Taxes Quote of the Day: “Taxes are paid in the sweat of every man who labors.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Wuss’Up This Week: Today the Fed will release their Beige Book – a report that details current economic conditions across the US. Signs of weakness will lead to lower rates, but I’m guessing that it will be a mostly upbeat report as Bernanke has been hinting at the recovery building momentum. Recovering economy = higher rates. So how do we keep our cake and rates low and eat them too? Well, today and tomorrow the government will be auctioning off 10-year Treasury Notes and 30-year Treasury Bonds. A strong demand at these auctions will lead to lower rates. Open those wallets, Mortgage Fans, and buy some notes and bonds. And while wallets are open let’s not forget that there are still 44 shopping days left until my birthday.

Interest Rate Update: 30-yr fixed rates remain in the high 3s/low 4s, and ARM rates are about a point lower. Please remember that rates are based on type of home, equity in the home, credit score, and if the Cubs will score at all. And don’t forget: For any loan over $240k I will waive all lender fees on purchases and refinances – a $1,200 savings!

Taxes Quote of the Day 2: “I just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38% of their ice-cream.” – Conan O’Brien

Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who correctly guessed Matthew Broderick last week. Want to be entered into a drawing to win a gallon of Dutch Boy sage green paint? Simply email me the answer to this week’s “Who Am I?” question. Good luck: “Tomorrow I turn 41. So far I’ve lived a charmed life. Early in my career I starred on Little House on the Prairie, but what put me on the map was a bigger house in one of the most expensive places to live. I’m not the easiest person to work with and eventually got booted from that house (and series) and was replaced by a Saved by the Bell girl that ended up dating David Silvers in real life.”

Makeup Quote of the Day: “I don’t think I could live without hair, makeup, and styling, let alone be the performer I am. I am a glamour girl through and through. I believe in the glamorous life and live one.” – Lady Gaga

Wuss’Up This Week: Two biggies are released towards the end of the week that can send rates shooting in either direction. Tomorrow we have the PPI (producer price index), which is a measure of prices at the producer level, and really the first real report about inflation for the month. On Friday we have the CPI (consumer price index), which measures inflation at the consumer level. If rates go up it is because inflation was shown as rising in both the PPI and CPI which will result in a CSI, DUI, DWI, and possibly – but not limited to – a DOA.

Interest Rate Update: Rates are still beautiful, Mortgage Fans. A 30-year fixed remains in the high 3s with ARM rates about a point lower. As usual, for any loan over $240k I will waive all lender fees – a $1,200 savings! Be sure to let your friends, family, coworkers, and co-slackers know this great deal.

Having trouble refinancing because you’ve lost equity in your home? A solution is very, very near. Stay tuned…

Makeup Quote of the Day 2: “Girls: just remember each morning when you put on makeup, somewhere in the world a clown is starting his day doing exactly the same thing.” – (@designersays)

Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who guessed John Candy as last week’s answer. Want to be entered into a drawing to win a bottle of Mr. Bubble? Simply email me the answer to this week’s “Who Am I?” question. Good luck: “I turn 64 today. In my horseback riding movie I wear a Mets cap but in real life I am a die-hard Yankees fan. What could you learn from my movies? I am not a monster (2001); it’s impossible to just be friends with Goose’s wife (1989), and if someone is mostly dead I can bring them back to life (1987).”

Barry’s Blog is taking next week off. Aw, what’s that? Are you crying? Please don’t cry. Here…to help ease your pain check out these 50 very special sitcom episodes that might have brought a tear to your eyes too.

Girlfriend Quote of the Day: “I love making music and I’m falling in love with making records – so it’s like having two girlfriends. But I can handle it.” – Snoop Dogg

Wuss’Up This Week: This is a big week for economic news that can sway rates in either direction. Today we have the Fed’s Beige Book report (details of current economic conditions across the US; signs of weakness will lead to lower rates) and the Fed’s FOLLY report (Fed’s Ongoing Love of Leap Year). Tomorrow we have the Weekly Jobless Claims report and the Personal Income and Outlays report (which is a measure of consumers’ ability to spend). Any weakness in either of these will help bring rates down. And yes, I did make up the FOLLY report, but really, what’s not to love about February showing the other months who’s boss?

Interest Rate Update: Rates remain flat with 30-year fixed in the high 3s/low 4s, and ARM rates about a point lower. Please remind your family, friends, coworkers, and pets that for any loan over $240k I will waive all lender fees (a $1,200 savings!). This can be for purchases or refinances.

Girlfriend Quote of the Day 2: “I don’t have a girlfriend. But I do know a woman who’d be mad at me for saying that.” – Mitch Hedberg

Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who guessed Drew Barrymore last week. Want to be entered into a drawing to win a stapler (still in the box! I stole it from the file cabinet in our office). Simply email me the answer to this week’s “Who Am I?” question. Good luck: “Tomorrow I turn 58. My last name can also be a first name. I once starred in a sitcom with a guy who only answered to an abbreviated version of his last name (it sounded better than “Arthur”). I hit it big as a director with my 1984 movie starring a girl with a guy’s name for her first name and a girl’s first name for her last name. Confused? You can probably figure out who I am if you link me to my space movie where one of the actors’ last names would taste good with eggs.”

Has it really been 20 years since this movie was snubbed from winning Best Picture?