Strange but True Facts

A financial planner and former client of mine, Mark Stoeker, sent this email to me.  It contains facts and figures about who is benefiting from today's economy.  I found it to be strange, but true.  In a nutshell, if your net worth starts with an M (million) or B (billion), then you are benefiting.  These facts point out that the gap between the rich and the middle class gets bigger each year.  Interestingly enough, my prior job was insuring the middle to lower class, but the clientele of my new job consists of primarily the upper class so I am able to see more and more of these transactions and habits of the high net worth on a normal basis.  It is interesting that this economy is actually helping them unlike the rest of us!

• According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, face lifts for men jumped 14% last year.
• The average bonus for a worker on Wall Street in 2010 was only $128,530.  It appears that more Wall Street bailouts may be needed.
• According to DataQuick Information Systems, the sale of million dollar homes rose an average of 18.6% in the top 20 major metro areas in the U.S. in 2010.
• In 2010, for the first time ever, more than a million U.S. families lost their homes to foreclosure.  That number is expected to grow even higher in 2011.
• According to Moody's Analytics, the wealthiest 5% of households in the U.S. now account for approximately 37% of all consumer spending.
• In 2009, only 18,288 vehicles with a price tag of $100,000 or more were sold in the U.S.  In 2010, 32,144 such vehicles were sold.
• Porsche recently reported that sales increased by 29% during 2010.
• Porsche has announced that they will soon be taking orders for their first hybrid sports car, the 918 Spyder.  The price tag on one of those puppies will only be $845,000.
• Approximately half of all American workers make $25,000 a year or less.
• According to the U.S. Energy Department, the average U.S. household will spend approximately $700 more on gasoline in 2011 than it did during 2010.
• According to a new study by America's Research Group, approximately 75% of all Americans are doing less shopping because of rising gasoline prices.
• According to the New York Post, Barack Obama enjoyed a total of ten separate vacations that stretched over a total of 90 vacation days during the years of 2009 and 2010.
• When 2007 began, 26 million Americans were on food stamps.  Today, an all-time record of 44 million Americans are on food stamps.
• The Ivex Packaging Paper Plant in Joliet, Illinois, is shutting down for good after 97 years in business. Seventy-nine jobs will be lost.
• Meanwhile, China has become the number one producer of paper products in the world.
• Luxury jewelry retailer, Tiffany & Co., recently announced that their profits increased by 29% in the 4th quarter of 2010.
• Average household debit in the U.S. has now reached a level of 136% of the average household income.
• The U.S. economy now has 10% fewer "middle class jobs" than it did just ten years ago.
• The average CEO now makes approximately 185 times more money than the average American worker.
• According to one recent study, 21% of all children in the U.S. were living below the poverty line during 2010.

Source: http://www.theeconomiccollapseblog.com/

First Day of...Work

August is back to school for most of the kiddos; however, August is back to work for me. 

I have been at Texans Insurance Group, formerly Curley Insurance Group, for a little over five years (five years this past July 11 to be exact).  Being employed at Texans has been like riding a roller coaster over the years.  The agency has gone from changing ownership, to changing names, to changing locations and offices, to changing policies and procedures, and now back to changing ownership again.  The agency is up for sale and the purchase will take place any day now as all of the potential buyers have done their due diligence and are now in the final phases of submitting their offer and intentions.  While I had fully intended to ride the wave even as things seem to diminish, I was approached by a past co-worker in regards to a position opening up in her agency.  A position that only I came to her mind as the perfect candidate.  I went on an interview which ended in a very positive note in all areas; I had a feeling that the job was in the bag. 

Meanwhile, two days later, my immediate boss turned in her two weeks notice.  This rocked my world as I was also contemplating leaving the agency (pending I would get an offer from the other agency soon).  My boss turning in her notice came a complete shock to me.  I thought she would be riding the wave with me at Texans, and she actually one of the main reasons I never wanted to leave Texans.  Also, with her being my mentor, I had sad feelings about separating from her and the department that we created.  All good things must come to an end, and I needed to accept the fact that my boss and I would not be working together forever anyway.  She was offered a position at a top, national (and international) agency; it is where most young professionals in our industry strive to work for, so she definitely needed to take the opportunity. 

In the midst of all of this, our upper management team met with me on taking over my boss's responsibilities and mentioned that I have the potential to take over her position and manage our department after the sale takes place (depending on the buyer).  However, there were no guarantees and nothing could be placed in writing.  Do I stick around through the sale while working overtime to satisfy mine and my former boss's accounts not knowing what really lies for me in the future, or do I turn my back and walk away...leaving it all behind me...giving myself a fresh start at another agency?

