Last week we took a break and no commentary was sent out. As you might have noticed, we have changed the format of our weekly commentary. We are using MailChimp e-mail reporting service. It allows us to better track how our commentaries are being used and see how many people are actually reading them and forwarding them onto friends. This service does not track any individual information and does not take any of your information; it only tracks if you opened the commentary or forwarded it.
News this week
The stock market has held recent gains on continued belief that the recession has ended and we are beginning to see a turnaround. This has helped spur consumer confidence, but the banking industry is still facing challenges. The number of U.S. banks and thrifts on an official watchlist rose 416 in the second quarter of this year, and some analysts are calling for another 200 to fail before this banking crisis runs its course. I had a meeting with a local bank executive yesterday, and he commented on what a challenging environment it is for most banks. It was his belief that the KC metro area will see several more banks fail or be taken over before it is all said and done. I wouldn’t be worried since FDIC will be insuring those who qualify.
It was reported this week that the White House forecasts the U.S. debt will grow an additional $9 trillion dollars over the next decade. This is sending alarm bells. Even Warren Buffett, who has been a supporter of the stimulus spending, is now worried about the long-term effects for Americans. Fortunately, the U.S. government continues to find buyers for its debt / bonds. This is extremely crucial as the government continues to auction off massive amounts of new Treasuries to pay for its efforts to revive the economy.
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Debra Kunz is facilitating this program for the American Club Association, Ignite 2009. To Register, go to www.ignite2009.net.
Friday, September 11, 2009
10:30am – 12:30pm
Hilton Garden Inn
Independence, MO
$15 Includes lunch from Hereford House
With the abrupt decline in the stock market and panic in the economy, and the resulting uncertainty in our lives, it’s no wonder we feel anxious. But why are we pre-disposed to define ourselves based on our bank accounts, and our cars, and homes, and our net worth?
It seems counterproductive to define our own self worth based on something that should be used as a tool to provide for our life, and not define our life.
With all of this turmoil, is there anything we can control? YES!!!
Debra Kunz shares ways to create your life instead of just react to it. Learn to shift your perspective from living by default to defining what you want; and from fearing the economy to understanding what you can control.
About the Facilitator
Debra Kunz, MBA, CSLP is a speaker, author and coach on life and business issues such as strategic life planning, team dynamics and business changes. She teaches individuals, groups and businesses to create their life and business instead of react to it.
Contact her for information about presenting this program, and others, for your organization. dkunz@iia-kc.com or 913-897-2074.
Grace Covenant Crossroads Job Club presents this
FREE Education Program
Saturday, September 19, 2009
8:30am – 10:00am
11100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
RSVP to Debi or Sally, 913-897-2074 or dkunz@iia-kc.com
Your next career move, money, retirement and family depend upon how you manage this life transition.
- Learn what to start doing and what to stop doing
- Protect your family
- What to do, and not do, with your 401k
Program donated and taught by:
Debra Kunz
Strategic Life Planning Director
Integrity Investment Advisors
913-897-2074
dkunz@iia-kc.com
About the Speaker: Debra Kunz is a speaker, author and coach on life and business issues such as strategic life planning, team dynamics and business changes. She teaches individuals, groups and businesses, to create their life and business instead of just react to it.
News this week
Adecco SA, the world’ s largest recruitment firm, reported a loss in the most recent quarter and said it saw continued permanent and temporary job cuts worldwide. Along these lines, the U.S. Labor Department reported that jobless claims had a very modest increase last week. Many economists believe the recession has ended; however, unemployment lags the economy. As such, we could see the economy and stock market rebound but unemployment continue to climb (at a reduced pace) for the foreseeable future.
The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee stated this week that “economic activity is leveling out” and “conditions in financial markets have improved further in recent weeks.” However, the Fed also realizes the housing market is just beginning to stabilize and individuals are still losing their jobs. This creates a fragile environment which resulted in the Fed promising to keep interest rates exceptionally low “for an extended period of time.”
I have read articles and spoken with professionals and business owners whom report that they are beginning to see a rebound in sales or activity. On the flip side, I spoke with a local CPA today who works with many small businesses. He stated that many of the owners he works with laugh when they hear comments about the recession ending and the economic recovery, because they sure aren’t seeing it. Only time will tell when we are permanently out of the “recessionary” woods.
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Cloudy Crystal Ball
Over the past couple weeks, the stock market has been seesawing its way through the new economic information of the day. Today however, some welcomed data was released regarding unemployment. Data from the Labor Department showed that job losses were less than what was expected and the unemployment rate for July unexpectedly dropped. Economists initially expected the unemployment rate to be 9.6 for July, but it dropped to 9.4 as compared to 9.5 in June. Only time will tell if this will become a trend or is simply a fluke.
That being said, the collective outlook has slowly been looking up. The financial sector is slowly picking up, as AIG today posted its first profit since 2007. The auto industry shows signs of life (though artificial) from the sales tax rebate and the CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System). The real estate market has also seen an uptick in sales for both new homes and existing homes as the inventory of houses fell in July. It may be a little too early to say that the recession bubble is deflating, but signs are pointing to a better tomorrow.
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Originally published at www.whitefieldconsulting.com/wordpress.
Written by Debra Kunz, MBA, CSLP
As you consider the world economy and the nature of your life in general – are you driven by fear or by focus? Does the fear of the unknown determine your decisions, or are you focused on what you want? Do you know?
One of the ways to create your life is to understand the difference. No, this doesn’t mean you can control the economy, stock market, or life’s events. It means you already have a vision in place for the life you want, and are making daily choices to create it.
It’s not a secret. It’s a choice. Daily. Deliberately.
The only way it works is if you are aware of your own decisions and how you make them. Which one are you? Read more
Trinity Lutheran Church Job Club presents this
FREE Education Program
Monday, August 17, 2009
6:30pm – 7:30pm
5601 West 62nd Street, Mission KS 66202
RSVP to Debi or Sally, 913-897-2074 or dkunz@iia-kc.com
Your next career move, money, retirement and family depend upon how you manage this life transition.
- Learn what to start doing and what to stop doing
- Protect your family
- What to do, and not do, with your 401k
Program donated and taught by:
Debra Kunz
Strategic Life Planning Director
Integrity Investment Advisors
913-897-2074
dkunz@iia-kc.com
Written by Debra Kunz, MBA, CSLP
Ok, so sometimes things in life aren’t fair. Things happen all around us in our lives and we have nothing to do with it. The worker who has given his life to his company, then is laid off. The person who has worked really hard at developing their skill, only to be outshone by someone with more natural talent. Your neighbor who eats bacon daily, and you have the cholesterol problem.
Well, when people say “life isn’t fair”, they are really saying “something happened that I couldn’t control” and “I don’t like the outcome.” Generally speaking, control is about fear, and fear is about the unknown. So what is the alternative?
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The stock market continues to gain ground. One of the biggest reasons was news this week that resales of U.S. single-family homes and condos rose 3.6% in June and to their highest level since October, the National Association of Realtors reported today.
Resales have risen for three straight months for the first time in more than five years. Any good news regarding housing is a boon for the economy and the stock market. However, some economists still believe it’s too soon to say that housing has turned the corner.
“The economy is still losing jobs, credit is still tight, mortgage rates are a bit higher than they were in the second quarter, and the tax credit for first time homebuyers, which is boosting sales, expires at the end of November,” said Patrick Newport, U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight.
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