Saturday, October 20, 2012
World's oldest bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena cut to 'junk' by Moody's
The world's oldest bank has been cut to "junk" by Moody's, as the rating agency warned that there was a "material probability" that the lender may need another cash injection from the Italian government.
Friday, October 19, 2012
An Investment Puzzle: How to Put Your Assets in the Right Places
Filed under: Investing
Obviously, what you invest in can mean the difference between getting rich and losing your shirt. But where you invest can be even more important -- especially if you end up picking winners.
Most people have several different ways to put their money to work. If you have a 401(k) or other retirement plan at work, you can have deductions pulled directly out of your paycheck and put toward your long-term savings. Opening an IRA can give you many of the same benefits with even more flexibility. For goals other than retirement, regular brokerage or mutual fund accounts let you have complete control over your money, and you can take it out or move it without any penalties.
But if you have a diversified investment portfolio with a variety of assets -- such as stocks, mutual funds, bank CDs or other fixed-income investments, and alternative investments -- you may not spend much time figuring out where each investment fits best across all the accounts you have. As a result, you could be missing out on big tax savings.
What should go where?
The right answer depends on your individual situation, but some general rules of thumb apply to many people.
1. Interest-bearing assets belong in IRAs. If you have bank CDs, bonds, or other investments that produce interest income, the best place for them is in a Traditional IRA. The reason is that these assets benefit the most from the tax savings that IRAs provide. Unlike income from stock dividends and capital gains, interest income gets taxed at your higher ordinary rate. Given how low the rates on these investments are right now anyway, the last thing you can afford is to lose a big share of that meager income to the tax man.
2. Save your best ideas for a Roth IRA. A Roth IRA is a special type of retirement account that let's you withdraw all the income it generates tax-free. Therefore, you should put the investments that have the best chance of soaring in value inside a Roth.
Sponsored Links
High-growth stocks fit that bill. Think about some of the blockbuster gainers over the years -- stocks like priceline.com (PCLN) and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) that have made a bundle for their longtime shareholders. If you'd put those investments in a Roth IRA, you could've enjoyed all those profits without paying a penny in tax. That's why Roth IRAs are so valuable -- but since you can only contribute limited amounts to a Roth, you have to use your Roth money wisely.
3. Invest long-term in taxable accounts. Even though stocks give you the best chance to make significant money over the long haul, that doesn't mean that they aren't suitable for taxable accounts. Until you actually sell a stock you own, you don't pay tax on any gains. So plenty of people are still sitting on big gains from stocks like Amazon.com (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) that they've held for years, letting their profits ride -- and they haven't had to pay a dime in tax along the way.
Moreover, as long as you hold onto investments for more than a year, any gains qualify for a tax break. Currently, the maximum tax rate for long-term capital gains is 15%, compared to up to 35% for regular income. So putting stocks and stock mutual funds or ETFs in taxable accounts can be a smart idea -- especially when you can't afford to lock up that money until you retire.
Think Smart
Figuring out what investments to buy may seem hard enough without worrying about which account to use to buy them. But in your constant fight with the IRS, it can make a huge difference -- and it's worth the effort.
For more on smart tax moves:
- 2012 Tax Changes: What You Need to Know
- The Real Reason to Adjust Your Withholding
- Legally Dodge the Tax Man in Retirement
Motley Fool contributor Dan Caplinger learned a lot of tax lessons the hard way. You can follow him on Twitter here. He doesn't own shares of the companies mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon.com and Apple. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Amazon.com, priceline.com, Green Mountain, and Apple, as well as creating a lurking gator position in Green Mountain and a bull call spread position in Apple.
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Money and the News
A Bill Moyers Essay.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/jAvi-as14EE/profile2.html
A Democratic house divided.
Bill Moyers interviews Berkeley Law professors Christopher Edley, Jr. and Maria Echaveste - he's for Obama and she's for Clinton. They met working in the Clinton administration and now, having been married for nine years, Edley and Echaveste are both advising their respective candidates. Edley serves as dean and professor of law of UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law, where Echaveste is a lecturer in residence.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/MXw5jaae4PA/profile2.html
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sam Tanenhaus
Digging deep into the roots and evolution of the American conservative movement, Sam Tanenhaus talks with Bill Moyers about why he believes that conservatism is dead and how it might yet come back to life. Tanenhaus is the editor of both THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW and the Week in Review section of the TIMES.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/Xytor7FPdPs/watch.html
Facing America's Energy Crisis
Faced with the increasing global demand for oil and the threat of climate change, experts say that America needs a new energy policy - but what are our options? Bill Moyers sits down with analysts Jean Johnson and Scott Bittle to discuss how we can power America's future.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/5yRHYvBoKxw/profile2.html
Bringing Annuities into 401k's
In the past, traditional pensions offered Americans guaranteed income throughout their retirement. Unfortunately, in more recent years, that guarantee has waned drastically. Instead, the average retirement plan must focus on investment accounts that you must manage on your own.
