I almost reached a breaking point a few weeks ago. I had multiple pointless projects at school due, multiple high consequence projects at work due and a multitude of activities with the family. I recently received a curt e-mail asking why I hadn’t volunteered at some school activity my kids are supposed to be participating…
Month: April 2010
Volcanos, Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Meteors? Tell Me Again How The World Won’t End In 2012!
So these past few years have been filled with earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and now meteors streaking through the sky and I just can’t help but wonder about that Mayan prediction that the fifth age of the sun will come to an end.  Seriously, the massive airline disruption has highlighted yet another band of critical…
Bloomberg Confirms What I Saw Outside My Office Window
I just read this article today on Bloomberg. The article reads, “April 14 (Bloomberg) — The amount of diesel fuel bought using credit cards at U.S. truck stops increased in March to the highest level in more than a year, indicating the recovery is broadening beyond manufacturing. … “We’re climbing out of the hole,†Bob…
FDIC Up To Some Tricky Tricks?
So I’m perusing the FDIC.gov website and I happen to come across this interestingly entitled link, “FDIC Board of Directors Approves Extension of Transaction Account Guarantee Program” and I think to myself, “my what’s all this about in our new full economic recovery!” So I click on the link and read, “FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair…
My Recent Visit To The Mall
So I stopped by the mall to buy my daughter some Build A Bear clothing and take my usual observations of the density, volume and number of shoppers & shopping at the mall and was disappointed  The Apple Store was packed and the iPad was a big hit as everyone clustered around the iPad tables…
If Oil Is $85/bbl During A Recession, What’s It Gonna Be During A Boom?
Whether you want to call it a recovery or just exuberant optimism about the economy improving, the one question that’s been begging in my mind is what’s going to happen with oil if and when the economy booms? If oil is currently at $85 during a recession then what will it be during a real…
Home Value Dropped By 20k & Chase Slate’s New Credit Worthy Standards
Well here’s an interesting story… I received my property tax appraisal document in the mail this week and thought it was interesting that my home value has been assessed 20k lower than last year.   I certainly don’t mind the lower valuation as it means I’ll be paying less in property taxes but while I received…
Do You Have A Designated Health Adviser Yet?
Long before Obamacare passed and became law of the land, my employer, in an effort to control health care costs, implemented a program whereby employees would have a health adviser help the employee make informed (and presumably) better decisions about health and nutrition.  I signed up in order to receive lower health insurance premiums and…
How To Maximize Your Student Loan Debt & Planning It Just Right
So the new health care bill has some student loan reform thrown in and there are three notable items to review. First, student loans will now be handled by the government. Secondly, student loans will be forgiven after 10 years if you work in the public sector and 20 years if you live in the…
Required ID+Cut Credit Lines+Diminished Rewards = Useless Credit Cards
I find myself using credit cards less and less now that even the simplest purchases at some retail outlets are requiring ID. It is just a hassle to reach in and produce ID every single time I want to charge something.  Worse yet, because of the financial crisis, banks cut some of my credit lines…