Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website.

# Strategic Asset Conservation

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://go2knight.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [<strong>This Is Not Your Grandfather’s Stock Market</strong>](https://go2knight.com/this-is-not-your-grandfathers-stock-market/): by Thomas Brueckner, CLTC 
- [<strong>The Era of Fed-enabled Markets is Over</strong>](https://go2knight.com/the-era-of-fed-enabled-markets-is-over/): If you're like most investors of the last 12 months, you've been scratching your head, wondering at the direction of markets amid the Federal Reserve’s relentless push toward higher interest rates in an attempt to curb the inflation they once thought was “transitory”.   The market has essentially been trading within the same 2000-point range for the better part of 14 months, and the first 1500 points of last week’s selloff had everything to do with rising treasury yields and nothing whatsoever to do with the failure of Silicon Valley Bank.  (Another subject for another blog.)
- [The Incredible, Inevitable, Avoidable Recession of 2022](https://go2knight.com/the-incredible-inevitable-avoidable-recession-of-2022/): After five straight weeks of losses on Wall Street, followed by last week's "dead cat bounce", the question I get asked more than any other is, “Thom, do you think we’re going into a recession?”  The answer, as the title suggests, is increasingly and overwhelmingly yes, although many of the mismanaged causes now contributing to that recession have been entirely avoidable. As Forbes just reported, the last 10 weeks have been the fifth worst start to a year in U.S. stock market history, and many investors are appropriately rattled.
- [The CDC is Holding Our School Children Hostage to Political Science](https://go2knight.com/the-cdc-is-holding-our-school-children-hostage-to-political-science/): Over the last 18 months, I have spoken to many of you about the tyrannical controls that school boards have placed upon your grandchildren, and the impact those mandates have had on their parents, your adult children. “Our daughter hasn’t been able to return to work, because she’s at home supervising remote learning—even as private schools and the public schools in Florida have been fully open all year…”, one client pleaded, echoing the frustrations that I’ve heard from dozens of you.
- [U.S. Inflation? Only Temporarily…](https://go2knight.com/u-s-inflation-only-temporarily/): Sugar is up 50%, gas prices are up $1.10 this year, and lumber (was) up over 300%.  Many of you have been emailing and calling asking, “Should we be worried that 1970s style inflation is back?”
- [The Impact of Volatile Markets on Your Retirement Drawdown](https://go2knight.com/the-impact-of-volatile-markets-on-your-retirement-drawdown/): Fact: We are now several months into the 13th year of an ongoing* bull market, which began—courtesy of the Federal Reserve’s ZIRP (zero/low interest rate policy) on March 9th of 2009. Apart from this merely being a curious factoid, why is this significant? 
- [A Tale of Two Economies](https://go2knight.com/a-tale-of-two-economies/): “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…“, the opening line in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, came to mind on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening of this week. In a tale of two speeches, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell first admitted that the Federal Reserve expects to see “transitory inflation” well in excess of their preferences, later this year. Late Thursday night, in his first speech before a joint session of Congress, President Biden attempted to justify what so far is nearly $7 trillion in new spending, something that many believe is causing the very inflation that Powell is warning about.
- [Why Markets Are Erratic and Why You Should Be Concerned](https://go2knight.com/why-markets-are-erratic/): On March 5, the U.S. Labor Department released the jobs numbers for February, and they were phenomenal. While the expectation for jobs created was about 182,000 for the month, February saw job growth of 379,000 new hires, more than double the estimate, while unemployment dropped a tick to 6.2%, and the numbers for January were revised higher by an additional 117,000 hires. The day before, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell signaled that although they see signs of “transitory inflation” in the economy, they’re not prepared to ride to the rescue just yet with any new interest rate hikes. In addition, the Atlanta Federal Reserve is currently predicting first quarter growth of a whopping 8.3% as of Friday, a pace of growth that rivals that of even serial exaggerator China. For some context on this, typical GDP in a bull market is around 3.2%.  As such, surging growth of 8.3% is insanely good, even as it raises the long-term possibility of an overheated economy.
