We cut back on gas use for "green" reasons. We walk to church, video store, restaurants and so forth. We combine errands. We carpool. I telecommute.
My husband's job involves getting on farmers' back 40s and requires a gas-guzzling SUV with major cargo room. NOT A HUMMER - those suck for real field work. Hubby should know - he has driven real Hummers (not these wimpy street ones) in the ARMY. We own a van too and I can testify absolutely that vans are better for vacations, visibility, room, and ease of travel.
I guess the upshot is that we will conserve where we can, but will shell out whatever amount of money it takes to get us where we need to go.
When my siblings and I learned to drive, my parents told us to alwaysalwaysalways give a wave to someone who has let you change lanes into theirs, whether or not they were nice about it. That wave actually does a lot to dispel road rage.
I love it when I receive emails from my friends with links to interesting websites or news articles, that they think would be relevant and useful to me, or maybe just make me laugh. There are several websites and blogs that I visit often due to a suggestion from a friend. For example, I have forwarded this blog on to my friends, and I think they have found it useful too. Just be judicious about what you forward on, so that you do not inadvertently become a "spammer" in your friends' eyes.
Have "Science Education," and its resultant industrial and technical revolutions, brought (or bought) our lives more meaning, joy, happiness, simplicity or peace?
A shuffling of our shopping dates isn't the same as a boycott. We need to be prepared to completely abstain (i.e. sacrifice) from a number of comforts in order to truly send the message that a traditional boycott requires. I am beginning to think that changing the world will come in the form of kindness, and I am very excited by some of the ideas that both Julie and Paul mentioned in their articles.
It used to be that the main question was whether the parents had provided at least half your support to claim you as a dependent. (Things like providing a place for you to live count--it doesn't have to be cash.) The rules may have changed, though--I'm really not a tax expert.
It's important for parents and kids to touch base on this and make sure that they agree how they're going do it. It'd be a waste for neither to take the deduction, but very bad for both to do so.
I love the topic. I think we need to start talking about this. This is getting closer to reality every day.
The Fed minutes yesterday, said the economy could be in for a "Severe Downturn". That downturn could start as a recession and turn into a depression. The entire world is getting pulled into the downturn. Foreign markets are already down 20% this year and the realy bad news is still to come. I know ... doom and gloom.
If (or when) the foreign investors lose faith in the US markets, the dollar will sink like a rock in a river. The dollar is already at risk, which puts savers like us at risk. If dollars dropped in value by half and inflation gobbles up another x% per year, the savers could lose the most. A friend of mine does not own a home and has no assets and a steady income with his own business. He has nothing to lose, but I could lose a lot. So, I'm not sure who I would rather be, as we face the coming downturn.
Some say to invest in foreign currencies, but they are also losing value as their central banks are printing money to keep from losing against the dollar - is order to keep their economies from completely stopping. All equity markets and currenies are very risky right now, leaving the commodities to hedge against the dollar as the best choice to protect a saver wealth.
People have also lost track of what a boycott actually is and what makes it effective.
e.g. Just not buying gas on a particular day doesn't make an impact because you're still buying the same amount of gas overall -- just on a different day. If you wanted to actually take money away from the oil company, you'd have to use less of their product.
"Take your pick of social agendas, and for each one you pledge yourself to, there will be 100 more clamoring for your attention. We are just spreading ourselves way too thin."
This is a great point, and something I've struggled with for a while. Do I buy fair trade or vegan or organic or local? We're supposed to speak with our pocketbooks, but that's hard to do when the most socially responsible purchases are frequently the most expensive.
I suppose the answer, if there is one, is to do what we can with our pocketbooks and in our communities. The rest is out of our hands.
RedBox gives out free codes for a free one-day rental every Monday. All you have to do is sign up with your email or cell number to receive the codes at:
I'll say it again, you're still in my thoughts and in the drag down menu on my e-mail account. I want to tell you about new developments, talk about world events, upcoming travel, coffee, Kwame Kilpatrick and Obama, so much to talk about there, I know for a fact you're a big Fan. I know you were once a fan of Bill Clinton too.
RE: YOU! There were no other possibilities at all. Like you used to say "COME ON!" Of course you name is hyphenated! Did your friend tell you I saw her about a year ago and that I asked about you and she told me what you were up to, most of which I already knew from surfing the net over several years. I just want to know you again. And I'll say this here, I don't care who sees it: As far as the full package, no one has ever come close. Anyway, we're both grown and we're both busy. Let me put it out there. Would you like to talk every once and while, correspond, of course not here, and keep it decent. I understand if you don't but I could use someone in my life right now who really knows me.
