Oregon, Montana, Idaho,kansas, Arkansas,Texas,and more South and East Coast but No where is California are we expected to see a Double Dip
The chance of a national double-dip recession is hotly debated amid an increasing number of signs that the economic recovery is losing pace, but the risk is particularly troublesome on a local level.
A new report from Moody's Economy.com singled out 22 cities that are at risk of slipping back into a recession in as early as three months. To come to this conclusion, the economists considered dwindling progress in employment, housing starts, home prices and industrial production.
The at-risk cities are spread across the country, though more than half of the cities are in the South, and five are concentrated in the Midwest.
"With chances of a national double-dip recession now estimated at about one in four, several metro areas will probably experience their own downturns in the first half of 2011," said economist Andrew Gledhill, author of the report.
Private sector hiring has been tapering off in recent months compared to the start of the year, triggering Moody's to boost its forecast for a national double-dip from a 20% chance to 25% chance.
What's a double dip? No one really knows.
In the 22 identified metro areas, Gledhill said private sector hiring is particularly sluggish, increasing the chances of a slowdown.
Without a substantial pick-up in hiring, Gledhill said the number of cities in danger of a double-dip recession could grow, possibly reaching the triple-digits.
"There was a time when all 384 metro areas were in a recession. We probably won't get to that point again, but given the growing risk of another national recession, we're on the lookout for more metro areas that will be weakening substantially on several levels over the next six months to a year," Gledhill said.
He added that a handful of metro areas, particularly those that are industrial economies, are also suffering from a recent falloff in manufacturing.
Make sure you note that there is nothing noted in our Orange County or even California area.
Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike
knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)
============
Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them
neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
===========
For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put
Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)
==========
To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for
a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The
wax will fall out.
===========
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped
in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
==========
Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt
BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
============
Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of
scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw
away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would
be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely!
In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way!
=============
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen
peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood.. Works
every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL
==========
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal
for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.
Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows
on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
============
Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely
light scent in each room when the light is turned on.
========
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell
freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.
=========
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3
hours prior to burning.
======
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the
flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt
and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
============
To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap
and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.
Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring
in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the
corn's natural sweetness
===============
Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your
forehead. The throbbing will go away.
=============
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future
use in casseroles and sauces ....... Left over wine? What's that? :)
=============
To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area
and you will experience instant relief.
============
Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So,
get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
============
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still,
leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
===========
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to
tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and
then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
=====
Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer....... Clean a toilet.
Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China
========
Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water
and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
=============
Polish jewelry.
Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the
jewelry for two minutes.
==============
Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak
for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
===========
Unclog a drain.
Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the
drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar.. Wait a few minutes,
and then run the hot water.
================
Do your friends a favor. Pass this timely (and some not-so-timely)
information on to a friend! I just did. Makes you wonder about ingesting Alka Seltzer, doesn't it?
Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike
I had a wonderful experience yesterday, Tuesday, August 10, 2010, I had lunch at the Newport Coast Pelican Hill Resort's COLISEUM GRILL for the first time, with my husband! It is both casual and reasonably priced. The view was terrific! Not only is there a golf course view, a pool view and an Ocean view; but image an evening dinner where you could have a Sunset View! The Coliseum Grill is open for both lunch and dinner but the menu is the same so the prices do not increase for dinner. Their service was outstanding, having wanted to sit outside but in the shade, the hostess used her imagination by setting us up in a private cabana with an awesome view! Now that is amazing, instead of telling us, I'm sorry you will have to wait, or we can seat you here on the left side (which didn’t have an ocean view just a golf course view, they took initiative to satisfy the customer. As Realtors, we do that too, we think outside the box, looking for ways to positively satisfy our clients in any and all ways that we can!
We will definitely revisit the Coliseum Grill again; great view, great prices, great service and Free Valet service! Newport Coast Pelican Hill Coliseum Grill also has music and dancing on Saturday nights in case you want to join us there some weekend. See you there!
A housing market rebound seems tenuous following the expiration of the home buyer tax credit, and consumer confidence remains weak due to lackluster employment, but David Stiff, chief economist at Fiserv, says the bottom is near. Home prices in the U.S. have declined 29.5 percent over the past four years, according to the Fiserv Case-Shiller Indexes. Stiff says prices should form a trough early next year, when median prices will be down an estimated 32.9 percent from the 2006 peak.
By early 2014, they will have climbed about 7.2 percent from 2010 levels, according to the indexes. Fiserv and Moody's Economy.com base the housing forecast on factors that include income growth, demographic trends, unemployment rates, foreclosure rates, and construction costs. That is an average increase of 1.8% per year. Not a lot but a nice small increase, Steady,and an upward movement however small but still a positive direction.
