Whither the euro?

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Hi Carol, that's what I was thinking about the early deposit but apparently, he requires it to hold the booking. Even though if cancellation is before 3mths of check-in, there is no fee, so I don't see the point of debiting my cc so early, but possibly, it's for his peace of mind.

*Forgot to add that it is Christmas week from 22- 27 Dec '12 so it is a high demand week I assume? We don't want to be in a hotel for Christmas. Although RCI has a rental near Rome for the same week and they want FULL payment up front with no cancellation allowed.

I haven't used VRBO but I'm a little suspicious about someone needing such a substantial deposit for Christmas week, which I too would assume is high demand. Is that usual? At least we know RCI is honest . If you want to go ahead, is it possible to negotiate progressive payments to the owner. I guess your credit card will give some protection too.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I would wait and get currency when you arrive.

I think the big issue would be strikes, which have been a real pain for tourism in Greece since the crisis hit there. Also all international train service from Greece has been suspended indefinitely. Those are the types of issues I would be more worried about.

Oh hadn't thought about the strikes. And we're going on a Costa cruise so maybe the crew will strike too. That would really suck.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

I think the AUD is a currency with strong fundamentals. It is certainly not going to collapse. The only negative is that many market traders consider it to be a ''commodity currency'' and if commodity prices tank, the value of the AUD will be impacted some. I do not consider holding it simply because it is very difficult to find in the country in which I live. Only the larger banks would be likely to have it, and they are the ones with the worst exchange rates.

Can someone give me a view of the AUD as compared to the Euro?

We have a trip booked for Italy in Dec 2012 before coming to the US and one of the rental place in Rome (via VRBO) is charging us in Euros. We're paying the substantial deposit for the week in Jan. Should we wait until later in 2012 to pay, or the sooner the better?

I was thinking if we wait, the exchange value of AUD might go up so the trip could be a lot cheaper?

Although if the whole thing collapse, then what?

None of you are investing in the AUD? Why not? Do you think it'll go up or is it just too expensive?

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Deja Vu. Nobel laurette economists debate the euro in 2000:

From the Archives: Mundell vs. Friedman on the euro | FP Comment | Financial Post

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

CNBC: ''Economist - No Way Out for Europe''

News Headlines

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

A particularly good analysis from the Asia Times:

Asia Times Online :: Hope hangs on

[pranas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pranas]

Interesting article, thanks for posting it.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Essay by a former British Chancellor of the Exchequer:

Surviving the euro | The Spectator

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

The weak euro: Look out below!-- The Buzz - Nov. 17, 2011

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Well, it looks like Friday's conference may be the final straw, or they may patch enough together to muddle on a while longer.

Some interesting developments:

- AAA rated Austria has adopted legislation requiring a near balanced budget and requiring its existing debt be whittled down. Now if it only still had the schilling as its currency, it would be in great shape!

- British Prime Minister David Cameron has threatened to veto any Lisbon Treaty changes if the UK's financial industry was impared by the changes

- The second most important elected official in the UK, London Mayor Boris Johnson has called for a referendum on any EU treaty changes if they include a fiscal union for the Eurozone. The top cabinet official for Northern Ireland has also said that in the event of a fiscal union a referendum would be ''inevitable''

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Endgame is here for euro -- and us - 1 - global economy - MSN Money

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Why Merkel-Sarkozy pact is doomed to fail - Portfolio Insights by Brett Arends - MarketWatch

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Half-Baked Treaty Deal Could Lead to Collapse of Euro Zone - The Daily Beast

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Would you purchase euros now for a trip to Italy for 2012 ?

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Europe’s disastrous summit | Felix Salmon