As I am sure you assumed, I did get the offer from the other agency.  I contemplated on both opportunities.  I made several lists of pros and cons.  I analyzed all of the "what ifs" by staying at Texans as well as the offer from the other agency that was laid in my hand.  I got advice from all areas and several people....  I asked many, many questions....  I tried to envision myself at both places a year from now....  I prayed to the good Lord....  And I went to a lecture led by Ron Reynolds.  Ron made a few comments that really hit home.  He said that you are not going to get anywhere in life if you continue to sit comfortably.  You have to go out and take a risk in order to gain.  You have to move yourself and make things happen.  This was the final piece to all of this mind and soul searching I was doing.  I then decided to take the job opportunity at the new agency. 

Once I made this decision and turned in my two weeks notice, I never looked back.  My only concerns were leaving my long time customers along with friends and family I had written accounts for and serviced over the years, as I have a non-compete clause stating I cannot solicit their business for two years.  Besides that and leaving our department short staffed with two people, I did feel slightly unsettling, but after informing them of my decision, I finally felt a freedom and self-worth that I have not felt in long time. 

I took a long weekend break from work.  Mark, my sister, and I took a mini-vacation with my parents to El Campo and Port Lavaca for a wedding.  I'll post on that later.  My last day at Texans was last Thursday and today was my first day of work at the new agency.  Boy did I forget what it felt like to be the new kid on the block (at Texans, I was one of the last men standing). 

Even though I am doing the same line of work, today was like my first day at school.  Everything is so new and there are so many new faces to learn.  I was sent home with homework (procedures manuals and paperwork to review and fill out).  There are several people I need to meet with this week in order to familiarize myself with their accounts.  I already have prospects coming to me that need quotes.  There are new carriers I have to get to know.  It is all so exciting but slightly overwhelming.  So much for being comfortable. 

I guess I can go ahead and tell you the name of it my new agency: TexCap-Concord Insurance Services.  It still feels funny saying that.  Everyone is so welcoming and friendly.  I know they are truly happy to have me on board.  I know I will eventually be comfortable at this new agency, and I know that I am already valued.  I look forward to this next chapter in my life and wish the same "back to school excitement" for you whether it be from a new venture, an addition to the family, or even a small, personal change. 

Stars and Stripes

It was fun to read about everyone’s Fourth of July weekend festivities.  My Fourth of July weekend turned out to be a very busy, jam-packed weekend. 

We kicked off the weekend on Saturday at our house.  My family came down from Texarkana Dad’s new truck.  For those that do not know, my family was in a car accident over Easter weekend in Tyler.  Someone rear-ended my dad which caused him to hit the car in front of him.  The truck was deemed totaled from the front and back.  My parents were in the front, and my sister and brother were in the back.  Needless to say, my family was OK as they came out with only a few bumps and bruises.  Mark and I had to go pick them up from Palestine.   My dad has been driving around a rental car up until last week.  After “oohing and awing” over Dad’s new truck (he got a sweet deal), we headed out to the pool.  Jessica brought her new dog so we were able to get to know him a little (he is a Chihuahua Terrier mix…name is tbd).   

Later that evening, we cleaned up then headed to my favorite restaurant, Campisi’s, to celebrate my birthday and Father’s Day (I'll do another post on my birthday festivities soon).  Campisi’s has been in the family for a long time.  My dad grew up going there with his brothers, cousins, and uncles (when living in Palestine, once a year, they would hire a limo to take them from Palestine to Dallas while getting tanked, then they would eat at Campisi’s and go to a Cowboys game).  My parents continued the tradition by taking us kids to Campisi’s every time we would come to Dallas for a weekend trip.  Now that I live here, I like to say that I continue the Campisi’s tradition as we have celebrated many events there from birthdays to girl’s night to family get-togethers.  I was extremely bummed when I found out I couldn’t have my rehearsal dinner there, but I am still fortunate we were able to get Campisi’s to cater my bachelorette party.  My favorite (and only) pizza I order from there is Italian Salami and Mushrooms.  Many places try to duplicate the pizza, but they never have that one topping that sets Campisi’s apart – Italian Salami.  Anyway, enough about Campisi’s and on to the pictures!

After dinner, we headed back to my house to open a few family gifts.  My dad is hard to buy clothes for as he wears a 2X or 3X (big and tall).  I ran across two sweater vests in the clearance section at Old Navy that happened to be returned from someone that bought them special order online.  They were a 2X big and tall.  SCORE!!  My parents got Mark and I a joint birthday gift of a large picture of The Last Supper to put in our dining room (we get to pick it out).  To tie us over until we pick it out, I also got a few pieces of my Arthur Court Grape kitchenware (salt and pepper shakers and a frame). 

