any kind of floor pertaining to lowering seeing that most of these counters are intended to be cut in. This gives a much wider space to work with. � As much as countertops move, butchers obstructs are classified as the cheapest people all-around. These people charge 1 / 2 of what a granite countertop would certainly amount to. � Nurturing is actually not an issue on the subject of this sort of countertop. A rapid sanding will do away with spots along with shed grades


The drawbacks: � Butcher hindrances are excellent as lowering surfaces nonetheless they are inclined to dents along with scrapes. � Though clean-up one of these will be not an issue you need to health care whilst clean-up this kind of counter-top. Additionally, they need to end up being cleaned out frequently and this means that they require much more repair compared to marble or even steel. � Only particular varieties of grocer blocks usually are cheap
. For example, chuck russo surface encounters the walnut solid wood versions tend to be inexpensive as the hardwood types similar to teak are very pricey. � Aesthetic element aside otherwise looked after appropriately the particular counters start out featuring signs associated with utilization just like lacerations, pieces and also nicks. � This option is only environmentally advantageous in the event gotten back solid wood is used. In case incredible hardwoods are employed then the atmosphere suffers




Prior to deciding to buy grocer stop counter tops contemplate fights from equally factors on the coin. When you keep with maple after that you will not solely have a fantastic hunting cooking area yet it will also did their element for your environment





Any time seeking pertaining to counter barstools also called kitchen area stools, you want to gauge the counter in order that you pick the right rating. That you do not would like to sit down upwards likewise greater and also have ones knees approximately the countertop or perhaps remain and so decreased you simply can't even like ones meal about the counter-top





For those who can be a higher person you might elect to get stools that should match your preferences. You could possibly need to choose business/company that may support you with the calibrating whenever you want it. Ensure the corporation features excellent back-up and support throughout scenario you've gotten queries after the kitchen counter top barstools occur on your house.



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Home Counters: Installment as well as Restoration of a Corian Counter.


Countertop - G682 (5) by Granite- Countertops


The complete look of the cooking area as well as bathroom may come for a refreshing modify along with appearance utilizing kitchen counter tops. Right now establishing is becoming since simple since simply viewing your own selection obtain form directly into see your face. You are able to pick from an array of desirable and sturdy countertops which could satisfy your desires. Types of cooking area counter tops much like granitic surface encounters along with pebble. Granite is known to be really beneficial because it doesn't have a tendency to blemish quickly. Granite staying very much more challenging compared to some other gemstones it is famous for their sturdiness. Wherever firmness is concerned granite is actually perhaps harder compared to a chef's knife. Granite is the most suitable with regard to kitchen consumption because it is produced by way of a very good quantity of force and warmth; although marble is the best option for bathroom arranged united parcel service. Marble can also be quarried through the earth and will end up being used successfully as being a countertop pertaining to lavatories, fireplaces and floorings.




The situation arises whenever one has no concept by what types of supplies and merchandise for the home. For many who are certainly not good at interior design, a great way to acquire some ideas to create is actually serving more than magazines and guides that feature recommended items through professional creative designers. Diy resources are located all over the net as well as in numerous life-style publications supporting consumers create their desire homes very easily. All you need to carry out is actually invest some time along with your personal computer and also a stack associated with periodicals and also textbooks so you can find the right parts to put in in your house. surface encounters Next, you will need to select how the kitchen countertop is going to be installed. Should you need, you can look for the help of a professional kitchen upgrading skilled or possibly a standard contractor; nonetheless, you might accomplish your own personal countertop installing. Which has a set of directions, you will find that it is comparable all to easy to put in your personal kitchen countertop, even if you do not have any do it yourself experience. Many kitchen countertop supplies have recommendations, but if certainly not, you might easily obtain a how-to e-book for a reasonably affordable price tag.




