2012

2012 will be a benchmark year that will define our own path to personal and professional freedom. We as individuals must take on our own responsibility and that of our family. Let’s make a difference in 2012. Stay true to your own goals but hopefully you will consider some of my goals as reasonable and attainable efforts that will guide you throughout the year.

Have strong Beliefs – know where you are going and where you are headed. It doesn’t matter where you have been – look forward and not back.

Be an Optimist – be a positive role model and find the good in everyone. Appreciate life everyday!

Relentless Preparation – answer the unanticipated, sense of calm with practice. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

Invest in Others – be a mentor - assist others without expecting anything in return. In 2011, I expanded my mentorship role and will build upon my willingness to assist others succeed in 2012.

Live in a State of Gratitude – 86,400 seconds in a day – how will you use this time?

Act rather than React – take action. Don’t wait for others to lead. We must lead and take care of others.

Reinvent Yourself by Doing what you Do and Always have Done ---------- Differently!

I listed the above goals for 2012 because this year is a tipping point for most of us. If you don’t approach this year differently, you may be left behind. Rely on yourself but also rely on those willing to share and to assist you succeed.

But most of all -------See through eyes of love and understanding.


Happy New Year!

2012 - A New Year

2012 – Happy New Year!



REFLECTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

(From the writings of Harold Warbeirn)

Because the world is poor and starving,
Go with bread

Because the world is filled with fear,
Go with courage

Because the world is in despair,
Go with hope

Because the world is living lies,
Go with truth

Because the world is sick with sorrow,
Go with joy

Because the world is weary of wars,
Go with peace

Because the world is seldom fair,
Go with justice

Because the world is under judgment,
Go with mercy

Because the world will die without it,
Go with love.

3rd Quarter GDP REPORT

2nd quarter 2009                     - 0.7%

3rd quarter 2009                       2.2%

4th quarter 2009                       5.6%


1st quarter 2010                      2.7%

2nd quarter 2010                     1.7%

3rd quarter 2010                      2.6%

4th quarter 2010                      3.1%


1st quarter 2011                      0.4%

2nd quarter 2011                     1.3%

3rd quarter 2011                     1.8%


4rd quarter 2011       Advance Estimate     1/27/12
                               Second Estimate        2/29/12
                               Third Estimate           3/29/12


As housing goes …. So goes the economy!

Did YOU Know?

With all of the discussion about the mortgage crisis and the goal of increasing home ownership over the past decade, did you know that the US ranks only 17th among developed countries? Did you know that Canada has a better ranking than the US?

OK. So what?

Did the miscalculation by the National Association of Realtors® of the homes sold per year since 2006 have any bearing on your buying or selling a home? Or did it clearly show that the economy is really worse off than reported?

Probably not; “experts used to be considered experts when they discussed their topic of interest more than 50 miles from their home! With the internet, there are NO experts!

OK. So what?

For 2012, you must consider finding a way to do things you have always have done – differently.

Do not rely on experts.
Do your own research.
Rely on you.
Rely on your gut.
Rely on your own instincts to succeed.

OK. So what?

2012 will be a better year than 2011. Start your planning today.

Charlotte Housing Starts

There was some good news this week about the increase in housing starts. I will do some research but I would guess that the majority of starts would be in multifamily housing starts --- rentals. This would generate work and thus jobs in the construction industry. Goods News.

What would you do?

Imagine if you had a packet of 100 flower seeds and 100 watering cans with just enough water in each can to soak each seed for one day each.

It seems as though you could do one or two things.

Plant all 100 seeds and water each seed one time and just hope that some make it,

or

You might want to plant 20 seeds and water each 5 times over the course of a week.

You and I as marketers hate to throw away perfectly good seeds don't we?

Will 2012 be a turning point or a tipping point
for the country?
for your community?
for your neighborhood?
for YOU?

Business Planning

Have you started to prepare your business plan for next year? It is time to get started!
What is your backlog going into 2012?
What is your primary goal for 2012?
How will you generate work in 2012?
It is time to set your expectations - start now and hit the ground running in 2012.

Home Prices Increasing???

Every local market is different and in many cases does not reflect the national statistics of price declines. In the small towns north of Charlotte, housing prices are on the increase. What about your market?

Peak of the Week

In 2011, there is a slight leveling off of housing prices in Miami and Charlotte. But both cities are back to 2002-2003 prices. As the foreclosures are processed through the market and jobs return, housing appreciation will again return slow but steady. Until.................2013 - 2014 when the seller's market returns and prices escalate dramatically. Prepare today for tomorrow.

The History of a HOME

This chart only reinforces the idea that over a long period of time, a home appreciates and adds to your wealth.
Why rent when you can buy?

Today will be a Perfect Day!

This was the view out my front door this morning. Early morning rainbowS --- if you look closely to the top left, there is a second rainbow. Believe!

What is the difference?

