Social Security

Social Security Board of Trustees: Economic Downturn Leads to Worsening of Long-Range Financing Outlook: "Social Security Board of Trustees: Economic Downturn Leads to Worsening of Long-Range Financing Outlook"

It was bound to happen folks - the defiicit of the US is growing tremendously and the only way to stop this trend of buy now and pay later is for you to take financial responsibility for your future. Do not expect much from social programs such as Social Security, Welfare, and Medicare. Be self-sufficient, save your emergency fund, invest in the stock market and alternative assets such as real estate - and plan for your own retirement. Become a successful entrepreneur as well! Hardly anyone retires comfortably by working a full-time job for their employer...the economy is changing, the employee/employer landscape is evolving, no longer will people be expected to stay with an employer for 50+ years and expect a pension or an adequate retirement.

The economic environment changes as quickly as the weather - the outlook for the next few decades is to be self sufficient in every way to secure your own retirement, to increase your cash flow, and acquire wealth.

May incomes surge - but savings outpace spending.

May incomes surge, but savings outpace spending - Yahoo! News: "May incomes surge, but savings outpace spending"

Now this is good news for consumers! If the savings rate is increasing it means Americans are becoming a bit more frugal and wise about spending money on unnecessary purchases, and will finally build up that emergency fund (which I think is the maximum you need to save in a savings account - invest the rest!).

But why is the savings rate increase bad for the governement? Well think of it this way - the government needs consumers to spend because it receives taxes on anything we buy or sale. In other words, the government receives income from consumer spending the same way you receive a paycheck from your job.

If some consumers don't buy anything, then businesses won't be able to sell anything, and the government doesn't receive as much revenue from taxes on consumer spending - which as indicated in this article is up to 70%.

Have you ever wondered why the government taxes your savings - yet you receive a tax break or write-off on the debt you incur?

Is retirement possible?

"With the bailouts of major corporations and banks, the new healthcare tax to be put in place by Pres. Obama, and the new bailouts of Social Security and Medicare - the dollar continues to devalue itself. Will we be able to retire? Or are we the 'drones' of super powers?"

What do you think?

United States Economy at a Glance

United States Economy at a Glance: "Economy at a Glance"

As posted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics - one can clearly see that unemployment is steadily rising and will most likely keep rising beyond 10%. President Obama has also come to realize that the worst is not over and there are still "tough times ahead". However, given the stimulus to the economy granted by the Obama administration - the economy has a floor in place and things are not as bad as they could be.

Yes - the US is going through tough times and right now Americans need to buckle down and ride out the storm. I pray that President Obama does not release another stimulus package because it may, at this point, do more harm than good! If we add more taxpayer money to the fire - we reach a point of diminishing return and it will begin to send the economy spiraling further down in the dumps.

America, this is a time where we must ride out the storm and learn patience. The government has done a great job keeping the economy afloat to some degree and not allowing situations to be worse off - however, now is a time for private industry to step up and revive the American spirit as it has done in the past with ingenuity and innovation that keeps America going.

Ford improves quality

Ford Motor Company :: Ford Brand Quality Improves for the 8th Straight Year in 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study: "Ford Brand Quality Improves for the 8th Straight Year in 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study"

Go Ford!

DTE Energy Up 20.1% Since SmarTrend's Buy Recommendation - Comtex SmarTrend Alert

DTE Energy Up 20.1% Since SmarTrend's Buy Recommendation - Comtex SmarTrend Alert: "DTE Energy Up 20.1% Since SmarTrend's Buy Recommendation"

Hmmm - I think I like this stock. Jan 2010 $30 Call Option - ride this until the sun sets!

Patriot Coal

Look for a Put Option on Patriot Coal Company today. I'm buying a Sep. '09 Put Option Limit buy @ $1.40

We'll see what happens - hopefully I can make another $100+ today.

Patriot Coal Announces Offering - Comtex SmarTrend Alert: "Patriot Coal Announces Offering"

Ford ...Ahead of the game

GO FORD GO!!! I LOVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR NOT TAKING ANY GOVERNMENT BAILOUT AND SURVIVING THE STORM ON THEIR OWN...

THE COMPANY HAS SHOWN WHAT IT MEANS TO BE "BUILT FORD TOUGH"!

BIG UP FORD. :-)

Ford Motor Company ( NYSE : F ) Biggest Receiver In Stimulus Bill, Still Ahead of the Game: "Ford Motor Company ( NYSE : F ) Biggest Receiver In Stimulus Bill, Still Ahead of the Game"

Markets appear mixed...

The markets have closed a bit lower than I expected yesterday, the economy is having mixed feelings about whether it is a bull or a bear so it is difficult to classify it. However, now is still the best time to get in the markets given that their are so many Fortune 500 companies that are undervalued.

