BlogHer - debt - Comments

California Is Heading for A Fiscal Rump Burn

Gena Haskett — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:59:03 -0500

and folks don't see it or want deal with it. When it is suggested that a senior day care program is to be shut down folks say "oh no, you can't. What will happen to these people, who will care for those who need part time assistance..."

I am in favor of the senior day care program, don't get me wrong. No one wants their taxes raised and everyone has a program from the state that they absolutely will not tolerate being cut. From farmers, to marketers, health care advocates, the prison guard union, child care, colleges, you name it and it has folks trying to protect that funding.

So it doesn't matter if you are liberal or conservative. If all of us collectively won't face up to personal and now civic financial responsibility then the state takes over. The state can't afford to continue doing that and the Feds are in hock themselves.

Special shout out in solidarity to the state workers who are being force to work through mandated furloughs and pay cuts.

No politician can or has the guts to step forward and present honestly what it would take get us out of this, like they would know.

We have to bite the hard bullet of choices, short term now or generational later. First step, get our houses financial in order.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Bactine

Suzanne Reisman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:46:39 -0500

I love your reference to Bactine, as I think it is perfect for the financial issues that engulf us today. The problem with Bactine is that even though it prevented a bad infection from a cut or scrape, it stung like hell. I really hated when my mom sprayed me with it, even though it was better for me in the long run. And that's part of our larger problem today: people don't want a little pain now to avoid a big infection. That applies to the larger financial world, too. We may blame people for stupidly buying a house that they could not afford, but at the same time, financial institutions threw all caution to the wind and not only approved those loans, but actively pushed them on people. The goal was to make as many loans as possible, turn them into collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and sell them to investors, who wanted more and more of these "can't lose" investment vehicles. Hence we also started seeing more people who were talked into taking loans they couldn't understand to generate loans to feed the investors insatiable demand for more CDOs.

There were people who saw the banking industry fall down and scrape its knees with these practices, but no one wanted to apply the Bactine. People hate the sting, so it was way better to just ignore the wound. Now we have the infection, and it will take a lot more than heeding good personal money management advice (and some Bactine) to clean up. We need an amputation.

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants

A Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

thetarotlady — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:08:47 -0500

I had my credit card company pull the same thing on me. I only owe $2500.00 and have impeccable credit. I called the company (Bank of America) and they told me that it was 'no reflection' on me just the economy blah blah blah. I told them "hey we bailed you out and now this makes me feel like I am being penalized again". They wanted me to take the "opt out" but I refused - instead I kept asking for a supervisor until I finally got one on the phone and bargained to get my old rate back.

You have to be persistent - never talk to the first person you get on the phone - always ask for the supervisor. They will tell you that the supervisor can't offer you anything better but THAT IS NOT TRUE.

I also did this for my husband's credit card and he was amazed that it works.

Love this - getting behind the money

paulag01 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:24:39 -0500

I love this post because you share about what you refuse to cut in terms of what the money buys you -- the value you receive from your exchange. Some items are just not luxuries (like enjoyment, self-care, health & well being, experiences)...it is just a matter of making conscious and smart decisions. Thanks for a post that goes beyond the same-old, same-old approach to spending and budgets.

Paula Gregorowicz
The Paula G Company

http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

Most of Us Do

sandhillsis — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:23:24 -0600

Bless ya for saying so Denise! Since I've been teaching personal finance classes, I've found most people do fit in that category. And if they track their money before trying to write up a budget, their budgets go better. Who knew.

It's shocking how rich you can live on the money you already have. Thanks for your comments and honesty.

Sis

www.reclaimsimplicity.com

Discover how rich and hilarious life can be when it's simple. Tales and tips on making money mind, riding the recycle, simple food, homegrown music, gardening and more. It's your life, simply reclaim it.

Make enough but don't manage it

Denise — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:01:55 -0600

I've been thinking about writing that post... cuz I totally fit into that category. Well sort of...

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

RE: Debt Free - Wow!

sandhillsis — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:54:50 -0600

Thanks for your comments. After helping many family get on the same road to freedom, I really think anyone can do it, if they want to.

