Showing posts with label granite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label granite. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Butcher Prevent Counter Tops|Quartz Counter Tops Are usually Built On the Kitchen's|Concrete Counter Tops pertaining to One of a kind Property Finish

If you're some sort of lover regarding home improvement shows then you definately most likely know the best thing with every one's cooking area record is usually marble work tops. The reason why of which? This kind of stuff is just not low-cost along with there are various additional products in existence in which search breathtaking but are less costly. This lurking problem is the reason why do you want to invest so much funds just to possess something very.




To begin with granite countertops are incredibly tough. Various other materials can not acquire the mistreatment that this material may. One of many great things about this materials would be the temperature in which it can take. You can collection a warm container decrease along with the item instead of bother about the superior having destroyed. surface encounters chuck russo Other material just simply can't take that kind of heat. You have to make sure you use a pot holder or towel with it or you could risk leaving a scorch mark on it. Not only can it take the heat, it is also stain resistant when properly sealed. No more worries about what you spill while you're making dinner.

Because it can be temperature resilient as well as blemish resilient, it is easy to look after. You don't need to employ a particular cleaner to make certain it is cleaned out upwards. Many uncomplicated cooking area clean or even comfortable soapy water in addition to it is possible to clean up your displays upwards without the need of troubles exactly what therefore ever. Utilize a soft material while wiping the item lower though, you don't need to accidentally scratch off of the sealant. Paper bathroom towels likewise work nicely when you find yourself doing all your day-to-day clean-up program





Corian counter tops usually are constructed from natural stuff. Absolutely no artificial ingredients here as well as as it will be all natural you won't have to be worried about obtaining what exactly everyone else features. While the shades could be identical currency trading absolutely no two slabs tend to be similar. You will have very little items of individuality that can make it really your own house. With that in mind if you are doing a pattern on this material ensure that your biological materials usually are from the genuine piece your service provider is going to be making use of. In addition to the style the particular strong colours in addition to accents allow it to be an accurate issue regarding magnificence





Resilient, easy to address, along with entirely personal are all good advantages of picking granite countertops. 1 very last fantastic purpose to select this kind of material whenever redoing your current kitchen's, it is just a selling point. If people need to sell the house, visitors this will likely really increase the value of your home. Most people wish a home along with this type of surface area in their kitchen's also it goes a considerable ways in order to assisting you to sell your own home





It your cooking area format the go out? Would it be preventing anyone coming from food preparation? Possibly there is constantly any muddle usually when you use your kitchen? Do you end up placing your order meal via outdoors despite which has a cooking area for your use? If you are imagining of course in order to from any of the issues earlier mentioned next it really is the perfect time to look at a butcher shop stop countertop installing for the kitchen area.




For anyone who is asking yourself what these work tops are and then let me tell you regarding all of them. Since the label implies there're counter surfaces put together via sugars maple solid wood. These are named therefore due to the fact i thought this was the actual timber utilised in butcher stores previously. Now this wooden is used regarding counter tops because of the remarkable conclude along with the overall result of computer. Nonetheless, you will discover equally advantages together with drawbacks to applying these work tops. This informative article will certainly share with you equally to be able to choose by yourself


First of all, the huge benefits: � It is the environmentally mindful choice because wood used for the particular counter tops is actually most reclaimed. This implies you are preserving timber and it speaks quantities concerning an individual to be a man or women. Likewise, wooden is endowed with anti-bacterial properties which causes it to become one of many soundest possibilities. � Wooden gives the cooking area the warm, traditional as well as welcoming visual appeal. Different resources similar to natural stone along with steel help make the kitchen appear cool clean and sterile. � You will not require a reducing mother board! You can use almost any area with regard to slicing as these kinds of counters are usually designed to become slice on. This provides you with which you larger living space to work with. � As much as kitchen countertops go, grocer obstructs would be the least expensive types close to. That they price half such a granite counter tops would certainly run you. � Qualified is easy in terms of such a table. An instant sanding may do away with staining as well as melt away represents


