Is this a hedge fund manager? (photo: dannyhammontree)
I’m in the process of preparing a series of posts on the investment lessons I’ve learned in the last 18 months.
To preface the series with some humor (and insight), I thought one particular farewell letter would be appropriate. The author is hedge fund manager Andrew Lahde, who produced a one-year 866 percent return betting on the subprime mortgage collapse.
Today, he announced he was leaving the hedge fund business with a rather hysterical letter…
Today I write not to gloat. Given the pain that nearly everyone is experiencing, that would be entirely inappropriate. Nor am I writing to make further predictions, as most of my forecasts in previous letters have unfolded or are in the process of unfolding. Instead, I am writing to say goodbye.
Recently, on the front page of Section C of the Wall Street Journal, a hedge fund manager who was also closing up shop (a $300 million fund), was quoted as saying, “What I have learned about the hedge fund business is that I hate it.” I could not agree more with that statement. I was in this game for the money. The low hanging fruit, i.e. idiots whose parents paid for prep school, Yale, and then the Harvard MBA, was there for the taking. These people who were (often) truly not worthy of the education they received (or supposedly received) rose to the top of companies such as AIG, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers and all levels of our government. All of this behavior supporting the Aristocracy, only ended up making it easier for me to find people stupid enough to take the other side of my trades. God bless America.
There are far too many people for me to sincerely thank for my success. However, I do not want to sound like a Hollywood actor accepting an award. The money was reward enough. Furthermore, the endless list those deserving thanks know who they are.
I will no longer manage money for other people or institutions. I have enough of my own wealth to manage. Some people, who think they have arrived at a reasonable estimate of my net worth, might be surprised that I would call it quits with such a small war chest. That is fine; I am content with my rewards. Moreover, I will let others try to amass nine, ten or eleven figure net worths. Meanwhile, their lives suck. Appointments back to back, booked solid for the next three months, they look forward to their two week vacation in January during which they will likely be glued to their Blackberries or other such devices. What is the point? They will all be forgotten in fifty years anyway. Steve Balmer, Steven Cohen, and Larry Ellison will all be forgotten. I do not understand the legacy thing. Nearly everyone will be forgotten. Give up on leaving your mark. Throw the Blackberry away and enjoy life.
So this is it. With all due respect, I am dropping out. Please do not expect any type of reply to emails or voicemails within normal time frames or at all. Andy Springer and his company will be handling the dissolution of the fund. And don’t worry about my employees, they were always employed by Mr. Springer’s company and only one (who has been well-rewarded) will lose his job.
I have no interest in any deals in which anyone would like me to participate. I truly do not have a strong opinion about any market right now, other than to say that things will continue to get worse for some time, probably years. I am content sitting on the sidelines and waiting. After all, sitting and waiting is how we made money from the subprime debacle. I now have time to repair my health, which was destroyed by the stress I layered onto myself over the past two years, as well as my entire life — where I had to compete for spaces in universities and graduate schools, jobs and assets under management — with those who had all the advantages (rich parents) that I did not. May meritocracy be part of a new form of government, which needs to be established.
On the issue of the U.S. Government, I would like to make a modest proposal. First, I point out the obvious flaws, whereby legislation was repeatedly brought forth to Congress over the past eight years, which would have reigned in the predatory lending practices of now mostly defunct institutions. These institutions regularly filled the coffers of both parties in return for voting down all of this legislation designed to protect the common citizen. This is an outrage, yet no one seems to know or care about it. Since Thomas Jefferson and Adam Smith passed, I would argue that there has been a dearth of worthy philosophers in this country, at least ones focused on improving government. Capitalism worked for two hundred years, but times change, and systems become corrupt. George Soros, a man of staggering wealth, has stated that he would like to be remembered as a philosopher. My suggestion is that this great man start and sponsor a forum for great minds to come together to create a new system of government that truly represents the common man’s interest, while at the same time creating rewards great enough to attract the best and brightest minds to serve in government roles without having to rely on corruption to further their interests or lifestyles. This forum could be similar to the one used to create the operating system, Linux, which competes with Microsoft’s near monopoly. I believe there is an answer, but for now the system is clearly broken.