Many Blessings.

Sis

www.reclaimsimplicity.com

Discover how rich and hilarious life can be when it's simple. Tales and tips on making money mind, riding the recycle, simple food, homegrown music, gardening and more.

Debt Free - Wow!

conversationswithmoms — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:36:14 -0600

Congrats on your financial success. It's great of you to offer your advice to others looking to do the same. May you continue your financial road to success.

Maria Melo

http://www.conversationswithmoms.com

Great tips!

AmberS — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:55:35 -0600

Thanks for the tips. We're planning to start serious budgeting in the New Year to pay down our mortgage faster. I appreciate your ideas.

I loved "The Complete Tightwad Gazette" by Amy Dacyczyn. I don't use all of her ideas (by a long shot), but her whole mindset is just so great. Since I read that book I've started canning my own food and buying in bulk. I know we're eating better and it costs less, too!

~ Amber

www.strocel.com

No cutting trips to family from budget?

Nordette — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:30:25 -0600

I think it's good that you're committed to seeing your family this Christmas, Candelaria. I see your choice in three of the list categories: I will not cut love, I will not cut time set aside for me, and I will not cut fun, but in your case it's no small pleasure. Going home to see loved ones is a great pleasure when families get along, and even when not always a pleasure (for some families it's not) still must be done to build better communication.

Enjoy your holiday, and thank you for commenting.

Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link, The Interview Obama Regrets, But We Love.

My visit home this Xmas

Candelaria Silva — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:17:52 -0600

I haven't been home to visit my Mom and extended family in two years and this year I am not going to miss it.

I will spend Thanksgiving at home (luckily my son is coming) but that means I'll not be with the daughter and grand except through webcam). I was also lucky enough to see my Mom this summer.

But - she's getting (and talking) older, and aunts have had surgery and we just don't know when we'll see each other again, so going home for the holidays has to happen. I've already told everyone that the only gift I want is for us to be together (and for my favorite dishes to be served).

The sacrifice it will take to get home is worth it.

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

Careful about Cuts. So right!

Nordette — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:09:52 -0600

Thank you, Michelle, for your thoughtful comments. This made me laugh:

... it is best I not shatter his self esteem at 7, I will
wait for high school and dating to do that!

I've got a teen so sounds right to me. LOL. I also enjoyed what you said about your children, cooking, and time together.

Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link. Oh, the Mystery! BlogHer Identifies Oprah's 'Mr. Man' Early.

Great Post

Southerngirl — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:37:12 -0600

I loved your list. There are things we absolutely cannot cut from our budgets. I loved Obama's hatchet and scapel comment. We do our movie nights at home (netflix) complete with popcorn snacks from the dollar store and our one extravagence of a flat screen that we got on craig's list. Internet and a tutor are other things that I have been told would be a good place to cut. Truth is I do not have the patience nor the expertise to deal with my son's ADD and it is best I not shatter his self esteem at 7, I will wait for high school and dating to do that! The library gives us hours of enjoyment and lots of downtime for our energy bill. For us we do new recipe night instead of eating out. We make our favorite restaurant dishes or just something from food network. The kicker is my 5 yearold can now pull out everything needed to make pancakes, quiche and cornbread without blinking an eye. I may not even have to cook in a few years and my future daughters in laws will love getting guys who can really cook not just make toast (burnt) like I got!

The point is we do have to be careful of what we cut. What is a need in one house is a complete waste in another. Budgeting can also be very good. We spend a lot more family time together than used to when we were busily running from place to place being very good consumers.

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

I agree

christinajeanne — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:32:07 -0500

I think these companies need to be paying higer taxes we should not be giving them money. It makes no sense.

great post

christinajeanne — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:58:20 -0500

I agree with your post. Many times people buy things or use money and finances as a way to cope and cover up an underlying issue. Weather it's the feeling of not being good enough, looking for something outside yourself to make you happy, or complaining about finances because there is something in your life that you feel is missing. Great post!