Do you need or want a job?

OR

Do you need or want work?

The Washington DC beltway politicians are again using unemployment numbers, rates and stories to gain political leverage with voters. It is interesting to me that the unemployment rate can decrease from 9.0 to 8.6% by creating only 140,000 new jobs. Yes, I know they are reporting that 310,000 people stopped looking for jobs and thus are no longer counted in the unemployment rate.

The drop in the unemployment rate is good but it doesn’t at all signify the economy is getting better. I think we need to focus on work rather than jobs!!

There is ONLY 64% participation in the labor force.

50% of all corporate profits are from overseas business – how will this work out in 2012?

There are jobs out there!
But very little work!

Let’s get ready to generate some work in 2012!

Statistics, Politics and Reality

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics: (in thousands)

                                                Dec 2009                          Dec 2010                               Nov 2011

Civilian Labor Force                154,142                            153,889                                  153,683

Employed                                139,877                            139,064                                  140,070

Unemployment Rate                   9.3%                                9.8%                                       8.6%

Unemployed                             14,265                             14,825                                     12,613

Not in Labor Force                  81,659                              83,941                                    86,757

I am not a statistician but the reality from Dec 2009 to Nov 2011 seems to me:

1. the total civilian labor force is about the same
2. the number of employed people is about the same
3. the total number of the unemployed has decreased and thus the unemployment rate looks great or at least the trend is in the right direction,
4. the total number NOT in the labor force has increased by about 5,000,000 people. This is over a 6% increase over the past two years.

You have to be the judge on the trend of the economy.

Is the “spin” that the unemployment rate is trending down and that is a good sign the economy is improving?

OR

Is the ‘spin” that the number of people leaving the workforce is trending up because there is no work?

Peak of the Week

Welcome to the Peak of the Week -- a Wednesday when we look back at housing price trends and peek forward to what changes may be in store for housing prices. Remember, this is a national overview by the leading expert in tracking housing prices. Your local market may very well be different than the national trend and even different than your closest MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area).

The two graphs basically tell me that most of the experts have no clue what is going on TODAY let alone forcast into the future. In the past year (August 2010 - 2011), the starting price level dropped about $7,000 (jsut over 4% reduction in price) and the projected bottom has been exetended out 6 months. This seems consistent with everything that I have read on the housing price problem.

The leading expert in the field is projecting August 2011 price levels to be reached again in about 2-years!!
Until the economy recovers hand in hand with housing, you must prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

As I have said many times ----- AS Housing Goes.........SO Goes the Economy!
What does this mean to YOU?

Revisiting Congress

I posted the following on August 4, 2011:

Do You Know How Much Members of Congress Earn?


I guess there would be a debate on if they earn their salary but they do get paid!
In 1991, their annual salary was $101,900
In 2011, their annual salary is $174,000

In today’s Congress nearly 50% of all senators and representatives are MILLIONAIRES.

No wonder they are out of touch with US.
At a salary of $174,000 per year, they would be paid $14,500 per month.
In reviewing the congressional calendar for August – December, 2011, they will be in session 44 days.

$14,500 x 5 months = $72,500
$72,500 / 44 days = $1,647 per day
$1,647 / 8 hours = $205 per hour --- this is salary only and does not include benefits.

Some members in Congress are worth their salary and some are not. At least we have a chance to decide on who should stay and who should go by voting! Regardless, we should demand term limits.
 
Now we know how how congressmen obtain their wealth ---- "insider trading".
Illegal beyond the Capitol doors but legal for our elected officials.
Unethical beyond the Capitol doors but ethical within the halls of Congress.
 
WAKE UP AMERICA --- the double standard is with our elected officials.
Read --- "Throw Them All Out"

Consumer Confidence will Turn Around WHEN?

Our economy is based on 70% consumer spending. If the consumer lacks confidence, our economy will only limp along. As you know, many of the sectors of our economy are improving but the most important, housing, continues to be problematic. Certainly, the financial industry is approaching housing with a ten foot pole. The pendulum swings again. Lending is an important component of housing but in the marketplace FEAR is the overriding factor:

Fear of the buying process – not understanding how the system works


Fear of losing their job and/or the lack of job security

Fear of their ability to make monthly payments

Fear of being “house poor”

Fear of the daunting loan process

Fear of qualifying and credit scores

By combining consumer fear in housing with the total lack of consumer confidence and you have an economic problem. What do we need from the government to solve these problems?
Government policies? Government Regulations? or Leadership?
We need leadership to instill confidence in the American Dream -- we can do anything!

Housing - Pent-Up Demand & Lack of Supply -- Really?

I have shown the above graph in other forms but this illustration clearly shows the over building that happened during the real estate "bubble". It also clearly shows the lack of new housing construction required to meet demand. A demand caused the increase in population and family formations. Due to the economic conditions, less families are being formed and home buyers are delaying decisions. All of which results in a pent-up demand. I really thought it would be 2012 because a Presidential election cycle was enough of an incentive to make something happen with the economy.

