For my life frugality is a tactic used to ACHIEVE a goal. I plan to retire as a millionare, and the only way I can make that happen on a daily basis is to be frugal in day-to-day lifestyle, save/invest the money not used, and gradually acquire the ability to not HAVE to think about whether I can or should spend. Once the habit of choosing unpretenscious possessions is established, the rest of my life can be spent doing what I want, in comfort and security. Spending for the sake of a new thrill or because I am bored is a thing of the past. I have newer/better plans for the long haul!
What I do once or twice a year is to sit down and institute and immediate 20% reduction in expenses. By going through this exercise, I find wasteful things that are not necessities....some I eliminate for good, others are just identified for future potential targeting. The net real effect of this is a periodic decrease of 10% of expenses, which nicely keeps my expenditures even over time.
I guess it depends on the school - my kids go to a public school and I received this warning (don't correct answers) from one of my children's teachers at curriculum night. She asked us not to correct answers because parents in previous years had corrected answers, and she moved on to new material only to realize later (around testing time) that the kids had not grasped earlier information.
My oldest son's sixth grade teachers (in middle school) seemed to not like questions from kids but all the others have welcomed individual requests. Though testing is not popular with many people, the accountability measures have helped administration in my kids' elementary school, so that teachers are encouraged and required to pinpoint problems and make parents aware of problems, which can then be solved using parent, teacher, or other resources -- partly because it makes sense but also because AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and test scores are impacted.
Oh, I should add that the few times I've corrected my kids' homework (at their request to review), I've managed to give them bad advice; they are very quick to tell me what I got wrong and rarely ask for my help.
What an obnoxious comment hehe. Well I've enjoyed several of your articles (and I only started reading wisebread a few weeks ago).
I think reverse mortgages should be avoided if only because of the slimy name. It's not a "reverse" "mortgage" because it's not a mortgage that the bank takes out with you! In other words, the bank isn't paying *you* interest for 30 years, of which for the first 10 years 90% of the payment goes to interest and not principal. Now that would be a good deal. But no, it's basically nothing more than a cash-out refinance to a negative amortization mortgage. And those are bad.
There was once I missed on a big company because I fumbled with the term Healthcare Provider and Healthcase Solutions Provider. I was doing fine with all the questions until he came to number 4. I had the right words in my mind but the wrong words came out from my mouth. He felt I did not do my research properly. The interviewer became angry and corrected me. I apologised but I could see he lost his interest. This was way back after I graduated from college. Since then I became very cautious and I sit and practice infront of the mirror, sometimes I even use the PC to record my voice as I am practising my answers so as I can judge myself and be more careful. After that episode, I learnt to pass all my interviews!
I have to disagree with #4, at least as it's stated. Maybe you are talking about a very good private school or a self-paced Montessori program, but in normal public schools the teacher doesn't slow down or speed up the material for individual children. If that were true, then your point would be invalid anyway since as soon as it was clear that the foundational material was giving the child problems, the teacher would slow down and correct that. Obviously that doesn't happen.
Correcting your child's homework is the *only* way to ensure that your child builds a good store of foundational knowledge in the subject. If your child misses a question, the teacher is not going to sit down privately with him and explain what was wrong and how to fix it! But you, as the parent, have that leisure.
Another thing the teacher won't correct is sloppy work (bad handwriting, miscopying numbers, accidentally skipping problems). The teacher just marks it wrong -- a math teacher, for instance, obviously doesn't have time to teach handwriting skills to individual children. Don't underestimate the impact that these seemingly minor problems have on your child's self esteem and enjoyment of the subject.
Nice picture. I did some winter backpacking years ago and you can have it, thanks anyway, ha-ha, it was rough.
I guess this extreme temporarily frugality thing could be less of a shock to the system, the fact that you know you don't have to be frugal for long and you're kinda just playing at it to see if you can hack it, a survivalist type of thing (?) I like my way better, however. I'm 52 and have voluntarily over the years denied myself stuff on purpose (haven't had cable TV for years, for instance), spend as little as possible on entertainment, doing all my own cooking, cutting my own hair, etc. It becomes part of your lifestyle and an attitude - is there any way I can do this cheaper? (Splurging for me is to lay out 2 bucks for the dollar menu at Micky D's and I've already brought my can of pop with me, no kidding; without the pop in tow, I won't even stop there, I'm that much of a tightwad). You reach a point where you get no pleasure from spending money on yourself unless you're getting some kind of a deal. That's where I am, and I'm thrilled with it.
