The U.S. Commerce Department reported today that households pushed their savings rate to the highest level in more than 15 years in May.  There was a big boost in incomes from the government’s stimulus program that taxpayers devoted more to bolstering nest eggs than increased spending.

The savings rate, which was hovering near zero in early 2008, surged to 6.9 percent, the highest level since December 1993.  As such, economists believe that a rise in personal savings rate is a good change in the long run, but they worry that may make the rebound from the recession slower than it otherwise would have been. Read more

Ignite your Business by

Igniting Your Teams

Friday, July 10, 2009
10:30 am – 12:30pm
Hilton Garden Inn
Independence, MO

$12 includes lunch from Hereford House

Register at ignite2009.net

Debra Kunz, Strategic Life Planning Director, is one of the six speakers/panelists.

Instead of me boring you with my weekly thoughts, I have attached links to articles or videos.  Each one is on a different subject; however, I hope you find them all insightful.  The theme of some of these interviews is basically the current stock market rally has possibly created an overly optimistic outlook for investors in the short-term.  Yes, the economic conditions are improving; however, the stock market may be expecting too big of a recovery and too soon. Read more

Thursday, July 16, 2009
8:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Corporate Woods, Building 12, 10975 Benson Dr, Ste 390, Overland Park, KS

You may arrive at the workshop running like a hamster in a wheel and feeling like your life is out of control. You leave with a sense of direction, purpose and focus with your single-page blueprint of the life you have designed. 8 hour class with a workbook. Essential first step to create your life instead of react to it.

Regular price, $325 includes lunch, all workshop materials, and a personal session with Debra.

Register now to receive a $75 savings

Call Debra Kunz at 913-897-2074 or email dkunz@iia-kc.com to register.

(Participation is limited, Pre-registration is required.)

Ask about personal coaching to jump start your plan, or begin with personal sessions if you prefer.

This session utilizes Strategic Life Planning from The Mindset Series (R) product line. This series is based on years of experience in understanding high performance, and is designed to help individuals and businesses maximize their potential.

Program facilitated by Debra Kunz, MBA, CSLP.

About the Facilitator, Debra Kunz, MBA, CSLP

Learn more about Strategic Life Planning

Is normal something that is static – never changing or does it evolve over time?  For example TV shows, movies, and clothes that may be the norm today would have been considered risqué, unacceptable or even obscene thirty years ago. 

I bring this up because, human nature is what it is, and as such, there will always be individuals trying to scam the system.  Greed is an addictive drug, and it has been making its way through society since the dawn of man.  In the early 1900′s it was Charles Ponzi, the inventor of the “Ponzi Scheme.”  In the 1980′s it was Michael Milken and his manipulation of the junk bond market.  Most recently it is Bernie Madoff and his huge investment scandal. 

As we’ve seen recently, scandals lead to losses, which lead to increased public distrust and eventually greater government intervention and regulation.  It is no different than what I experience as a parent.  When one of my kids does something I consider inappropriate, I ask why they did it, why it was inappropriate and discuss what the consequence (i.e., punishment) is for their actions.  As a result, I am probably more sensitive and scrutinize their actions even closer (for the short-term). 

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Is it because my investment advisor is completely nuts and has his head in the sand?  Maybe, but I believe the stock market continues to move based upon emotions and not fundamentals in the short-term.  The first good news was that things are getting less worse and now it is the belief that the recession may be coming to an end.  Along these lines, I recently saw some analysts on CNBC talking in regards to corporate profits.  I believe they stated that 2/3′s of S&P 500 companies had reported earnings in excess of or losses less than expected.  However, for the vast majority of these companies it was due to cutting costs and not from improving sales.

 Cost cutting can only go so far and at some point sales have to increase for companies to increase their profitability and see their share prices appreciate over the long run.  I fully expect this to be the case in the years ahead.  In the short-term, I believe the market may be setting itself up for a pullback.  Instead of me boring you with my rambling opinions, please view the attached Yahoo video.  The investment professional’s opinion for the most part mirrors mine.  In saying this, I would say I am more optimistic over the long-term (i.e., the next 10 years) than she is.  However, I believe you may find her perspective very insightful.  This is a six minute video that I highly recommend you view, and reinforces why many of you will see new equity mutual fund purchases taking place over the next several months versus committing all the money at one time.

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