Lastly, while I still have an audience, I would like to bring attention to an alternative food and energy source. You won’t see it included in BP’s, “Feel good. We are working on sustainable solutions,” television commercials, nor is it mentioned in ADM’s similar commercials. But hemp has been used for at least 5,000 years for cloth and food, as well as just about everything that is produced from petroleum products. Hemp is not marijuana and vice versa. Hemp is the male plant and it grows like a weed, hence the slang term. The original American flag was made of hemp fiber and our Constitution was printed on paper made of hemp. It was used as recently as World War II by the U.S. Government, and then promptly made illegal after the war was won. At a time when rhetoric is flying about becoming more self-sufficient in terms of energy, why is it illegal to grow this plant in this country? Ah, the female. The evil female plant — marijuana. It gets you high, it makes you laugh, it does not produce a hangover. Unlike alcohol, it does not result in bar fights or wife beating. So, why is this innocuous plant illegal? Is it a gateway drug? No, that would be alcohol, which is so heavily advertised in this country. My only conclusion as to why it is illegal, is that Corporate America, which owns Congress, would rather sell you Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax and other additive drugs, than allow you to grow a plant in your home without some of the profits going into their coffers. This policy is ludicrous. It has surely contributed to our dependency on foreign energy sources. Our policies have other countries literally laughing at our stupidity, most notably Canada, as well as several European nations (both Eastern and Western). You would not know this by paying attention to U.S. media sources though, as they tend not to elaborate on who is laughing at the United States this week. Please people, let’s stop the rhetoric and start thinking about how we can truly become self-sufficient.
With that I say good-bye and good luck.
All the best,
Andrew Lahde
Hat tip to Ryan Holiday for pointing me to the letter. More on rethinking investment soon.
###
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It was time the ludicrous notion of capitalism got exposed.
I liked the letter a lot. Kind of a hippie, and Canada is definitely not laughing as the U.S. (unless they are kidding themselves) with the horrendous taxes they pay and waits for this awesome “free” (paid for through more taxes) health care. But great letter other than that. Over 800%. Nice work.
Everything in this letter is true, if only it were so simple to make the powers that be realize that it really is so simple. What a shame that the powers that be were not able to foresee(or chose not to see) the sub-prime debacle, borrowers that can’t afford the cost being afforded the opportunity to go broke.
As for the hemp argument…it is absolutely true. I have done several research papers and oral reports on the subject. Forget the legalization of marijuana, the benefits of which pale in comparison to those we could derive from the legalization of hemp. Realize that the most versatile plant the world has ever known is illegal because our politicians are more concerned with their own welfare than that of the American populace.
Thank you Andrew Lahde, it’s too bad your lesson will be in vain.
Thanks for cross-posting this Tim (nothing wrong with that when it is in the readers interest).
It is a well written and interesting perspective by Andrew which I’m sure conveys publicly a wider feeling in the US and the world. The difference is that some people bottle up this passionate, intelligent thinking whilst others have the edge to stand up and say what they believe. It is the latter that make the difference in the world and no more so than in the current climate.
Looking forward to your posts on investment lessons.
Cheers,
Chris
Thats hysterical.
Thats why I only invest in things i did myself. If its about my money i like to have all the control. Dont like the Idea of other (maybe greedy people) handling my money.
“Give up on leaving your mark. Throw the Blackberry away and enjoy life.”
There are many many people across the banking sector who are finally thinking, like this but havent the b*lls (or cash) to leave.
Great post, thanks you
Hey Tim,
Saving it all up for the big pile at the end leaves you stressed, fat and frankly uninteresting. We get a short time on this planet and I don’t think our lives were meant to be lived the way he was living it. If this isn’t a shining example of avoiding the deferred life plan- I don’t’ know what is. Thanks Tim for helping us never have to write that letter. Excuses are over. It’s time to live!
Best
Rob
“Our policies have other countries literally laughing at our stupidity, most notably Canada”
I agree, Canada does benefit greatly from the US buying our oil, lumber, fish, wheat, etc and then really only giving us money and some trinkets in return. The money though, its great.
Dear Tim I writte from Barcelona, Spain, to put you some questions about your book. You suggest that the best think to sell is Info. I have a law degree plus a Documentalist degree. I speak English, French, Spanish, Catalan and Italian. I worked for 2 years in a Company as a Documentalist, my job was doing research in Internet about subjets that people in the office would need to make their job (Scientific articles from Universities, Studies, reports, etc…).
I would like to create my own company and sell infoproducts. The problem is the following:
How to start? What kind of info can I sell? Should I prepare reports about an specific subjet (f.e. Enterprises social responsability, Cause-related marketing…) and then try to sell my reports in a web site?
I have the tools to work as an infoproduct sales woman but I feel really lost about the way of make it real. Thanks in advance for your advice, Maria
This is brilliant. Thanks for posting it. As a Canuck I’d say that while we do often snicker at our Southern Neighbours, there is still plenty of fodder for them, in turn, to rightfully snicker back.
What we need are leaders, not politicians.
Darlene
Tim, thanks for posting the letter. For the past few months, I’ve been considering, off and on, to join the fallen ranks of financial analysts and other money people. Reform from the inside, was my thinking. Over the last month, however, I think I’ve realized just how broken and decrepit the system is. This letter has helped confirm some of those feelings. I look forward to reading about your investing experience.
Oh, and just to make sure credit is given where credit is due: Adam Smith was Scottish, not American. The dearth grows deeper.
Mark
[…] The rest of the letter can be found on Tim Ferriss’s blog http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/10/18/investment-series-preview-the-good-bye-and-f__k-you-… […]
Hedge fund management = a job that requires you to con rich people you otherwise hate to deal with as you consider them stupid enough to take the other side of your trades…
How the hell do we expect the world to be in shape when these are the rules of the game at the core of modern capitalism?