This is a serious issue that sadly many don't think about till it's too late. Unfortunately in this country the sick are generally deemed un-insurable--like you--despite being the ones most in need of healthcare.
Anyone can become sick and once they lost their work insurance or if they never had it to begin with, can be left in the dust. Ins. from soc. sec. as you said takes two years form the time you are approved, which can take months or years, *IF* you are approved at all. These are things that can happen to anyone at anytime.
One bad car accident can leave a person disabled. And even for the basically healthy, the costs are so high that many have to go without. Even wit insurance the deductibles and co-pays can be so high that many go into bankruptcy form one serious illness.
Things need to change, and fast, or soon no one but the very, very wealthy will be able to get by in this country. Who wants to watch a lifetime of savings be eaten away because they happened to have the misfortune of getting sick? And yet that is a reality that can and does happen in this country all the time. We need to work for a change in our system and demand it from those we elect.
There are many approaches and just because one way might not work or be perfect does not mean we cannot find some answer. People critique M. Moore's suggestions as a way to write off the whole idea. Well, guess what, his suggestion may not work or be perfect, but that doesn't mean there isn't something very wrong with our system and ways out there to improve it. If every other industrialized nation has come up with something (and why focus on just Canada, as many seem to do, when so many other nations have examples for us to view and learn from, not necessarily emulate in full, as well), why is it that the US is the only one that can't?
Just about any answer will be an improvement over what's happening now. Thanks for writing this important post! I will be writing on this topic soon on my blog as well.
All I could think when I saw this was the title of the book just didn't sound right. Retire on less than you think? I didn't realize retirement was paid for by thoughts. Retire on less than you think you need makes more sense. Semantics, I know.
Plus, I would imagine most people either really under-estimate or over-estimate what they need to retire on.
In any case I'm just tired of retirement books telling people like me, who already have retirement accounts and are in their 20s-30s: "Good for you! You started young, don't worry!" Maybe I'm just getting burnt out on personal finance.
I would like to respond to your comment, only because you actually bring up some good points, and some that are worth clarifying.
"you can still have an outstanding mortgage balance and still get a reverse mortgage"
Excellent. I had read this, but also read from the same source a laundry list of qualifications that need to be met, and potential risks. But you bring up a good point nevertheless.
"an experienced RM loan officer would never reccomend that a borrower take a "lump sum" unless that were planning on spending immediately for some kind of major purchase"
Exactly my point. Major purchases do happen.
"the funds awarded by virtue of the RM proceeds "earn credit line growth" by staying in the account with the lender and are NEVER at risk because it appears on their local county records that the lender has a lien for the entire amount to protect the lender and the borrower"
I never suggested that the borrowed amount is at risk. What I suggested was that after fees, annual interest, and a long life, there may not be much (if anything) left over after the house is sold. I also mentioned that there are provisions in place to prevent the borrowed amount from exceeding the value of the home (despite my personal doubts).
"most seniors would prfer to stay in their own home that they have inhabited for the last 20-50 years and the traumatic experience of moving, selling the home, finding a new abode, are totally lost financially and emotionally"
Again, a great point. But I already said that as a pro for getting the RM.
"a senior could use the proceeds of a RM to have a visiting nurse or caregiver in order to remain in their own home"
Another great observation. I don't think I ever suggested that wasn't the case. However sometimes full-time care is required, and it isn't always possible to remain in the home for a variety of reasons. If you have worked with the elderly at all, you would know that.
"you are obviously a simble man"
Actuallly, I'm a woman! And what is simble anyway? I guess I'm too simple for such advanced vocabulary! :-)
"you should shut your stupid mouth and do some more investigating BEFORE you hit "enter"
Interesting that you bring this up. The CFSA was not in existence when I had this experience. I wish it had. Furthermore, I see that only 50% of the current payday loan "providers" are members. I hope to see increased participation of lenders, and also a greater awareness of the industry. I still take issue with several of the points addressed on the Myths vs. Reality page of the CFSA website, however.
As mentioned earlier by someone else, we also live pretty close to this year round. In hindsight, it was a great way to get into the habit before our income went up recently.
I knew Darren (fleetingly) when we were at Bristol University at the same time (early '90s). It probably wouldn't surprise you to know that his patter and style was just as good then as it is now. He's a very likeable fellow!
