Housing Builds Momentum Amid Earnings Gloom

Housing, once the bane of the U.S. economy, is now a bright spot.  Home sales and prices are up while inventory is down to a 5.4 month supply – the lowest since February 2006.  Year-over-year sales have increased for eight consecutive months and previously owned homes listed for sale are at the lowest level since December  Read more ➝

10 Key Components of the Fiscal Cliff

“When a nation has engaged in financial irresponsibility for decades, it is extremely difficult for politicians – who gloss over deficits and point fingers at each other – to reverse course and begin the painful steps needed to redress failed fiscal policies.  It’s even more chalenging when it calls for shedding deeply held positions on  Read more ➝

Fiscal Cliff Obscures Fading Fundamentals

Investor fears about going over the “fiscal cliff” may be exaggerated.  A more tangible threat is the weakening U.S. economy.  Earnings are declining, manufacturing has slowed and companies may reduce reinvestment and rehiring.  According to this article from Allianz Global Investors “the chances of  [the fiscal cliff] actually happening in its entirety are slim. However, if  Read more ➝

Retrain Your Brain for Financial Success

Even the best laid retirement plans are subject to our emotional restlessness.   Our emotional attachment to instant gratification sets us up for financial defeat.   The ability to know one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values and goals and recognize their impact  is a vital component to one’s overall financial plan. The importance of expense mangement and the cost of waiting to save are two things  Read more ➝