Business

Is this your IRA account this holiday season? Let’s assume as an investor you had $100,000 in your IRA account a few months ago. Today, if your investment was down 10 percent to $90,000, you'd need to earn 11 percent to get back even.

If your investment was down 20 percent to $80,000, you'd need 25 percent to get back even.

If your investment was down 30 percent to to $70,000, you'd need to earn 43 percent to get back even.

If it was down 40 percent to $60,000, you'd need 67 percent to make par.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now under $2 a gallon at most stations in Southeast Volusia, cheaper than a gallon of milk or a pack of cigarettes.

Still, motor vehicles aren't lining up at the pumps.

April Brown had the pumps all to herself this afternoon when she filled her Mercury Grand Marquis for $40. Back in July, that same tank fill-up would have cost her $80 when a gallon of unleaded gasoline was more than $5.

"These prices are reasonable now," the 39-year-old New Smyrna Beach resident said. "They are very beneficial. I can now go more places like Deltona and work another job."

Though gas prices are down, other necessary commodities such as bread and milk are not.

The Baby-boomers -- those of us born between 1946 and 1964 -- the majority of the breadwinners across this great country right now, are heavy investors in the stock market. And it makes sense that many in this age bracket are heading into retirement, if not already there.

In the wake of the Wall Street situation, the two absolute safest investments are U.S. treasuries and certificates of deposits (CDs). Read on and I'll explain why these two elements are so vitally important in terms of securing your investments.

U.S. TREASURIES

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Adele Aletti understands the importance of what it takes to run a small business, which explains why she was sporting a Barack Obama T-shirt outside a polling precinct at the Brannon Center on Election Day. "

He's the guy and I need to support who I believe in," said Coletti, owner of Gone Bonkers! on Flagler Avenue and a strong advocate for the merchants of New Smyrna Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It was food, wine and merriment over the weekend on Flagler Avenue for the inaugural uncorked -- a wine- and food-tasting event along quaint Flagler Avenue on Friday, Saturday and most of today, before windin down just before 5 p.m. as planned.

Dennis Shepherd, a DJ hired to play jazz during the outdoor venue said the "turnout was really good," considering this was the first one put on by area merchants.

Special events bring our community to a standstill certain times of the year. In business speak this means we have so many people spending money you can’t get around. I love it. Without these events our population would have to be much higher to enjoy the same goods and services. Remember that next time a biker blows past you with an annoying roar or you read about over energetic race fans causing a ruckus in a local bar. These folks leave a bunch of cash that is gobbled up by business and government. Most of them are just good people having a good time.

It goes without saying that the financial instability of banks is among the leading news items today. I am sure you all have asked the question “Is my bank FDIC insured?” If it is under the moniker, FDIC, then you're money is backed by the federal government.

Deciding to purchase a home is a very big step in life. In addition to deciding on that perfect home, there is also the process of getting approved for a mortgage. Although, this step isn't as fun and often seems frustrating, it is an important step that should be completed before you decide on your dream home.

Being approved (or pre-approved) for a home mortgage does not have to be hard. In fact, dealing with a quality mortgage representative should make this process painless and very informative.

U.S. stocks fell and bond prices rose after financial shares led stocks lower amid continued credit concerns. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae fell after concern over the likelihood of a government bailout increased. Crude oil prices fell as concern that a tropical storm may threaten supply was reduced,leading energy shares lower.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 180.51 .. at 11479.39.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index was down 19.60 .. at 1278.62.

U.S. stocks and bond prices rose after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac received positive news from regulators which may open up another source of financing.