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW,You like it and I like it. Isn't that right? I always liked that about you, you want it YOUR way, NOW. This is why you persist (grin). No, i'm afraid it's so very obvious sweetie but don't blame me blame the IT staff at facebook. Sometimes these searches just don't show up, sometimes names (clearing throat) appear without pictures. Whereas there is only one of me on Facebook and in general LOL:) Why you gotta tease a bruva (smile) just poke me and I promise I'll be gentle, respectful, unpersumptious non-punitive. Better yet, go to mywallst.net and you can stay anonymous, you don't have to put up your screen name or your real name. Know this, I assure you I'm not fishing. I have a memory like an "elephant."
Let me reiterate: "Life is short, I want to know you again. PERIOD. Who cares where it does or doesn't go this time. But you and I both know it's unfair for you to decide to come in and out of my life whenever you feel like it, just like you've accused me of doing in times past."
I'm not trying to be cryptic and turn this into a game of cat and mouse.
I was curious about you so I googled you and I saw this very well written blog. I'm sorry, I know this is a place of business for you, and I won't write on here again.
I did not come here to drudge up things of the past. This is all so silly, and yes I'm sure I'm the person you are thinking of. If not then so be it!
By the way, I have a new last name on facebook. It's hyphenated. Go Obama.
I made 6000 while I was in college working for a restaurant and corporate coffee shop. I am currently 21 and would as all other college students like a rebate. I worked hard for the money. My parents pay over half of their income to the government because they worked so hard but get discounts on claiming me dependent. Mind you I pay for college through scholarships and work. They agreed to give me my rebate, since they get way more than 600$ in benefit from me.
I recommend talking to the fair parents who are really getting a nice deal on having us. On the other hand though, the benefits of having them as parents is certainly worth way more than 600$. I really wanted this benefit to help with credit card debt.
Anyway for other college students consider asking parents for a piece of their benefit.
No question about the lowest prices... and this is verified by motel clerks and motel managers. Coupon book prices even beat "member" prices.
The downside is that your room may be 2nd floor, though we usually get first floor if we ask.
It's the coupon books that are available at State Managed Rest/Information stops (and usually at quick stop stores and many restaurants). We're not world travellers, but can speak for the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
The books that we find to be the best are the Red Cover and Green Cover books. We never make reservations, and have only been turned away once about 10 years ago, when a college Homecoming game filled all motels. (We "motel" about 10 - 15 nights/year).
Very common for us to check at the same time as someone in front of us who has a reservation and gets AARP or AAA discount. Very typical that their rate is $59-$69 while our rate is $39 to $49. (route from Illinois to Florida where rates are lower than in major cities.)
Of course you have to be flexible, because you can't book the rooms at these prices in advance, and if you are arriving after about 7-8PM, the rooms that were set aside for the coupon trade, may be gone. (In which case you just go to the next motel on the list, or drive 15 miles to the next town.) We almost always plan to check in before 6, and always get a room.
You can pretty much depend on prices about $15 - $20 under rack price... and... make no mistake about it... without the coupon... no special price.
In some towns, the top price hotels are not in the coupon books, but usually all of the majors are.
The coupon books used to have websites, but no more... so if you're planning on going cross country, you'd better get into the state where you'll stay, before 5 or 6PM, when some of the information services close for the day.
Another great mind mapping tool is Mindjet's MindManager which is offered in Windows and Mac formats. It's the most comprehensive mind mapping solution out there. If you're new to mind mapping, Mindjet offers MindManager Lite which is an entry-level solution costing only $99. Additionally, Mindjet provides deep discounts for students and non-profit organizations.
For $1000 I was able to have a revocable trust set up for both my wife and I (a seperate trust for each, each with co-trusteeship) and a pour-over will. Remember, a will still leaves your loved ones exposed to probate and estate taxes!
Now, maybe my crockpot has too large a footprint, or something (causing the food to be too shallow to require that much heating), but I tried the egg casserole one, and it came out inedible. On Low for 7-8 hours, are you sure that's correct? I've got a big, *I think* 6-qt, crockpot (the oval, stainless-steel-finish kind).
My rendition of this recipe came out blackened on the outside, and sickening in texture, somewhere between jello and styrofoam. The only difference was my use of fresh peppers instead of canned. Total disappointment.
I was looking forward to the casserole, but after the disastrous results, I am glad to say I went ahead and took the time to properly cook up the rest of the eggs and sausage onhand (and those came out fantastically).
We cut back on gas use for "green" reasons. We walk to church, video store, restaurants and so forth. We combine errands. We carpool. I telecommute.
My husband's job involves getting on farmers' back 40s and requires a gas-guzzling SUV with major cargo room. NOT A HUMMER - those suck for real field work. Hubby should know - he has driven real Hummers (not these wimpy street ones) in the ARMY. We own a van too and I can testify absolutely that vans are better for vacations, visibility, room, and ease of travel.