The actual disadvantages: � Butcher blocks usually are suitable as chopping areas nonetheless they are susceptible to dings and also scrapes. � Although cleansing one of them is no issue it is advisable to care even though washing this kind of counter top. Also, they should become washed regularly along with this means that they might require far more preservation as compared to granite or perhaps aluminum. � Solely specific sorts of butcher shop blocks are low-cost
. For example, surface encounters chuck russo the maple timber versions are generally affordable as you move the wood floor kinds such as teak cost a lot. � Aesthetic component away or even taken care of properly the actual work tops start exhibiting signals connected with usage such as nicks, reductions as well as dings. � This choice is just ecologically good in case gotten back wood is utilized. In the event spectacular woodlands are used next the surroundings is afflicted with




For you to invest in grocer prohibit counters consider quarrels from the two sides in the gold coin. If you stick to maple next you won't need to just get a fantastic shopping kitchen's nevertheless it will have inked their element for that atmosphere





Whenever needing intended for counter-top barstools often known as cooking area barstools, you need to measure the countertop so that you can pick the right dimension. You won't wish to sit down in place additionally better and have absolutely your legs around this counter or perhaps take a seat thus lowered you can not perhaps take pleasure in the supper for the counter





If you certainly are a tall male or female you will probably want to buy barstools which should complement your requirements. You may would like to choose business/company which will you with the calibrating if you require it. Ensure the business offers extraordinary back-up and support throughout circumstance you may have issues as soon as the kitchen counter maximum bar stools appear for the home.



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Kitchen Counter tops: Set up and Repair of your Corian Countertops.


Countertop too by SpanishMack


The complete look of your respective cooking area in addition to restroom will come to your rejuvenating change and appearance using kitchen counter tops. Today developing is becoming because simple because just viewing the option purchase form directly into see your face. You'll be able to pick from numerous appealing and strong kitchen countertops that could meet your requirements. There are many kitchen counters comparable to granite surface encounters along with pebble. Granite is known to be really beneficial because it doesn't have a tendency to blemish quickly. Granite staying very much more challenging compared to some other gemstones it is famous for their sturdiness. Wherever firmness is concerned granite is actually perhaps harder compared to a chef's knife. Granite is the most suitable with regard to kitchen consumption because it is produced by way of a very good quantity of force and warmth; although marble is the best option for bathroom arranged united parcel service. Marble can also be quarried through the earth and will end up being used successfully as being a countertop pertaining to lavatories, fireplaces and floorings.




The situation arises whenever one has no concept by what types of supplies and merchandise for the home. For many who are certainly not good at interior design, a great way to acquire some ideas to create is actually serving more than magazines and guides that feature recommended items through professional creative designers. Diy resources are located all over the net as well as in numerous life-style publications supporting consumers create their desire homes very easily. All you need to carry out is actually invest some time along with your personal computer and also a stack associated with periodicals and also textbooks so you can find the right parts to put in in your house. surface encounters Next, you will need to select how the kitchen countertop is going to be installed. Should you need, you can look for the help of a professional kitchen upgrading skilled or possibly a standard contractor; nonetheless, you might accomplish your own personal countertop installing. Which has a set of directions, you will find that it is comparable all to easy to put in your personal kitchen countertop, even if you do not have any do it yourself experience. Many kitchen countertop supplies have recommendations, but if certainly not, you might easily obtain a how-to e-book for a reasonably affordable price tag.




I don't know about you but I have an exquisite pair of siberian cats, but I had terrible hassle keeping them off the kitchen counter. Talking to a number of my cat-loving friends, we all agreed that it was a common drawback and was proving tough to remedy. We all agreed it had been necessary that the cats ought to be banned from the kitchen counter for a number of reasons, you see not only for hygiene functions, however additionally as a means to set boundaries for your cat too. I have done a little research and found some sound solutions. So if you are facing this common drawback here are seven very helpful ways to keep your cat off the kitchen counter.

Squirt Bottle..This is quite effective and works for me, but you have got to be present when your cat is walking on the kitchen top..squirt your cat with a squirt bottle. Cats extremely hate getting wet, and they will usually back down with just the threat of getting wet.

