Hi Everyone:
I am sure you have all either read about or saw some news broadcast of the seemingly endless bickering that has paralyzed Washington DC. If you are like me, I am so sick and tired of all the partisanship that has become so much more noticeable since the 2000 election. So it must come to all of you as no surprise that the politicians have shown that they have absolutely no common sense what-so-ever. It doesn't matter which party you belong to in this issue because both sides are guilty. Say what you will about the state of affairs of our politicians, but I think we can all agree on the fact that Washington politics has become very polarizing and therefore important changes to benefit the American public get stalled or doesn't happen at all.
In the last 10 years, it seems that politicians spend 98% of their time trying to figure out how to trip up the opposition and 2% on how to help our country. So I have come up with a few new rules that all politicians should follow effective immediately! Now I know that these are fantasy rules but if you think about them, they make sense and quite possibly could help Washington get the job done. Trying to stay apolitical, the new rules apply to both parties because both parties are guilty at one time or another. The new rules are in no specific order. I just typed them as I thought of them and they are as follows:
1) Always tell the truth, no more lies.
2) Spin doctors must be outlawed. If you make a mistake, admit it. Do not use a spin dr. to try to change the facts to benefit your side. The American people are smarter than we are given credit for. See #1.
3) When asked a question by a reporter etc. answer the question directly. No more beating around the bush by saying a lot of "who shot John" and then never really answering the question. See #1.
4) No more use of scare tactics to try to change the publics view. See #1.
5) Just because you do not agree with the sitting administration does not make you un-American. It is our right to disagree by using facts not innuendo or lies etc. See #1.
6) You will no longer be allowed to make a statement like, our party is the cost cutting, lowering taxes party, when in fact if you look at their past policy record proves the opposite. See #1.
7) Politics should not a winner take all game.
8) All bills brought to the house should have a bi-partisan effort. Lately it seems that members of the same party will force their own to withdraw their support of any bill, if they don't tow that party's line.
9) Bills should not be passed solely on a majority party vote alone. In other words, bi-partisanship is not a bad word and should be used as much as possible.
10) Your party can not be an obstructionist party. If you disagree, come up with your version and let the public know. Just saying no without showing your plan benefits no one. Also trying to start over in the publics mind means that nothing will be done.
11) Compromise must be re-instilled in our politicians. These days, it seems that compromise is also another dirty word.
12) Tactical maneuvering for short term gain must be ended.
13) Politicians posturing to benefit themselves and not the American people must end immediately.
14) When one party accuses the other party of some wrong way to achieve some goal, the accusing party must look over their own shoulder to make sure that they didn't do the exact same thing when they were in charge. Hypocrisy is not a pretty picture. See #1.
15) It is ok to disagree, but name calling and misinformation thrown out to the public to change some one's mind must stop. See #1.
16) I think that pork barrel spending wastes a lot of money and should be banned. There must be a better way to get federal money then attaching it to some bill.
17) Talking points should be based solely on fact and truth and absolutely nothing else. See #1
18) Former Presidents and Vice-Presidents should keep their mouths shut, regarding the policies of whom ever is in office, after they have left office. They had their time in office be it good or bad.
Now I am very much aware that we do not live in an utopian society, but some of the above could be used to help end the very polarizing partisanship that has been going on for far to long in Washington. We should not be a country of red and blue states. We should be a country of Americans. Common sense dictates that compromise and bi-partisanship is the only way to go. If you have thought of any "new rules" please share and let me know.
On a side note, almost one year ago, I blogged about the big banks. At the end I made the suggestion that maybe one should think about canceling your big bank accounts and moving your money to a small community bank, that is in good financial condition. Well, well, well, there is now a web site that will help you do just that. The site is moveyourmoney.com. All you have to do is type in your zip code and it will list local banks, (in good standing), in your area. If you still use a big bank, you should think about changing to a local bank that played by the rules and didn't need to be bailed out. Just a thought.
Til next week.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Grocery Shopping Black Hole
Hi Everyone:
So last week as I was checking out from the grocery store the person before me was totally shocked when she saw the bill. The customer got a bit irate at the cashier because of the $120 bill. She complained that the prices were too high, meaning her high bill was the store's fault and not hers. Obviously, it wasn't the cashiers fault. But I see this a lot, even when times are not hard.
