Acha Etiendem

I spend quite a bit of time on the r/bonds subreddit. I love it because it’s a place where you can learn a lot and be challenged by people who really know what they’re talking about. Since I enjoy discussing how the bond market can be used as a risk barometer, I was recently prompted to give my general take on the state of the markets. It felt a bit like a checkmate; I was surprised that people wanted to hear my take. If they knew what a novice I was, they might think otherwise. Regardless, I don’t like letting people down, so I took my time to craft an answer. I want to share that same logic here, as a few people in my circle have asked what I’m doing at the moment. Image credits: https://www.eyecarebusiness.ca/resources/finance-operations/ What I’m doing right now can be broadly described as a "conservative approach." If you know me, you’ll know I was fearless in 2021 when I first began putting money into the markets. Of course, I quickly learned a lesson that I’ve vowed ne...

A few people may have been surprised to see me wearing the colors of the American flag today. I have never shied away from doing so, and even before today, I often wore my "God Bless America" hat. I am originally from Cameroon, one of the most beautiful and complete countries in the world. Its beauty doesn't lie in skyscrapers, advanced infrastructure, or architecture, but in its natural richness; it is blessed with a little of everything this planet has to offer. Still, I have found myself in foreign lands, sometimes due to circumstances beyond my control, and other times simply for my love of traveling. The primary reason, however, has always been that where I called home didn't offer me the room to chase my dreams. I know people who never left home and still reached commendable heights, so I often self-criticize. I admit that I wasn't smart enough to traverse the difficulties and become who I wanted to be while still in my country. Migration is ingrained in the...