"Nothing to declare" - these same words i have heard in Brian Tracy's "Accelerated Learning Techniques". The audio program is incredibly effective, quite inspirational and very motivating. I've used it many times to get into shape for exams and it my grades showed enough improvement that the school gave me a scholarship. I might be an intelligent guy but i am lazy most of the time so i didn't keep using the techniques over and over. But when i have exams coming up i play the program and it does the job. It boosts my information retention rate and it makes learning enjoyable (i know...it's weird). the program is 79,95$...and although it's worth every penny my personal belief is that such knowledge should be free and taught in schools.
ps. i acquired it frugally: downloaded it off the net :D...like many other tools for education
I agree that this is a good book to read -- I own this book and several others. My favorite is "Retirement on a Shoestring" by John Howells. I have many health issues and would love to retire but can't yet because of family issues. When I'm forced to retire by my health, I don't think that I can live on social security and my savings. I'm also extremely worried about the direction that our country is headed: foreclosures, jobs going overseas, war with Iran(?), etc. In the meantime, I am busy "right-sizing" and trying to hang on. Am currently reading "Right Sizing Your Life" by Ciji Ware and highly recommend this book!
WOW! ARE you sure you have a Sallie Mae loan? I just made a double payment and was shocked to see the bulk go to interest and my principle barely moved. I was even more confused to see that they reduced next months payment to drain me some more so they could keep my loan numbers up.
And in reply to your response the previous post-They Definatly could offer a lot more options! How about an option called customer service or common courtesy. Take a better look around the web and see what Sallie Mae has done to ruin so many peoples hopes and dreams. There are people who have lost their asses over this greedy and oOH yes EVIL organization.
I am really grateful for the students before me who spoke out to inform other students looking for loans or are new to SM's lame business tactics.
I don't bother trying to reach a SM representative because I know better, they never answer, they know nothing ,everyone tells you something different. I do a search on the web and ask other SM clients, thats the only way to know how to work your way around all their B.S.
I don't know maybe you are just WAY smarter than I, maybe you do business the same way they do? Im gonna give you a break and say YOU don't know what you are talking about.
I totally understood what those other people were saying about the "payment clock", they mean you give then money in a timely manner and those scum bags sit on it,and wait and watch the clock and wait til your next due date so they can keep your numbers high. I have never had any company take an over payment and break it up and not put the whole sum towards the loan. Is it just me or what? This is not standard practice. IT IS IN NO WAY LOGICAL. Are you sure you don't work for Sallie or something? It looks like you've got it all figured out, good for you...
ANYWAYS,
Best Wishes to everyone who is struggling out there, dealing with those slags. Somethings gonna go down soon it seems but in any case make sure to tell anyone and everyone- Never, Ever apply for a Sallie Mae loan.
peace.
Tobey
I was wondering if you ever considered combining your dreams of writing and relationships and write a book about relationships? To me it jumped out as an obvious answer. You can still live the life you are currently living and write this book in your spare time (if applicable). Minimal risk with this affecting your current and future financial situations, the big "risk" is putting yourself out there. But in light of your previous post in regards to following your dreams I would think that "putting yourself out there" shouldn't be an issue. Just a thought from a businessman that was and still is afraid to "put myself out there" in terms of pursueing my childhood dream of being a performing music artist. So maybe you should just take my suggestion with a grain of salt. :)
i am a retired navy wife and learned early that rummage sale clothes were the way to go with young children. i could buy sundays best clothes ,like new, that my children wore to school. enjoy this time my friends because by the time the children go to jr. high they no longer will wear them. you must instill in them the joys of shopping kmart... shopko..... target...etc. no need to spend a months wages on the labels. if it is labels they have to have then they can find a job to pay for them. for too long the american public has let the media dictate to them and their children.. its time to take a stand. i feel its time for all schools to insist on uniforms.. catholic schools have done this for years with no visable harm to childrens egos.
Responsible payday lenders who belong to the Community Financial Services Association of America MUST post the APR in writing and in bold print on contracts. Also, CFSA-member companies now offer (at no extra charge) an extended payment plan. Payday loans work for responsible people who use them for the right reasons. To you, Linsey, I believe you got yourself into difficulty because of the old saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
Hi
I love the colors you use, and the images are vivid and energetic. Great work, good site too. I'll be in touch!