In my opinion, this is a good way to do it. A home should be only a home, a place you can call your own. Make your changes and upgrades that you like, and can afford. Do them for you. Then when you can afford to move up or down, you sell for a mild modest 1.8% increase per year and not be greedy. Everyone is happy, new buyers can afford to buy, you are able to afford a move up and the economy is not devastated by unscrupulous individuals trying to gouge and misrepresent to make a buck, as happened with the negAM loans and no qualifier loans,etc...
Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike
Conventional & JUMBO Loans:Interest rates shown above can be used for all owner occupied purchase or refinance transactions. Minimum qualifications are a 640 credit score and above for Conventional loans and 720 credit score and above for JUMBO Loans. No Bankruptcy's or Foreclosure's within the last 5 years. A 12 month rental or mortgage history with no late payments required. Verified income and assets known as "Full Doc" loan programs only. Property must be owner occupied. For 2nd Homes and Non-Owner Occupied property's certain restrictions and rate adjustments do apply. Loan to Value (L.T.V.) and Debt to Income (D.T.I.) ratio restrictions and rate adjustments do apply. Please contact me for details.
Interest rates shown above can be used for all owner occupied purchase or refinance transactions. Minimum qualifications are a 640 credit score and above. No Bankruptcy's within the last 3 years and no Foreclosure's within the last 5 years. A 12 month rental or mortgage history with no late payments required. Verified income and assets known as "Full Doc" loan programs only. Property must be owner occupied. 2nd Homes or Non-Owner Occupied property's are NOT allowed. Loan to Value (L.T.V.) and Debt to Income (D.T.I.) ratio restrictions and rate adjustments do apply.
I am not an expert on lending so check with your lender. However when you are ready to buy, we will be happy to assist you with all your Real Estate Needs.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Despite the housing slump, house hunting in good school districts frustrates parents who often have to settle for less house.
The City of Newport Beach broke ground on its Civic Center & Park Project in May (in case you were wondering what all the blue fence and graders were doing there). Construction will continue through late 2012. The project includes a city hall building, one of the city's larges parks, a 450 space parking structure and an expansion of the Newport Beach Central Library. This is all located on the two parcels inland of the Central Library and bordered by Avocado Ave. and MacArthur blvd. The section of San Miguel between Avocado Ave. and MacArthur will also be expanded.
During the next 2.5 years, the project will be constructed in 3 main phases. The first phase will be done by the end of the year and includes extensive excavation, shoring and genertal site preparation. Late in 2010, construction will begin on the parking structure and that phase will last about 10 months. The thire and final phase of the project will begin in early 2011 and includes construction of the library expansion, city hall building and park. Construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm.
You are near to alkl this and will benefit when all is done. The city of Newport Beach is available to show you the project plans and hear your comments or concerns about the construction activity. There will be an Open House on Tuesday June 29th at the Newport Beach Central Library 1100 Avocado Ave. Newport Beach from 430to 7pm. Stop by and take a look and get any questions answered. If you dont have time you can also visit the website at www.newportbeachca.gov/civiccenter
Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike
Make A Wish Ice Cream Social
Posted May 13, 2010
SAVE THE DATE!!!
World's Largest
Ice Cream Social
On Thursday, September 30, 2010
This year's "World's Largest Ice Cream Social" will take place on Sept. 30th at every Cold Stone Creamery location nationwide. This year's creation comes from the brilliant mind of wish kid from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida . Her wish was to be a Junior Tastemaster and go behind the scenes of ice cream making. Every person who participates in the ice cream social this year will be helping make her wish even more amazing.
We would love to have all of you come and visit us and have a great Cold Stone Creamery creation for FREE and any donation you make will go MakeAWish to helping a child with a life-threatening disease, enjoy a WISH that will take him or her temporarily out of the realm of the hospital and doctor world they live daily.
The MakeAWish of Orange County is our "after hours" passion and we would love you to come by and join us at the Balboa Peninsula Fun Zone location of Cold Stone Creamery. So hold the date and mark it on your calendars for Thursday September 30th, 2010
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Parental Martyrdom
Posted May 10, 2010
"An emerging problem involves parents who spend themselves to the edge of insolvency bailing out their children. "It starts from a good place, basically from wanting to be a good parent," Klontz says. "They'll say that Johnny is going through a rough patch and needs some help. But it becomes financial enabling."
Worse, it often causes the parents to suffer money woes that keep them from retiring or living comfortably because they're constantly paying Johnny's bills.