- [The Science Now Shows our 38.64 Million Unemployed Could Return to Work](https://go2knight.com/the-science-now-shows-our-38-64-million-unemployed-could-return-to-work/): As a financial advisor, I deal in absolutes, data, numerical analysis, and logic.  Clients are constantly asking me for my take on a wide variety of related subjects, and no subject has been more confusing to them than our nation’s convoluted and ever-changing response to the Chinese COVID-19 virus and its consequences to their finances.  When our leaders and virology experts first recommended shutting down society, we didn’t know what we didn’t yet know—so we played it safe.  That was February and March.  The Vice President’s original “15 Days To Slow The Spread”, turned into an additional 30 days through the end of April. We are now in late May and we have a lot of data and science to support the reopening of the economy. 
- [Coronavirus and Our National Debt](https://go2knight.com/coronavirus-and-our-national-debt/): As this author celebrates 30 years in private practice this month, I can think of no issue about which I have seen more confusion, misunderstandings, and lack of context over that span than the issue of our National Debt. Every four years, as Americans go to the polls, the party out of power in the White House finds a way to misrepresent and assign responsibility for the national debt to the party currently in power in the White House. The implication is that presidents, rather than Congress—which has the constitutional power of appropriation—do the spending in this country. Worse, the implication is that bond holders, those actually buying our debt, have nothing to do with it. These false assumptions even get repeated by anchors on the financial networks who should know better, an unfortunate trend in media today.
- [Illogic and Half-Truths in the Time of Coronavirus](https://go2knight.com/illogic-and-half-truths-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/): If the first casualty of war is truth, surely it is also a victim of the partisan divide now infecting the national debate surrounding Coronavirus. “Facts are stubborn things”, said John Adams, and the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan expounded with, “You’re entitled to your opinion, you’re just not entitled to your own facts.”  Allow me to suggest that truthful assessment does not focus only on those facts that support a pre-conceived conclusion—while covering up or ignoring those that don’t. Sound analysis, indeed honest journalism, requires us to look at the totality of the information available, something sorely lacking in our civil discourse around the coronavirus, and the full impact of the proposed remedies now under consideration.
- [Self-Quarantining into Economic Depression](https://go2knight.com/self-quarantining-into-economic-depression/): Most of you know me as a fact-based analytic. I make recommendations based on evidence, context, the preponderance of the evidence, and the common sense that one develops over 30 years in private practice. Today, I’m again weighing in from that same position, to put the current crisis in a proper context. Some will say that any cost/benefit analysis is insensitive, or that “it places economic progress ahead of human life.” I beg to differ, but I am sure there will be those who are inclined to shame me as they have others.
- [The Coronavirus, the American Economy, and Your Accounts](https://go2knight.com/the-coronavirus-the-american-economy-and-your-accounts/): As many of you are already aware, last week the DJIA had its worst week since the 2008 Financial Crisis, dropping more than 3600 points in five days. As most of you should also know, the accounts that you have with our firm do not lose money amid market declines, but hold their values from your most recent anniversary date without a loss. Not only is your principal protected, but each year’s accumulated gains are also locked in and protected from loss.
