eggbriar
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Posts posted by eggbriar
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https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2018/10/01/503090.htm
Prem Watsa, chairman and CEO, Fairfax, said: “Mark has been a friend to Fairfax for many years and, since the acquisition of Brit in 2015, has made an invaluable contribution across the Group. We wish him well and look forward to a continuing long friendship.”
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WOW!
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., the Canadian investment fund run by Prem Watsa, is nearing an agreement to acquire Allied World Assurance Co. for about $4.9 billion in a cash-and-stock deal that would be the largest yet for his firm, according to people familiar with the matter.
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What's happening is China is very interesting. I don't know if it's the first time this happened but it's certainly unique now. What's for sure that China is not communist anymore despite the name. Communism is an economic system not a political one. A system where all people through the state own all the capital. While it hasn't been so in practice. In theory you could have a democratic communist country.
However, since China shifted its economic system to capitalism it's definitely not communist anymore. Not sure what it is anymore. Maybe some weird dictatorial capitalism like Pinochet's Chile without the psychopathic angle.
maybe not as much as it once was, but still:
"But dig a little deeper, and China’s rise begins to look less imposing. First, the top 12 Chinese companies are all state-owned. They include massive banks and oil companies that the central government controls through the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the ruling State Council (SASAC), which appoints CEOs and makes decisions on large investments. Of the 98 Chinese companies on the list, only 22 are private."
http://fortune.com/2015/07/22/china-global-500-government-owned/
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Hi Grenville,
If you have access to the WSJ, they have the data:
http://www.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3062-nyseshort-highlites.html
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Well as I said before there are certain fundamental differences between the western economies and Japan. One of them being that the Japanese are prodigious savers and not very consumerist. The Americans are about the opposite of that. This results in chronically weak domestic demand in Japan. If you want to disregards that fact go ahead.
not anymore:
"The country’s savings rate, long one of the highest in the world, is now below zero. In short, Japan’s citizens are spending more than they earn. By comparison, the rate in the United States, where consumers have a reputation for living beyond their means, is on the rise, hitting 5.5 percent in January."
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Has anyone ever used Costco to buy their car?
I used Costco a few years ago. The process was incredibly quick and easy and I
felt like I got a very reasonable price. A friend also used Costco and said he had
no complaints.
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LOL I disagree. He decided to get a cab instead of renting a car, asking a friend/family member to pickup or using a airport to home shuttle service. Now if he had hitchhiked home that would IMO qualify for cheapest guy. :P
Ha ha, I used to hitchhike home from the airport all the time!
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Does anyone know what percentage of home is typically allocated for the home-office tax deduction (8829 line 3)? If I deduct 20% of my housing expenses, is that going to raise a red flag?
Who else files an 8829/how much do you deduct?
I've taken 20% while renting. Now I am living in a new place and it will be closer to 10%. I think you should take it if you are really using that space for your business. When I owned a house, I didn't take it because I thought it was a red flag and not worth the hassle. Now I will take it. I wish I would have always taken it. Like bigbadwolf says, "just be able to justify to any auditor".
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There was a long thread about gmcr? Still around did anyone call or even think about this?
Has the nature of quick serve drinks changed?
If this is the case it has "huge implications".
There was a good article in Fortune recently about Green Mountain.
http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/16/technology/keurig-green-mountain.pr.fortune/
They talk about doing soup and other things as well with the Keurig machines.
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In regards to Fidelity, does anyone have experience on when the $50 foreign ordinary shares trading fee will be charged? I'm trying to avoid any gotchas if I continue to hold IRAs at Fidelity instead on IB as a result.
TTTDodder,
I've had pretty good luck with Fidelity not charging the $50 fee. The only time I've seen it charged is awhile back when I tried to buy BYDDF.