Any time you help an adult child, you should have a clear idea of how much help is necessary, how long it will be required, how it will help the child get back on his or her feet, and when (or whether) the child will have to pay you back. When there's no plan - just an open checkbook or couch - you turn the child into a dependent who becomes increasingly incapable of taking care of himself, Klontz says.
"I talk to the parents about how their attempts to help are like giving a drink to an alcoholic because his hand is shaking. This kind of helping is hurting," he says. "Then we talk about what kind of help would really help." (Hint: That kind generally doesn't involve cash.)"
written by Brad Klontz
An all too common occurance. Let them learn from there mistakes and grow This is how children learn
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
CALIFORNIA - Just One State
Posted May 10, 2010
This is only one State...............If this doesn't open eyes,
NOTHING WILL ! ! ! !
From the L. A. Times
1.40% of all workers in L.A.County (L.A.County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.. 2.95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens. 3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens. 4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers. 5.Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally. 6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages. 7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.8 Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal. 9.21 radio stations in L.A. are Spanish speaking. 10.. In L.A.County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L.A.County.) (All 10 of the above facts were published in the Los Angeles Times) Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops,but 29% are on welfare.Over 70% of the United States 'annual population growth (and over 90% of California,Florida,and New York) results from immigration. 29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens. We are fools for letting this continue HOW CAN YOU HELP ? Send copies of this letter to at least two other people.100 would be even better.....This is only one State................
What do you think about this?
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Corona Del Mar Marathon
Posted May 3, 2010
Yesterday we were out doing our morning 3 mile walk and we able to cheer on the Walk/Run Marathon in Corona Del Mar. It is always a good feeling to see so many good hearted, generous people doing or assisting the Marathon event for a beneficial cause.
Many people enjoy these Marathons and gain support from friends, associates and relatives for the sole purpose of raising donations for whatever cause is being served by this particular Marathon.
I applaud these unselfish individuals who come out with their children, pets, and friends early in the morning, with weeks of preparation for the fund raising or in kind donations from supporters of the event and cause.
We should all consider, becoming one of these selfless, generous supporters. We need many more like these individuals.
We particular support the Make A Wish Foundation of Orange County as Wish Granters and fund raising at benefits.
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Is NOW the TIME to BUY?
Posted April 26, 2010
There are many indicators of the Real Estate Market. Everyday I get asked: do you think we have hit the bottom? What do you think will be the bottom if this is not the bottom?Should I buy now or wait to see if they get better?
Well if I had a crystal ball, I would be retired now and traveling the world. My whole family would be wealthy beyond belief and I would be happy to give you the benefit of my answers from my crystal ball.
However, all we can do is look at the indicators. Some tells of the woes of more short sales, more bank foreclosures, more price drops, higher unemployment, higher interest rates; and yet others show us the the medium home prices are increasing 14% over last year, new home builders in Irvine are raising prices 6-7% and prices are great because they are 45% below the high of Feb 2005 top. Fullerton economists say prices will increase around 5% and greater after 2012.
There are different markets in different areas. Irvine in unique because it has a low crime rate (highly advertised), one of the best schools in the Nation, and a lot of walking trails and parks planned through out. Beach cities have better temperatures, walking distance to the Ocean, some views, etc. Areas like Riverside were over built because of the promise of a dream home for reasonable prices, which were inflated because they could be and still be cheap.
Homes below $1 million are going fairly quickly, homes over are taking 1-3 years to sell unless priced well. The “Tides” by Standard Pacific development in Newport Coast just went back on the market at great prices and are selling in the $6 million range; priced well.
In the HOT market of wild increases and over biding, people were being greedy buying to flip homes, with no upgrades, and with loans on stated income; which means you really didn’t have the income to qualify for the loan. They also got negative amortization loans which means you banked on the increases of the value so you paid minimal payments of maybe 1% interest and the remaining owed went back on the loan to increase the principle (you owed more than you paid but you didn’t care because you were going to make a killing quickly.
On the average, most homes are increasing in miniscule amounts but still increasing. Interest rates are still very low and if you plan on buying and living in your home for 10 years, it is well worth it to buy down your rate with points to make your payments comfortable. But to get back to the question of “Are we at the bottom of the market or have we hit the bottom” the answer is NOW is a good time to buy. If we are not there we are very very close, and those who buy now, it appears, will not get hurt. Buy your home, the palace you want to live in and couldn’t afford. Get a great rate and make it comfortable to pay. Do your upgrades so that you enjoy it, not to get more money out of it later. If and when you sell, sell with the thought that you saved tax money that you normally would have paid Uncle Sam because you didn’t have any deductions; you got to enjoy and raise your children in the environment you chose, and you most likely will get your purchase price back out of your home, maybe more.