The "experts" say the economy is improving but slowly. That is a good thing. However, we the people will not feel good about making a home buying decision until the 'fear' has been replaced with optimism. In my opinion, single family housing starts will remain below the 1,400,000 housing starts requirement to keep pace with the housing NEED through 2012 and well into 2013.

Knowing the construction cycle, financing, and sales -- follow this line of thought.
November 2012 - elections
Holiday and Winter months follow when construction is typically slow
Spring 2013 --- New optimism and Hope!
We start to buy!!!!!!!!!
Builders may be ready to build but spec building will still not be permitting by lenders -- thus a housing start will not occur until the loan is approved for the buyer and for the construction loan for the builder

• Construction will start in early summer 2013 - assuming the workforce is available and the builder has lots to build on.
• First closings will be in late summer 2013.
• Because of the lack of supply and the pent-up demand, prices will escalate rapidly.
• Interest rates will rise and monthly costs will increase.

Plan for the worst ( is this the worst case? ) I don't think so! Let's pray for the best and I think this is the best case scenario.
What are your thoughts?

GDP from 2000 to 3rd Qt 2011

 If the desired pace is around 4%, the years following the recessionary dip of 2001were not spectacular in terms of growth. In fact, the pace of the economy was dismal. NOTE: the second estimate for 3rd QT GDP was lowered to 2.0% and at the end of this month, the GDP growth rate will be released.

The following graph illustrates the single family housing starts. As you know, in my little world, I think that AS Housing Goes..... SO Goes the Economy.  As the economy was below the desired pace, single family housing starts continued to increase from 2001and starts were well above the number of starts needed to satisfy the "normal" housing market.

The single family housing starts took a nose dive in 2006. Two years before the recession officially started. The NAHB forecast in 2012 will be pushed back to 2013 or 2014. Then, the gloves come off. You will see dramatic price increases and the market will immediately turn into a sellers market.  WHY?
Pent-up demand and a shortage of housing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rents are Increasing & the Monthly Cost of Owning A Home are Decreasing

Price versus Cost

Today, the 30-yr mortgage rate is under 4.0%!!!! A home is more than a long term investment. However, if you can save money on a monthly basis, why wouldn't you buy NOW rather than wait?

GDP REPORT

2nd quarter 2009              - 0.7%

3rd quarter 2009                 2.2%

4th quarter 2009                 5.6%

1st quarter 2010                 2.7%

2nd quarter 2010                1.7%

3rd quarter 2010                 2.6%

4th quarter 2010                 3.1%

1st quarter 2011                 0.4%

2nd quarter 2011                1.3%

3rd quarter 2011

Advance Estimate               2.5%

Second Estimate                 2.0%

Third Estimate                   Dec 22


Release dates in 2012 Gross Domestic Product

4rd QT 2011
Advance Estimate     1/27/12
Second Estimate       2/29/12
Third Estimate          3/29/12

As housing goes …. So goes the economy!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Relocating for a Job?

As the unemployment rate continues to inch down and as more private sector jobs are being created, job seekers may be considering relocating to obtain a new job. Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc has been tracking job seeker relocations since 1986 and their Challenger Job Market Index showed the following trends of those finding employment relocated for their new job:

2006      16.5%

2007      14.7%

2008      11.6%

2009      13.3%

2010       7.3%

2011       9.4%

Maybe job seekers are now considering moving to states with below national average unemployment rates. Companies are still mining the local talent pool and not paying for relocations. I would guess that most companies do not even look at a resume with an out of state address.

However, as the local talent pool is exhausted, companies will again expand their recruitment efforts to other states. The problem will be the reluctance of those seeking a job to move because of the price of their home. Companies will have to start to consider the “home” as being the major reason for finding qualified talent.

The other aspect is that companies are seeking less experienced talent with less “baggage” as they hire outside of their local talent pool. The older workforce have the talent, experience, and know-how to immediately help a company but are not being considered because they have a home to sell!

If companies are reluctant to pay for out of area talent, their expansion will slow down and will wait for a better economic climate.

The cycle continues.

As Housing Goes……So Goes the Economy

Existing Home Sales

For the past three years and 2011, the existing homes sales have been well below the trend line. As the population continues to increase and family formations are on-hold due to the economic downturn, there will be a pent-up demand for existing homes.

Everything is timing --- just when will real estate turn around?

Turning around the economy has a lot to do with consumer confidence and their fear. There are some experts predicting the real estate industry will not turn around until 2013 or 2014.

Let’s pray for the best and expect the worst.

As Housing Goes....So Goes the Economy

An Example of a LOCAL Market

The following information is taken from the Carolina Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for only Birkdale. Birkdale is a community of over 1,000 homes and is located approximately 15 miles north of Charlotte, NC. Contrary to the overall Charlotte region and many areas across the country, Birkdale has held its value and price trends are up.

