I remember thinking the way you do. The older I get, the more I understand why the older folks I knew didn't even want to talk about retirement. I'm 53 now and don't know one retiree who is genuinely happy about having so much free time, it can hang heavy, even for those who can afford to do whatever they want. Yes, you can volunteer, travel, etc. But personally, the older I get the less brave I get. I look forward to maybe working half the hours I work but sure plan to keep on doing what I do after I reach my 60's and beyond. Move to another place? Maybe but yes, you get used to your own little neck of the woods. I have plans still, but the older I get, the less exotic they are.
I have several store cards and have found that they do not decrease my credit score but have actually helped it over the years. Here is how I use my store cards:
- Only use them when there is a discount offered for using the store card; such as "use your Macy's card and get 20% off your total", etc.
- Then after my transaction, I pay my balance at the register. Sears, Macy's and JcPenney's allows this and other stores may also. Or I go home and pay online. Reason being, the interest rate on store cards are set at around 21% and should be paid off before interest accrues.
Another good reason to have store cards is that you get coupons in the mail. I get coupons periodically from Macy's and they include anywhere from $20 off a $60 purchase and 50% off any item, etc.
i wasn't ready for the ending of that video im gonna try that toothpaste trick but that video was f'd up there are better intructed video without bull crap like that i think you should remove it cuz if you ever seen that movie where thoose guys found a faster way to use the internet and it sent a vid to ppl and started to kill them or whatever well all im saying is that it could happend you never know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree that you need to be careful with the store cards I agree with Jen's comments too. From a money savings perspective, you can sometimes get a very very good deal, save a ton of money, by taking the store card. When the bill arrives, pay it in full.
As far as credit insurance is concerned, there are pros and cons. Each persons situation is different so for one it might be a very good idea, but for another person, it could be a poor idea.
I realize that is not an original work by the poster, but I am a bit disappointed to see it here as I find it completely dishonest.
To begin, the "author" listed at the bottom was not the actual author. This name appears to be included simply to add some validity to an absurd essay. http://www.snopes.com/business/taxes/howtaxes.asp
As for the actual content, as Adfecto points out, "The rich get that way from the consumption and labor of the poor and middle class." They receive great benefits from a stable society that takes care of its poor. These benefits are both monetary and spiritual as they do the ethical thing in sharing wealth. The benefits they receive justify the high level of taxes they pay.
Tax breaks which disproportionately benefit the rich, as those given in the earlier days of the Bush Administration, are problematic as stimulus as well. While the poor have historically used funds to actually buy goods and services that they will use, the rich are more likely to put the money into paper investments which doesn't actually stimulate production.
As far as rlstne's suggestions about paying usage fees and efficiency, there are certain services that we expect to have provided whether or not it is efficient. Recently, some have suggested that we privatize the postal service. If that were to happen, do you really think that a private company would want to deliver a letter to the most remote locations in this country a couple times a year, for just a few dimes each? People constantly claim that private charity would be more efficient for providing social services, but this simply isn't true. Government is accessible to every single person in this country while private charity is not.
Government provides services that we as a society feel must be provided whether or not it is profitable for the provider, and we as citizens have control over government, whereas we do not have this control over private entities.
And as far as companies moving overseas, laws which allow these companies to avoid paying taxes by doing so are more at fault than our internal tax system.
The problem with this "light-hearted take" like so many others, is that it dramatically oversimplifies the truth to serve a specific agenda.
I do want to say however, that I do enjoy Nora Dunn's work, despite my criticism of this post.
If you actually read what the description says, it's not meant for everyone, it's meant for people who move often, like those in service industries, job training, etc. I think it's a fantastic idea, because I know a lot of people who don't care as much about comfort, and a lot about being frugal.
I think it's the coolest design I've seen in a long time. I doubt that the stuff would fall apart ... you'd think they would have tested out the durability of everything.