I guess the upshot is that we will conserve where we can, but will shell out whatever amount of money it takes to get us where we need to go.
When my siblings and I learned to drive, my parents told us to alwaysalwaysalways give a wave to someone who has let you change lanes into theirs, whether or not they were nice about it. That wave actually does a lot to dispel road rage.
I love it when I receive emails from my friends with links to interesting websites or news articles, that they think would be relevant and useful to me, or maybe just make me laugh. There are several websites and blogs that I visit often due to a suggestion from a friend. For example, I have forwarded this blog on to my friends, and I think they have found it useful too. Just be judicious about what you forward on, so that you do not inadvertently become a "spammer" in your friends' eyes.
Thanks! Civility goes a long way. Even a big urban area can seem friendly, if most people just follow these habits.
Have "Science Education," and its resultant industrial and technical revolutions, brought (or bought) our lives more meaning, joy, happiness, simplicity or peace?
All these ideas are great.. traditional, common-courtesy, actually. Thanks for reminding us that the truly best things in life are free!
A shuffling of our shopping dates isn't the same as a boycott. We need to be prepared to completely abstain (i.e. sacrifice) from a number of comforts in order to truly send the message that a traditional boycott requires. I am beginning to think that changing the world will come in the form of kindness, and I am very excited by some of the ideas that both Julie and Paul mentioned in their articles.
It used to be that the main question was whether the parents had provided at least half your support to claim you as a dependent. (Things like providing a place for you to live count--it doesn't have to be cash.) The rules may have changed, though--I'm really not a tax expert.
It's important for parents and kids to touch base on this and make sure that they agree how they're going do it. It'd be a waste for neither to take the deduction, but very bad for both to do so.
I love the topic. I think we need to start talking about this. This is getting closer to reality every day.
The Fed minutes yesterday, said the economy could be in for a "Severe Downturn". That downturn could start as a recession and turn into a depression. The entire world is getting pulled into the downturn. Foreign markets are already down 20% this year and the realy bad news is still to come. I know ... doom and gloom.
If (or when) the foreign investors lose faith in the US markets, the dollar will sink like a rock in a river. The dollar is already at risk, which puts savers like us at risk. If dollars dropped in value by half and inflation gobbles up another x% per year, the savers could lose the most. A friend of mine does not own a home and has no assets and a steady income with his own business. He has nothing to lose, but I could lose a lot. So, I'm not sure who I would rather be, as we face the coming downturn.
Some say to invest in foreign currencies, but they are also losing value as their central banks are printing money to keep from losing against the dollar - is order to keep their economies from completely stopping. All equity markets and currenies are very risky right now, leaving the commodities to hedge against the dollar as the best choice to protect a saver wealth.
People have also lost track of what a boycott actually is and what makes it effective.
e.g. Just not buying gas on a particular day doesn't make an impact because you're still buying the same amount of gas overall -- just on a different day. If you wanted to actually take money away from the oil company, you'd have to use less of their product.
"Take your pick of social agendas, and for each one you pledge yourself to, there will be 100 more clamoring for your attention. We are just spreading ourselves way too thin."
This is a great point, and something I've struggled with for a while. Do I buy fair trade or vegan or organic or local? We're supposed to speak with our pocketbooks, but that's hard to do when the most socially responsible purchases are frequently the most expensive.
I suppose the answer, if there is one, is to do what we can with our pocketbooks and in our communities. The rest is out of our hands.
waht is the reuirement for a college student to be able to file as independent instead of claimed on their parents return?
RedBox gives out free codes for a free one-day rental every Monday. All you have to do is sign up with your email or cell number to receive the codes at:
http://www.redbox.com/Help/Signup.aspx
There are also communities that share these codes:
http://www.insideredbox.com/index.php/codes
http://www.redboxcodes.com/
Hope this helps out!
CFB
Ok, I poked you on facebook. Let's end this exchange on here.
I'll say it again, you're still in my thoughts and in the drag down menu on my e-mail account. I want to tell you about new developments, talk about world events, upcoming travel, coffee, Kwame Kilpatrick and Obama, so much to talk about there, I know for a fact you're a big Fan. I know you were once a fan of Bill Clinton too.
RE: YOU! There were no other possibilities at all. Like you used to say "COME ON!" Of course you name is hyphenated! Did your friend tell you I saw her about a year ago and that I asked about you and she told me what you were up to, most of which I already knew from surfing the net over several years. I just want to know you again. And I'll say this here, I don't care who sees it: As far as the full package, no one has ever come close. Anyway, we're both grown and we're both busy. Let me put it out there. Would you like to talk every once and while, correspond, of course not here, and keep it decent. I understand if you don't but I could use someone in my life right now who really knows me.
