As I write this commentary, there is still no solution to the Fiscal Cliff situation. In all my assumptions about our budget for next year, I have decided to be realistic and assumed that our taxes will go up. Thank you Washington for dropping the ball. Despite whatever efforts have been made, I question if any solution would really fix the problems that revealed themselves in 2008. In a sense, I wonder if we’re simply putting duck-tape on a leaky pipe. Are we actually addressing the real problem? Consider the facts: … [Read more...] about The Future of the U.S. Economy and Why We’ve Still Got a Long Ways to Go
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What I Want for Christmas
Now that my wife and I have been married for more than 10 years, picking out Christmas presents has become somewhat of a challenge for each other. She’ll ask me what I want for Christmas, and I’ll do the same. But neither of us can really think of many things in particular. It’s not that we’re fussy or don’t know what to get each other. We’re both got a lot of things that we really want to do, but they’re not really your classic “under $50 and under the tree” variety. Part of the problem (if you can really call it that) is that we’re both pretty realistic about what we want. We don’t get too carried away. Plus we’re both working professionals, and so we’re accustomed to buying the things we need when we want them. But then there’s the … [Read more...] about What I Want for Christmas
Struggling to Buy Presents? Try These Christmas Gift Ideas for Her
Guys, let’s face it. We’re kind of bone-heads when it comes to picking out good presents for the special women in our lives. They do so much for us, and we want really badly to show them how much we appreciate it. And so with the clock ticking on the number of days until the big morning, here’s my list of suggestions of Christmas gift ideas for her. Hopefully something on this list sparks an “ah-ha” moment in your head as something you think she will like. Enjoy! … [Read more...] about Struggling to Buy Presents? Try These Christmas Gift Ideas for Her
Netflix vs Redbox – I Always Knew We’d Get Back Together, Netflix
I always knew I’d come back to you. It’s been over a year now since we broke up, and things haven’t really been the same. I thought I had found someone better, and for a while, she was. Let’s face it – you got greedy! You thought you could have your cake and eat it too. I over-reacted to your arrogance, and with big Redbox ready and willing to take me in her arms, I thought it was time to switch up. Sometimes you’d email me and be all like “hey …, how’s it going?” I wanted to reply, but I knew I shouldn’t. Then you’d see me out with big Red(box) on a Saturday night. She was cheap, I know, but what else was I to do for satisfaction? It some time, but now I’m ready – ready to forgive if you are. We were right together, and I realize … [Read more...] about Netflix vs Redbox – I Always Knew We’d Get Back Together, Netflix
My Favorite Scary Movies – Have Some Cheap Halloween Fun!
One of the best (and cheapest) things I like to do around Halloween time is to rent a whole bunch of my favorite scary movies. I just love them! I’m always on the lookout for new ones that are well written, brilliantly performed, and … well … scary! While I can admit that a lot of the mainstream horror movies out there fall short of this mark, there have been a few that were exceptionally good. IMDB ranks some of the most well known titles like Poltergeist, The Shining, The Exorcist, and lots of other classic titles as the best scary movies of all time. But what about some of the more recent movies that have came out over the past decade? Aren’t there any newer ones that are any good? Yes there are! And here is my list of somewhat … [Read more...] about My Favorite Scary Movies – Have Some Cheap Halloween Fun!
SB1040 Pension Plan Options – Conclusions
For the last few posts, we’ve carefully taken a look at each of the options of SB1040 (known as Senate Bill 1040), a piece of legislation passed here in Michigan which forces all state school employees to change their retirement pension plans by selecting from one of three options. If you’re just now joining us, you may want to read my SB1040 Introduction post first. Throughout each of the options, there were a lot of ups and downs. Some put more money in your pocket right now while others have better long term potential. In order to really compare each of these options side-by-side, the best way I can think to show this is to graph them over the course of many years starting with Year 0 at retirement. Starting at Year 0, some of the … [Read more...] about SB1040 Pension Plan Options – Conclusions
SB1040 Pension Plan Options – Option 4
In this post we’re going to take a look at Option 4 of SB1040 (known as Senate Bill 1040), a piece of legislation passed here in Michigan which forces all state school employees to change their retirement pension plans by selecting from one of three options. If you’re just now joining us, you may want to read my SB1040 Introduction post first. … [Read more...] about SB1040 Pension Plan Options – Option 4
SB1040 Pension Plan Options – Option 3
In this post we’re going to take a look at Option 3 of SB1040 (known as Senate Bill 1040), a piece of legislation passed here in Michigan which forces all state school employees to change their retirement pension plans by selecting from one of three options. If you’re just now joining us, you may want to read my SB1040 Introduction post first. … [Read more...] about SB1040 Pension Plan Options – Option 3
