once again i expect gdp to be very weak in the first quarter of the year.  

this is what i call the obamacare effect.  people open their new insurance statements, see the increase in cost, and it causes folks to pull back on their spending for a few months.  (renember, even if you are not on the ACA, about all insurance policies now roll out their new policy/pricing as the year rolls over.  like my wifes employer, who sends out the forms/info in november, to inform you of signup/pricing, etc for the new year).  

the only positive for retailers in the first quarter will be all the folks using their gift cards from Xmas.  

btw,  our policies/pricing was up far too much.  so that will hit our "other" spending until april or may.