But is there good news on the horizon? Might we soon see a shift back to the old ways?
If regulations recently proposed by the federal government are any indication, the answer might very well be yes. These regulations, if accepted, would simplify the way in which annuities and other types of steady income can be added to existing 401k plans and IRAs. When you look at the current state of retirement and what these changes could mean to many retirees, it isn't difficult to see why the government is taking these steps.
Current Retirement Plans are Insufficient
One of the biggest issues facing retirees is trying to save enough money to live on throughout their retirement. With the average lifespan at an all-time high, citizens need to plan for more years of life than their ancestors ever did. Even an extra ten years of retirement planning can put quite a strain on a person's financial portfolio.
Many women are in an even worse spot. The average lifespan of a woman is higher than a man's, which means they will need to save for more years than their male counterparts. If that wasn't bad enough, women often have considerably lower retirement savings because they often spend less time earning full-time wages than men. This is often due to family and home obligations, which means women have often sacrificed their own well-being for the betterment of their loved ones.
New Proposals Tackle Longevity Risk
Many retirees are unsure how to plan for their future, because it's impossible to know how long they may live. The average lifespan of a man is 84, whereas it's 86 for a woman. Reaching these ages is becoming increasingly common. It isn't unusual for at least one spouse to live into his or her 90's. Even though you may have a nice chunk of money squirreled away in your retirement accounts, it's difficult for a person to know how much he or she should spend each year in order to make the savings last. This is especially true if they are in good health and may very well surpass the average lifespan. Many retirees in this situation believe they should only withdraw four percent of their savings each year, but some are unsure if that will be enough when added to Social Security.
Predictable Income
The best way to combat the above issues is to help retirees gain a stable income that they can count on. One way to do this is to utilize an annuity that is offered in conjunction with a 401k or IRA plan. This will allow retirement accounts to be pooled together, which means that the normal four percent withdrawal rate mentioned above will switch to something more along the lines of six or seven percent, determined by the type of annuity and the interest rate. The suggested regulations would make attaining this increased, steady income much easier.
Longevity Insurance
This is another option that the federal government is trying to improve. Depending on the insurance offered, the income doesn't begin until you're much older, like into your 80's. It is designed to assist people with a steady income past the point of the average lifespan. 401k plans and IRAs cannot offer this type of longevity due to their required minimum distribution rules.
Source: http://firstsecurityfinancialshow.com/blog/bid/151325/Bringing-Annuities-into-401k-s
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders Should Come from Energy Industry, Too
(Washington, DC) Today’s conservation leaders are starting to retire – who will fill their seats? The National Conservation Leadership Institute is calling for industry associated with natural resources to nominate their “rising stars” or individuals with high potential to be considered for acceptance as a Fellow for its 2008-2009 leadership development program.
The Institute is [...]
The Institute is [...]
Source: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/press/conservation-leaders-energy-industry/
Seized Pirate Costumes Rendered Decidedly Scarier Due To High Levels Of Lead
Attention, Halloween lovers: While you might want to be perceived as dangerous this Halloween, there are some costumes that are so dangerous they’re actually harmful to your health. Shipments of pirate costumes coming from China were recently seized by authorities because they contained high levels of lead. The better to sink you with when you walk the plank, perhaps, but … [More]
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Conservative Movement Woes, I
Conservatives Mickey Edwards and Ross Douthat discuss why they believe their movement has gone off track during the last eight years and what it means for the Republican Party. Douthat is senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly and co-author of Grand New Party, and Mickey Edwards is a former Republican Congressman and author of Reclaiming Conservatism.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/uAEL78jEyh4/profile.html
Weekend Warriors No More
BILL MOYERS JOURNAL gives viewers an intimate look at how deployments of National Guard troops to Iraq affect the state Governors' ability to swiftly respond to domestic disaster at home and impact the families left behind. Traveling to New Jersey, the Journal follows families preparing for the deployment of nearly half of New Jersey's National Guard to Iraq.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/GnBz2_rOoA0/profile.html
Judgey McJudgeypants
A couple of weeks ago, my oldest son and I were sitting on the back deck reading – me an investing book, him an article on personal finance from maybe the Globe and Mail or the Financial Post.
He was horrified at the spending habits of the person profiled in the article he was reading. Here’s [...]
