Posted on July 15, 2010 @ 6:49 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Man, the day began with a breakfast meeting, and never stopped from there. Before I knew it, it was after 7, and no post in sight. Then I got to thinkin’ about a few of the conversations today — all of which had a common thread. When asked what their financial status quo was, they could give a kinda sorta soft focus snapshot, but couldn’t provide a sharp picture of their current financial landscape.
I’ll tell you what I told them — “Not to worry, cuz you’re rowin’ a boat with a buncha people. Don’t know ’bout you, but most people don’t really have any more than ballpark estimates of the various ‘folders’ that make up their financial lives. They have things on their daily to-do lists that are more pressing. You know, raisin’ their ankle biters, makin’ a livin’, havin’ fun every full moon or so. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on March 5, 2010 @ 7:27 pm - Written by BawldGuy
The summer of 1961 had me ripped from the nurturing womb of the SoCal beach community and rudely transplanted into East Blast Furnace L.A. — more commonly known as Norwalk. And for the record, I wasn’t consulted. I hereby cast my ‘No’ vote — better late than never. ‘Course, after the first couple weeks at my new school, New River Elementary, I was happy as a bug in a rug. Nothing like a cool new teacher, new buds, and makin’ your bones on the playground to turn that glass into being half full. 
During that first summer the neighborhood kids, about half a dozen or so, accepted me into the Behrens Avenue Regulars, a name I just now gave ‘em. Though I spent a decent amount of time with those guys, the lion’s share was spent playin’ baseball with the other athletes in the extended neighborhood — if we had enough guys. We usually played over-the-line which only required 4-6 guys. I mention that only cuz it resulted in me not being a total outsider on the first day of school. As you well know, being the new kid can be, um, stressful. My first day saw me walkin’ to school with my sister, a lowly 3rd grader — not the first impression I had in mind. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on February 6, 2010 @ 7:29 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Most of us as kids went through the adventure of moving — some of us more than others. The first move I can remember actually experiencing was when I was seven — I spoke of that last week. Mom had landed a pretty cool job as executive assistant for Scott Crossfield, one of THE coolest bipeds ever to grace the planet. ‘Course, back in those days a woman was almost never an executive anything, so she was known as Scott’s secretary. Never mind that she pretty much ran things around that office. Scott knew though — what a great guy. He died recently — flying of all things. It was the way he wanted to go. His life was almost fictionally incredible. But that’s another story.
So there I was, nine years old, wondering how in the world I’d been bodysurfing in paradise one day, sittin’ on purgatory’s curb in 90° heat the next. Not a friend in the world. In a strange neighborhood, and as far as I was concerned, a galaxy away from anything that had been my former life. There was no God. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on December 30, 2009 @ 9:48 am - Written by BawldGuy
From time to time as the idea hits me, I’ll be linking to various sources of information. Most of them will be either real estate or economy related. Some however will be stuff that tickled my fancy, and thought it might do the same for you. Let me know any thoughts you have — thanks.
The purchasing index in Chicago, a bellweather city for such things.
Observe how government stimulus has played out for Japan.
VA homebuyers aren’t my schtick, but since I live in a Navy town, San Diego, I thought this link more than apropos. The guy in question is merely one of the most knowledgeable mortgage brokers I’ve met in my 40 year career.
Appreciation is a luxury a post published yesterday on BloodhoundBlog. I think you’ll find it instructive, especially those of you who’ve taken hits on your 401K plans.
Contact BawldGuy at 619 889-7100. Have a good one.
Posted on July 29, 2009 @ 4:10 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Depending upon your current status — that is, owning income property in regions like San Diego — the latest bit of reportage from our friends at Case Shiller indicate the latest trend. Let’s first look at a snapshot of what’s happened in both the Dallas, Texas and San Diego real estate markets for the year ending this past May. I’m not an unbridled fan of Case Shiller, but I do respect their work. My only objection to their analytical conclusions is how much weight is given to distress sales in any given market. Markets, being local if nothing else, aren’t interchangeable. But it’s just a quibble on my part, nothing serious.
They found the general area of Dallas doing astoundingly well vs the rest of the country. Counting everything, the year ended in May showed that area of Texas, known locally as the MetroPlex, was the most resilient real estate (housing) market in the nation. Told ya so. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on July 23, 2009 @ 6:08 pm - Written by BawldGuy
I thought it appropriate to take some time out to talk about how we as Americans deal with hard times. For many, hard times has been present tense for quite awhile now. You’ve been through ‘em, I’ve been through ‘em — everyone has their stories. I’ve always thought hard times is like surgery — minor surgery is done on the other guy. Same with what we’re dealin’ with now nationwide. Some are experiencing a traumatic stretch, while others are worried if it’s gonna be their turn in the barrel or not.
Anyway, I thought you might wanna wander over and read it. It’s over at Bloodhound — I bet you’ll relate. Have a good one.
Posted on July 6, 2009 @ 1:58 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Just had a back ‘n forth with Max via email. You’ll be happy to know he’s doing well, still maintaining his ever reliable Super Chart, and investing for his own account. Here’s his latest record:
Max called the bear market, the commodity market crash, the October crash — to the number of the drop — and then called the March crash. The guy is scary he’s so good.
Alas, he says it appears NewsMax (or anyone else so far) won’t be picking him up, due to their minimum subscriber requirements. Seems to me if you can’t market a record like Max’s you can’t market yer way out of a wet paper bag. But I digress.
A newsletter from Max Whitmore has value to say the least. Frankly, I’m at a loss here. It’s my sincere belief Max would easily attract thousands of subscribers if a newsletter was professionally marketed and 2.0 priced.
The thought we’ll not be reading Max’s thinking ever again is simply unacceptable. I’ll be exploring some possibilities.
Posted on July 4, 2009 @ 11:47 am - Written by BawldGuy
Lest we are tragically forced to relearn what made America great — All freedom comes from military victory. This is an F-4 — the instrument of freedom in which Uncle Dick flew hundreds of missions over North Viet Nam.
Be safe this weekend, and remember the source of our freedom and liberty — envied around the world. God bless you and yours.