For my life frugality is a tactic used to ACHIEVE a goal. I plan to retire as a millionare, and the only way I can make that happen on a daily basis is to be frugal in day-to-day lifestyle, save/invest the money not used, and gradually acquire the ability to not HAVE to think about whether I can or should spend. Once the habit of choosing unpretenscious possessions is established, the rest of my life can be spent doing what I want, in comfort and security. Spending for the sake of a new thrill or because I am bored is a thing of the past. I have newer/better plans for the long haul!
Doing a dry run or practising in front of the mirror are both great ways to overcome any possible issues you may have with certain questions.
What I do once or twice a year is to sit down and institute and immediate 20% reduction in expenses. By going through this exercise, I find wasteful things that are not necessities....some I eliminate for good, others are just identified for future potential targeting. The net real effect of this is a periodic decrease of 10% of expenses, which nicely keeps my expenditures even over time.
Philip, I enjoy your asskicking posts!
I guess it depends on the school - my kids go to a public school and I received this warning (don't correct answers) from one of my children's teachers at curriculum night. She asked us not to correct answers because parents in previous years had corrected answers, and she moved on to new material only to realize later (around testing time) that the kids had not grasped earlier information.
My oldest son's sixth grade teachers (in middle school) seemed to not like questions from kids but all the others have welcomed individual requests. Though testing is not popular with many people, the accountability measures have helped administration in my kids' elementary school, so that teachers are encouraged and required to pinpoint problems and make parents aware of problems, which can then be solved using parent, teacher, or other resources -- partly because it makes sense but also because AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and test scores are impacted.
Oh, I should add that the few times I've corrected my kids' homework (at their request to review), I've managed to give them bad advice; they are very quick to tell me what I got wrong and rarely ask for my help.
What an obnoxious comment hehe. Well I've enjoyed several of your articles (and I only started reading wisebread a few weeks ago).
I think reverse mortgages should be avoided if only because of the slimy name. It's not a "reverse" "mortgage" because it's not a mortgage that the bank takes out with you! In other words, the bank isn't paying *you* interest for 30 years, of which for the first 10 years 90% of the payment goes to interest and not principal. Now that would be a good deal. But no, it's basically nothing more than a cash-out refinance to a negative amortization mortgage. And those are bad.
There was once I missed on a big company because I fumbled with the term Healthcare Provider and Healthcase Solutions Provider. I was doing fine with all the questions until he came to number 4. I had the right words in my mind but the wrong words came out from my mouth. He felt I did not do my research properly. The interviewer became angry and corrected me. I apologised but I could see he lost his interest. This was way back after I graduated from college. Since then I became very cautious and I sit and practice infront of the mirror, sometimes I even use the PC to record my voice as I am practising my answers so as I can judge myself and be more careful. After that episode, I learnt to pass all my interviews!
Oh yeah, and I meant article point #4, not comment #4. I didn't realize the comments were numbered. :)
I have to disagree with #4, at least as it's stated. Maybe you are talking about a very good private school or a self-paced Montessori program, but in normal public schools the teacher doesn't slow down or speed up the material for individual children. If that were true, then your point would be invalid anyway since as soon as it was clear that the foundational material was giving the child problems, the teacher would slow down and correct that. Obviously that doesn't happen.
Correcting your child's homework is the *only* way to ensure that your child builds a good store of foundational knowledge in the subject. If your child misses a question, the teacher is not going to sit down privately with him and explain what was wrong and how to fix it! But you, as the parent, have that leisure.
Another thing the teacher won't correct is sloppy work (bad handwriting, miscopying numbers, accidentally skipping problems). The teacher just marks it wrong -- a math teacher, for instance, obviously doesn't have time to teach handwriting skills to individual children. Don't underestimate the impact that these seemingly minor problems have on your child's self esteem and enjoyment of the subject.
Nice picture. I did some winter backpacking years ago and you can have it, thanks anyway, ha-ha, it was rough.
I guess this extreme temporarily frugality thing could be less of a shock to the system, the fact that you know you don't have to be frugal for long and you're kinda just playing at it to see if you can hack it, a survivalist type of thing (?) I like my way better, however. I'm 52 and have voluntarily over the years denied myself stuff on purpose (haven't had cable TV for years, for instance), spend as little as possible on entertainment, doing all my own cooking, cutting my own hair, etc. It becomes part of your lifestyle and an attitude - is there any way I can do this cheaper? (Splurging for me is to lay out 2 bucks for the dollar menu at Micky D's and I've already brought my can of pop with me, no kidding; without the pop in tow, I won't even stop there, I'm that much of a tightwad). You reach a point where you get no pleasure from spending money on yourself unless you're getting some kind of a deal. That's where I am, and I'm thrilled with it.