He was horrified at the spending habits of the person profiled in the article he was reading. Here’s [...]
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Real Radical Is Romney, Not Ryan
Steven Rattner, New York Times
Mitt Romney, moderate. That earnestly sought post-debate public image contrasts starkly with Mr. Romney’s actual positions on many issues, especially the future trajectory of government spending.Clinging tightly to a studied vagueness when pressed for unpopular specifics, Mr. Romney has put forward a budget framework that would not eviscerate Medicare and Social Security, as is commonly believed, but would slash everything else that’s not defense.
Mitt Romney, moderate. That earnestly sought post-debate public image contrasts starkly with Mr. Romney’s actual positions on many issues, especially the future trajectory of government spending.Clinging tightly to a studied vagueness when pressed for unpopular specifics, Mr. Romney has put forward a budget framework that would not eviscerate Medicare and Social Security, as is commonly believed, but would slash everything else that’s not defense.
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/10/15/the_real_radical_is_romney_not_ryan_293064.html
NYT Excerpt: Offshore Banking In Belize
In his New York Times column, Adam Davidson describes setting up an offshore company — and discovering that it just takes a little money and less effort.
Viewer Mail
Responses to previous JOURNAL segments.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/6FYY97u1qrA/watch3.html
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Time again for Thomas Paine?
On the 200th anniversary of Thomas Paine's death, Bill Moyers sits down with THOMAS PAINE AND THE PROMISE OF AMERICA author Harvey J. Kaye and NATIONAL REVIEW senior editor Richard Brookhiser, author of WHAT WOULD THE FOUNDERS DO?
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/dNzgaTp6pW8/profile2.html
Humanitarian of the Year Christina Galitsky on finding solutions to environmental problems
Christina Galitsky is Technology Review's 2006 Humanitarian of the Year and one of this year's TR35. The Lawrence Berkeley Lab scientist employs her training in chemical engineering to find solutions to environmental problems in the U.S. and abroad--particularly in poor countries such as Sudan and Bangladesh. She spoke to us recently about how seeing her innovations in action inspires her and what kinds of problems she hopes to work on in the future.
Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/VideoPosts.aspx?id=17412
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Web Exclusive: Glenn Greenwald
Bill Moyers conducts a Web exclusive interview with Glenn Greenwald, about Afghanistan, government secrecy, the economy and his challenge to the editorial staff of THE WASHINGTON POST to justify their argument that the U.S. should borrow money for war but not for health care.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/zyVOD0J2PW8/profile3.html
ING Direct Lags the Competition
In its early years ING Direct was a pioneer in the high-interest savings accounts space offering an interest rate that was far and away better than any of the banks. But for many years now, the best rates can be obtained not at ING Direct but at one of its new competitors. Take high-interest savings [...]
ING Direct Lags the Competition is brought to you by Canadian Capitalist -- Helping you to invest & prosper.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ccapitalist/~3/X0kWfiE_AWQ/
Forex – An alternative Investment
Earlier this month I did something that most of you will probably cringe at – I opened a Forex trading account. To justify my actions (as much as I do not have to) I must state that I am a fan of having ‘fun money’ and my Forex brokerage account will be mine. For those of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCanadianFinances/~3/bsYqpK3pPdY/
Friday, October 12, 2012
A Short History of Apple’s Patent Wars
Lawsuits are messy. And the current patent litigation that’s marching through the tech world is particularly so. Apple largely started the massive patent battles that seem to be the preferred tactic for stifling one’s competitors in the rapidly transforming consumer electronics world. Here’s a breakdown of who they’ve sued, and who’s sued them over the [...]
Source: http://www.canadianpersonalfinance.com/a-short-history-of-apples-patent-wars.html
John Lithgow, Part II
He's played heroes, villains, saints, sinners, a ballet-dancing elephant, and a space alien, now actor and children's author John Lithgow - best known as Dick Solomon from NBC's hit show 3rd Rock from the Sun - reveals a new side of himself... poetry lover. The award-winning stage and screen star Lithgow shares his favorite poems, insights into acting, and thoughts on the enduring power of art. Lithgow currently stars in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons. He has penned several children's books, as well as compiled poems for The Poets' Corner: The One-And-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/Hx-EA1qhxjM/profile.html
Dividend Growth Index Q3 Update
The Dividend Growth Index is a fun project created by Mike over at The Dividend Guy. The Index is comprised of 8 dividend growth bloggers selecting 3 stocks each, for a total of 24 dividend paying companies in the Index. My three selections for the Index are: Abbott (ABT:US) Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) CML [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myownadvisor/CsCc/~3/tWSPQjxExPk/
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Want Real Estate Investments But Can’t Buy Property? Consider REITs
The idea of adding real estate to an investment portfolio is one that many are interested in. However, many investors don’t have the capital required to buy property. In those cases, it might be tempting for them to give up, especially if they can’t get another mortgage to make a real estate purchase. However, it...
