Rent to Own

Merrill Lynch's expectations for the housing market:

But with the sales backdrop still softening, they may have to slice their construction plans by another 30% before we hit bottom on a cyclical basis. And, that bottom could be as long as a year away. Beyond that, weak demographic fundamentals point to years of sluggish real estate activity, particularly in terms of the “price”. The looming dominance of the “move down” buyer suggests that home values will continue to soften long after the building industry mops up the current excess supply. In fact, real estate pricing in general can be expected to be in the doldrums through 2012.

Which, conveniently, is the first year that my net worth will become non-negative.

That's a scary thought.

Pop!

The latest law school term bill arried by e-mail. Some day, I will get used to the idea hitting a few buttons and sending ten thousand dollars off into the ether.

But today is not that day.

Pop!

A Remarkably Clear Brand Message

I got the most awesome/hilarious/tragic piece of junk mail today. MasterCard makes a direct appeal to my reptilian core:

"CARRY PLATINUM" the envelpe commands, "COMMAND RESPECT"

I read some of the fine print, and apparently the credit limit on these PLATIUNUM cards can be as low as $300.

Congratulations Are In Order

He told me earlier this week, and I didn't want to be the first to write about it, but Mikey got into Harvard Business School. This is awesome for him, of course, and it means that he'll be here in Cambridge next year. Which is good, because our flag football team needs another wide out with some legs.

Congrats, Mike.

Financial Aid

I just borrowed twenty-five thousand dollars, online, in under ten minutes. Online application, instant credit check, e-sign with my Master Promissory Note. I cannot decide whether my ability to do so is a good or a bad thing.

Well, Citi is giving me prime minus an eigth, so it can't be all bad, right?