[treylane]

I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground as far as the state of this country’s economy / financial markets goes. Sure, global housing bubbles are deflating, stock markets are having a tough time, there’s a global credit crisis, etc. Media outlets approaching “mainstream” are starting to drop the “R” word on a regular basis.

The thing is – I don’t see anything different on the street. A few people may be losing their jobs or homes, but the malls are still packed, the suv’s are still barreling down the roads, the help wanted ads are plenty long. I’m a not-particularly-high-end engineer, and I don’t personally know anybody losing their jobs or homes (though a few managed to refi before getting clobbered by arm resets). There were plenty of people at Best Buy making noises about those 50″ screens. I can’t SEE with my own eyes anything that looks like a broad recession.

What’s the deal? Are we in that period where we’re waiting for the full effects to hit? All my friends just happen to be in somewhat “insulated” industries? Am I shopping at the wrong stores?

[treylane]

I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground as far as the state of this country’s economy / financial markets goes. Sure, global housing bubbles are deflating, stock markets are having a tough time, there’s a global credit crisis, etc. Media outlets approaching “mainstream” are starting to drop the “R” word on a regular basis.

The thing is – I don’t see anything different on the street. A few people may be losing their jobs or homes, but the malls are still packed, the suv’s are still barreling down the roads, the help wanted ads are plenty long. I’m a not-particularly-high-end engineer, and I don’t personally know anybody losing their jobs or homes (though a few managed to refi before getting clobbered by arm resets). There were plenty of people at Best Buy making noises about those 50″ screens. I can’t SEE with my own eyes anything that looks like a broad recession.

What’s the deal? Are we in that period where we’re waiting for the full effects to hit? All my friends just happen to be in somewhat “insulated” industries? Am I shopping at the wrong stores?

[treylane]

I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground as far as the state of this country’s economy / financial markets goes. Sure, global housing bubbles are deflating, stock markets are having a tough time, there’s a global credit crisis, etc. Media outlets approaching “mainstream” are starting to drop the “R” word on a regular basis.

The thing is – I don’t see anything different on the street. A few people may be losing their jobs or homes, but the malls are still packed, the suv’s are still barreling down the roads, the help wanted ads are plenty long. I’m a not-particularly-high-end engineer, and I don’t personally know anybody losing their jobs or homes (though a few managed to refi before getting clobbered by arm resets). There were plenty of people at Best Buy making noises about those 50″ screens. I can’t SEE with my own eyes anything that looks like a broad recession.

What’s the deal? Are we in that period where we’re waiting for the full effects to hit? All my friends just happen to be in somewhat “insulated” industries? Am I shopping at the wrong stores?

[treylane]

I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground as far as the state of this country’s economy / financial markets goes. Sure, global housing bubbles are deflating, stock markets are having a tough time, there’s a global credit crisis, etc. Media outlets approaching “mainstream” are starting to drop the “R” word on a regular basis.

The thing is – I don’t see anything different on the street. A few people may be losing their jobs or homes, but the malls are still packed, the suv’s are still barreling down the roads, the help wanted ads are plenty long. I’m a not-particularly-high-end engineer, and I don’t personally know anybody losing their jobs or homes (though a few managed to refi before getting clobbered by arm resets). There were plenty of people at Best Buy making noises about those 50″ screens. I can’t SEE with my own eyes anything that looks like a broad recession.

What’s the deal? Are we in that period where we’re waiting for the full effects to hit? All my friends just happen to be in somewhat “insulated” industries? Am I shopping at the wrong stores?

[treylane]

I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground as far as the state of this country’s economy / financial markets goes. Sure, global housing bubbles are deflating, stock markets are having a tough time, there’s a global credit crisis, etc. Media outlets approaching “mainstream” are starting to drop the “R” word on a regular basis.

The thing is – I don’t see anything different on the street. A few people may be losing their jobs or homes, but the malls are still packed, the suv’s are still barreling down the roads, the help wanted ads are plenty long. I’m a not-particularly-high-end engineer, and I don’t personally know anybody losing their jobs or homes (though a few managed to refi before getting clobbered by arm resets). There were plenty of people at Best Buy making noises about those 50″ screens. I can’t SEE with my own eyes anything that looks like a broad recession.

What’s the deal? Are we in that period where we’re waiting for the full effects to hit? All my friends just happen to be in somewhat “insulated” industries? Am I shopping at the wrong stores?

