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Articles by Samuel Freeman
Porridge - British Comedy Guide
Porridge Play 9th Sep 2027 - 12th Nov 2027 The sharp, hilarious, and laugh-out-loud funny iconic BBC sitcom is spectacularly brought to life on stage with perfectly observed characters in some of their most memorable moments - all delivered by a talented cast of three! Join career criminal Fletcher and wide-eyed cellmate Godber as they navigate life inside Her Majesty's Prison Slade with wit, wisdom, and the occasional dodgy scheme. 12th October 2026: Porridge to return to the stage
THE FIRST KILL: How I Learned Copywriting Is a Weapon
ORIGIN OF THE MOST DANGEROUS WRITER ALIVE The Secret Hustle That Got Me On Nike’s Radar When I was 18, I was a broke college freshman with no plan and no way to pay tuition. So I did what any desperate kid with internet access would do: I reverse-engineered eBay demand, found a Chinese supplier who sold knockoff Nikes, and started importing replicas of whatever was trending. I was flipping product fast, feeding myself, and leeting the dough rack up. Until the email came. I stared at the screen.
Properly assessing risk in the markets can help lessen the effects of crashes
Financial markets are unpredictable; analysts and experts attempt to comfort investors with earnings estimates and growth predictions, but these forecasts rarely stand the test of time. Recently, investors were reminded of this truth when the stock market crashed because of concerns over President Trump’s tariff plans. Though young investors have time to recover their losses, older ones had a sobering revelation – the key to a well-funded retirement is not only saving, but also timing.
When valuing an investment, start with financial statements
Investing is a way to grow wealth over time. While fixed-income investments are often utilized when saving for a specific goal, stocks are the most popular form of investment. However, it can be challenging to understand and value these securities. Though market value shows what shares are currently selling for, investors use tools such as financial statements and ratios to determine their valuation, buying and selling accordingly.
Audit: Facilitating investments
Investing has never been easy; not only can the element of human nature lead to market bubbles and crashes, but investors must also beware of Ponzi schemes and other misleading ventures. While financial statements are meant to enforce the validity of a company and its operations, how can investors be sure that those too are not misleading? Enter audit, the process by which investors are given reasonable assurance that financials are fairly presented in all material respects.
Cryptocurrency: An inadequate vessel of economic value
The way we conduct business is always evolving. Years ago, wearing a suit to the office was the norm. Today, workers may wear business casual one day a week and work from home the others. Where salt and spices once dominated global trade, technology has emerged as the driving force of business. However, over time there has been one commonality: the use of currency. Yet man has set about to change even this cornerstone of business, revolutionizing it with the invention of cryptocurrencies.
Market Bubbles: The overvaluation of investments
Investing is a means to achieve a goal; if you want to become a homeowner, purchase a vehicle or send your children to college, investing can turn a small amount of money into those dreams. But what happens when those dreams change, and rather than being goal-oriented, investing turns into a game? This question is no stranger to the markets, with bubbles exposing man’s facile ways. Before examining the devastation wrought by market bubbles, it is important to define true investing.
The Federal Reserve and Artificial Intelligence: Two pressing topics from 2024
As the year ends, many remember the most significant events from 2024, hoping they can provide a glimpse of what the future may hold. While there were many developments globally, including wars, strikes and the election of a new U.S. President, two financial topics stand out: the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates and artificial intelligence sweeping the markets. The Federal Reserve, or Fed, is crucial to the global economy.
When it comes to investing advice, stay away from social media
Society and culture are always evolving, influenced by global developments. While technological advances increase connectivity, they also make individuals feel more alone, affecting their dispositions and causing a lack of attention and patience, with the latter being a crucial skill in investing. Many politicians attract voters by telling the younger generations that the financial system is broken, pushing them down and keeping them from ever getting ahead.
