Thanks to your instructions, I rubbed it in my lens, leaving scratches all over due to the abrasiveness of Armour Etch. You just dab it on, leave it and then the antireflect film comes off, rubbing it in will lead to scratches.
Obviously, I fall into the dreaded (or as I like to call it, "blessed") group of people who have more than 2 kids (I have four.) Curious as to your #3. When you say "zero population growth" are you referring to state population, national, or global? While I don't live in CA (so I can't speak to many points you make), I am interested any objection to family tax programs and incentives that take place on a national level. Is there a child tax benefit that specifically costs Californians separate from the Federal? How much money does this make up? When you say "take away" the benefit, are you referring to not granting any benefits above 2 children, or are you suggesting that we take it away completely from anyone who has more than 2 kids? Not trying to be combative, I just knew that you were trying to make a point and wanted to be sure I was clear about your message.
Edith,
As a homeschooler, I felt that I should respond.
California has over 166,000 homeschooled children (and these are just the documented cases). These children represent families who pay taxes to the state of California, but often do not take advantage of many of the public education programs. They also represent famlies who often choose to have larger families (the avg number of kids for a homeschooling family is 3.) What you are seeing from them would be a net gain to the state of California's educational system (putting money in, but not taking their entitled amount out). While numbers are debateable, it's reported that it costs an average of approx $11,000 to educate a student per year in California. Take that times 166,000 and you have a whole lot of education you DON'T have to pay for. With homeschooling growing in popularity, I'm not sure you want to punish these larger families with higher taxes. They'd most likely just move to more family-friendly states and support those states with their tax dollars. Remember, educational dollars, in some cases, move with the child. Those states without penalities for growing families would glady accept them and their tax money.
Interesting discussion. I hope that CA gets what they need to straighten things out. I have many loved ones there who are concerned, and I wish the best for them and their families (no matter how large or small they may be.)
Suggestion #1 was Proposition 1D on the ballot. From the information guide: "Revenues generated by the First 5 tax are deposited into the California Children and Families Trust Fund... Thus, none of these funds are subject to appropriation by the Legislature."
This is why the election was held. The governator and the legislature can't move funds from many proposition acts without the voters approving it. They also can't change the state constitution with out voters approving it (this includes changing the proposition process).
So please read your voters guide and understand how our crazy government works before complaining.
FrugalZen:
> The Merchant Agreement signed by all merchants who take credit cards has a clause that states the merchant cannot give a discount for cash or charge a surcharge for taking credit cards.
And why can Vis and Masters force the merchants to sign such an agreement? Because they are two, and the merchants are thousands. It would welcome if the antitrust department of the government comes out of hibernation and slaps some fines on the big guys when they abuse their market power.
I can't sing its praises enough, Paul, so I'm thrilled that you wrote about it. When I was pregnant, it was concerning to hear what's in so many OTC products -- you just don't feel safe using most of the stuff. I loved that witch hazel worked so well on vericose veins and other afflictions. It's a Mama's best friend!
I'm from SoCal and I don't see "typical NoCal attitude". Your suggestions are good, *especially* the one about limiting deductions for children. Children go to school so cost taxpayers money. And if they have health/mental issues, they cost us even more. And people who have more than two should be required to pay HIGHER taxes.
Here are my suggestions:
Get rid of the supermajority requirement to pass a budget. Make it 55% if you don't like having a simple majority.
Modify Prop 13. It's ridiculous that commercial real estate falls under Prop 13.
Get rid of term limits. If the politicians are that bad,vote 'em out of office.
Modify the initiative process. No bond issues should be allowed on the ballot. If something is needed, lobby your pol to put in the state budget.
Alas, I am just a freelance writer who happened to see an article about what Coinstar is offering in the way of merchant gift cards...thought people who are not offended by loose change would be interested in reading about it.
I personally don't have experience with banks that will convert change via a machine. All the ones around my way require rolled coin with your account number on it. I suppose you can also go to a casino that still uses money and not tickets to get some cash.
Great point on looking for change around vending machines, but I was only focused on the home. Nothing wrong with finding some on the street too!
