If you haven’t seen it yet, the CBS News show 60 minutes aired an episode this evening entitled: Retirement Dreams Disappear With 401(k)s. This 60 minutes episode couldn’t have come at a better time. A friend just informed me on Friday that she has multiple 401k plans from previous employers, that she hasn’t rolled-over in [...]
recession
Remedy for Economic Contraction
According to today’s Associated Press report: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Tuesday the economy is suffering through a “severe contraction” and pledged to use all available tools to lift the country out of the recession that already has cost millions of Americans their jobs. The AP also reports – To brace the economy, [...]
Fear-Driven Markets
Wow, a lot of economic fears driving the markets today. Wall Street doesn’t like the uncertainty surrounding the new stimulus package and panic has ensued. The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 were all down almost five percent at the end of the day. I don’t think most of us want to see it, but it [...]
Contrarian Investing
Like any other mere mortal, I’ve had my doubts about the success of my investment style. Although it’s paid off for me in the past, contrarian investing doesn’t seem to be working right now. The markets keep falling, economic news continues to be bad, and consumer confidence is at all time lows. I’m feeling kind [...]
Current Recession Perspective
Not to knock the mainstream media, I read it daily. But news reports tend to follow herd mentality. When the economy is booming, there’s usually a preponderance of bullish news. When we’re in a recession, there’s just the opposite amount of bearish news. So, when I find more rational news reports based on actual data, [...]
Phoenix Rising from the Ashes?
According to an excerpt from the May 2009 National Association of Credit Management, Credit Managers’ Index: Lately, there has been a great deal of discussion about whether or not there is reason for some optimism regarding the U.S. economy’s recovery. The phrases are showing up everywhere: “green shoots” and “light at the end of the [...]