You *must* have good stats on the back end. So many programs don't... I'm looking for something with a thorough stats package, because without it, you have no idea if what you're doing works.
oh I like this idea... I think this could also work really well for when I am stuck in a creative slump... could really help me let loose and get going again. I am going to share this with some others I know would find it useful!
Something that many people don't understand is that the way our system is set up, many times someone can make twice as much money as you do and actually have less "discretionary income".
Take for instance, healthcare. Many people qualify for State health programs, or Medicaid for their children, but someone who makes 15 or 20 thousand per year more than them, has the entire burden of healthcare on their shoulders. In Texas, the state program only costs $16 per family for the children to be fully insured, with much better coverage than my $900/mo plans affords me. The eligibility requirements are upwards of $40,000/year to qualify. So if I make $60,000, I would not qualify for the coverage so I am spending $10,800 on my health insurance and my friend, who's income is $39,000, is only spending $192. Also, I have a $3,000 deductible per person on my plan, and I pay about $2000 of that each year, if nothing catostraphic goes wrong. So far, that's an additional $12,608.
In addition, my friend's children get free lunches at school because of her income level. I, on the other hand, have to pay the regular price of $1.75 per day if my children are get the same exact meal from school. There are about 180 days a year of school and I have two children, so I am spending $630 on school lunches.
Also, my friend qualifies for a reduced rate on the after school care at our school, so I am paying $40 per week more than she is for the same care. Assuming that the program carries on throughout the summer and my cost does not increase any more, I am paying an additional $2080 in child care for my children.
On top of that, my friend gets an extra $2000 back on her taxes because she qualifies for the Earned Income Credit when she files her taxes. That essentially increases her income by $2000 per year.
In addition to that, my friend has a child in college that qualifies for federal grants of about $3000 because of my friends income level. My child, however, does not qualify for any grants because my income level is over the limit.
So I take out student loans for my child because although I make more money than my friend, I don't make enough to finance a college education. So I take out student loans to pay for my kids college, and they are not subsidized by the government because I make too much money. As a result, I pay capitalized interest on those loans during the time my child is still in college. That has just cost me an extra $1500 per year in interest.
After all of these differences, My income is essentially decreased, compared to my friends, by a total of
$12608
$630
$2080
$2000
$3000
$1500
TOTAL
$21,818
So, even though I make $21,000 more than my friend makes, her discretionary income is now $818 more per year than mine.
And, of course, even though I paid a lot more money into the tax sytem than she did, our rebate checks will be the same exact amount.
And for all of that extra money, I worked my butt off in college, and am paying back student loans to prove it.
Interestingly enough, these discrepancies are sometimes even more when the first income is lower. Earned Income Credit, Federal Grants and subsidized loan programs, Federal Medicaid programs, Federal housing, food stamps, etc. Many of these benefits are increased by even more when the persons income is lower, thus bringing many "low income" Americans to a place where their standard of living is equivilant to others making twice the income.
We truly are living in a society where hard work and perseverance are not valued. Those who do not have resent those that do and those that do are being over-taxed to pay for our governments numerous "entitlement" programs, which those that are paying the most in taxes for are not eligible to participate. Our government programs should be encouraging those less fortunate to increase their earning potential by all reasonable and legal means, instead of discouraging it by making it easy to collect government benefits and difficult to make a decent living without being taxed to death.
Rather than describing what the higher income people are trying to communicate as "whining", I believe a more accurate term would be frustrated, underappreciated and undervalued, and carrying the bulk of the tax burden of this country while reaping few of the most valuable benefits.
First of all, the "rebates" actually do end up being "free" money. Even though your rebate amount will be subtracted from your expected refund for 2008, there will also be a one time tax cut, which will essentially make all the rebate money free money. If you don't receive the rebate you are entitled to this year, you will still get it in an increased refund on your 2008 taxes since your tax due will be cut by the amount of the rebate.
For instance, let's say that your tax liability for 2008 would normally be $5000. However, because of the one-time tax cut for 2008, your tax liability is reduced from $5,000 to $3,800, a savings of $1,200. If you received the $1200 rebate check that you were entitled to earlier in the year, you would then pay the entire $5,000. However, your overall tax liability was still reduced by the $1200. If you did not receive the check earlier in the year, you will only pay $3800 in taxes for 2008. When 2009 rolls around, your liability will be back up to $5000, but there will have been no check earlier in the year.