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Here is a link to a deal on some insurance books that may be of interest. It is offered
through Insurance Journal's Academy of Insurance. I haven't read any of them.
http://www.ijacademy.com/promos/email/five-books/
"all five books in digital format for just $47"
Insurance, Risk & Risk Management The Insurance Professional's Basic Guide to Risk Management and Insurance, 236 Pages
Wow! I Never Knew That! 12 of the Most Misunderstood and Misused P&C Insurance Coverages, Concepts and Exclusions, 179 Pages
Property and Casualty Insurance Concepts Simplified Key property and casualty concepts rarely discussed or found in print; rather they are often left to be "discovered" over time, 198 Pages
The Insurance Professional's Practical Guide to Workers' Compensation Boggs addresses in clear, jargon-free English many of the concepts, policies and practices in workers compensation, 222 Pages
Business Income Insurance Demystified The Simplified Guide to Understanding Business Income Coverage, 145 Pages
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Another possible helpful tidbit:
In case anyone else buys used books online, I have found that other book stores online are sometimes significantly cheaper than Amazon.
I actually just purchased both the Poorvu and the Gallineli book at Abebooks.com at pretty much half the price than found on Amazon for their cheapest used book. Only negative is the shipping time is longer. It may also be possible the service may not be as great as Amazon, but just in case anyone else is looking for a deal...
Amazon acquired Abebooks in 2008. I like the site. I find it to be a good place to search for difficult to find books.
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Have a look at CASY, Caseys General Stores. I haven't looked at them in awhile, but they used to operate a lot of smaller stations and have done quite well.
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"I tried to pick up the game a few years ago, and this was the sort of thing that stopped me. I played online and my partners would get pissed at me for missing basic moves. I decided it wasn't worth the hassle and nagging, so I quit playing before too long."
Scott, give ACBL a look and see if they have any local games: http://www.acbl.org
They have a zero tolerance policy
"The ultimate purpose of the Z-T policy is to create a much more pleasant atmosphere in our NABCs. We are attempting to eradicate unacceptable behavior in order to make the game of bridge more enjoyable for all.
The following list are some examples of behavior which will not be tolerated:
Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, intimidation, profanity, threats, or violence.
Negative comments concerning opponents' or partner's play or bidding.
Constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table.
Loud and disruptive arguing with a director's ruling."
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I was playing a bit of duplicate, but then moved out of the area and haven't started to play again where I now live.
Just a few days ago, there was a notice for getting a game going nearby. I am looking forward to playing again.
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I greatly appreciate your efforts, Sanjeev. You created a wonderful site.
Hope to see many more anniversaries!
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I used to take an additional amount withheld from my paycheck at the end of the year to cover what I wanted to withhold. The amount withheld on your paycheck is considered to be paid ratably over the entire year, even if it was made on your last check. Otherwise, you can withhold additional taxes on a quarterly form 1040-ES and those will be treated at the time you file them.
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Hi Kiltacular,
It is my understanding that the change will affect trusts, not individuals. The withholding rate will be 25% vs the old 15% unless this form NR301 is filled out
prior to the 1st of the year. I had to fill one out for a family trust. I am not sure how it affects non flow through trusts or corporations.
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[amazonsearch]Exposure: Inside the Olympus Scandal[/amazonsearch]
I enjoyed reading this book. I think it is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Japanese investments, as
it provides a good inside view of corporate Japan.
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Couldn't we say that the P & C industry is anti fragile in that it responds well to stress, as catastrophe allows for higher future rates?
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I got my best price on a small amount at $337.40 :D
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ARDNA, a small grocery chain has made special dividends in the past, $20 in 2004 and $25 in 2008
I think they will make a similar payment before the end of this year.
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Hi beerbaron,
I just recently returned from a nice trip to Italy. Prior to leaving, I got one of those international chip credit cards through Chase with no foreign exchange charge. I have an ATM card that charges 1% conversion fee with no transaction costs that I used upon arrival at the airport for cash.
Enjoy your trip!
Brit Makes ‘Significant’ Investment in Toronto-Based MGU Sutton Special Risk
in Fairfax Financial
Posted
Founded in 1978 by William J. Sutton, Sutton underwrites accident, health & special risk products with a team of 40 employees based in Toronto, New York and London. It has projected premiums for 2019 of over C$60 million (US$45 million).
“We are delighted to announce our investment in Sutton. Greg Sutton and his team have built a profitable business with a highly regarded specialist offering, well-established in Canada and now in the U.S. and London,” said Matthew Wilson, CEO, Brit, which is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings.
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2019/01/08/514154.htm