Feeling like a million dollars…

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Feeling like a million dollars…

Most of us partake in a little retail therapy from time to time, however fleeting, there is an undeniable “feel good factor” for most people. Perhaps it might be a car, the new i-phone or a new dress… whatever you buy for yourself, most of us probably will not find that the item increases in value purely because we owned, used, borrowed or wore it. Historical artefacts and increasingly the everyday items used by well-known figures are very much collectors’ items. The National Trust have recently launched a £7.1m appeal (click here) to acquire Winston Churchill’s various “items of national importance”. As you may imagine, there is considerable debate over the use of the money, after all what real national interest is being served by purchasing his hairbrush (“simply irreplaceable”) or House of Commons Birthday Book. I’m not so convinced… are you?

Happy birthday to you…

It is not simply these more historical figures that get buyers and collectors into something of a frenzy, as you will probably be aware, the cult of celebrity also has a spin off “once worn by” market. In November the dress worn by the marvellous Marilyn Monroe as she sang “Happy Birthday” in 1962 to JFK is up for sale again. It was last sold for $1.26million and experts are expecting this figure to be doubled on 17 November. So if you have a few million dollars and want to feel like it (wearing the dress?) then don’t miss the auction in Los Angles. If you simply wish to see it in person, its being shown in Ireland at Newbridge Silverware, (about 30 minutes from Dublin) where you can see this and many other outfits worn by celebrities.

Here’s a bit more information…

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

Nothing bad happens when its sunny, right?

Last night I was at the UK premier of Parkland as one of the films in competition at the BFI London Film Festival. It is the story of the JFK assassination, which happened nearly 50 years ago on 22^nd November 1953. Those over the age of 50 will almost certainly remember where they were when the heard the news of his death. This film is not about JFK himself, neither is it one for the conspiracy theorists. It is the story from the perspectives of locals who were there, in particular the medical staff at the Parkland hospital in Dallas, who attempted to save his life.

Is the conspiracy theory right in the new JFK film Parkland?

It’s an interesting film, and reveals some rather strange conversations between Lee Harvey Oswald, his mother and brother, however it does not really reveal anything new about a conspiracy theory. The director, Peter Landesman introduced the film. He made some interesting observations about “iconic moments in history” that get revisited, often in the hope that the ending will somehow alter. He also observed that many “bad things” happen out of the blue… indeed on a bright blue sky day, a day when surely nothing could go wrong. It was a reminder that of course, “bad” things happen all the time – the time, place and weather are largely an irrelevance. However looking to the sky for signs that things are going to be good (or bad) in life is little more than a rather primitive approach – unless of course you are simply attempting to predict the weather for the day.

What signs should investors look for?

Investors would do well to take heed of the warning not to read too much into “the signs” about stockmarkets or indeed anything that impacts our economies. I reckon that I have now heard most theories in relation to investor euphoria or depression, ranging from the price of corn to the number of coffee shops, goals scored or skirt length as “indicating signs”. The reality, is that life is full of risk, full of the unknown, frankly that is what makes it life and “fun”. Knowing the future is really more of a curse if you stop to think about it. So please beware of those holding themselves out to be foreseers of economic doom/oblivion/meteoric rise, they are simply guessing. There are ways to have a successful investment experience that do not involve guessing or living in fear of what may (or may not) happen. Yes, unforeseen “major events” do occur, but in reality a long-term perspective encompasses these. The real conspiracy is that few understand that they don’t need to play the fear and greed game.

Parkland will soon be available at UK cinemas, with the expected release date to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the assassination on 22 November.

Dominic Thomas: Solomons IFA