I have to agree with the poster above. I know a few families that homeschool. One is a crazy rightwing witch. Yes, there are plenty of decent Republicans. But this one is one of those nutty racist flat earth types who practically spits with rage whenever she opens her mouth. It would be nice for children to be raised in an environment that's a little less, uh, angry. It might do her kids good to hear that somebody else could actually feel differently than Mother. I'm sure the kids look cute arguing for the Gold Standard and the flat tax, but they are like little pissed off robots.
Another is a sweet but wifty liberal mom. She would never pressure her precious snowflakes to do anything--she "unschools" them. The kids are delightful and charming. The teenage boy loves woodworking, which he basically figured out for himself. Reading, however, he has not figured out. At age 15. He probably has a learning disability. But there was never a reading expert who observed him and helped to correct him at a time of life when his young brain was being formed. But now, it could be too late. And even if it isn't, there's nothing going on in that home that would encourage him to take up an activity that requires self-discipline like learning how to read.
Ah, but I wouldn't go to a bar like that. That's because I don't drink. But even if I did drink, I wouldn't go to a bar like that because I would prefer to be charged for a beer the same amount as anyone else, not according to how much I can pay.
Think about the flip side though: What if we paid for government the same way we pay for beer? In other words, what if we pay a user fee for government services that we consume? Wouldn't government become more efficient because they can't waste money on projects that no one needs? Wouldn't government become just another service provider in competition with private service providers, instead of crowding out the private sector the way it does now?
Any ideas for cheap sightseeing activities at night?I usually have no problems finding cool things to do during the day, but once the museums close and it is too dark to go hiking, I'm at a loss for ideas.
I think that store cards can be good when used properly. A lot of stores give you extra discounts for using their credit card. If you use the card and pay the balance in full every month you can actually make money from these cards. The key is paying the balance off in full. For instance, I've had a Gap credit card (with a 25% or so APR) for years and have never paid any interest because I pay the bill in full every month. Every time I spend $200 I get $10 back. I also get extra coupons and discounts now and then. For me, it's worth having and using this card.
If I wanted to make a smaller batch instead of using 5 lbs of sugar and 3 gallons of water, would I just use the same ration and make it smaller? If I add some type of fruit to it then I would just add a little more yeast too without it harming anything, correct?
Is there anyway that you could ruin this, other than not having enough sugar for your yeast to eat?
Bob Emmons is also a wonderful Gratitude Guru... he has been in the field of Psychology for many years and has written everything from journal articles on gratitude to "down to earth" books about it. It's extremely fascinating what he has discovered in his research but more importantly how the art of practicing gratitude can actually make you happier. Check out his book Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier for more info.
First, for all the college students that are making more than $3,000 a year and pay taxes, but are still dependents of their parents... if you want the tax refund don't have your parents file you as a dependent.
The result... you get the money you feel is due to you. Of course, for your parents thought, the outcome of this will be that parents who have paid (and possibly still are paying) a lot for you won't get the benefits of having you as a dependent on their taxes. It just seems to me that the government is expecting those over 17 to be making their own money... and if they are and not a dependent - they'll get their rebate. But if they are a dependent... it seems to me that the government is expecting that they should still be making their own money, but are not "on their own" (head of household, if you like) so don't qualify for the rebate. That's what it seems to me. (sidenote: Why the parents still wouldn't get the rebate, I don't know.)
Complaints in general - life is not fair. Although we all have a general sense of what "fair" should be... it's hard to actually decide how to do it, put it on paper, cover every possibly loophole and unique situation and make everyone happy across the board. If you're getting the rebate AT ALL, you should be grateful and "use" it wisely. (For us, this means into the savings... to be used over the year for bills and getting by.) For those not getting the rebate, there is probably some very complicated reasons why you don't qualify, and maybe they fit your "actual" situation or maybe they don't, but complaining/whining on Wisebread is not going to help at all. Mostly since most everyone here is fairly frugal minded and you'll just be preaching to the choir (about why you should deserve a rebate and aren't getting one) or you're barking up the wrong tree (getting upset at others for their high debt, unfrugal habits... etc. when the majority of the readers on this site do NOT fit in this category at all.)