Good article, Xin. I discussed this topic with caller on our radio show, and the consensus is that while it may be more difficult to get a large amount of credit at a young age, setting an age limit of 21 is a bit over the top. Here's why:
Most states have a legal adult age of 18 or 19. In Nebraska, they are trying to get that lowered to 18 FROM 19. So, in theory, I can go out, get an apartment, auto insurance, and even a $40,000 college loan without my parent's help. But not a $200 Target charge card? You gotta be kidding me!
Another thought that was brought up was this --- it seems that there is an increased focus on fiscal responsibility as a "national" or "community" concern. It is no longer acceptable to look at borrowers as individuals for some reason (which would negate the age argument completely.) Instead, we have made broad, generalized statements about credit worthiness that is often not related to ability to pay (age, self-employed vs. employed, etc.) What I find amusing (not really) is that we have now committed ourselves to a national debt of ginormous proportions, something that we will really need our young people to step up and pay in the future. They will have all the responsibility of an older "credit worthy" working American: paying Soc Sec taxes, additional taxes, fees, and whatnot like everyone else. We trust them to pay all of these things, because they are not given the choice. But we don't trust them with a credit line without having an older generation co-sign. Given the current state of affairs, it sems a bit harsh, and a wee hypocritcal, if you ask me.
Grab a responsible 20 year old and put him next to a responsible 21 year old. Can you really tell me one is more "credit-worthy" than the other?
i like the article, but the author forgot to mention that some banks actually have their own coin machines that cost less than Coinstar. Coinstar charges 8.9 cents for every dollar, some other companies charge as little as 4 cents per dollar. this just makes me think that the author gets paid by Coinstar ... don't deny it.
We also need to point out that, not only we work in order to (have the free time) to play. But now the mentality is that we play (rest on Sunday, or take a vacation) just so we can work longer and harder.
The thing is, once we start playing for the sake of work... or that it's good for us. We are no longer playing.
Then there is no question why people wonder where their life had gone.
A local bank that has branches in Cub grocery stores in Minnesota & Wisconsin waives the counting fee if you deposit your Coinstar count into your account there.
We actually did this a couple weeks ago - took my tin of change in and it was $57, enough to cover our weekly groceries.
I am from Utah. The state constitution mandates a balanced budget every year. This is something that Californians might consider for the future. Utah also has a rainy day fund which is being held in reserve for next year if the recession continues.
One way Utah makes cuts is to order every agency to take say a 15% reduction. And yes, state workers get laid off. Most years cuts are not needed because budgeting is very conservative and adjustments are made mid year if necessary.
It seems that some of California's laws are getting in the way of correct budgeting practices.
As for children I have five who are all paying taxes into the Utah economy except one who is performing service in Mongolia. The grand secret is that children create prosperity. Societies that cease to produce children (or greatly curtail their births) eventually shrivel and die.
As for your list I think it was rather good, except that I hope the judges recognize the will of the people in regards to Proposition 8.
You can order a free promotional tote bag from myfreetotebag.com. They don't charge for shipping, nor do they sell anything else. It takes just a minute to fill out the form so they can match you with a sponsor who wants to advertise to you or your area.
Well, I am not from California but I have to disagree with some of your suggestions. After school programs should not be cut. Maybe they are not being used effectively in your area, but many areas do use them effectively. If the mentors and supervisors of these programs took some responsibility, they would be quite effective. Also, coming from a rural area myself, I can tell you that those are the LAST places to cut programs from. Kids out in rural areas do not have much to do to begin with. They need programs like these.
Secondly, why on earth would we discourage people from having kids? Kids are a wonderful thing. They are also a huge responsibility. People should not be punished for having more than two kids. Families ought to be encouraged, not frowned upon.
Finally, I sort of disagree with your point about grants. While I do think that the process can be modified, I think more financial aid should be encouraged.
I do agree with you about Prop 8,though. I never did agree with that one.
most of these sound good to me, as a CA resident. Definitely a plus on repealing prop 8... gay people, having fewer kids than heterosexual couples, traditionally have a lot more spending money, pay more taxes, and in general require less assistance from the government. Let's give them all the incentive needed to keep them happy in our state.
