The Prizant Group, Ltd.

10/30/2026

https://www.wsj.com/business/entrepreneurship/business-finance-merchant-cash-advance-37d8bc42?st=JEyo16&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

I know that many trucking companies use "Factoring" to maintain cash flow and the lending rates are significant. However, I have no knowledge of this MCA (Merchant Cash Advance) business. Sure sounds like "Loan Sharks" to me, but I suppose if you need money and the normal lending institutions won't work with you; there are not a lot of options. As for this article, I wonder what a 70-year old trucking owner was thinking when he started this whole thing?

Merchant cash advances deliver quick funding, but some carry effective finance costs as high as 2,000%.

10/28/2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/28/opinion/private-equity-baby-boomers-investors.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFE.H8jU.8tEz_onqPUlE&smid=url-share

If you don't think this is "Scary" (and I don't mean "Halloween"), then you are living in an alternate universe. I don't blame baby boomers for selling to PE (Private Equity) as that is where the money is and boy, does PE have money to spend! If you have a company with any kind of "Recurring Revenue Model," you are likely to see a generous offer on the horizon. We, as consumers, better get ready to suffer from lack of quality service/increase pricing/ job losses with the only goal is to increase that damn EBITDA so the PE owner can sell in 5-7 years to another PE acquirer. The "PE Train has Left the Station."

Investors in big cities are quietly consuming small businesses all over the country.

10/27/2026

https://www.wsj.com/business/microsoft-job-cuts-buyout-offers-ff3c5dde?st=dsYYPF&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Back to the job market with Microsoft announcing "Buyouts" for up to 60,000 workers due to the emergence of AI. (Microsoft employs 223.000 worldwide). Their last buyout resulted in a 30% of employees taking the deal. From what I can surmise, layoffs will be coming next so it appears that taking the buyout offer makes sense. I don't know any of the particulars, but the "Hammer is Coming."

The tech giant is offering buyouts to 60,000 employees just as Skydance is also seeking volunteers to leave the company.

10/22/2026

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/how-to-save-social-security-41bd68e5?st=mAjoAz&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

As Linkedin continues to spiral into Facebook/Instagram/Reddit/Snapchat et.al., I can only hope someone, somewhere will develop a alternative "REAL" business platform. Anyways, I know that few will read this WSJ article about "Fixing Social Security," but, at this point in my life, I don't give a rat's ass.

How different ways to boost revenue or cut spending could change the retirement program.

10/21/2026

https://view.flodesk.com/emails/6aa01b2627a58d7573861a30

It's "Missive Time!" "Whisling Dixie" and is SkyNet coming for us?

Beginners and experts use Flodesk to grow their business. Design emails and forms that look great on any device. Try it free.

10/19/2026

https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/the-ai-stock-market-wobble-is-a-reminder-this-time-isnt-different-d3ea7f07?st=4DBunV&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Anyone with experience in the stock market knows that "This Time Is Different" is a bunch of hogwash. The "AI Boom" is real and currently the spending is non-stop. I don't understand what the level of "Compute" is necessary or how much "Power" is needed. I do know that it will be very difficult to estimate ROI (Return on Investment) for the trillions spent. "Ride the Wave" and be ready for it to die.

The artificial intelligence build-out hasn’t shown it can avoid the problems of past massive capital projects, such as railways and the internet.

10/17/2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/16/well/longevity-retirement-health.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.1q_D.7U5XH8DTPUyo&smid=url-share

I vividly remember my annual physical when I reach the magic 65 mark. My learned internist asked whether I was going to retire? My answer was in the negative and she said that was great as all her retired male patients were either "Dead or Raging Alcoholics." Of course, it was an overstatement, but one does need "Purpose" in their life or you will be sitting in "God's Waiting Room." It is ironic that I work in the ERISA retirement space as I don't believe in total retirement, but certainly one can stay active. My father-in-law retired at 59 1/2 from his buyer's position at Sears (you might remember they were "Amazon before Amazon) and immediately volunteer 5 days a week (no remote work) for SCORE (Service Corp. of Retired Executives). He kept this up for decades, taking the train to Chicago's Loop and providing consulting to many organizations. One doesn't need to go to such an extreme, but "Stay Purposeful My Friend."

As more Americans live longer and as the population ages, measuring the effect of retirement on physical, cognitive and mental abilities is a complex undertaking.

10/15/2026

https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/inflation-jump-will-push-social-security-benefits-up-3-6-e682e99b?st=9J5KQo&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

If inflation is running 3.7%, Medicare Part B is slightly going up ($6.60), my Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medigap premium went up 25% in 2026, gasoline has increased 40.8% in one year; one can see that what looks like a decent increase is merely a pittance. As one who has work in the 401(k) trenches for 25 years, I can assure you that the average American needs that Social Security income in retirement. Congress best get their proverbial "Heads out of their Asses" and come up with a workable solution to keep Social Security viable and support older Americans. If not, I suspect their will be "Hell to Pay" when it is time to vote.

Amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax will rise to $192,300

10/12/2026

https://www.wsj.com/finance/the-sleepy-insurance-product-that-came-to-power-private-credits-ascent-e9586fa3?st=4R7GZ8&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Along with Private Equity/Alternatives, there has been a big push for allowing annuities in ERISA plans. I understand that a large amount of the "Lump Sum" participant money goes into annuities after leaving these plans. However, I am sure that plan trustees DO NOT UNDERSTAND either annuities or Private Equity/Alternatives.

10/09/2026

https://www.wsj.com/business/corporate-layoff-announcements-workers-e37e0546?st=im9rpv&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Keeping our promise to follow the employment market, I found this piece in the Wall Street Journal. Apparently, the "Sword of Damocles" is hanging over employees at major U.S. companies. When they will get "Beheaded," is anybody's guess, but what a way to go to work everyday! Nasty!

From Nike to Meta, companies are telegraphing broad cuts in advance, leaving workers in limbo on the details.