living-on-a-cash-only-diet: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance: "Living on a Cash-Only Diet"
Love the title to this article. Hope you will check it out. Many years I lived with no checking account, was called a credit ghost, and paid everything in cash. It is amazing how much more you watch your spending when you are on a cash only, debt free basis. Once a month I went to the Post Office to buy three money orders. Mortgage (I had the house almost paid off), lights, and insurance. The simplicity was liberating.
I admit that I have gotten far from those days but hope someday to return. We all have to start where we are and the road may be longer for some than others but I can tell you this: a person can sure sleep good at night when they have no debts.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Paintbrush on America
Jobs are one of the hottest topics. Paintbrush on America is my job creation idea and could be reviewed for a federal, state, local, or personal jobs program. Feel free to use it or pass it on. Here's the idea:
Paintbrush on America
Nothing improves the look of a home faster than a fresh coat of paint. Paint can raise the appraised value of the home and neighborhood, increase the life of the home, and improve the pride of living in a community.
Painting can benefit every community in America from the urban areas to the small rural towns throughout the nation. The work would be distributed by population area so all Americans could benefit.
The program, if managed properly, can be economical by the purchase of paint in bulk and workers would be paid minimum wage while they obtain a valuable skill that can be used to open their own business or for personal use after the program is completed, and keep them off unemployment for the duration of the project. Training required is minimal. Availability and cost of the program could be supplemented by the private sector by charging on a scale based on income. This would enable the low income people to have the service for free or in trade for their own labor. Current businesses could avail themselves of the business if they are willing to comply with the guidelines of the program. (Such as when a doctor agrees to take what Medicare pays). Habitat for humanity would be an excellent resource to manage the project.
The program would compliment other programs currently under consideration such as the weatherization and plumbing projects. Another program that could fall into the same category is roofing. Although the idea does benefit the individual it also creates jobs, boosts the real estate market, and improves the communities in which we live.
If you have ideas that would generate jobs contact your city council, representatives, or whitehouse.gov. Creation of jobs is an American problem and we need to have an American solution in every community across the nation.
Paintbrush on America
Nothing improves the look of a home faster than a fresh coat of paint. Paint can raise the appraised value of the home and neighborhood, increase the life of the home, and improve the pride of living in a community.
Painting can benefit every community in America from the urban areas to the small rural towns throughout the nation. The work would be distributed by population area so all Americans could benefit.
The program, if managed properly, can be economical by the purchase of paint in bulk and workers would be paid minimum wage while they obtain a valuable skill that can be used to open their own business or for personal use after the program is completed, and keep them off unemployment for the duration of the project. Training required is minimal. Availability and cost of the program could be supplemented by the private sector by charging on a scale based on income. This would enable the low income people to have the service for free or in trade for their own labor. Current businesses could avail themselves of the business if they are willing to comply with the guidelines of the program. (Such as when a doctor agrees to take what Medicare pays). Habitat for humanity would be an excellent resource to manage the project.
The program would compliment other programs currently under consideration such as the weatherization and plumbing projects. Another program that could fall into the same category is roofing. Although the idea does benefit the individual it also creates jobs, boosts the real estate market, and improves the communities in which we live.
If you have ideas that would generate jobs contact your city council, representatives, or whitehouse.gov. Creation of jobs is an American problem and we need to have an American solution in every community across the nation.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
In The Trenches Eating
When we are in the trenches everything needs to change and the sooner we are able to EMBRACE THE CHANGE, the sooner we can get back on our feet. Eating is a major area since it is one of the few that we have control over. So here are some In The Trenches meals.
Spagetti
Macaroni and Cheese
Chili and Cornbread
Breakfast for dinner (one of my favorites)
Stews and homemade soups
Tatertot casserole
Add these to your menu once or twice a week and your costs will go down. Already eat like this? Me too. Some of my favorites. Eating economically does not have to be miserable.
And, when was the last time you had a PP&J sandwich or oatmeal for breakfast?
What does this have to do with financial management? Everything. Our goal is to provide for our family while we are tightening the belt. Our quality of life may not need to be diminished, just our spending.
Spagetti
Macaroni and Cheese
Chili and Cornbread
Breakfast for dinner (one of my favorites)
Stews and homemade soups
Tatertot casserole
Add these to your menu once or twice a week and your costs will go down. Already eat like this? Me too. Some of my favorites. Eating economically does not have to be miserable.
And, when was the last time you had a PP&J sandwich or oatmeal for breakfast?
What does this have to do with financial management? Everything. Our goal is to provide for our family while we are tightening the belt. Our quality of life may not need to be diminished, just our spending.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Keep your integrity
When you are in the trenches there may and probably will come a time that you will not be able to meet all of your obligations and committments. Times have changed and as much as you may want to pay all the bills that come in there are some that you cannot pay. In earlier entries I talked about setting priorities and keep the best, sell the rest. For those committments that you simply can't follow through with above all else keep your integrity.
If you cannot make your car payment and do not foresee that you will be able to in the near future than speak to your creditor. Find out your options. Can you sell it? Will they renegotiate? If all your possible solutions do not pan out then clean up the car and turn in the keys. Don't make them track you down. You can only do what you can do but don't string someone else along or make promises you know you can't keep. Do you have to walk away from your home? Clean it up. Did you get laid off? Remember that this was necessary for the employer and go with a good attitude and keep your relationship such that they will want to hire you back if possible or give you a good reference.
This advise does not include those who would badger, bully, or seek deceptive means to get your money. Unfortunately some credit collection agencies and even worse, banks and credit card companies have resorted to these tactics and in fact profit from them. This is a different subject and my linked blog America For Fair Banking addresses this subject.
Do all you can to go the extra mile and keep your integrity. This downturn is temporary and what goes around comes around. After winter comes the spring and the hard times now can be turned to a blessing if we respond in a righteous way.
If you cannot make your car payment and do not foresee that you will be able to in the near future than speak to your creditor. Find out your options. Can you sell it? Will they renegotiate? If all your possible solutions do not pan out then clean up the car and turn in the keys. Don't make them track you down. You can only do what you can do but don't string someone else along or make promises you know you can't keep. Do you have to walk away from your home? Clean it up. Did you get laid off? Remember that this was necessary for the employer and go with a good attitude and keep your relationship such that they will want to hire you back if possible or give you a good reference.
This advise does not include those who would badger, bully, or seek deceptive means to get your money. Unfortunately some credit collection agencies and even worse, banks and credit card companies have resorted to these tactics and in fact profit from them. This is a different subject and my linked blog America For Fair Banking addresses this subject.
Do all you can to go the extra mile and keep your integrity. This downturn is temporary and what goes around comes around. After winter comes the spring and the hard times now can be turned to a blessing if we respond in a righteous way.
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