Southside w/Michael Case
Michael Case
SAY IT…IT LOOKS GREAT FOR 2008 !
Just the other day while in the bank to withdraw some needed (after Christmas buying) cash, I heard a couple of older dudes chat about the new year as though it was a sure bet for Armageddon. They didn’t specify the exact date, which made me feel better. Now, according to Webster, Armageddon is the final conclusive battle between the forces of good and evil. Rather a harsh prediction by the octogenarian gentleman, don’t you think? Unfortunately, there’s a bunch of folks in the same mode, feeling the new year will be one of recession, lost values, runaway inflation, no jobs, etc. I don’t think so. What is the axiom? If it looks like a recession, sounds like a recession, smells like, etc, then it is one? Wait a minute…hold your horses! If you think it will be bad…so be it. If you know you can prosper during negative-thinking times, you will succeed beyond your wildest imagination. ”Buy now.” J.P. Morgan said that a lot and he did quite well.
The Economic Cycle Research Institute, who just happens to keep its finger on the pulse of our national economy, says job figures are holding up. Industrial manufacturing figures are also holding…but, down from the June high. As we all know, housing is down nationally, and could go lower. Locally, due to pent up frustration on the part of some California retirees, we could see some R.E sales activity in the spring or summer of this new year. Remember, the Baby-Boomers will begin their exodus before long. And, corporate earnings are still holding…but some slowing is possible. In other words, a recession isn’t inevitable.
TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT, WHAT YEAR DO WE APPRECIATE? 2008
The Kiplinger folks have a few tips on saving money this new year. Take advantage (if you can) with the higher IRA rates. Eliminate as much debt as possible. Sign up for auto-pay on your monthly bills where you can. The trick here is to make sure your bank balance is appropriate. Easy to overlook this…ask me? Keep three to six months of expenses available in a liquid account. And, start today tracking down all of your 2007 receipts, W-9’s, interest and dividend statements, any and all evidence of tax breaks. Remember the guy who tried to list the family bow-wow as his newborn child? He could still be in the slammer, for all I know? You don’t have to go that far, just find everything that will assist you in lowering your taxes…and start doing it, now! The IRS offers many publications and tips on what to do. Yes, they want you to take advantage of what is due you…but, they want their due as well. I think they called it a win/win situation? I consider what some other countries take from their good citizens and I’m willing to pay my tax bill…after I’ve exhausted all means of tax deductions offered.
A GOOD YEAR…
Just my opinion, but since you asked…here’s my prognosis, predictions, summaries and other great thoughts on the advantageous year before us.
We should see that small spurt of real estate sales activity during the year. It will take more time to get the kinks out of the home lenders rope before any big time movement can take place. Those planning on moving to our pristine area in the near future is vast. With the influx of baby-boomers and others, you’ll see another good size jump in property values. Yes, it can go higher and probably will. But, are we ready? Money is needed to operate our municipalities and counties to maintain the increase in public services. Just how we do that is up to us. You know the drill? Write your city council person or county supervisor. Tell them your thoughts…it’s really worth it. The big question to me is, how do we keep low key, laid back, provide needed services and remain pollution free with all of this going on? Aha…guess what? We have to come up with a plan…you and me and thee.
FOR BETTER OR WORSE IT’S THE NEW LAW…
By the by…new Oregon laws effective Jan 1 that might affect you; Insurance companies will be required to pay for birth control pills, if they already provide benefits for other drugs. Employers will have to provide nursing mothers a quiet place to pump breast milk…and time off to do so. Grandparents will be expressly allowed to take advantage of family medical leave laws to care for ill grandchildren. Merchants will no longer be able to sell gift cards that expire, or decline in value over time. There are new identity crime stoppers…it is officially a crime now to steal someone’s identity, even if they are dead, and if you are 18, or younger, no more cell phones while behind the wheel. You can check all of this out in Mondays (Dec 31st) Daily Courier.
Hope you had a great holiday? We got set for New year’s Eve…fire crackling nicely in the fireplace…my favorite lounge chair fluffed up for some serious sitting…hot cider on the convenience tray…Old Shep asleep by my feet…now, we’re ready and waiting for that New York ball to drop at midnight (recorded earlier). At precisely 10:30 my snoring sent Old Shep out of doors and Pam, my beloved wife, locked herself in the bedroom. I was fast asleep…couldn’t hear a ball drop, if I wanted too?
From all of us at Grants Pass Now, have a happy and very prosperous new year. It could be a great one!