I don't know about you but I have an exquisite pair of siberian cats, but I had terrible hassle keeping them off the kitchen counter. Talking to a number of my cat-loving friends, we all agreed that it was a common drawback and was proving tough to remedy. We all agreed it had been necessary that the cats ought to be banned from the kitchen counter for a number of reasons, you see not only for hygiene functions, however additionally as a means to set boundaries for your cat too. I have done a little research and found some sound solutions. So if you are facing this common drawback here are seven very helpful ways to keep your cat off the kitchen counter.

Squirt Bottle..This is quite effective and works for me, but you have got to be present when your cat is walking on the kitchen top..squirt your cat with a squirt bottle. Cats extremely hate getting wet, and they will usually back down with just the threat of getting wet.

Raise Your Voice..Raising your voice when you see them on the kitchen counter is quite effective too. It ought to scare them down. They must know this is often an area they're not allowed.

Lock 'Em Out...Of the Kitchen! If all else fails and you are pulling your hair out, it would possibly be best simply to lock them out of the kitchen if you cannot be around to observe them.

So I hope you find the following pointers to keep your cat off your kitchen countertop useful, it actually has worked for me.

Many homeowners who want to renovate their kitchen or upgrade the room choose the relatively easy method of adding new paint or wallpaper, along with an attractive trim of some kind. But this simple task is not always enough for some. A few people decide that a new kitchen counter arrangement is called for, with new counter tops that will add beauty and efficiency to the working room.




Homeowners are often amazed at how much the kitchen can change with the addition of new counter tops, even if the cabinets and wall colors remain the same. The addition of new tops, in a rich hardwood, a man-made finish or even some sort of stone-like finish, can turn a standard kitchen into a bright and welcoming area in which to prepare and serve meals. Most designers and contractors highly recommend paying particular attention to the kitchen because it is, after all, the room that gets the most use. The kitchen, traditionally, also is the room that sets a certain atmosphere for the home, showing visitors what kind of folks live in the home.




You are in need of different sorts of furniture at your house for various purposes. One or two of which may be used every day while others are used occasionally. Kitchen bar stools are an element of the furnishings that's used on a every day basis. In various cases they became a mainstay of the home.




One aspect of the comfort of the counter stool is where the foot rail is located. On most of their particular needs it is about halfway from the ground to the seat. When the person falls within the average range of heights and the kitchen counter is at a height of about forty inches to forty four inches, the halfway rail is pretty comfortable. It avoids the person from needing to have a shot to succeed in the floor with their feet, or from being cramped attempting to keep their ft on a too-high foot rail.




One factor you want to give some thought to is the fabric used to help make kitchen counter stools. You could select a wooden stool. Its materials will match that of your cabinet's. Also, there is a lot of shiny metallic in kitchens. So stools with chrome plating and a impartial colored seat like black or tan are outstanding.




There are many different types of kitchen counter-tops and choosing your next look can be fun. While you do, of course want to be practical, you will find many different choices awaiting you which makes for endless options where your home is concerned.

Let's face it, your kitchen counters get used a lot. That is why it is important to choose a material that is both practical and easy to maintain. You want to make sure it is durable and looks great since it's one of the first things people will see upon entering your kitchen. Your countertop should match and enhance the style of your room.




Now a whole host of other materials are available that range from granite, quartz, concrete and stainless steel. Each have their own distinctive look and place in the kitchen. For example, stainless steel counter-tops are often installed next to cook-tops so as to minimize the damage done to the counter-top when hot plates or pots accompanied by potholders are set on top of them. You can, however, have a granite countertop installed on your kitchen island. Different materials can be used in different parts of the kitchen, especially when your room is big enough to accommodate them.

One thing is for sure and that is that the kitchen counter tops account for a huge part of a kitchens overall look. Kitchen counter top installation can be easy or difficult depending on what materials are being used and how intricate the job actually is. The truth of the matter is that kitchen counter top instalation is something that can be done by a home owner if the job is relatively simple and they have a few tools.




The thing to remember if you are considering doing your own kitchen counter top installation is to keep it simple. If there are no corners involved then you are in luck because turning corners with counter tops generally means splicing and that has to be done perfectly. There is now a wider variety of materials that are available then there ever has been before for kitchen counter tops. So don't feel that you have to run right out and pay for polished marble or granite to have the best looking kitchen counter tops possible.