I work for H & R Block, and don't like the loans or the tax fees either. However the RAL is not an 8 - 15 day loan, it is a 1 to 2 day loan. The customer usually gets their money the next day if the loan goes thru. The IRAL is an instant loan. I am astounded by the fees people will pay to get their money, often has to do with the earned income credit money.
In the 1980s, tax rates were cut, so my taxes were reduced.
However, since there was a general increase in after-tax incomes, people had more money to spend. Because people had more money to spend, the price of housing went up. Rents soared, and I faced five rent increases in five years, even though my gross income did not increase.
While my taxes went down, my rent went up by a lot more than my rent went down, so I ended up worse off.
Adfecto, I have a completely different perspective on what the story says. I don't think the wealthiest man in the story is necessarily ungrateful for his wealth or opportunities. The story doesn't say anything about his feelings one way or the other. He stopped supporting the system because the other men beat him up! He might have been perfectly willing to shoulder most of the taxes.
Your argument can apply to the poorer men in the story as well. Rather than complaining about how much they have to pay and how much more the wealthiest guy got from the "tax cut," they, too, should feel grateful that they live in a country with a surplus of opportunities.
After all, when the communal money is spent on safety, freedom, and capitalism, there is no distinction between a dollar from a rich man and a dollar from a poor man.
Ick. I almost always get water w/ a slice of lemon when I go out to eat (saves money right?). Now consider something else. Thankfully I am a healthy person with a robust immune system. Because there was such a high rate of contamination I'm sure I've been exposed before. That must mean that my body is doing its job because I've not had food poisoning... well, ever! Maybe we are just taking this germ phobia too far. I've heard (I should source this but I'm too lazy at the moment) that we are creating a new wave of super bugs from our over use of anti-bacterial soaps, sprays, cleaners, and medications. We need start picking our battles and let our immune system do its job sometimes. Wash your hands, yes. Clean every nook and cranny of your house, including the places you will never eat from our even touch (antibacterial floor cleaner anyone?), with germ killing suds.
I have seen this story around the net a few times. All I can say to it is, "how much would you be willing to pay [in taxes] to have been born in the USA and given all of the opportunities which that has entailed." The wealthy man would have had a much lower chance to acquire his money in nearly any other country (and most of those others have even higher taxes). We, the wealthy, need to stop worried about how little other people pay, and instead be thankful for how much we have accumulated. The rich get that way from the consumption and labor of the poor and middle class. They also owe their safety, freedom, and precious capitalism to them as well. I'll get off my soap box now. Please think about what I've said and thanks for reading.
The water and soda usually come out of the same machine, and honestly if you saw the machine taken down at night you probably wouldn't want to order either. Really, it's best to just not think too much about what's going on in a restaurant kitchen. Germs are a fact of life.
Here in Minnesota in the Twin Cities, St. Paul's cathedral is amazing and it is free. It was built around the trun of the 19th century and you can easily spend four hours touring it. They don't build places like it anymore.
Great ideas Thursday! Though in some places I caution you against public transit. For example, in Shanghai we were literally shoved into the subway because it is packed. If you can deal with riding with that many people then it is a lot cheaper than a taxi. I think Tokyo is the same way. They showed a video of a subway station guard shoving people into the carts. I experienced that in Shanghai!
does this mean if you are 18 years of age or older, but still a dependant the ones who claim you get $300 and you don't get anything even if you made more than 3,000 and paid taxes for 2007?
