Socialism is for Losers

The average American may not think this deeply, but when politicians get up and talk about needing to reign in oil companies, mortgage companies, and other industries that don’t seem to “behave” the way we’d like, they are really advocating some level of socialism. Today I’d like to add my two cents to the following […]

Don’t Be Fooled

With oil prices down and the Fed completing another meeting,the market felt the need to rally today. But don’t be fooled - remember, the following facts still exist:
1. The Consumer is Decimated
The consumer is not getting pay raises commensurate with true inflation. The consumer also has no access to home equity anymore. Furthermore, the […]

An Ab Workout That I Might Even Try

Self magazine has this ab workout simulation video on their site:
VIDEO LINK
Some of these moves look really good - and a few of them would  certainly be a nice change-up from what I am currently doing so I plan to try a couple of them on my next workout. Hope you enjoy it!
Chris Grande
6.21.08
Back […]

Saving on Planning a Wedding & 3 Tips to Better Purchasing Decisions

Here is an interesting article from SmartMoney.com through Yahoo finance on “10 Things the Wedding Industry Won’t Tell You” (catchy title eh?):
ARTICLE LINK
One part I find interesting in this article is when the author mentions a couple - the bride-to-be called for a bid on wedding service from a company in San Francisco and then […]

Inspiring Others Despite Terminal Cancer

I will not taint this great story with a long story - bottom line:
Professor Randy Pausch is battling pancreatic cancer. On his personal blog he has great stories and a link to an especially great talk, delivered last September, to the students at Carnegie Mellon, where he teaches. He also has updates on his battle […]

How a Bubble Gives Us a Glimpse into the Future

Bubbles in any market have a horribly negative connotation. Both the evil-doers that inflate the bubble with their irrational actions and those who suffer from it are documented endlessly once the bubble pops - but what is often overlooked is the glimpse into the future & the lessons that could be learned, offered by the […]

What We Need to Do Right Now

My short recipe for lower oil prices, a stabilized dollar, and lower inflation:
1. raise rates
2. balance the budget (requires non-sissy voters)
3. we all start being energy smart
Now remember, we can’t slow down the voracious demand for natural resources coming from the developing world, particularly China, but also Southeast Asia, India and Brazil - all building […]

Home Sales No Consolation for the Weary

April Pending Home Sales Rise!
Sorry folks, if you were taking solace in the “improved” home sales data this morning, I would caution you to think otherwise. Of course, with some houses pricing at 50% of their previous levels or lower due to foreclosures, you would expect buyers to show up.
However, this is small consolation to […]

The Fed is “Grounding Out” on its Second Mandate

This is a short pithy post in which I just wanted to reiterate a point I’ve made repeatedly:
NOT FIGHTING INFLATION IS COSTING US DEARLY
AND NOW IT IS DIRECTLY COSTING US JOBS.
Read this story from Yahoo Finance regarding airlines raising prices and GROUNDING PLANES due to fewer travelers.
Yahoo Finance Article
By lowering rates last fall, […]

Mortgage Welfare Creates Moral Hazard

When you have no skin in the game, you just don’t care…
The idea of encouraging home ownership as public policy has good merits at its core - one merit is to encourage people to care about their neighborhood, and invest and keep up the look of their own properties. It is common knowledge that […]