This is because there are now synthetic or man made products on the market the look just like polished granite and marble and scratches can be easily polished out of them. Also, these cultured marble products splice together seamlessly at the corners unlike real polished marble. Also, tile work on kitchen counter tops is coming back in style and if you are thinking of going the polished marble route then you might be surprised to see what you can get in great looking tile work in the same price range.

In the end with regards to kitchen counter top installation it is to learn your materials and get a ball park understanding on the prices before you make your final selection. One good place to get a good look at all the latest styles in kitchen counter tops is in the home decorating magazines that are available at your local book store.




It's a place to put your red hot pots and pans. It's where gallons of messy foods and discoloring liquids are spilled each year, where the sink overflows and where you cut the vegetables when you can't find a cutting board. The kitchen counter is where cans land when they fall out of the cupboard. It's where you stand to get things off the high shelf. It has to be tough.




The counter is the main surface in the most visited room in the home. It's where the guests always end up. It's a place to put your drink during the kitchen party. It's where the food gets laid out for the buffet. It's where your new friend stirs sugar into their coffee. It has to look good. The kitchen counter is also the place where you sweat the most. It's where you're dealing with hunger, surface encounters chuck russo food and groceries most at the same time. Food's arriving and food's heading out as you move the waste piles way up. You're house through function for you to supply the family along with hoping you are able to spend some time with each other before you decide to almost all drop off in order to slumber. This should be simple. Luckily there are many of countertops which have been tough, good-looking and effortless. Not one of them tend to be best however, many will certainly go well with a person superior to other folks, thus before you consent to first thing which attracts your current eye, check around just a little. Your current cooking area counter could be the hardest working surface in the home and yes it should get value.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Kinds of Granite Counter tops With regard to Modular Kitchens.


2_cabinet by _KateK_


Organic stone kitchen countertops are constructed of quite a few types of normal stones For instance granitic, marbled, limestone, onyx, as well as travertine. Particularly corian kitchen countertops are generally assumed to be the mandatory and quite a few needed counters by simply men and women. Almost all of the folks endorse marble countertop and also marble countertop for their household, building and monument. Corian countertops can be a tough substance and so are proof in order to scuff along with spot. Granitic kitchen countertops play a significant Element throughout both Interior and outer Design involving Houses, structures along with ancient monuments. Practically all of the Entrepreneurs and contractors employ corian kitchen countertops for his or her properties along with building will be in which, it is rather durable and also resistant for you to Hot things, scuff, spot and spills.




Organic stones Tend to be availableavailable varied hues, designs and styles to be able to convince your Relish as well as Collection of the customer. Especially granitic countertops Present your pure beauty and originality in the pure gemstones within diverse shades as well as designs. Granite kitchen countertops include the Superb product Loved the many homeowners and also constructors. As granite is often a tough substance, Many of the homeowners and building contractors like better to install marble counters because of their structures. Granitic counter tops tend to be extremely any opposition substance for you to temperature, humidity, scuff, spot and splatters. Perhaps any unsightly stains as well as spills Take place it may be successfully Taken care of utilizing quality cleaning providers. Granitic countertops include Longer lasting elegance for a homes together with straightforward elimination of chafes.




Installing granite countertops should be built properly and also flawlessly. Installment could be the crucial issue to become regarded as through the family seller or perhaps builder. Nowadays, tendencies are actually altered as well as most of the people need to set up corian countertops as well as marbled counter tops because of their homes and properties. Surface encounters chuck russo granite countertops can be used as either countertops or tiles or slabs. Granite countertops are Made for sinks, kitchen and bathtubs. Granite Countertops varies From color, design and Spec. Granite is one of the natural stones which Has Numerous differences with other natural stones. All natural stone countertops are Different and they Vary in their durability and resistance Capability.




