Home Prices, IRA Contributions and Viva Las Vegas

The Economy: New homes sales fell 6.9% in January to a three-month low.  New home sales are counted when contracts are signed where existing home sales (down 6.4% in January) are counted when the deal is closed.  Economists say new home purchases are a better gauge of the market.  As Californians are well aware, incomes have not kept up with the soaring real estate prices which are reflected in the data.

Food for Thought:  Just a reminder that you have until your tax return date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $5,500 for 2018 ($6,500 if you were age 50 or older on December 31, 2018).  The deadline for CA for 2018 is April 15, 2019

Mixing Business with Pleasure:  Since Las Vegas is just a skip, hop and jump from Southern CA, I wanted to share Vegas Hot Spots, Elle Décor, Point of View, Travel---Chance Encounters by Samantha Swenson.  Here's what she had to say, so check these out the next time you check in to:   

1) Eat Here...Spago at the Bellagio, bellagio.com

2) Stay Here...NoMad Las Vegas, nomadlasvegas.com

3) Chill Here...Spa at the Waldorf Astoria, waldorfastorialasvegas.com

4) Drink Here...Rosina, venetian.com

5) Eat Here...Sadelle's, bellagio.com

6) Shop Here...Eataly, eataly.com

Viva Las Vegas!