It seems that there are still a lot of people who shop like unknowledgeable shoppers. To some people, grocery shopping represents never knowing how much their final bill will come to and then are not only shocked at the final bill but they also blew their weekly grocery budget. Hence the black hole affect of sucking those hard earned dollars right out of your pocket. I have actually helped a bunch of friends trim their weekly food budget using my tried and proven methods. Here is my common sense approach to food shopping, even if you shop at multiple stores:
1) Sign up for the store's discount card. Without it, you will not get the best price each week on a lot of items. This is a great way to save money each and every time you shop.
2) Always read and use the weekly flyer(s) that comes in the mail or you might be able to get the same info online from their web site.
3) Using a pen, circle the items in the flyer that you want or need.
4) Write a list with each and every item that you want to buy. Omit nothing on the list. Make sure to also write down the costs of each item. When the list is complete add all the item costs together to get your total. If the amount is over your budget, trim the list until the cost fits your budget.
5) I make my list based on the aisle layout in the store. So I begin with the aisle next to the entrance and work my way around the store. You can get an aisle layout from the customer service desk so as to help you make your list.
6) When making your list, if you're not sure about what to have for a weekend dinner or whatever, just write down a dollar amount for the dinner or whatever and then make the meal fit your budget.
7) If you are not a brand loyal customer, check out the prices of the store brands. They are always less expensive. Even if you use the same item each and every time, try the competition if it is on sale. Who knows, you may find out that you like more than one brand. Then you have doubled your odds for a sale on what you like.
8) When you cross off something on the list, keep a running tab of the costs of each and every item. Rounding up is the easiest way to adding up the items i.e.: $.99 becomes $1.00 and $1.63 becomes $1.65. This is the second most important thing to do only being topped by writing a list.
9) When an advertised sale item is not available, check with customer service to see if they will make a substitution. If not, get a raincheck that is usually good for 30 to 60 days.
10) While in the store, always keep an eye out for unadvertised specials. You might be able to switch an item from your list for an unadvertised special. You have immediately saved money from your list.
11) Another way to save might be found at your local neighborhood gas station. A lot of gas stations sell staples such as milk, butter and eggs etc. at a lower cost then your grocery store. Since you get your gas there, why not buy the items, if they are less expensive.
12) You may also be able to save money when buying from Walmart, Target, Kmart or even your local dollar store etc. only if you are sure that the prices are less expensive that week.
13) When items that you use often are on sale, try to buy as many as your budget will allow.
14) Be careful when buying in bulk. Sometimes it is more cost effective, but other times it is not especially when the smaller size is on sale and the cost per item is less then even buying in bulk. Yes you might have to do some math to figure it out, but it is worth it when considering the bottom line, your weekly budget and saving money.
15) I have found in my area that almost everything that we use eventually goes on sale every 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, I always try to stock up to hold us over until the next sale.
16) When you get to the check out, you will already know the approximate amount of your bill. I say that because (at least here in New York), non food items are subject to tax, especially beer!
17) When you get your final bill, if it is off by dollars, you will immediately know a mistake was made. Hopefully the mistake was the store's fault and not your ability to add correctly. More than likely, the computer didn't charge you the sale price but rather the regular price. At one of the stores that we use, if the item scans incorrectly, you get that item free up to a $10.00 value. I find that it happens more often than you would think. But if you didn't keep a running tab, you would never know that you didn't pay the sale price and you were overcharged.
I realize that doing all of the above, especially keeping a running tab, seems like a lot of work, but trust me you will save money and keep yourself on a budget without falling into the black hole. If any of you try my suggestions and you save money let me know.
Good luck and have fun saving some money. Saving money does make common sense.
Til next week.
So last week as I was checking out from the grocery store the person before me was totally shocked when she saw the bill. The customer got a bit irate at the cashier because of the $120 bill. She complained that the prices were too high, meaning her high bill was the store's fault and not hers. Obviously, it wasn't the cashiers fault. But I see this a lot, even when times are not hard.
It seems that there are still a lot of people who shop like unknowledgeable shoppers. To some people, grocery shopping represents never knowing how much their final bill will come to and then are not only shocked at the final bill but they also blew their weekly grocery budget. Hence the black hole affect of sucking those hard earned dollars right out of your pocket. I have actually helped a bunch of friends trim their weekly food budget using my tried and proven methods. Here is my common sense approach to food shopping, even if you shop at multiple stores:
1) Sign up for the store's discount card. Without it, you will not get the best price each week on a lot of items. This is a great way to save money each and every time you shop.
