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Join the contestI'll key off of that thought with something I have going, as we speak. I have a 1997 Ford, F250, 4X4, gas engine with a manual ZF5 transmission at 160k miles. Really good, tight old truck. Time for a new clutch and a transmission rebuild. Nothing out of the ordinary. At my old age, I figured I'd look into having the job done at a local, reputable transmission shop that I dealt with over the years for my Amzoil. Went by there yesterday, with the truck. We only talked in "Ball Park" figures. Now, I know there are some of you who have connections with a shade tree mechanic who will work cheap, there is always a few in the group. To me, it's not worth the risk on a project of this magnitude. We discussed several "what if's" that they might find once everything is torn down. I full well accept that line of thought. After talking a while, a figure was arrived at..... $7,000 +/-....I'm wondering if that will get the auto deflation domino falling. Small lots falling by the wayside and shedding inventory for pennies on the dollar will do it eventually, but I think carvana imploding might kick it off quickly.
I'm thinking along the same line, but waiting for car prices to come down. Buying cars/trucks right now has me thinking like I do with guns and ammo. Common parts, readily available and cheap. 2006 f150 with a 4.6 is going to be sticking around a while. Wife may have to wait on her dream car a bit.I'll key off of that thought with something I have going, as we speak. I have a 1997 Ford, F250, 4X4, gas engine with a manual ZF5 transmission at 160k miles. Really good, tight old truck. Time for a new clutch and a transmission rebuild. Nothing out of the ordinary. At my old age, I figured I'd look into having the job done at a local, reputable transmission shop that I dealt with over the years for my Amzoil. Went by there yesterday, with the truck. We only talked in "Ball Park" figures. Now, I know there are some of you who have connections with a shade tree mechanic who will work cheap, there is always a few in the group. To me, it's not worth the risk on a project of this magnitude. We discussed several "what if's" that they might find once everything is torn down. I full well accept that line of thought. After talking a while, a figure was arrived at..... $7,000 +/-....
Side bar:
How many Americans have $5000 in savings?
58% of Americans have less than $5,000 in savings.
More specifically, 42% have less than $1,000 in savings, while another 20% have more than $50,000 in savings.
So, with a situation like this facing the "Average American family of 4"... What do they do, in many cases ?
They take a beating on a dealership giving them scrap price for their broken down car, take just enough out of savings (or borrow money) to make a down payment on a new car. Why ? Because they qualify for financing and they never ask what the APR is......
This "ripple effect" at the beginning of the worst recession America has ever seen means this family will be still driving a car they purchased today.... 15 years down the road. If they are lucky enough to pay the note and not have it repossessed.
One more "Recession Bear Trap".... Same thing happened in the last 3 - 4 recessions. History will repeat itself.
Me, I will buy parts as my budget allows and if the Good Lord is willing, I will do the labor myself. May take me a week to get it done but that is acceptable.
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20+ Shocking American Savings Statistics [2023]: Average Personal Savings Accounts, Demographics, And Facts - Zippia
Research Summary: Whether you’re a home-owner, renting, or living with family members, nearly every American struggles with saving their hard-earned cash. In fact, debt has become a way of life for most of us, ensuring that our savings are eaten away by monthly payments. But, what is the average...www.zippia.com
Yep, I may just swap out the ZF 5 for a rebuilt one.... But, what can you expect when the German Ford engineers hide the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder in the bell housing... ?I'm thinking along the same line, but waiting for car prices to come down. Buying cars/trucks right now has me thinking like I do with guns and ammo. Common parts, readily available and cheap. 2006 f150 with a 4.6 is going to be sticking around a while. Wife may have to wait on her dream car a bit.
By the way, that zf5 is a bear to rebuild. I don't shy away from tearing into most transmissions , but that is one. The shop manual on it looks like the f/a-18 hornet manual. Daunting.
2023 will be the "long glide, dead stick approach"...... The amount of free Government money being doled out in 2023 will be staggering......![]()
Caution: Soft landing ahead...
And this is one reason why interest rates will continue to go up.2023 will be the "long glide, dead stick approach"...... The amount of free Government money being doled out in 2023 will be staggering......
I agreeAnd this is one reason why interest rates will continue to go up.
Ford said it sold more than 75,000 F-Series pickups in December, a 20.1% increase compared to a year earlier and the best month of the year as parts and supply chain problems disrupted production. Sales of the trucks still ended the year down 9.9% but better than the 13% they were down through November.
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Interesting statement, above. A large percentage of Ford trucks are sold to "Government Agencies"... The more the Government "buy's" from private industry, the better the numbers look.
The Lariat trim starts at $57,480, and the King Ranch model starts at $63,005. The upscale Platinum model starts at $64,695, and the luxurious Limited model begins at $84,910.
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Ford pickup truck sales in December help narrow overall sales decline in 2022
Ford reported sales of more than 1.9 million vehicles in 2022, including an increase of 3.2% during the final month of the year.www.cnbc.com
Invest in "Finance Companies"... The wave of the future for American'sJust wait until 2050 when the F150 is all electric and costs 560k dollars while the average american makes 60k a year. It can be yours today with a 960 month loan and zero down!
To invest one needs excess earnings. Inflation is killing that option for many.Invest in "Finance Companies"... The wave of the future for American's
But, if you think about it.... Anyone carrying a balance on a credit card, car loan, medical bills, etc. is investing in the finance industry... LOL...To invest one needs excess earnings. Inflation is killing that option for many.
To invest one needs excess earnings. Inflation is killing that option for many.
