By saving money, investing it in blue chip dividend growth stocks and reinvesting dividends and new capital, I plan to generate enough dividends to make me financially independent in a few short years without having to endure a lower standard of living.

What is unique about this rally is the excessive premium being placed on future earnings and economic growth. Unfortunately, the level and term structure of interest rates are not confirming the broad logic behind these equity market valuations. In fact, they damn that logic. In the past, when high valuation measures occurred and subsequent GDP was weak, the stock market has posted substantial losses. What can we expect this time?

Warren Buffett's favorite macro valuation tool is screaming that U.S. stocks are nearing bubble territory. This is a time to stay tactical, focus on income, and look to buy pockets of value as you see them.

There is certainly something to be said for being positive and thinking that anything is possible and, as Americans, optimism seems to come naturally for us. When we deny reality and engage in irrational wishful thinking, we are engaging in something called “hopium” - the irrational belief that, despite all evidence to the contrary, things will turn out for the best.

Canada’s housing bubble has been a sight to behold. Home prices only dipped 8% when the US housing market crashed. Then it re-soared. Now, across the country, home prices are 26% higher than they were at the already crazy peak in 2008. In Toronto, they’re 42% higher! There is a major drawback Canada's housing bubble beyond the fact that it will eventually crash with terrible consequences.

According to a new study from the IMF, correlations in general are much more elevated these days than they were before the financial crisis. In other words, there are fewer places to hide in the markets when the markets start tanking. Check out their Global Financial Stability Report that's been described as "not for the faint-hearted." and the red bars in the chart below.

The latest rage is writers saying that the current economic cycle is aging and we had better watch out as the ‘bubble’ will burst soon. NONSENSE. Here's why.

The DOOM & GLOOM pundits are predicting a crash saying that this economic cycle has over-stretched itself - but look again!!!

According to Paris-based asset management giant Natixis, investors believe they need an average annual return of 9.3% - over and above inflation - to cover their costs in retirement, and 80% believe this rather, ahem, optimistic goal is achievable.

For most Americans their biggest worries revolve around 3 major topics: having enough for retirement, paying for college, and paying for medical expenses. The article below looks at the breakdown among different American subgroups from the survey provided by Gallup.