Sunday, my parents went to Palestine and Mark and I headed out to Lake Ray Hubbard with our friends, Alex and Andrew.  We were invited out by Scott and Dana Buckner as they have a boat that we frequent on the weekends.  Scott’s brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Natalie, also have a boat.  The beauty of their boat is that Gary rigged up a grill on the boat so we the guys are able to prepare food while we are hanging out in the lake.  The evening was supposed to end in fireworks, but for some reason, we either missed the show or weren’t able to see it or maybe it just didn’t happen!  Nonetheless, it was a nice day out on the lake with friends.

Monday, Mark had to work half of the day while I stayed home and did a few things around the house.  That afternoon, Mark was able to get my family and I tickets to the Rangers Game in the Napoleon Suite along with his boss and his family.  It just so happened that my aunt Gina from Chicago was also in town so her and my other aunt, Meems, joined us.  It was definitely a family affair.  We were spoiled of course by all of the food in the suite, and we were very fortunate to get our fireworks fix at the end of the game (and the Rangers won 13 to 4 to top things off).

That was my 4th of July weekend in a nut shell.  

Don't Drink the Water (Part 2)

As a continuation to my last post, I am outlining my recent trip to Playa del Carmen. We are on the second half of the trip.

Day three started out with a similar routine. We got up, had breakfast, and headed to the beach in the morning, then to the pool in the afternoon. While at the beach, the boys played horseshoes and sand volleyball while me and Jen laid out. Here are my favorite pictures during the day.







The evening turned out to be one of lots of surprises with mixed emotions. Once Jennifer and Jamie returned to their room to get ready for dinner, they realized Jamie’s iPhone was stolen. He left it on the charger during the day in the room so housekeeping must have stolen it while we were gone on the beach and at the pool. He reported it to the front desk and security, but as you can assume in Mexico, they were not much help. This definitely put a damper on things. Not to mention, around the same time, Jamie got sick. He stayed in the room the majority of the night while the rest of us did other things.

Jennifer stayed with Jamie in the room for a bit while Mark and I walked around, had a snack at the snack bar, and then participated in a dancing class before dinner. I really enjoyed the class (and it was definitely entertaining to watch Mark dance with the guys).









After the dancing class, Mark and I had dinner reservations at the Italian restaurant.



Just after we ordered, Jennifer, Mucio, and Carlos dropped in to join us. We moved to a bigger table and had a great dinner. This was probably my favorite meal. Since it was Carlos’s birthday, the wait staff prepared a mini celebration for him.











After dinner, Jen went back to the room to convince Jamie to come down to hang with us for a bit. In the meantime, we lounged around and the guys had a cigar. After Jamie and Jen came back down, Jen and I went to the sports bar for shots.







After the shots, of course came dancing at the discotheque. At this point, Mark started feeling bad. The boys sure were troopers for sitting around while Jen and I drunkenly danced our butts off!



Day 4, our last full day, turned about to be a little drab. The boys were still feeling ill, and it was cloudy and rainy all day long. The snack bar on the beach was closed as well as some of the swim up bars. That was a bummer, but we got over it and tried to make the best out of our last day.

We started off having our usual breakfast at the buffet then headed out to the beach for some relaxation.







The boys finally broke down and took some Peptol Bismol at lunch. This made Mark feel better. Jamie was still queasy.



We returned to the beach the rest of the afternoon, then headed up to the rooms early to get ready for the night.











We decided to eat at the general buffet so we could get an early start on the shows they had in store for us in the courtyard. The theme at the buffet was Mexico!!







The first show at the courtyard was a skit detailing the culture of the locals there at Playa del Carmen. The second show was a musical and dance performance by the entertainment team with acts including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cher, and The Village People.











After the shows, we went to bed early since we had to be at the front of the hotel at 7AM for our departure.

We were sad, but ready to leave Mexico on Monday. On the way out, we stopped to have a “regular,  Americanized” meal at the Margaritaville in the airport.





The flight was smooth, and when returning to DFW, Mark’s sister, Kim, came to pick us up.



Overall, in despite of some of the obstacles we had to overcome (our luggage almost getting lost, the cloudy and rainy weather the second half of the trip, the boys getting sick, and the stolen iPhone) the trip was loads of fun and it felt so good to get away for a few days in a land that at least tries to make you feel like there are no worries. We love travelling with the Stewart's and look forward to our next destination (we are thinking a cruise next time).