Do we have boom times in the U.S. or the start of a nutcracker of a new recession? For some of you, the next year is going to feel like a depression. For others, opportunities will be abundant, and you will enjoy tremendous gains in your portfolios. To help you end up on the latter side, this month I give you an overview of this complex economic, monetary, and investment scenario. And while the market’s volatility amid the credit mess can cause investors to worry, there are some reasons for optimism — especially considering the differences between today’s digital-age economy and the economy of old. Also remember that with volatility come opportunities to buy some very cheap stocks. In this issue, I also have updates to both my Monster Master Lists, with two new stocks and one new fund. Plus, all of our Top Ten Common Stocks remain strong buys, so read the January issue to find out more. Happy Holidays.

Tags: ABER, aber diamond, Anheuser Busch, BA, BAC, BACprJ, Bank of America, barclays, BHP, BHP Billiton, BKH, Black Hills, Boeing, BU, C, CDO, citigroup, coca-Cola, CPRF, credit cycle, Credit Suisse, CS, DIA, Dodge & Coz Stock, DODGX, don imus, dowdiamonds trust, EWS, EWZ, export, FDG, Fording Canadian Coal, GE, general electric, GLD, Harry Winston Diamon Corp., Hormel Foods, HRL, illinois tool works, industrial production, iShares Brazil, iShares Singapore, ITW, JNJ, johnson & johnson, KO, mcCormick, MKC, models, nestle, NILSY, Norilsk Nickel, NSRGY, nutcracker, PCL, PEP, Pepsico, pum creek, Rayonier, Rio Tinto, RTP, RYN, schlumberger, securitization, SLB, StatoilHydro, STO, streetTracks Gold Shares, TAVIX, Third Avenue International, Vanguard GNMA, VFIIX, WFMI, Whole foods, Young World Money Forecast

As the month of July was coming to a close, the Dow fell by over 300 points in one day. On a day like this a fortress-like portfolio mix of 50% high-grade fixed income and 50% dividend-paying stocks, allows a prudent and astute investor to not only sleep well but perhaps even gloat a little. This month, I talk about what’s best for your portfolio if you’re about to retire in the next 5 to 10 years. Plus, I cover the six positions I am adding to that are in our portfolio. If you are looking to smooth out your portfolio, check out my fixed-income strategy. I discuss the potential of zeros and how my Young Research Valuation Indicator can point out buy signals for you. And I have one new stock for you and one stock to sell, plus a new list of blue-chip preferreds and an update on our Agricultural Commodities portfolio. Make it a good month!

Tags: Alcan, Alcoa, Alexander & Baldwin, Alico, American Express, BHP Billiton, BlackRock, Boeing, Cresud, DB Agricultural Commodities Fund, Deutsche Bank, Dodge & Cox International, Federated Investors, Fidelity Canada, general electric, harley-davidson, ING, iShares Singapore, johnson & johnson, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Microsoft, New Era, Pepsico, Piedmont Natural gas, Plum Creek Timber, Powershares, retirement, Rio Tinto, ruger, Sturm, Syngenta, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Japan Fund, Tiffany, treasury, Vanguard GNMA, Vanguard Wellesley Income, Wal-Mart, withdrawal rate, Wrigley, Xstrata, Young Valuation Indicator, zeros

I always talk to you about the power of compound growth–well, this month we get back to the basics. My wife and I recently visited Vermont’s Authentic Designs to order new lighting for our home. The skilled craftsmen of Authentic Designs still work on 150 year-old machines and turn out some masterful creations. Their guiding principle is “Simple Is Sophisticated.” I love that phrase, and I think it’s one that every investor should take to heart. In this month’s issue I cover all the “keep it simple” principles and steps that help our portfolios grow. This is an educational issue you won’t want to miss. Enjoy, and make it a good month!

Tags: ALEX, Alexander & Baldwin, Berkshire Hathaway, Brazil, BRKb, Efficiency Frontier, Fidelity Canada fund, Fidelity International real Estate, GE, general electric, harley-davidson, HDI, illinois tool works, Imer, Inco, iShares Australia, iShares Singapore, ITW, Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., JMHLY, JOE, LMI.L, Lonmin PLC, N, St. Joe, Third Avenue International Value, time warner, TWX, Vanguard GNMA, Vanguard Precious Metals & Mining, Vanguard Short Term Investment Grade, Vanguard tax-Managed growth & Income, Vanguard Wellington

It’s all about the oil. This month’s issue focuses on the United States’` dependency on oil and what this means for our investments. I offer four powerful considerations for you to factor into your investment thinking and a number of ways to protect your investments over the long-term. The strongest way to protect yourself is to invest in the companies that are part of our alternative energy future, such as the four new utility companies I want you to add to your portfolios this month. Plus, there are a few blue chips making bets on alternative energy and energy efficiency that are buys as well. Be sure to read this important issue!

Tags: <prgan Stanley trust Preferred VI, Archstone-Smith, ASN, Australia, BHP, BHP Billiton, BP, British Petroleum, Canadian General Investments, CIN, Cinergy, Delta & Pine Land, DLP, EQR, Equity residential, Fidelity International real Estate, FPL, FPL group, GE, general electric, harley-davidson, HDI, Hong Kong, Income Fund, India, iShares Singapore, mcCormick, MKC, Norfolk Southern, NSC, oil, PCL, PII, PIMCO real Commodity return, Plum Creek, Polaris, PSD, Puget Energy, Rayonier, RD, rio trinto, Royal Dutch, RTP, RYN, time warner, TWX, Union Pacific, UNP, Vanguard Precious Metals & Mining, Vanguard Wellesley, Xcel energy, XEL