You know Imoved to a town milesfrom my office and the rat race pressure was a lot less. I still feel the pressure to have the newest and best but amproud of what I have.
Great post. I think we can keep away from the Joneses without ACTUALLY moving away, though (unless that is your choice). It's easier when there are like minds around. College/university towns sometimes have people who are more creative thought-oriented and a bit less concerned with the material. The most important thing is to be comfortable with yourself. There will always be people who value the material and superficial--but when we feel secure in what our own values are, those other people matter less and less.
After losing a wellpaid city job to now scratching and schucking/jiving (networking) endlessly for a place(job) in the office jungles of bureaucratic administration, I've lost all careless spending urges for the next wow thing. I save for good things that will last and wear them out like I was taught when I grew up on welfare. Or cycle less expensive things into less public activities like grub yard work or jammiesr house cleaning rags.
I've been saying that frugal kitsch is a somewhat patronizing way for those who grew up well off to say 'they're slumming it' but now with justification and pure survival reasons than snob self righteousness.
See many cultures and ethnic groups forced to be poor due to social bigotry/inequality or group in power preferences in divvying up good jobs and wealth have HAD to choose these frugal things and are rightfully incensed when they are told to make do with less for the good of all, things are getting bad/scarce when they NEVER got their turn at the wellfed excess wasteful banquet table.
That's why some developing nations are slow with embracing the Kyoto climate treaty when they are FINALLY on a verge of 'making it' and live the good life' the US and the Western world has flaunted and promoted for decades until the roof and glass house crashed. So while the US is jumping on bicycles to work and regular transportation to cut petroleum use and carbon, China of billions is trashing traditional bikes in streets and promoting driving and cars as show of new wealth, regardless of the small size.
Like almost everybody who has commented here, I too pay virtually all of my bills with my American Express card; not only does this bring me Rewards Points, but it also helps my credit rating in general, as the best way to build credit is to use credit. When I pay things with my card, I'm using the card in lieu of cash / checks that I'd prefer not to have to hassle with, not as a loan with which to buy things I can't afford. Thus, I pay off my American Express card every month, period.
I do not have a mortgage; I'm currently saving up money so as to buy my first piece of property one of these days very soon. But once I do have a mortgage, I'll definitely make my monthly payments via credit card if that option is available to me; why wouldn't I, since it's money I have to pay every month anyway?
I don't think the person who posted this blog really thought this through. Sure, a person who's paying a mortgage with a credit card because they don't have the cash for it is making a very big mistake. But a person who CAN afford his or her mortgage payment (the majority of homeowners, in other words) would do very well to make the payment with a credit card, and then pay the card off when it's due.
I have racked up 165k in student loans over the last decade. And what do I have to show for it? A master's degree that, at best, is worth 40k.
To make matters worst, I wanted to use my experiences to help high school students avoid the same mistakes, in the form of a financial education book,(Now Hiring: A Financial Guide for High School Students Preparing for College)
I was disappointed when the book only sold 10 copies (one was sent back). What bothered me most was that concert tickets sell out in seconds, and recording artists sells hundreds of thousands of copies in days, but no one wants financial education until they're on the brink of suicide.
I have no credit card debt, no car loans, but I am in serious student loan debt.
Lesson learned: Parents know what they're talking about, debt robs you of freedom to fulfill your purpose, and going to a community college is the same as going to prestigious university.
I have begun to attack my debt, and have paid $12,500 already.
Lot's of comments, but the reality is nothing will change.
As Naomi Klein said to Tom Hayden '' young people today discuss their dissent by blogging or ranting online '' and '' do you think the web is absorbing some of our outrage in a non-constructive way ? ''
Me thinks the internet has created a non-participatory America.
Yeah, complain all you want '' online '', just don't get involved in doing anything about it.
I will not support Cook County and it's retailers - consequences be damned. It's my message to the politico's who live so removed from mainstream America.
why are 17 year olds left out from getting a Stimulus Check? My son was 17 and did not get a check, why did the IRA leave 17 year olds out, he sure could have used the money!!
Not only do you get to use the float by paying the mortgage with your credit card. You get the rewards, whether they be miles, points, cash back. Assuming you full pay on time.
However, consider this: by paying your mortgage with a credit card, you get to turn secured debt into unsecured debt. Once Congress figures that out, they will probably start a new round of useless investigation.
After all, unsecured debt has a much lower priority in cases of bankruptcy.
This article was a precursor to my post on Speeding through your mortgage, which discusses the impact of the $3500 payment for software, etc. compared to the DIY approach. Feel free to tell your clients about it k3bour; also I am not necessarily endorsing the pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible approach rather than investing -- as hopefully the returns on investing will outweigh the interest rate on mortgage debt.
