tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post90679913746092708..comments2023-12-30T10:06:37.450+00:00Comments on HousingPANIC - The Housing Bubble Blog with an Attitude Problem, 2005 - 2008: Spin, hamster, spin! Faster, faster, faster!bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585266242070350399noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-80835345838792105152008-02-22T21:58:00.000+00:002008-02-22T21:58:00.000+00:00AND NEED ONE TO GET A USAGE PERMIT ON YOUR PREOPER...AND NEED ONE TO GET A USAGE PERMIT ON YOUR PREOPERTYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-90689810747650240872008-02-22T21:56:00.000+00:002008-02-22T21:56:00.000+00:00TRY BEING AN ARCHITECH AND NOT KNOW YHE COMPOSIT P...TRY BEING AN ARCHITECH AND NOT KNOW YHE COMPOSIT PRICES, YET BE EMPLOYED BY GOVERNMENT MANDATE...NO WONDER I COULD NOT EVEN SPELL IT..........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-41908435734321391502008-02-21T23:12:00.000+00:002008-02-21T23:12:00.000+00:00"attend a place like the Univ of Chicago Law Schoo..."attend a place like the Univ of Chicago Law School and work for an IP firm"<BR/><BR/>Yep, a friend did that (BS engineering plus top tier law, I think it was either Columbia or Penn) and started at $187K, right out of law school. He didn't make partner, couldn't hack the cronyism, but he's cruising at a solid $250K, working a regular 48-50 hour work week relative to others who're at 65-75, struggling to make partner at an M&A or corporate type of firm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-20349303469910990202008-02-20T22:18:00.000+00:002008-02-20T22:18:00.000+00:00"In case you have gotten your degree already (and ..."In case you have gotten your degree already (and now refuse to read), I will repeat myself: I have worked in genetics, banking, biotech, defense, the list goes on and on. "<BR/><BR/>I did engineering as well and have been doing ok because I switch jobs continually. I'd worked for all the aforementioned industries for the past two decades.<BR/><BR/>When a DuPont decides to move 2K R&D jobs to east Asia, what's there to do but to switch industries for the average person over there? Now, when most of the other mainstay firms: Appl Matl, Intel, Dow, Honeywell, IBM, etc, all do the same thing, how many opportunities does that create for the profession as a whole? <BR/><BR/>Realize that after the age of 45, age discrimination kicks in the tech job markets and it's no longer easy to go from an options trading desk to let's say a data miner/analyzer at a Vertex if your head's not full of darkened hair. Usually, after a certain age, that's when the companies hire tech leads, etc, and that's when having been in one industry/sector, but not having been fired but regularly promoted is what's desirable. <BR/><BR/>If anything, I would only recommend engineering to someone who can get the grades (3.6+) plus LSAT to get into a top tier law school later for patent/IP work. Then, that person can work for let's say 5-7 years, gather experience (plus savings), and attend a place like the Univ of Chicago Law School and work for an IP firm (with hopefully an international angle) with more career stability.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-60738685474401652702008-02-20T19:52:00.000+00:002008-02-20T19:52:00.000+00:00Try being a doctor or engineer without a college d...<B>Try being a doctor or engineer without a college degree.</B><BR/><BR/>Ok, I tried (as an engineer) and it worked out great!<BR/><BR/>In case you have gotten your degree already (and now refuse to read), I will repeat myself: <I>I have worked in genetics, banking, biotech, defense, the list goes on and on. </I> Not exactly simple industries to work in.<BR/><BR/>Google Frank Abagnale Jr. for a life lesson. And there's a reason Lincoln is considered our greatest president.<BR/><BR/>As far as doctors, pleeeease!<BR/><BR/>Unless you work in ER or as a general practitioner, your job is about as routine as baking cookies. Well, maybe not quite, but close. <BR/><BR/>We should replace most doctors with illegal aliens; then maybe we could keep health care prices from bankrupting our nation. I (for one) am tired of paying for the student loans and swimming pools of people that can no longer diagnose anything (read: can't think critically) and charge 200 dollars for their time when all they are is the local gatekeeper to an Amoxicillin prescription or some peice of technology.<BR/><BR/>And how about pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, ....on and on. Useless, overpaid pedigreed gatekeepers whose jobs could be learned by your average fool in 6 months MAX.<BR/><BR/>Did anyone ever sit down and document all the horrible things this outmoded system has done to our economy and the quality of life of it's people? I doubt it, I really do. That would take critical thinking...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-24150870376802066362008-02-20T19:12:00.000+00:002008-02-20T19:12:00.000+00:00::Try being a doctorThere are already some 35-40K ...::Try being a doctor<BR/><BR/>There are already some 35-40K American or PR college grad applicants for 18K seats. This is a pretty well defined licensed profession and is the best investment for a studious person.