I have been asked to write a column to help our readers make money. While this is a daunting task and one which I am reticent to take on, I will attempt to do so in as conservative a way as possible. In general, my goal will be to help our readers conserve what they already have and every once in a while take advantage of an opportunity to add to their "stash". Please keep in mind that you should always do your own work and never rely on the opinion of so called "experts"; though they can be helpful in guiding you along the right path, ultimately its your "dough" and that should never be invested, spent, whatever, on someone else's say so.

With that in mind I will try and lend my 30+years of experience in trading stocks and options, investing in real estate, playing cards and betting sports (both for profit LOL) to this venue. If you have any specific questions pertaining to anything mentioned here, please feel free to send them in via the website and I will do my best to either answer them myself or have someone more qualified in that particular area lend their expertise.

Today's message will be brief. We are entering into an inflationary environment. Despite what my esteemed "Lantzman" Mr. Greenspan might tell you, goods and services today are more expensive than they were a year ago (One need only pause for a moment and try to come up with a venue outside the supermarket where you're not paying more.)

Three dollars a gallon of gas is the tip of the iceberg. While in historic terms experts would argue that it is still cheap, the reality is that it raises prices in almost all walks of life and changes the American consumer's priorities. In short, it is bad for business; and if it goes higher (which seems inevitable) the situation will obviously worsen. Rates will continue to rise, money will be more difficult to borrow and the economy will not continue to grow. All of which is very bad news for Wall Street and corporate America (with the exception of the oil companies of course).        

My  own particular area of expertise is the gaming sector which I have followed diligently since moving here some 18+yrs. ago. I foresaw the opportunities there and took advantage of them. I can honestly tell you that as of last week I divested myself of my last share of stock in any company that owns casinos. I don't ever remember being in such a position in my investment history. Don't get me wrong, I think all the companies in this sector which I have owned in the past are solid, well run, and investment worthy. Its just my personal opinion that they will be more attractive (i.e. cheaper) down the line.

For those of you who are heavily invested in this sector you might consider lightening up, perhaps overweighting the more locals oriented companies. (STN being my favorite in the group), for reasons which I will go into in a future article.

In short be CAREFUL out there, as my Bubbie once told me, its a jungle.

There's a little off the top.

JCS