We’ve already been talking about the sequester and what it could do to affect the Columbia SC economy. The sequester – $85 billion in federal budget cuts – went into effect March 1. If you’ve been following the news and thinking it will only affect federal employees facing a furlough, you may be wrong.
In the video below, Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson offers a list of delays, annoyances, and other sequester related problems you could be facing this summer. Check it out, then read on for more surprises.
There’s no way to know with certainty the exact effects budget cuts will have on the Columbia SC economy. And the sequester is highly politicized, so there’s likely exaggeration on both sides.
Whether all, or any, of these sequester-related hassles come to pass will continue to be a matter of debate. Time will tell.
In the meantime, what do you think? Is the sequester going to cause real problems like those described in the video, or do you welcome the cuts and think the warnings are nothing but political posturing? Sound off below.
It’s hard to believe, but these days, we pay for many things that used to be free. And you don’t need to be all that old to remember a lot of these “once free” things that we pay for today.
Are there any other things you can think of that used to be free that we now pay for? We’d love to hear what you can add to the list Stacy just mentioned in the video. Use the comment box to sound off.
Columbia SC economy and home value confidence seems to be on the rise, according to Fannie Mae’s April National Housing Survey.
Americans continue to expect home prices to go up, with the projection averaging 1.3 percent over the next 12 months, the highest value recorded.
A high percentage (71%) of Americans still say it is a good time to buy while the percentage (15%) who said it is a good time to sell was up 1 point from March.
Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist, says “consumer views of housing market conditions have become more supportive of home purchases, and sustained healthy hiring is required to help realize these improved expectations.”
Columbia SC Economy Appears to be Increasing
The percentage of Americans who believe the economy is on the right track rose to 37 percent, a 2 point increase from the previous month and the highest level in the survey’s two-year history. Still, an even greater 56 percent believe the economy is moving in the wrong direction.
Also, 23 percent of Americans reported their household income is significantly higher than it was a year ago, while 36 percent said their household expenses are significantly higher since the same time period. Both categories rose 2 percentage points compared to March.
The expectation for average rental prices decreased slightly to 3.6 percent; in March, respondents expected rent to go up by 4.1 percent over the next 12 months.
If respondents were to move, 32 percent said say they would rent while 64 percent said they would buy. The percentage of those who said they would rent increased 2 points and reached the highest level since November 2011.
With the Columbia SC economy and home value confidence apparently increasing, would you say things are on the right track, or moving in the wrong direction? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Do you think you know what’s going to happen in the stock market this year? What about with oil prices, and last, but not least, housing? Compare your guesses to the experts.
Care to post your predictions? We’d love to hear what you think. Just click the comment link below and let ‘er rip with your economic forecast.
Last year, a Wall St economist and random people predicted what would happen. Who was right?
Comments or questions? We’d love to hear from you. Just click the “comment” link below to sound off.