Travel to Financial Success

(Updated on 07/25/2018) For now, although #MortgageRates are rising, mortgage payments as % of disposable personal income remain at record low— Liz Ann Sonders 2017 was the best year since 2007 for new and existing home sales. However, there are headwinds looming.  Based on two sources that I'm following, here are analysts' concerns: [1,2] Declining household formation   Unaffordable mortgages Mortgage rates are based on mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which are essentially bonds that correlate quite well with US Treasuries.   New tax bills No matter you are a house buyer or seller, you should know about Housing Market Cycle because house price will not rise forever without falling.  The last housing bubble burst in 2008 should be a painful reminder of this fact.  In [3], it sums it up clearly: It’s important to remember that the Great Recession was not caused by an unexpected event . To those who study the real estate cycle, the c...

Current Economy and Stock Market Updates Here is the summary from the broadcast of Financial Sense on 01/20/2018: Rising inflationary concerns [6,7,11,20] High prices of commodities (incl. oil) [25] The potential impact appears greatest for commodity futures given a one-percentage-point increase in inflation. [7] Be warned that commodities are often more volatile than both stocks and gold. [7] Interest rates moving higher [24] Longer-term bond yields tend to move in line with inflation expectations , whilst shorter-term yields will be more responsive to central bank rate decisions . Inflation plays a very real role in how we should manage our portfolios, but it does not trump factors such as economic growth , monetary policy , or which portion of the business cycle we’re in. [7] Economy is doing well Global wise, not just US Near full employment Increasing wages over a broad range Strong personal financials and buying interest Falling US dollars [22...

Video 1.   Remember Your Smile (YouTube link ) Lost in the mountains far from the crowds we would wander together walking for miles with night still before us and day passing by I always remember your smile Cool in the evening warm in the sun the clouds moving slowly time was undone yet the days fell before us and nights rolled on by I always remember your smile Every step and each moment were all so worthwhile I always remember your smile I always remember your smile And it's strange how for a moment the heavens were mine I always remember your smile Each one has a journey that's how it goes sometimes we're together sometimes alone

Lyrics (Donny) No more talk of darkness, Forget these wide-eyed fears; I'm here, nothing can harm you, My words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom, Let daylight dry your tears; I'm here, with you, beside you, To guard you and to guide you. (Susan) Say you love me every waking moment, Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always; Promise me that all you say is true, That's all I ask of you. ( Donny ) Let me be your shelter, Let me be your light; You're safe, no one will find you, Your fears are far behind you. ( Susan ) All I want is freedom, A world with no more night; And you, always beside me, To hold me and to hide me. ( Donny ) Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime; Let me lead you to your solitude. Say you need me with you here, beside you, Anywhere you go, let me go too, That's all I ask of you ( Susan ) Say you'll share with me one love, one lifet...

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life:  Longing for love,  Search for knowledge, and  Unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind I have sought love , first, because it brings ecstasy — ecstasy so great that I would have sacrificed all the rest of life for a few hours of this joy. I have sought it, next, because it relieves loneliness — that terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it, finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is what — at last — I have found.  With equal passion I have sought knowledge . I have wished to understand the hearts of men, I have wished to know why the stars shine. And I have tried to ap...

Here in North Texas we are not immune to cold & freezing temperatures, so take a minute and follow these quick and easy tips to winterizing your home. As my friends have described, disaster can happen especially after a freezing temperature: I hope everyone made it safe through the winter storm. I had a faucet freeze that is leaking now after the thaw and a fallen tree branch to get cleared. Please stay warm and safe. To begin with, here are a list of winter weather precautions to be taken: Set the heater on at least 65 degrees and leave it on until threat of freeze is over Leave all hot and cold interior faucets dripping Leave cabinet doors under any sink open so warm air can circulate around pipes Please do not walk outside unless you are sure there is no ice on the ground Watch for falling ice and snow from the roof tops Do not use dishwashers, washing machines etc. until you are certain the water and drain lines are thawed   Look up:  Check out your roof to mak...

And I love you so The people ask me how How I've lived till now I tell them I don't know I guess they understand How lonely life has been But life began again The day you took my hand And yes, I know how lonely life can be The shadows follow me And the night won't set me free But I don't let the evening get me down Now that you're around me And you love me too Your thoughts are just for me You set my spirit free I'm happy that you do The book of life is brief And once a page is read All but love is dead That is my belief And yes, I know how lonely life can be The shadows follow me And the night won't set me free But I don't let the evening get me down Now that you're around me And I love you so The people ask me how How I've lived till now I tell them I don't know