2) Always read and use the weekly flyer(s) that comes in the mail or you might be able to get the same info online from their web site.
3) Using a pen, circle the items in the flyer that you want or need.
4) Write a list with each and every item that you want to buy. Omit nothing on the list. Make sure to also write down the costs of each item. When the list is complete add all the item costs together to get your total. If the amount is over your budget, trim the list until the cost fits your budget.
5) I make my list based on the aisle layout in the store. So I begin with the aisle next to the entrance and work my way around the store. You can get an aisle layout from the customer service desk so as to help you make your list.
6) When making your list, if you're not sure about what to have for a weekend dinner or whatever, just write down a dollar amount for the dinner or whatever and then make the meal fit your budget.
7) If you are not a brand loyal customer, check out the prices of the store brands. They are always less expensive. Even if you use the same item each and every time, try the competition if it is on sale. Who knows, you may find out that you like more than one brand. Then you have doubled your odds for a sale on what you like.
8) When you cross off something on the list, keep a running tab of the costs of each and every item. Rounding up is the easiest way to adding up the items i.e.: $.99 becomes $1.00 and $1.63 becomes $1.65. This is the second most important thing to do only being topped by writing a list.
9) When an advertised sale item is not available, check with customer service to see if they will make a substitution. If not, get a raincheck that is usually good for 30 to 60 days.
10) While in the store, always keep an eye out for unadvertised specials. You might be able to switch an item from your list for an unadvertised special. You have immediately saved money from your list.
11) Another way to save might be found at your local neighborhood gas station. A lot of gas stations sell staples such as milk, butter and eggs etc. at a lower cost then your grocery store. Since you get your gas there, why not buy the items, if they are less expensive.
12) You may also be able to save money when buying from Walmart, Target, Kmart or even your local dollar store etc. only if you are sure that the prices are less expensive that week.
13) When items that you use often are on sale, try to buy as many as your budget will allow.
14) Be careful when buying in bulk. Sometimes it is more cost effective, but other times it is not especially when the smaller size is on sale and the cost per item is less then even buying in bulk. Yes you might have to do some math to figure it out, but it is worth it when considering the bottom line, your weekly budget and saving money.
15) I have found in my area that almost everything that we use eventually goes on sale every 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, I always try to stock up to hold us over until the next sale.
16) When you get to the check out, you will already know the approximate amount of your bill. I say that because (at least here in New York), non food items are subject to tax, especially beer!
17) When you get your final bill, if it is off by dollars, you will immediately know a mistake was made. Hopefully the mistake was the store's fault and not your ability to add correctly. More than likely, the computer didn't charge you the sale price but rather the regular price. At one of the stores that we use, if the item scans incorrectly, you get that item free up to a $10.00 value. I find that it happens more often than you would think. But if you didn't keep a running tab, you would never know that you didn't pay the sale price and you were overcharged.
I realize that doing all of the above, especially keeping a running tab, seems like a lot of work, but trust me you will save money and keep yourself on a budget without falling into the black hole. If any of you try my suggestions and you save money let me know.
Good luck and have fun saving some money. Saving money does make common sense.
Til next week.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Why Are We In This Mess?
Hi Everyone:
Today's topic is about how and why we as a country find ourselves in this Great Recession. I have touched on some of these points previously, but today I will connect the dots to answer those two questions. In this very political atmosphere that we live in, it never ceases to amaze me when untruths are spread around as truth. So let's look at the facts and nothing but the facts:
1)-2001 Bush tax cuts.
2)- 9/11/01 Islamic extremists attack our country.
3)- 10/7/01 The war in Afghanistan began with allied air strikes.
4)- 3/20/03 The war in Iraq began with air strikes.
5)- 2005 thru 2006 This was when the majority of sub-prime mortgages were sold. They were
also sold into 2008.
6)- 2006 thru 2008 Oil speculators became very greedy and caused the extraordinary
price spikes of gasoline to pass the $4.20 per gallon mark.
7)- 12/07 The month that the Great Recession actually began.
