U.S. News: 5 Reasons to Bet on a Consumer Rebound

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Is it time to bet on a consumer rebound? Historically, it's never been wise for investors to underestimate the willingness of Americans to spend.

But so far in this recovery we haven't reached the "spending-like-drunken-sailors" stage. 

The good news is that we may soon see the beginnings of a splurge, because although the economic recovery has been limp these past few years, there seems to be an important turning point. Read more here.

Forbes Video: How Restaurant Wine Is A Rip-off

By SIMON CONSTABLE

There are ways to get better value for money when you order wine at dinner. Sure, you already know that the restaurant has to mark up the price it charges you — there are lots of people who need to be paid.

But there are ways you could easily do better or worse, if only you knew what code words to use, or to avoid. For instance, which phrase is better: good value, or good price?

Plus there are actions you can take, which might seem subtle, but actually communicate directly with the sommelier in a way that they are unlikely to miss.

To find out what you need to know, I asked Mark Oldman, author of ‘How to Drink Like a Billionaire,‘ who explains the intricacies of restaurant wine in this video.

Photo by Maksym Kaharlytskyi on Unsplash

Forbes Video: Is The Fed Politicized?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The Federal Reserve prides itself on being independent. The idea is that the policy makers of the Federal Open Market Committee should make decisions to further the twin goals of stable prices and full employment. And they should do so without regard to what the different political parties want. That's the idea anyway.

The question on the mind of many is whether those very important policy makers are actually now being swayed. After all, Fed Chair Janet Yellen get grilled with some frequency in Congress, and there are powers that stand to make a ton of money if they could persuade the country's central bank to move interest rates in one direction or another.

Charlie Bilello, Director of Research at Pension Partners addresses the question in this video. Curiously enough, Bilello and I are about two blocks away from the New York Fed as we film this interview.

Outside On The Street: What Are The Best Bets For Investors Now?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Pension Partner's Charlie Bilello weighs in with his picks. He speaks with Simon Constable.

Forbes: 'Mantra' Your Way To Success

By SIMON CONSTABLE

 was once asked to consult to a large hospital where the head of nursing wanted to shake things up. Or at least that’s what she said. It quickly became clear that she wanted change, but didn’t want to do anything different. Whenever I suggested something different, it was immediately shot down, with “that’s not how we do things.” Needless to say the project didn’t go well for me.

Doing something different is hard for most people because it makes them uncomfortable. The same is true for me. That’s why it’s so hard, which bring me to a new book that may help some of us change our lives: Habit Changers: 81 Game-Changing Mantras to Mindfully Realize Your Goals by M.J. Ryan. It was published last month by Crown Business. Read more here.

Forbes Video: What Are the Biggest Wine Investing Mistakes?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

If you are tired of investing in the same old standard of stocks and bonds, then you need to get educated.

For instance, should you buy cases of rare wine? It might be worth considering. But if you do so then you should avoid some of the more common missteps.

For instance, where should you store your wine? Or what happens when there is a natural disaster?

To get the skinny on the matter I spoke with wine expert and author of “How to Drink Like a Billionaire,” Mark Oldman, who elaborates on some of the things he maybe should have thought twice about. He talks with me in this video.

Photo by photo nic on Unsplash

Forbes Video: Is It Over For Gold?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Gold prices have been sliding recently, partially reversing the gains made over the last year.

The big question for many investors is whether the move means that the bull run is over? This is not a trivial question. Gold suffered a two-decade bear market from 1980 through 2000 where prices sank from $850 a troy ounce to a low of less than $300. The decade before that, 1970 to 1980 saw tremendous gains, from a low of $35 up to the then all-time high of $850.

So there it is; is the recent pullback a blip, or is it the harbinger of something bigger. Charlie Bilello, Director of Research at Pension Partners, explains his thoughts in this video.