The Art of Finance
TRIGGER WARNING: In this edition, I’m stepping way outside my comfort zone and opening up the emotional kimono. Feel free to hit close/delete after going through the first two sections, unless you like to cry in the middle of the workday.
WHAT’S NEW
It’s Oscar season, a time for red carpets, sparkling dresses, and celebrating Hollywood’s most overwrought performances and yawn-inducing films. Just kidding! (kind of). I love movies, always have. From Goodfellas to Gravity, Rocky to Ratatouille. And thanks to YouTube, I’ve been able to study the craft and appreciate filmmaking even more.
Right up there with movies on my list of interests is, of course, finance - a field that seems to be all math and objectivity. But, as anyone sliding down the Dunning-Kruger curve knows, is really all behavior and psychology. Like making movies, finance1 is highly technical, but driven by creativity, emotion, and storytelling. It’s much more an art than a science.
In honor of two of my favorite things in this world, I’d like to present my own Academy Awards, a list of the best online finance writers in the game2. Whether you’re a noob or a vet, a misanthrope or a saint, there’s a writer for you, just one click away.
🎞️ Edgiest Content: Jared Dillian, We’re Gonna Get Those Bastards
🎞️ Best Under 30: Jack Raines, Young Money
🎞️ Most Hilarious: Josh Brown, The Reformed Broker
🎞️ Lifetime Achievement Award: Jason Zweig, The Intelligent Investor
🎞️ Deepest Thinker: Bob Seawright, The Better Letter
🎞️ Best Combination of Technical Chops and Personal Stories: Kris Abdelmessih, Party at the Moontower
🎞️ Future Warren Buffett Award: Morgan Housel, Collab Blog
🎞️ Human Encyclopedia: Byrne Hobart, The Diff
🎞️ Biggest Bang for the Buck: Cullen Roche, Pragmatic Capitalism
🎞️ Outstanding Achievement in Blogging: Matt Levine, Money Stuff
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MONEY READS
👉🏼 Bedrooms & Bank Accounts by Joy Lere
“Money is complex. Marriage is hard. We can't mix those things and expect a state of pure bliss. Healthy relationships take work, but take heart and don't forget: the best things in life are worth fighting for.”
👉🏼 In Defense of Finance by Putanumonit
“Governments print the money, banks move it around, and if you find this arrangement distasteful consider that it has underpinned the global economy since long before the industrial revolution.”
👉🏼 Are IUL Insurance Policies Good Retirement Income Tools? by Andy Panko
“In all cases, the exchanges started off professional and very matter of fact. And in all cases, they regressed into me being told I don’t understand the products and that I’m biased against them.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
📼 VIDEO: 1,000 Blind People See For The First Time
24-year-old MrBeast pays for a thousand eye surgeries, paving the way for fathers to see their sons, teenagers to drive for the first time, and regular folks to get back to work. He even throws in extra gifts like cash and cars. I’m not crying, you’re crying.
🎧 PODCAST: Rob Delaney on WTF with Marc Maron
It’s a two-part episode so skip to the 25-minute mark, where Rob (the guy from Catastrophe) opens up about dealing with the loss of his son and how he’s learned to appreciate every minute with his kids. I’m not crying, you’re crying, part II.
📖 BOOK: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Mitch finds out that his old professor, Morrie, is dying. So, over the course of a dozen or so Tuesdays they get reacquainted and discuss what really matters in life. The result is a short book packed with powerful reflections. I’m not crying, you’re crying, part III.
THE JUKEBOX
Television’s most entertaining show3 is back. This is one of its greatest auditions. From Burnell's rendition to Keith’s reaction, it gets the blood flowing every time.
MY LIFE
“So I have some news,” I say, fidgeting with the door handle and looking at my feet. “You’re gonna be an uncle soon.” I peek over to see his reaction. He’s confused at first, but slowly the realization sets in. As the milliseconds tick away, I lose my confidence and regret my confession.
As I’m concocting ways to change the subject, his face contorts into a grin. “Aw, that’s awesome! Congrats, bro!” He’s punching the steering wheel and hooting, then turns to me. “I hope it’s a girl.” I nod, breathe a sigh of relief, and we bro-hug. Then I sit back and tell him the whole story.
Five months later, my daughter, Adelynn Rose, is born.
~~~
I was 23 years old, recently laid off, single, and a soon-to-be father. Angry about my lost dreams, terrified of the responsibility, embarrassed about my situation, and clueless about the next steps, I kept the secret for as long as I could. But I had to tell someone. Someone who would be supportive and positive, who wouldn’t judge or scorn or, god forbid, laugh. So, I laid the burden onto my closest friend.
Michel Ray Davis (AKA “Gameday” AKA “MRD” AKA “M. Reezy”) was always one of a kind. Even to me, a lucky S.O.B. blessed with a bounty of incredible friends, Mike stuck out. The kind of guy who was first on the dance floor (man, this MFer could move) and last to fall asleep. Always laughing, never complaining, he was the life of the party and then some. Needless to say, everyone was under his spell: grandmas, co-workers, strangers at the bar, it didn’t matter. He was so damn charming they couldn’t help it.
Mike was also kind. And selfless. And caring. He had no problem giving you a ride (in his tiny gray Hyundai), making you a drink (a former bartender), or helping you move (any excuse to wear a tank-top). He was also a great listener. We would talk on the phone for hours - an extreme rarity for two dudes fresh out of college - about our lives and our loves, re-hashing the weekend and planning the future. We leaned on each other (I usually and selfishly leaned harder), with an implicit understanding that nothing was off the table.
~~~
Less than three years after breaking the Big News, Mike was killed in a car accident, and his many his fans became reluctant mourners. Over the years, we’ve hosted golf outings and fundraisers, attended birthday parties and weddings. We’ve kept his memory alive and experienced that particular form of sadness a young person feels when losing one of their own.
Mike, who I met when we were 18 years old, would have turned 38 this week. I like to think he’d be married by now, with a bunch of kids and a house (we used to talk about living on the same street). Or maybe he’d be traveling the world, having adventures (his alter ego was a professional soccer player). Either way, he’d have his niece, Rosie, to dote on. And he’d still be my great friend.
Happy birthday, Mike. We miss you.
🤙🏼 Pura vida,
Sent with 💛 from Pittsburgh
Disclaimer: Nothing in this newsletter should ever be considered investment advice.
Thanks for reading!
If you want to sound sophisticated, pronounce it “fuh-NANCE” instead of “FY-nance”.
Let me know if there are any I’ve missed.
Just based on sheer volume, Idol holds the crown, and I don’t think it’s all that close. 20+ years of nonstop emotion. What other show has done that?
Gah! I appreciate your vulnerability and sharing your story and this beautiful tribute to Mike. Definitely had me teary eyed halfway through. A reminder to appreciate the wonderful people in our lives.
Also, really liked your curations and your blogging oscars 😂 Found myself watching the american idol audition too, which, you really were just trying to hit me in the feels with this issue!