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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley news Volume XX Issue XI September 15, 2012 Zions Bank Utah Consumer Attitude Index: Two Great Kinds of Trips and Two Great Travel Tips! was for a family of ten, including grandparents, Patty Crim, teenagers, and even an infant. They opted for Murdock Travel Consumer confidence unchanged in August ByMorris the “two for one” and the “all-inclusive” journey The Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index (CAI) rose 0.3 points to 76.9 in August. The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) decreased 4.8 points to 60.6, resulting in a 16.3 point difference between the two indices. An increase of 0.3 points is a negligible amount that suggests consumer attitudes toward the economy have stagnated in Utah. The long-term trends of the CAI reveal uneven results that parallel the inconsistent economic recovery. The CAI has decreased 7.9 points over the last six months, but has increased17.2 points since August of 2011. At 57.9, the Zions Bank Present Situation Index — which tracks confidence in current business and employment conditions — remained unchanged in August, compared to a 0.1 point decrease nationally. Sixty-one percent of Utahns perceived the general business conditions in their area as “normal,” a higher percentage than any other time in the last two years. Unfortunately, at 22 percent, the proportion of consumers that view business conditions as “good” is smaller than it has been since November 2011. The Zions Bank Expectations Index — which measures consumer confidence in the economy six months from now — increased 0.5 points last month to 89.6, compared to a 7.9 point decrease nationally. The Expectations Index hit a 16-month high in February, but consumer attitudes toward the economic outlook have soured over the last six months. Economic and political uncertainty has defined the second and third quarters of 2012. Until there is more clarity around national economic policy, local consumers are unlikely to abandon their apprehension about the future. Utahns indicated an increased level of concern over inflationary pressure in August. Seventy-one percent of Utahns expect gas prices to increase over the next 12 months, a seven percentage point increase from July. Additionally, 78 percent of local consumers expect consumer goods to increase in the next year, which is the largest proportion since November 2011. One positive expected price increase over the next 12 months is in the housing sector. Seventy-nine percent of Utahns believe that the price of homes will stay the same or increase throughout 2012. “We’re heading into a fall that includes a presidential election, which is always a tenuous time economically,” said Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson. “Markets tend to overreact to proposed policy decisions and business leaders opt to defer investment decisions until the political landscape is defined. All of this uncertainty makes consumers nervous and can translate into stagnation on the part of businesses and individuals. Luckily, some of the most important sectors for growth, including housing and retail sales, have shown relative strength over the last few months. Zions Bank will continue to track and report the most relevant economic indicators throughout the 2012 election.” Zions Bank provides the CAI as a free resource to the communities of Utah. The monthly CAI summary reports are released at a monthly press conference, coinciding with The Conference Board’s national CCI release date. The reports are available online at www.zionsbank.com/cai. Analysis and data collection for the CAI are done by The Cicero Group/Dan Jones & Associates, a premier market research firm based in Salt Lake City. The September CAI will be released during a press conference at a local business at 10:30 a.m. on September 25, 2012. Raise your hand if you have ever said, “I want the biggest bang for my buck on my vacation.” I know I have. This statement says to me, “More inclusions, more inclusions, and more inclusions.” To simplify, I have two categories for getting more inclusions in a vacation. The first category is the resort inclusive style. This category offers staying at a property that has everything. For example, a resort on the beach, meals, drinks, tips, golf, diving and the destination is great for sightseeing and local excursions. Most of these types of vacations are found throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, both of which are considered a gateway to amazing land and sea excursions. The second category for getting the most out of your money and time is a category I call, “A two for one.” This is where you fly into one location and fly out of another location. In doing this, you are covering a few areas and making the most out of your time. Often times the cost for the flight is the same amount as it would cost for you to fly into and out of the same place. Traveling this way makes you feel like you had several vacations rolled into one trip. Here are two great trips I booked this summer for clients who wanted the biggest bang for their buck. The first trip was for an active couple that wanted to do some day trips to the local areas and then come back to the resort and just relax and be pampered. Sandals Resorts in St. Lucia is where they decided on. My clients had seven great restaurants to choose from at the resort. They also took advantage of the free diving and snorkeling included in the package, and played golf which was also included. For a day trip they went to the Pitons and hiked to a waterfall. I don’t know about you, but that is what I would call a pretty Zions Bank is Utah’s oldest financial insti- inclusive holiday! are so many all-inclusive resorts that tution. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank has been are There great for families as well. The second trip serving the communities of Utah for more than 135 years. Additional information is available at <www.zionsbank.com> Discovery Time at the Ogden Valley Branch Library will begin again on September 17 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 801-337-2660. After the storm . . . in Costa Rica. This is such a beautiful country, offering sights such as volcanoes, hot springs, cloud forests, jungles, rivers and, of course, beaches and culture. It would almost be a shame if you only saw one area. Costa Rica is relatively small so seeing the above mentioned areas is fairly easy to do. My clients flew into Liberia, which is about an hour from the Guanacaste beach area and spent three nights at (you guessed it) an allinclusive resort. Then they were off to the cloud forest for two nights where they would zip-line and take a night tour to see the amazing glow in the dark creatures and flora and fauna. The kids loved this! Last stop was the Arenal volcano and hot springs. To help make this schedule seamless for my clients, I used a great company that transfers them to each area of the country. This really makes for a hassle-free vacation, which is also a great inclusion. Again, flying into one part of the country then out of a different area so there is no back tracking, and at the same cost, is a no brainer—take advantage of this! Now, on to the travel tips! Good advice is sometimes hard to come by, but I have had firsthand experience in these two situations, which is why I bring them up. Travel insurance declined? Think again! . . . Sometimes even the best plans can go wrong. An emergency can force you to cancel your trip. Baggage can be delayed or lost. You could have a medical crisis during you trip. Morris Murdock Travel offers travel insurance. Second tip, if traveling outside of the U.S., make sure your passport is valid. Some countries require your passport to be valid six months after your return to the U.S. For pricing on “getting the biggest bang for your buck” on your next vacation, give me a call at work or e-mail me! Visit pcrim@ morrismurdock.com or call 801-394-2667. Photo by Larry Zini. Now Open Assisted Living in Ogden Valley t t t t t t Formerly The Red Moose Lodge in Eden. Nutritional, Homemade Meals Prepared by our In-House Chef Luise 2547 N. Valley Junction Drive In-House Beauty Salon When you come for a tour, we Loving, Personal Care from Staff 13 know you will 24-Hr. Medication Management and say, “This is 27 Rooms Help with Activities of Daily Living where I want to Level 2 Facility with CNAs on Staff have my loved Available one.” Make an Appointment for Lunch and a Tour Call 801-745-6667 or 801-541-3336 ~ www.beehivehomes.com |