Crypto. It’s the buzzword that’s been on everyone’s lips for the past few years. Some hail it as the future of money, while others dismiss it as a speculative bubble. But what’s the real story? Is investing in crypto a smart move or a foolish gamble?
A New Asset Class Emerges?
Cryptocurrencies represent a new breed of digital assets that operate outside the traditional financial system. They offer the allure of decentralization – freedom from government control and manipulation. It’s not just the potential for big returns that draws people in, but the promise of a currency revolution.
A Wild Ride of Volatility
But the road to riches with crypto is far from smooth. The market is notorious for its wild price swings. Stories abound of overnight millionaires and devastating losses. Much of this volatility is driven by speculation – people buying crypto not to use as a currency, but to hopefully sell at a higher price later. It’s a high-stakes game that can turn on a dime.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
A distinguishing feature of cryptocurrencies, as opposed to traditional investments, is their current regulatory environment, which is very much a work in progress. While it’s true that the cryptocurrency market operates with less direct oversight from government authorities, this is not to say it is a lawless domain. Instead, this evolving regulatory landscape reflects the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring investor protection.
Regulatory agencies like the SEC are actively working to understand and adapt to the unique challenges presented by digital assets. Their goal is to create a framework that supports the growth of the cryptocurrency market while mitigating the risks associated with fraud and investor vulnerability. This delicate balance aims to preserve the revolutionary potential of cryptocurrencies, such as decentralization and the democratization of finance, without compromising the safety and integrity of the financial system.
Navigating Uncharted Waters
In the world of stocks and bonds, investors can rely on historical data and market trends to assess risk and potential returns. Crypto, on the other hand, is a different beast entirely. Its value isn’t tied to physical assets or cash flow, making it difficult to evaluate its risk-return profile. This uncertainty complicates investment strategies.
A Word of Caution from the Experts
Even investment legends like Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett are wary of crypto. They’ve raised concerns about its lack of intrinsic value and vulnerability to speculation. Munger has compared the crypto craze to historical gold rushes and invoked the “greater fool theory” – the idea that success depends on finding someone else to buy in at a higher price.
The Bottom Line
So, is investing in crypto a golden opportunity or a fool’s errand? The truth is, it’s a journey fraught with uncertainties. While it holds the potential to revolutionize finance, it also carries significant risks. The lack of regulation and the difficulty of valuing crypto as an asset demand caution. Before diving in, investors should do their homework, consider their risk tolerance, and think hard about their goals.
The debate around crypto investment is far from settled. It embodies both the excitement of a new financial frontier and the fears of an unregulated digital Wild West. As we navigate this uncharted territory, perhaps the wisdom of Munger and Buffett can serve as a compass, reminding us to tread carefully in the face of speculation.
If you have any questions, read “Wealth on Purpose” by Bryan Ballentine.
Have a great weekend!
Sources: Forbes
Golf Tip of the Week
Masters 2024: New TV tech is exposing a common golf swing myth at The Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga.—For a tournament as steeped in tradition as The Masters, it’s always been one of golf’s innovators when it comes to new technology.
We saw one of those during the “Masters On the Range” broadcast on Monday. While World No. 1 and tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler hit balls on the driving range, CBS employed its Optimotion technology. In doing so, it dispelled one of the most common golf swing misunderstandings around. And one the rest of us can learn from.
Optimotion is a 3D system, powered by GolfTec, which is a new addition to CBS’ 2024 broadcast and made its first appearance at the Masters on Monday. The system tracks and measures different segments of golfers’ bodies as they swing, which allows teachers to pinpoint different areas they want to improve.
One of those measurements projects a golfer’s side-to-side weight shift as they swing, which led to some useful learnings when the broadcast peaked under the hood of Scheffler’s move.
Start close to 50-50
At setup, the system found Scheffler’s weight was pretty evenly distributed between both legs: A little more than half his body weight on his right leg; a little less than half on his left.
Max weight shift (it’s earlier than you think)
About halfway through his backswing, Scheffler shifts more than 60 percent of his weight onto his trail leg on the backswing. This, it turns out, is his maximum amount of weight shift onto his trail leg.
The Key Move: Recentering
As Scheffler reaches the top of his backswing, his weight has begun moving back to his front leg: Whereas just 36 percent of Scheffler’s weight was on his left leg mid-backswing, now almost 50 percent of his weight sits on his left leg at the top of his backswing.