Want Real Estate Investments But Can’t Buy Property? Consider REITs appeared first on Canadian Finance Blog.
Related Posts:- Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Portfolio
- Should You Use A Real Estate Agent To Sell Your House?
- Save Money By Selling Your House Without A Real Estate Agent
Source: http://canadianfinanceblog.com/want-real-estate-investments-but-cant-buy-property-consider-reits/
News Analysis for the Investor on October 11, 2012
Author(s):
Catherine McBreen
IMF calls on the US and Europe to resolve their debt crisis
The International Monetary Fund, or IMF, called upon Europe and the US to act faster to resolve their debt crisis, blaming their failures on the lack of global growth and creating economic uncertainty. According to Reuters, the IMF cut its global growth forecast earlier this week. While Germany indicates that Europe is now on track, the IMF has been frustrated with the piecemeal approach taken by the European Union. Similarly, the US is hoping to fix its “fiscal cliff” in the short time between the November election and year end. Asian shares are mostly negative on Thursday while European shares are positive. The Dow fell 128 points on Wednesday, closing at 13,344.
US foreclosure filings hit 5 year low in September
The Associated Press indicates that US foreclosure filings dropped to a 5 year low in September as fewer homes were on track to be overtaken by lenders. It was the second consecutive monthly decline although results varied by state. On a national level, foreclosures fell 7 percent from August and 16 percent from September 2011. Foreclosures peaked in April 2009 at around 203,000. The current level is 180,427, well above the 34,000 experienced in May 2005. The biggest drops were in California, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and Texas.
Greece likely to receive more time
CNBC is reporting that the IMF is supportive of Greece receiving additional time to meet its budget goals. The managing director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, said that heavily frontloading Greece with austerity could undermine its reforms and recovery. It is anticipated that Greece’s debt will once again be restructured and perhaps cut. Greece is still in discussions with the IMF, European Union and European Central Bank. Unemployment in Greece is over 25 percent.
Spain’s credit rating cut to near junk
Reuters reports that Standard and Poor’s cut Spain’s sovereign credit rating to BBB minus, just above junk, due to a deepening economic recession that is limiting the government’s policy options. The downgrade comes with a negative outlook. This rating is similar to the Moody’s rating. Unemployment in Spain is close to 25 percent. Failing tax revenues and costs of unemployment benefits are preventing the government from meeting its 2012 debt reduction target of 6.3 percent. Spain said it had not anticipated the downgrade.
Top Fed Reserve official suggests US bank size cap
A top Federal Reserve official overseeing financial regulation has suggested that US lawmakers cap the size of banks based on their borrowings. According to Dan Tarullo, Fed governor, currently US banks can hold no more than 10 percent of the country’s deposits. The Financial Times reports that Tarullo has proposed a cap based upon the bank’s non-deposit liabilities compared to a percentage of US GDP. This would force a break up of the six biggest US banks by assets, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Such a proposal still needs to be passed by Congress.
Girl Scout cookie box updated
The New York Times reports that the Girl Scout Cookie Box is getting a makeover. The box will now tell what the girls learn from selling cookies and what the girl scouts do with the funds from the 214 million cookies sold each year. Last year cookie sales increased 3 percent up to $787 million.The girls actually choose how the money is spent for various activities. The box redesign is part of an effort to refresh the organization’s branding. Girl Scout cookies will be 100 years old in 2017.
Bench seat in cars will become history
When the 2013 Chevrolet Impala goes out of production for the redesigned 2014 Impala this year, it will end the production of bench seats in cars. According to USA Today, the Impala is the last car to offer a bench seat as an option. GM says that only 1 in 10 buyers purchased the bench seat option last year. Bench seats lasted 101 years in Chevrolets. They first appeared in the Series C Classic Six of 1911. They are best known for cuddling up with a date, especially during a drive in movie. While they are gone in cars, bench seats will still be available in pickup trucks and sport utilities.
Source: http://www.millionairecorner.com/article/news-analysis-investor-october-11-2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
You think term always beats whole life insurance? Think again!
This post is by Brian Poncelet, an insurance specialist and independent certified financial planner (CFP) who has been working in the financial services industry since 1994. For years some financial experts have suggested the most cost effective way to protect your family is to buy term life insurance and invest the difference. For the [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myownadvisor/CsCc/~3/ID8YsuaJJ94/
Sanford Weill’s Glass-Steagall Distraction
Despite Sanford Weill’s Glass-Steagall diversion, what we need is a Dodd-Frank do-over for the right oversight apparatus of huge banks.