I remember thinking the way you do. The older I get, the more I understand why the older folks I knew didn't even want to talk about retirement. I'm 53 now and don't know one retiree who is genuinely happy about having so much free time, it can hang heavy, even for those who can afford to do whatever they want. Yes, you can volunteer, travel, etc. But personally, the older I get the less brave I get. I look forward to maybe working half the hours I work but sure plan to keep on doing what I do after I reach my 60's and beyond. Move to another place? Maybe but yes, you get used to your own little neck of the woods. I have plans still, but the older I get, the less exotic they are.
I have several store cards and have found that they do not decrease my credit score but have actually helped it over the years. Here is how I use my store cards:
- Only use them when there is a discount offered for using the store card; such as "use your Macy's card and get 20% off your total", etc.
- Then after my transaction, I pay my balance at the register. Sears, Macy's and JcPenney's allows this and other stores may also. Or I go home and pay online. Reason being, the interest rate on store cards are set at around 21% and should be paid off before interest accrues.
Another good reason to have store cards is that you get coupons in the mail. I get coupons periodically from Macy's and they include anywhere from $20 off a $60 purchase and 50% off any item, etc.
i wasn't ready for the ending of that video im gonna try that toothpaste trick but that video was f'd up there are better intructed video without bull crap like that i think you should remove it cuz if you ever seen that movie where thoose guys found a faster way to use the internet and it sent a vid to ppl and started to kill them or whatever well all im saying is that it could happend you never know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree that you need to be careful with the store cards I agree with Jen's comments too. From a money savings perspective, you can sometimes get a very very good deal, save a ton of money, by taking the store card. When the bill arrives, pay it in full.
As far as credit insurance is concerned, there are pros and cons. Each persons situation is different so for one it might be a very good idea, but for another person, it could be a poor idea.
And in response to the above commenter, I'd love to see you expand on how "paper investments which doesn't actually stimulate production" works.
Are you stating that investing in stocks, i.e. companies, doesn't drive productivity and BNP growth?
I realize that is not an original work by the poster, but I am a bit disappointed to see it here as I find it completely dishonest.
To begin, the "author" listed at the bottom was not the actual author. This name appears to be included simply to add some validity to an absurd essay. http://www.snopes.com/business/taxes/howtaxes.asp
As for the actual content, as Adfecto points out, "The rich get that way from the consumption and labor of the poor and middle class." They receive great benefits from a stable society that takes care of its poor. These benefits are both monetary and spiritual as they do the ethical thing in sharing wealth. The benefits they receive justify the high level of taxes they pay.
Tax breaks which disproportionately benefit the rich, as those given in the earlier days of the Bush Administration, are problematic as stimulus as well. While the poor have historically used funds to actually buy goods and services that they will use, the rich are more likely to put the money into paper investments which doesn't actually stimulate production.
As far as rlstne's suggestions about paying usage fees and efficiency, there are certain services that we expect to have provided whether or not it is efficient. Recently, some have suggested that we privatize the postal service. If that were to happen, do you really think that a private company would want to deliver a letter to the most remote locations in this country a couple times a year, for just a few dimes each? People constantly claim that private charity would be more efficient for providing social services, but this simply isn't true. Government is accessible to every single person in this country while private charity is not.
Government provides services that we as a society feel must be provided whether or not it is profitable for the provider, and we as citizens have control over government, whereas we do not have this control over private entities.
And as far as companies moving overseas, laws which allow these companies to avoid paying taxes by doing so are more at fault than our internal tax system.
The problem with this "light-hearted take" like so many others, is that it dramatically oversimplifies the truth to serve a specific agenda.
I do want to say however, that I do enjoy Nora Dunn's work, despite my criticism of this post.
If you actually read what the description says, it's not meant for everyone, it's meant for people who move often, like those in service industries, job training, etc. I think it's a fantastic idea, because I know a lot of people who don't care as much about comfort, and a lot about being frugal.
I think it's the coolest design I've seen in a long time. I doubt that the stuff would fall apart ... you'd think they would have tested out the durability of everything.