- [How the Average Retired Couple Could Deplete a $750,000 IRA in Only 17 Years](https://go2knight.com/how-the-average-retired-couple-could-deplete-a-750000-ira-in-only-17-years/): Bob and Julie, both age 65, just retired.  They’re both healthy, unafraid of market risk, and have a $750,000 IRA averaging 6% annual growth that their broker has told them “should last them the rest of their lives.”  The following are the average realities facing any such couple in August of 2018:
- [The Coming Crisis in Corporate Debt](https://go2knight.com/the-coming-crisis-in-corporate-debt/): By: Thomas K. Brueckner
- [The Sky Is Falling…But Wait!](https://go2knight.com/the-sky-is-fallingbut-wait/): After one heck of a year, we’ve had one heck of a month and, not to be outdone, one heck of a week. After falling as much as -11.3% from its January highs, the S&P 500 just recorded a March slump of -3.2% and is down nearly -2.6% on the year. The following have weighed on the stock market in just the last two weeks:
- [Is the Trump Rally Credible and Sustainable?](https://go2knight.com/trump-rally-credible-sustainable/): Watching the President’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, investors were looking for words that would inspire confidence in our economy and those “wildly overbought” markets we’ve seen since Election Day.  At this writing, the “Trump rally” has added an astonishing $3.2 trillion dollars to capital markets in the U.S., and the S&P 500 is up over 13% since November 8th.  The day after the speech, the Dow was up as much as 350 points, as investors gave the President high marks for the economic vision he laid out for the country.
- [The single biggest political upset in American history](https://go2knight.com/single-biggest-political-upset-american-history/): Early this morning, America witnessed an unprecedented and historical political upset in the election of a “blue collar billionaire” in Donald J. Trump to the Presidency of the United States.  The screenshot above shows the counties won by Trump in red, along with the counties won by Ms. Clinton in blue, truly a stunning level of dominance given the victory that was supposedly assured the former secretary.
- [Gains without Losses, and Reasonable Rates of Return](https://go2knight.com/gains-without-losses-reasonable-rates-return/): As our monthly seminar attendees are settling into their seats, I often pose this question: “How many of you would be willing to give up some of your gains, in exchange for never losing money in the stock market again?”  Every hand in the room goes up.  As our 50-something clients approach retirement, their ongoing needs can easily be broken down into 3 areas: Accumulation, Income, and Legacy.  In this article, we will deal with the need for accumulation, i.e. consistent, reasonable returns without risk.
- [Income that Continues Long  After the Money Runs Out](https://go2knight.com/guaranteed-income-for-life/): As our 50-something clients approach retirement, their ongoing needs can easily be broken down into 3 areas: Accumulation, Income, and Legacy. In this article, we will deal with guaranteed income for life, i.e. checks that keep coming at 92 even if the money ran out at your age 85.
- [Why Do These Economists Still Have Jobs?](https://go2knight.com/economists-still-jobs/): For any mainstream economists still reluctant to admit that a recession is underway, last Friday’s horrendous jobs report should have removed all doubts.
- [Getting a Second Opinion on Your Pending Retirement](https://go2knight.com/getting-second-opinion-pending-retirement/): Sincerely,
- [Guaranteeing You’ll Never Be Poor](https://go2knight.com/guaranteeing-youll-never-poor/): “Given a choice between the possibility of becoming rich, and a guarantee that you’ll never, ever become poor, which would you choose?”  It’s a question that I often ask attendees at our seminars or in our early interviews.  Given the widespread popularity of Powerball these days, one might assume the former, but 80-90% of those in attendance say they’d prefer a guarantee that they’ll never run out of income, even in old age.
- [Has The Long-Awaited Market Crash Finally Begun?](https://go2knight.com/is-the-long-awaited-market-crash-finally-here/): 2016: The Year of the Index Annuity
- [Slouching Toward a Global Recession: Growth is Either Anemic or Non-Existent](https://go2knight.com/slouching-toward-a-global-recession-growth-is-either-anemic-or-non-existent/): Two weeks ago, Janet Yellen and her cohorts at the Fed, in an 8-1 vote, elected to leave interest rates at record low levels for the 55th straight Fed meeting, a whopping 81 months since the last hike.  Citing "global growth concerns" as well as still-tame inflation, the Fed chose to first do no harm, lest they be blamed for the slowdown that is clearly taking place around the world.
- [Seven Reasons to be Skeptical of a Bull Market in 2015](https://go2knight.com/seven-reasons-to-be-skeptical-of-a-bull-market-in-2015/): It’s that time of year again, and many of you have asked us what 2015 is likely to bring in the way of economic performance and the market’s likely response to it.  The following is based on my usual exhaustive reading, and I encourage you to follow through the many hyperlinks within the piece for the sources of the summaries shared below.
