RichC | February 23, 2010
I don’t pretend to understand how a man concludes that crashing an airplane into an IRS building is justified, but I know that stress can push reasonably sane people into saying and doing some pretty radical things. I get pretty worked up over government waste and irresponsible spending, but can’t imagine striking back at innocent […]
RichC | February 22, 2010
If you are like me, you like having a regular routine to start the day; for me it’s the newspaper, the Gordon Deal podcast, a large cup of coffee and review of my email inbox, although I won’t encourage the large cup of coffee. Today, one of the lead stories in the news pertains to […]
RichC | February 18, 2010
It looks like the Lakota Board of Education has decided to place a new levy on May 4th’s primary ballot in our area – LINK – not a well timed request, in my opinion. I’ve been mostly supportive and relatively pleased with the education my kids have received in our local public schools, but from […]
RichC | February 5, 2010
Books about fixing America’s dysfunctional economy are trendy again and partisan finger pointing is probably the most notable component in most books. The book by David M. Walker called Comeback America is no exception when it comes to the frustration and anger he shares when in particular chastising President George W. Bush. Irritation aside, Walker […]
RichC | February 4, 2010
The Dow Jones Industrials moved down over 270 points on Thursday as the economy stumbles yet again despite the promises of recovery from those spending taxpayer dollars in Washington. The move from equities by investors and traders is likely due to a rise in U.S. unemployment claims (up 8000 last week or 480,000 new claims) […]
RichC | February 1, 2010
Apple not only makes great products that their customers love, but does and even better job of advertising and creating ‘buzz’ with product placement. Here’s the new iPad being showcased by Stephen Cobert at the Grammy Awards.
RichC | January 7, 2010
Playing the green energy tax credit game — the pitfalls of big government, powerful lobbyist and wealthy shrewd companies. Walmart, others make money on Oregon’s energy tax credits By Harry Esteve, The Oregonian December 29, 2009, 7:00PM When Oregon started handing out jumbo tax subsidies for renewable energy projects two years ago, one of the […]
RichC | January 4, 2010
News for tomorrow’s WSJ: Apple to Ship Tablet Device in March — Sent from my Palm Pre Posted via email from richc’s posterous EDIT:
RichC | December 24, 2009
The year 2009 is closing with our federal government’s Christmas present making big changes in America’s healthcare system. Today, the senate passed legislation moving a massive 2000+ page healthcare bill one step closer to law and will in essence give significant control of over one-sixth of our nation’s economy to bureaucrats. Although supposedly promising needed […]
RichC | December 8, 2009
As the politicians in Washington continue their borrowing and spending, President Obama pitches using $200B from borrowed TARP funds for yet another stimulus … money that wouldn’t even be asked to be paid back. At the same time, the Moody credit worthiness rating company warns of potential downgrades for U.S (and other nations) if fiscal […]
RichC | December 6, 2009
We’re not all going to agree on how much involvement we want from our federal government, but I’m sensing that most Americans are concerned that their voices over an invasive government are being ignored. This concern isn’t just about the current administration, but includes the excessive spending and Wall Street rescue started by the previous […]
RichC | November 29, 2009
I’ve blogged couple times on identity theft and credit reports and I thought was relatively up-to-date on on how credit reporting and ‘credit scoring’ works … but I was wrong. I didn’t realize that the three major credit collecting and reporting companies all have their own “credit scoring system” on top of the relatively popular […]
RichC | November 24, 2009
Although I’m not complaining about fuel prices considering our weak dollar — especially as we roll into a week of heavy travel — I did find it shocking that regular unleaded gasoline prices are nearly 40% higher today than they were last year at this time. (photo left taken 11/23/2008 in Monroe, OH) Of big […]
RichC | September 1, 2009
While have some service done on my Honda Pilot today, I went around the back of the dealership to see the rows and rows of ‘Clunkers.’ No doubt the government money — MY tax dollars — being used for this program has encouraged some new vehicle shopping, but it has also retired some nice looking […]
RichC | August 27, 2009
When oil prices doubled not too long ago, many along with our government saw expanding clean, renewable and domestic biofuels as one component that could help our nation become more self sufficient. Just as many pointed out that an agricultural based source would not provide real solutions to the problem in part due to the […]
RichC | August 13, 2009
As U.S. Congressional representatives sweat over whether to have townhall meetings in their states to talk healthcare during the August recess, I sweat over how to plan financial security for my family’s future, of which health insurance is a part. Years ago it seemed logical to just keep plunking away a few dollars into a […]
RichC | August 6, 2009
I’ve been thinking about buying a new USB ThumbDrive/FlashDrive for some time now, primarily for backups, transfer and storage when a Buy.com email hit my inbox and triggered my impulse purchase — 64GB Kingston DataTraveler. A few years ago when I was traveling more often, I purchase my first and only ThumbDrive which has served […]
RichC | August 5, 2009
In the business world, dominating a market has long been the practice of corporations. Some of it is justifiable since research, development and marketing cost companies a significant amount of money, but eventually most large corporations flirt with anti-trust laws. In the early 20th century and with hindsight it is easy to spot (ie. Standard […]
RichC | July 11, 2009
Exchanging a few US dollars for Eurodollars this week has me thinking about the struggling economy as I prepare for vacation. I noticed that stocks struggled again on Friday, and crude oil closed below $60 a barrel as everyone continued to worry about the economy. Reflective of the economy, the Dow Jones industrials closed down another […]
RichC | May 19, 2009
I don’t want to sound like an advertisement for Capital One, but from my minimal research, there is a clear difference in plastic for those traveling overseas — or more appropriately, those needing to make purchases while traveling overseas. Since I’ll be in Europe this summer and noticed a recent article in the Wall Street […]