<BR/><BR/><BR/>::or engineer without a college degree. <BR/><BR/>There are already a lot of places, (minus the MITs, CalTechs, Carnegie-Mellons) out there who'll offer scholarships for those with 750+ Math scores. And if one doesn't have top math scores starting out, SAT I/II and Olympiads, etc, the chances of completion a/o getting an internship are dismal. Nonetheless, is it worth studying something where your industry's going to Korea, China, and the Ukraine anyways?<BR/><BR/>::Try being a scientist<BR/><BR/>The current crop of scientists are basically international students doing PhDs and postdocs around the country. This is a dead zone and is only growing for the living dead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-76207059889831671002008-02-20T16:06:00.000+00:002008-02-20T16:06:00.000+00:00"The guy who claims to have maxed out his 401k for..."The guy who claims to have maxed out his 401k for this year has to make a minimum of $675,000 per year in salary/commission according to federal laws for maximum 401k contributions.<BR/><BR/>675000 / 6 * .14"<BR/><BR/>I'm the guy and you are wrong. One can elect to put in 100% until you max out.<BR/><BR/>I've had 4 pay periods. 15500/4 = 3875 per pay period<BR/>3875 x 24 pay periods = 93,000. That is less than the MEDIAN household income for my city. <BR/><BR/>Funny how you clowns argue with me and call me rich. Just because you're all pathetic fools who really are still spenders and consumers just like the rest.<BR/><BR/>Keith, you should have a topic on what misers like me do to save money.<BR/><BR/>I've never been to a professional sporting event. I never buy name brand clothes. When I do buy clothes, its at Ross or Target or TJMax. Most of my furniture was purchased used on Craigslist. My truck has 170000 miles on it.<BR/><BR/>I could go on and on you dummies. Keep attacking me and I'll just keep on savings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-21183491267107830522008-02-20T15:33:00.000+00:002008-02-20T15:33:00.000+00:00Every year our college educated workforce cannot a...<I>Every year our college educated workforce cannot accomplish much of anything</I><BR/><BR/>Try being a doctor or engineer without a college degree. Try being a scientist. Not everyone can be a blue collar tradesman. Not everyone can be a doctor or nurse. It's a diverse society and all kinds of people are needed. Some degrees are worthless. Others are invaluable. Just because you make good money without a degree doesn't mean that nobody should ever go to college.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-28857783305746191882008-02-20T14:48:00.000+00:002008-02-20T14:48:00.000+00:00What is a snapper turtle?What is a snapper turtle?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-22480651267592619532008-02-20T13:59:00.000+00:002008-02-20T13:59:00.000+00:00Anonymous said... The guy who claims to have maxed...Anonymous said... <BR/>The guy who claims to have maxed out his 401k for this year has to make a minimum of $675,000 per year in salary/commission according to federal laws for maximum 401k contributions.<BR/><BR/>675000 / 6 * .14<BR/><BR/>*************<BR/><BR/>HUH? There is a maximum per year. How that is allocated can be $15K spread out over 12 months or 2 months doesn't matterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-1766185061675959922008-02-20T13:16:00.000+00:002008-02-20T13:16:00.000+00:00"I mean the days when one could just self-learn, t..."I mean the days when one could just self-learn, to be an attorney like old Abe Lincoln, is gone."<BR/><BR/>Ain't (I know it isn't a word) that a part of the problem?<BR/><BR/>For the most part, the actual degree is really an HR seal of approval or the ability for one to sit the certification exam like the CPA. So while there's a feel good need-to-belong aspect of college, for the most part, it doesn't really add to anyone's intrinsic value, just a sense of belonging to a particular caste of workers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-22179598658150845092008-02-20T13:14:00.000+00:002008-02-20T13:14:00.000+00:00So while you are personally better off, your moral...<B>So while you are personally better off, your moral decision to go along to get ahead is suspect in my book. Your actions will be judged not by your wealth, but by the strength and wisdom of your character.</B><BR/><BR/>What I am saying here is that every person that suceeds without college serves as an example to those who don't want to submit to this stupid, outdated establishment. They show bosses and HR managers that their star players are normal un-pedigreed folk. They make the world better for the next generation. <BR/><BR/>Every person that goes to college blindly and marches along to the drumbeat of greed (since that - along with Keg parties and sexy co-eds - is ALL that motivates attending college), every person who does this, indirectly makes the world crappier for the next generation of job seekers. You are part of the educational arms race - one that teaches kids to be greedy, game the system, and go find their spot in the corporate sunshine. The same corporate culture that can no longer accomplish anything is one breed and born on campus.