Replying to Email

I get a lot of blog-related emails. Some of them are interesting questions and comments from readers. Generally I reply to these directly. Here I reply to three emails that I would normally ignore.

Dear Christina,

Thank you for your newsletter offer. If you know how to profit by anticipating the moves Janet Yellen will make as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, why don’t you just go ahead and make yourself wildly rich? I don’t understand why you would share this profitable insight with me. If your motives are altruistic and it’s not too much trouble, please use your knowledge to make a pile of money and send a share of it to me.

Sincerely,

Michael

--------------------

Dear Natalie,

Thank you for your offer to give me access to your data about ultra-wealthy investors. While it’s possible that behaving like wealthy people will help make me wealthy, it seems more likely to me that causation is the other way around: becoming wealthy is what leads to behaviours like conspicuous consumption and large donations to charity. So, if I ever become ultra-wealthy and can’t figure out what to do next, I’ll contact you.

Sincerely,

Michael

--------------------

Dear Monica,

Thank you for your insights on gold and your offer for an app that provides up-to-the-second gold prices. I have decided not to turn my entire net worth into a lump of metal that fits in a backpack. Thinking back, I’ve lived through many months without any gold price updates and I was generally happy.

Sincerely,

Michael

Comments

  1. AnatoliNFebruary 26, 2014 at 8:43 AM

    You might give Natalie's offer a second thought. I once read of a university report that identified a strong correlation between people's preference for BMW-like cars and their wealth. Report further suggested that owning such car contributed to wealth of its owner ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 26, 2014 at 8:46 AM

      @AnatoliN: I've also heard that painting a car red makes it go faster.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2014 at 4:46 PM

      I further note that cars with big engines tend to be correlated with faster driving.

      Delete
    3. Michael JamesFebruary 27, 2014 at 4:54 PM

      @Neil: I guess the correct theory is that the fast you drive the bigger your engine becomes :-)

      Delete
  2. bmfincFebruary 26, 2014 at 1:36 PM

    This made my day, I would love to see this as a regular piece. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 26, 2014 at 1:39 PM

      @bmfinc: Glad you liked it. If I get more emails that inspire me, I'll do this again.

      Delete
  3. paulFebruary 26, 2014 at 2:40 PM

    Wow, I have seen your name on a few blog reply's lately, and that wild Podcast you did with Preet! Your getting very uppity lately Mr! What's next maybe a recommendation on an Ultra short, super Beta, index linked, market smart, reverse with a one and half gainer new index fund? Maybe launch it on your website....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 26, 2014 at 2:58 PM

      @Paul: As far as I can tell, the only way to make big money in finance is to go over to the dark side as you say. I think I'll stay on the side of saying things I actually believe.

      Delete
  4. BetCrooksFebruary 26, 2014 at 4:37 PM

    Interesting. I get a lot of comments advising me about how to fish better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 26, 2014 at 5:04 PM

      @BetCrooks: I'm not sure what that means, but it's hard to see a connection between your blog and fishing.

      Delete
  5. My Own AdvisorFebruary 26, 2014 at 8:50 PM

    Nice :)

    I get all kinds of wacky emails...I need to write about those at some point.

    The spam is very entertaining.

    Mark

    ReplyDelete
  6. larry macdonaldFebruary 27, 2014 at 4:13 PM

    Great piece, Mike.

    ReplyDelete

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