RichC | May 17, 2009
Interestingly those people who knew and were aware of the conditions that lead to the economic meltdown still fell prey to being swallowed by wanting more than they could afford. In a brutally honest New York Times article, Edmund Andrews shares his story. If there was anybody who should have avoided the mortgage catastrophe, it […]
RichC | May 13, 2009
I’ve been happily running the Windows 7 Beta (post 1 & post 2) and see it as Microsoft’s best OS release since XP. Although the Release Candidate is now available for all to install, I’ve been slow to update my 7000 Beta build because I’d like a clean install requiring solid backups, my install CDs, […]
RichC | May 1, 2009
If you pay attention to technology news at all you’re probably getting fed up with Twitter — even if you find yourself tweeting, blogging and talking about it. At least once a week I hear someone say, “I don’t care what someone had for lunch.” I use to try and explain that Twitter is not […]
RichC | April 30, 2009
Since I’ve posted a couple times about the online “web-video aggregator” Hulu.com, the latest news that Disney has reached a deal to buy a significant share of the company and put full episodes of its ABC TV shows on the site is pretty big news. The advantage for Hulu is that Disney will invest capital […]
RichC | April 23, 2009
While I’m not a fan of the iPhone or the iPod Touch, I am impressed with the shear number of devices and software “app” downloads in less than 2 years. Apple has a counter running on their site as the Online App Store nears 1 Billion downloads. Very impressive. Although as readers may have surmised […]
RichC | April 17, 2009
Although I’m not a big fan of the “pinheaded”politically oriented peacocks managing and broadcasting at NBC news or MSNBC, I have watched the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) since the early 1990s. In fact, their broadcast was the primary reason I switched from rabbit ears to satellite television.They are the 4 to 6 billion […]
RichC | April 15, 2009
Interesting conversation this morning on CNBC‘s Squawkbox as Home Depot‘s co-founders Ken Langone and Bernie Marcus offered up their views on politics and business. They both are concerned that wrong moves are being made due to the recession and that government is getting too involved in the running of business. I’m also concerned that politicians […]
RichC | April 1, 2009
If you are in the market for a new car or truck this year, the IRS will assist by at least making the “sales tax” deductible. There are a few caveats, which includes a short window since the car, truck, motorhome or motorcycle needs to be purchase between February 16, 2009 and January 1, 2010 […]
RichC | March 20, 2009
It has finally arrive, the Twitter business model. The co-founder and CEO Evan Williams announced that the Twitter Premium accounts would be the way the company would begin to generate income. He explained that since corporation and celebrities are “flocking to Twitter for their social media needs” that this gives them an opportunity to have […]
RichC | March 13, 2009
Although I don’t spend every moment watching the stock market as an indicator of our economic woes, I do feel the pain when it comes to paying for college and saving for retirement. So I can’t help but take a breath while noticing the averages rise a bit over the last few days. That said, […]
RichC | March 3, 2009
I’ll keep this post short since my mood is the same; the markets tried to find a reason to bounce after loosing 299 point on the DJIA yesterday, but traders and investors would have none of it. The averages did cross yesterday’s ‘ugly’ close a couple time throughout trading on Tuesday, but in the end […]
RichC | March 3, 2009
Testing new Twitter polling tool by twtpoll.com. (thanks for the link @stoweboyd)
RichC | March 2, 2009
WSJ Online Here’s a bright thought: if, scratch that, when … the economy rebounds, it most likely will rise quickly from the shocking lows we are currently seeing. The dark side is that this selloff doesn’t seem to be finding a bottom and there aren’t many confident traders ready buy stocks again. Today’s news from […]
RichC | February 19, 2009
Traders saw most stocks fall on Thursday, putting the Dow Jones Industrial Average back on a bear-market closing low track. The financial sector continued to decline and there was little desire by investors to buy equities with the gloomy economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 89.68 points, or 1.2%, to close at 7465.95 […]
RichC | December 22, 2008
The drugstore sector stumbles at the market open on Monday after Walgreen’s (WAG) announced that their profit fell 10 percent in its fiscal first quarter. Traders responded with selling shares even after acknowledging the shortfall was due to “the costs opening more than 200 new store.” The company answered the loss with a plan to […]
RichC | December 6, 2008
The crude oil pendulum is swinging back just as quickly as it went up, and might even drop lower than most drivers have seen in quiet a few years. According to reports from a Merrill Lynch Commodity report, oil prices may crash below $25 a barrel in 2009 and gasoline prices could fall below $1 […]
RichC | November 19, 2008
Tuesday evening was a fine time to try out the FoxNews Live Streaming feeds from the FoxNews.com website since they were broadcasting the hearing with the big three automakers. About the only disadvantage in watching these live streaming feeds is that occasionally the cameras pick up an odd face or set of eyes. ( partialscreenshot […]
RichC | November 10, 2008
General Motors (GM) opens at $3.60/share on Monday, and Ford (F) flirts with holding on to the $2/share price as both beg for a government bailout. There have been strong hints of bankruptcy in the GM camp, while one of the big electronics retailers Circuit City (CC) has decided to seek Chapter 11. Still technology […]
RichC | October 29, 2008
As with a number of U.S. financial disasters, October is recognized on Wall Street as a trying month. This year is no exception although the signals were pretty clear well before October. While taking a look the financial markets this Wednesday afternoon, the Federal Reserves did the expected in cutting the short-term interest rate by […]
RichC | October 26, 2008
Although I didn’t fill up today, gasoline prices remain surprisingly low giving strapped consumers at least a little breathing room from the high fuel prices just a few weeks earlier. Let’s hope some of the added cash back in consumers wallets helps to stimulate the economy.