There are many ways to get started in the markets, even if you don't have a lot of money. If you are considering investing without a lot of money to use, then you should consider investing in an index fund that allows you to take advantage of "dollar cost averaging". This allows you to invest what money you do have versus putting it in your savings account earning less than 2%.

If you are not investing on your own, then there better be a good reason because dependence on Social Security is not feasible for a comfortable retirement. Begin investing on your own, besides the typical 401k through your employer, ...the markets are down and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in companies such as GE (currently trading at $13.60/share), or Ford Motor Company (currently trading at $6.38/share), just to name a couple.

G-8 chiefs get ready

G-8 finance chiefs get ready for economic recovery

Signs for an economic recovery are pointing up! If you are looking for reasons to put your money into the market - then this is another good sign. Too often we decide to invest in the stock market after the economy is already going strong, which means we pay too much for stocks. Then we get scared when the market goes bad and we decide to sell. So most of us actually buy our stocks high, and then we sell low! This doesn't makes sense to me because this is a sure strategy to LOSE money. Stop procrastinating - get in the markets NOW.

G-8 finance chiefs get ready for economic recovery

Asian markets higher

Will markets open higher this week? I say yes! The US economy is getting more bullish calls than bearish, and as consumers and investors gain even more confidence - prepare for another rally.

Asian Shares Mostly Higher; Weaker Yen Boosts Autos In Japan - MarketWatch: "SINGAPORE (MarketWatch) -- Asian shares were mostly higher Monday, with a weaker Japanese yen helping automotive and technology shares in Tokyo, though shipping stocks were a little tepid after their recent gains.
Japan's Nikkei 225 was up 1.3% with South Korea's Kospi Composite up 1.1%, though New Zealand's NZX-50 was down 0.4%. Markets in Sydney were shut for a public holiday."

SADIF Analytics

SADIF Analytics releases new summary due diligence report for ArcelorMittal (ADR): "SADIF Analytics releases new summary due diligence report for ArcelorMittal (ADR)"

Markets appear mixed...

The markets have closed a bit lower than I expected yesterday, the economy is having mixed feelings about whether it is a bull or a bear so it is difficult to classify it. However, now is still the best time to get in the markets given that their are so many Fortune 500 companies that are undervalued.

There are many ways to get started in the markets, even if you don't have a lot of money. If you are considering investing without a lot of money to use, then you should consider investing in an index fund that allows you to take advantage of "dollar cost averaging". This allows you to invest what money you do have versus putting it in your savings account earning less than 2%.

If you are not investing on your own, then there better be a good reason because dependence on Social Security is not feasible for a comfortable retirement. Begin investing on your own, besides the typical 401k through your employer, ...the markets are down and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in companies such as GE (currently trading at $13.60/share), or Ford Motor Company (currently trading at $6.38/share), just to name a couple.

GM - CITI

GM, Citi replaced by Cisco, Travelers in Dow-30 - MarketWatch

GM, Citi replaced by Cisco, Travelers in Dow-30 - MarketWatch: "Bankruptcy ends GM's 84-year ride in blue-chip index"

Asian Shares Mostly Higher; Weaker Yen Boosts Autos In Japan - MarketWatch

Will markets open higher this week? I say yes! The US economy is getting more bullish calls than bearish, and as consumers and investors gain even more confidence - prepare for another rally.

Asian Shares Mostly Higher; Weaker Yen Boosts Autos In Japan - MarketWatch: "SINGAPORE (MarketWatch) -- Asian shares were mostly higher Monday, with a weaker Japanese yen helping automotive and technology shares in Tokyo, though shipping stocks were a little tepid after their recent gains.
Japan's Nikkei 225 was up 1.3% with South Korea's Kospi Composite up 1.1%, though New Zealand's NZX-50 was down 0.4%. Markets in Sydney were shut for a public holiday."

Obama's market call pays off for stock investors - MarketWatch

Obama's market call pays off for stock investors - MarketWatch: "SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- In the thick of a stock-market panic in early March, President Barack Obama suggested that equities looked attractive for long-term investors."

SADIF Analytics releases new summary due diligence report for ArcelorMittal (ADR)

Great article - i'm suggesting call options for MT!

SADIF Analytics releases new summary due diligence report for ArcelorMittal (ADR): "SADIF Analytics releases new summary due diligence report for ArcelorMittal (ADR)"

GM, Citi replaced by Cisco, Travelers in Dow-30 - MarketWatch

GM, Citi replaced by Cisco, Travelers in Dow-30 - MarketWatch: "Bankruptcy ends GM's 84-year ride in blue-chip index"

Obama's market call pays off for stock investors - MarketWatch

Obama's market call pays off for stock investors - MarketWatch: "SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- In the thick of a stock-market panic in early March, President Barack Obama suggested that equities looked attractive for long-term investors."