Secondly, the rebates are determined based on your 2007 returns. If you do not file on time or you file an extension, your check will be delayed.
Thirdly, this is a "stimulus" package, based on taxpayers contributions to the system. To expect equal rebates for those who don't pay any taxes is to expect not a rebate on what you've paid, but a "gift" from the government. Although it is still money that taxpayers would not otherwise get without the one time tax cut, for the most part, it is still only given, in it's entirety, to those who are paying into the system.
For instance, let's say that you are a customer of a specific restaurant and they have decided to give all their regular customers a $20 gift certificate. I walk into the restaurant one day, never having been a customer before, and demand that I deserve the gift certificate too, even though I have never contributed to the business as a patron. In addition, not only have I not contributed to the business, but I have been the recipient of many free meals from the business in the past, as a participant in a free meal program that they have. Should I get a certificate too?
I have thought about this many times. I have an Emigrant Direct savings account that is wonderful. However what if we had a global disaster. Would I be able to get my money out? I would like to think so but the logical part of me says no. Therefore I am an advocate of keeping a months worth of cash in your house. I would go as far as to say it would not hurt to keep a little gold bullion too.
I'm a pdr tech and I'm always looking for an easier way of getting dents out. Just thought I'd let you know that we don't use dry ice. You can search and see what our tool look like. It maybe true that dry ice may take out some dents. I have never seen it or actually talked with anyone in person that has had luck with this method
You were sold a returned car seat? I assume it still had the original packaging tape and everything? I used to work at a Target's the Guest Service Desk, and most infants merchandise (toys and clothes excepted) were automatically marked defective and either destroyed or returned to the manufacturer as a matter of policy.
As for "As Is" merchandise, unless things have changed since I worked there a couple years ago, nearly everything is returnable unless specifically listed in the return policy (certain things like season clearance, most bicycles, and visibly used items). This at least did include repackaged items. If you're ever in doubt, check with an employee who is familiar with the details of the return policy (most cashiers and many sales floor employees DO NOT get detailed training on this).
Also, the notion of "secret clearance" is a matter of the price change teams not updating a clearance tag in a timely manner. For any number of reasons it can be easy to miss some items. Plus, those clearance stickers don't stick as well as they should sometimes. Clearance merchandise is priced as it is for a reason -- they want it out of the store as quickly as possible. There is absolutely no reason the stores would intentionally leave merchandise mislabeled.
The weekly payment option is a great way to use your credit card. You have the right idea by considering it a debit card of sorts and only spending money you have in the bank.
The next step is this: if your credit card only charges interest after 30 days, you can get away with making monthly payments instead of weekly without paying a dime of interest. The benefit to this is that you get to keep your money in your own account, earning money (okay, a pittance, but money nonetheless), instead of giving it to the credit card company before they need it.
For some people, it's more of a hassle than it's worth. So if you are one of those people, then stick to what works for you - weekly payments. But if you can see your way through to monthly payments or your credit card doesn't levvy interest from the date of purchase, you know what to do!
Good advice, but Jedi is one of those words like deer, moose, and fish that is its own plural. It's not "The Jedis share their knowledge." it's "The Jedi share knowledge."
The point was simply to state that asking and accepting help, whether it comes in the form of government aid or a church or individual, doesn't have to be shamefully embarrassing or an indication of a mark of lesser humanity. It was to stimulate discussion, bring an awareness to the kinds of people that use these helps, and to educate.
And I never meant to hint at the fact that we all should be trying to take advantage. The word "opportunity" is, in fact, defined as, " A chance for progress or advancement." That is a hand-up, not a hand-out.
As far as me saying that "people are supposed to be proud of nice-looking food stamps".. you're right. That's not what I meant, or said. Just because you have the ability to eliminate shame, doesn't automatically mean people will become proud. Maybe they'll just feel a little less like a loser. And that's a good place to start.
Interesting that banks may stop people from spending, while our "fearless leader" is asking for tax rebates that will supposedly encourage people to spend. Anyone else see a conflict here?
First of all, I am entirely certain my family will see no money. That's fine. Quite honestly I am sick of the governmnet and all of their crappy "help." We made maybe 30,000 last year for a family of six. Not rich. Not poor enough for help of most kinds, but hey here's an idea let my husband get fired from his job which is our main source of income, MAYBE be qualified for unemployment and maybe qualify for a future rebate. I don't need the governments help . I wish everyone who makes 2, 3,4,5 times what we make would stop all their crying and whining and stop getting themselves into trouble by getting "jumbo" loans for houses that they will lose in a few years anyway. I get so sick of my friend complaing about having no money yet her and her husband have three kids they both work full time and probably make at lease double what we do. Yet they are the ones that are threatened with repossesion and foreclosure. You people need to learn to MANAGE YOUR MONEY!