- [Those “Horrible” Wonderful Fixed Index Annuities](https://go2knight.com/those-horrible-wonderful-fixed-index-annuities/): Imagine that you and your spouse are currently in the market for a new car.  You have two large dogs and your three grandchildren several days each month, so you’re logically thinking that a minivan or SUV would be appropriate and safe.  Yet when you walk into your local car dealership to explain your needs, the salesman replies, “Oh no, those minivans and SUVs are reeeeally over-rated; what you want is simply a good pick-up truck—step right this way…”
- [The Cognitive Dissonance Market](https://go2knight.com/the-cognitive-dissonance-market/): Investors’ Staggering Indifference Amid Rising Dangers
- [Analysts See Big Sell-Off, Flat Growth Through 2021](https://go2knight.com/analysts-see-big-sell-off-flat-growth-through-2021/): It’s mid-May, and if you haven't taken the opportunity to “Sell in May and Stay Away” you still have some time.  Since I penned last month’s piece, we’ve seen a slew of advisors, columnists, and retired asset managers chime in with their own warnings, some of them dire, and all of them based on sound analysis and a firm grasp of market history.  Don’t take my word for it; consider the following:
- [Ten Reasons to “Sell in May And Stay Away” This Year](https://go2knight.com/ten-reasons-to-sell-in-may-and-stay-away-this-year/): After rising over 26% in 2013, the U.S. stock market remains flat three and a half months into the new year, battered by an increasing list of worries not easily brushed away.  The following are 10 compelling reasons to pare back risk exposure, especially if you’re retired or are about to retire, i.e. you can’t make up for large losses via ongoing 401(k) contributions, and/or your accounts represent monies that it’s taken you 30 years to save:
- [The Six Things 2013 Should Have Taught us – But Didn’t](https://go2knight.com/the-six-things-2013-should-have-taught-us-but-didnt/): As we reflect on another year in the financial markets, whether you were deeply invested in equities or safely earning market-linked interest as they rose, it is once again enlightening to see who was right—and who was way off—in 2013, and what investors should have learned, but probably didn’t.  Here goes:
- [Storm Clouds on Horizon for Markets in 2014](https://go2knight.com/storm-clouds-on-horizon-for-markets-in-2014/): Jim Cramer, host of MAD Money on CNBC, has a problem. The sound-effects specialist and equal-opportunity stock mocker has noticed a compelling trend on Wall Street. It seems those stocks and sectors that tend to do well in a recovery are declining, even as those which advance amid slowdowns are attracting capital. The cantankerous Mr. Cramer has finally tripped over the tip of the iceberg.
- [The Abysmal  Failure of Bernanke’s QE3](https://go2knight.com/the-abysmal-failure-of-bernankes-qe3/): $1.05 Trillion Printed, 1.3 Million Fewer Jobs
- [Bernanke: Economy Still Weak And Slowing, Postpones Taper of MBS Purchases](https://go2knight.com/bernanke-economy-still-weak-and-slowing-postpones-taper-of-mbs-purchases/): Surprised Markets Rally To New Records, Then Retreat
- [The Incredible Shrinking Recovery of 2013](https://go2knight.com/the-incredible-shrinking-recovery-of-2013/): Depending on which experts you ask, the stock market is either about to suffer another precipitous decline a la 2007-9 — or continue a rally with no end in sight.  Both sides have their math (more on that in a moment), but the bears increasingly have statistics, history, and facts on their side.
- [Markets Should Beware of Europe This Summer](https://go2knight.com/markets-should-beware-of-europe-this-summer/): If you blinked, you missed it: the amount of time that the US financial media has spent analyzing the potential fallout from recent events in Europe, not just in Cyprus but in Italy, Spain, Slovenia and elsewhere.
