I’m happy to announce that for the 9th straight year I have won the Greatest Blogger Award. This is an annual award voted on by a committee consisting only of my mother. A fantastic afterparty was held in my mother’s kitchen, the award ceremony prior to that was in her family room where I gave a speech saying how I couldn’t have done it without you readers, my agent, Kraft food services, and of course, my mom. Yes, I know – it’s not easy being the greatest, but really I’m just like you – my butler puts my pants on one leg at a time. Here’s hoping I can keep this streak going, and in the meantime let’s start the blog with a couple of Great quotes:
Great Quote of the Day: “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great..” – Mark Twain
This Week in Economic History: It was on this day in 1775 the Continental Congress issued a paper currency later dubbed the “Continental.” This currency was put in place to help the colonies finance their revolution against Great Britain. The currency never gained confidence or support, and by the end of the war the new currency had left us with a sizable war debt and a shaken faith in paper currency. I love it when a new form of money is made and people think it will just catch on. Hey, speaking of bitcoin, here are seven interesting facts you may not have known.
Wuss’up This Week: Every day reports about our economy are released into the wild, and it’s these reports that can sway interest rates in either direction. Today we’ve got New Home Sales, tomorrow Jobless Claims and Durable Goods Orders, and on Friday the U of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Report. If these reports come out better than expected you’ll see rates tick up, and vice-versa if the numbers disappoint.
Interest Rate Update: Last week the Fed spoke about inflation which is kryptonite for rates. Shortly after their speech the bond market turned against us and rates jumped up which is usually what happens after the Fed speaks. Today we find 30yr fixed conforming rates (*that’s for any loan at $548k or less) in the low-3s, 15yr conforming fixed in the mid-2s, and jumbo 30yr fixed (*over $548k) also in the low-3s. Don’t forget about ARMs which are in the 2s – they are a fantastic product if you plan on owning the home for 10 years or less. As usual rates will vary based on if it’s a purchase or refinance, type of home, equity in the home, your credit score, and if you like a seven interesting facts
Don’t Forget to Remember: Any purchase or refinance loan that closes with me I will waive $575 in lender fees! Grab yourself a cup of instant karma and pass my info along to any friends, family, coworkers, or lipstick artists that can use this gift.
Great Quote of the Day 2: “Calling ‘shotgun’ is a great way to lighten the mood when getting in the squad car after the cops arrest you.” – @joeljeffrey
Happy Early birthday shout-out to my favorite sister in the world.
Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who guessed John Travolta last week. Want to be entered into a drawing to win an Advice From Bigfoot poster? Simply email me the answer to this week’s Who Am I? question. Good luck: “It was on this date in 2016 I announced I would be going on my first world tour in front of a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden. An anagram for my name is ‘Use my charm’ which I don’t do, I use comedy to get people to like me. Comedy Central likes me – they’ve hired me to do roasts in addition to my series (that had my name in the title) from 2013-2016. In 2015 I was the lead in a movie that also starred an SNL alum and a very famous basketball player (*Who according to this blog writer is nowhere near as good as Michael Jordan was). That movie didn’t do very well at the box office. Neither did my movie with Kate Hudson’s mom, or my movie with Naomi Campbell. Movie critics may knock me down, but I’ll always stand up.”
