IN THIS ISSUE…

Make your money go further this summer! The US economy appears to be slowly recovering, but there’s still a lot of work to do and Americans across the country are still looking for ways to help their money go a little further. This edition features three articles that will not only help you save, but also help you understand how the ups and downs of the US and global markets impact you.
• It’s a Small World – How do the troubles in Europe (and with the Euro) impact the US economy and home loan rates?
• A Cost-Effective Vacation – Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a long vacation, consider relaxing with nature on a cost-effective vacation.
• Q&A: Bull Versus Bear? – Why are animal names used to describe action in the Stock market?
Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members and coworkers who may find the information helpful as they head into summer. And if you have any questions or need any help at this time, just call or email to discuss your unique situation.

It’s a Small World After All…

The problems in Europe continue to dominate the headlines and influence market direction around the globe. So what exactly is going on…and what does all of this mean to you, to our economy and to home loan rates?
Due to financial instability in several countries in Europe – including Portugal, Ireland, Spain, and Greece – the European Central Bank along with the International Monetary Fund unveiled a $955 Billion loan package. Additionally, in a plan similar to our TARP plan in the US, the European Central Bank will purchase Bonds and private debt from the countries facing instability.
However, it seems that nearly a Trillion dollars doesn’t go very far these days, as the announcement didn’t lead to the confidence that was hoped for. There is concern about how these already financially strapped countries will pay for all this additional debt…and many wonder if the European bailout plan is just a temporary band-aid rather than a solution.
The result continues to be a weaker Euro. As you can see in the chart above, the price of the Euro near the end of May was well off where it was a few months ago, when it cost more than $1.50 for each Euro.
Why Is This Important?
When the Dollar was weaker, it made our imports more costly and travel to Europe more expensive. But it also made our exports far more attractive to foreign purchasers, and that has helped many of the large multi-national US corporations. As this situation is now reversing, it will likely have an adverse effect on those same multi-national corporations – which has contributed to some of the decline in Stocks we have seen.
And remember… when Stocks decline, Bonds and home loan rates are typically the beneficiary. As long as the global viewpoint that the US is a safe and stable place for Bond investments continues, Bonds and home loan rates could benefit.

