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Only those of ‘a certain age’ will be able to fill in the blanks in today’s title. For those who are younger, here’s a link to some information about it. This TV show was part of my youth, offering weekly feel-good stories about a band of Merry Men who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.

"Up, Up and Away" is a 1967 song written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by the 5th Dimension. Although it did well on the charts, it’s been a while so let me remind you of the next few words: ‘in my beautiful balloon’.

I thought of the song as I was talking to a younger friend who graduated from college in 2009.

On a Hawaiian vacation some years ago, Janet and I joined a group that was hiking to a World War II fort on the top of a mountain. Once there, we stopped to rest and enjoy the expansive view of the Pacific. One of our group, significantly younger and fitter than the usual tourist, had worn a large backpack for the whole climb.

With apologies to author Judith Viorst, the title of her ‘Alexander’ book from 1972 seemed perfect for my 2020 year-end article.

Growing up, we had family friends who owned a candy company. As a child, it seemed like working there would be a dream job – surrounded by candy. Better yet, the company policy allowed employees to eat all the candy they wanted. You see the trap, right?

I’d like to begin with a show of hands: all those who enjoy reading their insurance policies, please raise your hands now. Hmmm, I don’t see very many and I must admit that if this was a Zoom call, you wouldn’t see mine either. However, insurance is part of our lives so it’s important that those who buy it either understand it or have trusted advice at hand.

Today, Frank Sinatra joins the illustrious group of people who I think might have something to offer the world as a financial planner in addition to his other talents.

If we see each other in late December, you might want to wish me a happy birthday but today’s message is meant for ‘the other Warren’ in the investment world, Warren Buffett. He turned 90 a couple of weeks ago.

Last week I wrote about the idea that a bubble might be forming in the stock market. This week I’d like to delve into some of the reasons I’m concerned.