YEAR                 # of                           AVG                          SP/LP                      DOM
                CLOSED HOMES     CLOSED PRICE

2005                  96                          $317,058                         98%                          41

2006                  80                          $351,168                         98%                          32

2007                  75                          $364,545                         98%                          33

2008                  47                          $382,782                         97%                          43

2009                  38                          $314,827                         96%                          76

2010                  40                          $352,746                         96%                          141

Thru 11/18/11    48                          $358,565                         96%                          140

Most real estate experts indicate housing prices are back to 2003 levels. Of course this is a national viewpoint and NOT indicative of local markets. In fact, Birkdale prices are moving back up for a couple of reasons. The community did not see rapid housing appreciation during the housing boom – 3-5% increases. The community is stable and has not experienced many foreclosures or short sales that cause a downward spiral of housing prices.

The other interest fact is the number of days on the market (DOM). During the boom period homes stayed on the market for about a month and now approximately 4 months – a normal market!

Also, seller’s seem to be making price concessions even if the for sale inventory is low. To me this is reflective of “fear” in the marketplace.

Why wouldn’t you investigate your own neighborhood housing price trends and determine how your LOCAL market is fairing in today’s economy?

Where are YOU on this Graph?

The Cycle Continues!

As Housing goes.......... So goes the Economy!

When you rearrange the letters

Unknown source:

PRESBYTERIAN:
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER:
When you rearrange the letters:
MOON STARER

DESPERATION:
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH:
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE:
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS

DORMITORY:
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM

SLOT MACHINES:
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY:
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS:
When you rearrange the letters:
LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS:
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z'S

A DECIMAL POINT:
When you rearrange the letters:
I'M A DOT IN PLACE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO:
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE

11-11-11

Taxes……….Taxes!!!

Have you read your latest cable bill lately? 10% of the bill is for taxes. The following taxes are as described on my cable bill:

State Sales Tax

E-911 Surcharge

Federal Universal Service Fund

Telecommunications Relay Surcharge

FCC Fee

FCC Regulatory Fee – Voice

Federal Regulatory Recovery Fee

State and Local Sales Tax

Really?! It would be interesting to find out exactly where our money goes because we can’t negotiate these charges and we pay on blind faith? It seems like state sales tax is being charged twice!! It would also seem that we are paying a sales tax on a service rather than a product.

In my spare time, I will research the “Federal Universal Service Fund” and let you know where and your money is being used by?

Quote on Engineering:

“It is a great profession. There is the fascination of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper.

Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings jobs and homes to men. Then it elevates the standards of living and adds to the comforts of life.

That is the engineer’s high privilege.

To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope.

No doubt as years go by the people forget which engineer did it, even if they ever knew. …….

but the engineer himself looks back at the unending stream of goodness which flow from his successes with satisfactions that few professions may know.

I believe, in 1954, Herbert Hoover , our 31st President and only practicing engineer before becoming President was speaking about a land development engineer.

Worth Waiting?

The overall Case Shiller composite of the metro markets shows another trend line “up”. I do look for trend lines and not so much what the current prices are ---- after all it remains a buyer’s market in most states but not in every local market!

This latest graph shows a volatile trend line bouncing along the bottom. Prices are reacting to the vicious cycle of job loss – foreclosures – price reductions and start over again. The interesting aspect of the graph is that the trend line is contained within a relatively small range for a period of time.

Of course, the pricing trend lines will give you an idea of how the national market is reacting but you need to focus on:


1. Local Market

2. Monthly Cost

Housing history has shown us that housing appreciates over time. If you want to establish roots in a community and buy a home for your family, why would you wait?

The key is the monthly cost!!

The following illustration shows the price of the home increasing but the monthly COST decreasing --- simply because of the interest rates.

There is no better builder of equity over the long term than real estate. If you can minimize your cost below your monthly rent, why would you not consider buying a home for long term equity building rather than give your money to a landlord?

Credit Scores – Myths & Truths

The following questions and answers are a result of a Bankrate.com session on FICO® Scores. I have summarized the information posted by Rachel Bell.

1. Does the credit report include the FICO® Score?

The credit report does not contain any scores. The credit report contains your credit history gathered by the credit bureaus. It basically shows your history or use and repayment of credit. It also shows your pursuit of credit.

Your credit report should be checked for accuracy. You can obtain a free credit report once a year from http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. A credit score helps lenders understand the information contained in your credit report.

2. Will your FICO® Score be affected by applying for a line of credit or extending a line of credit?

The credit inquiry may show up on your credit report. This may affect your credit score depending on the type of credit and if you have made similar requests over the past year.

The FICO® Score will not be affected by shopping around for the best mortgage, auto or student loan within 30 days prior to scoring. Your credit score is not affected by seeing a credit counselor.

