The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people. Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us "Please Do Not Feed the Animals." Their stated reason for the policy is because "The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves." This ends today's lesson in irony.
Upon coming across this sarcastically humorous piece, I am reminded of the reliance our economy has developed for extremely low interest rates.

While the Federal Reserve is convinced that the positive affect that they have on economic recovery is real. The tangible evidence is quite hard to see. More concerning to us is the unseen negative ramifications that will arise as time goes on.

We are of the belief that regardless of the efforts to limit it, inflation will rear its head. That said, inflation is already happening in cost items for all Americans and is NOT happening on the income side of the ledger. It has been years, probably since 2008, that we have come into the final weeks of the year and opening of a new calendar year with as much caution. The "Fiscal Cliff" is getting the headline as the cause for the volatility and fear, there is more to the story underlying.

 Be careful, be thankful and be frugal. Time to "stay in and enjoy friends and family".

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