Free newsletter? Just stop paying
by david617 | April 21, 2017 4:49 pm
I have always had six to eight subscriptions to newsletters. generally in the $50 to $80 range. I am particularly fond of the Agora[1] publication set, but I have other subscriptions, too.
Over past 12 months or so, I have decided to end my subscriptions to Jim Rickard’s Strategic Intelligence[2] and True Alpha[3] (formerly Capital & Crisis by Chris Mayer[4]). In each case, I find that they have continued to send me their new issues, though I do get reminders to renew and even, recently, they wanted me to sign up for lifetime subscriptions!
I would imagine that the marginal costs of sending out an issue is probably less than $1. I guess that the possibility of renewal and the payments which I assume that they receive for the envelope stuffers make it worthwhile to continue to send out new issues. I think I am in my second year of free copies of Strategic Intelligence.
The moral of the story: If you are on the fence regarding a particular subscription, then don’t pay up when they approach you (oftentimes WAY in advance of the end of the subscription). At a minimum, you will get a few free months with lots of renewal reminders; at best, you might get a long term subscription gratis!
- Agora: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/agora/
- Strategic Intelligence: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/strategic-intelligence/
- True Alpha: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/true-alpha/
- Chris Mayer: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/chris-mayer/
Source URL: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/2017/04/microblog-free-newsletter-just-stop-paying/
I am still subscribed to the Strategic Intelligence (Got a new issue this morning in the email) – however, like you, I’ve been considering paring back on some of my subscriptions. Strat.Intel. in one of them. I don’t know exactly why; I’ve read Mr. Rickards recent books and get that he is very smart, sort of “in touch” with global happenings. I’m just not sure if their investment advice fits my investment style, if that makes sense.
I’ll certainly consider your advice about cancelling; not sure if I’d miss it if they actually did stop sending issues.
Rickards does seem to have gravitas, but he went out of his way to predict that, with the IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), that China’s currency would leave the US in the dust. Well, it’s been about 18 months and this prediction — his major, earth-shattering prediction — has not come to pass. I regard that as a failure worthy of cancellation.
Rickard’s macro predictions have been excellent, but they have not translated to good picks.
Hi kdi1966….my approach to newsletter subscriptions is similar to yours, I have several of them. My purpose is not to follow anyone slavishly for picks but to get ideas and perspectives. Occasionally there ideas for picks that I think are very good.
A few authors, and Rickards is one of them, have macro ideas and strategies that I think are excellent, but whose picks are inconsistent at best and disasters at worst. Rickards and Sean Hyman come to mind.
What I have done in Rickard’s case is to apply his ideas and filter my own picks against his ideas. I agree with his overall perspectives and in general, I have managed my own assets in the general direction he recommends.
The specific positions are not copies of Rickard’s recommendations, but they are
consistent with the general tenor of his ideas. This is because I agree with his assessments, not because I am persuaded by his newsletter.
Basically he recommends significant exposure to hard money and physical assets, significant liquidity in cash or alternate investments, and certain other real asset investments, some of which are suitable for me and others which are not.
Gold and silver: I make my own picks, which I think are better than those selected by Rickards and King.
Real estate: Rickards suggests farmland and commercial land. I agree but have no way to conveniently invest in farmland, and cannot bear the expense of fallow commercial. So I have income producing residential property instead.
Cash: I agree but it is difficult for me to have significant cash without compromising my objectives for capital gains.
Conventional stocks: he is leery, so am I. Narrow focus, strictly “safe” big caps or asset-based picks.
Alternate funds: he like hedge and specialty funds…big money alternatives not suitable for me.
Fine art: again, an asset class for an investor class I am not a member of. I do feel better about my personal art and collectible expenditures, but I can hardly call my purchases part of an asset allocation strategy.
**
Sean Hyman, Ultimate Wealth Report: Sean wins the prize for disaster newsletter picks. He is a hard asset guy who loves big cap companies because they have high surviveability. His picks were terrible, absolutely terrible, because of the macro trends in physical commodities.
But I must say that I like his approach and outlook. If I want a big miner or oil company or large cap stock, I would look at his picks. But his timing was just awful for the sectors he is in.
Just make sure that your “free ” subscriptions are not still being deducted from your checking account or going to your credit card. You must be vigilant.
Which is exactly why I only pay my subscriptions with a paper check!
Strategic Intelligence – Jim Rickards – Agora Finanacial – just a scam marketing deal – one SPECTACULAR offer after another, each with MORE COSTS – why subscribe to PAY THEM to SELL TO YOU – very disappointing and FALSE MARKETING –
Last “BUST – October 26,2017 – AMAZON will be hit by antitrust and DROP – reality – IT WENT UP over 100 point the next day!!!!!!