I have to agree with the poster above. I know a few families that homeschool. One is a crazy rightwing witch. Yes, there are plenty of decent Republicans. But this one is one of those nutty racist flat earth types who practically spits with rage whenever she opens her mouth. It would be nice for children to be raised in an environment that's a little less, uh, angry. It might do her kids good to hear that somebody else could actually feel differently than Mother. I'm sure the kids look cute arguing for the Gold Standard and the flat tax, but they are like little pissed off robots.
Another is a sweet but wifty liberal mom. She would never pressure her precious snowflakes to do anything--she "unschools" them. The kids are delightful and charming. The teenage boy loves woodworking, which he basically figured out for himself. Reading, however, he has not figured out. At age 15. He probably has a learning disability. But there was never a reading expert who observed him and helped to correct him at a time of life when his young brain was being formed. But now, it could be too late. And even if it isn't, there's nothing going on in that home that would encourage him to take up an activity that requires self-discipline like learning how to read.
Ah, but I wouldn't go to a bar like that. That's because I don't drink. But even if I did drink, I wouldn't go to a bar like that because I would prefer to be charged for a beer the same amount as anyone else, not according to how much I can pay.
Think about the flip side though: What if we paid for government the same way we pay for beer? In other words, what if we pay a user fee for government services that we consume? Wouldn't government become more efficient because they can't waste money on projects that no one needs? Wouldn't government become just another service provider in competition with private service providers, instead of crowding out the private sector the way it does now?
Any ideas for cheap sightseeing activities at night?I usually have no problems finding cool things to do during the day, but once the museums close and it is too dark to go hiking, I'm at a loss for ideas.
I come here for financial advice, not right wing propaganda.
I think that store cards can be good when used properly. A lot of stores give you extra discounts for using their credit card. If you use the card and pay the balance in full every month you can actually make money from these cards. The key is paying the balance off in full. For instance, I've had a Gap credit card (with a 25% or so APR) for years and have never paid any interest because I pay the bill in full every month. Every time I spend $200 I get $10 back. I also get extra coupons and discounts now and then. For me, it's worth having and using this card.
If I wanted to make a smaller batch instead of using 5 lbs of sugar and 3 gallons of water, would I just use the same ration and make it smaller? If I add some type of fruit to it then I would just add a little more yeast too without it harming anything, correct?
Is there anyway that you could ruin this, other than not having enough sugar for your yeast to eat?
Bob Emmons is also a wonderful Gratitude Guru... he has been in the field of Psychology for many years and has written everything from journal articles on gratitude to "down to earth" books about it. It's extremely fascinating what he has discovered in his research but more importantly how the art of practicing gratitude can actually make you happier. Check out his book Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier for more info.
First, for all the college students that are making more than $3,000 a year and pay taxes, but are still dependents of their parents... if you want the tax refund don't have your parents file you as a dependent.
The result... you get the money you feel is due to you. Of course, for your parents thought, the outcome of this will be that parents who have paid (and possibly still are paying) a lot for you won't get the benefits of having you as a dependent on their taxes. It just seems to me that the government is expecting those over 17 to be making their own money... and if they are and not a dependent - they'll get their rebate. But if they are a dependent... it seems to me that the government is expecting that they should still be making their own money, but are not "on their own" (head of household, if you like) so don't qualify for the rebate. That's what it seems to me. (sidenote: Why the parents still wouldn't get the rebate, I don't know.)
Complaints in general - life is not fair. Although we all have a general sense of what "fair" should be... it's hard to actually decide how to do it, put it on paper, cover every possibly loophole and unique situation and make everyone happy across the board. If you're getting the rebate AT ALL, you should be grateful and "use" it wisely. (For us, this means into the savings... to be used over the year for bills and getting by.) For those not getting the rebate, there is probably some very complicated reasons why you don't qualify, and maybe they fit your "actual" situation or maybe they don't, but complaining/whining on Wisebread is not going to help at all. Mostly since most everyone here is fairly frugal minded and you'll just be preaching to the choir (about why you should deserve a rebate and aren't getting one) or you're barking up the wrong tree (getting upset at others for their high debt, unfrugal habits... etc. when the majority of the readers on this site do NOT fit in this category at all.)