Granitic counter tops are easy to remove and set up. Implementing corian counters for kitchen along with bath rooms features Lots of Benefits just like Resilient elegance, longevity, and resistance and so on. Granite counter tops shall be put in By simply Experienced specialist, specialist or installation technician. So, there are plenty regarding advantages for Selecting corian countertops for kitchen and bathrooms by simply homeowners along with constructors. Corian counter tops Provide a competent and outstanding service for the entrepreneurs as well as builders. Thus, granitic kitchen countertops is actually thought to become the best counter tops with regard to kitchen along with lavatories Base on experts or specialists knowledge.




You have purchased a home or perhaps built a whole new one particular, hence it's a time for you to enhance the inner see of your property through different stones or perhaps counters. Marble kitchen countertops supply a amazing search to your residence and improve the worthy of than it. This is actually the first time to run into the actual granite or marble kitchen countertops. However, you have observed that lots of individuals are using corian counter tops but then furthermore you've got a need to know more regarding them in more detail.




In case you are genuinely serious to find out a history associated with marble and also granite counters next you have to pay a visit to lots of websites. A lot of the internet sites present complete information about the particular corian as well as marble kitchen countertops. Additionally they present different pictures as well as videos for your greater understanding together with which sites also presents the use of granitic kitchen countertops through older period.




Immediately after experiencing sites to will have a definite idea with regards to granites or perhaps pebble countertops. Even now should you have plenty of problem at heart after that request your pals and family members to get greater ideas simply because they may have utilize countertops and may reveal their particular experience along with you. Moreover you'll be able to describe all your doubt through the provider regarding countertops. Depending on your desire you might use a great deal of variation involving corian kitchen countertops and also it is possible to decide on marbled countertop. If you would like offer a shiny look and seeking a wonderful conclude and decor next it can be easier to choose marble counters.




Thankfully in which rates of stone counter tops have fallen for their recognition. Now you can purchase these kinds of countertops for your very same value since Corian or perhaps sound surface area counters. High end personalized counter tops are generally coming into the market making it possible for the values to have better still pertaining to natural stone as well as designed counter tops. The harder custom-made countertop can be bare cement or even stainless steel.




You’ll should do some searching 1st to get exactly what would work finest for you along with your family’s requires. For instance, the marble countertop may not work effectively in many bathing rooms or perhaps kitchens using plenty of traffic due to that obtaining nicked and also tainted quickly. Nonetheless it would work perfectly with an location without having very much consumption.




Yet you will find there's selection of kitchen countertops offered that will search beautiful, are generally long lasting along with concurrently, may boost the price or perhaps re-sell of your house. Surface Encounters Chuck Russo you most likely will recover up to 74% of the cost of the countertops after the sale of your home. It would be better if the return was higher on the cost of the stone countertops, but on the other hand, it might make for a quicker sale. Another good reason would be that the buyer doesn’t have to spend money on updating the countertops and they may fall in love with the look of them.




Every time somebody believes associated with offering his home an exceptional appear or effect, the very first thing will come will be the countertop. Even though you will find varieties of counters obtainable in the particular areas, yet the majority choose granite countertops because of numerous factors. There are many components which are must be deemed while producing your decision what is the best type of countertop to purchase regarding. These factors consist of structure, materials employed, hues, and also border treatments.



Thursday, September 15, 2011

foreclosure sales


Investing in Communites launch by Big Lottery Fund


You've undoubtedly seen these or study them. Glossy advertisements or four-color spreads in magazines and magazines promising to teach you all of the juicy information regarding successful real estate investing. And all you should do to learn every one of these real est investing surface encounters chuck russo secrets is to pay a rather high sum for a one-or two-day seminar.




Often these types of slick real estate investing classes claim that you could make intelligent, profitable property investments with absolutely no money lower (other than, of training course, the large fee you buy the seminar). Now, how attractive is which? Make a profit from real property investments you made out of no money. Possible? Not most likely.




Successful real estate investment requires cash flow. That's the character of almost any business or perhaps investment, especially real estate investing. You put your cash into a thing that you desire and plan is likely to make you more money.




