Capitulation

That's been the word I have been saying for the last few days. I think it means when everyone is selling their stocks, then experts say that we are near or at bottom of the market. I think that's true. 2 Fridays ago, the market dropped to 700 or so, and the following Monday it went up 1000 points. After that it has been up and down. Must be profit taking mixed with panic selling.

Capitulation or not, this economy has taken it's toll on almost everyone I know. Things that you would not think twice about buying last year, now warranted a second thought.

But we have to stay optimistic. We can only go up at this point. On to another subject.....Turning 40 seems to be a hot topic among some friends that I had coffee with last Sunday morning. I asked the question " what do you want to do before turning 40?". So, here is the list:
1) Alvin still wants to do a fantasy football camp with USC trojans
2) Fidencio wants to join a band (Not the marching type)
3) Patrick wants to do a stand up comedy act
4) Mark wants to spend more time with friends (I know, we called him on that). But, he is still thinking.
5) For me, I wanted to buy that damn SUBMARINER Rolex that I have been eying for the last 10-12 years. This thing's price keeps going up every year. Imagine that.







So, we marked the date, and we set forth to try and accomplish our goals. We will see what happens. Check back with you in just a little over 14 months from now.

UNBELIEVABLE TIMES!!

Let's see the last time I blogged, I commented on the AIG fall out, and noted that I think WAMU was next. Fast forward today, Wednesday, October 9, 2008.....and WAMU is GONE!!! Bought by JP Morgan. AIG is still in trouble, Morgan is desperate for cash, banks are not lending money, Financial Companies are hammered (METLIFE, HARTFORD, PRINCIPLE, Etc.)...oh and the market continues to TANK down to today's depressing close of 680 point to about 8500 with the DOW.

Keep in mind that just about 1 year ago, DOW was peeking at 14,000. That is about a 40% drop in value. We have to go back to about 5 or 6 years ago to be at the same level as we are now. All that money wiped out in about 15 months. Someone said that Americans have lost about 5-7 Trillion dollars in their retirement money during those 15 months of decline....OUCH!!!!!

This SUCKS!! I know the right thing to do if you have money in the market is to hold on, but man, that's some major stomach turning going on there. It's one of those easy to say, hard to do.

A lot of experts are optimistic about where we are as being close to the bottom, and if you sell off now, then you might miss out on the upswing of this market....there in lies the rub as they say.

Experts also say that this is where millionaires are made. During unique market conditions like this,(If you have the BALLS to do so) this is the time to buy stocks at heavily discounted prices. I wish I had some cash to buy, I am so sure that you can double your money in a year or two. Imagine that.

Well, I can keep going on and on about this market, but I think I will take the road less traveled, and say that we are going to make a huge comeback in the market within the next few months.....Mcain will be our next president, and real estate will make a huge comeback in the next coming year. HEY, we can only hope....right?

A.I.G. Bail-Out....who's next? WAMU

Man, another insane day in stock market. After news broke this morning that the Federal Government will allow a bridge loan in the tune of $85 Billion dollars to bail out the troubled Insurance giant AIG (American International Group).

You would think that that move would have somewhat calm the market, but instead it drops another 400 points. So, if you had money in the market, just this week alone, you would have lost about 8% of your money.....In less than a week! The worst part is that the weeks not even over yet.

Anyways, this deal will allow the Fed to own 80% of AIG, and AIG agrees to pay back the Feb within 24 months. I am sure it will be for a pretty high interest rate. At least the Fed is making money on this deal. Maybe they will use it for another "Stimulus Check" to give us, the average Joe tax payer. (I can only hope)

It's amazing what has been happening. I red somewhere that this is comparable to the colapse of the financial market during the great depression era. But, the big difference is that the Federal Government is actually doing something to try and prevent an all out cathastrophy. I mean, they have their hands on Fredie Mac, and Fannie Mae...now its AIG. Kinda scary.

I wonder what tomorrow brings to the market? I heard that WAMU is next on the chopping block of banks that are in need of help....what about Morgan Stanley, or Goldman Sachs? Some bank like Wells Fargo will probably buy them sooner than later.

But, like the investors of the great depression, if you stay the course (Assuming, you have at least 10 years in the market or more), then history shows that your money will be ok. I believe that, and I believe in the market, and I still believe in this free market system. We just need to hold on tight.

Let's cross our fingers for better news tomorrow.

The Sky is Falling

Yesterday was a bad day if you follow the financial market. The Dow dropped 500 points or about 5% in one day with the news of Lehman Brothers collapse, and Meryll Lynch being sold to Bank of America. I mean I never thought that this would happen in my lifetime. Lehman is an institution that has been around for over 150 years. That's a long time. On the same day, AIG (American International Group) comes out looking for money because they don't have enough, and today the Fed decided to bail them out in the tune of $85 Billion dollars. Thats just crazy!!!