When investing in the familiar can yield the unknown
Humans are creatures of habit; repeating the same actions daily adds comfort to life. However, a penchant for the familiar may cause a person to let down their guard and become too trusting. When investing, adhering to what is known could lead to substantial losses. “Home bias” is a term used to describe a person’s tendency to invest in companies they already know, making them comfortable with their decision. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, you have heard of Tyson and Walmart.
Trump vs. Harris: Realism and idealism in economic policy
Americans face a turning point in history with a tense election only weeks away. The past few years have weighed heavily upon some as the Federal Reserve rapidly raised rates to constrict the economy and ease inflation. With many struggling to afford necessities, the next president will be charged with reinvigorating the nation.
Perception: What truly governs markets
Perception is often forgotten in the investing world where ratios and charts are offered as gospel. But what truly governs the markets is human nature. While analysts are busy combing through every detail of an investment, no metric can measure the ways of man. Company developments drive markets forward. Changes in stock prices often occur around the same time as major announcements, such as restructuring, changes in management and, most commonly, earnings reports.
Inflation: The illusion of return
Investing aims to make a profit or at least avoid the deterioration of one’s principal. At first, you may surmise that to achieve the second aim, one must simply hold cash and not spend it. While the concept is basic enough, it fails to factor in something investors often overlook — inflation. While inflation can eat away at the value of a dollar, it is not all bad, as it keeps the economy healthy.
From meme stocks to options, here is how a new generation trades
Gone is the age of the 60/40 portfolio, consisting of 60% stocks and 40% bonds, and in its stead is meme trading and a thirst for risk. Veteran traders would reproach today’s young investors for their strategies and lack of understanding. In this age of technology, investing has become easier, but the interconnectivity has also led to the death of traditional wisdom and the birth of a new kind of investing. Society has shifted drastically in the past century.
Electric vehicle stocks were once a favorite for investors, can they rebound?
In recent years, there has been a global shift toward climate solutions. The mainstay of this effort is the initiative to go electric with an emphasis placed on the use of electric vehicles (EV). With Tesla at the helm, other companies joined the EV push, which appeared poised for great returns. However, the rebirth of the auto industry seems to have stalled. With billions of dollars bet on EVs, what does this mean for automakers and their shareholders?
Gold’s stable nature and universal value make it an ideal investment for risk-averse individuals
While stocks tend to be a favored form of investment, many more options exist, including debt, real estate and gold. For thousands of years, gold has been used for various purposes, including trade, currency and a measure of value. So, with a storied past and universal value, should you dedicate a portion of your portfolio to the cherished metal?
Contingencies provide a necessary ‘what if’ scenario crucial to analyzing an investment
When investing in a company, it is impossible to know all that could go wrong. To bridge the gap between the known and the unknown, companies issue financial statements. While these contain what has happened, they also include what may happen and go awry in the future, specifically in a contingencies note. The clarity of detail in such a note limits adverse selection and allows companies to secure funding. When most people think of investing, they think of purchasing stocks and bonds.
Empowering others through their leadership, the women driving success in the business world
While increases in earnings and share prices dominate headlines, few recognize the individuals driving growth within business. Overshadowed by their accomplishments, fund managers and chief officers are not given the recognition they deserve for their achievements. In honor of Women’s History Month, here is an overview of some women who excel at their duties and the success they have brought to their respective companies.
Meta’s announces new, irresistible dividend and stock buyback
In 2021, the beloved poster child of technology companies born in the early 2000s changed its name from Facebook to Meta. Investors were eager to see the change implemented but more eager to see the results in their pockets. Recently, one of the many fruits of the company’s shift became apparent: a dividend. With the company now focused on shareholder wealth, is it the right time to make Meta stock a staple of your portfolio?
From fatal crashes to lost doors, investors should be wary of Boeing
Boeing (BA) had long been a trusted and reliable player in the aviation industry until its grand creation: the 737 MAX. From its conception, the aircraft was flawed, leading to crashes and, most recently, the loss of a door plug mid-flight. With such issues, is Boeing’s time as a promising investment over?