Whenever I sell items to anyone through Amazon.com, be it CD's, books, DVD's, etc, I always cut up grocery paper bags or use brown cardboard paper. Why spend .55 cents to $2.00 plus tax for a yellow bubble envelope at an office store or grocery store when you can do it yourself in 5 minutes tops and earn the equivalent of up to $24 an hour doing it.
Minimum Wage wrote: "If accessibility is important, you might consider multiple 'laddered' smaller CDs with staggered maturity, so that you'd have at least one CD maturing every month or two."
Cool, that's great advice, Minimum Wage, and I totally agree.
Sorry I wasn't very clear in my post—the main part of our emergency fund, enough to cover up to six months' of basic expenses, is in the CD with the best rate at our local hometown bank. We have three other smaller CDs there also plus yet another in a bank in a neighboring town (where I've been a customer since I was an infant), currently earning 5.35 to 5.40 APY, and maturing at various times of the year. Those other CDs are earmarked for various trips and projects but could be used immediately in case of emergency. Actually, the one time we needed to withdraw one due to an emergency, the friendly lady at the bank already knew about our situation and waived the penalty. That's one of the perks, I guess, of having a long-time relationship with a local business.
There was always a smirk, smile, or giggle on the adults faces when they found a green M&M... and I knew it had something to do with love. As I grew older, I was let in on the secret of the green M&M in our house. "Throw them out into the yard" my mom said. "It keeps the kids busy for hours..."
Yes, parents do need some alone time, don't they. ;)
You *must* have good stats on the back end. So many programs don't... I'm looking for something with a thorough stats package, because without it, you have no idea if what you're doing works.
Great idea, but I think blowing it it would be a pain. Why not hook up a can of compressed air to it? Or even a small foot pump?
Just a thought :)
oh I like this idea... I think this could also work really well for when I am stuck in a creative slump... could really help me let loose and get going again. I am going to share this with some others I know would find it useful!
Something that many people don't understand is that the way our system is set up, many times someone can make twice as much money as you do and actually have less "discretionary income".
Take for instance, healthcare. Many people qualify for State health programs, or Medicaid for their children, but someone who makes 15 or 20 thousand per year more than them, has the entire burden of healthcare on their shoulders. In Texas, the state program only costs $16 per family for the children to be fully insured, with much better coverage than my $900/mo plans affords me. The eligibility requirements are upwards of $40,000/year to qualify. So if I make $60,000, I would not qualify for the coverage so I am spending $10,800 on my health insurance and my friend, who's income is $39,000, is only spending $192. Also, I have a $3,000 deductible per person on my plan, and I pay about $2000 of that each year, if nothing catostraphic goes wrong. So far, that's an additional $12,608.
In addition, my friend's children get free lunches at school because of her income level. I, on the other hand, have to pay the regular price of $1.75 per day if my children are get the same exact meal from school. There are about 180 days a year of school and I have two children, so I am spending $630 on school lunches.
Also, my friend qualifies for a reduced rate on the after school care at our school, so I am paying $40 per week more than she is for the same care. Assuming that the program carries on throughout the summer and my cost does not increase any more, I am paying an additional $2080 in child care for my children.
On top of that, my friend gets an extra $2000 back on her taxes because she qualifies for the Earned Income Credit when she files her taxes. That essentially increases her income by $2000 per year.
In addition to that, my friend has a child in college that qualifies for federal grants of about $3000 because of my friends income level. My child, however, does not qualify for any grants because my income level is over the limit.
So I take out student loans for my child because although I make more money than my friend, I don't make enough to finance a college education. So I take out student loans to pay for my kids college, and they are not subsidized by the government because I make too much money. As a result, I pay capitalized interest on those loans during the time my child is still in college. That has just cost me an extra $1500 per year in interest.
After all of these differences, My income is essentially decreased, compared to my friends, by a total of
$12608
$630
$2080
$2000
$3000
$1500
TOTAL
$21,818
So, even though I make $21,000 more than my friend makes, her discretionary income is now $818 more per year than mine.
And, of course, even though I paid a lot more money into the tax sytem than she did, our rebate checks will be the same exact amount.
