Keeping your sinuses healthy preventatively and once you are ill is essential to good health. Since I started using a saline nasal spray I get sick about 5X less than I use to. It's a miracle worker, it's cheap, and it's natural.
"Choose one time every week or month to spend on money stuff. Don't look at anything financial, whether it's a statement, bill, or something else, until then."
This goes a long way to reduce stress, and the less stress you have the better your decisions will be for finances and everything else.
'Twiddling about the impossibility of figuring out the perfect way of "how we do it" or "who decides" is less important than taking obvious steps to stop this idiocy.'
Actually, the "how" is pretty important when you're trying to pass laws that affect everybody in the country. I agree that the Standard American Diet doesn't work well with our modern sedentary lifestyle, but a plan to "ban bad foods" without any kind of feasible implementation isn't really a plan. It's a wish. The intention will be to curb the sugar and fat consumption of Americans. The reality will be Big Food lobbying to get THEIR products on the "safe" list and talking about the dangers of "untested organic food" from smaller companies.
Why are we assuming that federal regulation won't act in the best interests of big business? It's not like it hasn't happened before.
Thanks, Robert. And there are a million ways to reduce financial clutter . . . these are just some of the ones I've seen work best in my own life and the lives around me. Clutter sucks!
I'm offended that people would defend "the way things are" today. We know that overconsumption of sugars and fats is PROVEN to make people sick, the cost of which healthy people subsidize 100% through our insurance premiums and income taxes. Overconsumption of any other really bad crap is dangerous (e.g., drugs) and therefore illegal, so why are companies allowed to put out crap that is killing people? Just because they always have? Because you don't die within 5 minutes of eating it? Because it won't make you crash your car?
Twiddling about the impossibility of figuring out the perfect way of "how we do it" or "who decides" is less important than taking obvious steps to stop this idiocy. Yes to all of the above: stop subsidies, stop protectionism, cap carbon output. The marketers won't lose their jobs, they'll just work for companies that don't kill our poor people.
Gift cards are especially nice for those of us who have to travel far to see family for the holidays. With all the extra baggage fees and what not that airlines are charging, it's nice to not have to lug back a bunch of presents and get charged $50 for the privilege. Besides, I try to use gifts cards as I think the givers intended: to buy myself something fun!
I can't tell you how reassuring it is to see this article! My friends and I came to the same conclusion about the inefficiencies of finding sales. Great sales are out there but it takes a lot of work to find them.
Since we're software engineers, we've been working on a website for the past few months that lets you search for sales on items you already want to buy based on location (everything is plotted on a google map).
The idea is to make it so that finding relevant sales doesn't actually take any time. The site is www.mapyeti.com, and it's still in its infancy but I'd love to hear what you think about it!
Food is already taxed, at least excepting [some places] final consumer. Add a tax on "fast," "junk," or "unhealthy" food, and you have to define it.
Is a cheese sandwich (sort of "ploughman's lunch") fast food? Yes. Except you might have carried it to work rather than ordering it in a shop, which makes it even faster but it is not then "fast" food. Is it "junk" food? A lot of people will certainly argue you should have some protein, vegetable, and/or fruit with it and it is junk otherwise (OK, add pickle/relish as veggie?). Is it "unhealthy" food? You'll get a lot of people saying it is, since it is animal-derived. Not to mention "manufactured" rather than "natural" - cows and goats (or yaks, horses, whatever) do not give cheese, humans have to make it. And then there are the PETA and ALF extremists...
I got the card today with the name of someone who has never lived at this address- this home has been owned by only one family- mine-since it was built! So I will cut it up and do nothing more -unless another one comes.
One thought I would like to add is: Consider renting a "Storage Facility" for a period of time (1 Year) if you are taking a long-trip and budget for it as a planned expense. Investing $600 to maintain thousands of dollars of stuff while seeing the world is peace of mind. The military follows this exact approach when they deploy soldiers. Pitch the junk, but keep the quality.
Secondly, when you return and are are probably low on funds, you can feel more settled with your own things in whatever place you end up living. Returning to things that provide memories and keep you from reinvesting thousands more to replace. Or sell something to generate funds if needed.
