August 10, 2005
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::: good vibrations :::
Ladies ... did you ever wish you could discreetly carry a vibrator with you at all times? Blissbox's "Vibi" may be the answer! Vibi lets you turn your Nokia cell phone into vibrator! It's a mobile application that works by letting you control the vibrating battery. Currently there are three settings for your pleasure -- wave, tease or pulse. You can also create your own custom "naughty sensations".
Think about how useful Vibi would be while traveling! The last thing you want is to go through airport security and have your secret stash of traditional sex toys discovered by some security gorilla! Imagine the embarrassment as they "test" each one to make sure it is not really an explosive device. I heard about this product on Dr. Dean Edell's weekly radio program on health issues (of all places!).
Although they don't sell Vibi (yet), a good source in the USA for adult toys is Sensual Universe.
::: investing in sin :::
Ever hear the phrase "Sex sells"? Well, it's true. The adult industry is estimated to generate between $2 and $10 billion dollars annually in the US alone. But sex isn't the only "sin" industry that sells -- so does alcohol, tobacco and gambling. Short of starting your own porn company or opening a new glitzy casino on the Vegas strip, how can you get in on the action?
One easy way is to invest in the VICE fund! The VICE fund is a no-load mutual fund that was established in August 2002 and limits it's holdings to these "sin" industries plus equally un "pc" military stocks. Many financial experts feel that companies in these sectors are recession proof. In other words, even in hard economic times, they do well (or better?). Folks do not stop drinking, smoking or hoping for Lady Luck when the bottom falls out.
The VICE fund is sort of the polar opposite of "socially responsible" investing (SRI). In SRI investors screen out companies that sell objectionable products or engage in "bad" acts. Although the idea has proven popular, from a financial standpoint most of these funds have proved disappointing.
As of the end of July, Vice Fund's top ten holdings were:
4.4% - Anheuser-Busch Companies
4.3% - Altria Group
3.9% - British American Tobacco
3.7% - International Game Technology
3.5% - L-3 Communications Holdings
3.5% - Diageo PLC
3.2% - Fortune Brands Inc
3.1% - Harrah's Entertainment
2.9% - MGM Mirage
2.7% - Shuffle Master Inc.Where are the porn companies? Unfortunately, most porn companies are privately held and as such, the VICE fund cannot directly purchase stock in them. However, it is possible to invest in related industries such as cable companies and channels that air lucrative adult programming.
So far, performance has been impressive. In 2003, the fund sported a total return of 34% and 24% last year. This year, the VICE fund is up 7.2%. All in all, since it's inception, that's a return that exceeds 19%, much higher than the market as a whole. These numbers are good enough to rank the fund in the top 10 (for one year performance) by Lipper as of 07.31.05. Now that the fund is three years old, it will be including on Morningstar and Lipper's three year rankings as well. Minimum investment is $2500.
Now there's a companion book too -- Investing in Vice: The Recession-Proof Portfolio of Booze, Bets, Bombs, and Butts. The book touts itself as the "ultimate defense in these troubled economic times.
If this blog entry inspires you go out and "invest in sin" and you do really, really well, please don't forget me in your will! =)
-- Snowman
Sources and further reading:
Jack Sirod Column, "Vice Pays Nicely For This Fund", Sacramento Bee, 08.07.05.
Caslon Analytics Profile: Adult Content Industries, 11.04
VICE Fund Facts & Returns webpage, 08.10.05
Comments (14)
I nokia vibrator/phone...you'll be rich! how do you get rid of the smell?
RYC: Thanks! I am currently working on it.
Hello. *chuckles* Well there was an enlightening blog entry. LOL. I do thank you for the kind word and props at my site.
ha, well I'm currently workin on a creating a porn company. We are going to produce videos and we wanna be rich!
ryc}thanks for well wishes. I think i'm gonna keep "trying" to quit....it's almost been 24 hours....)!
Dangit! I just got a new phone, but it wasn't a Nokia! My DH has one, I wonder if he'd trade me???
Vice fund sounds interesting, I've never heard of it before -- but it makes TOTAL sense. And no matter how much the economy is in the crapper, people will ALWAYS find the $ for beer, smoking, etc. It really does sound like a sound investment.
A vibrator phone, well whadya know. They think of everything. Thanks for stopping by. I know the contents were rather mundane. I promise more interesting items next time. Perhaps even my very own vibi.
hi there. damn, too bad i dont have a nokia haha.
and thanks for still reading the site, and maybe i do have a new xanga =X haha
I have a Nokia! Woo hoo! I take 2!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving props. Darla
don't let my wife know about that phone I'll be broke buying new batteries!
lol thanks for the comment. And that phone....DAM!
Investing in those VICE buisnesses does seem to make alot of sense.
But really, I can't get over what condition that phone must be in after a few uses. Yuck.
LOL ... you guys are funny. I don't think a Nokia phone with Vibi installed is intended to be inserted anywhere ... it's more like the girl might put it between her legs while driving or something, perhaps even with clothes on! Sheesh!
investing in vice very wise.
God is holy, hell is real, and only Jesus Christ can save you.
Jesus Christ has suffered and died for our sins, He has risen from the dead, and has brought light to all mankind. The simplicity found in Christ is this, whoever repents from sin and calls upon the name of the Lord for salvation will be saved from eternal death.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
amen brother! lol
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