And for all of that extra money, I worked my butt off in college, and am paying back student loans to prove it.
Interestingly enough, these discrepancies are sometimes even more when the first income is lower. Earned Income Credit, Federal Grants and subsidized loan programs, Federal Medicaid programs, Federal housing, food stamps, etc. Many of these benefits are increased by even more when the persons income is lower, thus bringing many "low income" Americans to a place where their standard of living is equivilant to others making twice the income.
We truly are living in a society where hard work and perseverance are not valued. Those who do not have resent those that do and those that do are being over-taxed to pay for our governments numerous "entitlement" programs, which those that are paying the most in taxes for are not eligible to participate. Our government programs should be encouraging those less fortunate to increase their earning potential by all reasonable and legal means, instead of discouraging it by making it easy to collect government benefits and difficult to make a decent living without being taxed to death.
Rather than describing what the higher income people are trying to communicate as "whining", I believe a more accurate term would be frustrated, underappreciated and undervalued, and carrying the bulk of the tax burden of this country while reaping few of the most valuable benefits.
Excellent point Jabulani. Much of what you said kind of applies to the 24/7 "horse race" mentality of our political landscape as well.
First of all, the "rebates" actually do end up being "free" money. Even though your rebate amount will be subtracted from your expected refund for 2008, there will also be a one time tax cut, which will essentially make all the rebate money free money. If you don't receive the rebate you are entitled to this year, you will still get it in an increased refund on your 2008 taxes since your tax due will be cut by the amount of the rebate.
For instance, let's say that your tax liability for 2008 would normally be $5000. However, because of the one-time tax cut for 2008, your tax liability is reduced from $5,000 to $3,800, a savings of $1,200. If you received the $1200 rebate check that you were entitled to earlier in the year, you would then pay the entire $5,000. However, your overall tax liability was still reduced by the $1200. If you did not receive the check earlier in the year, you will only pay $3800 in taxes for 2008. When 2009 rolls around, your liability will be back up to $5000, but there will have been no check earlier in the year.
Secondly, the rebates are determined based on your 2007 returns. If you do not file on time or you file an extension, your check will be delayed.
Thirdly, this is a "stimulus" package, based on taxpayers contributions to the system. To expect equal rebates for those who don't pay any taxes is to expect not a rebate on what you've paid, but a "gift" from the government. Although it is still money that taxpayers would not otherwise get without the one time tax cut, for the most part, it is still only given, in it's entirety, to those who are paying into the system.
For instance, let's say that you are a customer of a specific restaurant and they have decided to give all their regular customers a $20 gift certificate. I walk into the restaurant one day, never having been a customer before, and demand that I deserve the gift certificate too, even though I have never contributed to the business as a patron. In addition, not only have I not contributed to the business, but I have been the recipient of many free meals from the business in the past, as a participant in a free meal program that they have. Should I get a certificate too?
Yes, I remember very well the "tooth brush days". I wrotte a post about it in my blog:
There Was a Time Before Photoshop
Yes, I remember very well the "tooth brush days". I wrotte a post about it in my blog:
There Was a Time Before Photoshop
**Note: This comment has been removed by the moderator**
I have thought about this many times. I have an Emigrant Direct savings account that is wonderful. However what if we had a global disaster. Would I be able to get my money out? I would like to think so but the logical part of me says no. Therefore I am an advocate of keeping a months worth of cash in your house. I would go as far as to say it would not hurt to keep a little gold bullion too.
I'm a pdr tech and I'm always looking for an easier way of getting dents out. Just thought I'd let you know that we don't use dry ice. You can search and see what our tool look like. It maybe true that dry ice may take out some dents. I have never seen it or actually talked with anyone in person that has had luck with this method
Thanks for that, I think that is a great idea.
Maybe they should change the color of Viagra to green.
You were sold a returned car seat? I assume it still had the original packaging tape and everything? I used to work at a Target's the Guest Service Desk, and most infants merchandise (toys and clothes excepted) were automatically marked defective and either destroyed or returned to the manufacturer as a matter of policy.
As for "As Is" merchandise, unless things have changed since I worked there a couple years ago, nearly everything is returnable unless specifically listed in the return policy (certain things like season clearance, most bicycles, and visibly used items). This at least did include repackaged items. If you're ever in doubt, check with an employee who is familiar with the details of the return policy (most cashiers and many sales floor employees DO NOT get detailed training on this).