Herein lies the learning:
Many golfers think they need to have most or all of their weight on their trail leg at the top of the backswing. While shifting your weight back is a powerful move, many amateurs slide their weight over to their trail side too late, and never come back as a result. They hit chunks, thins, and make other contact errors because of it.
As Scheffler shows here, pros shift over to their left side far earlier in the backswing than you might expect. It’s a move called re-centering, and it’s essential to a good weight shift in the golf swing.
Weight moves aggressively forward
By mid downswing, Scheffler now has a majority of his weight back on his lead leg.
By impact, he’s shifted more than 73 percent of his weight onto his lead side
…which continues through to his finish.
An aggressive weight shift from right-to-left through the ball, which is only possible because he starts early.
What you can learn
The feeling, as Padraig Harrington explains here, is the feeling of taking a big step towards the target halfway through your backswing. Essentially, stepping toward the target as soon as you start your golf swing.
As he explains:
- During your takeaway, you should feel your weight shift back to your trail leg.
- As the club shaft reaches parallel to the ground, that’s when you should begin to “recenter”, and shift back to your lead side.
- As you begin your downswing, you should have generated so much momentum that you could easily step through the ball, towards the target.
The feeling should be that of stepping side-to-side, or like a pitcher striding forward with their lower body as they’re winding up with their upper body. By the time they release the pitch, their weight has already fully transferred towards the batter, which provides them power.
Adopting the same move in the golf swing can do the same thing. It can promote ball-first contact for more solid strikes and help generate speed when you do.
Tip adapted from golfdigest.comi
Recipe of the Week
Beyhive Bellini
2 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. peach nectar
- 1/2 oz. honey
- 1 1/2 oz. reposado tequila
- 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- 8 oz. Prosecco
- 2 small chunks honeycomb (optional)
Instructions
- In a small heatproof bowl, microwave nectar and honey, stirring occasionally, until honey is dissolved, about 20 seconds.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine nectar mixture, tequila, and lemon juice. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and vigorously shake until outside of shaker is very frosty, about 20 seconds.
- Divide cocktail between glasses. Top off with Prosecco. Garnish with honeycomb (if using).
Recipe adapted from Delish.comii
Travel Tip of the Week
10 Surprisingly Spacious Underseat Carry-on Bags on Sale at Amazon Right Now — Starting at $34
The urge to travel with as few belongings as possible may not speak to everyone, but those that subscribe to a minimalist view of packing will benefit from having a compact underseat carry-on in their arsenal to make their next plane ride a breeze. This size suitcase is a particularly valuable piece of luggage for embarking on shorter weekend getaways or work trips, and as spring weather travel heats up, now is the time to grab a new bag before it’s packing crunch time.
The good news is that Amazon has no shortage of surprisingly roomy underseat bags that check all of your boxes, offering just enough space for your essentials while easily sliding under the airplane seat in front of you. So if you’re ready to pare down your packing list to the basics this season, keep reading to find the 10 best underseat carry-on suitcases that are on sale at Amazon right now. With prices starting at just $34 on traveler-loved brands like Samsonite and Travelpro, you should have no trouble finding the next great addition to your luggage collection.
Samsonite Underseat Carry-on Spinner With USB Port
Samsonite is one of the leading brands in luggage (and a Travel + Leisure editor-favorite), so naturally, you can trust that its underseat carry-on suitcase is a reliable choice for your next short trip. Currently on sale for 26 percent off at Amazon, this compact rolling suitcase is designed with four multi-directional spinner wheels that allow for an easy commute, while the primary compartment offers plenty of space for your belongings. It even features a simple sleeve at the back of the bag, making it stackable atop of your other luggage for your smoothest travel day yet.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Underseat Carry-On Travel Tote
If you’re partial to traveling with a compact duffel rather than a roller bag, this carry-on tote from Travelpro will surely catch your eye thanks to its lightweight design and impressive packing capacity. The bag sits at 11 inches by 18 inches by 8 inches, which will slide under the seats of most commercial airlines. A water-repellent exterior is well-suited for springtime travel while keeping your belongings safe from April showers. Best of all, the primary compartment is spacious, easy to keep organized, and highly accessible for life on the go.
Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage
At just $64, this sleek underseat carry-on from Amazon Basics is a complete steal ahead of your next trip — but don’t worry, it’s reliable as well. After earning more than 6,300 five-star ratings on the site, travelers have pointed to the accessible design and roomy main compartment as highlights of this suitcase, and with several additional pockets to disperse your belongings across, this bag is an organized traveler’s dream. To top it all off, it’s also stackable, so you’re not limited to short weekend getaways with just this bag. Simply slide it onto the handle of your larger carry-on, and you’re ready to go.
