U.S. CFOs Outlook - An Interesting Big Picture

U.S. CFOs are expecting a 20 percent increase in their net earnings,compared with 13 percent last quarter.

Despite their climbing optimism, CFOs on average continue to believe that that the unemployment rates will remain at high levels for the next six to 12 months.

Source:  CFO Quarterly Outlook May 2012

Improvements are occurring in the U.S. economy despite lackluster politicals.  Perhaps a rally in U.S. stocks may help raise sentiments positively going into summertime.  I believe that Valueline Survey's estimate that GDP growth will hover around 2.0-2.5% is a fair range; however, it is concerning how events in Europe will unfold and affect market psychology.  Having commented here, I believe that investors remain smart about what instruments to invest in to achieve investment strategy and portfolio management goals.  For now, CFOs are tweeking numbers here and there. 

The real question is who is sacrificing quality to meet bottom line expectations.  Also, there are U.S. corporations carrying a lot of cash on their books so opinion is strong that acquisitions may be in the pipeline. 

Until corporations can finalize their tweeking, unemployment may remain high going to year end.  As a rule, January is a great time to interview and get hired because of corporate budgets. 

Bless Me in Financial Abundance

Many prayer requests these days are financial bondage ones where folks are eager to be debt-free, to have financial means to obtain 1) a nice place to live or 2) a means of transportation or 3) a way to ease the discomfort stemming from day to day living, and to cry aloud in a way possible in this modern society.  Upon reading several online prayer requests, I feel my heart go out to these folks as many of us are familiar with financial limitations.

Today is a challenging time where once given items are not free.  For example, at the fast food restaurants, I have to ask for ketchup for my order or get a fork to eat my salad.  The canned fruit aisle has certainly changed.  Pears used be in a 16 oz can for $1.29 and now are in a smaller 11oz can for $1.89.  There are more empty stores than before.  The auto service repair folks are outside flagging people to come in the door for immediate service.  Checkout lines are longer because fewer people are employed to work the cash register.  At a local preschool, the director omitted a classroom and two teacher salaries to remain on budget because enrollment is low.

Psalm 67 states "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations."

Perhaps our financial challenging times are upon us to get our attention and reprioritize it on the One who can give comfort and financial peace. 

If you are a military member or spouse and are in need of financial assistance, there are programs available but usually these are for the ones who have deployed or are currently deployed.  Veterans have some other programs to reference.  At a time when the military is reshuffling its pool of people, it is important to contact every possible resource, organization or network rather than sit on the couch, play on the computer and/or text all the time.  Engaging in traditional old-fashioned social networking is a magical endeavor that you will benefit from in the long run. 

National Guard 101: A Handbooks for Spouses

Mary Corbett has written a book titled National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses.  Her web site page is www.marycorbett.com.  I highly recommend this book to fellow military spouses trying to learn about the Guard and what it is all about. 

Hurray for Our Heros

Final Question for the Wives of Faith Blog Carnival

Why do I love being a military spouse when it is not exactly the life that I wanted to choose for myself?  I love the higher calling of loving my husband who serves his country because at the end of the day when all else is done, he comes home, not to a house but a home full of joy, encouragement and grace.  It is an honor to love and support my hero.

For those who have wonderful heros seeking employment, check out Hire a Hero for more information about how verterans and their military spouses can find employment. 

Cautious Turn in Europe Affects US Markets

It is well-noted that after the French election, a cautious turn of events in Europe is affecting U.S. Markets.  This is a disappointment as France is going to the far left politically at a time when it's unemployment rate remains in the double digit.  I've toured foreign businesses and can vouch for French entrepreneurs that their paid workers will not work.  Capitalism is dead.  The quality of living is dismal.  We complain of the French smelling bad but what the French people must do is not bath so as to conserve on their water bill.  It's a matter of finances.  A young educated woman must delay marriage and seek employment in a town two hours away from where she lives thus paying a high gasoline bill and spending a lot of time in the car.  She commented that she is lucky to get the job.  These folks are smart, educated and hardworking people yet the policital environment as well as the legal system restricts opportunity to profit and for capitalism to enhance the fruits of their labor.  Perhaps other European countries are to follow.  Back home, America may be a house divided between capitalism and socialism but it's offer of free enterprise may be challenged as politics and other special interest groups intervene.  Hence caution is advised for accounts exposed to investments in European markets or for American companies who derive more than 50% of their profit in Eurocurrency. 

Bird Picture For Wives of Faith Blog Carnival

Some creative writing  below where bird and military spouse parallel one another.  The Wives of Faith Blog Carnival topic is to post a picture that you've taken and then describe the story.  Below is a story from the female bird's perspective on life and her surroundings in the picture. 

She sits.  Yes, she sits and deals with the world and all its challenges coming her way. Is someone staring at her?  Is an innocent bystander wondering what’s going on? Maybe for once it’s okay to let her guard down and show her true side.  Is her mate looking at her with concern and love?  Yes, her mate is looking at her.  It’s nice that her mate is interested in her.  It’s nice to know that her world matters to her mate. Yet, it’s as if the world is upon her little body, and she can’t sustain things anymore.  She’s still.  She ponders. She lets out a big breath and enjoys the relaxed sag of her body.  She awaits the next move.  Her present world is available for all to see.  Her private world teeters upon exposure.  She collects her thoughts.  She prays.  She wonders what’s next or not.  She is uncertain of her future, only the present is telling.  She is in her home.  She’s tired.  She needs rest and restoration.  She seeks little in return for what she’s given.  She comforts with her presence.  She gives with what she can.  She loves in a way that her mate understands.  She cares beyond measure.  She observes her surroundings.  She collects her thoughts.  She thrives in her mate’s love.  She takes it all in.  She prepares to become what God wills her to be. 

I wrote this because often military spouses experience similar feelings and emotions that perhaps folks cannot grasp or acknowledge.  It is a lifestyle that is different from many.  There's a certain vulnerability that military spouses endure especially during times of deployment.  When I took this picture at the zoo, I had no idea that I would draft this kind of write-up and yet when I look at this beautiful bird in the picture, I can relate to those times in my life where I am tired, uncertain and experiencing the very things written above.  So often, we military spouses forget to take care of ourselves, nuture ourselves and rejuvenate our minds and bodies.  Perhaps this picture is a kind of reminder for military spouses regardless of deployment or not, to make time for yourself.  It's worth it. 

The financial perspective to keep in mind is that health and wellness is a great preventative for costly medical bills.  Taking a hot bubble bath or jogging or attending a bible study or something that brings fun along with health and wellness is a great long term investment for pennies on the dollar.

Best Military Spouse "Hoooah" Moment

Accentuate the positiveand describe your best military wive Hoooah moment!

My husband’s Guard unit was returning from Iraq.  It had been a long deployment for many, and back home, there were few there to receive folks.  The main building was empty except for 2 or 3 people.  I had a bunch of red, white and blue decorations from a Fourth of July party and decided to recruit folks to decorate the reception area for our Welcome Home Festivities.  Being a small unit, I decorated the walls and even posted an American Flag doorway for folks to bust through as they came into the building, kind of like NFL where the football players run onto the field.  Just a little touch of decoration was at least something that I could do for folks who served our country in a combat zone.  Later my husband told me that the commander was grateful for the decorations as it was a morale booster for many.  It’s nice to know that little efforts can go a long way. 
Go to Wives of Faith for more information about the military spouse ministry.