Money Matters - Part 12

We don't believe in overdoing the credit in our family. I am sooo glad we didn't let our kids go to the most expensive colleges, and that they are fine with that. They don't understand yet why I have them put their savings into a credit union. Keep explaining to them that these institutions are honest money for the little guy (i.e. student) and a better return for their debit accounts.

The state colleges are growing by leaps and bounds because they have learned how to partner with businesses that will give internships that lead to jobs. Umass Lowell only gets 23% of its support from the state, but they have five huge building projects, including its new nanotech and plastics engineering building opening this fall. Amherst is creating a megasized complex of biological science research buildings and an honors dorm next to it.

I think the working stock market formula is to overweigh large cap growth stocks, and watch what sector--great returns on the media stocks, but I don't think I trust them though I probably would make quick money if I did. Sadly, just as we see in Victor's article, some of the financials are booming too--also scary. I've always done well with consumer products that we have to buy.

Finally pulled the trigger on a re-fi. New 15 yr rate will be 3.25% with ZERO closing costs. Been with Chase for ten years and they're offering this to their existing customers who always pay on time, etc. It's part of a Fed program. Will save $240 a month and pay off sooner.

And this is on top of $220 a month reduction in my property taxes from challenging last year.

nice rate

Yes - plus I will continue extra principal payments to save more $ and speed up the payoff.

same here

Thanks! Didn't know you were chipping in for me. What a guy!! ^_^

This message was edited Jul 29, 2012 11:31 PM

I see food prices going up everytime I go to the store. Starting to get under my skin.

Do they ever go down??!

No , but your mortage did !!!

True, but the savings will go right to the higher food prices! Can't win.

Between DH and I we'll be getting 7 different w-2s for taxes of 2012. Ah the part time life! Makes filling out that w-4 (how many exemptions do you want) quite a WAG

One day I looked in my grocery cart and every meat item was 'ground' in some way...ground beef, sausage, meatballs....Ah the part time life!

I could not believe that our store had a huge pack of RED salmon fillet, the pack total was 35$. I don't know anyone who shops at this store who's gonna buy a $35 pack of red salmon fillets.

$35? wow, that is crazy!

Sounds fishy.

The price of iced coffe has gone up 20% at everywhere I buy it. Think I am enjoying my last iced coffe right now.

Edited to say 20 instead of 10.

This message was edited Jul 31, 2012 10:45 AM

Corn prices are crazy high. Will cause all food prices to rise.

67 to 73 percent of all products in grocery store contain 'corn or its by products'

Much of US corn crop is 'fried'. Debates over whether disposition of any greatly diminished yields will go to livestock feed or ethanol production.

Will effect 'exports' majorly as 'highest bidder' will most likely be off shore.

Herds and flocks are being downsized in face of limited availability of feedstuffs and costs to feed them.

Anyone looking to upsize???

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120731/midtown/nations-most-expensive-apartment-for-sale-for-100m

and yet they'll chalk it up to global warming and force all of us to drive electric cars

Jen, I don't follow your comment. Could you elaborate?

All of us world wide who grow things are dependent on the sun shining, the wind blowing and the rain falling. Maybe next years garden will return to normal for our areas but for me, I'm leaning towards more and more 'challenges' ahead.

In Nevada, 400+ year old tress as well as 150 + year old trees are dieing when they have withstood all of the changes up til now. What to make of this?

Pays to be persistent. Just off the phone with tech support for the Roomba floor robot. Started acting weird - going backwards in a tight radius. They had me blow it out, etc., but to no avail. They said the bumper sensor was shot. Could not be replaced so a new unit was needed. Out of warranty, of course. They offered a discount on a better model. Would cost $200 instead of over $500. I said I would think about it and was very disappointed, as this was my second one to crap out after not very many uses. They then reduced the price to $160. Said I would still have to think about it but was very hesitant to put any more $ into these. Off to speak with the supervisor again and - voila - free replacement! Just not getting the accessories, which I have already. And I have to pay shipping to send the old one back. Should not have to go through all that, but it does pay!

yep pays to be persistant, guess you just have to ask for the ceo as soon as you get on the phone, LOL


Coleup, I can't elaborate on here, I'll get kicked off
Just that because they can't grow the corn to produce the ethanol, so they need to blame it on a unrealistic theory and then force us to use other means

Jen - maybe there is a bright side to the drought and lack of corn - maybe we will finally start producing from some of the other energy sources that haven't been used yet because of the availability of corn.

Like the ground up carcasses of the politicians who thought to use corn as a fuel!! ^_^

Today's great news update.

"Today's national debt: $15,873,767,378,850.16. Your share as a citizen: $50,543.01. Your share as a taxpayer: $139,647."

So Facebook is now trading around $21. Some sucker bought it at $45 only weeks ago!

Just wait until the 1.3 billion shares held by insiders are unlocked in November of this year. If supply and demand still has any sway in economics, the stock price should plummet.

Who bought it? Victor ????

Hate FB. Would never invest in it and I advised all friends to steer clear.

Only a gov enterprise could manage this.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/amtrak-lost-800m-on-cheeseburgers-and-soda/article/2503832

Ugh!!!

AUDIT!!! Where did the $ go?

So all said and done,Victor, I'd like to know if the Rhumba is worth getting. We have constant fur flying about our floors so it would have to help us with that.

It works very well when it's working. Look for it on sale. I always got it from Woot at a steep discount.

Maxwell House Coffee. I buy original roast. Today picked up one & it said " New Packaging for Fresh Taste " I put it down as I hate change.

Found 1 with the original container. 2Lbs new container 1Lb 14oz both still 8.99

Thank you wonderful world.

They're just being fresh.

Ah yes the incredible shrinking size ploy. Ice cream, mayo...

Toilet paper

I'm gong to look for a cheap Rhumba!

I convinced DH to at least talk to the solar company but I bet we missed the $2,000 tax credit by now.

Financial energies are percolating here. Driven by desire to avoid college debt. Considering how last wednesay the market was up 200 point s until the jobs announcement caused the Dow to close 36 points lower than before---all I can say is--- dollar cost averaging for any new investment. Hold your hats for the ride we'll have in the next six months.

Any bets on whether the Bush tax credits will be extended by either a republican or a democratic administration? My money is on increased taxes including on middle class, and rising interest rates after the election.

I think all the tax cuts will be extended. I don't see interest rates rising for some time. Economy still stinks.