Warning sirens are sounding as a result of an ominous indicator in the stock market and the devaluation of the Chinese currency.  But what does that mean practically for the self-directed investor?  I’m Bryan Ellis.  I’ll tell you what it means for you RIGHT NOW in Episode #114.---------Hello, my friends.  You’re listening to the podcast of record for savvy self-directed investors like you.  I’m truly grateful that you’re listening right now.  It’s so gratifying to see how you folks are helping us grow.  For the last week or so, I’ve been waking up to see that this podcast has already been downloaded as many times by 8:00am as was happening in an entire day as recently as 2 weeks ago.  The growth is just amazing… thank you, my friends.I’ll get to the information about the stock market and the Chinese currency in just a moment.  But I’d like to take a minute or two and make sure we’re all keeping our “eye on the ball” and are investing on PURPOSE rather than by default.Folks, a very positive consequence of the fact that this show is growing and succeeding is that I’m slowly honing the message that I want to drive home to you every single day.And one piece of that message is that the CORE VALUE of self-directed investors is this:  To respect your own capital.  Nobody else will do it for you.  That capital cost you time, energy and effort… or maybe it’s the result of the blood, sweat and tears of someone who cares about you.  Either way, the time, the energy, the effort it took for you to acquire it – the very LIFE it required for you to acquire it – makes that capital profoundly worthy of respect.And NOBODY will ever respect that capital more than you will.  Not your financial advisor.  Not the government.  Not anyone else.  That’s why we have to require… we have to DEMAND… that every investment choice we make stringently complies with the S3 Investing Standard of:  SIMPLE and SAFE and STRONG.But that’s not where the core values of self-directed investors end.  You see, there’s a core value #2 that I’d like to share with you right now, and it is this:Profit has purpose beyond build wealth.  It’s a means to an, not an end unto itself.Do you have clarity about YOUR purpose for the profit you’re making?  Certainly, part of your purpose is to create financial security for yourself and your loved ones, and that’s a central responsibility for you as a responsible adult.  But what about beyond that?  What about a broader, bigger purpose… maybe even a purpose that transcends just yourself and engages your entire family, maybe even for multiple generations?I’m not going to delve deeply into that topic today, but can I encourage you to think about that in the coming days.  I’ll address it more fully in coming episodes… but my friends, I will say this:  When there’s clear purpose for your profit beyond mere wealth building, the clarity with which you operate when making investment and financial decisions steps up another level.  Your perspective becomes greater, your point of view is more enlightened.  Basically, you become wiser.  And wisdom is among the highest objectives to which any of us can aspire.So, let this question simmer in your mind a bit:  What is the greater purpose for your profit?Now, let’s focus on building that profit a bit more, shall we?Folks, two very ominous events have occurred in recent days, and you need to understand them.First:  China has devalued their currency.And Second:  The death cross signal in U.S. stocks.Both of those things sound a bit wonky, so here’s what those things mean in plain language:About China’s currency:  The net effect of China’s currency being devalued is that Chinese goods will be less expensive, thus boosting sales and exports of Chinese goods, and in turn, the Chinese economy as a whole.  Currency devaluation is an artificial way to spur economic growth.  In effect, this is an acknowledgement from Beijing that trouble is brewing in China.You are aware, aren’t you, that the Chinese stock