Reading the tea leaves

If the previous recession has taught me anything it is to be cautions. These are today's "Stocks and Economy" headlines from MSNBC.com:

Stocks lower after downbeat GDP data
Economy grows at softest pace in two years
U.S. jobless claims rise, as expected
Durable goods orders drop unexpectedly
U.S. consumer confidence drops in April

On the site's main page today is a link titled ...

More signs economy is weakening

... that points to the same article as the second one in the list above.

It makes perfect sense. Rising energy cost increases the cost of business and reduces consumer activity. Put all that together and wonder if right now is the best time to be making huge financial decisions like selling a house, entertaining other job offers, etc. But there is a new, nagging thought from this weekend to not live in fear.