Also, the notion of "secret clearance" is a matter of the price change teams not updating a clearance tag in a timely manner. For any number of reasons it can be easy to miss some items. Plus, those clearance stickers don't stick as well as they should sometimes. Clearance merchandise is priced as it is for a reason -- they want it out of the store as quickly as possible. There is absolutely no reason the stores would intentionally leave merchandise mislabeled.
The weekly payment option is a great way to use your credit card. You have the right idea by considering it a debit card of sorts and only spending money you have in the bank.
The next step is this: if your credit card only charges interest after 30 days, you can get away with making monthly payments instead of weekly without paying a dime of interest. The benefit to this is that you get to keep your money in your own account, earning money (okay, a pittance, but money nonetheless), instead of giving it to the credit card company before they need it.
For some people, it's more of a hassle than it's worth. So if you are one of those people, then stick to what works for you - weekly payments. But if you can see your way through to monthly payments or your credit card doesn't levvy interest from the date of purchase, you know what to do!
Good advice, but Jedi is one of those words like deer, moose, and fish that is its own plural. It's not "The Jedis share their knowledge." it's "The Jedi share knowledge."
The point was simply to state that asking and accepting help, whether it comes in the form of government aid or a church or individual, doesn't have to be shamefully embarrassing or an indication of a mark of lesser humanity. It was to stimulate discussion, bring an awareness to the kinds of people that use these helps, and to educate.
And I never meant to hint at the fact that we all should be trying to take advantage. The word "opportunity" is, in fact, defined as, " A chance for progress or advancement." That is a hand-up, not a hand-out.
As far as me saying that "people are supposed to be proud of nice-looking food stamps".. you're right. That's not what I meant, or said. Just because you have the ability to eliminate shame, doesn't automatically mean people will become proud. Maybe they'll just feel a little less like a loser. And that's a good place to start.
Thanks for the comments!
Interesting that banks may stop people from spending, while our "fearless leader" is asking for tax rebates that will supposedly encourage people to spend. Anyone else see a conflict here?
First of all, I am entirely certain my family will see no money. That's fine. Quite honestly I am sick of the governmnet and all of their crappy "help." We made maybe 30,000 last year for a family of six. Not rich. Not poor enough for help of most kinds, but hey here's an idea let my husband get fired from his job which is our main source of income, MAYBE be qualified for unemployment and maybe qualify for a future rebate. I don't need the governments help . I wish everyone who makes 2, 3,4,5 times what we make would stop all their crying and whining and stop getting themselves into trouble by getting "jumbo" loans for houses that they will lose in a few years anyway. I get so sick of my friend complaing about having no money yet her and her husband have three kids they both work full time and probably make at lease double what we do. Yet they are the ones that are threatened with repossesion and foreclosure. You people need to learn to MANAGE YOUR MONEY!
Whenever I sell items to anyone through Amazon.com, be it CD's, books, DVD's, etc, I always cut up grocery paper bags or use brown cardboard paper. Why spend .55 cents to $2.00 plus tax for a yellow bubble envelope at an office store or grocery store when you can do it yourself in 5 minutes tops and earn the equivalent of up to $24 an hour doing it.
Minimum Wage wrote: "If accessibility is important, you might consider multiple 'laddered' smaller CDs with staggered maturity, so that you'd have at least one CD maturing every month or two."
Cool, that's great advice, Minimum Wage, and I totally agree.
Sorry I wasn't very clear in my post—the main part of our emergency fund, enough to cover up to six months' of basic expenses, is in the CD with the best rate at our local hometown bank. We have three other smaller CDs there also plus yet another in a bank in a neighboring town (where I've been a customer since I was an infant), currently earning 5.35 to 5.40 APY, and maturing at various times of the year. Those other CDs are earmarked for various trips and projects but could be used immediately in case of emergency. Actually, the one time we needed to withdraw one due to an emergency, the friendly lady at the bank already knew about our situation and waived the penalty. That's one of the perks, I guess, of having a long-time relationship with a local business.
You story about the M&M's is absolutely fantastic. First time I have smiled all day.
what a sick joke. embarassing.
what a sick joke. embarassing.
There was always a smirk, smile, or giggle on the adults faces when they found a green M&M... and I knew it had something to do with love. As I grew older, I was let in on the secret of the green M&M in our house. "Throw them out into the yard" my mom said. "It keeps the kids busy for hours..."
Yes, parents do need some alone time, don't they. ;)