On The Money Trail - Investments, Social Security, Personal Finance and Money topics are reviewed

What qualifies the author to dispense advice? He is not a banker . . . who merely stores other peoples’ money. Nor is he an analyst . . . who merely scrutinizes other peoples’ money. Neither is he an economist . . . who merely philosophizes about other peoples’ money. Rather, Al Jacobs is a professional investor with four decades of first-hand involvement in intricate business and investment activities.

His educational background includes graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, a civil engineering degree from Renssalear Polytechnic Institute, and two chemistry degrees from the University of California Irvine. He holds a Certificate in Real Estate from the University of California Berkeley and the designation Certified Property Manager (CPM) from the Institute of Real Estate Management. And in his spare time he completed countless courses in accounting, law, insurance, and taxation at various institutions.

He boasts an equally diverse on-the-job history. He gained experience as Assistant Officer in Charge of Construction of the Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California (1958-1960), and as Public Works Officer, heading a 200-person department at the U.S. Naval Station, Washington, D.C. (1960-1962). After completing military service, he established and operated (1964-1968) a property management department for a major real estate firm in Northern California. In 1968 he co-founded a Beverly Hills-based management and investment company, and as its president controlled properties in various parts of the country (1968-1978). Since 1978 he has conducted his personal investments from Orange County, California, comprising a mix of real estate, corporate securities, and mortgage lending. His experiences have included tax return preparation with the national accounting firm of Touche Ross, real estate appraisal for the General Motors Corporation, over 20 years supervision of a diversified stock and bond portfolio, service as a superior court Receiver, and organization and operation of a private trust company.

An advocate of lifelong education, he conducted investment seminars (1971-1972) for prominent author William Nickerson (How I Turned $1,000 into a Million in Real Estate — in My Spare Time). In 1981 he established a private foundation, Science Scholarship Foundation, and through it has financially assisted promising students, enabling many to earn bachelors' degrees in science-related majors at universities throughout California. After receiving his master’s degree in chemistry in 1986, he taught the subject at Saddleback College in Orange County (1986-1996). From 1982-1992 he headed the awards fund-raising for the American Chemical Society, Orange County Chapter, functioning as treasurer of that group from 1989 to 1996.

Recently turning to writing, he authored Nobody’s Fool: A Skeptic’s Guide to Prosperity, © 2003, 384 pages, and produces the monthly Newsletter, On the Money Trail, to be found on this site. Still active in investments on a day-to-day basis, he lives in the coastal community of Monarch Beach, in a home of his design, with his wife of forty-four years.