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW,You like it and I like it. Isn't that right? I always liked that about you, you want it YOUR way, NOW. This is why you persist (grin). No, i'm afraid it's so very obvious sweetie but don't blame me blame the IT staff at facebook. Sometimes these searches just don't show up, sometimes names (clearing throat) appear without pictures. Whereas there is only one of me on Facebook and in general LOL:) Why you gotta tease a bruva (smile) just poke me and I promise I'll be gentle, respectful, unpersumptious non-punitive. Better yet, go to mywallst.net and you can stay anonymous, you don't have to put up your screen name or your real name. Know this, I assure you I'm not fishing. I have a memory like an "elephant."
Let me reiterate: "Life is short, I want to know you again. PERIOD. Who cares where it does or doesn't go this time. But you and I both know it's unfair for you to decide to come in and out of my life whenever you feel like it, just like you've accused me of doing in times past."
I'm not trying to be cryptic and turn this into a game of cat and mouse.
I was curious about you so I googled you and I saw this very well written blog. I'm sorry, I know this is a place of business for you, and I won't write on here again.
I did not come here to drudge up things of the past. This is all so silly, and yes I'm sure I'm the person you are thinking of. If not then so be it!
By the way, I have a new last name on facebook. It's hyphenated. Go Obama.
I must not be who you think I am then.
I made 6000 while I was in college working for a restaurant and corporate coffee shop. I am currently 21 and would as all other college students like a rebate. I worked hard for the money. My parents pay over half of their income to the government because they worked so hard but get discounts on claiming me dependent. Mind you I pay for college through scholarships and work. They agreed to give me my rebate, since they get way more than 600$ in benefit from me.
I recommend talking to the fair parents who are really getting a nice deal on having us. On the other hand though, the benefits of having them as parents is certainly worth way more than 600$. I really wanted this benefit to help with credit card debt.
Anyway for other college students consider asking parents for a piece of their benefit.
You're not coming up on search. Poke me.
No question about the lowest prices... and this is verified by motel clerks and motel managers. Coupon book prices even beat "member" prices.
The downside is that your room may be 2nd floor, though we usually get first floor if we ask.
It's the coupon books that are available at State Managed Rest/Information stops (and usually at quick stop stores and many restaurants). We're not world travellers, but can speak for the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
The books that we find to be the best are the Red Cover and Green Cover books. We never make reservations, and have only been turned away once about 10 years ago, when a college Homecoming game filled all motels. (We "motel" about 10 - 15 nights/year).
Very common for us to check at the same time as someone in front of us who has a reservation and gets AARP or AAA discount. Very typical that their rate is $59-$69 while our rate is $39 to $49. (route from Illinois to Florida where rates are lower than in major cities.)
Of course you have to be flexible, because you can't book the rooms at these prices in advance, and if you are arriving after about 7-8PM, the rooms that were set aside for the coupon trade, may be gone. (In which case you just go to the next motel on the list, or drive 15 miles to the next town.) We almost always plan to check in before 6, and always get a room.
You can pretty much depend on prices about $15 - $20 under rack price... and... make no mistake about it... without the coupon... no special price.
In some towns, the top price hotels are not in the coupon books, but usually all of the majors are.
The coupon books used to have websites, but no more... so if you're planning on going cross country, you'd better get into the state where you'll stay, before 5 or 6PM, when some of the information services close for the day.
We use mindmapping a lot when organizing web sites too. I couldn't live without it!
Another great mind mapping tool is Mindjet's MindManager which is offered in Windows and Mac formats. It's the most comprehensive mind mapping solution out there. If you're new to mind mapping, Mindjet offers MindManager Lite which is an entry-level solution costing only $99. Additionally, Mindjet provides deep discounts for students and non-profit organizations.
Visit http://www.mindjet.com to download a free MindManager trial.
For $1000 I was able to have a revocable trust set up for both my wife and I (a seperate trust for each, each with co-trusteeship) and a pour-over will. Remember, a will still leaves your loved ones exposed to probate and estate taxes!
Now, maybe my crockpot has too large a footprint, or something (causing the food to be too shallow to require that much heating), but I tried the egg casserole one, and it came out inedible. On Low for 7-8 hours, are you sure that's correct? I've got a big, *I think* 6-qt, crockpot (the oval, stainless-steel-finish kind).
My rendition of this recipe came out blackened on the outside, and sickening in texture, somewhere between jello and styrofoam. The only difference was my use of fresh peppers instead of canned. Total disappointment.
I was looking forward to the casserole, but after the disastrous results, I am glad to say I went ahead and took the time to properly cook up the rest of the eggs and sausage onhand (and those came out fantastically).