Great letter!
Great letter.
Nate: yeah, sorry but we are quite often laughing at the US… but we wouldn’t do it to your face though, we don’t want anyone to feel bad.
Taxes do suck up here, and the weather…..and our TV isn’t quite and entertaining.
Check out the link for a little recent US/Canada social study.
Cheers
Andrew Lahde has issues.
His scorn and hatred for anyone who was lucky enough to come from more advantaged circumstances than his own borders on the pathological. The message would seem to be ” I wouldn’t have had to clutter up my life chasing money at a job I hated, if only I had been a ‘rich kid’.”
Moreover, the idea that George Soros is a “great man” who should be the architect of a post-capitalist society is a point of view which is not only bewildering, but laughable. George Soros, who was convicted of insider trading in France. George Soros, who by shorting the British pound for personal gain in 1992, damn near collapsed the entire economy of the U.K. George Soros, whose political vision is to remold America into some sort of Western European “nanny state.” Sure, Andrew, let’s trade in our exceptionalism for some feel-good mediocrity.
Andrew’s screed also tells us by indirection, when he refers blithely to “figures”, that his modest retirement requirements are something less than one hundred million dollars.
Andrew is not part of the solution. Andrew is part of the problem. Andrew is a financial predator and a jerk.
[…] is the best “F U I Quit” letter ever, written by a hedge fund manager who raked in huge profits betting that subprime would blow […]
We do have worthy philosophers like Jefferson and Adam Smith. Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr is one. He and Ron Paul were students of Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises. Also consider Murray Rothbard and Hans-Hermann Hoppe.
Most of the classical liberal economic/political philosophers of the Jeffersonian tradition are involved with the Mises Institute at http://www.mises.org.
I agree with the prior posts. Thus I am enjoying a mini-retirement now in Hamburg, Germany. I would not thought this possible if it was not for the ideas in your book.
Cheers,
Jose
Howdy!
Indeed, marijuana is illegal because of politicians. But, Anheiser Bush (I think that’s how you spell it) is the largest contributor to those who oppose it. The idea is that they are substitutes and if people smoke weed they will not drink Bud. Who knows? They may actually be complements, but AB is probably right to be afraid because weed would be cheaper than beer and have more kick.
John
We could all write a version of this letter in one form or another, in fact everyone reading this can pull an example or two out of it that has applied in their lives in one way or the other. What you take from this letter is that he did something about it. We all need to do something because our current economic situation is not going to get better anytime soon. The crap hitting Wall Street has already been living on Main Street for the last year or so. What we all need to notice here is who the government bailed out.
So please read this article and then take a look at your life what are you going to do to avoid becoming a victim?
PS
The section on the US Government is mind blowing, if the last philosophers, we could trust to watch out for the common man were Thomas Jefferson and Adam Smith, then we are truly screwed.
[…] and F*ck You” By Kai Davis Tim Ferris posted the goodbye letter from Andrew Lahde, a former hedge fund manager. One excerpt in particular […]
El Oh El to the letter. I felt the normal LOL didn’t provide justice to the level of joy and laughter created within, in regards to his letter.
I El Oh El as I type this. ;]
This was a very strong letter! Good one…
I think it is important to also look beyond the words “hedge fund manager”, hemp, financial markets etc. and look at this as a metaphor of what the corporate world has evolved into or should I say dissolved into.
Many people won`t understand this before it`s too late. (ref. Credit crunch)
It`s sad…I`ll quote Andrew… “I believe there is an answer, but for now the system is clearly broken.”
Still we can do alot. Through hard times (Financial and Personal) I believe it is important to REMEMBER to take extra care of yourselves and your closest….as well as contributing to communities that work towards goals you care about and stimulating others to contribute for making changes. The world has never been more potent for making strong communities, the power of technology and web that has removed so many limitations and enables people to speak out with less fear.
Just look at what we did with the Donorschoose project. Yes I say WE because it is extremely important too see yourselves as a part of a community, dedicated to do whatever is in your power to make a impact, allow yourself to take credit for your engagement, It will only give you more energy to reach out even further. Just look at the viral power of the web and communities like this. You can do so much more than you think is possible…if it`s not there…create it…the tools are available…just make a small step and people will be there to help you and support you…Do something! Don`t just sit back and wait for stuff to resolve or “heal”. Feeling that you can make a impact together with others is pure Personal Development that takes you to new emotional heights.
I encourage people to respond to my opinions as I don`t claim to be right on all points…and I might be missing some important points here. Empower me and the others here if you care.
Meanwhile….trash your blackberry and enjoy life! Go for a walk and clear your mind…no interruption…
Thanks Tim and Ryan for the article being brought up.
Bendik
hahahaha!!!