I would argue that they are in servitude to the finance industry. Thats not investing - unless you are the bank.But, if you think about it.... Anyone carrying a balance on a credit card, car loan, medical bills, etc. is investing in the finance industry... LOL...![]()
Invest in "Finance Companies"... The wave of the future for American's
will this make it easier for those that get laid off to find new jobs?Perhaps this is a "Political Move"...
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New York —
The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday said it is proposing a rule to ban employers from imposing noncompete agreements on workers and to rescind all existing noncompete agreements.
The FTC’s reasoning: Such agreements, which affect millions of rank-and-file employees and independent contractors across industries, in addition to business executives, have suppressed competition, wages and entrepreneurship.
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Federal Trade Commission proposes banning noncompetes for workers | CNN Business
The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday said it is proposing a rule to ban employers from imposing noncompete agreements on workers and to rescind all existing noncompete agreements.www.cnn.com
Wait, GOP controls the House now (if they can settle on a Speaker), can't they slow down the giveaways since the House manages the purse?2023 will be the "long glide, dead stick approach"...... The amount of free Government money being doled out in 2023 will be staggering......
Yes, saw this first hand. Initially Ford did not take the bailout money that GM got but Ford did get a contract for a BUNCH of stripped F150s for the Federal agencies. We called them Obama TrucksFord said it sold more than 75,000 F-Series pickups in December, a 20.1% increase compared to a year earlier and the best month of the year as parts and supply chain problems disrupted production. Sales of the trucks still ended the year down 9.9% but better than the 13% they were down through November.
___________
Interesting statement, above. A large percentage of Ford trucks are sold to "Government Agencies"... The more the Government "buy's" from private industry, the better the numbers look.
The Lariat trim starts at $57,480, and the King Ranch model starts at $63,005. The upscale Platinum model starts at $64,695, and the luxurious Limited model begins at $84,910.
![]()
Ford pickup truck sales in December help narrow overall sales decline in 2022
Ford reported sales of more than 1.9 million vehicles in 2022, including an increase of 3.2% during the final month of the year.www.cnbc.com
........... and that is the $64,000 question...........Wait, GOP controls the House now (if they can settle on a Speaker), can't they slow down the giveaways since the House manages the purse?
It would seem that way. Appears is a a States Right issue and not Federal.will this make it easier for those that get laid off to find new jobs?
Keying off of a conversation from almost a year ago:Inflation at a 40 year high... and that's just the "fake" inflation numbers... and everybody is now admitting it isn't "transitory".
gov calling food at anything under 10% is a joke.Keying off of a conversation from almost a year ago:
Domino's are falling..... Big changes at Defiance.
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Defiance action new costs?!
Ordered my tenacity short action a couple months ago , right before they changed ownership , just so happen to look at a couple websites just now and my action is Now selling for $1,600…. I paid lile $950 after my veterans discount for mine. Do all companies plan on hiking up their prices...www.snipershide.com
I'd like to scan over the price increases on the "food" that the White House is buying as well as every Governor's Mansion.gov calling food at anything under 10% is a joke.
eggs from 1.00 to 7 dollars a dozen
sirloin from 4.99 to 9.99 a lb
chicken breasts from 3.99 to 7.99 a lb
Hell, even pork has gone sky high. Granted if you can buy 'ALL' you pork needs twice a year and catch the big July and December sale.. you can save money. Same with Turkey. If you can afford to buy 20 birds around Thanksgiving and keep them frozen (electrical costs) you can do ok.
etc...
I'd like to see the 'food' the government is using to figure out their inflation rate.
cabbage? broccoli?
gov calling food at anything under 10% is a joke.
eggs from 1.00 to 7 dollars a dozen
sirloin from 4.99 to 9.99 a lb
chicken breasts from 3.99 to 7.99 a lb
Hell, even pork has gone sky high. Granted if you can buy 'ALL' you pork needs twice a year and catch the big July and December sale.. you can save money. Same with Turkey. If you can afford to buy 20 birds around Thanksgiving and keep them frozen (electrical costs) you can do ok.
etc...
I'd like to see the 'food' the government is using to figure out their inflation rate.
cabbage? broccoli?
LOLI'd like to scan over the price increases on the "food" that the White House is buying as well as every Governor's Mansion.
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Propaganda - - - - The price of hosting a single state dinner can exceed half a million dollars. For the most part though, the president and first family eat in private, just like ordinary folks. In a 2018 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, former First Lady Michelle Obama revealed that the first family must pay for their own groceries.Oct 8, 2022
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Who Foots The Bill For White House Food? - Tasting Table
Obviously, the Secret Service won't let the president loose in a Kroger, so who buys groceries for them and, most importantly, who foots the bill?www.tastingtable.com
I’m surprised it’s that low.
Yes, saw this first hand. Initially Ford did not take the bailout money that GM got but Ford did get a contract for a BUNCH of stripped F150s for the Federal agencies. We called them Obama Trucks
LOL
First Lady Michelle Obama revealed that the first family must pay for their own groceries
How much did lobster increase thanks to mike? O's never paid a fk'n dime.. you don't go into the presidency worth less than a million and come out with 35million on the President's salary.
Taxes on real property and real estate would also be less likely to reduce economic growth. Under the U.S. tax code, a tax on the imputed income from owning a residence would not be unconstitutional. Congress could pass legislation for a progressive imputed income tax from owning a residence, and it would be an effective way to raise revenue and tax conspicuous residential housing consumption.
Slow and painfulLet's tax the middle class out of existence. You will own nothing and you will not be happy.
Let's tax the middle class out of existence. You will own nothing and you will not be happy.
Interesting that "they" blame the elderly for the issue.