That's my 2 cents (uncashable, sorry).
I work for H & R Block, and don't like the loans or the tax fees either. However the RAL is not an 8 - 15 day loan, it is a 1 to 2 day loan. The customer usually gets their money the next day if the loan goes thru. The IRAL is an instant loan. I am astounded by the fees people will pay to get their money, often has to do with the earned income credit money.
There is an error here in assuming static prices.
In the 1980s, tax rates were cut, so my taxes were reduced.
However, since there was a general increase in after-tax incomes, people had more money to spend. Because people had more money to spend, the price of housing went up. Rents soared, and I faced five rent increases in five years, even though my gross income did not increase.
While my taxes went down, my rent went up by a lot more than my rent went down, so I ended up worse off.
Adfecto, I have a completely different perspective on what the story says. I don't think the wealthiest man in the story is necessarily ungrateful for his wealth or opportunities. The story doesn't say anything about his feelings one way or the other. He stopped supporting the system because the other men beat him up! He might have been perfectly willing to shoulder most of the taxes.
Your argument can apply to the poorer men in the story as well. Rather than complaining about how much they have to pay and how much more the wealthiest guy got from the "tax cut," they, too, should feel grateful that they live in a country with a surplus of opportunities.
After all, when the communal money is spent on safety, freedom, and capitalism, there is no distinction between a dollar from a rich man and a dollar from a poor man.
Ick. I almost always get water w/ a slice of lemon when I go out to eat (saves money right?). Now consider something else. Thankfully I am a healthy person with a robust immune system. Because there was such a high rate of contamination I'm sure I've been exposed before. That must mean that my body is doing its job because I've not had food poisoning... well, ever! Maybe we are just taking this germ phobia too far. I've heard (I should source this but I'm too lazy at the moment) that we are creating a new wave of super bugs from our over use of anti-bacterial soaps, sprays, cleaners, and medications. We need start picking our battles and let our immune system do its job sometimes. Wash your hands, yes. Clean every nook and cranny of your house, including the places you will never eat from our even touch (antibacterial floor cleaner anyone?), with germ killing suds.
I have seen this story around the net a few times. All I can say to it is, "how much would you be willing to pay [in taxes] to have been born in the USA and given all of the opportunities which that has entailed." The wealthy man would have had a much lower chance to acquire his money in nearly any other country (and most of those others have even higher taxes). We, the wealthy, need to stop worried about how little other people pay, and instead be thankful for how much we have accumulated. The rich get that way from the consumption and labor of the poor and middle class. They also owe their safety, freedom, and precious capitalism to them as well. I'll get off my soap box now. Please think about what I've said and thanks for reading.
love the story. It's so true, and sorta sad.
Re: Comment #12
> Is it safer to just order soda?
The water and soda usually come out of the same machine, and honestly if you saw the machine taken down at night you probably wouldn't want to order either. Really, it's best to just not think too much about what's going on in a restaurant kitchen. Germs are a fact of life.
Here in Minnesota in the Twin Cities, St. Paul's cathedral is amazing and it is free. It was built around the trun of the 19th century and you can easily spend four hours touring it. They don't build places like it anymore.
Great ideas Thursday! Though in some places I caution you against public transit. For example, in Shanghai we were literally shoved into the subway because it is packed. If you can deal with riding with that many people then it is a lot cheaper than a taxi. I think Tokyo is the same way. They showed a video of a subway station guard shoving people into the carts. I experienced that in Shanghai!
does this mean if you are 18 years of age or older, but still a dependant the ones who claim you get $300 and you don't get anything even if you made more than 3,000 and paid taxes for 2007?