Bear markets happen more than people think: Since 1940 we have encountered 12 bear markets.
A bear market is defined by a 20 percent drop in the stock market from recent highs.  For some, the memory of the last crisis is now but a distant echo.  After all, we’ve been in a rather strong bull run for 6 years.  But bear markets happen more than most people think.  Since 1940 […]
Driving our way into financial poverty with six-year car loans: Once a minority, six-year or longer auto loans now make up one third of all new loans.
Taking on debt for buying a car is a risky proposition. Taking on subprime debt for buying a car is simply a bad financial decision. The subprime loan market is booming for auto loans. Cars can last longer, require basic maintenance, and typically run better than older models. That brings up challenges for the auto […]
Fed doublespeak and the dismantling of the middle class: Fed states dropping “patient†word doesn’t mean it is impatient on rates. In 1970 roughly 7 percent of all income was earned by the top 1 percent. Today it is closer to 20 percent.
The Fed has taken a page out of George Orwell’s 1984. Doublespeak is all the rage and the Fed’s statements are analyzed as if sifting for gold. Even when they don’t do anything markets jump. The Fed sets the tone on our debt addiction. The Fed dropped the word “patient†in terms of increasing interest […]
The next bailout will be with student loans: White House takes first steps in allowing a bankruptcy option for student debt. $1.2 trillion in student debt outstanding.
It truly is absurd when you hear people moralizing that people should pay their student debt when virtually every other debt class can be discharged through bankruptcy. You can go to Las Vegas, run up $50,000 in credit card debt for a wild night, and if you are unable to pay it back, no problem. […]