8)- 7/30/08 President Bush signs TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) which loaned out
approximately $750 billion to troubled banks, investment firms and AIG.
9)- 1/20/09 President Obama is sworn in.
Now those are the undeniable facts. Now let's see how all of those combined ended with the Great Recession taking a grip on not only this country, but helped to plunge the entire global community into the Great Recession.
1) Although the tax cuts reduced rates for all people at every income level, there is now proof that it has really, really helped the richest 1%, with tax reductions averaging $85,000. These huge tax cuts to the richest prevented the collection of tax money that could have been used to reduce the burden on the middle class.
3) In my opinion, this is a just war against the Taliban and al-Queda who attacked us first. But the ongoing war has cost us billions and billions with no end in sight.
4) In my opinion, this is an unjust war based on lies and misinformation. We should have never attacked Iraq. This almost 7 year war is now costing us $12 billion per month. This war has taken a trillion dollars away from every state, county and city in America. Again, there is no easy way out of this war and consequently it will continue to cost us billions of dollars each month.
5) The financial scam that banks, investment firms and insurance companies were allowed to perpetrate involving toxic loans, derivative bond bundles (which usually contained about 10% of sub-prime mortgages), and insuring these worthless pieces of paper all but destroyed our nation's free-enterprise system.
6) At the same time that the sub-prime fiasco started to rear its ugly head, speculators took the price of a barrel of oil to new heights, namely $147/barrel; which translated into a whopping $4.20 for a gallon a gasoline. A gallon of home heating oil was even more expensive.
7) At the time, 12/07, no one knew that this was when the Great Recession actually began but it has been determined to be the start date and obviously continues to this date.
8) The surprise of how fast President Bush decided to bail out the banks, investment firms and AIG to the tune of $750 billion was astounding. Of course that first round of TARP money bailout was given out without any strings attached. Who does that? So it was business as usual for the banks et. al. to hand out billions in bonuses before they even repaid the TARP money, which they so desperately needed. The banks et. al. caused their own demise. The TARP money was supposed to be partly used for new loans and instead they horded it and used it to help their own bottom lines, hence the large bonuses.
9) When President Obama was sworn in on 1/20/09, he inherited from President Bush a one trillion dollar deficit and the fast growing Great Recession was quickly approaching what some analysts predicted to become a depression. During the beginning of the Great Depression of 1929 then President Herbert Hoover decided not to do anything but sit back and watch and to leave everything alone; as they believed that the market and banks would correct themselves. That's why President Roosevelt was elected to help the country get back on course. By the time FDR took office in March 1933, the Great Depression was already 4 years old and immediate action was most needed and was taken.
So yesterday, Sarah Palin gave a speech in Nashville, Tenn. to a Tea Party gathering. From what I heard and read, Ms. Palin was big on enthusiasm but short on any ideas. She blamed President Obama for all of our problems. It seems that some people are convincing themselves that almost everything that President Obama has done to help the country is wrong. Unfortunately, in this day and age everyone wants immediate satisfaction no matter what. I am not sure if the second $750 billion stimulus President Obama issued was too much or too little. Why? Because it is too early to tell. It will take time to fix our economy. It took FDR 7-8 years to get our country back on track. What makes people so damn impatient today is besides me. Let's give it time. It will take years not days or months till unemployment and economy is up to snuff.
So it seems that some people in this country have very short memories. So let's review the undeniable facts: numbers 1 through 8 all happened on President Bush's watch and no one else's period. If we never attacked Iraq and the Bush tax cuts were never implemented, without a doubt, and no one can argue this point, this country would be so much better off financially. The draining of our tax dollars for Iraq is unprecedented and can not continue indefinitely or it will bankrupt our country.
So there are the facts. I can only hope that people, including politicians, especially Republicans, remember what the actual facts are and to use them correctly. Unfortunately, in our present political climate that may just be wishful thinking.
Go Colts!
Til next week.
Today's topic is about how and why we as a country find ourselves in this Great Recession. I have touched on some of these points previously, but today I will connect the dots to answer those two questions. In this very political atmosphere that we live in, it never ceases to amaze me when untruths are spread around as truth. So let's look at the facts and nothing but the facts:
1)-2001 Bush tax cuts.
2)- 9/11/01 Islamic extremists attack our country.
3)- 10/7/01 The war in Afghanistan began with allied air strikes.