On a final note based on personal experience, consider getting renter's insurance with replacement cost coverage for your stuff in storage while gone. It will cover your things in storage and anything with you that might get stolen while traveling. A minor investment of approx. $150 will buy $50,000 of coverage.
Opening the door to the storage facility after returning from deployment to find it empty, A MAJOR BUMMER. Calling up the insurance company and dealing with them, a painful process. Receiving a check for $50,000 to cover the stolen stuff I lost and getting a fresh start...BEYOND PRICELESS
Fast food is not cheap. Fast food is convenient, but that's all it is. Students should learn to cook twice a week and put pre-portioned meals in the fridge.
Agree with Skinny guy - the poor would be hurt by such a tax in fact the poor pay more for for basic products and services than other segments of the population. In a sense they are already taxed by not having ready access to healthy food choices where they live. In study done in Baltimore in 2007 called "overpriced and underserved" (sorry I don't have a link for it) this issue was confirmed and one of the reasons we started our company.
As an RN that works in an urgent care center I see a lot of flu and colds. I have never seen commercial over the counter cold (OTC) remedies to be helpful. Many people believe the adds on TV and are suprised when they have spent quite a bit of money of them and still are not getting well. The only ingredients that seem to help are usualy tylenol (acetaminophen) and perhaps a decongestant, both of which can be bought in generic form and are probably in our medicine cabinets anyway.
I had not heard about sing ACV for colds, but will try it and recommend it. I am always happy to have effective, less harmful and cheaper alternatives to suggest to people and to try myself.
I am such a huge fan of saving everything from years past rather than ever buying new and just mixing and matching, depending on my mood. Plus, I think that homemade "everything" is better for our bodies, spirits, wallets and the environment, especially when it comes to Halloween and other holiday trimmings.
Anyone who wants some great DIY inspiration for how to make homemade costumes, food, decorations, etc. should definitely also check out this guide: http://bit.ly/3t1YBK It's one of the more comprehensive that I've seen.
When I feel like I'm about to get sick, I do two things:
1. Chopped raw garlic (on pasta or other food)
2. Zinc drops and echinacea drops (follow directions)
Along with rest and fluids, this helps me avoid actually getting sick about 80-90% of the time. If I do get sick, it doesn't last as long. This has worked for me for about 10 years.
I agree that one may be better off using these than the potentially dangerous over the counter cough and cold medicines, but I think Dr. Dean says it best:
taking these "cures" will probably make the cold go away in about 2 weeks, instead of suffering through it for a whole 14 days.
I'll stick to my sure fire cure of sleeping, breathing, eating, and drinking - I've done that for every cold and I've beat every one of 'em.
Electrolytes are key. Watered down gatoraid, soup, etc.
Anything with some Sodium and or Potassium in it is good.
A lot of people swear by Vitamin C, but I'm a little skeptical.
If you straight tax fattening cheap food, you're going to overwhelmingly hurt poor people because that food is all they can afford anyway. Before making vast statements about your opinion of rather important subjects, you should probably think for more than five minutes. The ONLY way it would work is to subsidize healthy food so that is less than or equal to the current non-taxed junk (you did mention this, but I'm not sure you thought about the issues on that either). As some mentioned above, the real problem is that it is way too easy and cheap to manufacture this junk and too hard to compete on price if you're producing something using unsubsidized inputs (i.e. not HFCS).
Who decides what the "bad" foods are? Why not tax all meat then we can all be vegetarians. Why not tax all flour products..why not tax salt or sugar? Potatoes taxed because they are not as healthy as sweet potatoes. Apples taxed because they are not as healthy as strawberries. Green beans taxed because they are not as healthy as broccoli. Nothing is cut and dry. For sake of argument..if there were hefty taxes on "bad" foods enough for people to cut way back..there is no guarantee that they will then miraculously become thin and healthy.
I love my old stuff. I chose it carefully from antique stores, thrift stores, yard sales, and some from the street side while waiting for the trash truck. Some of it is new only because my home flooding in Katrina and necessity forced me to purchase some new furniture, but I also learned to appreciate the practicality of the well built, recycled piece.
Keeping your sinuses healthy preventatively and once you are ill is essential to good health. Since I started using a saline nasal spray I get sick about 5X less than I use to. It's a miracle worker, it's cheap, and it's natural.
