good week...

Where we're at:

Dow: 10309
s&p: 1091.49
10 yr: 3.23%
VIX: 24.74
s&p P/E: 19.86

equity: 29
bond: 32
cash: 39

1 yr 8.3%

I had my best week at CSNA prior to my 6th week of furlough. First, the project teams had a recognition lunch with members of the SLT and we received gift cards. Second, I met with my team's director and gave my data mining presentation. It went well, and she has some ideas on how to use the knowledge. During the meeting, she mentioned the possibility of training in 2010. Our lead mentioned that we would be getting a shared cell phone, so no more using personal phones for support. Finally, I received an award for my work on the project. I'm finally starting to feel like my work is being noticed and I may have escaped further layoffs.

Spouse is still nervous about her job, I think it's just "newbie" syndrome. We talked this week and she talked to a peer who told her she is doing fine. Still, we'll hedge and not replace the kitchen flooring until 2010. Still doing other things around the house though. Spouse also received an inheritance that we'll put to work in 2010.

In my opinion, the markets have still come too far, too fast, so we're not investing except for tax deferred and roth. I'm also putting money into the HSA for next year's expenses. Not sure what health coverage will be like, so more hedging on the deductable amount.

6th furlough week...

Where we're at:

Dow: 10226
S&P: 1093.08
10yr: 3.49%
VIX: 23.15
S&P P/E: 19.55

equity: 28.7
bond: 25.7
cash: 45.6

1 yr: -.85%

Well, I wouldn't have believed it, but we are almost back to even. Spouse's 401k has finally made it to V. I never thought it would take as long as it did. I suspect that the provider was taking interest that we could have been earning by delaying the distribution, oh well. This morning I put 50% in short and int term bonds. I'll DCA into stocks, once they back off a bit. There are no fundamental reasons for stocks to be this high and I learned my lesson from the last 5 years. She is getting enrolled in her company's SEP-IRA. It is with a full service broker (used car salesman), hopefully he won't try to shaft her.

Spouse seems to be doing well in her job, she had a sale last week after her first month and she has demos scheduled. I avoided the layoffs (for now). My job still seems to be safe. We had an "all hands" department meeting last week, that did not cover very much. It mostly rehashed the TXT earnings call. So no news about layoffs, furloughs, or raises in 2010. My gut says more furloughs, but no layoffs or raises, unless the economy gets worse or better. My S&P target is still 900 by 12/31.

As we have been discussing, we are going to spend a bit to improve some things around the house (minor kitchen remodel, termite treatment, and new hot water tank). We have been saving money the whole year to cover these expenses. We'll not be in a hurry, but will probably have it all done by Feb 2010.