Womack Investment Advisers

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that from 1978 through 2015 the median size of a single-family home in America increased every year until it peaked at 2,467 square feet in 2016.   But does the average family really need such a big house?  Steve Adcock, author of the Get Rich Slowly blog, notes that in reality—it’s largely a big waste of space.   A research team affiliated with UCLA studied American families and where they spend most of their time while inside their homes.     The results are quite interesting. As the graphic (source: UCLA) shows, most of the square footage is unused as people tend to gather around the kitchen and television, leaving the dining room, living room, music room and porch mostly or completely ignored. Adcock notes “The findings were not pretty.   In fact, they helped prove how little we use our big homes for things other than clutter.”  

­ Womack Weekly Commentary May 29, 2018 The Markets Geopolitical uncertainty didn’t dent U.S. stocks last week. Geopolitics is the intersection of geography, economics, and politics. Last week, there were some fine examples of the ways geopolitical events can create uncertainty. Barron’s reported: “President Donald Trump began the week suggesting that a trade war with China was on hold, before later ordering his administration to explore penalties on imported automobiles. The president also canceled talks with North Korea. Italy’s bond market melted down following the emergence of a Euroskeptic government, while Turkey’s lira tumbled over concerns that President Tayyip Erdogan would take control of its central bank, raising concerns about emerging markets.” Uncertainty caused major indices across Europe to finish lower last week. A majority of Asian-Pacific indices moved south, too, as did Canadian and Mexican indices. Despite pessimism elsewhere, inves