"Choose one time every week or month to spend on money stuff. Don't look at anything financial, whether it's a statement, bill, or something else, until then."
This goes a long way to reduce stress, and the less stress you have the better your decisions will be for finances and everything else.
bless this post with love,peace,respect and success.
just let love be
ACV is extremely corrosive to tooth enamel. It's curative powers are dubious and you risk destroying your teeth if you drink it.
'Twiddling about the impossibility of figuring out the perfect way of "how we do it" or "who decides" is less important than taking obvious steps to stop this idiocy.'
Actually, the "how" is pretty important when you're trying to pass laws that affect everybody in the country. I agree that the Standard American Diet doesn't work well with our modern sedentary lifestyle, but a plan to "ban bad foods" without any kind of feasible implementation isn't really a plan. It's a wish. The intention will be to curb the sugar and fat consumption of Americans. The reality will be Big Food lobbying to get THEIR products on the "safe" list and talking about the dangers of "untested organic food" from smaller companies.
Why are we assuming that federal regulation won't act in the best interests of big business? It's not like it hasn't happened before.
Thanks, Robert. And there are a million ways to reduce financial clutter . . . these are just some of the ones I've seen work best in my own life and the lives around me. Clutter sucks!
I'm offended that people would defend "the way things are" today. We know that overconsumption of sugars and fats is PROVEN to make people sick, the cost of which healthy people subsidize 100% through our insurance premiums and income taxes. Overconsumption of any other really bad crap is dangerous (e.g., drugs) and therefore illegal, so why are companies allowed to put out crap that is killing people? Just because they always have? Because you don't die within 5 minutes of eating it? Because it won't make you crash your car?
Twiddling about the impossibility of figuring out the perfect way of "how we do it" or "who decides" is less important than taking obvious steps to stop this idiocy. Yes to all of the above: stop subsidies, stop protectionism, cap carbon output. The marketers won't lose their jobs, they'll just work for companies that don't kill our poor people.
Gift cards are especially nice for those of us who have to travel far to see family for the holidays. With all the extra baggage fees and what not that airlines are charging, it's nice to not have to lug back a bunch of presents and get charged $50 for the privilege. Besides, I try to use gifts cards as I think the givers intended: to buy myself something fun!
I can't tell you how reassuring it is to see this article! My friends and I came to the same conclusion about the inefficiencies of finding sales. Great sales are out there but it takes a lot of work to find them.
Since we're software engineers, we've been working on a website for the past few months that lets you search for sales on items you already want to buy based on location (everything is plotted on a google map).
The idea is to make it so that finding relevant sales doesn't actually take any time. The site is www.mapyeti.com, and it's still in its infancy but I'd love to hear what you think about it!
Should There Be a "Fat Tax" on Junk Food?
Food is already taxed, at least excepting [some places] final consumer. Add a tax on "fast," "junk," or "unhealthy" food, and you have to define it.
Is a cheese sandwich (sort of "ploughman's lunch") fast food? Yes. Except you might have carried it to work rather than ordering it in a shop, which makes it even faster but it is not then "fast" food. Is it "junk" food? A lot of people will certainly argue you should have some protein, vegetable, and/or fruit with it and it is junk otherwise (OK, add pickle/relish as veggie?). Is it "unhealthy" food? You'll get a lot of people saying it is, since it is animal-derived. Not to mention "manufactured" rather than "natural" - cows and goats (or yaks, horses, whatever) do not give cheese, humans have to make it. And then there are the PETA and ALF extremists...
I got the card today with the name of someone who has never lived at this address- this home has been owned by only one family- mine-since it was built! So I will cut it up and do nothing more -unless another one comes.
One thought I would like to add is: Consider renting a "Storage Facility" for a period of time (1 Year) if you are taking a long-trip and budget for it as a planned expense. Investing $600 to maintain thousands of dollars of stuff while seeing the world is peace of mind. The military follows this exact approach when they deploy soldiers. Pitch the junk, but keep the quality.
Secondly, when you return and are are probably low on funds, you can feel more settled with your own things in whatever place you end up living. Returning to things that provide memories and keep you from reinvesting thousands more to replace. Or sell something to generate funds if needed.
On a final note based on personal experience, consider getting renter's insurance with replacement cost coverage for your stuff in storage while gone. It will cover your things in storage and anything with you that might get stolen while traveling. A minor investment of approx. $150 will buy $50,000 of coverage.
