WDCR SCCA Autocross #1, FedEx Field

April 23rd, 2006

Pictures | Run 1(72.566) | Run 2(72.924) | Run 3(72.170)  | Run 4(71.425+1) | Results

No Comments » | Autocross, Racing | Permalink
Posted by Rich

WMAL It’s Your Money Financial Expo

April 8th, 2006


Ric Edelman

Bob Brinker

Stephen S. Fuller, PhD

I attended the WMAL “It’s Your Money” Financial Expo today.  The expo was held in the Johnson Center at George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia.  There were many concurrent sessions to choose from, of which I attended the following:

10:00am- 10:50am

Main Auditorium
What’s Going to Happen Next in the Local Real Estate Market? An Economic Forecast
Dr. Stephen Fuller
The area’s economy’s has been leading the nation so far this decade. Our strong economic and job growth have produced record-setting increases in housing price and sales, but the housing market peaked last year and has already begun to decelerate. Why have our economy and housing market performed so well, and what are the prospects for the next several years? What are the threats to our local economy? Will the housing market improve in 2006? Learn about the market norms that buyers and sellers should understand before jumping into the market from Dr. Stephen Fuller, PhD, the area’s foremost authority on the regional economy.

11:00am- 11:50am

Main Auditorium
Money Talk: A Conversation with Bob Brinker
Bob Brinker
For 20 years, Bob has been there to guide you through the bulls and the bears in the world of stocks. Join Bob and Chris for a lively conversation

1:00pm- 1:50pm

Secrets of Buying or Selling Real Estate in Today’s Market
Jerry Boutcher
The local real estate market has gone through quite a roller-coaster in the past 12 months — from a red-hot buyer’s market last spring to a very chilly fall and winter. In this seminar, Jerry Boutcher, CEO of Monarch Title and a recognized real estate authority, will explain the psychology of every real estate transaction and show you how to get the most from your next deal — no matter what the market.

2:00pm- 2:50pm

Main Auditorium
Mind Over Money — The Mistakes People Make with Their Money and How to Overcome Them
Ric Edelman
You’ve read financial books, attended investment seminars and listened to radio shows about money. So why do you keep making the same mistakes? How come you’re not rich yet? In this entertaining session, filled with audience participation, Ric will show you what psychologists have learned in the new field of behavioral finance. You’ll explore such concepts as Farming vs. Foresting, Quilting and Accidental Anchoring — and discover how the human brain plays tricks on you that prevent you from achieving financial success. It’s Mind Over Money, and it’s unlike any financial seminar you’ve ever experienced.

3:00pm- 3:50pm

Main Auditorium
Panel:
Different Perspectives on Financial Planning
Ric Edelman, Stephen Fuller, Mary H. Lawrence, Jerry Boutcher
Moderated by Fred Grandy
Each decision you make has investment, legal or tax implications. See from the experts how the many facets of your financial issues intertwine . This panel event is always the Expo favorite!

After the session with Bob Brinker and Chris Core, I had a chance to meet Bob Brinker, shake his hand, and ask a question about getting new money into the stock market.  He said that he would be providing guidance on that subject in the MarketTimer newsletter, and historically, we have experienced a buying opportunity every mid term election year for the last 20 or so years.

During the session with Jerry Boucher, he talked at length about how the real estate market pendulum has swung from the sellers market to a buyers market, and how some sellers are having a hard time selling.  He said that now is very good time to buy, and no one knows how long the buyers market will last. During the question an answer session with Jerry Boucher, I asked if he had any advice for a first time home buyer that found it difficult to convince himself to pay an outrageous price for a home it today’s local real estate market.  Jerry said that a house priced at $500k today was probably priced at $400k a 3 years ago, and $300k 6 years ago, and if I believe that house would likely be priced at $600k, or more, three years from now, then it is just a matter of deciding to get into the market.  In other words, if I think the prices are going to continue to rise, then the sooner I get in, the better.     

Overall, the WMAL Financial Expo was great, with the highlight for me being the talk with Bob Brinker.

Links:

www.bobbrinker.com Bob Brinker
www.ricdelman.com Ric Edelman
www.cra-gmu.org Center for Regional Analysis, Dr. Fuller, Director  

No Comments » | Finance | Permalink
Posted by Rich

Lucky Number Sleven

April 7th, 2006

Lucky Number Sleven stars Josh Harnet, Morgan Friedman, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Willis and Lucy Liu. They give you some hints along the way, but you don’t get an idea of what is going on until late in the movie. Bruce Willis plays a professional hit man, and Morgan Friedman and Ben Kingsley play, once partner, now rival gangsters. The movie assembly is reminiscent of pulp fiction, with critical flashbacks throughout the movie. I really enjoyed figuring this one out, as the clues were slowly dispensed. I really enjoyed figuring this one out, as the clues were slowly dispensed. Those with a sensitivity to violence should stay away.  The movie opens with several people being murdered in the first 2 minutes, but the violence is moderate though the rest of the movie.  

No Comments » | Movies | Permalink
Posted by Rich