A bond from the Dutch East India Company, dating from 7 November 1623, for the amount of 2,400 florins. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I would ask those who happen on these pages to bear in mind my disclaimers.

You should realize that I am a fellow consumer, and not a professional in the world of high finance. My posts do not attempt to provide investment advice specific for your needs. You should undertake your own research gathering as much information as possible, and consult a qualified investment adviser about its relevance to your situation.

There are many who do not trust their own judgment to manage their money and leave it entirely to others. But this is not always the best plan. I would urge those saving or living on a retirement nest-egg to be wary of unethical or at times fraudulent practices.

You do not need to understand  all the jargon, or to grasp the complexities of all financial instruments. Nor do you have to blunder unwisely into a “do it all yourself” mentality.

What you should strive for is an understanding of how markets work, and how to assess the risks of your investments. Your task is to delegate as wisely as possible, never relying unduly on returns from any one enterprise. Bear in mind that most financial experts are specialists. Know and respect their field of ability, but do not think they have a grasp on all financial matters.

We all deserve reasonable pay for our services. Do not begrudge  a fair fee. You may abhor greed in your advisers, but be alert to your own greed, and of trying to get rich too quickly.

Why would you wish to read my posts when I am not a financial professional? Possible answers might be. They are free of charge. They are relatively unbiased – is there such a thing as being truly unbiased? I’m not an arm-chair critic, having found out how hard it is to save for one’s retirement, and having learned to manage over 14 years of retirement. I have made an ongoing effort to become as knowledgeable as possible, and I have lived long enough to know some of the pitfalls. Any advice offered is of a general nature for information only.

My field  of interest is in technical analysis, and I would hope that this blog might motivate others to consider what it has to offer.

Kenneth J Robson  <technicalitydotme.wordpress.com>