What destroys your health is not running a hedge fund, but using massive leverage, as Lahde likely did explicitly or implicitly to get such a high return.
High leverage creates enough short-term volatility to wipe you out. As a result, you are constantly anxious, which ruins your health.
To quote Philip Fisher, “conservative investors sleep well.” They can also do well, if PF is any indication.
This is hilarious.
“They will all be forgotten in fifty years anyway. Steve Balmer, Steven Cohen, and Larry Ellison will all be forgotten. I do not understand the legacy thing. Nearly everyone will be forgotten. Give up on leaving your mark. Throw the Blackberry away and enjoy life.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Great post!
I commonly think back on the “Unplug from the Media” recommendation made by Tim when I first read 4hww. I’ve been on a media-fast since high school (20 yrs) when I realized I was far more educated about politics than the legal voters who put a ridiculous man in office. Lately I find myself tuning back to the NPR end of the dial instead of listening to the same old Commercial Alternative singles in heavy rotation.
There’s something so compelling about listening to hardcore capitalists sell socialism into an urgent political process. Maybe I just like being right.
On to this public unveiling of the largest economic heist in history. If you choose to remain an American (in North America) and wish to conduct yourself in this economy, I recommend Killing Sacred Cows by Garett Gunderson. http://www.killingsacredcows.com/ It was written before everything went sideways, or at least before the pile swept under the carpet became larger than the carpet, and it’s a simple read that dismantles the harmful practices that got us into this mess in the first place.
I prefer to look toward people who’s message hasn’t changed after all this and to those who have been saying all along, “Follow principles!”
I have a few investment banker friends who are nearly ready to poke their heads out of the sand. I’m hopeful they can have careers after this. I TRULY hope they don’t go back to their old ways.
The US has a distinct opportunity right now to review the doctrines we were founded on and correct course to re-adopt the principles that once made us great!
He will be back they all come back. I’m moving to Costa Rica on Monday. F#ck the Market!!!!!
[…] Investment Series Preview: The “Good Bye and F__k You” Letter Not just funny, a clear-eyed look at what we should be doing and shouldn’t have done here in America. […]
“But, Anheiser Bushis the largest contributor to those who oppose it. The idea is that they are substitutes and if people smoke weed they will not drink Bud.”
I propose a campaign slogan: “It’s better to smoke bud than to drink it.”
[…] Check out the post here => the goodbye and f**k you letter […]
The biggest benefit of a self-sufficient America?
The end of $1200 per year per taxpayer of support for Israel, a nation whose sole benefit to us is shepherding Middle East oil out the Gulf and through the Suez Canal.
@ Robin
“I propose a campaign slogan: “It’s better to smoke bud than to drink it.””
Bud could also do another campaign, “Drink Bud with real Buds in it”.
Afterall adult beverage companies often cover a lot of vices, look at Altria.
Also, I think hops are in the Canabis family and THC is alcohol soluble at least to some degree. But that would be one potent brew. Talk about “synergy”…
This guy is part of the problem as someone already mentioned above. i.e. grab the money now and worry about the ethics later.
His disgust for the industry he worked in was bearable until he had made more money than most people in this world will ever see or even dream possible. If he was so appalled by the work – why did he not leave much earlier? Perhaps because of his own place in society insecurities and “need” to be a financial winner.
He knew he was part of the machine that contributed to breaking the financial system. But hey, look at all the money to be made, why worry about it? Reminds me of the Enron traders laughing at the economically challenged Californians who would suffer with higher power prices as a result of ruthless behavior in the trading room.
He talks negatively about the rich kids but let´s face it he is of the self-made elite, he is highly intelligent and working in a first world country that allows him to make big money if he wants to sacrifice his health to do so.
Good for him that he can now focus on quality of life.
The big lesson is that we are all connected. Get ahead at the expense of the vast majority of those in society and you´ll find you don´t have much of a society to live in. You´ll be enjoying a high standard of living in a secure compound.
I have to admit that sometimes I feel a tremendous sense of guilt for not having a steady, normal, 9-5 job, and when I see people in suits with their blackberries I feel rather, well, inadequate…(i dont even own a suit or blackberry)
But this post has really helped me to put things in perspective, thanks Tim.
Hasta luego
It is really fun to see people chaging their lifes. The big “Aha” is obviously related to the crisis we are living. Big changes influence everyone’s life.
I’m sure you can found the same kind of reaction in real estate agents even if they are more “useful”.
Take a look too all the unemployed traders in London right now ! I recommend reading “The black swan” which is a wonderful enlightment on this stuff.
A bientôt !
All unbalances come to this, it’s the history of the world and it comes in cycles, though we (mankind) don’t seem to learn anything, memory is too short really. Northern european countries are still the best example of balance between capitalism and true socialism, where no one is left behind, there’s real protection. The best solution i believe and i’ve been finding it to work for myself, is to depend the less possible of any government or institution (bank, insurance etc…) Create your own business, don’t be greedy, enjoy Life and help other people. Cut back on the news, they’re each time more filled with lies, the brain washing, the society of fear keeps doing its part to keep the powerfull ones each time more powerfull.