Find the market’s rhythm in the new year to dance your way to strong returns
When the clock struck midnight and heralded a new year, few were thinking about the state of their investments. But now that we are over a month into 2024, you may be ready to structure your portfolio for success. From technology to the Federal Reserve to a presidential election, here is how to play the new year. Technology is a booming market. Driven by artificial intelligence and a human fascination with the inanimate virtual world, tech stocks soared in 2023.
Artificial Intelligence: The long-awaited saving grace of the accounting profession
The accounting profession dates back hundreds of years. Over that time, accountants were driving business and gaining faith from clients. Accounting has faced challenges before, but artificial intelligence is a different game. While other professions may have reason to worry, accountants need not fear replacement by AI but should welcome it as a tool to excel. Painted on headlines every week are doomsday prophecies that AI will replace workers and perhaps exterminate certain professions entirely.
How do consumers adapt to an evolving world?
With each generation comes new ideas and inventions. Along with these, consumer habits also evolve, driven by forces such as interest rates. These changes cause many to budget and spend in a new way that would be unrecognizable to our forefathers. Loans, debt and investment strategies provide insights into how societal and economic shifts impact consumers. The price of education is growing more expensive each year.
Risk and regulation: protecting depositors in the world of banking
Whether for a loan or to deposit money, chances are you have interacted with a bank at some point in your life. Yet, while banking seems commonplace, few understand the complexity of the industry. So, here is an overview of the institutions you trust with your hard-earned money. At its core, commercial banking is the reception of deposits then lent out for a return.
Lockheed Martin: behind the numbers of a defense industry titan
From tensions in the Middle East to Europe, the world seems to grow more violent with each passing day. While investors tend to rely on safe investments such as gold during these times, Lockheed Martin (LMT) stock has been on the rise. Is now the time to invest in the defense industry? Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the flagship of the defense industry.
Accounting: the foundation and engine of modern business
If you have taken an accounting class before, you may be repulsed hearing of debits and credits again. But while these are the basics of double-entry accounting, at its core, the profession encompasses much more with its goal to identify, measure and communicate. Accounting has its roots in the dawn of civilization. As far back as ancient times, transactions were recorded on clay tablets to monitor business activities.
Hedging your bets: Reducing exposure in a turbulent world
Investing aims to make money, but the risk of losing everything is ever-present. To mitigate this risk, investors turn to hedging. With tools such as swaps, futures, options and forex, investors are well-equipped to weather financial storms and lock in gains or losses. In finance, hedging is taking an offsetting position in an asset to reduce price risk. This trade reduces portfolio exposure by giving an investor interest in an opposite position. To help understand this concept, think of insurance.
Mortgage-backed securities make owning a home possible
When you hear the words mortgage-backed securities, your mind may immediately go back to the 2008 financial crisis. While these investments have faced scrutiny for their role in the global recession, they help the masses and make homeownership possible when used correctly. A bank might write a mortgage, but it is usually not held by that institution for very long because of the risks involved. Banks act like investors, loaning money for a return, a basic precept of investing.
While fiat money has no intrinsic value, it still has its place in modern finance
While ghosts and goblins steal the show during Halloween, something much more frightening affects you every day: Fiat money — money not backed by a commodity. What makes this a worthy scare is that it has no intrinsic value and only has worth because the government deems it so. While this may sound like a scam, fiat money has its place in finance despite its shortcomings. If you have ever studied a U.S. dollar bill, you may have noticed the words Federal Reserve Note at the very top.
Initial Public Offerings offer opportunity but with increased risk
When a company needs funding, it may choose to raise money by offering equity through an initial public offering, or IPO. This is the process in which a private company becomes listed on the market with its stock then exchanged publicly. Often, IPOs come with high volatility, meaning the potential for high returns is present, but also the risk of losing everything. The first modern IPO occurred when the Dutch East India Company went public on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in 1602.
