The United States is currently ranked in the bottom ten nations by export value. While the US imports tend to be high, it can be criticized as exporting poorly – in this instance tying in rank with Greece.
Most nations report their imports using the cost-insurance-freight (c.i.f.) valuation basis and exports on the free-on-board (f.o.b.) basis.
F.O.B. numbers can vary greatly depending on a nation’s location, size, and proximity to its neighbors. As the dollar declines in value it tends to get more expensive to import foreign goods while exports tend to increase because the cost of US goods drops.
19.Jan.10 
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A new infographic (click the image or here to expand) seems to indicate that the median home should cost about three and a half times the median salary.
Additionally, it’s surprising how much interest rates have fallen since the mid-eighties when a sixteen percent mortgage could be considered a good deal. The considerable reduction in interest paid makes it so today’s median debt to income ratio is at a thirty-five year low.
25.Nov.09 Upside Down Comments (0)
CNN is running a story about real american’s interactions with the economy. One anecdote of note involves a crain operator engaged to a hair stylist that, thanks to government assistance, were able to qualify to purchase a $750,000 home.
At the mortgage rate quoted, their mortgage payments come to well over $4,000 a month. A couple would normally need to make at least $144,000 annually to hope to qualify for such a steep payment.
That the government is using tax money to see to it that buyers are able to qualify for loans they couldn’t get otherwise would indicate that our country may not have learned much from the mortgage meltdown.
photo credit: istartedi
03.Sep.09 Upside Down Comments (2)
Many occupations come with a COLA (cost of living adjustment) raise each year to assist employees with inflation. This year many employers have found it necessary to reduce or eliminate such adjustments as a means of cutting costs. The Social Security program even announced last week that they do not intend to make any COLA this year or next.
With experts generally agreeing that inflation is taking place at an alarming rate, many Americans are finding it harder to make ends meet with their current paychecks. Prices on basic goods and other necessities are going up but many salaries are not.
This is certainly not the first time in history that the decline of the dollar has hurt consumers. Click on the image to view the decline in the dollar’s purchasing power over the past century.
31.Aug.09 Upside Down Comments (0)
Many Americans do not carry health insurance, far more do not carry any sort of vision care. Those facing employment issues or pressing optical issues they cannot afford often do not realize that there are options out there for the uninsured.
Vision USA is a free program offered in the United States to those with qualifying incomes that provides optical care to those that qualify.
While requirements vary in every state, generally in order to receive free services, you must:
- Have a job or live in a household where there is one working member
- Have no vision insurance (this may include Medicare/Medicaid)
- Have income below an established level based on household size
- Not have had an eye exam within two years
Health care programs such as the above combined with discount prescriptions can help avoid getting into hopeless debt when medical emergencies occur.
photo credit: krystalchu
08.Jul.09 Upside Down Comments (0)