There is a 70,000 person residential community in Florida called The Villages where you get EVERYWHERE by golf cart. 24/7 365 days a year you can get to 5 grocery stores, banks, shopping restaurants, golf courses, swimming, tennis, hospital, doctors, dentists,etc.
It is an over 55 community, but I always thought would make sense for developers everywhere!!
Hello, i'm a Singaporean. And i would like to find out how really the toy crane machines work. Today, I've been playing like ard 4games, but my efforts are wasted. I'm currently in the midst of wooing a girl, and she seems to like the soft toy in the toy crane machine alot. Can someone please tell me ways of how to increase the success rate or some useful tips? Thanks in advance(:
That's horrible what happened to your pups. Losing one is bad enough, I can't imagine 5! Since there is still a possibility of the contaiminated food being on shelves, they are still accepting claims for injuries to the present date.
Money can't replace friends... but hopefully something can be done for your medical expenses. Again, you have my condolensces.
I also remember the gas shortages of the 70's. Alot of wasted time in line. My family has 3 cars, Mom, wife and myself. We never let them below 1/2 a tank. My employer's attendance policy is average, and with that in mind, if something bad happened, we would be able to go to work and groceries for 2 months. It's like being prepared. Dad and I were boy scouts and we try to be prepared all the time.
My favorite local thrift shop is in Burlingame near SFO. I have purchased some amazing things there over the years, including an antique picture box, a gorgeous Turkish carpet, Escada slacks, and several St. John jackets and sweaters. It is a really lovely, clean shop. It is only open 2 mornings a week on Mondays and Thursdays and is behind the Community Gatepath warehouse on an industrial street. As you can imagine, not too many people know about it. There is going to be a Saturday event on Sept. 20, 2008 from 10-3 when the shop will be open and a container full on accumulated furniture they have not had room for in the shop will be brought out for sale. I am volunteering to help and I can't wait to see it all!
Math error corrected by IRS on 2007 1040. Result was I owed more money (combined over 1200). Same day received notice of stimulus check forthcoming, amount specified based on math error. Mailed voucher and additional payment in full with penalty same day. My question is: Does IRS issue an additional stimulus check based on math error (mine) that caused additional tax liability that is/was paid?
I wrote to a major camera company and complained about the model of camera I got for free from my company. They sent me a letter stating there was nothing they could do and there was no upgrade program and they sent me a free $50 battery.
I agree that no one should be helping out people who borrowed, borrowed, and borrowed some more. However, credit card companies are very predatory with their random interest rate jumps to 23%, and that's how people get in trouble.
The IRS hasn't announced anything, so this is not based on any official statement...
But the way taxes usually work in the US, there is a correct amount of money that you owe, and the IRS will do whatever it takes to get that much. If they get more than that, they'll refund the difference, eventually.
So, my expectation is that anyone who didn't get their full stimulus rebate will be able to claim any shortage as a credit on the taxes that they owe for this year, when you file next year. There'll probably be a worksheet where you can calculate what you should have gotten as a rebate, subtract what you did get, and then take the difference as a credit.
The thing to do now is to file an amended return (on form 1040X) to correct any errors in your last year's taxes. Then, file your taxes next year, whether you need to or not.
I am reading all this in amazement. Why is the "buy now, pay later" culture so matter-of-fact that we cringe every time we hear that banks are going to increase their rates and fees. What ever happened to responsible temporary uses of debt? Is it normal to live with a permanent credit card balance? Financial catastrophes happen and we may need to borrow money. But that should be the exception, not the lifestyle.
I don't carry a balance on my credit cards and I run everything through them to get my rewards. That includes groceries, gas, doctor visits, etc. I have no idea what my rates nor do I care. I am one of deadbeat freeloaders that credit companies hate. As long as they give me a free grace period and rewards, I will use my credit cards.
Actually Chick-fil-A uses a highly refined peanut oil that most people (even some with severe peanut alergies) can consume. You may want to check out their website: (chick-fil-a.com) and talk to your doctor to make an opinion if you have not already. Just thought you might want to know. Wouldn't want you to miss their awesome food if you didn't have to.
You know Imoved to a town milesfrom my office and the rat race pressure was a lot less. I still feel the pressure to have the newest and best but amproud of what I have.
Great post. I think we can keep away from the Joneses without ACTUALLY moving away, though (unless that is your choice). It's easier when there are like minds around. College/university towns sometimes have people who are more creative thought-oriented and a bit less concerned with the material. The most important thing is to be comfortable with yourself. There will always be people who value the material and superficial--but when we feel secure in what our own values are, those other people matter less and less.