Money Markets: a safe way to invest your money
It is easy for someone to say buy low and sell high when speaking of investments, but all too often it is impossible to know your exact return. With fixed-income securities, however, it is. Many of these securities trade in the money market, which refers to trading short-term debt securities. When used correctly, it provides investors flexibility and a safe place to put their money.
Sam Explains: What a U.S. debt downgrade means for the economy
United States debt has long been a favorite for investors, carrying a perfect credit rating while being backed by the public debt clause, making it a risk-free investment. But with a recentdowngrade from Fitch, it may be time to rethink traditional notions of the nation’s debt and consider what this means for the U.S. economy. Over the summer, Fitch downgraded U.S. debt from AAA, its highest rating, to AA+, the second highest.
Sam Explains: Understanding debt can help you keep your finances secure
Credit cards, student loans and mortgages are life-changing tools that afflict even the most level-headed and fall into the category of consumer debt. While debt can help expand opportunities, many people take on too much, putting a hefty burden on their finances. However, understanding how debt works can help prevent that and maintain a healthy grip on life.
Sam Explains: While recessions cause fear, they are a necessary reset for the economy
The mere mention of the word recession is often enough to strike fear into the hearts of investors. While an economic downturn is never welcome, it serves as a reset for the economy, and if investors navigate one correctly, it might not be so frightful after all. The word recession refers to a significant and far-reaching downturn in the economy. While recessions can cause layoffs and hardships for families, they are necessary to maintain a healthy economy from an investor’s point of view.
Sam’s Picks: Does Hertz warrant a spot in your portfolio?
Electric vehicles are undeniably the thing of the future. They will help auto manufacturers generate substantial profits, and they also appear to be helping Hertz Global Holdings (HTZ), a car rental company that is seeing increased margins thanks to this new technology. While the company looks to be on the right track, does it deserve a spot in your portfolio? You may have questioned my judgment if I had suggested Hertz as an investment a few years ago.
Sam Explains: A quick guide to tax season
While the nation remains divided on issues ranging from gun control to government spending, there is still one topic we can all agree on: our hate for taxes. The founding fathers seem to have embedded such hatred into the very core of this nation, though today, the government taxes us with representation. While we all grumble and complain about paying them, ultimately, we must. So here are a few facts and tips to help get you through this tax season.
Sam’s Picks: With Luminar stock on the rise, is it a good investment?
In recent years, two main developments in the auto industry have occurred — electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology. The latter is a specialty of Luminar Technologies Inc. (LAZR), a company that designs, builds and sells vehicle sensors. Recently, the company announced a wider deal with Mercedes, causing the stock to rise in the days following the announcement. With this recent boost to the stock, should investors buy in?
Sam Explains: How does the Federal Reserve utilize interest rates?
From Chinese spy balloons to Super Bowl holding calls, what is considered news changes each week. But one constant headline is inflation and what the Federal Reserve will do to fight it. But how exactly does the Fed, as it is commonly called, go about doing this? Congress created the Fed in 1913 through the Federal Reserve Act to enhance stability in the American banking system.
Sam’s Picks: Bentley Systems may be a bet for the future
Technology is usually a safe bet for an investment. Combine it with the ever-expanding field of engineering, and investors are left with a sort of gold mine. One company involved in this industry is Bentley Systems (BSY), which may be a worthy investment for the future. Bentley Systems, founded in 1984, provides software solutions for infrastructure engineering. Engaged in sectors such as electrical utilities, construction and hydraulics, this company has a hand in every major branch of engineering.
Sam’s Picks: Is Genco Shipping a buy ahead of earnings?
In a world where goods are readily available in stores, people often forget about how the items arrived there. While many investors look at retail and consumer goods stocks, they often overlook the companies necessary to supply these businesses. One company involved in the shipping and transportation of goods is Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. (GNK), founded in 2004, which owns and operates cargo vessels worldwide.
