Investing in Vice: The Recession-Proof Portfolio of Booze, Bets, Bombs & Butts

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Summary: Investing Should Be About Making Money..............
Review: .....and not about making a social or political statement - that's what investing in "vice" is all about. "Investing in Vice" is a straight forward read with many interesting facts that I am sure many investors are not aware of - but should be! At times, the book can sound simplistic, but then again - investing should be simple. It is no surprise to me that many of the so called "sin" stocks have - on average - outperformed the markets with significantly less volatility over the long term. Ahrens does a great job explaining everything you ever wanted to know about investing in Booze, Bets, Bombs and Butts.

Rating:
Summary: Investing Should Be About Making Money..............
Review: .....and not about making a social or political statement - that's what investing in "vice" is all about. "Investing in Vice" is a straight forward read with many interesting facts that I am sure many investors are not aware of - but should be! At times, the book can sound simplistic, but then again - investing should be simple. It is no surprise to me that many of the so called "sin" stocks have - on average - outperformed the markets with significantly less volatility over the long term. Ahrens does a great job explaining everything you ever wanted to know about investing in Booze, Bets, Bombs and Butts.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshingly straight forward investing talk!
Review: I thought Ahrens book would be gimmicky, as it turns out, it was anything but gimmicky. Ahrens' take on the gaming, alcohol, tobacco and defense industries being an essential part of any investors portfolio is well thought out and credible. For those investors looking to recession proof their portfolio, Ahrens' book on vice investing is a great resource. I enjoyed the book in large part because it was an easy read, but very informative.

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Summary: Investing in "Sin" Stocks made easy
Review: I will be the first to admit that I know very little about stocks in general. But after reading numerous articles about investing in so called "sin" stocks, I became very interested in learning more. Mr.Ahren's book is an easy read full of clear, insightful information. He not only explains why investing in these stocks makes so much sense, he lays out the facts to back up his statements in a way that is easy for even novices like me to understand. If you are interested at all in investing, especially in "sin stocks", this is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Investing in "Sin" Stocks made easy
Review: Investing in Vice is a very insightful with straight forward and well developed ideas on the virtues of investing in vice. A must read for all investors and a great portfolio diversification strategy. The author is a sage voice in a sector where the hype, glam, politics, and zeal often overshadow the reality that many of the companies are great performers and stocks.

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Summary: Is it fun or profitable to sin?
Review: This simple financial advice book focuses on 'sin stocks.' The writer in his portfolio states that this is a perfect world, the world of sin and corruption. Where has he been all his life? We read about such in the Bible. Is there such a thing as a 'perfect world' -- not that I am aware of the possibility.

This world has been at war since the beginning of recorded history and before. According to this web page, "these industries are nearly recession-proof." They will continue to experience 'significant capital appreciation' during good and bad markets. Why not invest in vice?

He touts these illustrious sin stocks as being in Gambling, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Aerospace & Defense, and Adult Entertainment (movies, live, massage parlors, and even porn on the computers). At a local computer lab, you can't sit down in peace to check email without porn popping up.

His version of defense is not creating weapons to invade, conquer, and destroy other nations. What about homeland defense from terrorists from the places living in the 'old ages'?

Alcohol is a thriving thing in this town and has a history of moonshiners and illegal consumption throughout the years. It is touted as a highly profitable business. It definitely is here, as all the men of Knoxville think they must drink as much as they can, to drown their sorrows. In an article written by a local journalist for the Summer '98 special, 'CELEBRATING KNOXVILLE & EAST TENNESSEE' entitled "Two Centuries of Growth," I learned some facts about my hometown which appalled me:
Not one permanent church here during the first quarter century;Knoxville's chief export was liquor: in the 1820s, the town had sixty distilleries; in 1906, there were 100 saloons downtown (imagine!)
It was criticized nationally as being the most sinful city in the South (after New Orleans). Saloons were banned in 1907 here, and the ban wasnot fully lifted until 1972 when the "city" reinstated liquor-by-the-drink.

Ahrens claims that our very first US President George Washington was a drinker (of malt!) -- I like malted milk, so I guess I am a drinker, oh my. Three years ago, I was invited to a gathering at a local pub and saw first hand how alcohol affects diverse groups and I was most uncomfortable in that smoky atmosphere. Needless to say, I was not invited back.

Lincoln is quoted as saying, "no vices have very few virtues." I'd suggest he read William Lee Miller's LINCOLN'S VIRTUES (An Ethical Biography). What we need more in this world are ethics.
Now, I understand why the Knoxville I grew up in during the '50s was the "glory days" of this town. Religion apparently didn't dominate society, but we had a background of morals which are not prevalent today.

With its lighthearted and simple approach to the vices he concentrates on for financial reasons, this is the ultimate defense in these 'trouble times' -- why not just get drunk, play the lottery (which is real big here at this time), look at naked women, smoke,smoke,smoke that cigarette, and play war games.

Rating:
Summary: Is it fun or profitable to sin?
Review: This simple financial advice book focuses on 'sin stocks.' The writer in his portfolio states that this is a perfect world, the world of sin and corruption. Where has he been all his life? We read about such in the Bible. Is there such a thing as a 'perfect world' -- not that I am aware of the possibility.

This world has been at war since the beginning of recorded history and before. According to this web page, "these industries are nearly recession-proof." They will continue to experience 'significant capital appreciation' during good and bad markets. Why not invest in vice?

He touts these illustrious sin stocks as being in Gambling, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Aerospace & Defense, and Adult Entertainment (movies, live, massage parlors, and even porn on the computers). At a local computer lab, you can't sit down in peace to check email without porn popping up.

His version of defense is not creating weapons to invade, conquer, and destroy other nations. What about homeland defense from terrorists from the places living in the 'old ages'?

Alcohol is a thriving thing in this town and has a history of moonshiners and illegal consumption throughout the years. It is touted as a highly profitable business. It definitely is here, as all the men of Knoxville think they must drink as much as they can, to drown their sorrows. Ahrens claims that our very first US President George Washington was a drinker (of malt!) -- I like malted milk, so I guess I am a drinker, oh my.

Lincoln is quoted as saying, "no vices have very few virtues." I'd suggest he read William Lee Miller's LINCOLN'S VIRTUES (An Ethical Biography). What we need more in this world are ethics.

With its lighthearted and simple approach to the vices he concentrates on for financial reasons, this is the ultimate defense in these 'trouble times' -- why not just get drunk, play the lottery (which is real big here at this time), look at naked women, smoke,smoke,smoke that cigarette, and play war games.