Is CVS Pressuring Pharmacists To Refill Prescriptions Automatically?
While a lot of medications are intended to be taken on a regular, predictable basis, a number of drugs are only taken when needed, which means customers are getting refills less regularly. But recently uncovered e-mails seem to indicate that at least some CVS pharmacists are being pressured to automatically refill prescriptions in order to cash in on insurance payments.… [More]
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Presidents Choice PC Pet Insurance Review
Presidents Choice Financial has been a longtime competitor in the banking world, offering no-fee chequing accounts, ATM’s at the Loblaw’s grocers like Superstore, and even offering free groceries with the Presidents Choice Financial MasterCard. So when I heard that they had pet insurance, I was intrigued but not too surprised. I signed up with them (despite [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Youngandthrifty/~3/Mn2XhgT-f8Y/
Super Bowl tickets on a budget?
Filed under: Family Money, Saving Money
If you've been thinking about going to the Super Bowl, chances are you've also been contemplating selling a kidney to make it happen. Before you climb into the ice bath and sharpen the scalpel, you might want to take a peek at Yoonew. The brainchild of a pair of Princeton engineers, Yoonew is an online futures exchange for premium ticket futures. Not only can it procure your coveted championship sports tickets, it can even help you get them for less than face value. Here's how it works:
1. Convinced that your team is going to go to the Super Bowl (or the Playoffs, or the World Series, or whatever), and desperate to see the boys in action, you go to the Yoonew website. Yoonew evaluates your team's chances of going to the big game. Based on their calculations, they offer a ticket future for the game. The price they charge is based on the probability that you will get the ticket. Thus, if your team has a minimal chance of going to the game, the ticket will be very, very cheap. If your team is likely to go, then the ticket will be more expensive.
2. Over the course of the season, your ticket value fluctuates, based on your team's changing fortunes. You can track the value of the ticket on the Yoonew site. Incidentally, this also gives you a pretty good indicator of how your team is doing.
Continue reading Super Bowl tickets on a budget?
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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2008/01/04/super-bowl-tickets-on-a-budget/
Youngandthrifty Cheap and Good Eats: Daimasu Japanese Restaurant
Daimasu Japanese Restaurant in Richmond, BC (a suburb of Vancouver, where the airport is) is located on 8300 Granville Avenue. It’s part of the Kamei Japanese restaurant group (Ebisu and Kamei Royale restaurants are also part of this restaurant group). After slaving away on our home Do It Yourself projects, my boyfriend and I were [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Youngandthrifty/~3/8hDt9IaKZf4/
Monday, October 8, 2012
If Germany were to leave the euro, it would be better off
Another week, another conference about the euro. This time it was in Singapore. Nevertheless, it was Germany that was uppermost in my mind, not least because several Singaporeans asked me why Germany doesn't leave the euro.
Sorry … That’s Not On the Menu Today
Want to Eat Baby Zebra … Kya – a lioness at the zoo in Portland, Oregon – tries to eat a boy wearing a zebra-striped hoodie. More here.
Sorry … That’s Not On the Menu Today was originally published on Washington's Blog
Source: http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/10/why-me-no-can-have-baby-zebra.html
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Betting on Solar Power: It is Our Future
A new solar manufacturer is on the horizon; one that allows American homeowners to produce their own clean, renewable energy from the sun and keep the energy savings every month – year after year. You could save thousands of dollars powering your home with solar generated electricity.
Switching a residential home to solar power just [...]
Switching a residential home to solar power just [...]
Source: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/press/solar-power-future/
September Change
I knew it was the end of September, but I almost forgot it was the end of September.
I took a moment today to hack into the coin jar and piggy to see what came out this month. I didn't really pay much attention to things so I had no clue what would be inside.
I found, ready to wrap, $10 in quarters and $50 in toonies.
$60, just like that. Was nice to see a bit of positive 'change' in my world :P
I took a moment today to hack into the coin jar and piggy to see what came out this month. I didn't really pay much attention to things so I had no clue what would be inside.
I found, ready to wrap, $10 in quarters and $50 in toonies.
$60, just like that. Was nice to see a bit of positive 'change' in my world :P
Source: http://shakingthemoneytree.blogspot.com/2012/09/september-change.html
Not spending money - self talk
It would be fun to record my conversations with my self sometimes. They can be quite rational and encouraging or they can be hard, tough love. I bet it would sound interesting to outsiders LOL
Yesterday was a money self talk day. I am trying to project if I can get my savings goals and my LOC actually all taken care of by Dec 31.