After losing a wellpaid city job to now scratching and schucking/jiving (networking) endlessly for a place(job) in the office jungles of bureaucratic administration, I've lost all careless spending urges for the next wow thing. I save for good things that will last and wear them out like I was taught when I grew up on welfare. Or cycle less expensive things into less public activities like grub yard work or jammiesr house cleaning rags.
I've been saying that frugal kitsch is a somewhat patronizing way for those who grew up well off to say 'they're slumming it' but now with justification and pure survival reasons than snob self righteousness.
See many cultures and ethnic groups forced to be poor due to social bigotry/inequality or group in power preferences in divvying up good jobs and wealth have HAD to choose these frugal things and are rightfully incensed when they are told to make do with less for the good of all, things are getting bad/scarce when they NEVER got their turn at the wellfed excess wasteful banquet table.
That's why some developing nations are slow with embracing the Kyoto climate treaty when they are FINALLY on a verge of 'making it' and live the good life' the US and the Western world has flaunted and promoted for decades until the roof and glass house crashed. So while the US is jumping on bicycles to work and regular transportation to cut petroleum use and carbon, China of billions is trashing traditional bikes in streets and promoting driving and cars as show of new wealth, regardless of the small size.
That's a mighty carbon setback.
Annie Leonard has a great video on STUFF
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
It's pretty interesting and informative.
I just encountered an exquisite example of ''planned obsolescence'' that she talks about.
We are really just lemmings running to the edge.............
Ask your Congressman. Congress wrote the law.
Like almost everybody who has commented here, I too pay virtually all of my bills with my American Express card; not only does this bring me Rewards Points, but it also helps my credit rating in general, as the best way to build credit is to use credit. When I pay things with my card, I'm using the card in lieu of cash / checks that I'd prefer not to have to hassle with, not as a loan with which to buy things I can't afford. Thus, I pay off my American Express card every month, period.
I do not have a mortgage; I'm currently saving up money so as to buy my first piece of property one of these days very soon. But once I do have a mortgage, I'll definitely make my monthly payments via credit card if that option is available to me; why wouldn't I, since it's money I have to pay every month anyway?
I don't think the person who posted this blog really thought this through. Sure, a person who's paying a mortgage with a credit card because they don't have the cash for it is making a very big mistake. But a person who CAN afford his or her mortgage payment (the majority of homeowners, in other words) would do very well to make the payment with a credit card, and then pay the card off when it's due.
I have racked up 165k in student loans over the last decade. And what do I have to show for it? A master's degree that, at best, is worth 40k.
To make matters worst, I wanted to use my experiences to help high school students avoid the same mistakes, in the form of a financial education book,(Now Hiring: A Financial Guide for High School Students Preparing for College)
I was disappointed when the book only sold 10 copies (one was sent back). What bothered me most was that concert tickets sell out in seconds, and recording artists sells hundreds of thousands of copies in days, but no one wants financial education until they're on the brink of suicide.
I have no credit card debt, no car loans, but I am in serious student loan debt.
Lesson learned: Parents know what they're talking about, debt robs you of freedom to fulfill your purpose, and going to a community college is the same as going to prestigious university.
I have begun to attack my debt, and have paid $12,500 already.
Lot's of comments, but the reality is nothing will change.
As Naomi Klein said to Tom Hayden '' young people today discuss their dissent by blogging or ranting online '' and '' do you think the web is absorbing some of our outrage in a non-constructive way ? ''
Me thinks the internet has created a non-participatory America.
Yeah, complain all you want '' online '', just don't get involved in doing anything about it.
I will not support Cook County and it's retailers - consequences be damned. It's my message to the politico's who live so removed from mainstream America.
why are 17 year olds left out from getting a Stimulus Check? My son was 17 and did not get a check, why did the IRA leave 17 year olds out, he sure could have used the money!!
Not only do you get to use the float by paying the mortgage with your credit card. You get the rewards, whether they be miles, points, cash back. Assuming you full pay on time.
However, consider this: by paying your mortgage with a credit card, you get to turn secured debt into unsecured debt. Once Congress figures that out, they will probably start a new round of useless investigation.
After all, unsecured debt has a much lower priority in cases of bankruptcy.
This article was a precursor to my post on Speeding through your mortgage, which discusses the impact of the $3500 payment for software, etc. compared to the DIY approach. Feel free to tell your clients about it k3bour; also I am not necessarily endorsing the pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible approach rather than investing -- as hopefully the returns on investing will outweigh the interest rate on mortgage debt.