4)- 3/20/03 The war in Iraq began with air strikes.
5)- 2005 thru 2006 This was when the majority of sub-prime mortgages were sold. They were
also sold into 2008.
6)- 2006 thru 2008 Oil speculators became very greedy and caused the extraordinary
price spikes of gasoline to pass the $4.20 per gallon mark.
7)- 12/07 The month that the Great Recession actually began.
8)- 7/30/08 President Bush signs TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) which loaned out
approximately $750 billion to troubled banks, investment firms and AIG.
9)- 1/20/09 President Obama is sworn in.
Now those are the undeniable facts. Now let's see how all of those combined ended with the Great Recession taking a grip on not only this country, but helped to plunge the entire global community into the Great Recession.
1) Although the tax cuts reduced rates for all people at every income level, there is now proof that it has really, really helped the richest 1%, with tax reductions averaging $85,000. These huge tax cuts to the richest prevented the collection of tax money that could have been used to reduce the burden on the middle class.
3) In my opinion, this is a just war against the Taliban and al-Queda who attacked us first. But the ongoing war has cost us billions and billions with no end in sight.
4) In my opinion, this is an unjust war based on lies and misinformation. We should have never attacked Iraq. This almost 7 year war is now costing us $12 billion per month. This war has taken a trillion dollars away from every state, county and city in America. Again, there is no easy way out of this war and consequently it will continue to cost us billions of dollars each month.
5) The financial scam that banks, investment firms and insurance companies were allowed to perpetrate involving toxic loans, derivative bond bundles (which usually contained about 10% of sub-prime mortgages), and insuring these worthless pieces of paper all but destroyed our nation's free-enterprise system.
6) At the same time that the sub-prime fiasco started to rear its ugly head, speculators took the price of a barrel of oil to new heights, namely $147/barrel; which translated into a whopping $4.20 for a gallon a gasoline. A gallon of home heating oil was even more expensive.
7) At the time, 12/07, no one knew that this was when the Great Recession actually began but it has been determined to be the start date and obviously continues to this date.
8) The surprise of how fast President Bush decided to bail out the banks, investment firms and AIG to the tune of $750 billion was astounding. Of course that first round of TARP money bailout was given out without any strings attached. Who does that? So it was business as usual for the banks et. al. to hand out billions in bonuses before they even repaid the TARP money, which they so desperately needed. The banks et. al. caused their own demise. The TARP money was supposed to be partly used for new loans and instead they horded it and used it to help their own bottom lines, hence the large bonuses.
9) When President Obama was sworn in on 1/20/09, he inherited from President Bush a one trillion dollar deficit and the fast growing Great Recession was quickly approaching what some analysts predicted to become a depression. During the beginning of the Great Depression of 1929 then President Herbert Hoover decided not to do anything but sit back and watch and to leave everything alone; as they believed that the market and banks would correct themselves. That's why President Roosevelt was elected to help the country get back on course. By the time FDR took office in March 1933, the Great Depression was already 4 years old and immediate action was most needed and was taken.
So yesterday, Sarah Palin gave a speech in Nashville, Tenn. to a Tea Party gathering. From what I heard and read, Ms. Palin was big on enthusiasm but short on any ideas. She blamed President Obama for all of our problems. It seems that some people are convincing themselves that almost everything that President Obama has done to help the country is wrong. Unfortunately, in this day and age everyone wants immediate satisfaction no matter what. I am not sure if the second $750 billion stimulus President Obama issued was too much or too little. Why? Because it is too early to tell. It will take time to fix our economy. It took FDR 7-8 years to get our country back on track. What makes people so damn impatient today is besides me. Let's give it time. It will take years not days or months till unemployment and economy is up to snuff.
So it seems that some people in this country have very short memories. So let's review the undeniable facts: numbers 1 through 8 all happened on President Bush's watch and no one else's period. If we never attacked Iraq and the Bush tax cuts were never implemented, without a doubt, and no one can argue this point, this country would be so much better off financially. The draining of our tax dollars for Iraq is unprecedented and can not continue indefinitely or it will bankrupt our country.
So there are the facts. I can only hope that people, including politicians, especially Republicans, remember what the actual facts are and to use them correctly. Unfortunately, in our present political climate that may just be wishful thinking.
Go Colts!
Til next week.
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