This is a serious issue that sadly many don't think about till it's too late. Unfortunately in this country the sick are generally deemed un-insurable--like you--despite being the ones most in need of healthcare.
Anyone can become sick and once they lost their work insurance or if they never had it to begin with, can be left in the dust. Ins. from soc. sec. as you said takes two years form the time you are approved, which can take months or years, *IF* you are approved at all. These are things that can happen to anyone at anytime.
One bad car accident can leave a person disabled. And even for the basically healthy, the costs are so high that many have to go without. Even wit insurance the deductibles and co-pays can be so high that many go into bankruptcy form one serious illness.
Things need to change, and fast, or soon no one but the very, very wealthy will be able to get by in this country. Who wants to watch a lifetime of savings be eaten away because they happened to have the misfortune of getting sick? And yet that is a reality that can and does happen in this country all the time. We need to work for a change in our system and demand it from those we elect.
There are many approaches and just because one way might not work or be perfect does not mean we cannot find some answer. People critique M. Moore's suggestions as a way to write off the whole idea. Well, guess what, his suggestion may not work or be perfect, but that doesn't mean there isn't something very wrong with our system and ways out there to improve it. If every other industrialized nation has come up with something (and why focus on just Canada, as many seem to do, when so many other nations have examples for us to view and learn from, not necessarily emulate in full, as well), why is it that the US is the only one that can't?
Just about any answer will be an improvement over what's happening now. Thanks for writing this important post! I will be writing on this topic soon on my blog as well.
I made a video to better show some of my new crafts.
You can see it here.
All I could think when I saw this was the title of the book just didn't sound right. Retire on less than you think? I didn't realize retirement was paid for by thoughts. Retire on less than you think you need makes more sense. Semantics, I know.
Plus, I would imagine most people either really under-estimate or over-estimate what they need to retire on.
In any case I'm just tired of retirement books telling people like me, who already have retirement accounts and are in their 20s-30s: "Good for you! You started young, don't worry!" Maybe I'm just getting burnt out on personal finance.
I would like to respond to your comment, only because you actually bring up some good points, and some that are worth clarifying.
"you can still have an outstanding mortgage balance and still get a reverse mortgage"
Excellent. I had read this, but also read from the same source a laundry list of qualifications that need to be met, and potential risks. But you bring up a good point nevertheless.
"an experienced RM loan officer would never reccomend that a borrower take a "lump sum" unless that were planning on spending immediately for some kind of major purchase"
Exactly my point. Major purchases do happen.
"the funds awarded by virtue of the RM proceeds "earn credit line growth" by staying in the account with the lender and are NEVER at risk
because it appears on their local county records that the lender has a lien for the entire amount to protect the lender and the borrower"
I never suggested that the borrowed amount is at risk. What I suggested was that after fees, annual interest, and a long life, there may not be much (if anything) left over after the house is sold. I also mentioned that there are provisions in place to prevent the borrowed amount from exceeding the value of the home (despite my personal doubts).
"most seniors would prfer to stay in their own home that they have inhabited for the last 20-50 years and the traumatic experience of moving, selling the home, finding a new abode, are totally lost financially and emotionally"
Again, a great point. But I already said that as a pro for getting the RM.
"a senior could use the proceeds of a RM to have a visiting nurse or caregiver in order to remain in their own home"
Another great observation. I don't think I ever suggested that wasn't the case. However sometimes full-time care is required, and it isn't always possible to remain in the home for a variety of reasons. If you have worked with the elderly at all, you would know that.
"you are obviously a simble man"
Actuallly, I'm a woman! And what is simble anyway? I guess I'm too simple for such advanced vocabulary! :-)
"you should shut your stupid mouth and do some more investigating BEFORE you hit "enter"
Awww....was that really necessary?
Interesting that you bring this up. The CFSA was not in existence when I had this experience. I wish it had. Furthermore, I see that only 50% of the current payday loan "providers" are members. I hope to see increased participation of lenders, and also a greater awareness of the industry. I still take issue with several of the points addressed on the Myths vs. Reality page of the CFSA website, however.
As mentioned earlier by someone else, we also live pretty close to this year round. In hindsight, it was a great way to get into the habit before our income went up recently.
I knew Darren (fleetingly) when we were at Bristol University at the same time (early '90s). It probably wouldn't surprise you to know that his patter and style was just as good then as it is now. He's a very likeable fellow!