It’s “amazing” how so many managers, brokers, capitalists etc… are all now feeling sorry for the Lives they have, is it realy because they’ve seen they’re wasting their Lives and hurting other people? or is it because the system colapsed and they can’t keep on filling they’re million dollars pockets? After making 100 million dollars it’s easy to retire and see the light, but this is just a thought…
HelloTim,
I am reading your book and wanted to get some love b/c I built a life like you talk about when I started my company. As I have hired staff my life has become 9-5. I would love some support from you since you are all about our ideal lifestyles.
Carenna Willmont
Great Post!
I liked the part about forgetting the legacy. There are some people out there who are so damn concerned about leaving a legacy that they forget to enjoy their own lives. Crazy!
With regard to everything that has happened lately I think it is important people see these as the symptoms and look deeper to see the causes.
If I was American I would have voted for Ron Paul because he is the only person who isn’t controlled and bought and speaks sense. He also was greatly influenced by Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand who is someone else who I deeply respect.
Until the money supply and The Federal Reserve is completely changed these situations will continue to occur. A perpetually indebted society isn’t healthy.
It’s kind of like an economic version of “original sin” if you like. Before you even earn anything you already owe money because the Government has to pay interest on it to the Fed.
It is the government that causes nearly all of the problems due to the vested interests and its monopoly on the use of force.
On a somewhat lighter note someone asked about how to sell Infoproducts online.
Here are some good places to get great information:
http://WarriorForum.com
http://Income.com/blog
http://Gurumastermind.com/blog
Hope this helps!
Best Wishes
Kenneth
Hi Tim,
The problem with the stock market is that it has been destroyed by the hedge funds.
The idea of investing in companies via stocks is a very good one in theory, but in practice what we are seeing now in practice are “trading moves” and a series of artificially created and deflated bubbles.
When the markets swing 800 points in one day, and the media says this is due to investors, that is not true. Hedge funds are not investors, they are trading operations.
I spent one year trading and did very well, but it was too unreal so I got out. I think that is also reflected in the letter you published.
I learned that money is both real and unreal at the same time. But after having got sucked into trading, I no longer believe in the stock market.
Look forward to reading your thoughts on investing.
David
So let me see if I have this right…hedge fund manager rakes in millions from the sub-prime mess by taking “advantage” of the rich and now he’s quitting b/c he’s burnt out? And he concludes from his long journey that 1. capitalism no longer works; 2. we need a select group of “smart people” to figure out a new kind of gov’t; and 3. legalize marijuana.
WTF?!? This douche bag took advantage of people, got rich doing so, and now wants to spend his time getting high. Capitalism isn’t the problem…guys like this are.
That’s fantastic.
Tim et al.
This is not that interesting–while a nice screed against the “status quo”, it also belies a stunning lake of comprehension regarding how interconnected this whole mess is. I wonder how ambivalent Mr. Lahde would be if his own personal safety were at stake. As Mr. Bill Gates once said, its not enough to have $50 billion. Others around me must be happy as well.
I am not shocked at such an attitude, i.e. “The money was reward enough.” This seems to sum up much of this movement…become as rich as possible and then turn the mirror toward others to show themselves how shallow they are. Unfortunately I see this all too often on this site, Tim. I applaud your efforts to move toward something more substantive in terms of truer forms of happiness through self-giving and discovery.
RAM
@Louis – I think everyone could learn from Austrian economics.
@Tim – You have a large readership, and you clearly aim to help them as much as you can. I don’t think you’re going to figure out investing in a matter of weeks or months. If you go back and read my previous comments on your blog (especially on Picking Warren’s brain), you may find that I can be helpful on the topic of investing.
I’ve been helping people grow their wealth outside of the stock market for the past 7 years. I own the world’s only full service self directed retirement plan provider, and I offer an open invitation for you to contact me to discuss working together on a blog post or mutual interview.
Goodbye. Good luck and good choice. I think others of such high caliber don’t want to make the same decision simply because then they would have to create from within, instead of amass activities to deflect any sort of true introspection.
There is so much to do or to contribute on this planet that does not revolve around feeling important or omnipotent or competitively driven. Unfortunately, it’s not the systems (ie Capitalism) we design but who we are as humans. And only the truly self-actualized will have that epiphany and the courage to strike out into a new direction.
This reminds me of one of the best movies I have ever seen – Network, where they say, “I am mad as hell, and I am not going to take it anymore.” An excellent, but scary adaption of what the world has become – only it was filmed 30 years ago!
As Kenny Rogers once sang, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em… Know when to fold ’em.”
Very often the idea of walking away from a career is seen as a bad thing. I think lifestyle will continue to grow as a reason why people make a switch.
Summary: So long, and thanks for all the fish. Smoke more pot. Stick it to the man.