Why rent. Buy now, contact us
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
The Healthcare Bill isn’t the only thing costing us Billions!
Posted April 22, 2010
The American Obesity problem keeps getting bigger and bigger. According to the Center for Disease Control, the normal range of obesity is 10-15% Nationally. In 1996, the rate was 20% and by contrast, today we are at 30% Nationally, with 3 states in the South over 30%. While the focus of the Heathcare reform is the cost to Americans, the bigger or at least the equally expensive cost to our pocket book is what Obesity costs us. Obesity causes Diabetes, heart problems, kidney problems, high blood pressure, stroke and more. According some estimates, Obesity costs the US Healthcare system $263 BILLION annually. The dramatic rise is in American's diet, foods high in saturated fats and low in fruits, vegetables and grain.
If we were smart, we could save ourselves tons of money by eating right and of course exercise would definitely help. What are your thoughts?
Marlene Dietrich,Tony and Mike
California Now forgives Short Sale losses from your taxes
Posted April 15, 2010
Governor Schwarzenegger on Monday signed SB 401 (Wolk) into law providing distressed homeowners with state tax exemption on debt forgiven in a short sale, foreclosure, or loan modification. Effective immediately, this bill generally aligns California's tax treatment of mortgage debt relief income with federal law. For debt forgiven on a loan secured by a qualified principal residence, borrowers now will be exempt both from federal and state income tax consequences. The tax exemptions apply, with certain restrictions, to debts discharged from 2009 through 2012. Californians who have already filed their 2009 tax returns may claim the exemption by filing a Form 540X amendment.
Taxpayers who do not qualify for the above exemptions (e.g., second home or rental property) may nevertheless be exempt under other provisions. Most notably, taxpayers who are bankrupt are exempt from debt relief income tax. Also, taxpayers who are insolvent are exempt from debt relief income tax to the extent their current liabilities exceed current assets.
This is great news. Both Fed and CA state are forgiving for home owners who lost jobs and could not afford the loans during this depression time.
Source of information from CAR
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Second Trust Deed holders Pushing Back
Daily Real Estate News April 14, 2010
Lenders Push Back on 2nd-Lien Cuts
Executives representing major lenders told lawmakers that principal reductions on second mortgages may not be enough to heal the housing crisis and should not be their sole option for modifications.
They warned that forcing write-downs on second liens could rattle the markets, inflate downpayment requirements, tighten credit criteria more, and boost risk premiums for mortgage credit.
Executives also noted that they have been able to modify first-lien loans without also modifying second-lien loans.
Source: American Banker, Donna Borak (04/14/2010)
© Copyright 2010 Information Inc.
This could make the Short Sale process a little tuffer and a little longer
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Daily Real Estate News April 14, 2010
Loan Delinquency Rate Takes a Notable Dip
The percentage of delinquent mortgages declined to 6.57 percent in the first quarter from 6.60 in the last quarter of 2009, according to Equifax and Moody’s Economy.com.
This is the first decline in the delinquency rate since the first quarter of 2006.
"It portends a peaking of the foreclosure crisis," says Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s.
Reasons for the decline include tougher lending standards, mortgage modification efforts and a more stable job market, economists say.
Source: USA Today, Stephanie Armour (04/14/2010)
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
SUNSET RIDGE – BANNING RANCH – What is your Opinion?
Posted April 9, 2010
I have been following the progress of the City of Newport Beach creating a park on Sunset Ridge just below the Newport Crest Community. As a Realtor, I have many clients of mine living in this community and enjoying the fabulous ocean views including the peace and quiet. The latest City Council meeting held on March 23, 2010 brought out many homeowners as well as those who want to preserve our Nature Resources and keep open land. From the very beginning the City has told us that Sunset Ridge would not be built upon, the only thing that could happen is a Park would be built. Well, that is exactly what the City is doing, putting in a Park, a very nice park. In my opinion the Park on Sunset Ridge will improve the looks of that un-kept field. What I don’t like is the access road the City is spending all that money on to build, when there is a parking lot on the other side of Superior that could be enlarged with a walking bridge constructed across Superior to keep park-goers safe. The access road will bring a lot of noise and pollution to the Newport Crest homeowners plus it makes it easier for Banning Ranch to develop. In my opinion it would be a big mistake for the City of Newport Beach to waste so much money and I am against letting Banning Ranch develop this property. I feel the City of Newport Beach should give more thought to the idea of allowing Banning Ranch to develop and take away this open land, we need to preserve as much undeveloped land as possible. Why isn’t this a priority to the Newport Beach City Council? Why isn’t this cost-effective means of saving the tax payers money while using what we already have, a simple solution? What is your opinion?
Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike
The Governor of California is offering buyers a new tax credit
Posted April 2, 2010
AB 183 will provide $200 million for home buyer
The positive impact of the federal home buyer tax credit is clear. Nearly 40 percent of first-time home buyers said they would not have purchased a home if the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was not offered, according to C.A.R. research conducted last year.The state's previous home buyer first-time home buyer.AB 183 will significantly contribute to the effort to stimulate jobs-creation within California's housing market by helping to incentivize first-time home buyers to purchase homes that have been abandoned, foreclosed upon and returned to the lender, or have been sitting on the market for extended periods of time. It is these homes that will require substantial rehabilitation by the new owners, which will in turn generate a tremendous increase in jobs and accessory purchases connected to
This report comes from California Association of Realtors.
This should help the home buyer with more credits; help you buy with a little assist from your State with your tax money you would have normally have to pay. You can use that to assist you with your desire to buy a home now that prices are low and interest rates are GREAT
Remember us Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Out Sourcing Medicine. Is that the Future?
Posted March 30, 2010
As many of you are aware, health care has been a hot topic recently, and will remain a discussed and debated topic for months to come. Many experts expect a toned-down version of the health care bill to pass this summer.
Instead of boring you with analytical detail, I am going to give you my practical view of where medicine is heading in the future. Unfortunately, my vision is not bright.
Let us start from the beginning. When I was a medical student at University of Southern California, the tuition fee was $12,000 for the first year and increased to $16,000 during my fourth year. Currently, the tuition fee is $44,800! This means from 1986 to 2010, a 24 year period, the tuition fee has increased 272%. This translates to an average annual increase of 11.4%, which is significantly more than the inflation rate. Remember, this does not include cost of living, transportation, etc.
The data shows the income of physicians has not increased and in some specialties has slightly decreased over the past ten years. Therefore, medical students are graduating with a larger and larger debt, with an income which is not even keeping up with inflation, let alone cost of education.
Then there is malpractice insurance, which is mandatory for all physicians, if they plan to work at a hospital or perform surgery at a surgery center. The average insurance cost for a plastic surgeon in California with a “clean” record is around $25,000-30,000/year. The rate for an OB/Gyn doctor is $50,000-60,000 or more. This is equivalent to the annual salary of the average American family! Why are the rates so high? Part of the problem, if not all, is the ease with which law suits can be filed and the ability or inability of a jury to correctly asses the data. I know of a case where the jury awarded $70, 0000,000 to a patient for inability to have sex after a tummy tuck surgery! This is not a typo and I will confirm the award: $70,000,000. Having said this, I have read of cases where the surgeon was clearly at fault and the jury did not award the patient. The point is I do not believe a jury of lay people has the capability of adequately evaluating complicated medical lawsuits.
Furthermore, many of these cases take years to resolve. Why do we have such an inefficient legal system is not clear to me. Common sense, however, tells me if an attorney charges by the hour, why would you want to have an efficient system?
Another issue is Medicare’s plan to reduce payment to physicians by 21%. This probably has nothing to do with reducing the cost of health care as much as balancing the budget. Unfortunately, PPO and HMO companies adjust their payments by using Medicare fees as a base-line.
There is now increased government intrusion (some of it good, most of it extra paperwork for less payment). The new big thing is pay for performance, meaning physicians will be awarded for being efficient and cost effective in their delivery of health care. Why not do the same to the judicial system? Can you imagine the amount of money and time which will be saved? Why not have all medical lawsuits screened by an experienced panel (may be two physicians and two judges). The decision to pursue the lawsuit should be unanimous and the final decision should be unanimous as well. I urge you to write your representative in congress about changing the legal system. Even writing to your local newspaper to cover a story about the “hidden” legal cost of health care can’t hurt. The problem is trial attorneys pour an annual budget of $6.5 million to lobby at Congress. The change may never happen, but it is worth a try.
What about universal health care? I think it is important for every one to have coverage for basic and emergency medical care. However, please note this will not equate to increased income for the hospitals or the physicians. With the budget deficit as it is, the payment for the newly insured will come from decreasing payments from Medicare and other programs. In other words, the hospitals and the doctors will have to see more patients with no increase in re-imbursement. This has to affect quality of care at some point. I wish I had an answer how to cover every one without financial sacrifice, both from the medical side and from you, the tax payer.
