Should You Invest…or Speculate?

an array of stocks — small-company, large-company, international, etc. — can help reduce the impact of volatility on your stock portfolio. And owning a mix of short- and long-term bonds can help you defend yourself somewhat against interest-rate movements. When interest rates fall, you’ll still have your longerterm bonds, which generally — but not always – pay higher rates than short-term ones. And when interest rates rise, you can redeem your maturing short-term bonds at potentially higher rates. With speculative investments, though, price movements can be extreme as well as rapid. During their short history, cryptocurrencies in particular have shown astonishingly fast moves up and down, resulting in huge gains followed by equally huge, or bigger, losses. The risk factor for crypto is exacerbated by its being largely unregulated, unlike with stocks and bonds, whose transactions are overseen by well-established regulatory agencies.

There just isn’t much that investors can do to modulate the risk presented by crypto and some other speculative investments.

A second key difference between traditional and speculative investments is the time horizon involved. When you invest in stocks and other traditional investments, you ideally should be in it for the long term — it’s not a “get rich quick” strategy. But those who purchase speculative investments want, and expect, quick and sizable returns, despite the considerable risk involved.

A third difference between the two types of investments is the activity required by investors. When you’re a long-term investor in traditional investments, you may not have to do all that much, once you’ve built a portfolio that’s appropriate for your risk tolerance, goals and time horizon. After that point, it’s mostly just a matter of monitoring your portfolio and making occasional moves — you’re not constantly buying and selling, or at least you shouldn’t be. But when you speculate in crypto or other instruments, you are constantly watching prices move — and then making your own moves in response. It’s an activity that requires considerable attention and effort.

One final thought: Not all speculative instruments are necessarily bad investments. Precious metals, for instance, are found in some traditional mutual funds, sometimes in the form of shares of mining companies. And even crypto may become more of a stable vehicle once additional regulation comes into play. But if you’re investing for long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement — rather than speculating for thrills and quick gains, which may disappear just as quickly you may want to give careful thought to the types of investments you pursue.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Special Press Release: Morgan County 4-H

Fashion Revue: Wild About Fashion

Monday, July 24th the Morgan County Fair Fashion Revue had a Fashion Fiesta, where various youth competed in Creative and Constructed Clothing categories. Evy Lozier, Kaylea Ferguson and Veronica Heisler all participated in Creative Clothing. Evy Lozier received Grand Champion and Veronica Heisler took Reserve Grand Champion. Clothing Construction also had three participants; Kimber Heid, Evy Lozier, and Elizabeth Whitney. Grand Champion was Elizabeth Whitney and Reserve Grand Champion was Evy Lozier.

Evy Lozier made it bloom with her hand painted jean jacket. She used chalk to outline a flower and then used white and gold paint to to complete the look. She then added smaller flowers to the pockets of her jean skirt. This outfit placed first in the Junior Creative Clothing class and Grand Champion in the Creative Clothing Division.

Kaylea Ferguson was the second participant to show off her outfit. She made a tie dyed spring dress that she could wear anywhere. She loves that her dress has many bright colors and pockets! She chose to accessories her dress with a sweater, just in case it gets chilly, and a fun pair of spring shoes. Kaylea is looking forward to wearing this dress to school next spring.

The final participant in the Junior Creative Clothing class was Veronica Heisler. She designed a jean jacket with her favorite mystical creature, a dragon! She used several stencils to aid in this project which took her over ten hours to complete. She also added a dragon to her flared jeans. Veronica took reserve champion in the Junior Creative Clothing class and Reserve Grand Champion in the Creative Clothing Division.

Kimber Heid opened up the Constructed Clothing Division with her stylish relaxed dress that she can wear to school and for social events. She picked a plaid flannel material for this dress and learned that matching plaid can be challenging. She also learned how to make buttonholes and add a collar on this dress. Kimber loves the versatility to change her look depending on the shirt, sweater, or blouse she wears under it. She can also wear tights, boots, her converse platforms, or leg warmers to match the look she is going for that day. Kimber placed Reserve Champion in the Junior Constructed Clothing class.

