Reflections on 2011

It seems only natural this time of year to have one eye on the past while the other eye looks ahead.

Mutual fund with ORLY stock loses Kiplinger luster

A mutual fund that counts O’Reilly Automotive Inc. among its largest holdings has dropped out of the Kiplinger 25.

AP: SBA has bought $2.1B in bad loans since 2007

If you’re wondering why banks are a little gun-shy about making loans to any and every businessperson who walks through their doors, check out this investigative piece by The Associated Press.

Missouri companies make CNN, Fortune list

Despite the negative news that seems to permeate the financial and business pages, even small businesses are finding a way to thrive.

What was Fed chairman’s message?

In a taped interview aired Sunday night, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told CBS’ “60 Minutes” that the recession would “probably” end this year if the federal government’s efforts to reinforce the country’s banking system are successful.

Color me cynical, but I didn’t find Bernanke’s comments particularly newsworthy – or reassuring, for that matter.

Recession killed the watchdog

Newspapers are falling into a coma in the political domes where so many decisions are made affecting business conducted in our states. Recent events have made this clear to me, and someone needs to remind papers about the business conducted in our state capitols.

Trim the Fat: Can a recession make us heavy?

Maria’s weight change for the week: -0.8 of a pound ; total: -10.4 pounds

With everything from a housing slowdown to layoffs to difficulties borrowing money being blamed on the nation’s economic woes, its not too surprising to me that there are some health issues that can reportedly be made worse by the financial pinch.

And while I’m not a medical or financial expert by any means, logic tells me that tight financing can foster unhealthy eating in at least a couple of ways.