What does all of this mean? Well, the number of applicants to medical schools has dropped 20%. I know of two people who got accepted into medical school this year and decided to pursue other careers. If this trend continues, medical schools have two options: either lower the standard of admission or accept foreign medical graduates. Outsourcing of medicine has the advantage of hiring these doctors after residency training with less pay. Many of these graduates will have a better quality of life than in their own country, even with lower salaries. The question is how to pick the “cream of the crop” and will the “cream of the crop” be as good as the medical applicants from this country? Either way, I see a potential decrease in the quality of applicants and, therefore, quality of care.
Many of you may say “Oh, here is another doctor who whines all the time. He probably plays golf all the time and makes millions.” Yes, this statement was true in the 1970’s, the so called “golden age of medicine”. My generation is more like the “cubic zirconium” age of medicine!
But to put things in perspective, a plastic surgeon goes to four years of college, four years of medical school, and 6-8 years of residency after that. That is 14-16 years of education beyond high school. An attorney goes to 3 years of law school and can practice after passing the Bar. The cheapest attorney fee I have seen is $250/hour, and the attorney charges by the hour. The insurance companies, however, reimburse physicians by the procedure code they use to describe what was performed. The payment is fixed, regardless of the time of surgery. What about a basketball player with college or high school education? How about getting paid $200,000-1,000,000 a month to throw a ball through a hoop! How much do you think it is worth allowing a surgeon to cut you open, take things out or re-arrange things and then put every thing back together so that you are better off after surgery?
Michael A. Jazayeri, M.D.
This is a Dr’s option about the new Health plan of Obama’s
What do you think?
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Do you know what to Eat?
Posted Mach 29,2010
Everyone seems to be overweight or on a diet. Not too many people know what to eat to stay health. It's not a big mystery. Everything in moderation..You can have anything you want but in MODERATION. When you go out, minimize the bread...they only give it to you to fill you up so that the main course you get will be enough, no matter how tiny it is. Then have salad prior to the main dish, it helps the digestion and fills you. When you meal comes, socialize and eat in between your conversation. This will take time, you will eat slower and you will enjoy your meal more. Then for desert have a table desert and share it. Really all you need is a few bites to satisfy that sweet tooth. You had a full meal.
Of course, you are not going out to eat all the time. Eat more often and smaller meals. Have snacks in between meals to that your full all the time and eat less. Missing a meal doesnt help you lose weight. It fools your body into thinking that you are starving so you body will slow up your metabolism so that no matter what you eat you will still GAIN weight.
Lastly, the biggest reason for gaining weight is snacking at night. Go ahead and snack but eat right. Small amount and not to late. Whatever you eat after 7pm depending on how late you stay up, will be deposited as fat.
It's simple. Eat more often, small quantities and exercise always helps
Enjoy
Thant's what we do!
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
How to Gauge Your Middle-Class Status by Rick Newman
Posted March 26, 2010
Assessing Your Middle-Class Status
Despite the so-called recovery, many families continue to struggle, with income and other living standards slipping below thresholds that typically represent middle-class quality of life. We've assembled a variety of metrics to help determine whether you're getting ahead, holding steady, or slipping further than most.
Income
For the 50 percent of families in the middle of the scale, household income ranges from $51,000 to $123,000 for a typical four-person, two-parent family. The median is about $81,000. Those numbers are from 2008, and have probably fallen 5 to 7 percent since then, on account of the recession. Median income for a single-parent, two-child family is about $25,000.
Housing Costs
For two-parent families, the typical home is worth about $231,000, accounting for $17,600 in mortgage payments and other costs per year. Housing costs have risen by more than twice as much as income since 1990, a trend that may finally be reversing thanks to the housing bust.
Home Size
The housing bubble was one factor that boosted housing costs, but the typical family also lives in a much bigger home. The median size of a new, single-family home jumped by 40 percent between 1979 and 2007, to about 2,300 square feet. That may now be declining, as families downsize and some get booted from homes they can't afford.
Medical Expenses
You've probably heard - healthcare costs are going through the roof. A study by the middle-class task force headed by Vice President Joe Biden says the median two-parent family spends $5,100 per year on health insurance and non-covered expenses-assuming an employer provides health insurance. Healthcare costs have risen far more than any other aspect of the family budget since 1990, with no end in sight.
Cars
They provide mobility and represent freedom, one reason the typical family spends about $12,400 per year on two medium-sized sedans or the equivalent, with a new-car value of $45,000. The recession may have dampened our love of the road, however: Americans are driving less and car sales are off about 40 percent.
College Savings
The typical family puts aside $4,100 for college expenses for two kids, estimated to cover about 75 percent of expenses at a state university. Financial aid helps with the rest. But if possible, toss more into the college fund: As states face budget crunches, tuition and fees are going up.
Vacations
One week at the beach or another destination is standard, at a cost of $3,000 or so for four. More affluent families can afford two weeks, at a typical cost of $6,100.