I go through spurts of great attention to money detail, to those of little attention besides the $ balance at the end of the month. Right now I am on the great attention phase.
So at home yesterday was just DS1 and myself. DH and DS2 were gone a scout camping. Technically it was just me home most of the day. DS1 had gone to a........gathering...the night before and they tented there on the friend's farm, so they didn't have to drive home. a smart option.
When it came time for lunch, DS1 was out like a light so it was just me. and oh my, but I wanted to go get something for lunch. Not healthy. Fast food. A Mc D burger was calling me. and then, the self talk began!
Did I have enough WW points to make this work? yup it was doable.
Did I have money in my grocery jar? yup I did.
But it would be about $10. And gas to get over and back - about $2.50 to $3 depending on traffic.
I had food in the house. I just didn't want it. I hemmed and hawed for what felt like forever. I had my keys in hand at one point, a frying pan on the stove at another. You would think I was deciding something important.
What did it for me was that $10. All I kept thinking was I could tuck that $10 (if any was left at the end of the week in the jar) into my snowflake and throw it down on a savings goal.
So what? $10. big whoop. treat yourself, the little shoulder devil said.
So you treat yourself, said the shoulder angel. And then next week? cuz like you won't have this fight again? $10 a week saved would net you 22 x $10 = $220. wouldn't it be nice to whap down $220 on a debt or savings goal?
But that's only if you actually did find $10 a week, said shoulder devil.
It was quite funny.
I ended up having a bowl of soup and a salad and I didn't die from not getting what I wanted. It took a bit for that urge to go to pass, but it passed.
For supper I vowed to do the same without the exhausting battle. I found a chicken breast in the freezer, cooked it up with a little olive oil and spices. I had fettucine noodles. I made laughing cow alfredo sauce. I had the urge for garlic bread. We had a couple of hamburger buns that were getting a little dry for burgers but would be great to make 4 pieces of garlic toast. I had one piece and DS had 3. And I survived, without spending money.
But wow, that is just one snapshot of one day. I don't win all the battles, but I win some of them :-)
Yesterday was a money self talk day. I am trying to project if I can get my savings goals and my LOC actually all taken care of by Dec 31.
I go through spurts of great attention to money detail, to those of little attention besides the $ balance at the end of the month. Right now I am on the great attention phase.
So at home yesterday was just DS1 and myself. DH and DS2 were gone a scout camping. Technically it was just me home most of the day. DS1 had gone to a........gathering...the night before and they tented there on the friend's farm, so they didn't have to drive home. a smart option.
When it came time for lunch, DS1 was out like a light so it was just me. and oh my, but I wanted to go get something for lunch. Not healthy. Fast food. A Mc D burger was calling me. and then, the self talk began!
Did I have enough WW points to make this work? yup it was doable.
Did I have money in my grocery jar? yup I did.
But it would be about $10. And gas to get over and back - about $2.50 to $3 depending on traffic.
I had food in the house. I just didn't want it. I hemmed and hawed for what felt like forever. I had my keys in hand at one point, a frying pan on the stove at another. You would think I was deciding something important.
What did it for me was that $10. All I kept thinking was I could tuck that $10 (if any was left at the end of the week in the jar) into my snowflake and throw it down on a savings goal.
So what? $10. big whoop. treat yourself, the little shoulder devil said.
So you treat yourself, said the shoulder angel. And then next week? cuz like you won't have this fight again? $10 a week saved would net you 22 x $10 = $220. wouldn't it be nice to whap down $220 on a debt or savings goal?
But that's only if you actually did find $10 a week, said shoulder devil.
It was quite funny.
I ended up having a bowl of soup and a salad and I didn't die from not getting what I wanted. It took a bit for that urge to go to pass, but it passed.
For supper I vowed to do the same without the exhausting battle. I found a chicken breast in the freezer, cooked it up with a little olive oil and spices. I had fettucine noodles. I made laughing cow alfredo sauce. I had the urge for garlic bread. We had a couple of hamburger buns that were getting a little dry for burgers but would be great to make 4 pieces of garlic toast. I had one piece and DS had 3. And I survived, without spending money.
