Reviewing the world according to Kiplinger for this week, Joan and Jim discuss the future of petroleum prices, various sectors of the marketplace like the auto industry and retailers, new practices in healthcare and immigration.

In addition to a few other shorter issues, Joan and Jim talk about the difficulties on the horizon for funding Medicare, including the possibilities of increasing payroll tax, increasing premiums and possibly reducing coverage. They go on to talk about the problem that Medicaid presents for state budgets, especially with regard to long term care for the elderly. Joan and Jim also talk about the growth of personal computer purchases and how that will be affected by new operating system innovations.

Joan and Jim discuss the prospects for the housing industry in the United States, including the influences of the generational waves. Both agree that there isn’t a national housing bubble, but there may be regional housing bubbles. They go on to discuss ways that companies are helping their employees to get more involved in their own health care management. Also discussed is the disparity between how much of the U.S. budget is spent on the elderly (over 65) and how much is spent on children (under 17).

Joan and Jim discuss several legislative proposals that should be good news for the business community in 2005 including tort reform, the possibility of passing a new bankruptcy law, an energy bill and capping medical malpractice awards. They go on to talk about the broad language used in the new manufacturing deductions, as well as new rules for deferred compensation plans. Also discussed is the forecasting of fewer Mexican migrants to the U.S. over the next five years as a result of an improved Mexican economy.

Jim and Joan discuss the trends in retail sales, including the impact of online sales, as well as the trend towards industry consolidation. They also discuss the likely presidential candidates for 2008. They move on to talk about the expanding influences of globalization and wrap up with a brief discussion of recent developments in Palestine.

Joan and Jim discuss the president’s challenges in trying to meet his goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009. They move on to talk about how some states are offering healthcare subsidies to their businesses. Also covered is a movement to reduce the use of social security numbers for identification due to an increase in identity theft. They discuss how this practice could place a hardship on businesses doing background checks. Also discussed is the fact that the new homeland security chief Michael Chertoff should be freeing up several billion dollars in contract funds for businesses to bid on. They also discussed innovative packaging including beer bottles in different shapes and talking packages. Finally, Jim and Joan comment on the courage of the millions of Iraqis who were not only willing to vote but to be branded as voters by the purple ink on their fingers.

Jim and Joan start their visit by talking about President Bush's inauguration. They also talk about job recovery, business cost, and other issues covered in the Kiplinger Letter.

Joan and Jim start off their visit by talking about the elections in Iraq and whether or not they might actually happen. They go on to talk about issues covered in this week's Kiplinger Letter.

After a holiday break, Joan joins Jim for the first Kiplinger Letter report after the new year.

Joan joins Jim to discuss economic issues and other things covered in this week's Kiplinger Letter.