I have sold three of Emily’s stocks in the past ten days, as they met her criteria for sale. Which criteria is that, you ask? Why, the value of the stock increased by 50%. So I take this as an indication that things are, in fact, looking up for the stock market, which – as we all know – is a forward indicator of improvements in the economy. These days, improvement in the economy has to mean world, not just US. Everything affects everything any more, so either it’s a lull before the next storm or – in fact – things are looking up. Being the eternal optimist, I prefer the latter interpretation.

Now, of course, the challenge is to find new, quality investments in which to put her hard-earned, hard-saved money for college. She has to file a tax return this year because we moved some money from her mutual fund account to the e-trade account. Imagine, an 8 year old having to file a tax return…