My opinion is that it's all about GREED for these large companies. They just leveraged themselves too much, and gambled that they will come up ahead on this subprime realestate debacle. I wonder how long this negative news will continue. I know that in the long run, your money is better off in the stock market, but the way things are going, you kinda start to wonder where the hell should you put your money that will be safe. And get this, WAMU is another bank that got a "Junk" rating. WAMU? ....who's next, B of A. I am thinking B of A must be crazy. They just acquired the ailing mortgage company Country Wide, and now they are in the process of buying Merryl Lynch. Either they got money, or? Just imagine, the image of that BULL with Meryll for stability will no longer exist. The company Meryl Lynch which symbolized the elite investors advisors will now be called something in the line of B of A advisors......tragic.

They say that banks are FDIC insured of up to $100K of your cash money. But, I heard somewhere that the reserve has a maximum amount aside fo $50 billion dollars. But, get this, with all these banks in trouble...they are actually at $1 trillion dollar at risk. Now, you do the math. Is your money really safe in the bank?

Hopefully, this week we will get some positive news. I saw a commercial of Mcdonalds offering "Fancy" Coffee now. Made me think that Micky "D"s might be a good stock to buy :)

Complacent and Lathargic

It's about 10:30 pm, and I took a break from working to put some thoughts in. Recently, I had a good friend FINALLY leave. He stayed with me for almost 6 months. Not something I anticipated or was prepared for. I'm so thankful to my wife for being so understanding. Even though I know, she was not happy with the situation. I felt bad for my 5 year old son, who had to put up with our guest.

What came out of this experience was realizing how much it interrupted my life. I apparently am not the person than can kick this guy out of my home. I was never good at ending things or . I was not the type that just "Tells you like it is". I tackled problem internally, and avoided confrontation as much as possible. Don't get me wrong, I'm a "GO GETTER" kinda guy, but it seems that I always just try to brush off every problem by ignoring it, until its either a bigger problem or it's sometimes too late to solve. It's my biggest weakness.

Gotta get more "TOUGH" with life. When I do decide to tackle problems head on, It always seems to turn out better than what I thought it would be. It just seems that sometimes, things just pile up, and then you just Freeze and do nothing at all.

Back to this friend of mine. I was literally in a state of "Hold" with my life when he was here. It was so liberating when he left, that I told myself this situation will never happen again. I have to say NO or I have to set LIMITS. Not just to him, but to certain things I do in life. I have to know my limits when it comes to my clients. I have to say NO to taking clients that are just not going to be very productive for my business. I have to be able to "TELL PEOPLE" how I really feel, and stand firm. Indecisive is such a destroyer of my progress. Sometimes, it's better to say Yes or No rather than a maybe or not sure, or especially no response.

Going to try to work on that. My livelihood depends on it.

Blogging Again is like talking to an old friend

It started about 3 years ago when my brother introduced me to the world of blogging. The first one's where short and sweet, but then it evolved into more of a cyberspace confession booth. You know, I think that is why therapist are around; it just seems so much easier to talk to a total stranger about your thoughts than someone close to you. By blogging, you get to put your thoughts out to a world of mostly strangers, and you don't have to pay for it...great concept.

Then in early 2006, I just stopped. Like a lot of people, life happened. I don't have a specific reason why I stopped, I just did. But lately, people around me started talking about blogging, and I said to myself..."Hey, I used to blog, wonder if I still have that account?"

So, I logged one night and checked the "Favorites", and there it was...Blogger.com. The challenge now was to remember the password and ID. After a few attempts, I was a in. Let me tell you, it's like watching an old episode of your favorite show, except it's your past thoughts. It was an amazing experience to read what you where thinking 2-3 years ago. As I red my own posting, each one brought me back to that moment, and why I wrote what I did. Some where funny, or at least I thought it was. Others, where just useless, random thinking. But, what was more important was that it made me realize how much I missed blogging. So, like committing to working out on a regular basis, I, RUFINO AUTUS, declare that I will start and continue blogging once more; and vow not to stop for any reason...........or at least till something more interesting comes along :)

So, off I go on this adventure again. I say goodbye for now my old friend, it was nice to talk to you again, and I am looking forward to blogging with you soon.

Dont treat a problem as a problem

Ever been to a point where you question what you are doing in life? That happens to me often lately. There are those things that you as a person is suppose to accomplish in life. Milestones that are set for you to try and achieve so that you can be accepted in our society.

The progression of life goes something like this, Here is what I consider my personal "Milestones of Life:
1)Graduate
2) Find that "Special Someone" and then you build a strong solid relationship with that person
3)Find a "Career" and not a Job
4) Marry that special someone and commit your life together forever( At least that is what you hope for)
5) Buy your first house
6) Have a child
7) Buy a nice car
8) Start a business
9) See your children graduate high school as well as college
10) Retire and enjoy the rest of your life with that special someone by your side...then hopefully, you have lived a full life before you pass on.