I don't know the cost of administering a tax, but a 1-cent tax on hamburgers would solve part of the problem. Feel free to tear apart that idea, but it is an out of the box suggestion--something we need to do. I know Californians, including myself, do not want to see more taxes, but small increments here and there will help our budget.
Legalizing marijuana has huge implications, especially during hard economic times, but the money raised from this cash crop will also help with our budgetary problems.
Unfortunately this won't work at my house. I don't carry change on a daily basis and, in the odd event that I get change from a cash transaction (which are fewer and fewer as time goes by), all my change gets emptied out of my pockets and into jars on my dresser drawer each evening. Once a year it becomes a donation to a charity that I support.
Of course, that doesn't stop me from looking for change that others have dropped. Desk drawers after people have moved to a different location and the floor around vending machines seem to be the best locations.
I wish people would stop with the whole "big screen TVs" meme. LG makes a 44 inch rear projection TV for under $200 on Amazon. What this whole debate boils down to is "I spend wisely, everyone else spends foolishly."
Great point! It is absolutely vital for people to understand that debt repayment is not an expense. It is due to this misconception, people cringe from repaying their debt end up with accumulating even more. This article provides a great insight and reasoning why debt repayment should not be considered as an expense.
just a reminder that if you took some time to gather up your change you carelessly toss around the house, into drawers, or have fall out of your pocket, you could end up with a nice gift card you weren't expecting without hurting your budget.
in your yard, in your bed - sure you can find change there - doesn't mean you have to look if you don't want to.
Well explained article! I think this is a great way to explain and educate people on how they can avoid accumulating debt in this recession. Good debt is still inadvisable however, it is important to completely avoid the bad debt and then slowly work your way through reducing any debt.
Thanks to your instructions, I rubbed it in my lens, leaving scratches all over due to the abrasiveness of Armour Etch. You just dab it on, leave it and then the antireflect film comes off, rubbing it in will lead to scratches.
Margaret,
Obviously, I fall into the dreaded (or as I like to call it, "blessed") group of people who have more than 2 kids (I have four.) Curious as to your #3. When you say "zero population growth" are you referring to state population, national, or global? While I don't live in CA (so I can't speak to many points you make), I am interested any objection to family tax programs and incentives that take place on a national level. Is there a child tax benefit that specifically costs Californians separate from the Federal? How much money does this make up? When you say "take away" the benefit, are you referring to not granting any benefits above 2 children, or are you suggesting that we take it away completely from anyone who has more than 2 kids? Not trying to be combative, I just knew that you were trying to make a point and wanted to be sure I was clear about your message.
Edith,
As a homeschooler, I felt that I should respond.
California has over 166,000 homeschooled children (and these are just the documented cases). These children represent families who pay taxes to the state of California, but often do not take advantage of many of the public education programs. They also represent famlies who often choose to have larger families (the avg number of kids for a homeschooling family is 3.) What you are seeing from them would be a net gain to the state of California's educational system (putting money in, but not taking their entitled amount out). While numbers are debateable, it's reported that it costs an average of approx $11,000 to educate a student per year in California. Take that times 166,000 and you have a whole lot of education you DON'T have to pay for. With homeschooling growing in popularity, I'm not sure you want to punish these larger families with higher taxes. They'd most likely just move to more family-friendly states and support those states with their tax dollars. Remember, educational dollars, in some cases, move with the child. Those states without penalities for growing families would glady accept them and their tax money.
Interesting discussion. I hope that CA gets what they need to straighten things out. I have many loved ones there who are concerned, and I wish the best for them and their families (no matter how large or small they may be.)
Linsey Knerl
Suggestion #1 was Proposition 1D on the ballot. From the information guide: "Revenues generated by the First 5 tax are deposited into the California Children and Families Trust Fund... Thus, none of these funds are subject to appropriation by the Legislature."
This is why the election was held. The governator and the legislature can't move funds from many proposition acts without the voters approving it. They also can't change the state constitution with out voters approving it (this includes changing the proposition process).
So please read your voters guide and understand how our crazy government works before complaining.