Opening the door to the storage facility after returning from deployment to find it empty, A MAJOR BUMMER. Calling up the insurance company and dealing with them, a painful process. Receiving a check for $50,000 to cover the stolen stuff I lost and getting a fresh start...BEYOND PRICELESS
Fast food is not cheap. Fast food is convenient, but that's all it is. Students should learn to cook twice a week and put pre-portioned meals in the fridge.
Agree with Skinny guy - the poor would be hurt by such a tax in fact the poor pay more for for basic products and services than other segments of the population. In a sense they are already taxed by not having ready access to healthy food choices where they live. In study done in Baltimore in 2007 called "overpriced and underserved" (sorry I don't have a link for it) this issue was confirmed and one of the reasons we started our company.
bless this post with love,peace,respect and success.
just let love be
As an RN that works in an urgent care center I see a lot of flu and colds. I have never seen commercial over the counter cold (OTC) remedies to be helpful. Many people believe the adds on TV and are suprised when they have spent quite a bit of money of them and still are not getting well. The only ingredients that seem to help are usualy tylenol (acetaminophen) and perhaps a decongestant, both of which can be bought in generic form and are probably in our medicine cabinets anyway.
I had not heard about sing ACV for colds, but will try it and recommend it. I am always happy to have effective, less harmful and cheaper alternatives to suggest to people and to try myself.
I am such a huge fan of saving everything from years past rather than ever buying new and just mixing and matching, depending on my mood. Plus, I think that homemade "everything" is better for our bodies, spirits, wallets and the environment, especially when it comes to Halloween and other holiday trimmings.
Anyone who wants some great DIY inspiration for how to make homemade costumes, food, decorations, etc. should definitely also check out this guide: http://bit.ly/3t1YBK It's one of the more comprehensive that I've seen.
When I feel like I'm about to get sick, I do two things:
1. Chopped raw garlic (on pasta or other food)
2. Zinc drops and echinacea drops (follow directions)
Along with rest and fluids, this helps me avoid actually getting sick about 80-90% of the time. If I do get sick, it doesn't last as long. This has worked for me for about 10 years.
I agree that one may be better off using these than the potentially dangerous over the counter cough and cold medicines, but I think Dr. Dean says it best:
taking these "cures" will probably make the cold go away in about 2 weeks, instead of suffering through it for a whole 14 days.
I'll stick to my sure fire cure of sleeping, breathing, eating, and drinking - I've done that for every cold and I've beat every one of 'em.
Electrolytes are key. Watered down gatoraid, soup, etc.
Anything with some Sodium and or Potassium in it is good.
A lot of people swear by Vitamin C, but I'm a little skeptical.
Removing the "clutter" is probably the best tip in finances and in life in general. Great post.
If you straight tax fattening cheap food, you're going to overwhelmingly hurt poor people because that food is all they can afford anyway. Before making vast statements about your opinion of rather important subjects, you should probably think for more than five minutes. The ONLY way it would work is to subsidize healthy food so that is less than or equal to the current non-taxed junk (you did mention this, but I'm not sure you thought about the issues on that either). As some mentioned above, the real problem is that it is way too easy and cheap to manufacture this junk and too hard to compete on price if you're producing something using unsubsidized inputs (i.e. not HFCS).
Who decides what the "bad" foods are? Why not tax all meat then we can all be vegetarians. Why not tax all flour products..why not tax salt or sugar? Potatoes taxed because they are not as healthy as sweet potatoes. Apples taxed because they are not as healthy as strawberries. Green beans taxed because they are not as healthy as broccoli. Nothing is cut and dry. For sake of argument..if there were hefty taxes on "bad" foods enough for people to cut way back..there is no guarantee that they will then miraculously become thin and healthy.
I love my old stuff. I chose it carefully from antique stores, thrift stores, yard sales, and some from the street side while waiting for the trash truck. Some of it is new only because my home flooding in Katrina and necessity forced me to purchase some new furniture, but I also learned to appreciate the practicality of the well built, recycled piece.
We have a rager debate over at FS. Gooooo Flat TAX! :)
Keigu,
Financial Samurai
"Slicing Through Money's Mysteries"