Retirement Savings
A median-income family that saved 3.2 percent of its income-roughly equivalent to the national saving rate-would sock away nearly $2,600 per year for retirement. Of course many families don't hit even that modest goal, and stock-market losses over the last several years have further shrunk the national nest egg.
Everyday Spending
Clothes, food, utilities, entertainment and other living expenses amount to $14,200 a year for a median-income family. Not surprisingly, this is one set expenses many families are trying to reduce, by buying more discount brands, using less or doing without.
Number of Earners
In 76 percent of two-parent families, both parents work. The higher the household income, the more likely it is that both parents are contributing.
Hours Worked
Few parents will be surprised to hear that Moms and Dads are working more than they used to. The total number of hours worked in a two-parent family is 3,747 per year, up 5 percent since 1990. The increased hours add up to more than four 40-hour weeks of additional work per family.
Education
The typical household head has a high school degree plus about two years of college education, up by more than a full year of college since 1990. Good thing-education is a key factor in lifetime earnings, and high school dropouts face a dim future by nearly every measure.
Free Time
What's your top priority? In a 2008 poll by the Pew Research Center , it wasn't healthy kids, a strong marriage or a great career; 68 percent of respondents said it was free time. (And just 12 percent said it was being wealthy.)
Household Net Worth
The typical household has a net worth of about $84,000, according to the Federal Reserve. That's down 30 percent since 2007, thanks to losses in stock portfolios and home values.
Debt
About 18 percent of disposable income, on average, goes toward mortgage payments, auto loans, credit cards and other forms of household debt. That's a bit higher than it was in the '70s and '80s. But since debt payments peaked at the beginning of 2008, at 18.9 percent of income, they've been steadily falling.
So what are you? Are you in the middle class? Or are you upper middle class?
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Retire with a Million Dollars
Posted March 25, 2010
by Joe Mont
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Conventional wisdom says you need to save $1 million for retirement.
That target may be easy to remember, but it falls short of the true cost of what's required for post-career comfort. Longer life spans, the threat of inflation and the uncertain future of Social Security benefits make this long-touted savings advice inadequate for most, advisers say.
Scottrade recently polled 226 registered investment advisers on the topic and found that 71% don't believe $1 million is enough for the average American family. Most said families need to save double, or more than triple, the amount.
"Younger generations, especially, need to set their retirement goals higher than other generations and start saving as early as possible," says Craig Hogan, Scottrade's director of customer-relationship management and reporting.
The survey solicited opinions about the current investment habits of Americans. Questions were broken down by generations to determine advisers' opinions on average investment goals in today's dollars for various groups.
Generation Y (ages 18 to 26) needs to save at least $2 million, according to 77% of advisers. Forty percent put the figure at $3 million.
Nearly half of advisers (46%) said Generation X (ages 27 to 42) should at least double the $1 million goal. Twenty-two percent suggested more than $3 million.
For Boomers (ages 43 to 64), 35% recommended $2 million to $3 million. Thirty percent suggested $1.5 million to $2 million.
According to Scottrade's analysis, seniors are the only generation that may come close to needing only $1 million. Forty-four percent of advisers said $500,000 to $1.5 million is sufficient for average families in that age bracket.
Bill Smith, president of Ohio-based Great Lakes Retirement Group, is among the advisers who took part in the survey. As he sees it, too many people rely on online retirement calculators. Much of that guidance uses a target based on making do with 70% to 80% of pre-retirement income.
"I've never been a big fan of planning to earn less in retirement than you are making now," he says. "I'd like to see an individual continue making the same amount of retirement as when he was working. Who wants to set themselves up in retirement to make less?"
While most people will spend less when they retire, inflation or the onset of a long-term illness could wipe out savings without proper protection or planning.
That said, there's no secret to meeting a retirement goal: maximize your contribution rate, have a greater tolerance for risk when you're younger and downshift to bonds as you grow older. Successful preparation, however, begins with setting a realistic goal and understanding your true financial picture.
Debt needs to be carefully considered as well as leaving money for the kids.
"There are two extremes," Smith says. "There are individuals who say, 'We don't care if we have anything left the day we die -- we are OK with that last check bouncing when we are gone.' Then there are the individuals who don't do anything in retirement because all of their decisions are made around, 'I've got to leave it for the kids.' "
-- Reported by Joe Mont in Boston.
Copyrighted, TheStreet.Com. All rights reserved.
