Here is proof that if you mention enough possible outcomes, some of them will come true and you will look like a genius. Okay, maybe not, but anyway, Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE: CSG) released its Confectionery Strategy press release. Here are the two most important details found in it:

• Conveniently buried in the release, which quickly became the headline, was the 15% job reduction -- or about 7,500 layoffs. The company added that it would look to close 15% of its confectionery factories by 2011 as part of an austerity plan. These steep cuts are expected to save the company up to an estimated GBP300M.
• Also of note, after receiving "expressions of interest," the company said it would most likely sell its American business unit rather than demerge it.

The news dropped the stock about half a percent today to 55.75 in midday trading, which I find kind of surprising since both items are positive, at least for the company's costs. This may just be a case where the action -- while drastic -- was still not enough to satisfy investors, who possibly expected a more earthshaking announcement.

My wife and I were at our local Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) branch today and we signed some important papers. The documents we put our names to probably represent the single best investment we have made in our time together. Utilizing a portion of a rather handsome income tax return and some carefully thought out timing, we as a couple today reduced our consumer debt load by approximately 25%.

Being in debt has always made my skin crawl, though I fully understand the reasons why we do it. If you want a nice house and a fine automobile or two, the chances are that the only way you can pull it off is by borrowing the funds to make it possible. That doesn't change the fact though that I hate being in debt, and whenever the opportunities present themselves I do what I reasonably can to reduce my debt level.