Raise Your Voice..Raising your voice when you see them on the kitchen counter is quite effective too. It ought to scare them down. They must know this is often an area they're not allowed.

Lock 'Em Out...Of the Kitchen! If all else fails and you are pulling your hair out, it would possibly be best simply to lock them out of the kitchen if you cannot be around to observe them.

So I hope you find the following pointers to keep your cat off your kitchen countertop useful, it actually has worked for me.

Many homeowners who want to renovate their kitchen or upgrade the room choose the relatively easy method of adding new paint or wallpaper, along with an attractive trim of some kind. But this simple task is not always enough for some. A few people decide that a new kitchen counter arrangement is called for, with new counter tops that will add beauty and efficiency to the working room.




Homeowners are often amazed at how much the kitchen can change with the addition of new counter tops, even if the cabinets and wall colors remain the same. The addition of new tops, in a rich hardwood, a man-made finish or even some sort of stone-like finish, can turn a standard kitchen into a bright and welcoming area in which to prepare and serve meals. Most designers and contractors highly recommend paying particular attention to the kitchen because it is, after all, the room that gets the most use. The kitchen, traditionally, also is the room that sets a certain atmosphere for the home, showing visitors what kind of folks live in the home.




You are in need of different sorts of furniture at your house for various purposes. One or two of which may be used every day while others are used occasionally. Kitchen bar stools are an element of the furnishings that's used on a every day basis. In various cases they became a mainstay of the home.




One aspect of the comfort of the counter stool is where the foot rail is located. On most of their particular needs it is about halfway from the ground to the seat. When the person falls within the average range of heights and the kitchen counter is at a height of about forty inches to forty four inches, the halfway rail is pretty comfortable. It avoids the person from needing to have a shot to succeed in the floor with their feet, or from being cramped attempting to keep their ft on a too-high foot rail.




One factor you want to give some thought to is the fabric used to help make kitchen counter stools. You could select a wooden stool. Its materials will match that of your cabinet's. Also, there is a lot of shiny metallic in kitchens. So stools with chrome plating and a impartial colored seat like black or tan are outstanding.




There are many different types of kitchen counter-tops and choosing your next look can be fun. While you do, of course want to be practical, you will find many different choices awaiting you which makes for endless options where your home is concerned.

Let's face it, your kitchen counters get used a lot. That is why it is important to choose a material that is both practical and easy to maintain. You want to make sure it is durable and looks great since it's one of the first things people will see upon entering your kitchen. Your countertop should match and enhance the style of your room.




Now a whole host of other materials are available that range from granite, quartz, concrete and stainless steel. Each have their own distinctive look and place in the kitchen. For example, stainless steel counter-tops are often installed next to cook-tops so as to minimize the damage done to the counter-top when hot plates or pots accompanied by potholders are set on top of them. You can, however, have a granite countertop installed on your kitchen island. Different materials can be used in different parts of the kitchen, especially when your room is big enough to accommodate them.

One thing is for sure and that is that the kitchen counter tops account for a huge part of a kitchens overall look. Kitchen counter top installation can be easy or difficult depending on what materials are being used and how intricate the job actually is. The truth of the matter is that kitchen counter top instalation is something that can be done by a home owner if the job is relatively simple and they have a few tools.




The thing to remember if you are considering doing your own kitchen counter top installation is to keep it simple. If there are no corners involved then you are in luck because turning corners with counter tops generally means splicing and that has to be done perfectly. There is now a wider variety of materials that are available then there ever has been before for kitchen counter tops. So don't feel that you have to run right out and pay for polished marble or granite to have the best looking kitchen counter tops possible.

This is because there are now synthetic or man made products on the market the look just like polished granite and marble and scratches can be easily polished out of them. Also, these cultured marble products splice together seamlessly at the corners unlike real polished marble. Also, tile work on kitchen counter tops is coming back in style and if you are thinking of going the polished marble route then you might be surprised to see what you can get in great looking tile work in the same price range.