RichC | October 13, 2008
The traders on Wall Street had a busy day today as they put a few dollars back to work after the huge selling last week. The record day was the biggest single day more for the stock market in history, or at least since the Great Depression. The Dow Jones Industrials (3 day chart above) […]
RichC | October 9, 2008
Dow 8,579.19 -678.91 (-7.33%) | Nasdaq 1,645.12 -95.21 (-5.47%) | S&P 500 909.92 -75.02 (-7.62%) No buyers on Wall Street — the collapse continues to drive stock prices lower and cut even deeper into ordinary Joe and Jane’s retirement and college savings. Not only has today’s drop put the DJIA to extremely low levels, it […]
RichC | October 8, 2008
In an attempt to get money/credit flowing around the world, six central banks in coordination moved to cut interest rates on Wednesday. The goal is to offset a global economic slowdown that has been rippling through the financial and business world. This half-point rate cut included the central banks in the U.K., Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, […]
RichC | October 6, 2008
The financial crisis is rippling around the world and that fear is being reflected on Wall Street as the DJIA dropped a full 800 points during trading on Monday, although recovered somewhat to close off only 370 points at 9955.50. Almost all stocks took a beating again today shrinking all who invest for college or […]
RichC | September 29, 2008
Although there is enough blame to go around, here’s a partisan CSPAN video that at least shows that a couple legislators were trying to get a handle on the business practices and corruptions going on over at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back in 2004. When people “ask where the oversight and regulators” during these […]
RichC | September 25, 2008
On Wednesday night, President Bush addressed the nation in order to explain the economic crisis and layout the administration’s plan in order prevent a “deep recession.” From studying the comments from the past few day, this credit crisis isn’t going away without some kind of intervention by the government … and if a Republican is […]
RichC | May 3, 2008
Microsoft released a letter from Chief Executive Steve Ballmer on Saturday that he sent to Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang saying that Microsoft was willing to raise its offer to $33 a share for Yahoo, but Yahoo demanded at least $4 per share more; $37/share. (the Monday share price for Yahoo will be interesting) “Despite our […]
RichC | March 19, 2008
Newsy couple of items from the last feel days — from politics to the economy. Here’s are the two biggies for March 2008. First, the big news has been the offensive remarks associated with Democratic candidate for President, Barack Obama. The anti-American and racial messages from his long time pastor and friend, Rev. Jeremiah Wright […]
RichC | February 25, 2008
Having dealt with an identity theft issue about 5 years ago, I’ve been a bit more attentive to what is being reported on my credit report. Once a year around tax time I pull my own credit report and review the items being reported. (haven’t opted for a ‘pay for’ monitoring service just yet) This […]
RichC | October 1, 2007
The stock market had a solid day of gains today with the Dow Jones Industrials up 190+ points and setting a new record, but not all segments were stellar. Hardest hit were the drugstore chains as that segment suffered heavy selling pressure. Three of the leading companies that I track and trade were down significantly […]
RichC | June 20, 2007
Its hard to tell what the future will hold, but from the sound of things (CNBC intro below), there are is a significant number in America not preparing properly for retirement. No … I’m not talking about only the unemployed and ‘working poor’ … I’m talking about people living paycheck to paycheck picking up their […]
RichC | September 27, 2006
As much as I like Crocs as a company, a stock (CROX) and as a trendy shoe ‘fad,’ the recent jump in stock price in a hot stock market triggered one of my self imposed trading rules today: it moved 15% up or down in 3 days so I sold at $34.64 this morning. (I’m […]
RichC | April 22, 2006