3. Are all credit scores FICO® Scores?

90 of the top 100 U.S. lenders use FICO® Scores. Other credit scores may be misleading and may not be accepted by these lenders. FICO® Scores can be purchased at www.myFICO.com.

Remember FICO® Scores are used by lenders to make their credit decisions. Other credit scores that are NOT labeled “FICO® Score” are prepared using different methodology and may be misleading.

4. Is your credit score used by lenders to give credit?

Credit scores are a quick way for lenders to understand your credit history. Each lender will approach a credit inquiry differently and many will consider other information to help them make an informed decision.

Establishing a high FICO® Score is a result of paying your bills on time, keeping your credit card balances low, and applying for credit only when necessary.

I have been told by mortgage lenders that the FICO® Score in many instances is different from other types of credit scores. You may think you have a 730 credit score but your FICO® Score may be substantially different. What I do know – the higher the FICO® Score, the better chance of obtaining credit at more favorable interest rates.

GDP REPORT

2nd quarter 2009                          - 0.7%

3rd quarter 2009                             2.2%

4th quarter 2009                              5.6%

1st quarter 2010                               2.7%

2nd quarter 2010                             1.7%

3rd quarter 2010                              2.6%

4th quarter 2010                               3.1%

1st quarter 2011                               0.4%

2nd quarter 2011                              1.3%

3rd quarter 2011
Advance Estimate                             2.3%    
Second Estimate                             Nov 22
Third Estimate                                 Dec 22

The GDP advance estimate for the 3rd quarter is fantastic. Hopefully this will signal a sustained upward trend in the economy.

Release dates in 2012 Gross Domestic Product

For 4rd QT 2011
Advance Estimate      1/27/12
Second Estimate        2/29/12
Third Estimate           3/29/12

As housing goes …. So goes the economy!

The World of Baseball or Politics?

I am a baseball fan. My teams did not make it to the World Series this year. I wasn’t all that interested in watching and learning about the players and teams in the World Series. However, I still watch the games and I am now a fan of both teams.

Reflecting on this past season, I remember my favorite team and their problems.

At the beginning of the season, the fans had high hopes with new players and a new manager. The fans were excited about the season and they expected a winner.

The team seemed to be functioning however they were not playing up to expectations. In fact, the team was losing and the manager made questionable moves.

Surprisingly, the team decided to spend money on new uniforms and equipment. And, they started to give away baseball caps to the first 1,000 fans into the stadium for each game. Unfortunately, the team was still losing.

Just before the All Star break, the fans began to boo the players and manager. Interestingly, some of the players quit the game, retired or got traded. The manager was optimistic that the second half of the season would be better with some new players.

The team became dysfunctional. The newer teammates wanted to hustle and bring energy to how they played the game. The veterans of the team didn’t like how the new comers played the game. They especially did not like how they voiced their opinions on baseball strategy.

The team during this period had to raise the prices of tickets, all merchandise and at the concession stand. Still, the fans wanted the team to win. They called on the manager to play the game the way it is supposed to be played and win with the players on the team.

The manger did not adapt to the new team nor did the team adapt to the manager.

Surprisingly, half way through the second half of the season, the manager started to leave the dugout and go up into the stands to talk with the fans ---- during the game!

The manager told the fans that the team was dysfunctional and they will never win. But, as the manager, the fans need to believe in him because if given the right team with the right chemistry, his team will win.

The manager tried to explain why the fans had to pay more to attend a game. After all new uniforms and equipment cost a lot of money and someone had to pay for it.

Unfortunately, the team continued to lose but they dressed the part! The manager’s press conference after each loss highlighted the short comings of the players. The manager placed the blame on the shoulders of the players. He said that he knows best and certain players need to be traded so that he can properly implement his baseball strategies and become winners again.

The manager wanted again to buy new uniforms and change the image of the team. He also purchased new bats so that they could score more runs. He bought new baseball gloves so they could catch the ball more often. He even had the players chip in to subsidize the cost of the baseball hats so that every fan could have a hat.

The fans voiced their opinion. They wanted the manager to get out of the bleachers and get into the game.

Toward the end of the season, the team had the worst record in baseball. The fans continued to fill the ball park since they loved the game of baseball. The fans in the left and right field stands continued to boo while the fans in the middle remained positive and optimistic.

The manager traded their catcher. He is the best defensive catcher in baseball. Nobody would steal a base when he was behind the plate. The manager also traded his homerun hitter and the best pitcher on the team.

All of the other teams knew that these moves would make the team weaker since the team nucleus was gone. Other teams wanted to play our team. The other team could improve their hitting averages and steal bases at will.

At the end of the season, the manager would appear at the beginning of each game and set the line-up but again disappeared into the stands. The manager lost confidence in the players and the players lost confidence in the manager.

The fans only wanted a winner because they are loyal fans. We voiced our opinions but the manager and players didn’t listen.

