Steadfast Finances

 20s Something Advice, Auto Sales, Business Trends, Consumer Education         10 comments

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There are just some things that Gen Y won’t pay for: news, music, banking fees, etc. Apparently, this social media savvy cohort doesn’t find a tremendous amount of value in these items or they can simply get them for free somewhere else.
This trend seems have spilled over — perhaps temporarily …

 Auto Sales         No comments

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J.D. Power just released their initial quality survey for new automobiles this week, and surprisingly, the overall quality of all the autos sampled have never tested higher.  Better yet, the quality gap between the Big Three and foreign automakers is shrinking.
Good news for consumers!  Bad news for parts suppliers and …

 Auto Sales, Consumer Education         2 comments

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It is just me, or does the history of Chrysler seem like that lady (or guy) that’s been divorced too many times?
Allow me to explain:

She’s got a lot of questionable baggage (e.g. debt) that may or may not hinder your future together.
Lots of Ex’s and old boyfriends that are sure …

 Auto Sales, Consumer Education         2 comments

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I’ve been fairly quiet about the Big Three Auto Bailout for some time because I really began to feel like I was beating a dead horse.
But this morning, I came across news that General Motors is cutting another 10,000 jobs in the U.S. but investing $1 Billion of federal loans to …

 Auto Sales, Bargain Hunting, Consumer Education, Vulture Investing         13 comments

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I had an interesting talk with a family member yesterday regarding her neighbors — the stereotypical Mr. & Mrs. Jones – who now find themselves in a personal finance bear trap.
They’re trying to unload their 2 year old SUV because they can no longer keep up with the payments on three cars.  That’s right folks – they …

 Auto Sales, Cutting Expenses, Frugal Living, Green Living         3 comments

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For approximately one year now, my old friend Dave and I have had a running bet.
I bet Dave that he would go completely nuts when he gave up his car for public transportation for an entire year.
Now that the weather has been below freezing in the DC area for the …

 Auto Sales         2 comments

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I’ve blown my negativity horn on the Big Three long enough, and I hope this post will the last time I feel the need to voice my displeasure about the Big Three Automakers anytime soon.  Not until they come back in March 2009 begging for more taxpayer money at least.
However, …

 Auto Sales, Buy on the Dips, Investing 101         No comments

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In the last few days, I’ve gotten several emails that reminds me of the one (and only) time I sat in on a high stakes poker game.
I say this facetiously of course, but I have received numerous requests from friends and readers who are repeatedly asking the same investing / …

 Auto Sales, Politics         4 comments

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CNBC’s Fast Money ran an interesting story this evening regarding Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally just prior to Congressional Hearing #2 where the Big Three U.S. Automakers will try their hand at begging for a bailout loan — again!
Jeff Macke’s research stated that the the drive from Detroit to Washington DC …

 Auto Sales, Financial Crisis         11 comments

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If you had a gangrenous foot, you would have it amputated.
Wouldn’t you?
Sure, it’s justifiable to be reluctant.  It’s justifiable to be completely scared out of your mind.  After all, what else would you have but fear invading your every thought while you are laying there your hospital bed wondering how …

 Auto Sales, Bargain Hunting, Energy crisis, Financial Crisis, Green Living, Index Funds, Retirement         2 comments

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The S&P 500 is below 1000.  Do you know where your investments are?
For edification purposes only, if you haven’t received your quarterly statements through the good ol’ fashioned snail mail just yet, take a quick peek into your online retirement account.
Feeling Hulk-ish yet?  Good!  Me too!
If you’re not into watching …

 Auto Sales, Bargain Hunting, Financial Crisis         3 comments

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60 Minutes just aired one of the best video segments I’ve seen (to date) that sheds some new light on the 700 Billion Dollar Bailout Question:
What caused the current financial crisis?
In the segment, 60 Minutes tapped credit market expert (Jim Grant from Grant’s Interest Rate Observer) to delve into …