Joyce Kelley Realtors® Pensacola/ Gulf Breeze Homes

U.S. Treasuries suffered a setback Thursday when 3^rdquarter GDP grew at a stronger-than-expected 3.5% clip. Economic growth was spurred by construction spending, a slowing of inventory reductions and a huge amount of government stimulus, which could inflate the numbers.

Treasuries see-sawed earlier in the week, as traders fretted over supply concerns (all the auctions went well), ups and downs on Wall Street, and good economic news. Last week also ended the Fed purchase of Treasuries, which was introduced in March to keep mortgage rates low. Whether the Fed or market conditions made it happen is under debate.

Tuesday's unexpected drop in consumer confidence boosted bonds. It fell to 47.7 from 53.4. Separately, Case-Shiller reported that home prices in August rose 1.2% in 20 major cities, but this had little impact on bonds.

A 3.6% drop in new home sales for September -- the first decline in six months -- sent stocks down on concerns regarding consumer strength and economic recovery, but Treasuries benefited from safe-haven buying. The 7.5-month inventory of unsold homes is at its lowest level since November 1982.

Durable goods orders rose by a predicted 1% in September, thanks to demand for machinery, capital goods and defense spending. This is the fourth increase in six months. Meanwhile, inventories fell for the ninth straight month.

Thursday's first-time unemployment claims showed a decline of 1,000 to 531,000, while the four-week average fell to 526,250. Once again, continued claims declined, with the number of people collecting benefits for more than one week dropping to 5.8 million -- the fewest since March.

Bonds responded well to early news Friday, as personal income for September was unchanged. Personal spending slid an expected 0.5% from its previous 1.3% gain, as "clunkers" ended. This confirmed that consumers have a way to go when it comes righting the economy. Core prices rose 0.1% -- good news for inflation-watchers.

Bonds closed the day with big gains that sent yields, which move inversely to price, tumbling due to a major sell-off in the equity markets.

The Chicago PMI on October manufacturing conditions jumped to 54.2 from 46.1, indicating expansion. And the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey for October climbed to 70.2 from 69.4, perhaps signaling a more positive outlook.

In spite of a slight dip in mortgage rates during the week ended Oct. 23, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported a hefty decline in mortgage applications. Refinancings fell 16.2%, while purchase apps were down 5.2%.

Numerous reports are scheduled this week, but only a few pack a wallop. One is Wednesday's meeting of the Fed. Even though the Committee is not expected to touch interest rates, there is concern about a language change. The Fed has said repeatedly that it will keep interest rates low for an "extended" period of time. If "extended" stays there will be a big sigh of relief in the bond pits. If it's eliminated, selling will likely erupt as fears of a rate increase come to the fore.

Friday's employment report for October could impact the markets, but declines in job losses don't move the markets like the huge losses posted earlier this year did. Job losses are expected to come in at around 165,000; that's 100,000 fewer than the previous month. But the unemployment rate should rise to 9.9% from 9.8% in September.

Monday's ISM index on manufacturing conditions is another one to watch. It's expected to edge up to 53 from 52.7, which bonds would deem acceptable increase. Separately, construction spending for September is predicted to fall 0.4% versus a 0.8% rise in August.

In addition to Wednesday's Fed meeting, the ISM index on the service sector is due and could rise to 51.7 from 50.9. A larger increase might rattle the markets.

Thursday's first-time claims for the week ended Oct. 31 are unknown. Fortunately, the numbers are getting smaller and have less impact. The other report scheduled, 3^rdquarter productivity, is expected to rise 5.8%, down from the previous 6.6% increase.

Quarterly earnings reports are also wrapping up, but they can definitely affect buying and selling in the bond markets. Whether or not that happens won't be known until it happens.

Joyce Kelley, CBR, SREE - 800-309-3414, The Lead Buyers Agent to Charles Stallions here in Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Being a buyers agent allows me to really WOW my customers, devote the time needed for them to choose and pick the PERFECT home. I don't have to weigh my decisions on the sellers needs or any third party. 100% totally to the buyer. Being the Lead Buyers Agent means I set the Standard of which our team will be judged. I want the EXPERIENCE to be spectacular and any thing less is unacceptable. Call Joyce and meet first hand some of the many buyers that we have helped buy a home where you are not another buyer, are family.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

THOUSANDS OF HOMES.... One Address www.charlesstallions.com

Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Homes for sale

Looking for a home to rent, sell or buy in Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze Florida. E-mail joyce@charlesstallions.com or click here for foreclosures, short sales or homes for sale or rent in Pensacola, Florida. Charles Stallions Real Estate Services located in Pensacola Florida, a 12 member team of local experts on Loan Modifications, Certified Residential Specialist, Distressed Property Specialist with fourteen years in real estate dealing in foreclosures, first time home buyer programs and investor sales. We are the company you keep, with your one stop office for Property Management, Title and Closing Solutions, FHA, VA, Conventional Loans, Termite and Pest Control, Land Surveyors, Around the House repair company, Legal Service Provider in Pensacola Florida. Click here to view Homes for sale in Pensacola Florida or search pensacolamls for new homes on the market.

