Archive for February, 2009

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

The Deflationary Trade War Has Begun

One of my absolute favorite bloggers is Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis because of the bloody brilliant articles and brilliant commentary that follows. In particular, there was a recent comment that led me to this link which describes the new deflationary trade war being waged in Europe right now. The article is in Spanish and [...]

No Comments » - Posted in The Fed,Watch Out by

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Are You NOW Asking What If?

Back in September of 2008, I wrote this post asking if my readers were asking What if questions amongst themselves. Everyone seems to be making assumptions that a bailout bill will pass, it will cure everything and things will return to normal a few days later.  The prudent investor needs to ask, “What if…..” What [...]

1 Comment » - Posted in The Fed,Watch Out by

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

I’ve Been Watching CNBC All Day As Market Tanks

This is so funny. First Geither came out and did his speech on the urgency of another bailout and the market tanked. Ben Bernanke is getting grilled in committee meeting and every time he speaks the Dow drops a few more points. Nearly 400 points down so far but this was all too predictable… More [...]

No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

If You’re Mad About The Economic Crisis, Take Action!

It seems the world has gone haywire. People who prudently worked and saved are being punished and people who took short cuts and cheated are being thrown life line after life line to keep their ill gotten loot. So it’s time to take action but what to do? Call your local politician? Nah…that won’t accomplish [...]

No Comments » - Posted in Rants by

Monday, February 9th, 2009

If You’re Going To Get Laid Off, Ask It Be Done Quickly

There are so many states that are overwhelmed by unemployment claims that many can’t keep up.  Worse yet, many states are starting to run low on cash to even pay claims so I can foresee a scenario where the first ones laid off get paid and last ones out get nothing.   It’s been three weeks [...]

No Comments » - Posted in Careers by

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

Your Job May Be Secure But Your Pay Isn’t

I was having an e-mail discussion with some friends on the current deteriorating job market.   Specifically, this article in the Boston Globe talking about a Bostonian college start up that has created a reverse auction for a lowest pay job market. In a sign of just how tough it is to find work in the [...]

No Comments » - Posted in Financial Safety by

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

Corporate America Is Unreasonable

I’ve been reflecting on 18 years in corporate life now that I’m unemployed and it dawned on me that corporate America is unreasonable. In order to stay on the corporate ladder, you have to do some pretty time consuming things.  I’ve talked about these in “Professional Toolbox Most Managers Should Have” but that wasn’t the [...]

No Comments » - Posted in Observations,Philosophy by

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Some Friends Are Abandoning The Stock Market

I had lunch with an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while and we started talking about investments and the market. It seems my buddy has had enough of the stock market and essentially cashed out and bought some rental properties with his stock market money. I asked him why he did what he [...]

2 Comments » - Posted in Slow Wealth by

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

Congress Should Change Laws on 401k/IRA Borrowing

Banks don’t want to lend money for questionable assets (e.g. overpriced homes) so an alternative form of collateral needs to be coughed up and the only thing I can think of as an alternative form of collateral are 401k’s, IRA’s and pensions. People should be allowed to borrow from their 401k’s and IRA’s penalty free [...]

3 Comments » - Posted in MMO,Money Management by

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

Homeowners Association Notice – No Farm Animals!

Things must be starting to get really weird across America. I received a letter from the HOA that explicitly stated that home owners were not to raise animals of any kind on residential property in the neighborhood. I’m guessing someone somewhere is raising chickens or maybe pigs or maybe even puppies to sell on the [...]

5 Comments » - Posted in Observations by