I’m presuming in his quest for wealth, and sticking it to the rich kids, Andrew Lahde hasn’t had time to rear any children?
If he has though, I’d be interested to see what kind of education he thinks is fit for them.
Great job Andrew. Nice post. Now that Andrew milked the system I hope he takes an active roll in fixing it instead of bailing out or riding the fence. We all are Americans and believe it or not this is our damn country, not corporate america.
You’ll love this. By the guys at Sequoia Capital, on the crisis and what to do. And not. Read Buffett’s op-ed in the NYT?
In Boston and NY next week. Fancy a bottle of wine, when around, Tim?
Best,
M
Great article! Lots to think about. Yes we need a major change in our system!!
Saw this article elsewhere yesterday, and a quick pass through the comments is yielding the exact same results…widely varying opinions. Either way you look at it, this ‘mission statement’ (or was it a memo) is raising some seriously good points, opening eyeballs, causing quite a discussion, and giving Canada a bunch of free press. 🙂
I’m a strong believer in Capitalism and I intend to restore its freedom in America.
I’m glad this guy (and his hate) are out of the business. I think we need more people like him to retire so we can restore some healthy competition to the economy.
The problem isn’t Capitalism or greed – it is the Government. The Government needs to be restricted – not the people.
What are great post! Perhaps Jefferson was right: We need a revolution in this country every ten years; I have a thought: Let’s vote out ANY incumbent this year, whether you think your representative is the best or not!
As to the constant struggle to obtain and keep material wealth, I to, at age 51, have decided that the constant hamster-like lifestyle was killing me, and have decided to jump off! Since we know that death is ceratin, and time of death is uncertain, and we cannot take anything material with us when we die, WHY do we spend so much time pursuing such illusory objects?
Great stuff Tim. At some point you have to just ignore the insanity that goes on in politics, the office, etc. We can’t change the game we can only play it better.
Fantastic mail. Let’s indeed hope the guy can overcome his bitterness and use the rest of his time to do something useful for the world, rather than waiting for George Soros.
[…] The Good Bye and Fuck You Letter, By: Some Rich Dude […]
What happened to the post before?
Cheers
Jose
How about combating all of the crooks w/ some shared advice then!?
[…] in that spirit, check this article out – via Tim Ferriss (and with a mighty big hat tip, apparently, to Ryan Holiday). This put a huge […]
You all miss the point of the letter. He is pointing out that corporate American has become a pyramid scheme because of hedge funds (my definiion is ungreluated financial firms). The games is : 1) Top Tier MBA gets you 1/2 way up the pyramid. 2) If you can get to the top you pump the stock of your company, cash in and move on to the next company. 3) Either repeat or retire.
The related point is that it is no longer capitalism. Capitlism is about people creating value with capital. Not about enriching yourself through stock trading, which is just a transfer of wealth (tax) from the middle class (401Ks) to those ontop the pyramid.
@Nate: …Canada is definitely not laughing as the U.S. (unless they are kidding themselves) with the horrendous taxes they pay and waits for this awesome “free” (paid for through more taxes) health care.
As a Canadian now living in the US, I can tell you that the “horrendous” taxes pretty much even out after even moderate health care costs. Sure if you’re living on your own and young you may be better off in the US. But for working, middle-class families, the cost of taxes + health care insurance + medicare ends up very close to the cost of taxes in Canada.
Of course, in Canada, everyone is covered (not just 50%) and bankruptcies due to medical conditions are dramatically lower.
Lets also talk about “wait times” as a metric. Waiting sure is annoying, but aren’t we really worried about the amount people who receive timely care and the amount of people who survive medical emergencies?
And yes, the author is right, Canadians do a lot of laughing at the silly things that happen in the US.
“and Canada is definitely not laughing as the U.S. (unless they are kidding themselves) with the horrendous taxes they pay and waits for this awesome “free” (paid for through more taxes) health care.”
LOL, yes we are. 🙂
[…] Investment Series Preview: The “Good Bye and F__k You” Letter […]
Great discussion. Couple of things to add that I did not see mentioned.
No system is perfect.
Capitalism does have it’s flaws, but it is dictated by the masses. If something falls out of favor within a capitalist society, it goes away. People pull their money out and put it somewhere else. It will have down turns and hardships, but all in all it is fairly flexible. If people are stealing money or taking advantage of others they will eventually get caught and prosecuted.
Governments are a whole other animal. They are dictated by the few. Yes we vote Reps into office, but then they have full control along with the special interests. Once they start to grow the govt they never stop. The govt will continue to consume and want more and more from the taxpayers. It is a never ending cycle that will eventually grow to the point of collapse, ie USSR. And when corruption happens, hardly anyone goes to jail.
I will always side with capitalism because it give more individuals the freedom to do what they want. Stop relying on govt to fix your lives, they will fail every time.
