Canadian Lakes, MI

Over the past weeks I've been like everyone else... noticing the gas prices inching (jumping too) up a little more every week.

On some good weeks, they've even surprised and went down, a little. But this week has been an incredible leap. Here is Michigan we went from 2.49 to 2.75 for regular. Where does it go from here?

Where are your gas prices at today? The predictions say we will go higher because of the demand has outpace production. Hard to imagine this is not a intentional attempt to raise fuel oil and other heating products for profit.

Here is something many may not know. Out costs are directly linked to the strength of the US dollar. So if the dollar weakens against foreign money the cost of goods goes up. They simply raise our cost of a barrel of oil. For many traveling this is going to increase the cost of your vacation and travel as well. For those that can't travel based on economic conditions it is simple. Only drive to and from work and the grocery store.

I know these spikes don't seem like a big deal but the difference in a weekly budget can be huge. Spending $20.00 more a week in gas means something else has to be dropped from the budget For many families it is food.

Families have been living on credit cards...the rates have sky rocketed if you haven't noticed. In many cases the credit card was used as a short term gap filler. Now with the rates in the 20 plus percentage range they too have become a debt machine cranking up the dollars owed to the point that minimum payments for many families is shock when they have received their new monthly billing.

No more putting the gas on the credit cards!

How are some of these issues affecting you and your clients?

Live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan area, not under contract? Like to sell or buy a home....give me a call. It could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction. Always confidential, Never Pressured.

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009

Call Toll Free: 877-667-4699
Local: 616-784-2360
Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

The fall of 2009 is sure here! It has been a colder and wetter fall. The colors have not been as bright as in years past. This big old maple is on the first hole of the pines golf course.

Now is a good time to get ready for 2010, make sure you get a spot in the next issue of Lakes Living magazine.

I have to say I love the holidays.

I enjoy seeing the family especially the ones I like! I do like all of them but some more than others...you may be able to relate. I like seeing the kids, how much they have grown. I like catching up on all the new things in peoples lives.

We are empty Nester's for more than 12 years now. The house is quiet. My wife and I can talk in normal voices. We are not ducking from flying objects or video games with shells going off or cars crashing filling the air with sounds.

I love the smells of food cooking...I like eating it better. We had made plans with the family to have thanksgiving at our home. Just a small gathering of In-law....I affectionately call them the outlaws...they grin, not really a smile.

Two days before Thanksgiving we get a call....my brother and sister-in-law from Cleveland want to join in on the festivities. No problem the more the merrier. They have four kids with the youngest being 6.

You revisit your grocery list....you just added six to the list. Sleeping...OK we have the beds...bedding, towels, wash cloths, all the stuff you packed away...extra blankets.

Think of the families that are selling their homes. How would you like to get a call to show a home the day after a holiday? I showed one the afternoon of Thanksgiving. They were in town and this was the only day they would be here. The home was vacant...OK.

Two days later our home is back in order. The sounds are back to normal and my wife and I are wondering how we did all those holiday's with so many family members in the same house.

The quiet is a welcome refuge. I didn't hit black Friday shopping even though my daughter-in-law hit the lines at 4 am. I was calmly checking my eyelids! Sleeping is what you are supposed to be doing a 4 am.

How did you handle the holidays?

There is going to be a grand opening of the Canadian Lakes Specialty Clinics!

Another new spot to check out is the Blue Cow Cafe, read some reviews here.