"Nothing to declare" - these same words i have heard in Brian Tracy's "Accelerated Learning Techniques". The audio program is incredibly effective, quite inspirational and very motivating. I've used it many times to get into shape for exams and it my grades showed enough improvement that the school gave me a scholarship. I might be an intelligent guy but i am lazy most of the time so i didn't keep using the techniques over and over. But when i have exams coming up i play the program and it does the job. It boosts my information retention rate and it makes learning enjoyable (i know...it's weird). the program is 79,95$...and although it's worth every penny my personal belief is that such knowledge should be free and taught in schools.
ps. i acquired it frugally: downloaded it off the net :D...like many other tools for education
Wood makes liquids... therefore it must be skilled at being a liquid.
Thanks for the kind words.
What's extreme depends, of course, on where you start from. Joy, though, is where ever you find it.
I agree that this is a good book to read -- I own this book and several others. My favorite is "Retirement on a Shoestring" by John Howells. I have many health issues and would love to retire but can't yet because of family issues. When I'm forced to retire by my health, I don't think that I can live on social security and my savings. I'm also extremely worried about the direction that our country is headed: foreclosures, jobs going overseas, war with Iran(?), etc. In the meantime, I am busy "right-sizing" and trying to hang on. Am currently reading "Right Sizing Your Life" by Ciji Ware and highly recommend this book!
WOW! ARE you sure you have a Sallie Mae loan? I just made a double payment and was shocked to see the bulk go to interest and my principle barely moved. I was even more confused to see that they reduced next months payment to drain me some more so they could keep my loan numbers up.
And in reply to your response the previous post-They Definatly could offer a lot more options! How about an option called customer service or common courtesy. Take a better look around the web and see what Sallie Mae has done to ruin so many peoples hopes and dreams. There are people who have lost their asses over this greedy and oOH yes EVIL organization.
I am really grateful for the students before me who spoke out to inform other students looking for loans or are new to SM's lame business tactics.
I don't bother trying to reach a SM representative because I know better, they never answer, they know nothing ,everyone tells you something different. I do a search on the web and ask other SM clients, thats the only way to know how to work your way around all their B.S.
I don't know maybe you are just WAY smarter than I, maybe you do business the same way they do? Im gonna give you a break and say YOU don't know what you are talking about.
I totally understood what those other people were saying about the "payment clock", they mean you give then money in a timely manner and those scum bags sit on it,and wait and watch the clock and wait til your next due date so they can keep your numbers high. I have never had any company take an over payment and break it up and not put the whole sum towards the loan. Is it just me or what? This is not standard practice. IT IS IN NO WAY LOGICAL. Are you sure you don't work for Sallie or something? It looks like you've got it all figured out, good for you...
ANYWAYS,
Best Wishes to everyone who is struggling out there, dealing with those slags. Somethings gonna go down soon it seems but in any case make sure to tell anyone and everyone- Never, Ever apply for a Sallie Mae loan.
peace.
Tobey
I was wondering if you ever considered combining your dreams of writing and relationships and write a book about relationships? To me it jumped out as an obvious answer. You can still live the life you are currently living and write this book in your spare time (if applicable). Minimal risk with this affecting your current and future financial situations, the big "risk" is putting yourself out there. But in light of your previous post in regards to following your dreams I would think that "putting yourself out there" shouldn't be an issue. Just a thought from a businessman that was and still is afraid to "put myself out there" in terms of pursueing my childhood dream of being a performing music artist. So maybe you should just take my suggestion with a grain of salt. :)
-T
i am a retired navy wife and learned early that rummage sale clothes were the way to go with young children. i could buy sundays best clothes ,like new, that my children wore to school. enjoy this time my friends because by the time the children go to jr. high they no longer will wear them. you must instill in them the joys of shopping kmart... shopko..... target...etc. no need to spend a months wages on the labels. if it is labels they have to have then they can find a job to pay for them. for too long the american public has let the media dictate to them and their children.. its time to take a stand. i feel its time for all schools to insist on uniforms.. catholic schools have done this for years with no visable harm to childrens egos.
Responsible payday lenders who belong to the Community Financial Services Association of America MUST post the APR in writing and in bold print on contracts. Also, CFSA-member companies now offer (at no extra charge) an extended payment plan. Payday loans work for responsible people who use them for the right reasons. To you, Linsey, I believe you got yourself into difficulty because of the old saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."