FrugalZen:
> The Merchant Agreement signed by all merchants who take credit cards has a clause that states the merchant cannot give a discount for cash or charge a surcharge for taking credit cards.
And why can Vis and Masters force the merchants to sign such an agreement? Because they are two, and the merchants are thousands. It would welcome if the antitrust department of the government comes out of hibernation and slaps some fines on the big guys when they abuse their market power.
Peter
I use coinstar, and get an Amazon gift card. I use it to treat myself. You get to keep all the money if you get a giftcard - no percentage taken.
It's kind of embarrassing, though, how loud it is in the grocery store. Does anyone else get nervous to go?
My solution is to split the state in two. Say somewhere just South of Visalia.
I can't sing its praises enough, Paul, so I'm thrilled that you wrote about it. When I was pregnant, it was concerning to hear what's in so many OTC products -- you just don't feel safe using most of the stuff. I loved that witch hazel worked so well on vericose veins and other afflictions. It's a Mama's best friend!
Linsey Knerl
I'm from SoCal and I don't see "typical NoCal attitude". Your suggestions are good, *especially* the one about limiting deductions for children. Children go to school so cost taxpayers money. And if they have health/mental issues, they cost us even more. And people who have more than two should be required to pay HIGHER taxes.
Here are my suggestions:
Get rid of the supermajority requirement to pass a budget. Make it 55% if you don't like having a simple majority.
Modify Prop 13. It's ridiculous that commercial real estate falls under Prop 13.
Get rid of term limits. If the politicians are that bad,vote 'em out of office.
Modify the initiative process. No bond issues should be allowed on the ballot. If something is needed, lobby your pol to put in the state budget.
This is a typical NoCal attitude. The other half of this state wants nothing to do with you people.
Alas, I am just a freelance writer who happened to see an article about what Coinstar is offering in the way of merchant gift cards...thought people who are not offended by loose change would be interested in reading about it.
I personally don't have experience with banks that will convert change via a machine. All the ones around my way require rolled coin with your account number on it. I suppose you can also go to a casino that still uses money and not tickets to get some cash.
Great point on looking for change around vending machines, but I was only focused on the home. Nothing wrong with finding some on the street too!
Good article, Xin. I discussed this topic with caller on our radio show, and the consensus is that while it may be more difficult to get a large amount of credit at a young age, setting an age limit of 21 is a bit over the top. Here's why:
Most states have a legal adult age of 18 or 19. In Nebraska, they are trying to get that lowered to 18 FROM 19. So, in theory, I can go out, get an apartment, auto insurance, and even a $40,000 college loan without my parent's help. But not a $200 Target charge card? You gotta be kidding me!
Another thought that was brought up was this --- it seems that there is an increased focus on fiscal responsibility as a "national" or "community" concern. It is no longer acceptable to look at borrowers as individuals for some reason (which would negate the age argument completely.) Instead, we have made broad, generalized statements about credit worthiness that is often not related to ability to pay (age, self-employed vs. employed, etc.) What I find amusing (not really) is that we have now committed ourselves to a national debt of ginormous proportions, something that we will really need our young people to step up and pay in the future. They will have all the responsibility of an older "credit worthy" working American: paying Soc Sec taxes, additional taxes, fees, and whatnot like everyone else. We trust them to pay all of these things, because they are not given the choice. But we don't trust them with a credit line without having an older generation co-sign. Given the current state of affairs, it sems a bit harsh, and a wee hypocritcal, if you ask me.
Grab a responsible 20 year old and put him next to a responsible 21 year old. Can you really tell me one is more "credit-worthy" than the other?
Linsey Knerl
i like the article, but the author forgot to mention that some banks actually have their own coin machines that cost less than Coinstar. Coinstar charges 8.9 cents for every dollar, some other companies charge as little as 4 cents per dollar. this just makes me think that the author gets paid by Coinstar ... don't deny it.
We also need to point out that, not only we work in order to (have the free time) to play. But now the mentality is that we play (rest on Sunday, or take a vacation) just so we can work longer and harder.
The thing is, once we start playing for the sake of work... or that it's good for us. We are no longer playing.
Then there is no question why people wonder where their life had gone.