Flat Fee of $2995 to SELL or MLS $1495 + 3 %

We offer Property Management for $50. flat fee monthly

Call Now 800-309-3414 for over the phone evaluation and NO Obligation

I want to be free of all the Outlook based want a be's. But we have found that Pat Zaby's program is probably the closest. We have used several different ones through the years and the tech support and maintence keep going up. What are some of you using or am I off base here. Has any one tried this program, I have been to the classes and would like to keep my contacts in Outlook and this seems to be the only one available that has Real Estate in mind.

BTW Agent 2000 for many years worked well but the tech support has skyrocketed and I didn't know that once you signed up they give you the first year but they steadily go up every year after. They have to lousiest tech support we have tried to get them on the phone for over two months for a problem they caused and we cannot even get a return phone call. I swear they send you an upgrade for the old one and then you have nothing but problems till you switch or pay their outragious tech support. I honestly think they can program this stuff, why not?

At least with MS you have them backing it up. Any thoughts please.

THOUSANDS OF HOMES.... One Address www.charlesstallions.com

Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Homes for sale

An Article of Interest

If the Great Recession has taught people one thing, it's this: They need to take charge of their finances. It's a lesson plenty are heeding. People are saving more and spending less. The personal savings rate has risen to more than 4 percent after sinking to near zero in the months before last fall's meltdown. The number of people getting financial counseling is 3.2 million, double the amount two years ago.

In ways big and small -- from scrutinizing their bills and joining credit unions to scaling back weddings and college plans -- people are finding creative ways to deal with the worst recession in a generation. In short, there's a quiet revolution taking place in the way people save, borrow and spend that represents a retreat from old habits, and the first steps toward new ones.

Saving

For years, the traditional savings account has been a quaint relic of the past. There were just too many other things to do with our money -- and most involved spending it. Home improvements, and, for many, a second home; a second car and then a third; overseas vacations. The list went on. Saving meant putting money in a 401(k), and many didn't put as much into those as they could. Then the market plunged and the value of those accounts fell with it.

Now, many people are reassessing their approach to socking money away.

While personal income is down slightly since the recession officially began in late 2007, the personal savings rate is rising. In 2007 the savings rate stood at 1.7 percent of after-tax income. That climbed to 2.7 percent in 2008, and in July -- the most recent data available -- hit 4.2 percent. As people fear losing their jobs, they will save more: Economists expect the savings rate to top 6 percent in coming months if unemployment, which was 9.7 percent in August, continues to rise.

But people are still saving less than they did in the last major recession in 1982. Back then, the savings rate was 10.9 percent when certificates of deposit were earning more than 12 percent.

These days, it's difficult to earn much on savings. Most bank money-market accounts offer a return of less than 2 percent, and even long-term certificates of deposit offer little more than 2 percent.

Reducing credit card debt can be one of the quickest ways to save. With credit card companies charging more than 13 percent on average -- and up to 30 percent for people with poor credit -- reducing or eliminating that monthly payment will save money.

Financial planners used to advise consumers to save enough money to cover their expenses for three months. When the worst of the recession hit, Laurie Siebert of Valley National Advisers in Bethlehem, Pa., already was advising clients to boost their emergency savings to six months. Now, she's urging them to save enough to cover a full year of expenses because credit lines and job security aren't guaranteed.

One big reason to save more now: Homeowners can't depend on rising property values to refinance their mortgages to help cover household expenses.

People are flocking to bank and money management Web sites to compare interest rates and share advice. Traffic to personal financial management Web sites, where users can analyze their saving and spending, has soared. The largest site, Mint.com, saw traffic grow from 200,000 visitors a month in January of last year to more than 1 million a month this year.

Smart consumers treat their savings as an expense and set aside their savings before paying other bills. When the bills are paid off, they shift that money into a savings account.

And if you're not participating in your company's 401(k), start now. If you are and don't save as much as you can, increase your monthly contribution. Remember that you can borrow money to help send your kids to college, but there aren't any loans for retirees.

Borrowing

Credit isn't as easy to get anymore, so people are getting creative to find new sources of funds.

Bank loan balances declined by 4.6 percent for the year ending in June. But credit union loan balances rose by 4.5 percent, according to industry associations. Credit unions, which are nonprofits and weren't as tangled in subprime mortgages, are in better shape to make consumer loans.

Borrowers also have begun to explore less-traditional options. The credit crunch helped fuel the growth of what's called peer-to-peer lending, in which companies enable individuals to make loans to one another. One of these startups, The Lending Club, issued 446 loans worth $4.3 million in August alone. That's more than eight times the $488,600 in loans the company issued the same month two years earlier. Virgin Money, which facilitates loans between family members and friends, saw its loan volume more than double to $425 million in June from $200 million in October 2007.

