Comments for MBA briefs

Comment on You, Inc.: Know when to outsource by Which Way Are You Outsourcing? | Engineer Your Finances

Which Way Are You Outsourcing? | Engineer Your Finances — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:15:00 +0000

[...] One of his more recent articles, David explores the idea of “outsourcing” our personal lives in an effort to show that doing everything ourselves isn’t always in our best interest. [...]

Comment on You, Inc.: Know when to outsource by Spend Less or Earn More? The ONLY answer you need to know. | Engineer Your Finances

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:11:34 +0000

[...] one should focus their attention on cutting expenses or earning more. Recently, two articles, David and Ramit, had me thinking about this [...]

Comment on 5 Ways to be happier – guaranteed by Weekend Round-Up: Personal Finance Favorites | Downturn Living

Weekend Round-Up: Personal Finance Favorites | Downturn Living — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:58:05 +0000

[...] 5 Ways To Be Happier-Guaranteed… Where MBA briefs offers some tips on positive living that are timely and valuable. [...]

Comment on Easy ways to improve your memory by How To Teach Kids About Money

How To Teach Kids About Money — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:49:30 +0000

[...] Improve Your Memory — This will help out around test time. [...]

Comment on Not-so-bad news is the new good news by Monevator

Monevator — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:50:29 +0000

Well, always good to hear a challenging view, but I don't quite agree David, and you did ask.

Unemployment has to flatline for a bit before coming down, because hiring is so expensive in multiple ways. Companies need to be sure they will be able to carry the cost. That requires a recovering economy.

This sounds a bit chicken/egg I know, but it always works like this. Nearly always it looks like a jobless recovery at first.

(I do think the US has some issues with structural unemployment, but that's another topic really).

Also, buying shares etc doesn't give companies extra money, as I'm sure you realize but just for the benefit of the readers. It's like buying a third-hand house – the original house builder doesn't get a payment.

Companies only get extra cash injected into their business when they raise extra capital by issuing equity (i.e. Like some of the banks did a year or two ago).

Where we do agree is on the focus on borrowing. It needs to come down in the US, and your trade balance needs to, er, rebalance! But commentators keep looking for it to go up!

Your a bit hurt because the dollar hasn't depreciated as much as it might to help exporters.

All things considered though, I see the US recovery as firmly on track. Things will look much better in 12 months time I'm pretty sure.
My recent post US historical asset class returns

Comment on You, Inc.: Know when to outsource by Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:07:14 +0000

Thanks for posting

Comment on Exactly why you need a will by Credit Girl

Credit Girl — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:18:28 +0000

Not only do you need a will, but it is also recommended that you update it from time to time. For instance, if a separation occurs between you and your spouse, maybe it's a good idea to edit the will a bit.
My recent post Polonia Bank Customers Will Earn a Minimum .75% With a Money Market Account

Comment on Not-so-bad news is the new good news by Minority Fortune

Minority Fortune — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:50:25 +0000

Great post on the lipstick-on-a-pig economy. You're right. Our fundamentals are all screwed up. We're spending all right, but we're spending on things that will dig us in a deeper hole. Corporations have been attaining money on a shaky foundation. We're spending the bucks we don't have on expensive wars. We're cutting back expenses on the very things that ensure long-term returns such as education, health reform (School lunches? yuck!), bank regulations, and the list goes on. Until we get back to a "we the people" over a "we the corporations" government, we'll be on this roller coaster for awhile.

On another note, there are some great opportunities in this economy. Big hedge funds are looking to short the Euro and the Pound, possibly bringing it closer to the dollar (until our cards get pulled). Real estate is low. Emerging markets in Latin America are on the rise. Like you, we'll be looking at the bigger picture and stay away from the hype.
My recent post The Impending Doom After Greece

Comment on Do mass firings improve performance? by Tom @ CFB

Tom @ CFB — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:09:29 +0000

I’ve seen a few rounds of multiple layoffs at the company I work for. I haven’t seen any performance increase from those of us remaining… if anything, the moral is lowered and the performance decreases.
My recent post Financial Lessons Learned From Hiking

Comment on How to profit from a weakening dollar by Buying Gold

Buying Gold — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:58:30 +0000

Great article. Definitely gives me some things to think about. I've been in the jewelry business for a while and I have first hand knowledge about this stuff. People really do need to get in not just because it's a hot market but because it's a good investment long term.