Before the new season starts, we will watch two great teams play in the World Series. The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are putting on a great show for the game of baseball. The managers are engaged and each game has been fantastic to watch.

I am praying that it is not too late for our organization to succeed. Off-season moves will either make us again a winner or continue the trend of individual egos playing and managing a team sport. Fortunately, the contracts for the manager and players are up for renewal.

If you had a vote today, would you vote to retain the manager and the players or make changes?

Peak of the Week – Going “Green”

The peak of the week is a look back in time and a peek ahead.

Source: Unknown
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.

But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.

We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

And you are NOW just going green? Really?

The Forgotten Worker!

The housing crisis is tied first to the job losses and second to the economic recovery. For years, I have been saying “As housing goes………..So goes the Economy”

There are over 17 million sole proprietorship's in the United States.
Add in single owner LLC’s and there is a significant business segment which have been severely impacted by the economic downturn but not reported on.

Sole proprietorship's account for over 70% of all businesses in the US. Sole proprietors do not show up in the unemployment line, they don’t receive company paid health care benefits nor do they receive paid holidays. Every day it is a struggle for the sole proprietor to survive.

Are you?
Employed or a sole proprietor that own a home not underwater
                      Many sole proprietors could not refinance their home and take advantage of lower interest rates since their income is probably not consistent nor considered acceptable to qualify for a loan.

Unemployed or a sole proprietor that own a home not underwater
                     The unemployed can receive 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. The sole proprietor --- ZERO. Neither will be able to refinance.

Employed, unemployed or a sole proprietor that own a home underwater
                    Today, banks will favor the employed while the unemployed and sole proprietors must pursue a short sale or foreclosure solution.

The vicious cycle continues……………As Housing Goes – So Goes the Economy!
Wake Up America!

A Different Perspective on OUR Debt

The US debt approx.                         $14,000,000,000,000

World population                                          7,000,000,000

If every human on the face of the planet contributed $2,000 to our debt, we could start over!

However, the world median income is LESS than $2,000 PER YEAR!

Oh!!      What should we do?
Let’s start now to:                  Stop Spending
                                             Pass Term Limits
                                             Balance the Budget

Wake Up America!

Property Rights versus Eminent Domain

5th Amendment to the Constitution:

……nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.


Definition of Eminent Domain:

“n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, state, county or city government, school district, hospital district or other agencies) to take private real estate for public use, with or without the permission of the owner”

Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005)[1] was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States involving the use of eminent domain: to transfer land from one private owner to another to further economic development.

The case arose from the condemnation by New London, Connecticut, of privately owned real property so that it could be used as part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan which promised 3,169 new jobs and $1.2 million a year in tax revenues.

The Court held in a 5–4 decision that the general benefits a community enjoyed from economic growth qualified such redevelopment plans as a permissible "public use" under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

Personal Responsibility

It is incumbent upon us as individuals to pass along our values and sound principles - lead by example. The federal government is seemingly in our face every hour of the day. Our elected officials are not leading by example. They spend what they don’t have, use savings accounts to spend and incur more and more debt. You can’t change a personality so we must elect political officials that reflect our values and principles.

Ronald Reagan: 

“Balancing the budget is a little like protecting your virtue: you just have to learn to say ‘NO’”

My saying from the early ‘80’s ----- “Nice but NOT necessary”

SAVE OR SPEND

NO DEBT OR DEBT

Our way of life will not go back to the way it used to be!

Wake Up America!

Peak of the Week

The family structure has changed. On Wednesday’s I try to illustrate a comparison of where we have been and where we are going. We all strive to pass along our values to the next generation. The role of parents is more important now than ever before. As Ronald Regan said;

“All Great Change in America begins at the Dinner Table”

Just compare a few sitcoms from yesterday to today.

The Andy Griffith Show                                                 Parks & Recreation

Happy Days                                                                 The Office

I Love Lucy                                                                  How I Met Your Mother

The Cosby Show                                                          Modern Family

All in the Family                                                            Community

It is time for families to sit down for dinner- together without the TV being on and without all of the technology gadgets! Talk to each other - I know this works!

Wake Up America!

Just Being Right versus Political Correctness

The following information is taken directly from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. I have removed the hyperlinks but certainly investigate political correctness on your own.