Good Luck,
Dana
The method that he used to make his money was productive because he understood that the Dow had shot up from 8,000 to 14,000 between 2001 and 2007 and home prices had risen 200-300% over the same period as people flipped houses all over the country, sometimes over and over again. Those huge upswings had to come down at some point as the market always does. Just look at the chart since the beginning of the century. Up and down, up and down. The stock market is just one representation of how cash is moving around a speculative market. The value of those stocks is speculative, just like the value of the homes. Just because someone would pay $405,000 for a 1-bedroom condo doesn’t mean that those same buyers will be around in 2-3 years. Most people just want to live in their house. It’s only the speculators that are pushing prices up that high.
Smart people converted their housing flips to cash and CD’s and just took the 6% a year. They are riding pretty high right now. Those who flipped a property and then took their earnings and tried to flip 2 more properties are the ones who are foreclosing today. Just got a little bit too greedy, and a lot of them already had their “earnings” spent and could not imagine that those home prices would ever stop continuing to rise. They were simpy bad investors. However, they can just bail themselves out by foreclosing. It’s rather easy to foreclose. You just stop paying. Then the bank owns the home and then it’s a real problem for the bank because these homes they now own are worth a lot less than the 10 huge home loans that they just gave to 10 other people to purchase more “flip” properties. But most of the banks got bailed out too, and the resiliency of these banks is suprising on some level. It’s the investment banks that got hurt the most as they bought security instruments that represented many, many of these foreclosed mortgages. Some of the investment banks got bailed out too as the Fed realized that some level of investment banking is vital, and hopefully the current Fed and their successors will remember the lesson of too-low interest rates and overspeculation by the large investment banks.
The real winners in all this were the ones who had actually lived in their homes for 20 years and sold it at the peak of the housing bubble. Most of them had no intention of flipping a house or even knew what that was. Instead they simply bought a nicer house with their massive earnings and hopefully put most of it in their down payment or kept it in savings accounts or CD’s. If they put it in stock, I would tell them to hold onto it and ride it out if they can. The market will be up in another 3 years and roaring in another 5-7 years as the psychology shifts and the very real cash and industrial production that is still out there is transferred back to the stock market in a grueling, trickling fashion. True 5-7 years is a long time, but it’s inevitable. When all the world markets are down 60-70%, there is bound to be a huge comeback on the horizon. Look around you. The X-box 360’s and Nintendo Wii’s and Playstation 3’s aren’t going away and mankind will continue to move forward and innovate. This lesson of history has been shown several times before and as long as people are working hard and being productive then it will happen again. So remember, mini-retirements are fine, but overall, in your life, we need everyone out there working their ass off to create and build the world around us. It’s not good to say that Steve Ballmer and Larry Eliison are stupid because they are out there creating and marketing software and they work really hard. The power grid uses that software and so do many of the city services. My job uses that software and it’s on the computer in my house. Most likely guys like Ballmer and Ellison love their jobs, and I’m glad they do. I don’t think the goal should be to “drop out”, but instead the goal should be to find a job that you like to do and try to add to society by doing it well.
The author was a hedge fund manager. I wonder if he has ever created anything?
As for hemp. Smoke it.
p.s. This guy is a real class act. What kind of arrogant bastard says “Fuck You” to the whole world?
[…] of this was enough to make hedge fund manager Andrew Lahde leave the business, with his own finger-wagging resignation letter: “[L]egislation was repeatedly brought forth to Congress over the past eight years, which […]
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more; merchandise of gold and silver; oil and coal and steel; credits and deposits; stocks and obligations and pseudo-educations; contracts and options and other derivatives; biotechnology and nanotechnology and every engineering – and any other charms – as well as of chariots and slaves; and souls of men. (Rev 18:11-13)
Did merchants of these goods feel already the smell of smoke?
The smoke of her burning – a sweet savor unto Lord.
Been working on that alternative economy over at my web site. It’s mainly a matter of reviving some forgotten ideas and getting rid of the hidden subsidies to the rich.
* Deficit spending is a subsidy to the rich.
* Keynesian economics is all about keeping us running on the rat race. The ideal economy should have unemployed resources — another name for wealth!
*Pay as you go Social Security is a way of keeping the working class from owning the means of production.
* The Federal Reserve system assists the privately owned banks in their ongoing game of Chicken with the economy.
* The tax code encourages excessive leverage on the part of homeowners and corporations.
I understand how he (Andrew Lahde) feels making it without the “privilege” of everything being handed to you. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the overall attitude of those I have dealt with is that they should get whatever they want, right now. In fact, they tend to throw fits like little kids when they don’t get what they want. I have had unpleasant dealings recently with a young “business” person using his Father’s credit score to obtain money. He fits right into that prototype, and I am still quite bitter at this point. On the bright side, it has helped me create new contracts and procedures to prevent many of the issues this person has caused. I have learned a lot, and look forward to working with many more good clients like those I have been priveleged to be able to work with in the past. It does feel good to build a strong business from the ground up, without looking for a hand out.
