Oso planning to go pro
There are job openings. Maybe part time, maybe something less stressful and more rewarding.
Exactly. Options: Some retirees return to the labor market. Affordable day care opens up some more moms can re-enter the work force. More immigration.
How do you think we should mitigate a severe labor shortage?
It is time for the Fed to make a bold move to combat inflation. In addition, the tariffs on goods imported from China need to be removed ASAP. That would do wonders for the cost of goods purchased in the US.
Inflation is caused by two basic things. Too much money and not enough product. Right now there isn't enough product. Supply chain issues and not enough workers, causing wages to go higher. To mitigate the upward pressure on wages, you need a larger labor pool. How do you increase the size in the labor pool? Supply issues are going to continue until COVID, Putin, and labor shortages are under control.
Muggsy I said months ago that there are going to be an awful lot of nervous 50-60 somethings that retired early. Many were prepared and I believe many, many made a mistake. It help will the labor market when they go back to work.
skatastrophySince the start of the pandemic, we have had clients accept price increases that they never would have pre pandemic. Literally, we have clients that will fight for pennies, yet have been accepting sizable increases for over two years. IMO, that has been a part of the inflation issues. Everyone has passed on higher costs without any concern how it may affect their business. It has been a crazy two years.
I think it kind of depends on the industry but there has to be some sort of incentive in addition to wages and perhaps less dependence on government programs. Obviously an increase in immigration would help and more 50+ retirees coming back to the workforce.
PointA wise man once told me "if you think you have a lot of money, double it". Boomers get bashed on here, and everywhere, but the irresponsible early retirement by many is the worst move I think Boomers have made. IMO, I would need 2-3 times the money I currently have to feel comfortable retiring early and I still would be nervous.
Yep spot on. But to bring this back to the investing thread: If a company you own or are considering buying into aren't raising their prices right now start asking yourself why that is. Poor leadership? Not as competitive in their space as you originally thought?
MuggsyUnless tariffs are removed and the Fed acts responsibly we are in for a long haul. The Fed claims they are not in business to protect the stock market, but they fully realize how a watered down 401k will affect the economy. They padded the market for two decades with QE and cheap money and now have to figure out how to create a healthy balance. My bet, they are forced to get more aggressive.
No kidding. That's not the point Tower. We have a severe labor shortage. Our overall production levels are low, we're very stagnant.
I think it depends. I know companies who have not changed prices cause they have, lets say a 50% markup, to their end customer. Thats a bit rich most of the time. Now that their costs have gone up 10%, they're tempted to raise their prices, but that may also trigger an evaluation of overall costs by the end customer, so they'll take short term heat hoping things temper down and they can keep their favorable long term markup.And FWIW, not all price competition is equal. For example, in my industry niche, we are the clear quality leader. But our main competition is involved in a variety of different product lines and their competitive product to ours is usually a loss leader, or attempted add-on. So we need to be VERY careful moving prices due to market factors, or inflation, cause while good, reliable customers understand the difference and value, others view it as a keeping up with the Jones' box tick and will take any excuse to cut costs. Its stupid, but sometimes that's business. Same as when new management boots a long time reliable supplier just to shake things up and put "their mark" on a business.
My parents are older boomers. They've done really well with their investments over the years. Not to mention they both have teachers pensions, and my father has a military pension.