HOW TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON: BECOME MORE SELFLESS

I ran across a great story the other day and thought I'd share it. Here's the short version:

In Soul Food, Jack Kornfield and Christina Feldman tell the story of an Illinois family whose young daughter became ill and was diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disease.

A search went out for a compatible donor but, as she had a rare blood type, none could be found. Then it was discovered that her 6-year-old brother shared her blood type. The boy’s mother and doctor sat down with him to ask if he was willing to donate blood to save his sister’s life.

To their surprise, he didn’t answer right away. He needed some time to think about it. After a few days, he came back to his mother and announced he would do it.

As Kornfield and Feldman write:

The following day the doctor brought both children to his clinic and placed them on cots next to each other. He wanted them to see how one was helping the other.

First he drew a half pint of blood from the young boy’s arm. Then he moved it over to his sister’s cot and inserted the needle so her brother could see the effect.

In a few minutes color began to pour back into her cheeks.

Then the boy motioned for the doctor to come over. He wanted to ask a question, very quietly.

"Will I start to die right away?" he asked.

You see, when he had been asked to donate his blood to save his sister’s life, his 6-year old mind understood the process literally. He thought he was trading his life for his sister’s.

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The New Testament tells us it is more blessed to give than to receive. But even if you don't subscribe to Christianity, the wisdom of sages throughout history have said the same thing.

Taoism suggests we extend our help without seeking reward. Buddha said that contentment is found in a generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion.

Hope you liked this little story. Give me a call if I can help you in any way.

On your Team,

Ken

951-760-3833

KenAHall@gmail.com

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GREAT NIGHT OF WINE TASTING!

My client and friends Chris & Christina Clark hosted a fantastic Vertical Wine Tasting at their home last night.  The featured wines were Temecula's own Leoness Cellers Syrah from 2008-2013.  My wife Jennifer and I, along with 22 other guests, had a great time.

By the way, Chris doesn't just enjoy our Temecula wine, he's a renowned expert.   He just published the definitive book on Temecula wineries.  The book is awesome and a must-have for Temecula residents who love and take pride in our Valley's great wineries. 

You can pick it up on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Temecula-Valley-Wine-Buying-Guide/dp/1523483954/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463331647&sr=1-1&keywords=temecula+wine

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW . . . IN ONE CHART

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If I could boil down everything I believe about the future of the real estate market into one simple message . . . what would that message be?

I'll start with this: Central Banks around the world are pricing money (interest rates) at about ZERO PERCENT (yes, I'm continuing my theme of talking about interest rates because I truly believe what's happening is so powerful).

In a zero-percent-interest world, you can't live off interest. You have to do something with your money.

With interest rates at record lows, retirees and investors realize they have to do SOMETHING ELSE with their money other than earn no interest on it.

So… what are people doing with their money?

They are putting it into the stock market and real estate.

Global interest rates are near record lows. And that causes stock prices and house prices to keep hitting new highs.

The simple chart below tells you everything you need to know…

Please, examine the chart and understand what it's telling you. It is just about everything you need to know about the future of real estate and investing right now.

Let me explain it for you:

Global interest rates are near record lows. This has caused house prices and stock prices to soar. (I define global interest rates as the average interest rate on 10-year government bonds in four major countries: the U.S., Germany, Japan, and the U.K.) Specifically:

• U.S. house prices are at their highest levels since the great housing bust. (This is the S&P/Case-Shiller National Home Price Index).

• U.S. stock prices continue to push up against all-time highs. They are only about 2.5% below their all-time highs right now (as measured by the S&P 500 Index).

This story has been in place for a few years now… Can it possibly continue?

In short, yes…

We've had a number of good years in the stock market and the housing market recently. Because of this, most people think the good times have to end soon.

You have to keep the big picture in mind, though…

Retirees and investors everywhere are coming to the realization that you can't live on zero-percent interest. You have to do something with your money.

The light bulb is going off in people's heads these days – out of necessity. People are putting money to work in the stock market and the real estate market, whether it's the right thing for them or not.

As long as global interest rates remain low, I expect that this will continue.

I could be wrong, of course. You'd be surprised at how high I think things could go… I expect house prices and stock prices will rise to unimaginable heights before it's all over.

I think that's the natural outcome of our zero-percent world. Take advantage of it by jumping in now and riding the wave of equity appreciation.

Give me a call if I can help you in any way.

On Your Team,

Ken

951-760-3833

KenAHall@gmail.com

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