There is always a time after the years of stress that we think of reducing hours and living off what we have. Unless you enjoy it, why spend all of your time on it? I look forward to exciting new prospects, and I know there are many out there that share that feeling. Life is meant to be lived. We have to be careful not to get caught up in “working just to work”. Again, as always, 4HWW spells it out just right.
I liked the idea behind the message: make a ton of $ and then ride off into the sunset. The actual content is pretty petty, however, and strikes me as a classic example of a guy who got lucky, and not realizing that somebody had to get lucky, clings to the belief that he is somehow special. See Fooled by Randomness.
Why the need to attack people who went to elite schools? Why tell the whole world–presumably including your friends and co-workers who helped you on the way up–that you’ll not be responding to them any longer.
And he doesn’t want to do any deals? Ever again? Sounds boring.
For a better example of how to sail off into the sunset with grace, see Lucky or Smart by Bo Peabody. He made $500 million as the founder of Tripod, was smart enough to realize he was very lucky, sold out, and then wrote a book to help other people understand when they’ve gotten lucky and should cash-in.
@Ryan and All,
“Lucky or Smart?” by Bo Peabody is great. Fast read and highly recommended. There is something to be said for timing, but I admire people who can admit the role that pure luck plays in a lot of huge successes. Chance and fortune (in the Seneca sense) are always a factor.
Good suggestion,
Tim
Institutions always let you down and sell you out. The first season of “the Wire” taught us that! I am stuck in the institutional life and am currently working my way through the book. Believe it or not, Tim, I bought your book because somebody else was reading it on the Tube and it sounded like the book I’ve been looking for my whole life. Anyway, just to say, I’m enjoying the blog and the book and the guy, while having been part of the problem, is at least trying to get into the right frame of mind now.
So great. They say they didn’t see the Sub-Prime problems coming… why is it that everyone else did then?
Dear Tim,
My congratulations for this great success & fame that you are recieving thru your book 4HWW.
This is a really well designed blog and i wanted to know if you can give me some tips on making such a blog and which blog service are you using?
Thanks
Mitesh,
You should be able to create a blog with a similar feel to it with wordpress. You will need a hosted version (not the free wordpress blog from wordpress.com) that you can put on a server, and either purchase, build, or download a free template for the blog.
My website was done from a wordpress template, (click on my name to see it) and turned out very well.
I agree this 4hww blog looks great, and is quite comfortable to navigate.
[…] el blog de Tim Ferriss aparece publicada la siguiente carta de despedida del gestor de fondos Andrew Lahde, que consigui Este post fue […]
[…] compiled a short list of twenty items that will get you going. I held fast to the advice of Tim Ferriss, and let the mantra of “being brutal” ring through my head as I downsized all of my belongings […]
Lucky or smart…
It seems no matter what your view if you hang onto it long enough you will be lucky or smart. Getting out when you should just isn’t possible for most of us unless we are really lucky or smart.
Rick
This letter means very little to the everyday man.
There is just no way most of us on Earth can get rich and stop working. This guy is lucky. Most of us are too busy with working for a living to fantasize about walking away from a multimillion dollar job.
I have read Tim’s book, and I agree with most of the principals in there. But it is highly unlikely that I will invent some product or gain some investment that pays me a handsmoe passive income. I wish that I could, but it will not happen.
We all come to this site to read about interesting people and to take our minds off of “reality”. But the truth is that people like us in the trenches allow people like hedge fund managers and other wealthy tycoons to stop working and talk crazy about the world. I can bet any amount of money that this guy would not have such radical views if he were making around $40,000 a year like me.
Tim, I have filled out the paperwork and I am trying out for Shark Tank in Philadelphia on May 11th. I was hoping you could give me some advice. We have been working really hard on our new business for the past 18 months and it is really going well other than investment. We have established 8 revenue streams with in the business model and reached millions of people. It is an amazing idea and I just don’t want to blow this opportunity on Shark Tank. Thanks my Martial Arts Brother.
Wow. Tim, I hope you are not in the same frame of mind as this angry, bitter, sour man whose article title aptly describes his attitude. Ironic that he lampoons the system that he so expertly milked dry for decades. Now we should all smoke dope and love life. This is not funny or instructive, it is sad. A little gratitude would be more in order for living in a democratic, capitalist country that has enabled hundreds of millions of people to enjoy a higher standard of living than most people in the world and almost all of our ancestors. My parents taught me the values of honesty, hard work and caring for others. I am sure most of your readers and you yourself believe in these things. Smoking dope and giving the middle finger to the world are not my thing, I guess.
Wonderful letter. It’s very liberating to read a controversial view like this from someone who appeared to be deeply embedded in the world of finance. Interested argument regarding hemp too!
Too bad George Soros is literally one of the most evil, warmonger, scumbags on the planet. The fact that this guy refers to him as a great man discredits him entirely. Just another semi-intelligent useful idiot.