In the end with regards to kitchen counter top installation it is to learn your materials and get a ball park understanding on the prices before you make your final selection. One good place to get a good look at all the latest styles in kitchen counter tops is in the home decorating magazines that are available at your local book store.




It's a place to put your red hot pots and pans. It's where gallons of messy foods and discoloring liquids are spilled each year, where the sink overflows and where you cut the vegetables when you can't find a cutting board. The kitchen counter is where cans land when they fall out of the cupboard. It's where you stand to get things off the high shelf. It has to be tough.




The counter is the main surface in the most visited room in the home. It's where the guests always end up. It's a place to put your drink during the kitchen party. It's where the food gets laid out for the buffet. It's where your new friend stirs sugar into their coffee. It has to look good. The kitchen counter is also the place where you sweat the most. It's where you're dealing with hunger, surface encounters meals as well as goods almost all as well. Food's being released along with food's going even though the rubbish piles way up. You might be household through perform in order to give food to the family along with wanting you'll be able to spend time jointly before you most go away to slumber. The idea needs to be easy. Fortunately there are a number involving counters which can be tough, good-looking and also uncomplicated. Do not require are generally ideal but some may fit you better than people, consequently when you accept first thing that attracts your own eyesight, research prices just a little. Your home counter-top may be the most challenging work surface inside your home and yes it justifies value.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Forms of Corian Countertops For Modular Living rooms.


Grand Cabinet de Madame Adelaide by Σταύρος


Organic natural stone countertops are constructed with many types of natural rocks Such as corian, marbled, limestone, onyx, and also travertine. Especially marble countertops tend to be suspected to become the necessary and quite a few needed counter tops through men and women. Most of the people recommend corian countertop as well as pebble countertop for household, creating as well as monument. Granite counters really are a durable material and are immune to be able to scuff along with spot. Granitic counters participate in a crucial Part in equally Inside and also outside Decoration associated with Residences, structures along with ancient monuments. Practically every one of the Entrepreneurs as well as building contractors use corian kitchen countertops because of their houses along with constructing is that, it is extremely tough and resistant to be able to Hot stuff, scratch, spot and moisture.




Organic rocks Are availableavailable varied hues, designs and styles in order to encourage the Relish and also Collection of you. Exclusively marble counter tops Present the natural splendor as well as inspiration from the pure stones inside varied shades as well as models. Granitic kitchen countertops would be the Superb material Appreciated all the entrepreneurs and builders. Because granite can be a long lasting materials, Most of the homeowners and contractors just like safer to install granitic kitchen countertops for his or her buildings. Granitic counter tops are very a opposition materials to be able to heat, wetness, damage, blemish as well as moisture. Perhaps any kind of staining or perhaps spills Occur it may be without difficulty Taken care of utilizing good quality cleansing brokers. Corian countertops add Longer lasting splendor for your properties with trouble-free elimination of chafes.




Installing granite counters must be made accurately along with completely. Installment will be the crucial issue being regarded as through the household owner or even builder. These days, developments have been modified and also most of the individuals need to install corian kitchen countertops as well as marbled counters for properties along with buildings. Surface encounters chuck russo granite countertops can be used as either countertops or tiles or slabs. Granite countertops are Made for sinks, kitchen and bathtubs. Granite Countertops varies From color, design and Spec. Granite is one of the natural stones which Has Numerous differences with other natural stones. All natural stone countertops are Different and they Vary in their durability and resistance Capability.




Granitic counter tops are straightforward to take out and put in. Applying corian countertops pertaining to kitchen and also bathrooms provides A lot of Positives like Longer lasting attractiveness, longevity, and also resistance etc. Granitic counter tops will be set up Simply by Seasoned professional, specialized or perhaps specialist. Consequently, there are tons regarding advantages of Deciding on granitic kitchen countertops for kitchen along with bath rooms simply by house owners along with builders. Marble counter tops Give a simple yet effective and also excellent service on the proprietors as well as building contractors. So, corian countertops will be thought to get the top counter tops for kitchen as well as bath rooms Starting about experts or even specialists knowledge.




