Greetings from sunny California... one of my favorite places to visit, but a place I'll never call home.
I choose to live in Florida. Florida has no state income tax. And in my hometown, you can still park your car at any beach or on Main Street without feeding a meter. Not in California. And with California's current financial situation, it can never go back.
That's why I won't move to California. I know it'll cost me...
California's state income tax is among the highest in the country. And it is likely going higher... No wonder more people are moving out of the state than moving in. Property prices have crashed (so government revenues from property taxes have crashed). California's public schools rank among the worst. Unemployment is at record highs. The list goes on.
Instead of working on these problems, California's politicians are "balancing" their massive budget deficit by "using accounting tricks that couldn't fool a grade-schooler," according to legendary bond-fund manager Bill Gross. California has created questionable "IOUs" at a faster rate than your typical Latin American dictator. And California has the worst credit rating of any state.
In short, California is broke. It's no secret. But somehow, California's politicians are in complete denial. To solve its problems, California needs massive government spending cuts (ha!) and massive tax hikes (just try to pass those).
If California is in such trouble, who would do something as foolish as loaning California money? Well, I did... In January of this year, I recommended you buy California government bonds.
We were actually making a safe bet. I figured the U.S. government wouldn't let California fall apart. And the bonds were paying very high yields for government bonds – tax free.
Back then, investors were scared. The best opportunities often appear during times of fear. So I recommended a way to profit from "those oblivious fools."
Today, I recommend you pocket your profits from that trade...
Back in January, I recommended the PIMCO California Intermediate-Term Bond Fund. The total return since I recommended it has been about 10%. That might not sound exciting, but a double-digit return in less than a year in boring municipal bonds is exceptional. Even better, a decent portion of that gain – all the income – is tax free!
But now, the trade is over. Here's why:
In short, the "free" money is behind us. Investors are not nearly as scared as they once were. The reward in California municipal bonds is no longer worth the small risk.
California tax-free bonds only pay about 1% interest above the national average for state tax-free bonds. The thing is, California is essentially bankrupt. Other states (while struggling) aren't.
As recently as June, the "spread" between California bonds and the other states was more like two percentage points. The current spread around one percentage point isn't worth it...
So take that double-digit profit and move it to higher ground. My favorite place to move that money and keep it tax free is the PowerShares Insured National Municipal Bond Fund. The symbol is PZA.
The tax-free yield is about 4.5%. You'd have to earn 6% in a taxable account to equal 4% tax-free.
I love California. But I don't want leave my investment dollars in the hands of California's government, not for such a tiny return. Pocket your cash from those oblivious politicians. Take the 10%. And move it to higher ground, in something like PZA.
Good investing,
Steve
P.S. I really do love it here in California... I'll be here less than 48 hours, but I have a packed schedule. I'm visiting my good friend Van Simmons, who is a mentor of mine and one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet about making money gold coins and in collectibles.
I plan on catching up with young investment analyst Mebane Faber (he'll be famous someday I believe). I'll also go surfing with the most famous big-wave surfer of all time... Laird Hamilton. My kind of trip!
In case you've been under a rock for the past 24 hours, the buyers just won the "battle for $1,000 gold."
During yesterday's trading, gold reached $1,043 ounce... which surpasses its March 2008 high. So what's really driving this breakout? Once again, we remind you "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch."
You see, to pay for all sorts of bailouts, wars, stimulus packages, cash for clunkers, and welfare programs, governments have to borrow lots of money. They even create a little out of thin air to help foot the bill. When they do this, they dilute the value of their paper currencies. Gold, a sort of "anti-currency," is where smart investors flock when this government stupidity gets a little too stupid.
Is gold too popular right now? Probably. But governments know that promising "bailouts for everyone" is how to get elected and stay elected. And as old man gold and his new high reminds us, there just ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Long-term, gold is headed higher.
How to Earn 9% from a Cash War Chest By Tom DysonTuesday, October 6, 2009
By making the loan, we ensured our money is totally secure. Gerald Ford has a legal obligation to pay us income and redeem our loan at full value. We'll take him to court if he fails to pay us back a single cent he owes us. If we'd bought stock, we'd have no such power.
These Charts Will Save You a Fortune By Tom DysonMonday, October 5, 2009
If you invest in the stock market, you need to follow the performance of these three charts. They're among the best gauges of fear and greed in the market. As their prices go, so goes the stock market.
This System Works So Well, I'm Not Sure I Should Tell You About It By Dr. Steve SjuggerudFriday, October 2, 2009
The results of this system are so powerful, I hesitate to share them with a large audience. But I get paid to share the best investment ideas I find. So I feel compelled to tell you about this one...
The Last Great Offshore Tax Shelter By Dr. Steve SjuggerudThursday, October 1, 2009
I was flying around the track in a new 911 Carrera. My wheels were squealing at the brink of spinout about a third of the time. And yet I could hardly keep up with my DailyWealth colleagues Ned and Brian in the new Panamera Turbo in front of me.