Unfortunately too few newbies for the world of property investing think that it's the magical kind of business in which standard company rules don't apply. Simply set, if you would like to stay in real estate investing for a lot more than, say, a day time or a couple of, then you are going to have to come up with money to make use of and invest.




While it could be true which buying property with no money down is easy, anyone who is even made a basic real estate investment (like buying their particular home) knows there's far more involved in real-estate investing that can cost you money. For illustration, what concerning any necessary repairs?




So, the primary rule people new to real estate investing ought to remember would be to have accessible cash stores. Before you decide to actually carry out any real estate investing, save some cash. Having just a little money in the bank when you begin real est investing surface encounters chuck russo can help you make more profitable real estate investments in rental properties, for example.




When property investing within rental attributes, you'll want every single child select only qualified tenants. If you've no cash flow when real estate investing within rental properties, you may be pressured experience a a smaller amount qualified tenant since you need somebody to cover you money to enable you to take attention of repairs or attorney at law fees.




For any kind of real property investing, meaning rental properties or perhaps properties you purchase to resell, having money reserved can enable you to ask for a higher value. You can request a increased price out of your real estate investment because an individual surface encounters chuck russo won't feel financially strapped as you wait for an offer. You won't be backed into a corner and forced to accept just any offer because you desperately need the money.




Another downfall of several new to property investing is actually, well, greed. Make the profit, yes, but will not become so greedy that you simply ask regarding ridiculous local rental or second-hand rates on all of your real est investments.




Those not used to real est investing have to see property investing like a business, NOT a spare time activity. Don't believe that real property investing will make you abundant overnight. What enterprise does?




It will take about six months to determine if real estate investing set for you. If you might have decided in which, hey I really like this, then give yourself a few years to actually start making money. It typically takes at least five years being truly successful in real-estate investing.




Persistence is the key in order to success in real-estate investing. If you have decided that real estate investing is perfect for you, surface encounters chuck russo keep plugging away at it and the rewards will be greater than you imagined.













The manic depressive market wildly swings up and down on each new news story: The Fed is meeting at Jackson Hole on August 27 possibly to discuss QE3 (or not), and that news may pump up the stock market. But China's banks seem to be using Enron's accounting manual, Europe's banks need liquidity and are loaded with bad debt, and U.S. banks only temporarily TARPed over trouble. Gaddafi's regime in Libya appears over, but Libya's oil output may not fully recover for years. Venezuela wants banks to open their vaults and send back its gold, but Wells Fargo says gold is a bubble. Pundits say gold is a barbarous relic, but exchanges and banks are now using gold as money. The U.S. is headed for hyperinflation with skyrocketing stock prices, but on the other hand, we seem to be deflating like Japan and doomed to a deflating stock market for another decade. Whom do you trust and what should you do?



No one knows where the stock market or U.S. Treasury bonds are headed tomorrow, but in my opinion, here are some fundamentals to consider.



The Bad News Isn't Going Away



Until we have real global financial reform and restrain the banks, we won't have sustained growth. The stock market hasn't hit bottom. There's a crisis of confidence in banks and all currencies. We haven't taken effective steps to tackle the U.S. deficit through productivity. We haven't examined spending to eliminate fraud and waste, and we haven't addressed our need for more tax revenues by eliminating the Bush tax cuts (for starters).



Savers are punished by "stranguflation:" negative real returns on "safe" assets, declining housing prices, and rising costs of food, energy and health care. The Fed touts the falling cost of I-Pads, but how often do you buy one of those, and how often do you eat?



Good News (for Now)



The USD is still the world's reserve currency. Even though we devalued the USD, there has been a global flight to U.S. Treasuries pushing down our borrowing costs (yields). No one in the global financial community feels the U.S. has done its best to correct our problems, but severe problems in Europe, China's inflation, and Middle East unrest has money running to the U.S. Since we've devalued the dollar, we appear to be a bargain for foreign investors, even though they are terrified by our money printing presses and the potential for inflating commodity prices in the long run.