You have purchased a property or built a brand new one, consequently it's really a time to decorate the lining look at of your property by different stones or perhaps kitchen countertops. Pebble countertops give you a great appear to your house along with improve the well worth of it. This is actually the 1st time for it to run into the actual granite as well as pebble kitchen countertops. Though you have witnessed many individuals are utilizing corian counter tops then again also there is a need to find out regarding these in greater detail.




If you're genuinely fascinated to find out the regarding pebble and also corian counters then you need to check out a lot of websites. Almost all of the internet sites supply entire information about your marble or pebble counters. In addition they provide various photographs as well as videos for that better understanding along with in which websites furthermore gifts the employment of granite countertops through bygon time period.




After dealing with sites in order to will have a definite concept concerning granites or perhaps pebble counters. Nevertheless for those who have plenty of query planned then question your friends along with relatives to own far better tips simply because they might have utilize counter tops which enable it to discuss their particular knowledge with you. In addition you are able to make clear your entire question from the supplier involving countertops. Based on your inclination you might use a great deal of variation involving granite kitchen countertops and in many cases you can select marbled countertop. In order to offer a shiny seem and trying to find a wonderful conclude and also decor and then it's safer to select marble counter tops.




The good news is in which prices regarding stone counter tops get gone down for their acceptance. Now you can purchase these countertops to the very same price because Corian or perhaps strong floor countertops. More professional custom-made kitchen countertops are generally entering industry making it possible for the values to acquire better still for natural stone or even designed kitchen countertops. The harder tailored countertop would be bare cement as well as stainless.




You’ll have to do a few shopping around 1st to find just what would work finest in your case as well as your family’s requirements. By way of example, the pebble countertop wouldn't normally are very effective in most bath rooms or perhaps kitchens along with plenty of targeted traffic because of that acquiring damaged as well as tainted effortlessly. However it would work perfectly for an location without a lot consumption.




Nevertheless there exists a number of kitchen countertops accessible that could seem gorgeous, tend to be tough as well as simultaneously, may increase the value or even resell of your property. Surface Encounters Chuck Russo you most likely will recover up to 74% of the cost of the countertops after the sale of your home. It would be better if the return was higher on the cost of the stone countertops, but on the other hand, it might make for a quicker sale. Another good reason would be that the buyer doesn’t have to spend money on updating the countertops and they may fall in love with the look of them.




Whenever a person perceives of offering the home a fantastic look or perhaps touch, one thing will come will be the countertop. Despite the fact that there are varieties of counter tops available in your marketplaces, yet most people like granitic countertops because of different motives. There are many components that are must be considered whilst creating your choice on which type of countertop to get pertaining to. These kind of elements include consistency, resources utilized, colours, along with advantage remedies.



Thursday, September 15, 2011

foreclosure auctions


Investing in Communites launch by Big Lottery Fund


You've undoubtedly seen them or study them. Glossy advertisements or four-color spreads in publications and magazines promising to show you all the juicy information about successful property investing. And all you need to do to learn all these real property investing surface encounters chuck russo secrets is to pay a rather high sum for a one-or two-day seminar.




Often these slick real-estate investing seminars claim that you can make wise, profitable real estate investments with absolutely no money straight down (other than, of course, the significant fee you purchase the workshop). Now, how appealing is in which? Make a profit from real property investments you created using no cash. Possible? Not likely.




Successful owning a home requires cash flow. That's the character of any kind of business or even investment, especially property investing. You put your hard earned money into something which you desire and plan is likely to make you more money.




Unfortunately too little newbies towards the world of property investing think that it's a magical kind of business exactly where standard company rules will not apply. Simply set, if you need to stay in property investing for more than, say, a day or two, then you are going to have to create money to use and invest.




While it may be true which buying real estate with simply no money down is easy, anyone who is even made a basic real estate investment (such as buying their particular home) knows there's far more involved in property investing that can cost you money. For instance, what regarding any necessary repairs?