<BR/><BR/>You wait 20 years, and see what your degree is worth. By then, unless it's Ivy, it won't be sh*t.<BR/><BR/>And (as for the value of education), there is none. You may be smart, but college did not make you that way. <BR/><BR/>I have done SO many diverse professional jobs over the years - many I got by lying. And every time I was the quickest up-to-speed of any recruit. I have worked in genetics, banking, biotech, defense, the list goes on and on. <BR/><BR/>College doesn't prepare you for working, unless you count waking up early and accomplishing nothing of real value. You all know this to be true, but most of you have already sold your souls (and earned your piece of paper) and will never admit it. If you want to be educated, try books (and try them for the rest of your life, not for 4 years and then back to MTV.) They work, come straight from the erudite source, and don't cost thousands per lesson.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-53662523002151010852008-02-20T11:10:00.000+00:002008-02-20T11:10:00.000+00:00My household income is near the Median of the town...My household income is near the Median of the town I live in. Nothing extreme.<BR/><BR/>Nothing smarty pants about me. Its all very basic choices.<BR/><BR/>February 19, 2008 10:02 PM"<BR/>-----------------------------------<BR/><BR/>I said fancy pants, not smarty pants...refering to the $15K in 401k contributions in 2 months. Dude, if you can contribiute $7500 a month to your 401k, you are not making the median income for your town. Unless you happen to live in Belair, in which case those people going to work in the morning are not concerned about mortgage payments.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13750286862065420283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-81369052455357969152008-02-20T08:51:00.000+00:002008-02-20T08:51:00.000+00:00Anonymous said... I think I need some longer boots...Anonymous said... <BR/>I think I need some longer boots!<BR/>February 19, 2008 10:19 PM<BR/>==========================<BR/><BR/>Seriously man! How true is that...<BR/><BR/>Make sure to stock up on goggles too. The 'PTB' are really slingling it liberally. LOL :)Princess Mononokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062180421571379213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-28675327782133466932008-02-20T07:03:00.000+00:002008-02-20T07:03:00.000+00:00vallejo, CA is on the verge of bankruptcy (ETA Apr...vallejo, CA is on the verge of bankruptcy (ETA April 08)<BR/><BR/>http://www.nbc11.com/news/15345539/detail.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-83676949813273061572008-02-20T06:18:00.000+00:002008-02-20T06:18:00.000+00:00The stupid people are the HP'ers. They think they ...The stupid people are the HP'ers. They think they know it all and believe that real estate prices will continue to go down. What a bunch of losers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-78432565866642634772008-02-20T05:42:00.000+00:002008-02-20T05:42:00.000+00:00Not all forms of debt equates to slavery. My 40K i...<B><BR/>Not all forms of debt equates to slavery. My 40K in college loans means I make 100K/yr instead of 45K. And the professional ceiling is much higher with my specialized degree. My lifetime earning potential has increased by millions because I took on this debt. If I didn't take on this debt, I'd be eating ramen noodles 3 times per day like all the out-of-work realtors.<BR/><BR/></B><BR/><BR/>You still don't get it do you. I make almost 100K with no college whatsoever. Just so happens, I am smarter/more efficient than most of my peers. <BR/><BR/>The point is your debt is not valuable. 50 years ago, someone with no degree would have done what you are likely going to be doing. The difference is - they would have started working and saving at 20 years old. So what's next? Your kids will require 20 years of college to do your job?<BR/><BR/>Every year our college educated workforce cannot accomplish much of anything - if you truly have wisdom, you will see America seldom produces ANYTHING of value with any efficiency anymore. Sure, we produce lawyers that game the system, and auditors that enforce government bureacracy. That's about it. I have the most respect for the blue collar tradesmen and artisans in our culture - they produce real value while our college grads sit around conference tables playing (but just playing) grown-up.<BR/><BR/>College will benefit you, no doubt, but only relative to the falling wages of most Americans. You will fall behind less than your less educated peers. Meanwhile, the country (in totum) withers and dies while the next generation spin away on the hamster wheel trying to get their foot into corporate America's ever-more-exclusive door. I see this everyday.<BR/><BR/>So while you are personally better off, your moral decision to go along to get ahead is suspect in my book. Your actions will be judged not by your wealth, but by the strength and wisdom of your character.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-49532548701202563072008-02-20T03:39:00.000+00:002008-02-20T03:39:00.000+00:00The guy who claims to have maxed out his 401k for ...The guy who claims to have maxed out his 401k for this year has to make a minimum of $675,000 per year in salary/commission according to federal laws for maximum 401k contributions.