The Lowry Letter®

Week of 11/5/2019

We love November. The weather finally gets a littler cooler in Gainesville and Thanksgiving brings all the best aspects of a holiday- extra family time and good food, without some of the stress of the other special days.

November is also Men’s Health Awareness month. Since Joe Sr’s successful bout with prostate cancer several years ago, the cause is even nearer to our hearts. As a result, you may spot a little more facial hair than normal during “No-shave November.” We’ll be supporting the Prevent Cancer Foundation this month and invite you to do the same.

We learned: about RecoveryPark, a Michigan program that trains inmates for success post-incarceration. The difficulty finding employment after release has a strong correlation with returning to prison. Legislators should work to ease occupational licensing rules that make this harder.

We think: The Game Changers, a new documentary screening on Netflix, makes a compelling case for plant-based eating. While the film speaks for itself, we admit that it has prompted significant changes in our daily eating habits. There is some adult language, so parents should check it out first.

We read: about how the decision to close nuclear plants in Japan has had unintended negative consequences. According to this research paper, the loss of nuclear power led to higher electricity prices. This led to lower consumption during periods of cold, resulting in higher mortality. Therefore, a precautionary measure intended to reduce risk of death may have had the opposite effect.

We've been: proud to support the Buchholz High School band, where Joseph III just finished his first marching season. They will have a free Veterans Day concert on Monday, November 11^th, at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Florida campus. Attendees are asked to bring at least one non-perishable food item as their admission ticket. More information is included below.

We recommend: this interesting podcast interview about culture, specifically the differences between tight and loose cultures. One is not better than the other and an understanding of the culture people are used to is helpful on a strategic AND humanitarian level. We should avoid trends leading to either extreme.

Q: The market is hitting new highs, but the Federal Reserve is cutting rates. Should I be nervous?

A: Economic growth has slowed during the year. The Fed is hoping that this rate cut will slow that trend or stabilize things. Consumer confidence and spending remain on the strong side, and increased government spending has provided some support as well. Slow growth is still growth and the next recession still seems some ways off. For more on the market’s performance in October, check out the latest monthly market recap .

Advisory Services offered through Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Securities and additional advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services offered through Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc, are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc. is located at 12921 SW 1st Rd, Suite 215, Tioga, FL 32669. 352-333-7990

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