Daily Intent

“Located in the failing heart of Seattle’s financial district, the Bull & Bear restaurant and lounge is an old-school, masculinized establishment, with pressed zinc ceilings, dark wood paneling, and passages of velvety maroon wallpaper dotted with rows of spiky gold fleurs-de-lis, which some patrons, after a few cocktails, habitually perceive as mutating dollar signs, money symbols grown lush, radiant, and, they hope, prophetic.  On any Friday afternoon, its bar is crowded with noisy ‘bookies,’ as they call themselves, winding down at the end of a stressful week in a stressful occupation, but on this ‘Friday,’ which is actually a Thursday, the population of drinkers has nearly doubled–and it gives no indication of thinning out.  Indeed, many of the brokers will remain in the Bull & Bear until it evicts them at two in the morning.  It isn’t simply a matter of pouring alcohol on their wounds or of a reluctance to go home and look the family in the eye.  There are practical reasons.  Everyone is on pins and needles (or fleurs-de-lis) waiting to learn how the foreign markets will react.  Then and only then will it become clear whether or not this plunge is the Big One, the Death Crash, the financial apocalypse that will put the ‘broke’ back in ‘broker’ once and for all and leave the United States of America’s standing in the international economic community somewhere between that of Portugal and Mongolia.”
-Tom Robbins Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas. Written in1994

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The seed was planted in the summer of 2007.  However, the tree bearing awing fruit displayed its art form in 2008.  Dark colors bled through.  Mathematical anomalies multiplied outward having no respect for industrial, political or country boundaries.  Failing banks and Mr. Madoff challenged our trust.  Billionaires were made on record oil prices to only have their dollars tarred valueless in the second half of the year.   Green came into focus with the green energy companies in huge demand during the summer months eventually suffering  along with oil prices.  China colored the tapestry with dramatically deep reds: protests, oppression, Tibet, Olympic preparation delays, intense economic demands, ultimately putting on a near flawless Olympic games and catching the world economic flu.  Michael Phelps asked our hearts to grow with courage and strength.  Celtics vs Lakers left us still, “anything is possible!” Obama and Hilary accented it all with stars, stripes and most importantly HOPE.

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Ladies and Gents,

This is real.  2009 is here to stay.  Another 365 days to build, create and grow.

Are you prepared for greater days?  Are you prepared to have “the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows”? (Life getting better by the day)

Warren Buffet in his memoir The Snowball is quoted saying, “The big question about how people behave is whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an Outer Scorecard…If the world couldn’t see your results, would you rather be thought of as the world’s greatest investor but in reality have the world’s worst record?  Or be thought of as the world’s worst investor when you were actually the best?”

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Extra!  Extra!  Read all about it!  30 Year Fixed Interest Rates Plummet into the 4%s!

This is one of those “tell your friends” moments in my business.  The structure of our current economy is shaky.  Corporations are being called to either shut their doors on thousands, cut some, or make all sacrifice a little / a lot.  The masses are either receiving a pay cut for 2009, not receiving a year end bonus, getting a smaller raise than expected, or even getting laid off.  Times are getting tough.

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December 2008 is here!  A month of the great Becky Bochsler’s Birthday.  Holiday parties light up the early daily darkness.  Trees have been lit.  Homes are covered in an assortment of colors.  Food bearing warmth is a plenty.

As the holiday party season presents many opportunities to discuss business, whether welcomed or not, here are some quick thoughts on the auto industry.

Big business.  They are phenomenal in good times as they provide plenty of opportunity for millions.   They  make billions, lead to societal progress, innovativeness and offer a bit of American pride.

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Black Friday awaits us all!  Pocket books are feeling thinner, but our American mindset leads us to still purchase.  Take advantage of the fire sales.  Retailers are suffering.  However, do it smartly.

Here are some quick tips on how to preserve your credit score in the midst of holiday shopping.

As you will see, paying your bills on time is the most important.  It shows you are responsible.  You can borrow and pay it back on time.

And be sure to stay away from opening 5 Nordstrom credit cards just because you want a 10% discount.  These are not strong cards to have on your credit.  They cause inquiries and ultimately end up dormant.

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