Sleeping with Cash
Sleeping with Cash
Andrew Forsythe May 6, 2021
HERE AT HUMBLEDOLLAR and in many other places, this point has been made: The best investment portfolio isn’t the one that’s theoretically or empirically superior. Rather, it’s the one that lets you sleep at night. What I’ve found, as far as my portfolio goes, is that the necessary prerequisite for a good night’s sleep is one thing above all else: an oversized cash reserve. By that, I mean a cash hoard that can handle not only the most likely contingencies, but also unexpected ones—and then some.
I typically keep enough cash to finance our normal expenditures for at least six years. In fact, with the current bubbly stock market, I’m above that level. To back that up, I also have a decent allocation to bond funds, consisting mostly of an intermediate-term municipal fund in a taxable account and total bond market index funds in retirement accounts.
Back in 2017, author William Bernstein was quoted in HumbleDollar saying, “When you’ve won the game, stop playing with money you really need.” That insight struck a chord with me, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve come to value cash.
I’m less interested in getting richer and more interested in guaranteeing that the modest lifestyle that has served my wife and me so well can be maintained for as long as we remain on this planet, regardless of any curveballs thrown our way.
The importance of a good-sized cash reserve was brought home to me over my many years as a criminal defense lawyer. While my early days often involved more dramatic and serious cases, later on my bread-and-butter business was representing basically good, decent people who (or whose kids) made a mistake or two: driving while intoxicated, drug possession and various other weaknesses of the “there but for the grace of God go I” type.
What constantly amazed me was how many of these seemingly middle-class folks, at a time of real urgency, struggled to come up with even a modest down payment for my services. For most garden variety misdemeanors, I had long believed it was reasonable to ask for a $1,000 retainer, with a payment plan for any remaining balance that stretched over several months.
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Note: All intel should be considered as "Rumors" until we receive official announcements ...and “Rates and Dates” could change anytime until we get to the banks/redemption centers.
RV Excerpts from the Restored Republic via a GCR Update as of Fri. 21 Aug. 2026
Compiled Fri. 21 Aug. 2026 12:01 am EST by Judy Byington
On Mon. 24 Aug. 2026 the ISO 20022 messaging (that defines how banks transmit payment information), completes its transition across all major banking rails. For the first time in history SWIFT, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, BRICS, IMF and all high value cross-border payment systems will speak the same transaction language. …Tier4b ISO20022 on Telegram Tues. 18 Aug. 2026
Independent Sources Reveal: Iraq's 2027 Budget Is Set At 200 Trillion Dinars, With The Exchange Rate Fixed At 1320.
August 20, 2026Last updated: August 20, 2026 Al-Mustaqilla - According to informed sources speaking to Al-Mustaqilla on Thursday, the Iraqi government is moving towards adopting a dollar exchange rate of 1320 Iraqi dinars within the 2027 budget project, with no current intention to change the adopted exchange rate.
Good Morning Dinar Recaps,
The Dollar-Debt Disconnect: Why Higher Treasury Yields Are No Longer Supporting the Dollar
U.S. borrowing costs remain elevated as Treasury intervention loses momentum, oil approaches $95 and investors reassess the relationship between American debt, interest rates and the dollar.
TNT:
Tishwash: The Washington Post: Iraq under al-Zaidi's leadership is on a path of positive change
In an article published in The Washington Post on Thursday, Tim Constantine reviewed the key achievements of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi during his first 100 days in office.
The article, titled "What Has Iraq's Prime Minister Accomplished in His First 100 Days?", stated: "When a new US president is sworn in, the media often rushes to make grand predictions about what can be accomplished in the first 100 days. The momentum generated by the national election, the enthusiasm surrounding the arrival of a new president, and the political capital he brings all raise expectations for the initial start.
KTFA
Thursday Night Video
FRANK26….8-20-26….THE FRENCH…THE END
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
Al-Hashemi: Iraq Is The Biggest Loser From The Tightening Of The US Blockade On Iran
Money and business Economy News – Baghdad Economist Ziad al-Hashemi warned on Thursday of the repercussions of any US tightening of the economic blockade on Iran, stressing that Iraq may be one of the most affected regionally because of its dependence on Iranian gas and commodities.
"The surrounding countries of Iran, led by Iraq, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Armenia, will be under direct American pressure to review their trade and financial relations with Tehran and avoid collisions with the United States," he said.
Shattering the Myth That Higher Taxes Can Fix the $40 Trillion National Debt
Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black / Sovereign Man) August 20, 2026
In June of 1944, American soldiers were storming the beaches of Normandy, single-handedly leading the fight to defeat the Nazis.
Back home, Americans gave everything they had. Some 85 million bought war bonds. The top income tax rate hit 94%, the highest in US history. Even ordinary people paid more and more income tax to support the war effort.
The Treasury Just Admitted It... The Bond Market Is Broken
Peter Schiff: 8-20-2026
Peter Schiff breaks down the Treasury's panic move to rescue the bond market, the $40 trillion debt milestone, and gold's $185 reversal day.