Happy Campers! The Cost-Effective Vacation You Can Take Again and Again

Camping can be a relaxing vacation for an entire family, high school seniors after graduation, or just a group of friends who want to get away. It provides the opportunity to get away from the hectic pace of everyday life, to rise and sleep with the sun rather than a clock, and to enjoy the company of friends and family.
And it’s cost-effective. Not only will you save on your accommodations ($20 a night for a campsite versus $120 or more for a hotel), but you’ll also save by packing your own food rather than eating out. Better still, it’s the type of activity that you can enjoy in your own backyard, a few miles down the road, or halfway across the country.
Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a long vacation, consider packing up your camping supplies and relaxing with nature. The information below can help you plan for and enjoy your cost-effective camping vacation.
Reserve Your Spot
Camping has always been popular, but interest has increased over the last few years as the economy has slowed down and families have looked for an inexpensive way to travel and spend time together. That means campgrounds across the country are booking up faster than many people may expect.
If you’re planning a camping trip this summer – whether it’s down the road or across state lines – take a few moments now to plan the trip and reserve your campsite. There are a number of online resources for specific campgrounds and state parks, but you can also reserve spots at campsites across the country by visiting http://www.recreation.gov/ or http://www.reserveamerica.com/.
These websites allow you to search for the perfect spot-whether you’re looking to camp in a tent, an RV, or a lodge. You can even search for campgrounds near a specific park or one that you can bring your boat to. So, if you’re planning a trip across country, you can map out your route and reserve your campsites along the way! And, if you’re planning on getting away more than once, you may want to consider joining a camping club for additional information and discounts, such as http://www.campclubusa.com/.
Selecting (and Laying Out) Your Campsite
When picking the perfect spot for your camper or tent, consider the following tips:
Water and restrooms-Chances are, you’ll be walking to the water faucet and restrooms throughout the day (and sometimes in the middle of the night). So make sure you know where they’re located and try to situate your campsite so that you have a short, easy walk to them. Nothing’s worse than walking all the way across the campground or across rough, difficult terrain multiple times a day.
High and dry-Make sure you know where the low-spots are…and avoid them when setting up your equipment. Otherwise, you may wake up to water in your tent or a large puddle surrounding your camper when it rains. You’ll also be more comfortable if you find a relatively flat spot, so you can avoid the awful “sleeping-bag slide” towards the bottom of your tent or camper.
Cooking and cleaning-Don’t just setup and settle in…make a layout plan for your campsite. Where will you cook…is it far enough away from dry leaves and twigs so your fire won’t get out of control? Where will you eat…is it close to the campfire/stove? Where will you hang clothes to dry…is it out of the way enough so that people won’t accidently walk into the clothesline at dusk? Thinking through the “workflow” of your campsite before you set up can help alleviate stress and frustration later on.
Fun in the…shade-All too often we associate camping fun with the sun. But there may come a time when you just want to relax in the shade. In addition, you may want to keep your tent or camper cool. So look for a spot with a few shade trees…and try to determine where the shade will fall at key times-like noon and early evening-so you know where to set up your chairs and other equipment.
Garbage detail-A clean campsite is a happy campsite. After all, you don’t want to find yourself overrun with insects and small critters simply because you didn’t dispose of last night’s supper. So bring plenty of garbage bags, keep them sealed after use, and haul them to the garbage can at regular times throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
To make sure you-and your campground neighbors-enjoy your outdoor adventures, follow these final thoughts on campground etiquette:
• Don’t feed the wildlife. That will only cause problems for you and/or future campers.
• Clean up your campsite throughout your stay. And do a final sweep before you leave to make sure you’ve removed all your garbage.
• Only burn wood. Everything else should either be recycled or disposed of in the appropriate place.
• Keep all your food in airtight containers/bags…and store them away from your camper or tent to make sure you don’t attract unwanted “visitors” from nature.
• Only cook in a safe place away from your tent/camper and away from dry leaves or twigs that may catch fire.
• Keep your pets on a leash and your kids within sight. Your campground neighbors will appreciate it and everyone will be able to enjoy the outdoors.
• Buy firewood at the campsite. Many Departments of Natural Resources suggest this tip because it helps prevent campers from introducing unwanted pests that aren’t indigenous to the area.
• Keep an eye on the weather. If a storm is approaching, take the appropriate precautions.
• Respect your neighbors. That means following posted quiet hours and keeping the volume down between dusk and dawn.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors all summer long…whether you’re vacationing in your own backyard or halfway around the country. Happy camping!

Q&A: Bull Versus Bear?

QUESTION: Why are animal names used to describe action in the Stock market?
ANSWER: The terms “Bull” and “Bear” are used because of the way those animals attack. Bulls attack using an upward thrusting motion with their horns, and Bears attack by moving their powerful claws in a downward motion. So an upward market is termed a Bull market, while a downward market is called a Bear market.
These concepts are important to home loan rates because a Bear market could help Bond prices and home loan rates improve a bit more, as some of the money from Stock sales finds its way into the Bond market, including Mortgage Bonds. On the other hand, a Bull market will be at the expense of some of the recent improvements that Bonds and home loan rates have enjoyed.
The reality is, Mortgage Bonds have looked a lot like a lottery winner recently, since Bond prices really should be much lower, and home loan rates much higher. But Mortgage Bonds are catching every lucky break – from the situation in Greece…to the declining Euro…to the correction in the Stock market. It’s all going in the favor of Mortgage Bonds…for now.
But the Bond market’s good fortune may not last very long – so be sure to give me a call if I can help explain the current rate situation and how it might benefit you.

The material contained in this newsletter has been prepared by an independent third-party provider. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, real estate and/or mortgage advice. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee it is not without errors.
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Curtis Schartz, Certified Mortgage Planner, Pulaski Bank Home Lending, Overland Park, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Independence, Liberty, Parkville, Gladstone, Shawnee.