Underestimating Bachmann No, I’m not going to weigh in on Michele Bachmann’s Presidential qualifications (at least not on this blog), or otherwise endorse — or pan — individual Presidential aspirants. But I do have an observation regarding Michele Bachmann’s experience, which seems to be a big question mark on the heels of her Iowa Straw Poll...Read More
Side Effects & Symptoms What’s going on with the haywire stock market? No one can say for sure — and it’s likely multiple causes, anyway. But here’s a (rather roundabout) theory. What’s happening now with the stock market — indeed, the entire economy — is a symptom, a side effect. Zero percent interest rates, high...Read More
Household Economics, Circa 2011 So that amount, $176.49 is my monthly car payment, right? Try, my July cell phone bill. Make that my family’s July cell phone bill. That’s what it cost for three lines with unlimited minutes and data; insurance on 3 devices (4 when son #2 is old enough); and the cost for a “hotspot”...Read More
To a Realtor, “slip-on’s” have it exactly backward. Their entire appeal lies in their being slip-off’s. After 3-4 consecutive showings — or 7 or 8 — that feature becomes pretty important. Exception Proves the Rule The vast majority of Realtors (and their clients) are very respectful about removing their shoes, because they know next time it...Read More
Ben Bernanke, Flame-Thrower In an ideal world, investors would allocate capital to the stock market because the potential returns were attractive. Not because The Federal Reserve had obliterated all the alternatives. Yes, the Fed’s announcement that it would keep interest rates at zero through 2013 arrested the markets’ free fall (and has the added, noxious...Read More
Prescription: ‘Take 2 4 Aspirin’ Seeing as how the current approach doesn’t seem to be working out so well, I hereby propose a “do-over” in dealing with the aftermath of The Crash of ’08. Exactly what do I have in mind? Instead of: -Rewarding the perpetrators with bailouts; –Punishing savers with the double-barreled whammy of...Read More
