In a comment on my post yesterday about the state of the economy, reader STxRynn said: I like your clear warnings. I really like the way you take this information and explain it. What would you suggest to a neophyte in financial planning? Your call to “look at your financial situation, right now, and deciding… Continue reading A reader asks for financial planning suggestions
Tag: Business and Commerce
The Economy: the signs of impending meltdown are getting clearer by the day
I’ve written on several occasions about our economic situation (see, for example, here, here, here, here, here and here), and the fact that it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. I know this is out-of-step with many commentators in the mainstream media, who’ve been desperately trying to portray a rose-colored future:… Continue reading The Economy: the signs of impending meltdown are getting clearer by the day
A very interesting aerospace development
It’s just been announced that France and Brazil have reached agreement in principle for the latter nation to buy 36 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft. Dassault Rafale (image courtesy of Wikipedia) France will make available full technology transfer on the Rafales (most of which will be assembled in Brazil). In return, France will buy a dozen… Continue reading A very interesting aerospace development
Reactions to yesterday’s article on the economy
Apart from comments on my article yesterday, I had a few e-mails from annoyed correspondents. Extracts from their criticism: “You’re just trying to blame President Obama and the Democrats for the faults and failings they inherited from past Republican administrations!” “You’re a pessimist. President Obama and Vice-President Biden are optimists. To you, the glass is… Continue reading Reactions to yesterday’s article on the economy
The Vice-President is either misinformed, or lying, about the economy
Hard words – but I’m prepared to back them up. Yesterday Vice-President Biden addressed the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, two hundred days after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Amongst other things, he had this to say: President Obama and I, when we entered office, we were in the midst of… Continue reading The Vice-President is either misinformed, or lying, about the economy
Loony Left indignation backfires
While on the subject of corporate difficulties (see the previous post below), I’m highly amused at the fuss and bother surrounding Whole Foods Market. Earlier this week Whole Foods’ co-founder and CEO, John Mackey, wrote a guest editorial in the Wall Street Journal giving his opinions on health care reform. He basically opposed the current… Continue reading Loony Left indignation backfires
Two corporate errors – and two very different responses
I’m angry with Best Buy, and very happy with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), about mistakes each made this week. It’s their responses to the mistakes that are important. Best Buy’s Web site advertised – in error – Samsung 52″ HDTV’s for $9.99, over $1,600 less than the actual price. An unknown number of customers –… Continue reading Two corporate errors – and two very different responses
California’s financial shenanigans exposed
A lawsuit filed in California alleges that the State is issuing IOU’s in payment of its debts, in violation of applicable laws – and then expecting the recipients to pay tax on the IOU’s, which can’t be exchanged for cash! The lawsuit alleges, among other claims (link is to a PDF document): 2. Recipients of… Continue reading California’s financial shenanigans exposed
The economy: neck-deep in the proverbial brown substance
I’m sure you’ve seen some of the optimistic headlines about the economy in the news media over the past few days. A selection: CNN – “I think we’re arriving at the turn,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “I think we’ll reach it this month, maybe September, but we’ll look back and say… Continue reading The economy: neck-deep in the proverbial brown substance
Saving money in these hard times
I’m sure there are many of us who are tightening our belts, economically speaking, and trying to spend less in these difficult times. One way to save a whole lot of money is to look at refurbished equipment, rather than brand-new. I’ve done this for years, and on average find that I spend less than… Continue reading Saving money in these hard times