So, the number 1 rule people new to real estate investing ought to remember is always to have obtainable cash reserves. Before you choose to actually perform any property investing, save some money. Having a little money in the bank when you start real est investing surface encounters chuck russo can help you make more profitable real estate investments in rental properties, for example.




When property investing in rental qualities, you'll want to be able to select only qualified tenants. If you've no cash flow when real-estate investing in rental qualities, you might be pressured to take a a smaller amount qualified tenant because you need somebody to pay for you money to enable you to take attention of fixes or attorney fees.




For any type of real est investing, meaning leasing properties or properties you purchase to re-sell, having cash reserved can permit you to ask to get a higher value. You can require a greater price out of your investment because a person surface encounters chuck russo won't feel financially strapped as you wait for an offer. You won't be backed into a corner and forced to accept just any offer because you desperately need the money.




Another downfall of many new to real-estate investing is actually, well, greed. Make any profit, yes, but will not become therefore greedy that you ask regarding ridiculous rental or resale rates on many real estate investments.




Those a new comer to real est investing must see real-estate investing as a business, NOT a spare time activity. Don't believe that real property investing is going to make you rich overnight. What enterprise does?




It will take about 6 months to figure out if real-estate investing set for you. If you've decided in which, hey I really like this, then offer yourself many years to truly start earning profits. It usually takes at minimum five years to get truly successful in property investing.




Persistence may be the key in order to success in real-estate investing. If you might have decided that property investing is made for you, surface encounters chuck russo keep plugging away at it and the rewards will be greater than you imagined.












D I V O R C E the Fed.


Now. Uncontested. Just cut the ties that bind us to the slavery.


 



but then the idiots in congress, and the "Current Resident" on 1600 Penn Ave, would have full control, in which case, the skids would be greased even more. Well, that might not be entirely true, since most of those bastards are nothing but mere marionettes, with their strings being yanked at every move, by the likes of soros et al, you know the ones ...."new world order" lovers who are aiding in the dismantling of the once Great US, and serving it piece by piece to china, however, the same zealous ideologues and true enemies of the US, fail to notice that that marvel called EU is crapping out, approaching the full blow-out point, at which time most of their 'contents' gleefully ingested as ingredients of the delicious EU, will be excreted, and when the end result will hit the proverbial fan .... duck and cover.


Unfortunately, what Gross has become is a splendid specimen of the 'grownup hippies' who in the 60's and 70s were raising hell, in the name of a better America, while now, a decent number of them, to varying degrees, having become 'fat cats', forgot how they were able to amass their fortunes, and instead of uniting and contributing however possible to returning the country on the path to prosperity, are now, continuing to chase an easy buck, by financing our adversaries, and most likely our enemies, based on their propaganda they already consider us their enemy - all to the detriment of the quality of life during the 'golden years' for some of us, as well as the quality of life (or lack thereof) for our children and future generations.


Once Heli-Ben got rates to 4% yet the economy continued its tanking trajectory, the politicians should have pulled their heads out of their asses, and begin serious work on policy intervention aimed entirely at rebuilding the domestic manufacturing base, which is all but gone, as well as ensuring that any fed provided liquidity remains 100% - or close to it - in the US.


Given the facts revealed by the Bloomberg recently released Fed back-door loans, makes me wonder if Uncle Ben himself is not among the facilitators of the "new world order"?!


So me thinks anyway.


Duck 'n cover everyone.





The manic depressive market wildly swings up and down on each new news story: The Fed is meeting at Jackson Hole on August 27 possibly to discuss QE3 (or not), and that news may pump up the stock market. But China's banks seem to be using Enron's accounting manual, Europe's banks need liquidity and are loaded with bad debt, and U.S. banks only temporarily TARPed over trouble. Gaddafi's regime in Libya appears over, but Libya's oil output may not fully recover for years. Venezuela wants banks to open their vaults and send back its gold, but Wells Fargo says gold is a bubble. Pundits say gold is a barbarous relic, but exchanges and banks are now using gold as money. The U.S. is headed for hyperinflation with skyrocketing stock prices, but on the other hand, we seem to be deflating like Japan and doomed to a deflating stock market for another decade. Whom do you trust and what should you do?



