Money Matters - Part 12

I agree, but I think the uncertainty is causing lots of ripples, and then who will get the tax cuts? Interest rates won't rise much for a while but college loans costs are already in the balance, and interest rate increases would be tough for our kids getting their homes.

I believe status quo on rates will hold. I also believe, as I have maintained for a very long time, that the worst is yet to come from Europe. Two other bad possible (if not probable) scenarios include a financial crisis in China and military action against Iran.

On a positive note, I will be adding a first edition, rebound (leather) Jane Eyre soon!

Victor, do you7 read those books, or only collect them?

These are for collecting. I have already read many of them. I consider Jane a 'chick book'. ^_^

5 pound bag of sugar is now 4 pounds.

oh yeah, I've seen that.
Variation on the ploy= Make a new type of product, make the box smaller. Example- 'healthy' style pastas, the pseudo pound box is just 12 ounces.

I think sugar in bags has been 4# for at least a year in most places, including my area. It must depend on what the distributor has in inventory, and the turnover rate in the local markets.

Oh - guess I haven't bought white sugar in awhile then. Canning "season" is coming up and I want to be prepared. Looks like I can can asian pears - didn't think of that last year. I am going to pick the Aronia berries as they get ripe and store them in my neighbor's freezer until the weather cools down to make jelly. Kind of a puny year for jam and jelly with no gooseberries. Have new "lifetime" lids to try out this year.

will have to check out the lids memory

Bill - this isn't where I bought them - but here they are. http://www.directive21.com/products/tattler-reusable-canning-lids/ I was disappointed that the lids are plastic. I haven't tried them out yet - so don't buy on my recommendation - cause I don't have any experience. What I think would be best are the jars that have glass lids and use a rubber ring and two metal clips - but they are hard to find. I still need the metal canning lids for stuff that I give away.

I have seen the life time lids but dont dare to try them. I see them as plastic and what plastic last for ever?

If I cant hear the metal lids pop, I am never happy.

Edit to say - I hate to say it but I think I belive what Victor said, that the worse it yet to come. Something is going to tip something. There is a sour taste, simply when it comes to the number of people on unemployment, the people that do not have jobs that their unemployment has expired and people like me just looking for a stinking job. I know 4 people in one small city, like me...........

This message was edited Aug 6, 2012 10:38 AM

I LOVE hearing the lids pop, too!

I think that the situation is bordering on the verge of catastrophic change. I am terrified of retirement!

Hope the plastic is BPA free!

That I don't know about - I didn't realize the lids were plastic when I ordered. In theory, the lid should never touch the food because of the headspace in the jars.

like to hear the pop in the lid myself - especially to one when you open a jar for the first time:)

Heard a guy on tv the other night . His theory/ view is that the big wave of baby boomers has ended their big spending time of their lives and are now hanging onto funds. It sure makes sense. Simple demographics.

yep makes sense to me

And they're forced to delay retirement as well.

Or take the 'entry' jobs that younger workers want.

Stupid irs, remember me telling you our book keeper made a mistake with a huge tax overpayment? I get a letter stating that we overpaid them but then they charged a late fee and penalty for the month after....IDIOTS

Guess I am still looking for a stinking job. Misery or not but not flipping burgers....

jen IDIOTS

oh Sherrie, I'm sorry...

Over 100 million Americans receiving some type of Fed welfare. Incredible.

That stinks Sherrie

over 100 million???that's crazy, hope their fraud division is working overtime, cause ya know someone's cat or dog or dead wife is receiving benefits

I could get welfare if I wanted. Food Stamps or something. but I wont.

People like you who work hard and want to work and are just on a bad streak are who the program is really for! Not for the lazy bums and frauds.

even programs like WIC need to be revamped, my friend's hubby lost his job they just had another baby, so they have a 2 yr old and a 7 month old, she went on WIC for awhile, they gave them 5 gallons of milk a week, come on now, a baby that is being breast fed and a 2 year old can NOT possibly drink all that milk, she was giving it away...what a waste of $

Agreed!!

Just got 3 cards in the mail. It says give them to your family/ friends. Scriptrelief / Rxrelief. 75% off your prescriptions. Just use it, no strings attached. Nothing. It came from Healthcare Alliance Washington DC.

They have a website http://thehealthcarealliance.com/rxrelief.aspx

I talked to a freind and she uses the card as she has no insurance.



This message was edited Aug 9, 2012 12:48 PM

interesting

United Way visits my company once a year and they handed out cards like that for us to give out to people who don't have insurance.

WHoa to WIC. That might be about guarateeeing $ to the dairy lobby--?

schickenlady- We recently shopped for private health insurance. We also got a seperate mailing for some sort of insurance discount card, seemingly unconnected to the insurance.. I just don't know what's up with it...If its legit I will need it for glaucoma eyedrops, IF it works on them and not just generic.

Sad sign of the times.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-09/world-s-oldest-shipping-company-closes-amid-industry-decline-1-.html

My friend says it didnt pay the 75% on hers but something is better then nothing.

I work in Health Care regulation in California and have some experience with these plans. Some of these "discount plans" are legit but most are not. Make sure you check with your state's Insurance Commissioner before buying them. A lot of these plans offer steep discounts for doctor visits and medications and while the discounts might be valid, you could have a tough time finding a doctor or a pharmacy that has a contract with the discount plan which makes those discounts worthless. Caveat emptor.

Mind-numbing.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-08/blink-u-s-debt-just-grew-by-11-trillion.html

thanks Gardensox. 'When it sounds too good to be true..."

received an email from a swing set company, 18.75% off oooooooooo what a bargain! and what the heck is with the 18.75???

I've been reading a lot of articles like Victors about the strength of lack thereof in our economy, economist Harry Dent from Forbes, for example. Not one of them has addressed the likelihood that baby boomers are not likely to just sit in their rocking chairs. Those who can will probably keep up some kind of work, especially if they are taxed highly enough. I see a future of an older generation that is taking care of other elders. We don't take summer-long vacations like the French. Then there is still a question of US innovation in addition to the work ethic. There is also immigration which can be adjusted if workers are needed, and even student visas are a factor in propping up the colleges, as international students come for a superior US college degree.

It's my bet we will still see a stock market run up to the election. By second quarter of 2013 it's anybody's guess. Anyone buying US LT treasury bonds? I read in one place (probably in Forbes also) that a person retiring today on an income of $100,000 per year needs to have saved 2 million of debt-free assets to have a decent lifestyle. I wish I even knew what that meant before I panic.