This club could change your life...
On Friday, I (Porter) discussed collecting watches, wine, and jewelry as both an exercise in taste and as a way to hang on to purchasing power.
Of course, it can be difficult for uninitiated people to know what things are worth. Some people collect paintings because they're knowledgeable about that market. I don't buy art because I don't know much about it.
And if you were ever in a situation where you needed to have some portable wealth, things like watches and jewelry work well… just like gold bullion. When I'm on my boat, I typically take several watches with me, including a large gold Rolex.
Editor's note: Today's Digest is a departure from our normal focus on the financial news of today… Porter and Sean are in Las Vegas attending the Value Investing Congress. However, Porter wanted to share an opportunity to spend time with a unique group of extremely successful people…
Today's Digest won't be for everyone. But for some of you, what I (Porter) am about to discuss could literally change your life...
Today, I want to tell you about The Atlas 400 – a private wealth-and-travel club I started four years ago.
I originally launched The Atlas 400 because I wanted to be a part of a social club that I could enjoy...
I'm a member of several exclusive clubs, including the ritzy country club in my hometown. But I never really fit in there.
The members of those clubs suspect I'm a bit crazy... crazy for owning property abroad… crazy for owning gold… and crazy for believing the U.S. economy is on the verge of collapse.
Not that I care. And my views have certainly been vindicated. But... most of those folks still don't get it. They never will.
That's why in 2009, I asked the most impressive people I know – people like Casey Research founder Doug Casey, Agora Publishing president Bill Bonner, and founder of Sprott Global Resources Rick Rule – to become founding members of The Atlas 400 with me. I wanted the core of our club to epitomize the kind of member we were seeking – intelligent, successful, open-minded...
We've fielded hundreds of applications since then and chosen fewer than 100 applicants to be members. They include some of the most intelligent and interesting people I have ever met... the world's leading horse-racing bettor, one of the world's best-selling authors, several hedge-fund managers, and a managing director at one of the world's largest financial institutions. There are people who have made fortunes in real estate and have developed lucrative small businesses.
These people, all at the top of their game, share one major similarity – excellence. They're all outstanding at what they do... They are leaders in their fields. They're exactly the type of people you would want to have as friends, neighbors, and business partners.
To clarify, this group is a completely separate and independent entity from Stansberry & Associates... In fact, the club is a nonprofit organization. We don't operate this group to make money.
We operate The Atlas 400 to surround ourselves with the best and smartest people in the world and share extraordinary experiences with them. The purpose is simple: To bring intelligent, successful, like-minded people together to exchange ideas... enjoy new experiences... and make new friends among equals.
And how do we go about doing this? Four to five times a year, we host amazing adventures around the world…
In the past, we have navigated the sapphire waters of Panama, fishing for monster sailfish and marlin. Members spent 10 days on a luxurious guided safari through Botswana and Mozambique, walking alongside two-story-tall giraffes and enjoying some of the world's most beautiful terrain.
We were also invited by the CEO of Porsche to race cars on his company's private test track in Leipzig, Germany. Executives from BMW offered a similar experience at their top-secret test facility. This is only a sample of the trips we've taken. So what's next for The Atlas 400?
We're hosting an adventure in Scotland from August 25-30. We'll travel from coast to countryside, Loch Ness to the Highlands, castles to sprawling estates… while experiencing the best Scotland has to offer. Activities will include Michelin-starred dining at centuries-old castles, grouse hunting among the rolling Highland hills, professionally guided red-stag stalking, and sampling some of the country's finest whiskies.
The Atlas 400 will also visit Tuscany for a gourmand's experience of a lifetime: a tour of the Italian wine capital. From October 20-26, the editor of Italy's best-selling wine guide will serve as our host and tour leader. While we visit the region's best vineyards, he will educate our group on the rich Sangiovese grapes that make up its largest export.
In addition to tastings at top wineries, we'll enjoy rustic culinary classes with a renowned Tuscan chef, who will highlight regional cuisine and teach cooking methods passed down through generations. We'll end the excursion by racing Ferraris through the cobblestone streets of Siena. I personally requested and helped arrange this event.
We're already planning our adventures for 2014... We've arranged a seven-day excursion through South America's Patagonia region for our first event. We'll work our way from the Argentine grasslands to the glacial lakes of Chile. The world's foremost eco-lodges will serve as base camp throughout our trip. This is just one of the excursions we have planned for next year... We're also thinking of visiting Bordeaux, Tokyo, and Montenegro.
The Atlas 400 is a social club, not an investment club.
In general, we believe "business first" is the wrong way to go about life. Focus on your relationships first… opportunities will inevitably spring from them.
The point is, getting into the room with the right people is the hard part. Once you've made friends with someone... exchanged information... traveled together... it's natural to be invited into special deals, to parties, events, etc.
The value of Atlas is its network. The people you share your life with... the people you spend time with... the people you trust influence you in profound ways over time. Almost everything good that's happened in my life happened because of someone I knew... a relationship I built.
