I’ve recommended that as a professional worker you should maintain memberships in trade associations and certifications in your career field and I recently attended a meeting for a professional association recently and I was struck by a few things that made me wonder. The first thing that struck me as I entered this room was…
Month: March 2008
Thank You Ben Bernanke – ARM Drops From 5.25 pct to 4.75 pct
I received a letter from my mortgage company this weekend that my interest rate has been lowered! About three years ago, I refinanced my 7 pct fixed rate mortgage for a 3/1 ARM. My initial rate when I took out the loan was 3.25 pct then moved up to 5.25 and has now dropped to…
Airlines Get A Clue
The airline industry is in total turmoil and the recent announcements of Southwest, American and soon Delta grounding their fleets for inadequate maintenance is frightening. I perfectly understand the pressures of trying to compete for greater profitability so here are some tips that might help you out: While traveling around the world, it would be…
Rationing in the United States
If you recall from the 80’s and Soviet style government, you might remember all the stories about standing in line for hours to get a loaf of bread or pair of shoes in the U.S.S.R before the wall came tumbling down.  The brilliant scheme of communism resulted in grand rationing of even the most basic…
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Don’t Get Caught With Your Pants Down
The recent rally is nothing to get excited about.  The G-7 is currently contemplating massive intervention in the currency market to keep the dollar from tearing into a thousand pieces as it heads off the cliff.  It’ll take a great deal of coordination to keep the currency market happy.  Here’s a recent article from Bloomberg…
Warning About Non-Deductible IRA If You’re Phased Out of Roth
I’ve met with a couple of financial advisers and they’ve both now told me something similar although a reader, Alex, had suggested otherwise but I guess it depends on your individual situation regarding non-deductible IRA.  If you currently have a mix of tax deferred accounts such as 401k and an IRA as well as a…
A World Without Central Bankers
As much as I rant against the Fed and the occasional central banker, I must say that the alternative to not having central bankers would likely result in a world much worse off.  Considering that charity and tithing have existed for thousands of years yet human civilization remained relatively poor, ignorant and stale you really…
Why HDTV Will Fail – Part 2
I received a few e-mails and comments on my first post on why HDTV will fail mostly agreeing with the problems HDTV has and although I did leave a few items out I’ve now discovered some new issues as well that I figured I might as well add to the list. After purchasing my HD…
How To Never Pay A Late Fee on a Credit Card
I’ve never paid a late fee on a credit card and with some fees now moving upwards of $35 t $50 it’s a good thing I don’t let that cash out of my bank account. So how is it done?  I essentially charge all my purchases and expenses with a credit card.  I pay my…