Sam’s Picks: Is Southwest stock a good investment amid troubles?
Flying is widely considered the most efficient form of travel, whether for business or pleasure. Around the end of 2022, Southwest Airlines made some people reconsider that generally accepted idea when it canceled and delayed more than 16,000 flights. Which begs the question: can Southwest still be a viable investment? Let’s look in more detail at the holiday debacle. Southwest begancanceling flights because of numerous winter storms that occurred across the country.
Sam’s Picks: The Trade Desk provides good investment opportunity
The world is always changing, and technology is rapidly taking over many aspects of life. With the dawn of the digital age came new markets, dominated by names such as Apple and Microsoft. While these giants receive most of the attention, one sector investors often overlook is digital advertising. One company in this niche,The Trade Desk (TTD), has set itself up for success. The Trade Desk is a digital marketing company helping businesses reach new customers online.
Sam’s Picks: Do online dating stocks deserve your love this Valentine’s season?
We are now a month into 2023 and the markets have not crashed as they did in 2022, so the year is off to a good start. By the start of February, people usually begin dreaming of warm spring weather and love, with the latter stemming from Valentine’s Day. So, to keep with the theme of the month, let’s take a look at online dating stocks to see if they deserve any love this Valentine’s season.
Sam’s Picks: Coca-Cola a good long-term investment
Coca-Cola is one of the most popular drinks around the world and dominates the beverage industry. The sound of the can cracking open followed by the fizz of the drink is enough to get anyone’s taste buds going, which is probably why the company has had so much success. With such success on a global scale, shouldn’t the stock be a guaranteed investment to make investors rich? Sit back, relax and crack open a Coke. We’re about to break down this pick together. Coca-Cola (KO) is a behemoth.
FTX bankruptcy exposes cryptocurrency flaws
If you have read the news lately, you may have come across a headline about the cryptocurrency exchange FTX going bankrupt — a far cry from headlines of the previous two years, heralding a new age of digital currency. In the heat of this Crypto frenzy, I wrote an article detailing the risks of cryptocurrency, and the recent demise of FTX has only enforced my position. While cryptocurrency may boom in the future, it is too new to provide an investment opportunity.
Sam’s Picks: Rideshare stocks show signs of improvement, but are not yet buys
You’ve probably heard a friend say it late at night or even said it yourself — “I’ll get an Uber.” It would not have made any sense years ago, but rideshare services have edged their way into the culture of this generation. With so much talk and popularity, one may think stock in companies such as Lyft and Uber should be skyrocketing. But is the rideshare industry worth investing in?
Sam Explains: Bonds
When people think about investing, stocks and bonds are usually the first things they think of. While those are two common investment types, many people do not take the time to understand what they are investing in. So, let’s dive into the world of bonds and look at what they actually are. Bonds are fixed-income instruments representing loans made by investors to borrowers, usually corporations or governments.
Previous elections may provide insight into how markets will react in the coming year
With another generation of political leaders taking office next year, voters are focused on financial issues confronting the nation such as inflation and government spending. While many are hoping the elections set the economy on the right track, what effects do elections have on markets?
Sam’s Picks: Strong growth and ambitious plans may drive Amazon stock to new heights
Amazon is one of the most well known companies in the world, supplying everything from clothes to entertainment. With such a strong consumer base, the company’s stock, traded under the symbol AMZN, should be a favorable investment, and the company’s recent growth may attract investors. Amazon is best known for being an online retailer where consumers can find their every need in one place.
Sam Explains: Trading futures is good for some, but is it right for you?
The stock market is hard to predict as money keeps changing hands. The economy can swing from expansion to recession with little notice. To help combat these shifts or capitalize on them, investors often turn to futures. Trading futures carries risks because it is betting money on what is uncertain, but, if traded well, it can carry great profit. When first looking at futures, it is important to understand what they are.
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