But wow, that is just one snapshot of one day. I don't win all the battles, but I win some of them :-)
Source: http://shakingthemoneytree.blogspot.com/2012/08/not-spending-money-self-talk.html
Saturday, October 6, 2012
A Bill Moyers Essay
A Bill Moyers Essay.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/SsfnHB6q-VY/watch4.html
Deepening the American Dream
Bill Moyers introduces "Deepening the American Dream," a Web-only project at www.pbs.org/moyers that features essays and videos of some of Moyers' notable guests laying out their vision for the future of the American dream.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/d-lNS7ZjEhI/index.html
Securing Health Insurance for Your Golden Years
With more sophisticated and effective medical treatments and procedures available in the last few decades, health care costs have risen dramatically. These days, paying for health care out of your own pocket can be tantamount to financial suicide in some circumstances. This means that now more than ever, it is very important that a retiree be able to secure health insurance. To get you started on how to tackle this issue for your retirement planning, we have compiled some valuable information.
A Longer Lifespan Equals a Greater Need for Health Insurance
Thanks to the aforementioned advancements in the medical field, the average lifespan of many human beings have increased over the years. While this should only be seen as a good thing, you should also be aware that this translates to a longer period of time where health insurance is needed. Many people are living thirty years or more past their retirement age. Unfortunately, thanks to the fact that our bodies are more prone to illness and injury, securing health care is more important than ever.
Medical Costs: A Realistic Look
All of this conjecture is nice and dandy, but what exactly does it mean in raw numbers? According to Fidelity Benefits Consulting, a couple 65 years of age who retired in 2011 can expect an estimated $230,000 in medical costs over the years. Not only does this figure sound astronomical, but it doesn't even include nursing home care.
Hard Times for Early Retirees
Retiring early can cause a host of problems. Many retirees plan to utilize programs such as Medicare to help them with medical expenses. But since you cannot apply for Medicare until you're 65, retiring early means you'll be forced to find your own coverage between the time you retire and the time you can apply. If you have health insurance through your employer, it may be able to extend your benefits to cover this gap, but it is possible that it might not continue at all. Even if it does, you may see an increase to your premium or a vast difference between individual and family plans.
Medicare: Insurance For Retirees
A large number of retirees are planning to use Medicare as soon as they are eligible which, for most people, means upon turning 65. This isn't anything new. Retirees have been utilizing this program since its inception. Medicare provides a number of benefits, such as:
Hospital Insurance -- Just as the name suggests, this part of the plan will cover hospital expenses. But it will also cover some home health, nursing facility costs, and hospice care.
Medical Insurance -- For the most part, this will cover physicians and outpatient care. It may also include home health coverage, if you choose not to have Hospital Insurance.
Medicare Advantage: An Alternative
If you're not interested in the standard Medicare plans as illustrated above, another option is to enroll in Medicare Advantage. These plans are maintained by private institutions that contract with Medicare to provide coverage. With this, you will have a number of different plans, just like you would have with a standard type of medical coverage. You'll need to compare several elements of the plan, such as premiums, co-pays, and network providers, among a number of other available options.
Medicare: What's Not Covered
If you're going to apply for Medicare, it's important that you realize what is not covered. If you need coverage for care such as dental, vision, hearing, or even long-term care, you will need to do so independently. Medicare does not include any of these needs.
Friday, October 5, 2012
More Bad News at LDK Solar (LDK, STP, JASO, TSL)
Solar panel maker LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) this morning reported a second-quarter net loss of $2.00 per American depository share (ADS) on revenue of $235.4 million. In the same period a year ago, the company reported a loss of $0.62 per ADS on revenue of $499.4 million. Second-quarter results compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for a loss of $1.43 per ADS and $237.4 million in revenue.
The company slashed its third-quarter revenue forecast to $220 million to $260 million. The consensus estimate had called for $453.6 million. LDK expects to wafer shipments of 190 to 240 megawatts, far below the 316.7 megawatts the company shipped in the second quarter.
For the full fiscal year, LDK cut its revenue forecast from a range $1.5 billion to $2 billion to a new range of $1.1 billion to $1.5 billion.
The company's chairman and CEO said:
Industry-wide competition and demand constraints continued to drive price declines across the entire solar supply chain and negatively impacted our margins and profitability.
Turning to the third quarter, our outlook remains cautious as we expect to see continued near-term challenges facing our industry. …
We continue to believe that some markets such as China will begin to see improved demand in the second half of this year and expect growth opportunities in this market to continue to expand over the next several years.
It might be easier to accept LDK's belief that things would get better in the second half of the year if it had not cut its forecast so sharply. LDK may be the weakest of all the major Chinese solar makers. In July the local government said it would use its own tax receipts to pay off the company's loans after LDK had been forced to fire 5,000 workers. The company also sold some of its land to the local governments and took an impairment charge of $30.5 million as a result.
The company's shares are down 2.4% in premarket trading this morning, at $1.24 in a 52-week range of $1.20 to $6.92.