Taygeer Carry-On Backpack
Traveling with a backpack is one of the easiest ways to keep your hands free without compromising on packing space, and this roomy carry-on from Taygeer is just further evidence of that fact. Designed to unzip like a suitcase to provide maximum space for your belongings, this pack slides under the majority of airplane seats so you’ll never have to stress about dragging your heavy suitcase down from the overhead bins again. Plus, it weighs a mere 2.5 pounds, so you won’t be weighed down by the bag itself, and can instead focus on packing it to the brim with your must-haves.
Coolife Underseat Carry-On Luggage
This rolling underseat carry-on from Coolife is a dream for minimalist travelers, and it’s created with streamlined, efficient packing in mind. One primary compartment has ample space for several outfits as well as a pair of shoes, while two side pockets and a slim front pocket provide additional space for your electronics and other items that you might want to access at a moment’s notice. Shoppers can even score this bag for just $70 right now thanks to a $20 off coupon that you’ll want to remember to clip at checkout.
Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Carry-On
Measuring in at 9 inches by 14 inches by 15 inches, this impressively functional bag from Rockland is about to become your go-to choice for nights away and weekend trips — and right now, it’s on sale for just $44 at Amazon. The large main compartment offers all of the space that you need for packing for a short work trip, and a telescoping handle can be zippered into the top of the bag, resulting in a sleek and ergonomic finish. With nearly 3,000 five-star ratings from happy customers, this under-$50 bag is a steal for the spring.
Luggex Underseat Carry-on Luggage with Wheels
Your search for the perfect hardside underseat suitcase can now come to an end because this rolling Luggex bag is currently on sale at Amazon for $90. Built to be both durable and reliable, this 16-inch suitcase fits under most airline seats so you can forgo being forced to check your bag at the gate. Eight smooth rolling wheels make walking across any terrain feel like a breeze — from the airport to cobblestone streets — and with a smartly designed interior that aims to help you stay organized, your travel experience is about to get a major upgrade.
Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 Softside Rolling Underseat Suitcase
Considering that Travelpro luggage has earned a stamp of approval from flight attendants, it only makes sense that the brand would also make top-of-the-line underseat rolling bags that you can rely on for your adventures. This high-quality roller is made with water-repellent and stain-resistant material that keeps the bag in pristine quality, even years down the road. And, the lightweight, 5.5-pound frame won’t weigh you down while still offering room to spare for your belongings. With seven colors to choose from, this underseater ensures that you no longer have to settle for a boring, black suitcase.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Chelsea Chevron Quilted Luggage
This Kenneth Cole rolling bag is as stylish as suitcases come, all while delivering everything that you would expect from a luxury underseat carry-on. The large primary compartment is fitted with convenient and expandable shoe pockets, as well as a garment restraint strap to keep your items neatly folded while on the go. An additional padded laptop compartment makes this tote ideal for work travel, and with two more side pockets available to pack to the brim, this bag should give you no trouble when taking to the skies.
Rockland Fashion Expandable Softside Upright Luggage Set
Rockland’s best-selling suitcase duo may feature a slightly larger carry-on bag, but it also boasts one of the greatest underseat carry-ons — and the pairing is currently on sale for a stunning 52 percent off. With more than 45,400 five-star ratings speaking to the quality and space of these suitcases, the set makes a trustworthy duo that fits anything you’ll want to bring along for your next weekend getaway; everything will fit within the confines of the smaller bag, while still sliding under the seat in front of you. It’s just an added bonus that there are 38 bold and bright colors and patterns to choose from, and at just $23 per bag, it’s one of the top deals we’ve seen.
Tip adapted from travelandleisure.comiii
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Please review Ballentine Capital Advisors Disclosure Brochure for a complete explanation of fees. Investing involves risks. Investments are not guaranteed and may lose value.
This material is prepared by Ballentine Capital Advisors for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation or any particular security, strategy, or investment product.
No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve future profits or losses similar to those shown. You should not assume that investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable or equal the investment performance of the past. Past performance does not indicate future results.
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i https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2024-golf-swing-tv-technology-masters-optimotion
ii https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a60359330/beyhive-bellini-recipe/
iii https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-underseat-carry-on-bag-deals-amazon-april-2024-8623800