How did I play this? My own portfolio is currently more than 20% gold with some silver, and I bought out-of-the-money call options on the VIX when it was in the teens with maturities of 4-6 months. This is "short" stock market strategy, one could have also done well buying puts on the S&P a few months ago. In the first big stock market downdraft in August, I sold the options when the VIX hit the high 30's, and I'll buy more options again if the VIX falls again. Many investors are not comfortable with options, and this strategy isn't appropriate for everyone. The rest of my portfolio is chiefly in cash or deep value opportunities.



What Happens Next?



No one knows for sure, and anyone who tells you he or she does is selling snake oil. The situation is fluid. We tried to reflate our deflating economy. Our massive dollar devaluation may encourage investment, because it's protectionist. It reduces our cost of labor, among a few other "benefits." The problem is that the Fed has printed money, and we haven't done anything to position the U.S. for greater productivity. We're trying to inflate our way out of a problem without investing in productivity. This is a very dangerous way of attacking this problem. Even more "stimulus" would just be an attempt to inflate our way out of our long-standing deep recession. That's the foolish and unsuccessful strategy we've adopted so far. That could lead to runaway budget deficits (our deficit already looks intractable) and bring us to double-digit inflation. Even the European flight to US Treasuries may not save us from a deeper recession in that scenario.



If we don't overreact -- and we may have already overreacted -- our dollar devaluation results in our foreign trade situation first getting worse (as it has now) before it gets better. Now is the time (actually, we should have started years ago) to spend capital to increase U.S. productivity. The dollar's plunge relative to other currencies will eventually make us more competitive. This will be good for blue chip companies, in particular those that own real assets and manufacture items. The Fed and Washington may do anything, however, so one must watch the news.



What does this mean for the U.S. stock market? In my opinion, it is currently not good value and feels like the 1970s when we experienced a recession followed by inflation. One should consider staying mostly in cash and expect stocks become cheaper. One might miss an interim rally, especially if the Fed announces QE3 (more "stimulus" and money printing) or more bank bailouts, but that is like using Kleenex laced with sneezing powder. We will see stock prices even lower than they are today. The old paradigm dictated that stocks were a buy when P/E ratios were 13 or less (and many are well above that), dividends at 4%, and book values at 1.3 or less. (This excludes oil companies, which tend to trade at lower P/E ratios in general.) I believe we'll see much better deals in coming months. In 1978/79 P/E ratios sank below 7 for blue chip companies.



Should one buy U.S. Treasuries with long maturities? The long end of the bond market doesn't reward investors due to the potential of rising interest rates. If interest rates spike to double digits, then one can reassess the situation.



Long term investors should consider buying commodities or companies that own physical commodities. We're running out of key commodities especially related to agriculture and fertilizer. Washington's brand of the latter isn't the type we need.






It is very difficult to determine the sex of a pigeon. I used to keep pigeons as a kid so I’m good at it.


There are three ways to do it:


1 – Check their reproductive organs

Pigeons genitalia all look the same (they have ‘cloaca‘) so you will have to cut them open to actually see their reproductive organs. Not a very efficient method.


2 – See who goes on top

There isn’t much variation in the sex life of a pigeon. Males go on top. No Kama Sutra here. Fortunately all they do is eat and, ehm, reproduce. You won’t have to wait very long to see that happen. But you do need 2 pigeons and some patience.


3 – Look at their faces

Yes, pigeons have faces just like humans.


It takes years to be able to read the face of a pigeon. I kept pigeons as a kid so I can tell the sex of any pigeon just by looking at their faces for few seconds. Just like with most humans. Humans have the added benefit of clothing, hair and breasts. But even without that a face looks feminine or masculine.


Investors try to look under all those feathers but up close all excel sheets look the same. They try to see who goes on top but then you would have to wait until the entrepreneur meets an actual client.


But once you have met enough starting entrepreneurs one look at someones face is usually enough. You know what you have got and who is a good bet and who isn’t.


Just like with pigeons.


This is a variation of post I published in 2007. Photo credit: Igor Stevanovic via Shutterstock.