I happen to agree with you and have used the tulip mania anaology. The Fed is way out on a limb here. Frankly I come to the conclusion that money markets, CD's etc are something I will never again be able to utilize as a savings vehicle/ladder because the Fed will hold a tight rein there unless and until it believes inflation can remains stable. There is also a concern for deflation. what's a Fed to do?

I was merely seeking clarity. I do hope that Dotti responds to my initial question.

For me, I invest in anything Warren Buffett is buying. My railroad stock is up 48% in 2013, which does not include the extra 50% match from the company. Car loadings continue to rise and 2014 will be another good year. Thank you again, Mr. Buffett!!

There are several railroad stocks, may i ask which one you prefer, i been thinking of buying some, but dont know which one is the best. Thanks

Thank goodness, I have my tickets for Ben. Can't wait to hear what "eye openers" he has to share.

The markets give and the markets take away!

We will continue our approach.... rebalance to our strategic allocation.

Is the stock market overvalued?
Will the tapering of QE by the Fed send the bond market spiraling downward?
Will inflation remain in check?
Will employment continue to grow in 2014?
Will the economy grow higher than 3% in 2014?

If I knew the answers to the aforementioned Warren Buffet would look like a piker next to me.

[Un]Affordable Care Act
 

With the [Un]Affordable Care Act now in place -- including higher monthly health insurance premiums for millions of individuals/families, along with higher deductibles -- it would seem to me that consumer discretionary spending will be negatively impacted.

That won't be kind to that segment of Mr. Market. We'll see (maybe I'm wrong).

Gene

I think you're right, Gene. I was in a local, large department store the day after Christmas about 10:00 AM and was amazed by the very few people in the store. You could go to any counter for checkout and returns area was empty. I mentioned the lack of people in the store to the clerk when I checked out my small purchase and she said the staff have all been warned about cuts in hours in anticipation of sales plummeting this year due to ACA. They're seeing it already and it isn't from internet shopping. Interesting, eh?

Yet many families and individuals seem to have the money to buy the latest smartphones with data plans.


Go figure!

The government is giving out free cell phones

ACA is destroying the insurance market not only for individuals but employer sponsored plans, Medicare Advantage plans with the exception of AARP's United Health and also the medical industry. The plans will have high premiums, higher out of pocket expenses and lower benefits so that a number of medical providers will refuse patients.

So ACA will have a negative affect on the economy and on the stock market coe 2014 unless it is repealed.

One thing is for sure. We will see how it turns out.

But I do not subscribe to the ACA doom and gloom, total destruction forecasts.

Back on the stock market topic....

I was much more worried 4 or 5 years ago than I am today. The US seems to be recovering.

Some believe the domestic stock market indexes are fully valued, some would say a bit overvalued.

But I am not too concerned about it. I have a plan and an approach. I am confident about how I manage it.

I was worried about QE and the wind down. But it appears that the Fed might actually pull it off.

Put it like this... most of us have a vested interest in the fed being successful.

I have a plan and approach for bonds also. Nothing too fancy. But it should help us (hopefully) to make the best of the situation.

For the longer term future ( 5 - 20 years)... I believe that our (new) situation with energy, along with continued technology innovation and development as well as innovation in multiple other areas... will help propel the US forward.

I am very optimistic about the US. No doubt, we will experience some bumps along the way.

Happy New Year!
Today will be the first day of trading in 2014. It should be an interesting day, week, month.
Sorry, I have not been on this thread Gene to answer you re: my S&P 500 ( not 550, typo queen here).
My S&P is in my 401K in the only indexed S&P option I have.Not a lot to choose from....
We are in the process of rolling over our 401Ks into a single self directed 401K. Our options are slim in the "company store".
Since my post we are up steadily.....We shall see what the next few days bring, and use the 20/20 vision in the rear view mirror to determine if the gurus were right or wrong.
Wishing us all a prosperous 2014!

2year 5.75% plan
 

Did you see the advertisement in the paper for a 24 mo. Plan @ 5.75% APR with Total Retirement Security Planning & Mentoring Group? Is anyone familiar with this or this company? Thanks!

If it sounds to good to be true it usually is. I would not personally feel safe using a firm that is not well know. Especially if it is advertising in a local paper.