[treylane]

Another thing to consider: there are lousy schools in “good” districts, and excellent schools in “bad” districts. You really need to visit the particular schools you plan to send your kids to, to get a feel for the quality of their education.

Also – while Jane Doe may think that high standardized test scores make for a good school, Joe Smith might think it’s important to have a great music program or emphasis on writing, etc. Be sure to pay attention to the values you want for your kids along with the usual spreadsheet of test scores by district.

[treylane]

Another thing to consider: there are lousy schools in “good” districts, and excellent schools in “bad” districts. You really need to visit the particular schools you plan to send your kids to, to get a feel for the quality of their education.

Also – while Jane Doe may think that high standardized test scores make for a good school, Joe Smith might think it’s important to have a great music program or emphasis on writing, etc. Be sure to pay attention to the values you want for your kids along with the usual spreadsheet of test scores by district.

[treylane]

Another thing to consider: there are lousy schools in “good” districts, and excellent schools in “bad” districts. You really need to visit the particular schools you plan to send your kids to, to get a feel for the quality of their education.

Also – while Jane Doe may think that high standardized test scores make for a good school, Joe Smith might think it’s important to have a great music program or emphasis on writing, etc. Be sure to pay attention to the values you want for your kids along with the usual spreadsheet of test scores by district.

[treylane]

Another thing to consider: there are lousy schools in “good” districts, and excellent schools in “bad” districts. You really need to visit the particular schools you plan to send your kids to, to get a feel for the quality of their education.

Also – while Jane Doe may think that high standardized test scores make for a good school, Joe Smith might think it’s important to have a great music program or emphasis on writing, etc. Be sure to pay attention to the values you want for your kids along with the usual spreadsheet of test scores by district.

[treylane]

Alright, I visited Mr. Financial Planner – nice guy, seems pretty competent as far as the main part of his market goes: helping middle aged people make up for lost time with retirement funds.

But that’s not what I’m looking for, so I’m off to the bookstore! 🙂

[treylane]

Thanks for the info, everybody! Aside from the occcccassional splurge, there aren’t any serious financial discipline problems, and I’m actually interested in learning as much as I can about all this… so I’m leaning towards setting up a vanguard account (or something along those lines) and going from there.

I made an appointment last week with a financial planner that a friend recommended… I think I’ll keep the meeting tomorrow, just to see if it looks like his experience would be a more sensible tool than my exuberance. Will let you know how it goes.

[treylane]

Thanks for the info, everybody! Aside from the occcccassional splurge, there aren’t any serious financial discipline problems, and I’m actually interested in learning as much as I can about all this… so I’m leaning towards setting up a vanguard account (or something along those lines) and going from there.

I made an appointment last week with a financial planner that a friend recommended… I think I’ll keep the meeting tomorrow, just to see if it looks like his experience would be a more sensible tool than my exuberance. Will let you know how it goes.

[treylane]

Thanks for the info, everybody! Aside from the occcccassional splurge, there aren’t any serious financial discipline problems, and I’m actually interested in learning as much as I can about all this… so I’m leaning towards setting up a vanguard account (or something along those lines) and going from there.

I made an appointment last week with a financial planner that a friend recommended… I think I’ll keep the meeting tomorrow, just to see if it looks like his experience would be a more sensible tool than my exuberance. Will let you know how it goes.

[treylane]

Ok, it’s not PB, it’s got no beach… but I love living in the college area for pretty much the same reasons. Ya get to watch the kooky college kids get into trouble (lingerie parties in November?!)and there’s plenty of stuff to do within walking/biking distance: the school has a full blown gym, pool, bookstore, library, and all the other university facilities, there are dozens of mom+pop as well as chain restaurants, shops, coffee houses, grocery stores, and so on. Stay west of 70th, and not more than a couple blocks south of El Cajon.

The college kids CAN occasionally get a little noisy, but shouldn’t be any worse than PB. Petty crime here seems to be a little lower than PB – bicycles don’t disappear off the porch QUITE so often, fewer bums, etc.

[treylane]

This just makes realtors look like slimeball car salesmen. The buyers are going to recognize this as BS once prices come down and it’ll go out of fashion again.

I CAN see this used to work around a seller’s pie-in-the-sky ideas of what their house is worth though.

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