There is a 70,000 person residential community in Florida called The Villages where you get EVERYWHERE by golf cart. 24/7 365 days a year you can get to 5 grocery stores, banks, shopping restaurants, golf courses, swimming, tennis, hospital, doctors, dentists,etc.
It is an over 55 community, but I always thought would make sense for developers everywhere!!
Hello, i'm a Singaporean. And i would like to find out how really the toy crane machines work. Today, I've been playing like ard 4games, but my efforts are wasted. I'm currently in the midst of wooing a girl, and she seems to like the soft toy in the toy crane machine alot. Can someone please tell me ways of how to increase the success rate or some useful tips? Thanks in advance(:
These days I equate patriotism with going green so I try to buy organic food and green products when I can.
That's horrible what happened to your pups. Losing one is bad enough, I can't imagine 5! Since there is still a possibility of the contaiminated food being on shelves, they are still accepting claims for injuries to the present date.
Money can't replace friends... but hopefully something can be done for your medical expenses. Again, you have my condolensces.
Linsey
I also remember the gas shortages of the 70's. Alot of wasted time in line. My family has 3 cars, Mom, wife and myself. We never let them below 1/2 a tank. My employer's attendance policy is average, and with that in mind, if something bad happened, we would be able to go to work and groceries for 2 months. It's like being prepared. Dad and I were boy scouts and we try to be prepared all the time.
One thing is sure--if you have ATT Wireless pay as you go--your network coverage is reduced significantly.
My favorite local thrift shop is in Burlingame near SFO. I have purchased some amazing things there over the years, including an antique picture box, a gorgeous Turkish carpet, Escada slacks, and several St. John jackets and sweaters. It is a really lovely, clean shop. It is only open 2 mornings a week on Mondays and Thursdays and is behind the Community Gatepath warehouse on an industrial street. As you can imagine, not too many people know about it. There is going to be a Saturday event on Sept. 20, 2008 from 10-3 when the shop will be open and a container full on accumulated furniture they have not had room for in the shop will be brought out for sale. I am volunteering to help and I can't wait to see it all!
Mortgage is 2500 a month
I pay them and use my card that earns me airline miles.
2500 x 12 months equals 30,000 airline miles.
I take a free trip a year, just because I pay my mortgage with a CC.
Math error corrected by IRS on 2007 1040. Result was I owed more money (combined over 1200). Same day received notice of stimulus check forthcoming, amount specified based on math error. Mailed voucher and additional payment in full with penalty same day. My question is: Does IRS issue an additional stimulus check based on math error (mine) that caused additional tax liability that is/was paid?
I wrote to a major camera company and complained about the model of camera I got for free from my company. They sent me a letter stating there was nothing they could do and there was no upgrade program and they sent me a free $50 battery.
Whoo Hoo, Free Stuff!
I agree that no one should be helping out people who borrowed, borrowed, and borrowed some more. However, credit card companies are very predatory with their random interest rate jumps to 23%, and that's how people get in trouble.
I wrote an article about personal finances and the dangers of credit cards called Get Personal Finances in Order.
People must be educated, but it's not all their faults, financial institutions are guilty of the recent credit abuse also.
The IRS hasn't announced anything, so this is not based on any official statement...
But the way taxes usually work in the US, there is a correct amount of money that you owe, and the IRS will do whatever it takes to get that much. If they get more than that, they'll refund the difference, eventually.
So, my expectation is that anyone who didn't get their full stimulus rebate will be able to claim any shortage as a credit on the taxes that they owe for this year, when you file next year. There'll probably be a worksheet where you can calculate what you should have gotten as a rebate, subtract what you did get, and then take the difference as a credit.
The thing to do now is to file an amended return (on form 1040X) to correct any errors in your last year's taxes. Then, file your taxes next year, whether you need to or not.
I am reading all this in amazement. Why is the "buy now, pay later" culture so matter-of-fact that we cringe every time we hear that banks are going to increase their rates and fees. What ever happened to responsible temporary uses of debt? Is it normal to live with a permanent credit card balance? Financial catastrophes happen and we may need to borrow money. But that should be the exception, not the lifestyle.
I don't carry a balance on my credit cards and I run everything through them to get my rewards. That includes groceries, gas, doctor visits, etc. I have no idea what my rates nor do I care. I am one of deadbeat freeloaders that credit companies hate. As long as they give me a free grace period and rewards, I will use my credit cards.
Actually Chick-fil-A uses a highly refined peanut oil that most people (even some with severe peanut alergies) can consume. You may want to check out their website: (chick-fil-a.com) and talk to your doctor to make an opinion if you have not already. Just thought you might want to know. Wouldn't want you to miss their awesome food if you didn't have to.