WOW, I thought that was a lot of money but it's not enough
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
ON THE MENDS The California Real Estate
Posted March 24, 2010
According to Article provided by CAR (California Association of Realtors) California experienced a 59% drop from peak to hitting bottom in 2009. Nationally homes went from top to bottom at 29%.It has been said by some economists that since this decline was so deep that we are further along in mending and returning to a normal market than the national market.
With the Mortgage still at an all time low: 30 year fixed below 5% and 5 year fixed at 3.87% , the federal government extending the First-Time Buyer Tax Credit thru 4-30-2010, With low inventories the homes on the market are getting multiple offers which stimulate an increase in prices.
There are many indicators that tell us that we are in a balance market with buyers and sellers while homes are affordable and payments are manageable.
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Historic Health Bill Passed
Posted March 23, 2010
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was on hand for the occasion, since the Sunday vote to pass the bill will stand as the cornerstone of her legacy as speaker. Also in attendance for the ceremony in the East Room of the White House were a number of ordinary Americans, whose struggles with the existing health care system affected President Obama's resolve to get the measure through Congress. In his opening remarks, Vice President Joe Biden noted that the Roman poet Virgil wrote that "health is wealth" - and that the signed law would make "Ameircans a lot more wealthy."
When President Obama observed that the members of Congress had a rough time in the spotlight as the measure met with many setbacks along the way, an unidentified lawmaker in attendance shouted "Yes we did!" Others in the enthusiastic crowd started up the chant of "Fired up and ready to go!" echoing the shouts at Obama rallies during the 2008 Democratic primary season. A follow-up ceremony at the Interior Department was to include a much larger group of participants and onlookers.
The ceremony, while historic, won't mark the final enactment of the health care package. That will probably happen sometime next week, after the Senate approves the companion bill of proposed House "fixes" to the underlying legislation being signed into law today. Since the Senate only needs a 51-vote majority, the House's "reconciled" bill is widely expected to win easy passage in the chamber.
In the meantime, President Obama will launch a speaking tour to bolster public support for the legislation, which has been trending negative in recent polling. He launches the tour with an event Thursday in Iowa City, Iowa. Democratic leaders will be making such public appeals a priority in the months ahead, as they hope to stress the most popular features of the bill - such as banning denial of insurance based on a patient's pre-existing conditions, and closing the "doughnut hole" that denies some seniors eligibility for the Medicare prescription drug benefit - as bankable achievements to save embattled Democratic seats in Congress.
I would like to hear what you think about this.
We have our opinion but would like to hear yours.
and proceeded to have lots of data about ORANGE COUNTY Inventory of Homes for Sale were UP; 30 Year Mortgage Rates were UP ( 0.01%): MORTGAGE DEFAULTS WERE DOWN 35%
from Last year.......all the Data source was from DATAQUICK....and this is on page 6 in the Real Estate Section.
If yoiu turned to Page 12 of the Same section under FORCLOSURES
the big article titled " MORE INVESTORS BUY FLORECLOSURES"
there was a section that stated ORANGE COUNTY MORTGAGE DEFAULTS UP 13%
and they qualified their statement by saying According to DATAQUICK's monthly report....
How is that possible??
SAME source...different conflicting information..What do you believe??
They will write whatever it takes and twist the information, and let you have it in such a way
that you dont know what to believe..but it doesnt matter as long as you buy the paper or watch the news.
Yes people are defaulting but things are getting better in different sectors and not in others.
It will take time for everything to correct, but things are looking up. Dont give up...
We wont…..
Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
Posted March 18, 2010
According to SmartMoney.com
The rules that credit-card companies have to live by changed dramatically with the enactment of new regulations last month. Now, some of the rules for consumers striving to maintain good credit are changing, too. For the most part, card holders would still do well to pay on time, keep their balances low and refrain from applying for too many credit cards at once. But some of the old tenets may not always hold up, as credit-card companies continue to adapt to the new environment and look for ways to run their for-profit businesses. Case in point: Many issuers introduced annual or inactivity fees in the weeks leading to or immediately after the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act went into effect. "Now folks have to decide - do they want this card badly enough to pay the fee, or do they close it," says Barry Paperno, the consumer operations manager at FICO (FICO: 26.04, +0.43, +1.67%). It's a question of more than just losing a credit line. Closing a credit card can have a big impact on one's credit score. That is, unless you do some groundwork in advance. With the help of some easy - if often counterintuitive - steps, you can improve and retain a healthy credit score even in today's fast-changing credit environment.
Here are five: Read more: 5 New Rules for a Healthy Credit Score at SmartMoney.comhttp://www.smartmoney.com/Personal-Finance/Debt/5-New-Rules-for-a-Healthy-Credit-Score/#ixzz0iTHnHACj. Marlene Dietrich, Tony and Mike