The Treasury just doubled its bond buybacks. Peter Schiff says that's the government admitting the bond market is broken.
On the same day the national debt topped $40 trillion, the Treasury announced it is doubling its long-term bond buybacks from $2 billion to $4 billion... buying the bonds everybody else is selling, and funding it by issuing more short-term debt.
Ariel: This Needs to be Said on Record
8-20-2026
When You Run Across Those Who Are Unsure (Show Them This)
You’re holding a piece of paper that was called worthless by the same international banking structure that called the Iraqi Dinar “speculative” and the Vietnamese Dong “non-investment-grade.” The same structure that told everyone their mortgages were secure in 2007. The same structure that said the petrodollar was eternal.
Oil Prices Hover Near Peak During Hormuz Impasse
2026-08-20 Shafaq News Oil prices steadied in early trade on Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for the U.S.-Iran war and the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures for October delivery rose 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $91.87 a barrel by 0037 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for September slipped 2 cents to $85.81 a barrel. The more active October WTI contract gained 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $84.53.
Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,
Treasury Intervention Loses Its Grip as Oil, Debt and Bond Yields Reignite Global Market Pressure
The Treasury's effort to calm the long-term bond market provided only temporary relief. As yields climb again, oil approaches $94 and U.S. debt surpasses $40 trillion, investors are confronting a more difficult question: can policy intervention overcome the underlying forces driving the global repricing of risk?
Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Dr. Scott Young. 08/20/2026
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
MZ: Dr. Scott Young returns to the show today. Progress, Economic D-day, and Debt
MZ: The bond side is still a wall of quiet.
TNT:
Tishwash: Removing zeros: A currency restructuring or a step to boost confidence in the dinar?
The issue of removing zeros from the Iraqi currency has resurfaced, amid economic debate about the feasibility of this step and its implications for the value of the dinar and the purchasing power of the citizen, as well as the readiness of the banking and financial sectors to implement it.
Economic experts believe that removing zeros, if implemented within a comprehensive study and a clear plan, could contribute to restructuring the currency and simplifying financial and banking transactions, while emphasizing that the measure itself does not mean an increase or decrease in the purchasing power of the dinar, as long as prices, salaries and savings are transformed at the same rate.
Note: All intel should be considered as "Rumors" until we receive official announcements ...and “Rates and Dates” could change anytime until we get to the banks/redemption centers.
RV Excerpts from the Restored Republic via a GCR Update as of Thurs. 20 Aug. 2026
Compiled Thurs. 20 Aug. 2026 12:01 am EST by Judy Byington
CONFIRMED INTEL: The Tier 4B protocol is now in use. What was once laughed at as rumor and fantasy is now being carried out in a controlled way. …JFK Jr. Command Center on Telegram Wed. 19 Aug. 2026
Iraq, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe are quietly leading a change in the economy that is happening outside of public markets. This change is happening because of structure, security, and silence. It is no longer just a guess that the IQD, VND, and ZIM will be worth more. It is a fact of life.
Good Morning Dinar Recaps,
The Dollar Falls as Treasury Steps In: A New Risk Equation Emerges for Global Finance
The U.S. Treasury is increasing long-term bond buybacks as investors question the sustainability of high borrowing costs — while the dollar weakens and oil prices add another layer of inflation pressure.
Al-Mustaqilla reveals: The Central Bank of Iraq is discussing removing zeros from the dinar
Al-Mustaqilla reveals: Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar is under discussion within the Central Bank
August 19, 2026Last updated: August 19, 2026
The Independent - The eyes of economic and banking circles in Iraq are turning to the Central Bank of Iraq, amid information about internal discussions regarding the project to remove zeros from the Iraqi dinar and modernize the currency and the monetary and banking system, in a step that, if the decision is made to proceed with it, will be one of the biggest monetary transformations in the history of modern Iraq.
IRAQ & CURRENCY UPDATE: Clarity Act, China Conflict & What Comes Next? | Mark Z & Zester
Jon Dowling: 8-19-2026
The global financial landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological evolution and shifting geopolitical alliances.
In a recent episode of the Jon Dowling podcast, viewers were treated to a deep dive into these systemic changes. Featuring veteran commentator MarkZ and blockchain expert Zester, the episode explores the complex dynamics of currency reforms, international trade realignments, and the integration of blockchain technology into the global monetary infrastructure
KTFA
Wednesday Night Video
FRANK26…8-19-26…..SHUT UP !!!
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
Foreign Buying of US Treasuries Just Fell 88% in a Single Month
Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Aimon Black / Sovereign Man) August 19, 2026
If you were to head to Bloomberg, CNBC, or Yahoo Finance this morning and see virtually all green across the board in US markets, you wouldn’t think it’s a sad day for America.
And yet, despite stocks being up and investors positively effervescent, it is indeed a sad day, because today marks the first real capitulation by the Treasury Department.
Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell. 08/21/2026
Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
MZ: Ping-Pong stories on the zeros, budget, and a few world events before Mr. Cottrell takes questions. Lucas from the Gurus is going to anchor things and join afterwards.