- [Why Every New Retiree Should Have Two Financial Advisors](https://go2knight.com/why-every-new-retiree-should-have-two-financial-advisors/): In this 2011 analysis in Smart Money magazine, which remains timely and relevant today, author Glenn Ruffenach makes the point that the advisor who got you to retirement, is very often not the specialist you’ll need to get you through retirement.
- [Is the Market Poised for a Correction – or a Collapse?](https://go2knight.com/is-the-market-poised-for-a-correction-or-a-collapse/): At the end of last year, CNNMoney took a survey (Stocks ‘need to be corrected’) wherein they polled more than 30 investment strategists and money managers as to where the S&P 500 would finish 2013. The realistic consensus was a valuation of 1,490, up just 4.5 percent for the year, given the multiple headwinds of debt, Europe, tensions in the Middle East, slowing GDP, and the pending implementation of ObamaCare at year end.
- [Thirteen Years of Zeros – and They’re Celebrating!](https://go2knight.com/thirteen-years-of-zeros-and-theyre-celebrating/): Last week, the financial networks touted two of the three major market indices – the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 – for their recent advances to within sight of their all-time highs. The S&P 500 is now just 5 percent shy, while the DJIA is but 3.6 percent below its top mark. (Meanwhile, the NASDAQ is nowhere to be found, still a stunning 38 percent below its all-time high of 5,132.52 on March 10, 2000.)
- [Why Inflation is Still Years Away](https://go2knight.com/why-inflation-is-still-years-away/): As the Federal Reserve has “printed” money over the last 5 years, few Americans understand that the majority has been electronically generated (placed on the Fed’s balance sheet by the mere entering of a number in a computer), and “distributed” into the economy via mandatory loans to the major banks in 2008.  The interest rate on these loans has ranged between zero and 0.25%, but these are loans nonetheless, and are therefore subject to calling or repayment.  This is important, because many are under the false impression that there are now three times as many printed dollars in circulation as there were before Bernanke took over at the Fed, logically making each dollar worth one-third of its former value.
- [Why Blog?](https://go2knight.com/why-blog/): In 2011, my team and I were encouraged to submit an entry for Senior Market Advisor magazine’s 2011 Advisor of the Year award, one of the most coveted national honors that any financial services professional working with retirees can receive. We were one of only five finalists nationwide, which led to me writing a monthly column in Senior Market Advisor on the subject of practice management, for the benefit of the many advisors that make up their readership.

## Pages
- [Protected: Portal](https://go2knight.com/portal/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://go2knight.com/privacy-policy/): Our Privacy Pledge
- [Blog](https://go2knight.com/the-mature-investor/)
- [Seminars](https://go2knight.com/seminars/): We strongly encourage all of our potential client family members to attend our free educational workshops. We break down our process into its basic parts, discuss how current events influence your finances, and give you the retirement planning tools and education you need to make an informed decision. Request an invitation to an upcoming event in your area.
- [Contact](https://go2knight.com/contact/)
- [Resources](https://go2knight.com/resources/): We strive to provide our client family and any visitors to our website with numerous informational news sources that we believe will be of assistance in their understanding of age-appropriate investing and the context behind the risk-biased perspective of the financial media. We share our own original content, as well as national and local news, that we believe will be valuable to you.
- [Services](https://go2knight.com/services/): At Strategic Asset Conservation, we specialize in “Safe Money Strategies.” We find yield in ways that protect your principal, while still providing reasonable gains for your retirement and liquid assets. These solutions are financially sound and based on actuarial fundamentals.
- [About](https://go2knight.com/about/): We are specialists, and have chosen to limit ourselves to a handful of cutting-edge disciplines. We exist to provide our clients with the education, tools, and solutions they need to make informed decisions about their retirement and liquid savings, how to guarantee lifetime income, insure against a long-term illness, and tax-efficiently transfer wealth to their heirs or charities.
- [Home](https://go2knight.com/): Our clients sleep well at night knowing they are no longer unnecessarily exposed to the uncertainty and risk of the US and global markets. Our goal is to inspire our clients to take a proactive approach to wealth management.