A quick eulogy to start the blog for my mother-in-law, Norma, who passed away at 88 last week. I used to call her the ‘hick from the sticks’ – she was born and raised in Tama, Iowa, and the first day she had her driver’s license she hit a cow. You can’t make that stuff up. I met my wife at the University of Kansas in 1984 and met Norma a year later when Lana’s dad passed away. In that 39 years I knew her she was like a 2nd mom to me, and only once in that 39 years did I get mad at her. She was in town visiting and bought some shelves for me to put together for our basement. I had just come home from a long day of work and wasn’t in the mood to do anything but she said it would only take 20 minutes. Four hours later I came upstairs all sweaty, disheveled, and holding shelves that were only half put together. For those of you who know me, I’d be retired by now if it wasn’t for the money I’ve spent on handymen over the years – just changing a lightbulb is challenging for me. Anyway, almost four decades and only annoyed once – that’s gotta be some kind of mother-in law record! Rest in love, Norma – you will be missed…
Pros and Cons Quote of the Day: “Pro and con are opposites, that fact is clearly seen. If progress means to move forward, then what does congress mean?” – Nipsy Russell
Possible Game Show Answer: The Statue of Liberty wears a size 879 shoe. And speaking of shoes, the record for the most expensive shoes sold is $660,000 – and no, they were not Air Jordans. See fact # 6 on this fun shoe fact list for who those shoes belonged to.
Did’ja Know: Coins didn’t always say ‘In God We Trust’. The original penny, designed by Benjamin Franklin, had a motto that he popularized: “Mind Your Business.” The message wasn’t literally saying not to be nosy. Instead, it was meant as an instruction about business and commerce, to keep focused on your livelihood. What’s that, you want another coin fact to start your day? Okay, the most expensive coin ever sold was this one.
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 (650k expected), tomorrow Durable Goods Orders and Pending Home Sales, and on Friday four inflation reports along with the Consumer Sentiment Report. If these reports come in good for the economy you’ll see rates tick up, and vice versa if the numbers disappoint.
Interest Rate Update: Today we find a conforming 30yr fixed rate at anywhere from 6.50% – 6.99% for a loan at $250k or less. Loans at $251k-$766k are in the upper-6s/low-7s, and for jumbo loans (*over $766k) these can be found around the high-6s/low-7s as well. As usual rates will vary based on if you’re a first time homebuyer, your credit score, type of home, equity in the home, and if your home has scary stairs.
Don’t Forget to Remember: any purchase or refinance that closes with me I will waive $450 in lender fees! Grab yourself a cup of instant karma and pass my info along to any friend, family, coworkers, or people that have lost their guitars that can use this gift.
Pros and Cons Quote of the Day 2: “Not sure if this Adderall is working but I just made a pros and cons list about pros and cons lists.” – @KevinFarzad
Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who guessed Paula Abdul last week!
Want to be entered into a drawing to win a Simpsons Record Album Glass Coasters? Simply email me the answer to this week’s Who Am I? question. Good luck: “It’s my birthday today and I know you’re supposed to sing to me but I can handle that part myself. I’ve got a lot of vowels in my first name, and my last name sounds like the first half of one of nature’s 7 Wonders of the World (not seven rings). Some people thought it was a wonder that I would date a comedian, and yeah – he was a problem and I had to break free from him. My 2017 concert was named Concert of the Year by Billboard, and yeah – you just got to show a lot of love, that’s all. I can act too, I had a couple of Disney shows when I was younger, and this year – and next year – I’ve got a couple of movies coming out that will be wicked fun!”
The Adieu Mortgage Haiku:
No blog for next week,
Honoring July 4th’s break,
Back soon with more thoughts!