Evy Lozier’s second outfit of the night was a tie-dyed romper with butterflies. The pattern she chose for this romper was a pull on design with an elastic waist, V-neck and dolman sleeves with lace trim and ruffle detail. She learned how to gather, add elastic, use a serger, and used iron on interfacing on the neckline! Evy was the Junior Constructed Clothing class Champion and the Constructed Clothing Reserve Grand Champion.

The final outfit for the night was worn by Elizabeth Whitney. She showed off her Heritage Arts Miscellaneous Fibers project which was a woven poncho called the Colorado Poncho. Elizabeth chose to use Lamb’s Pride yarn colors, Persian Peacock, Teal Haze, and Seafoam from Brown Sheep Company. She learned that the yarn she had chosen was weak in some spots, so she learned how to control her tension to keep it from becoming a problem. Elizabeth was the Senior Constructed Clothing class Champion and the Constructed Clothing Grand Champion.

Unit Champions were:

Junior Creative Clothing: Evy Lozier

Junior Constructed Clothing: Evy Lozier

Senior Artistic Clothing: Elizabeth Whitney

Cloverbud 4-H Members showed decorated t-shirts that they made at a workshop earlier in July. This year they decorated their t-shirts by using tape to mark off designs in their shirts, then using a spray-bottle to apply tie-dye around the tape. They also made maracas to accessorize their outfits and celebrate the Fashion Fiesta. Cloverbuds participating were, Vivenne Carlson, Kaitlyn Kral, Madison Kral, Lincoln Lozier, ZJ Lozier, Hadley Martens and Delaynie Piper.

The emcee for the evening was Cora Rhode. Fashion Revue Superintendents making the show a success were Kathy Wood, Cora Rhode and Jennifer Rhode. Dana Hansen also assists with securing the location and running sound through the contest.

Morgan County Fair 2023 Winners Announced In The Cricket Races

In the Wednesday fun events at the 2023 Morgan County Fair, three classes of cricket races were held. In the Pee-wee division (7 years of age and under), Leo Arndt won first place, while second place went to Thomas Carrington. Third place in the Pee-wee Cricket Races went to Tate Arndt.

In the Junior division (8-10 years), first place was Luke Norton, and Eddie Arndt came in second. There were two participants in the Senior division (11-13 years). Kimber Heid took first, and Becky Groves placed second.

Also taking place on Wednesday at the 2023 Morgan County Fair was the Pedal Tractor Pull, Master Showmanship Contest, FFA Farm Mechanics, annual Steak Fry BBQ, Catch-It Animal Contests, and Barn Dance featuring Southern Fryed. The 2022 Morgan County Fair wraps up Thursday, August 3rd with the Jr. Livestock Sale.

Morgan County Fair 2023 Cloverbuds Results

While 4-H members have to be 8-18 to compete at the Morgan County Fair, there was still fun to be had for the Cloverbud Members, ages 5-7 in Morgan County 4-H. The overall purpose of the 4-H Cloverbud Program is to foster the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical maturation of five to seven year old children.

Cloverbud members have the opportunity to attend monthly workshops held at the Extension Office where they do activities, such as learning about STEM or completing a craft. These members also attend monthly club meetings where they also do activities. On Interview Judging day these members had the opportunity to enter in a project that they had completed during the year, and get interviewed just like the older members do.

Most of the youth chose to display the shirts that they made during the 2023 Cloverbud t-shirt workshop, which they had the opportunity to model during the Fashion Revue on Monday, July 24th. Cloverbuds that displayed their t-shirts were: Dante Heisler, Iris Hunter, Jace Lambert, Luke Lambert, Lincoln Lozier, ZJ Lozier, Hadley Martens, Delaynie Piper. The Cloverbud projects will be displayed in the Mark Arndt Event Center at the Morgan County Fair Grounds in Brush for the duration of the 2023 Morgan County Fair which ends August 3rd will receive full 30 MW of output for 25 years