A local bank that has branches in Cub grocery stores in Minnesota & Wisconsin waives the counting fee if you deposit your Coinstar count into your account there.
We actually did this a couple weeks ago - took my tin of change in and it was $57, enough to cover our weekly groceries.
I am from Utah. The state constitution mandates a balanced budget every year. This is something that Californians might consider for the future. Utah also has a rainy day fund which is being held in reserve for next year if the recession continues.
One way Utah makes cuts is to order every agency to take say a 15% reduction. And yes, state workers get laid off. Most years cuts are not needed because budgeting is very conservative and adjustments are made mid year if necessary.
It seems that some of California's laws are getting in the way of correct budgeting practices.
As for children I have five who are all paying taxes into the Utah economy except one who is performing service in Mongolia. The grand secret is that children create prosperity. Societies that cease to produce children (or greatly curtail their births) eventually shrivel and die.
As for your list I think it was rather good, except that I hope the judges recognize the will of the people in regards to Proposition 8.
You can order a free promotional tote bag from myfreetotebag.com. They don't charge for shipping, nor do they sell anything else. It takes just a minute to fill out the form so they can match you with a sponsor who wants to advertise to you or your area.
Well, I am not from California but I have to disagree with some of your suggestions. After school programs should not be cut. Maybe they are not being used effectively in your area, but many areas do use them effectively. If the mentors and supervisors of these programs took some responsibility, they would be quite effective. Also, coming from a rural area myself, I can tell you that those are the LAST places to cut programs from. Kids out in rural areas do not have much to do to begin with. They need programs like these.
Secondly, why on earth would we discourage people from having kids? Kids are a wonderful thing. They are also a huge responsibility. People should not be punished for having more than two kids. Families ought to be encouraged, not frowned upon.
Finally, I sort of disagree with your point about grants. While I do think that the process can be modified, I think more financial aid should be encouraged.
I do agree with you about Prop 8,though. I never did agree with that one.
most of these sound good to me, as a CA resident. Definitely a plus on repealing prop 8... gay people, having fewer kids than heterosexual couples, traditionally have a lot more spending money, pay more taxes, and in general require less assistance from the government. Let's give them all the incentive needed to keep them happy in our state.
I don't know the cost of administering a tax, but a 1-cent tax on hamburgers would solve part of the problem. Feel free to tear apart that idea, but it is an out of the box suggestion--something we need to do. I know Californians, including myself, do not want to see more taxes, but small increments here and there will help our budget.
Legalizing marijuana has huge implications, especially during hard economic times, but the money raised from this cash crop will also help with our budgetary problems.
Love the comment ... Very funny!
1. NO CASH transactions
2. Annual CHARITY
3. Not ashamed of looking for pennies dropped by OTHERS
Hha ha ah aha ha
Unfortunately this won't work at my house. I don't carry change on a daily basis and, in the odd event that I get change from a cash transaction (which are fewer and fewer as time goes by), all my change gets emptied out of my pockets and into jars on my dresser drawer each evening. Once a year it becomes a donation to a charity that I support.
Of course, that doesn't stop me from looking for change that others have dropped. Desk drawers after people have moved to a different location and the floor around vending machines seem to be the best locations.
I wish people would stop with the whole "big screen TVs" meme. LG makes a 44 inch rear projection TV for under $200 on Amazon. What this whole debate boils down to is "I spend wisely, everyone else spends foolishly."
Great point! It is absolutely vital for people to understand that debt repayment is not an expense. It is due to this misconception, people cringe from repaying their debt end up with accumulating even more. This article provides a great insight and reasoning why debt repayment should not be considered as an expense.
just a reminder that if you took some time to gather up your change you carelessly toss around the house, into drawers, or have fall out of your pocket, you could end up with a nice gift card you weren't expecting without hurting your budget.
in your yard, in your bed - sure you can find change there - doesn't mean you have to look if you don't want to.
Thanks for all the comments!
Well explained article! I think this is a great way to explain and educate people on how they can avoid accumulating debt in this recession. Good debt is still inadvisable however, it is important to completely avoid the bad debt and then slowly work your way through reducing any debt.