Though new options have emerged, the subprime mortgage crisis laid bare the reality that easy credit can be dangerous. Over the past year, the government stepped in with tighter regulations and is now considering a new consumer agency to protect people from shady mortgage lenders, abusive credit card fees and other risky financial products.

Many cardholders, meanwhile, have been surprised to see their credit limits cut. Credit card companies slashed limits for 58 million cardholders, or about a third of consumers, in the 12 months ending in April, according to a report issued last month by FICO, the company that produces the most widely known credit scores. A majority of the cardholders had good credit scores when the cuts were made.

Gloria Womelduff says Chase recently lowered her limit to $7,500 from $10,000, even though she says she's never late on payments and always pays more than the minimum. "I'm as squeaky clean as you can get," says Womelduff, 56, a hospital research coordinator in Kansas City, Mo.

New credit card regulations should mean that fewer consumers are caught by surprise. In the months ahead, revamped billing statements will calculate the interest cost of making only minimum payments and show how long it would take to pay off the balance. For many, both numbers may be a shock.

The statements aren't required until February, but borrowing has already grown more prudent. The Federal Reserve says revolving credit -- made up primarily of credit cards -- declined by $6.1 billion, or 8.1 percent on an annualized basis, in July. That was part of a record $21.6 billion retreat in overall borrowing.

There are some things consumers can do to protect their credit: They can pay bills on time and review their credit report at least once a year. Plus, whenever they're using credit, they can factor the cost of the loan into the budget, weighing whether the money spent on interest could be better used elsewhere.

Spending

People are saving more and cutting their debts. But at some point, they'll start spending more. Businesses big and small hope so. What's emerging so far, though, is a more prudent consumer.

The use of coupons soared 19 percent in the first six months of this year vs the first half of 2008. People are reading bills more closely, looking for mistakes and to identify unused services that can be eliminated. Legions have sought help online. BillShrink.com allows users to compare the cost of cell phone plans and credit cards, based on actual usage. Visits to the site have grown more than tenfold since the start of the year and hit 650,000 in August.

The changing behavior can be seen in other ways:

" Two years ago, the average amount spent on a wedding was $28,000, according to the Wedding Report, a market research company in Tucson, Ariz. Last year's average: $21,800. The second quarter of this year: $16,550 -- 42 percent below the 2007 average.

" While enrollment numbers aren't yet available, public colleges reported a 14 percent spike in applications last spring, suggesting some students and their families are shifting from private schools so they can spend less.

How to spend wisely hasn't changed because of the Great Recession. The rules were just ignored during the good times. They start with creating a budget to project income and expenses and guide spending. They examine the financial plan each month to find ways to cut back -- whether services that aren't needed or fees that can be avoided.

Smart consumers also take advantage of all employee benefits; use a flexible spending account, when available, to pay for child and health care costs; and they review insurance policies to make sure they're only paying for what they need.

By: Candice Choi and Eileen Aj Connelly, www.aps.com

Joyce Kelley, CBR, SREE - 800-309-3414, The Lead Buyers Agent to Charles Stallions here in Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Being a buyers agent allows me to really WOW my customers, devote the time needed for them to choose and pick the PERFECT home. I don't have to weigh my decisions on the sellers needs or any third party. 100% totally to the buyer. Being the Lead Buyers Agent means I set the Standard of which our team will be judged. I want the EXPERIENCE to be spectacular and any thing less is unacceptable. Call Joyce and meet first hand some of the many buyers that we have helped buy a home where you are not another buyer, are family.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

THOUSANDS OF HOMES.... One Address www.charlesstallions.com

Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Homes for sale

Looking for a home to rent, sell or buy in Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze Florida. E-mail joyce@charlesstallions.com or click here for foreclosures, short sales or homes for sale or rent in Pensacola, Florida. Charles Stallions Real Estate Services located in Pensacola Florida, a 12 member team of local experts on Loan Modifications, Certified Residential Specialist, Distressed Property Specialist with fourteen years in real estate dealing in foreclosures, first time home buyer programs and investor sales. We are the company you keep, with your one stop office for Property Management, Title and Closing Solutions, FHA, VA, Conventional Loans, Termite and Pest Control, Land Surveyors, Around the House repair company, Legal Service Provider in Pensacola Florida. Click here to view Homes for sale in Pensacola Florida or search pensacolamls for new homes on the market.

Flat Fee of $2995 to SELL or MLS $1495 + 3 %

We offer Property Management for $50. flat fee monthly

Call Now 800-309-3414 for over the phone evaluation and NO Obligation

Because of the Helthcare situation I wanted to try a Japanese doctor...

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans...

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Pass it on or Puke but this is a good comparison, Thanks Barrack.

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had created the position of 32 Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had referred to the 58 states that make up these United States , would you have thought him "geographically challenged"?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 10months -- so you'll have three years and two months to come up with an answer.