more turbulence...

Where we're at:

dow: 10471
s&p: 1106
10yr: 3.54%
VIX: 22.32
s&p P/E: 20.06

equity: 29
bond: 32
cash: 39

1 yr: 12.3%

I plowed my spot award along with some spousal inheritance into a 6 month CD called our 'car fund'. We intend to replace our 11 yr old minivan in the spring, assuming no employment surprises. However, my spouse may get one. Her boss is weak at communication, either intentionally or not and has done a poor job of communicating expectations about her continuing employment at her new job. So, she may be unemployed again soon. However, I've told her not to worry about it and just do the best she can to meet the company's expectations. I'm not sure what will happen, my instincts say it could go either way. I think it depends on the mood this guy is in on any given day.

Because of that, I'm holding off giving the MS car salesman any information about our assets for her sep IRA. I shouldn't have pushed her to open the account, usually I'm careful about that stuff. Until about 30 days ago, she seemed to be doing fine. She is doing support, sales, and A/R. If she is canned, they'll have a hole to fill and the remaining geeks can't do the day-to-day marketing grind. I have tried to lift her up and encourage her. I think if they give her some more time, she'll be successful. We'll probably know something by the end of the month.

I have stopped worrying about my job. I think I'm safe for now, but it still depends on the economy. I have one more full week and then the last of the 2009 furlough weeks and holiday shutdown. Still I think I'm where I'm supposed to be and I'm cautiously optimistic about 2010.

The market continues to be too optimistic in my opinion, so no new buying for us.

health, family, home, job, investments...in that order