That's the idea behind The Atlas 400: To grow this network of friends… to have incredible experiences together… to deepen relationships.
And right now, the people you choose to surround yourself with are more important than ever...
Our government is robbing savers through inflation... and stealing from the next generation (my children) by piling on mountainous debt. Our tax dollars are being squandered on misguided entitlement programs, and our share of the burden grows every day.
President Obama has stated he wants to limit the amount of money we can save on our 401(k) retirement accounts. He's telling us how much money we need to live a comfortable retirement. This is the first step to the outright theft of our retirement savings, and it's just the beginning of what will eventually happen in the U.S.
Our government's fiscal policies can't go on forever. And when the day of reckoning comes, I want to be surrounded with folks who share my concerns and have taken steps to protect themselves and their families.
Atlas is a venue where you can discuss these sensitive issues openly... Our members have properties, lawyers, and advisors all over the world. Some are top lawyers and advisors themselves. They hold multiple passports and citizenships. They know the type of people who can make the same things happen for you. Where else can you turn for such valuable information?
But let me clear about something... This club isn't for people who only want to take. This club is for people who have something to offer.
We're looking for people who come into this group with the right attitude. We want folks whose first question is, "How do I add value to the group?"
Relationships take work... and Atlas is no different. If you're willing to try and add value to this relationship, the club may be a perfect fit for you. That's how our current members view it as well.
In short, we want members who are positive... who see the potential in our club... and who are willing to help us make it one of the world's best and most exclusive groups.
We're not looking for a lot of people to join Atlas... We're looking for the right people.
This club is for successful people. So if you're struggling to make ends meet, Atlas isn't for you. The club is expensive to join, and the price will soon increase by 50%. And you won't get much benefit from the group if you can't afford to join us on our excursions.
We have an application process to ensure you're a good fit for the club, and vice versa. If you'd like to learn more about this opportunity, simply click here...
After reviewing your application, a club representative will contact you with the next steps. I hope you'll consider applying to The Atlas 400 today...
We're hosting our annual meeting in June at the St. Regis in New York City. It's one of my favorite events of the year... Atlas members and their guests will gather for events in the New York Public Library and at the '21' Club. We'll also hold an open-floor meeting one afternoon to discuss our club's private information and hold a forum for members to address the group.
It's a wonderful experience... But we only have a few spots left for this year's meeting. I hope you'll join me in New York this June...
New 52-week highs (as of 5/3/13): Advent Claymore Convertible Security & Income Fund (AVK), ProShares Ultra Biotechnology Fund (BIB), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK), WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ), WisdomTree Japan Smallcap Fund (DFJ), Cambria Global Tactical (GTAA), iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (HYG), iShares Dow Jones U.S. Insurance Fund (IAK), iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (IBB), iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Fund (ITB), AllianzGI Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NIE), PowerShares Buyback Achievers Portfolio (PKW), Sequoia Fund (SEQUX), ProShares Ultra S&P 500 Fund (SSO), Constellation Brands (STZ), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Prestige Brands (PBH), Automatic Data Processing (ADP), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Monsanto (MON), RPM International (RPM), Corning (GLW), Loews (L), Blackstone Group (BX), Becton-Dickinson (BDX), Chart Industries (GTLS), Cheniere Energy (LNG), Chevron (CVX), Superior Energy (SPN), Union Pacific (UNP), Wal-Mart (WMT), Activision Blizzard (ATVI), Microsoft (MSFT), and Teekay LNG Partners (TGP).
In today's mailbag, more feedback on the physical silver market and Porter's video on how to value a stock... Send your feedback to feedback@stansberryresearch.com.
"I was so excited to see Porter on The Blaze Network on Friday. I have been telling my husband for months that [Glenn] Beck and Porter should team up. The NRA convention in Houston seemed to be the perfect place. Perhaps we'll turn this ship around yet. Keep up the great work." – Paid-up subscriber Trisha G
Goldsmith comment: If you don't know, Porter appeared on The Glenn Beck Radio Program last week, while Beck was in Houston broadcasting live from the NRA national convention. Porter and Beck discussed gold and reasons for holding it. You can hear a recording of the segment here.
"I ordered 70 ounces (wish I could afford 30,000 ounces!) and the dealer quotes "5 day" clearing for EFT and an additional 2-3 weeks for generic silver rounds I ordered. 2-3 weeks for a small order! Insane. The list of "SOLD OUT" items is much longer than the list of "available" items." – Paid-up subscriber Dan
"Porter, with Aaron did such a great job on the tutorial about how to value a stock that I want more. How about doing one on when to sell a stock? It's great to buy a great company at the right price, but how about giving us a tutorial on when to sell, other than trailing stops." – Paid-up subscriber Bill
Goldsmith comment: We've received incredibly positive feedback about Porter's instructional video on valuing a security. This video is only available to Stansberry Radio Premium listeners. If you'd like to sign up and access the video, click here...
Best Regards,
Porter Stansberry
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 6, 2013