LDK's poor report has not spread to other Chinese solar makers like Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP), JA Solar Holding Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) and Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL). All are inactive in the premarket this morning.
Paul Ausick
Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Alternative Energy, China, Earnings, Green Biz, Technology Companies Tagged: JASO, LDK, STP, TSL
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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/09/17/more-bad-news-at-ldk-solar-ldk-stp-jaso-tsl/
David Simon Part 1
From crime beat reporter for the BALTIMORE SUN to award-winning screenwriter of HBO's critically-acclaimed The Wire, David Simon talks with Bill Moyers about inner-city crime and politics, storytelling and the future of journalism today.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/TQZdEETc320/watch.html
Apple customers now on the front lines of 'creative destruction'
Note to iPhone customers: stop whining about Apple orphaning your hardware and software. It's all a part of Apple's "creative destruction" of its own hardware and software base. And if you really thought about it, you might not want it any other way.
Source: http://www.zdnet.com/apple-customers-now-on-the-front-lines-of-creative-destruction-7000004690/
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Casualty of War: Part I
Bill Moyers interviews former talk show host Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro on the true cost of war and their documentary, BODY OF WAR, depicting the moving story of one veteran dealing with the aftermath of war. With extensive excerpts from the film, the filmmakers talk about Iraq war veteran Tomas Young who was shot and paralyzed less than a week into his tour of duty. Three years in the making, BODY OF WAR tells the poignant tale of the young man's journey from joining the service after 9/11 to fight in Afghanistan, to living with devastating wounds after being deployed to Iraq instead.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/oSgAnFsZ4lI/profile.html
Debt crisis: Spain's forecasts are 'optimistic', says Governor of the Bank of Spain
The Governor of the Bank of Spain warned that Madrid's financial forecasts are "optimistic" adding to the mounting pressure on Mariano Rajoy from European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Welcoming A SE Asia and Minimalist Expert To the Fold!
Editor’s Note: We’re pleased to welcome a new writer to our staff at Y and T. We believe Joseph will provide a view on personal finance and insights into a specific lifestyle that we currently don’t have on our roster. Mr. Archibald has had a bevy of interesting life experiences and he will be sharing [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Youngandthrifty/~3/ZJLndK1KiJ0/
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
You think term always beats whole life insurance? Think again!
This post is by Brian Poncelet, an insurance specialist and independent certified financial planner (CFP) who has been working in the financial services industry since 1994. For years some financial experts have suggested the most cost effective way to protect your family is to buy term life insurance and invest the difference. For the [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myownadvisor/CsCc/~3/ID8YsuaJJ94/
Remembering Lucille Clifton
Bill Moyers celebrates the poet Lucille Clifton and her work.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/9TqvDQZP3AE/profile3.html
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Courts Lifts Ban on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 Sales
Filed under: Investing
Despite efforts by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) to shut down the sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the United States, a court has decided that Samsung should not be prevented from doing so. Reuters reports:
The injunction on the Galaxy tablet had been put in place ahead of a month-long trial that pitted the iPhone maker against Samsung in a closely watched legal battle that ended in August with a victory for Apple on many of its patent violation claims.
However, the jury found that Samsung had not violated the patent that was the basis for the tablet injunction and Samsung argued the sales ban should be lifted.
Apple has won a series of patent infringement actions against Samsung, its mortal enemy in the tablet PC and smartphone wars. Samsung has not wasted any time striking back at Apple through the legal system. It claims the iPhone 5 has infringed on some of its intellectual property. Nearly everyone who has watched the battles believes that they will go on for years, played out in courts in Asia, the United States and Europe.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Law, Technology Companies, Wireless Tagged: AAPL
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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/10/02/courts-lifts-ban-on-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-sales/
Battle starts for the new Bank of England Governor
Last week the Treasury launched the process to appoint a new Bank of England chief. In the first of a special series, The Sunday Telegraph reveals the fight for the most powerful job in the City.
Lincoln's Legend and Legacy Part 1
Assassinated on Good Friday, Abraham Lincoln was transformed from man to martyr and myth. In this special performance edition of Bill Moyers Journal acclaimed actor Sam Waterston and historian Harold Holzer explore Lincoln's legacy and legend in the poetry and prose by great American writers across the decades who have wrestled to define the true Lincoln through the lens of their own times.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/xa0PkRr_ap8/profile.html
Monday, October 1, 2012
GDP and Engineering Layoffs
Posting for Michael, who’s traveling:
If you care about R&D, product design, worker training, or any of that other good stuff, you might want to look at my new cover story. I’ll be adding to this over the weekend.
Source: http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/economicsunbound/archives/2009/10/gdp_and_enginee.html
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