Existing Home Sales declined 27% from last month.

New Home Sales – ugly.

The actions from the Washington academics (politicians) continue to have unintended negative consequences. Consider the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

The tax credit rewarded those who were already going to purchase homes and those who moved up the timing of an inevitable purchase. Now, potential buyers are feeling reticent to make a move after “missing out” on the free money.

The major problem with our economy is the job market while the focus from Washington has been elsewhere. It seems that each landmark passage of reforms – from aviation to healthcare to financial – has made job creations more challenging.

Effective communication is at the heart of a healthy family life. Financial well-being, marriage, and the success of children are all related to your level of communication skills. The vast majority of teenage misbehavior and marital frustrations can be solved with effective communication skills.

Communication skills are not passed through your DNA like red hair. They are skills that are studied, learned, and mastered. This is a life-long process that doesn’t stop with learning a singular tool or concept. The process requires constant attention and practice.

Try Different not Harder

US Bonds continue to receive an enormous amount of money. Why? Because of the increasing fear of a global economic slowdown. This is not to say they don’t already recognize that things are tough, rather it means they don’t see it getting better for a long time.

The financial markets can’t figure out the Fed. The Feds don’t agree on a direction. Existing home sales were 27% lower than last month.

It appears the meddling from Washington academics has produced unintended consequences. This is not news to us. The problem lies in the fact that they think they are the solution.

The 19^th Annual Courage Classic is over as we finished our ride early this afternoon. The ride is for the children.  Specifically to raise money for the Mary Bridge Children Hospital: The child abuse section.

Thank you to those who contributed, I couldn’t have experienced the food, the pain, the heat, the cold, the fatigue, and the joy of helping the children without you.

SUMMARY

The ride is broken into three days and three mountain passes:

Day 1             Snoqualmie Pass

Day 2            Blewett Pass

Day 3            Stevens Pass

They say the only constant is change… and more change is coming! Last month, the sweeping Financial Regulation Bill was signed into law and promises to bring a wave of new changes to the financial system. But the question is: what does this change mean to you? Here’s what you need to know.

Generally speaking, the law calls for a new consumer protection agency and prohibits banks from taking risky bets. While those things are important, it’s also important to realize that this legislation… over 2,000 pages worth… amazingly does nothing to address the core reasons for the financial collapse.

It’s 5:30 AM on a cold misty winter day and it’s another mind over mattress battle.  My blanket is tucked tightly under my chin. It’s warm inside my covers and cold outside.

Mike and Tim are going to be waiting for me at 6 AM for our run. If I don’t show up there will be heck to pay.

During my teenage years and even into my twenties I was nocturnal. As time went on I realized my productivity was a function of my sleeping habits. I wanted greater productivity more than I wanted to stay up at night so I agreed to fight the battle of mind over mattress.

Now we take the structure of the Bank of U and integrate your business. Learn how owning your own business will super-charge your returns while keeping the risk at the level of a cd.

Whether you are self-employed or not, you can structure your finances to take tax advantage of how you use your own money.

Click here for part 4.

What is your workplace like? Is it a source of frustration? Do you get up in the morning excited to get to work?

Take my survey and let me know.

Click here for the survey.

In part 3 of How Banks Make $, an interesting thing happened in the late 1980s when a financial planner saw an opportunity for thousands of Americans to make a 75% rate of return using their life insurance policies. Tune in to discover how you can structure a similar scenario.

Click here to view the video.

In this video the plot thickens. Once you understand what happened in the 1980s, move on to the 1990s and watch how even bank presidents were unaware of how money was made, even when interest rates drop.

Its common for us to think that when interest rates drop, banks and insurance companies make less money and vica versa. The videos shows you how the rate of return is not a function of lower or higher rates.

Remember, what you learn in these videos can be replicated in your own system.