Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/7/2017 11:26:25 AM

Labor numbers were decent and the labor participation rate is up a bit. We are also at record employment with close to 160 million in the work force.  However, wages remain stagnant which may help control inflation but is not good news for the engine of the economy, consumer spending.  And the unemployment numbers that reflect discouraged and part time workers rose by 0.2% which is also not the best news.  

One area that is concerning is the amount of auto debt which is at all time highs.  One hiccup in the economy and the subprime portion of this debt could come crashing down which would be a repeat of 2008 (in that case it was homeowners debt).  And given that we are now at around 100 months since the last recession with an average of 57 months we are in danger of an economic slowdown.  Of course I have been saying that for the last 4 or 5 years but it will happen at some point.  Look for the Fed to continue to raise rates even in the absence of inflation.  They know they have zero room right now to respond to a downturn and need some cushion for more QE when the slowdown happens.

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/8/2017 10:36:16 AM

mortgage rates still hovering around 4-4.25%; if fed continues to raise short term rates--mortgage rates are bound to follow--BUT--at 5 % it will choke  off refinancing & buying as most can barely qualify at the 4.25% rate !!! still too much consumer debt

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Flyfisher
Date:	7/8/2017 12:23:09 PM

Are you saying that people are having touble qualifying for a mortgage becaue they have too much consumer debt?  A theoretical question: What about those people that put everything on a credit card and pay it off in full when billed?

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/8/2017 1:11:56 PM

Hard to believe someone can't qualify @ 5%.  Seems like yesterday ('82) that we built w/mortgage rate @ 15%.  Read that next crash will be caused by auto loans....idiots are buying up those $50 - 70K cars!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/9/2017 12:23:20 PM

Yes, it would seem that some people are taking longer and longer car loans to pay for a car they couldn't afford in the first place.  We paid cash for the last few cars that we bought.  I used to think 60 month loans were ridiculous.  The worst thing is at the end of the loan, the caar will not be worth anything. 

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/9/2017 12:23:21 PM

Yes, it would seem that some people are taking longer and longer car loans to pay for a car they couldn't afford in the first place.  We paid cash for the last few cars that we bought.  I used to think 60 month loans were ridiculous.  The worst thing is at the end of the loan, the caar will not be worth anything. 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/10/2017 8:35:11 AM

Auto loans are indeed a very big problem, as is student loan debt.  My standing rule for a car is if we can't pay it off in 48 months we can't afford it.  Lately the only loan we take is the interest free version.  But we only take that after we agree on a price for the vehicle.  Having said that, most people could not afford a new car unless they finance it.  The key to making a good economic decision is to put enough down and have a short enough term to stay ahead of depreciation.  Not easy for a lot of people.

What is even worse is that there are millions of subprime auto loans that will quickly go bad if the economy ticks downard.  I have a friend that owns a couple of JD Buyrider dealerships.  They are really in the subprime lender business, not the auto sales business.  He is terrified that not only would his loans be bad but that the market will be flooded with repossessed used cars and prices will tumble.  He will be in a world of hurt if that happens.  The business works when you borrow millions at 4% and loan it out for auto purchases at 10% and people pay off the loans.  It collapses quickly if those loans go bad because the collateral is for the most part worthless.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/11/2017 8:10:20 AM

We've had a long tradition of buying one owner used cars in the family, usually lease turn overs.  Recently bought a 3 yr old car that stickered for 42.5...paid 19.8.  Perfect car w/28 K miles.  I do the same with boats.  Bought current pontoon as three year old w/ten hours on it for 45% of what 1st owner paid.  Let the idiots suffer the depreciation, buy smart.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/11/2017 1:19:49 PM

You are just so smart.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/11/2017 4:00:25 PM

Would you agree that Wix's approach to purchasing vehicles and boats seems very logical and sure seems to save thousands of dollars in return? If one of your democratic buddies had made the same post would you have responded with the same snide remark? 

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	GOOF-IDIOT
Date:	7/11/2017 4:36:31 PM

I knew I'd snag you....read my last sentence!

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/11/2017 7:45:32 PM

If you have been successful during your working years, you don't worry about depreciation on your vehicles or boats. You just buy what you want.......if you are on a tight budget then you buy used. Wix is just so smart....are you? It is not liberal or conservative....it is just life.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Latest economic news a mixed bag
Date:	7/11/2017 8:28:59 PM

You are so wrong.  One of the richest women I have known dresses like a bag lady. Appearances mean nothing.  Get a grip, RB.

Name:	Rich -	Reply
Subject:	Money smart
Date:	7/12/2017 5:34:22 AM

What a statement! Check out Warren Buffets house in Omaha. "Successful" people in your statement seems to imply monetarily which would also mean to me that they are consious of what it takes to be successful. Being wasteful has never been a great strategy.