Political Correctness

Political correctness (adjectivally, politically correct; both forms commonly abbreviated to PC) is a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense in occupational, gender, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, certain other religions, beliefs or ideologies, disability, and age-related contexts, and, as purported by the term, doing so to an excessive extent

Accusations of cultural Marxism
Main article: Cultural Marxism

University of Pennsylvania professor Alan Charles Kors and lawyer Harvey A. Silverglate connect political correctness to Marxist philosopher Herbert Marcuse. They claim that liberal ideas of free speech are repressive, arguing that such "Marcusean logic" is the base of speech codes, which are seen by some as censorship, in US universities. Kors and Silvergate later established the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which campaigns against PC speech codes.[26]

Some conservative critics claim that political correctness is a Marxist undermining of Western values.[27] William S. Lind and Patrick Buchanan have characterized PC as a technique originated by the Frankfurt School, through what Buchanan describes as "Cultural Marxism".[28][29] In The Death of the West, Buchanan says: “Political Correctness is Cultural Marxism, a regime to punish dissent and to stigmatize social heresy as the Inquisition punished religious heresy. Its trademark is intolerance.” [30]

Examples of language commonly referred to as "politically correct" include:[14][page needed]

• "Mentally challenged" in place of "Retarded" and other terms

• "African American" in place of "Black," "Negro" and other terms

• "Native American" (or "First Nations" in Canada) in place of "Indian"

• "Caucasian" in place of "White", and other terms

• "Gender-neutral" terms such as "firefighter" in place of "fireman"

• The use of the word "gender" instead of the word "sex" to distinguish males and females

• Terms relating to disability, such as "visually challenged" or "hearing impaired" in place of "blind" or "deaf"

• "People of color" in place of "ethnic minorities" or "non-whites" in countries populated predominantly by people who are white.[citation needed]

• "Happy Holidays" in place of "Merry Christmas" and other holiday greetings

WAKE UP AMERICA!!

What path will you follow?
There may be some compromises but no middle ground.
What do you embrace? What reinforces your values?
I have prepared the following lists to help you make up your mind.


Just Right                                         Politically Correct

Goodness                                        Darkness

Humble                                            Arrogant

Trust in God                                     Gods/Atheist/Agnostic

Personal Responsibility                     Government Responsibility

Truth                                                Distorted Truth

Property Rights                                 Eminent Domain

Save                                                 Spend

No debt                                            Debt

Act                                                   React

Deregulate                                        Regulate

US                                                   UN

Individual Salvation                            Collective Salvation

Manage Your Own Money                  Let Government Distribute Your Money



Ronald Reagan Quotes:

“If we ever forget that we are ‘One Nation Under God,’ then we will be a nation gone under.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for the human spirit and for the soul of this nation to encourage people to accept more responsibility to care for each other rather than leaving those tasks to paid bureaucrats?”

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”


The 2012 election is a turning point for our country and for us as individuals. I am not 100% sure we can make it to Election Day before a calamity occurs - a significant event that will change us before we have a chance to change ourselves.

“Not to Speak is to Speak”

“Not to Act is to Act”

Townhome

The townhomes we looked at were in a great location! A townhome is a great way to go if you’re ready to escape the apartment-style living but not quite ready to tackle a freestanding house. It was nice that the bedrooms were upstairs, separate from the living space. I’m not one for yard work but I love having that outdoor space. These townhomes were a great solution with a small, low-maintenance outdoor patio.

Pros:
No one above or below you
More than one floor with living space on the first floor
Front porch and/or patio
Parking right at your door or attached garage
Minimal-to- no yard work
Pool & fitness (depending on the community)

Cons:
People on both sides

While I love the house I rent (a very small bungalow), I understand the appeal to purchase a townhome or condo. There are many great amenities that can be available with little to no maintenance on the property. It’s definitely something for me to consider in my next step.

Condo or Townhome? That is the Question

Guest Blog Post By: Amy Gibbs

I think the most exciting thing about buying your first home is the actual process of looking at homes. I couldn’t wait to see what my choices would be. I was counting down the days … and finally the day arrived!

The first day of looking was devoted to condos and townhomes. As a former apartment dweller, I associated the condo living with the same lifestyle as an apartment. I’ve recently moved from the apartment to a rental house.

In my mind, a townhome falls somewhere in between the two.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, below is a great chart to compare condo living versus townhome living:

Condo
The first stop was a newer condo in an area with many amenities close by. I wasn’t expecting to like the condo because it seemed like it would be very similar to the apartment I had recently left behind. As I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised! You still share the walls with others, but there were many things that made up for that. There was a lot of open space with great natural light. No dingy dark apartment here! I started going through my mental checklist of pros and cons and here’s what I came up with:

Pros:
Open space
Natural light
Secured building
Parking in the building
No yard work
Pool
Fitness center
Shopping you can walk to

Cons:
People above and below you (unless you’re on the top floor or bottom floor)
People sharing walls
Still didn’t feel like my own space because of the closeness of the neighbors
No “front porch.” Small outdoor space.

Peak of the Week – Social Media

Source: Social 2B.com

By: Marina Shapiro

Out with the old, and in with the new.’ The industry of Social Media Marketing is maturing and we are predicting a new dawn for the Social Media revolution.

So, what will it mean to be ‘social’ in 2011?

What aspects of Social Media will be integral to the way businesses develop and grow? How will this impact the technology?

Who will ‘win’ at Social Media this year?

We’ve compiled top 11 predictions for the world of ‘social’ in 2011.