<BR/><BR/>675000 / 6 * .14Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-83059866159619270462008-02-20T03:32:00.000+00:002008-02-20T03:32:00.000+00:00Are you really surprised geniuses, after putting t...<I>Are you really surprised geniuses, after putting two oil men in the White House TWICE?<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>How do you explain the price of oil being at record highs under Jimmy Carter? Was he an oilman? That was another Bush/Cheney conspiracy, right? That's what I thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-50041163333568877542008-02-20T01:00:00.000+00:002008-02-20T01:00:00.000+00:00This nation and most of its citizens, residents, d...This nation and most of its citizens, residents, dwellers have no ethic, no moral, no responsibility. What it has in plenty is greed, self-centerness, ignorance, pompousness.<BR/><BR/>The housing bubble is a shiny mirror in which the Americano can look at itself and ponder upon what may the future brings upon this land of the Snapper Turtle.<BR/><BR/>A nation that mostly comprises of pigs feeding, tearing, roosting, chomping at the trough.<BR/>A nation with most of its dwellers obese, fat, diabetic, and plain ugly like a chimpanzee.<BR/>A nation where a Walmart cashier can buy a house for $500K.<BR/>A nation in which its citizen's brain IQ is lower than a snapper turtle.<BR/>A nation which rules by turkey and skunk.<BR/><BR/>The Americano nation is as toasted as a roasted armadillo skewered from mouth to ass sizzling, popping, oozing with melted golden fat over a bed of white hot charcoal.AndrewHachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05114474456963405679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-15424908146071980962008-02-20T00:23:00.000+00:002008-02-20T00:23:00.000+00:00My nanny has a college degree in education, and ge...My nanny has a college degree in education, and getting her graduate degree in education while taking care of my kid. She is better at teaching the kid than I do. I work mostly from home . . . check in on the kid every hour or so. Renting the million-dollar house for less than $3k a month makes a difference of about $3k a month compared to paying mortgage . . . that's enough to pay for the nanny full time :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-4244373003381184102008-02-20T00:02:00.000+00:002008-02-20T00:02:00.000+00:00My 40K in college loans means I make 100K/yr inste...<B>My 40K in college loans means I make 100K/yr instead of 45K.</B><BR/>_____________________________<BR/><BR/>Sure it is, IF you can find 100K/year job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-26240171991235553632008-02-19T23:21:00.000+00:002008-02-19T23:21:00.000+00:00Not all forms of debt equates to slavery. My 40K i...<I>Not all forms of debt equates to slavery. My 40K in college loans means I make 100K/yr instead of 45K. And the professional ceiling is much higher with my specialized degree. My lifetime earning potential has increased by millions because I took on this debt. If I didn't take on this debt, I'd be eating ramen noodles 3 times per day like all the out-of-work realtors.</I><BR/><BR/>That is a valid point. The caveat I wanted to add though is the younger generation has been conditioned to just acrue debt even in circumstances where they could have avoided or mitigated the amount of overall debt.<BR/><BR/>Your school loan is a good example. I know several people who took school loans but they offset their need for loans by also saving more prior to college and having part time jobs.<BR/><BR/>Nowadays, kids are conditioned to just simple endebt themselves and not take any actions to offset the need for that much debt.<BR/><BR/>I myself never needed student loans because I worked in the summer and had a good scholarship. I don't necessarily think my situation was that unique. I just took proactive steps. Which also included working during high school.<BR/><BR/>But Generation Y is too busy buying worthless trinkets and trying to live it up like MTV taught them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-46843104882341554972008-02-19T23:15:00.000+00:002008-02-19T23:15:00.000+00:00They need to put Kendra Todd into a hamster wheel ...They need to put Kendra Todd into a hamster wheel and have her spin it.<BR/><BR/>Putting her in a sexy bikini would be a plus too. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Would also drive the point home that in the end, she was nothing but eye candy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-43090667811227461342008-02-19T22:30:00.000+00:002008-02-19T22:30:00.000+00:00"My 40K in college loans means I make 100K/yr inst..."My 40K in college loans means I make 100K/yr instead of 45K"<BR/><BR/>Dude, I don't mean to break this to you but that's not called living the debtor's life but the opportunity cost of entering a profession.<BR/><BR/>I mean really, how's one suppose to be a [ pharmacist, lawyer, engineer, etc ] without attending a university type of program? I mean the days when one could just self-learn, to be an attorney like old Abe Lincoln, is gone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com