MY ARTICLES
A collection of my newspaper columns
on topics that interest us today.
“Make Dad Last Forever”
Dallas Morning News, 2007
What kind of emotions swell when you hear the word “father?” Asking this question brings on a wave of emotions for me. I cry easily when I think about dad because of his lovingkindness and hopefulness. Claude Blaising is solid, clear, and certain about truth and love. Even if your dad was not loving or not present, this column, published by The Dallas Morning News on Father’s Day in ’07, will give you hope for filling that void. Using a video I made with dad, I realized how I can embrace the highest ideals of a father and make them last forever.
“The Information Age of Business and Investment”
Park Cities People, 1990
One of the most exciting business strategies I discuss in my chapter of the book Eschatology; Biblical, Historical and Practical Approaches is a dynamic concept I call “flow.” I previewed that idea 26 years earlier in this 1990 column. Briefly, flow is the skillful habit of being constantly aware of the inherent opportunity in all pieces of information. Much of this information exists in unsought and unintended combinations throughout the day to provide you more opportunities. Just recognizing the existence of flow breeds an excitement of what might be contained in the information coming your way today.
“Banking System Faces a Real Threat”
The Dallas Morning News, 1988
Twenty years before our banking system nearly burned to ashes in 2008, The Dallas Morning News published my viewpoint about this risk. What I worried about in 1988, the solvency of our banking system in a crisis, came true in 2008 when the global financial system almost collapsed. The problem then was the size and real value of international debt, which many large U.S. banks carried on their books as assets. The issue in ‘08 was the real value and size of financial derivatives, especially the largest banks. Here’s the real issue: How prepared are you for an extreme crisis? Read more here.
“Little Town of Bethlehem
Never Lies Too Still”
Dallas Morning News, 1999
Where does one find inspiration in a world of massive suffering and misfortune? The answer arrived in a manger. Jesus was born in a parking lot for animals in Bethlehem. He arrived with the least and the overlooked. He comes to us today offering to save us from the madness. The Dallas Morning News ran this column on Christmas Day in 1999. It recounts my experience of standing at the location where Jesus was born.
“Economist Expects Return to Gold Standard by 1989”
San Antonio Express-News, 1987
In this column, I predicted a return to the low-interest rate era of the post-war ‘50s. My forecast here was that the United States would return to the era of low interest rates by one of two ways: a gold standard or a Fed policy change. A Fed policy change resulted in an era of declining mortgage rates from 10.38% in 1988 to 3.69% at the end of March 2016. Taking your time to project the future requires a willingness to be still and think. I share this column with you to help you recognize how events can connect to predict likely future outcomes.
“Paying Off Debt Is the First Step to Financial Freedom”
Park Cities People, 1993
Small financial habits are the lever that creates surplus. That is what this ‘93 column in the Park Cities People is about. Use small parts of your income to prepay large debts. Awareness of this financial principle is liberating. Paying off a home mortgage early is a wonderful sense of freedom and peace. Notifying all family members of this priority gets everyone on the bandwagon to cut costs and save money.
“Leasing a Car? Ask All the Right Questions, Then Drive Away”
Park Cities People, 1992
The main point of this column is that questions are the answer. Questions are a practiced skill. Questions rock the boat. Questions create disorder to allow progress. Questions allow one to consider previous unheard of options. Asking the right questions can not only save money, but will often lead to unplanned treasure because questions yield better results. Embrace questions for a better life in everything you do. Auto leases are an example. Other questions to ask before signing a lease can be found here.
“Economic Outlook Improves,
No Time for Pessoptimism”
Park Cities People, 1992
Somewhere in between the optimistic economic forecasters and the pessimistic media pundits is the “pessoptimist” I referred to in this 1992 column. A pessoptimist is someone who believes that everything generally will turn out to be all right but it'll be too late to do anybody any good. Pessoptimism is breeding in the spirits of people losing work from technology and competition. New solutions and approaches are needed for the pessoptimist. I address these here and in my chapter “The Doctrine of the Future and the Marketplace” in the new book, Eschatology; Biblical, Historical and Practical Approaches.
"Shop Smart Avoid Cruel Yule Retailers”
Park Cities People, 1992
Surplus is freedom. One of the secrets to surplus is the ability to see limits and then choose to live below them. The same thing is true of your garden. You don’t need a bigger garden for beauty and satisfaction. Simply enjoy the defined boundaries. Pull the weeds. Discount shopping in the early nineties is the same concept as online shopping today. It is a form of aggressive cost cutting. Spending much less on the things you need adds to a growing surplus.
“Safety Deposit Boxes Not
Always Insured”
Park Cities People, 1988
Because an acquaintance of mine lost access to an insurance policy in a safety deposit box, I thought you should know this. After looking at this article written in ‘88, I called my bank to see if these are insured, and they’re not. Most folks don’t ask but assume that their safety deposit box is insured. You have to purchase separate insurance on whatever contents are in the box, so don’t assume they are covered. Insure your safety deposit box before it’s too late!
“Convicted Burglar Gives Home Security Advice”
Park Cities People, 1989
Sometimes the best resources to solve problems are cost free ideas of common sense. Such is the case with this column on home security, through an unexpected interview with a convicted burglar at a high school reunion in San Antonio. Who would volunteer this info? He did and, of course, the conversation led to crime and home safety. This ‘89 column summarizes his best ideas to keep your home and family safe.
About Steve | Philosophy | Articles | 2008 Crisis | Book | Blaising View Blog | Contact | Permissions | Disclaimer
©2023 Stephen N. Blaising. All rights reserved.