Madness in March

Madness in March

Yes, it is that time of year when College Basketball fans (and gamblers) get to take out their bracket and choose who they think will win round by round and ultimately the national championship. I am not sure which I am more annoyed with the fact that the basketball that is played is not as interesting to me or the fact that fans and non-fans take so much time to prepare their bracket challenges and bet on the final victor.

Though I love basketball, college hoops have gotten much less of my attention. Maybe it is because the NCAA has gone 3-crazy, but I suspect it has lost it's the charm for me because College Basketball (and many other college sports) have become a very big business.

Check out this very interesting infographic below or this link: March Madness. Make no mistake this is a billion (with a B) industry that profits on the back of "student-athletes". For example, interested in buying a Denzel Valentine jersey, maybe the Bahamian native Oklahoma's Buddy Hield's? Well when you drop 50 bucks down, please don't kid yourself that these players see any of this money. That is the problem in my eyes. All the media companies, paraphernalia providers and colleges greatly profit on the back of the players (which is the reason we watch!).

Of course, the tournament is littered with March Madness Horror Stories that result in a fan's personal finance knowledge to be challenged. I would add to that many workers are less productive during this time; taking time off and/or watching games while at work. And I suspect it has much to do with the fact that they are gambling on their choices in the bracket.

My advice? Watch and enjoy the game, even fill out a bracket or two (but don't wager on it), but this is really the time you should be gathering your financial information to get ready to file your taxes by April 15th!

BTW, I pick Michigan State. They have great talent on their team, but I think Coach Izzo is one of the best and will bring them to another title.

Tom Sirois on Financial Stability

Tom Sirois

Financial Stability

"As the westernmost county in Massachusetts, the Berkshires comprise about 12% of the state’s landmass but only 2% of the population. As such, it is the 2nd most rural county in the state. The 32 towns have a total population of 130,000, which is predominantly white, has a small but growing Hispanic population (3.7% reported, but anecdotally estimated to be much higher), and 3% African-American. The population also tends to be older than statewide: 19% of Berkshire residents are over 65 compared to an average of 14% statewide (US Census). Of those who are 65 and older, 57% are considered poor or low income compared to 42% statewide (MA CHIP)" - Community Health Programs

 Most of the jobs in and around the Berkshires of Massachusetts are seasonal temporary work. This means when the season ends, so do the paychecks and sources of income for many blue collar working families.

Most of the seasonal jobs available to the citizens of this area are low income as is, which further contributes to the depression of the state average wage. 29% of this depression stems from this problem.

24 percent, this is how much lower wages are in this area versus the rest of the state of Massachusetts, contributing to a higher poverty rate than the majority of the state.

The cost of living is 126 percent higher than the surrounding areas, and this further contributes to the economical state in which the residents live.

This is why financial stability has never been more important.

You can turn these negatives into positives and stability for your household and way of life with the simple guidance and tools that Berkshire Hills Financial can give you.

Take advantage of our services to ensure you come out of your seasonal job with a comfortable cushion of savings, investments, and security.

Contact:
Tom Sirois
 Berkshire Hills Financial
314 Main St #21, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(844) 861-7292

The Three Skills You Need to Be Successful in Life

Someone I have admired from afar is Mark Ford. He is a very impressive author, publisher and entrepreneur (among other things). From his recent published writing, he has shared the skills “you” need to be successful, but I think they should be skills that are taught to our children at an early age:

Thinking Well.

Speaking Well.

Writing Well.

I will take the time over the next few weeks to expand on each of these. What are your thoughts?

Tom Sirois

Great Barrington, MA

Like Hillary Clinton, bet you kids with Student Loans don't know this:

We all know that many politicians are bought and paid for by the "bankers", but no one is MORE beholden to the "bankers" than Mrs. Clinton.

For Hillary Clinton to state she is on the side of middle class Americans, or middle class students is simply a lie.

There has been many studies that prove the rise in College Tuition is in direct relation to to availability of College Loans. See here: Accounting for the Rise in College Tuition. So, yes, I believe if we stop offering student loans, the cost of educating our citizens will go down.

Mrs Clinton, as Senator from New York, is responsible in introducing legislation that was ultimately passed, which  will insure no student loans can be discharged from bankruptcy proceedings. Essentially, students who borrow money to go to college will become enslaved to the lenders.

Washington is way to corrupt and the press is complacent in covering up the truth. I see many articles that will demonize Trump or Carson (two whom have never served in Washington), but Hillary is a hero. I firmly believe that the destruction of our American middle class, culture and way of life is in direct relation to the increase in power of corrupt politicians in Washington.

I look forward to the day all Americans realize that.

Tom Sirois
Great Barrington, MA

(Former) Support Becomes Resistance

We have had a nice rally from the September lows, but now we see that former support (2039) is resistance.

SP500 running into resistance

Many trapped long stock holders may decide to exit at this time and provide downward pressure.

Good time to sell some of your long holdings.

Thomas Sirois
Great Barrington, MA

Excellent "speech" about How to speak so that people want to listen.



This speaker not only tells you what NOT to do, but also what TO do.

Tom Sirois
Great Barrington, MA

And why do we put up with this?

A recent article on firstlook.org shows how Congress has argued that it is OKAY for them to profit from insider information; not just have access to insider information, but to TRADE and PROFIT from that information.

Corruption is coming to a head and it is soon (within 1 year) that I beleive the tipping point will be reached.

What do you think?

Tom Sirois

Great Barrington, MA