No one knows where the stock market or U.S. Treasury bonds are headed tomorrow, but in my opinion, here are some fundamentals to consider.



The Bad News Isn't Going Away



Until we have real global financial reform and restrain the banks, we won't have sustained growth. The stock market hasn't hit bottom. There's a crisis of confidence in banks and all currencies. We haven't taken effective steps to tackle the U.S. deficit through productivity. We haven't examined spending to eliminate fraud and waste, and we haven't addressed our need for more tax revenues by eliminating the Bush tax cuts (for starters).



Savers are punished by "stranguflation:" negative real returns on "safe" assets, declining housing prices, and rising costs of food, energy and health care. The Fed touts the falling cost of I-Pads, but how often do you buy one of those, and how often do you eat?



Good News (for Now)



The USD is still the world's reserve currency. Even though we devalued the USD, there has been a global flight to U.S. Treasuries pushing down our borrowing costs (yields). No one in the global financial community feels the U.S. has done its best to correct our problems, but severe problems in Europe, China's inflation, and Middle East unrest has money running to the U.S. Since we've devalued the dollar, we appear to be a bargain for foreign investors, even though they are terrified by our money printing presses and the potential for inflating commodity prices in the long run.



How did I play this? My own portfolio is currently more than 20% gold with some silver, and I bought out-of-the-money call options on the VIX when it was in the teens with maturities of 4-6 months. This is "short" stock market strategy, one could have also done well buying puts on the S&P a few months ago. In the first big stock market downdraft in August, I sold the options when the VIX hit the high 30's, and I'll buy more options again if the VIX falls again. Many investors are not comfortable with options, and this strategy isn't appropriate for everyone. The rest of my portfolio is chiefly in cash or deep value opportunities.



What Happens Next?



No one knows for sure, and anyone who tells you he or she does is selling snake oil. The situation is fluid. We tried to reflate our deflating economy. Our massive dollar devaluation may encourage investment, because it's protectionist. It reduces our cost of labor, among a few other "benefits." The problem is that the Fed has printed money, and we haven't done anything to position the U.S. for greater productivity. We're trying to inflate our way out of a problem without investing in productivity. This is a very dangerous way of attacking this problem. Even more "stimulus" would just be an attempt to inflate our way out of our long-standing deep recession. That's the foolish and unsuccessful strategy we've adopted so far. That could lead to runaway budget deficits (our deficit already looks intractable) and bring us to double-digit inflation. Even the European flight to US Treasuries may not save us from a deeper recession in that scenario.



If we don't overreact -- and we may have already overreacted -- our dollar devaluation results in our foreign trade situation first getting worse (as it has now) before it gets better. Now is the time (actually, we should have started years ago) to spend capital to increase U.S. productivity. The dollar's plunge relative to other currencies will eventually make us more competitive. This will be good for blue chip companies, in particular those that own real assets and manufacture items. The Fed and Washington may do anything, however, so one must watch the news.



What does this mean for the U.S. stock market? In my opinion, it is currently not good value and feels like the 1970s when we experienced a recession followed by inflation. One should consider staying mostly in cash and expect stocks become cheaper. One might miss an interim rally, especially if the Fed announces QE3 (more "stimulus" and money printing) or more bank bailouts, but that is like using Kleenex laced with sneezing powder. We will see stock prices even lower than they are today. The old paradigm dictated that stocks were a buy when P/E ratios were 13 or less (and many are well above that), dividends at 4%, and book values at 1.3 or less. (This excludes oil companies, which tend to trade at lower P/E ratios in general.) I believe we'll see much better deals in coming months. In 1978/79 P/E ratios sank below 7 for blue chip companies.



Should one buy U.S. Treasuries with long maturities? The long end of the bond market doesn't reward investors due to the potential of rising interest rates. If interest rates spike to double digits, then one can reassess the situation.



Long term investors should consider buying commodities or companies that own physical commodities. We're running out of key commodities especially related to agriculture and fertilizer. Washington's brand of the latter isn't the type we need.