http://brentkessel.com/wordpress Wed, 05 May 2010 23:59:56 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As many people know, the country where I was born, South Africa, has a high incidence of AIDS.  There are currently 1.4 million AIDS orphans living ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=118 The most impactful variable in your financial plan... As we head into the holiday season, and let's face it, the shopping season, it is useful to keep in mind that the biggest determinant of financial success is your level of spending relative to your income and/or assets. The reason is that you ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=113 It is during times of our greatest stress and anxiety when our money habits become solidified. As our fear increases, we grasp for safety. For me, that means grasping for more savings, liquidity, and conservatism in my investments. Historically, it has also meant that I try to work harder, faster, ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=112 Here's the first of my writings about my travels back to South Africa, after 16 years away.  I've brought my wife of 10 years, my 2 elementary-school sons, and my mom, who moved me and my sister to LA from SA all those years ago. Just got to Cape Town after 29 hours of ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=109 One of my colleagues recently asked everyone in the office to support her son's school by buying gift cards from them. I didn't have any pressing need, but knew that with birthdays, the upcoming holidays and the like, I'd probably be able to put some bookstore and department store cards ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=108 What? Yeah, that was my reaction too. And guess where I heard this? At a homeless shelter. Indeed.   This morning, I gave a talk at a homeless shelter in Santa Monica. A really cool place called Turning Point which helps homeless people get into permanent housing and jobs in  two to ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=105 Some friends of mine recently made a pledge to cut out all discretionary spending. We sat in their living room together, and their conviction was palpable. "Nothing. Not another purchase in 2008 unless we can’t live without it." The week before, they had had to scramble to come up with ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=106 It was January 1980. I was 12 years old, and about to be bar-mitzvah’d (the coming-of-age ceremony in the Jewish tradition). My stepfather convinced me to put all of the money I’d received in gifts into Krugerrands, the South African 1 oz. gold coins. I vividly recall him saying "Gold’s ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=107 I wanted to share with you some great tips from a letter we sent out to all our Abacus clients in response to the current maelstrom in the market.   Perhaps these tips will help you to remain financially safe, sane and calm as you navigate this storm. When experiencing financial distress, our natural inclination ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=101 I recently had to fly to Boston to speak at the Yoga journal conference and do some TV and radio interviews. I hadn’t booked the flights as of a week before, and when I checked on fares, they were over $800! In addition to that, the conference organizers had held ... http://brentkessel.com/wordpress/?p=97