I am the type of person that thrives on challenges and motivation. It seems that I have hit a wall of some sort, and I am trying desperately to get my thought in order. Its crazy!!!! Reaching a level in your life takes a lot of work, but it seems that once you get there, it even takes more work to maintain your level that you have accomplished. It's easier to probably take a step back, but emotionallym, it is almost impossible to do.

I guess my only choice I am giving myself is to be creative everyday that I get up. I heard someone said once "Don't treat a problem as a problem.....rather look at them as opportunities."

So, that is where I am....I think so much of all the problems that I face on a daily basis, and it started to bring me down, but....I started applying that concept of looking at everything as an opportunity, and all of a sudden, things are not so bad after all.

No Time

So, it's been a while seens I have blogged.(At least that is what my brother keeps reminding me) Well, where oh where do I begin. Last I left my multitudes of eager readers of 2 maybe 1, I was griping about shopping for Christmas. Well, not much has happened seens then. Except maybe my saddest birthday ever. When I was a young lad, I use to celebrate birthdays with more hoopla and pizzaz. I'm talking clubbing with freinds, alcohol pored all night, doing my "HAMMER TIME" moves on the dance floor...then topping it with late night eatings at an undisclosed local diner. And if luck happens to come my way that night.....well, let's just leave it at that.
Fast forward 10 years later....picture in your mind a house in suburban San Diego; decent neighborhood; 2 story with a 3 car garage. (No pets...yet) Inside, a man is celebrating is 36th birthday. Surrounded by his wife, child, sister, nieces and nephew, and brothers with their respected spouses, as well as in-laws. In the dinning area conversation between my brother in lawa can be heard about how interesting my minianture village looks (don't ask, that in it self is another story). Then I hear one whisper to the other....."This is so gay", fortunately, the person he whispered it to was me. Now, I admit that it is a little gay in sort of festive 50 years old man way, but damit, I was proud of the little village I built for my son. Nobody cared. Well, as if the night was not exciting enough, my wonderfull sister proceded to bring out the birthday cake with a picture of myself possing like a retard. Everybody got a big kick out it, and they laught and laught while I cried inside. Ok maybe I didn't cry inside, but I wanted to.
Then as if that is not enough, my older brother decides that it was ok to invite a guy that nobody knows to demonstrate a new business he was getting into. So, for the next 2 hours or so, this guy tried to sell us VACUME!!! yes .....VACUME!!!! on my birthday.

Yes, I think that was definetly the lowest note in my Birthday history. But, I look at it this way, this year won't be too difficult to top for sure.

Power Shopping

When my wife proposed we take a day off to do some Christmas Shopping, I was all for it. 3 weeks before Christmas sounds like the perfect time to get it done. Because one of the things I absolutely hate is "Last Minute" shopping. It never fails, It's always the day before Christmas and we are out in the mall getting something for someone we forgot or changing gift ideas for another. It's ridiculous. Ok, take a death breath....."WOOOSAAAAAA"
So, anyways, after dropping off my kid, we where off. We started at Marshalls and 3 hours later, we ended up at Fashion Valley for another 4 hours. You would think that's enough time, but I was sadly mistaken. To be fair, it is hard to shop for people now a days. If you don't have a list or at least an idea what to get someone, and you decide to walk around hoping things will just pop out when you see it, you are sadly mistaken. You end up getting lost in this place between heaven and hell. At the end you will not have anything for anyone but yourself. So, long story short, Take it from SANTA; make a list, check it twice....That's your best bet. Back to my story......."Shop till you drop" was our mantra. How women do it will always amaze me. We where able to kill off most of the names on the list, but with a few exceptions. Overall, we accomplished a lot, and I think we will do this again next year. Unless we move to Wyoming or something....then we don't have to worry anymore. Good luck with that.

I'm Old

Since winter began in San Diego ( A low 49 degrees in the evenings), I started feeling my joints aching when I wake up; or when I sit for a long period of time and I suddenly get up. What the hell is going on? isn't this something that happens to like someone in their 80's or something? Yes, maybe I am out of shape....no, it is because I am out of shape.

I mean, I should be in the prime of my life, and here I am almost falling down the stairs because my "Grandfather" body says....GET ME A CANE AND SOME METAMUSIL BIATCH!!! It's amazing how your mind works. About 1 year ago, I decided that I will loose weight by reducing my Kanin intake( That's RICE for non filipino speaking people); as well as run on our treadmill 20 minutes everyday. For about 4 months, I was on track. I lost about 10 lbs. Then, I stopped. I do not know why, I just stopped. Fortunately, I only gained 5 lbs. back, but I have not exercised since.

THAT'S IT!!! I am slapping myself as I type.( That sounds wrong in many level). Ok, I am re-committing to taking better care of myself. That is that. I owe it myself, my family, and people who are no longer around to make that decision. So, hopefully I am still Blogging 1 year from now so I can give an update to myself. See you next year SUCKA!!!