The report today from the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National [...]]]> The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works. The NBER is also the organization that tells us when we are in and out of recession.

The report today from the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research is that the recession which began in December of 2007 is over. Lasting 18 months, this was the longest recession since World War II.

Calling a recession’s end must surely be a delicate thing. If you look around, apart from this official NBER announcement, it’s hard to tell much has changed. Perhaps it’s like crossing a line you didn’t see.

Or maybe it’s like the aftermath of a storm. Once the storm has passed, it takes people a while to look around, identify the damage and decide where to begin.

The Recession is officially over. It may still be too early to celebrate, but I extend my best wishes to you.

It’s not now. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage has recently jumped from 5% to more than 5.3% and home buyers in [...]]]> If you purchased your home when rates were higher and you have not refinanced into a lower interest rate, you remember when 6% was a great interest rate.

It’s not now. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage has recently jumped from 5% to more than 5.3% and home buyers in the market are reportedly growing antsy to find a home and close before rates rise even more.

MSNBC.com has the article, Homebuyers scramble as mortgage rates rise: Higher payments could price many would-be buyers out of the market. It’s news, but not earth shattering. Rates will rise and homes will continue to be bought and sold. When rates were at 13% in the 70′s homes were bought and sold.

If you answered, “Yes!”, then you must explore Visualizing Economics, a beautiful blog by the talented Catherine Mulbrandon.

Explore Visualizing Economics and you won’t be disappointed. You’ll see a huge collection of financial graphics. Some of my favorites include [...]]]> Do you love economic charts and graphs? Does the thought of visualizing economics excite you?

If you answered, “Yes!”, then you must explore Visualizing Economics, a beautiful blog by the talented Catherine Mulbrandon.

Explore Visualizing Economics and you won’t be disappointed. You’ll see a huge collection of financial graphics. Some of my favorites include “Average Income in the United States“, “Prices, Inflation and Deflation: The Great Depression vs. the ‘Great Recession’“, and “United States Poverty Map“.

Most people have trouble [...]]]> If you surf the financial web sites or spend time watching the financial news channels on television, you hear a lot of BIG numbers being tossed around these days. Take the number for the US National Debt. It’s more than 12 Trillion (with a “T”) dollars. That’s a HUGE number!

Most people have trouble remembering numbers larger than 7 digits. And the phone company figured out long ago that splitting 7 digits into two smaller numbers of 3 and 4 digits makes it even easier for people to remember.

What do you do with $12 trillion? It’s 14 digits! And it changes constantly.

And how much debt per citizen or debt per taxpayer is $12 trillion?

There are other large numbers, too like the US Federal Budget Deficit ($137 Billion), total personal debt in the US ($16 Trillion) and US Credit Card Debt ($842 Billion).

One of the most fascinating web sites I’ve found related to the U.S. National Debt and these other large numbers is found at http://www.usdebtclock.org/. Don’t miss this visual feast of mind boggling numbers. And be prepared for shock. The numbers are not pretty, but the experience will be eye-opening!