1. “…next year is really going to be about paring down to the essentials based on proven successes and strong metrics.” http://mashable.com/2010/12/21/small-business-predictions/

2. “Outsourcing social media such as blogs, writing e-mails, answering customer service inquiries, writing web copy, social media, ghostwritten blogs, tweets. People don’t always have the availability to write, tweet, research and post their own content.” http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2011-big-ideas-for-small-businesses-0835/

3. “All signs are pointing toward a multicultural Web. By 2015, a billion people in BRIC countries [Brazil, Russia, India and China] will be using PCs. Thus, 2011 will mark the year that businesses either adapt to these changes or get left woefully behind.”

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2011-big-ideas-for-small-businesses-0835/

4. “If you don’t have a mobile version of your site today, you are already behind.” http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/1934793/21-social-media-predictions-trends-2011

5. “B2B companies will catch up to B2C companies in using social media.” http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/1934793/21-social-media-predictions-trends-2011

6. “The Rise of the Marketing Technologist – Marketers for the last few years have been closet techno geeks and it’s time for them to rise up – companies need digitally fluent marketers who can apply technologies to help make marketing more measurable and scientific. Then we can really change the dynamic from marketing as a cost center to marketing as a profit center!” http://socialmediatoday.com/pauldunay/250079/11-b2b-marketing-predictions-2011

7. “Marketing and sales alignment continues to be the #1 issue impeding marketing’s ability to be perceived as a major driver of B2B business value.” http://www.b2bmarketinginsider.com/strategy/b2b-marketing-predictions-for-2011

8. “Consumers’ increasing concerns over noise and privacy will decrease the relatively open access marketers have enjoyed in social channels. The easiest tactics will be the least effective, forcing marketers to bring the same kind of creativity, audience differentiation, and strategy that they bring in other channels. www.forrester.com/rb/Research/2011_now_social_media_marketing_gets_tough/q/id/57771/t/2?cm_mmc=Forrester-_-Blogs-_-Related%20Research-_-5583

9. “Social media measurement will mature rapidly now that there is real money being spent by marketers in the social realm. http://marketingmeasurementtoday.blogspot.com/2011/01/predictions-for-social-media-metrics.html

10. “Commerce happens in communities of interest — not social networks.

First, I’d like to distinguish between a social network and a community of interest, though the terms are often used interchangeably. Social networks or, more aptly, social networking is how we connect with people.” http://adage.com/digitalnext/post?article_id=147897

11. “In 2011, those brands that truly embrace “social content generation” will build themselves a kingdom. The connections between brand, art or skill and visual communications in a socially connected world can create powerfully authentic appeal for brands.” http://www.fastcompany.com/1712634/2011-back-to-the-future

Social Networking

“Social networking is how we connect with people.”

“People are "pulled" into social networks via technology (e.g., I was "friended"), but people join communities of interest by choice.”

“Taking this principle to the real world, we can see that a focused community of interest with 300 people who love fly fishing will be far more engaged and monetizable than a Facebook page with 10,000 vague "likes.”

“In 2011 we will see that quality of engagement delivered in aggregated communities of interest will trump quantity of impressions delivered in one humungous "social network."

Pictures are worth a Million Votes

Both of the above graphs are from an article by Henry Blodget, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Business Insider

October 1, 2011.

The following graph is from an article by Exra Klein of the Washington Post

Interesting Perspective - Wal-Mart vs. The Morons

If you have been reading my blog over the past several years, you will know that I am not this creative. I am passing along these thoughts from an anonymous source.

1. Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart every hour of every day.

2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!

3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year.

4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K- Mart combined.

5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, is the world's largest private employer, and most speak English.

6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the world.

7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger and Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only fifteen years.

8. During this same period, 31 big supermarket chains sought bankruptcy.

9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world.

10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the U S A of which 2,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had five years ago.

11. This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at Wal-Mart stores. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 Billion.)

12. 90% of all Americans live within fifteen miles of a Wal-Mart.

13. Wal-Mart has gross sales that total more than the total revenue of all the countries in the world, except 6.

MAYBE we should hire the guys who run Wal-Mart to fix the economy.
This should be read and understood by all Americans Democrats, Republicans, E V E R Y O N E !!

To the President and all 535 voting members of the Legislature, both parties; it is now official - you are ALL corrupt morons:

a. The U.S. Postal Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.

b. Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.

c. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.

d. War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more.

e. Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.

f. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.

g. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.

!!!You have FAILED !!!

In every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars.

AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM??

YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN THE AUTO INDUSTRY.... THE BANKING SYSTEM?????

MAYBE WE SHOULD HIRE WALMART TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT???

WALMART SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS.

WHY DON'T YOU GUYS JUST ADMIT IT'S WAY BEYOND YOUR PAY GRADE, AND QUIT?

YOUR GOING AWAY PARTY IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 2012.