Let the hibernation begin
Even those of us who like to live in denial every year — wearing flip flops well into October, even in northern states — must now admit that fall has officially set in, and winter is well on its way.
The cold months cause many people to stay [...]
Two horrible acts within 24 hours
Two horrific shootings have occurred within 24 hours of each other, a Ft. Hood shooting and an Orlando shooting, both involving disgruntled workers. In both cases, the suspects were apprehended by authorities. It’s hard to tell whether horrible acts of violence are a product of [...]
Conical Bras – Making a Comeback
Back in the 1950’s, women from across the nation went berserk over the conical bras, which were made popular by stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Now the pointy conical bras are making their way back on the market, screaming with high demand, and [...]
Debt Relief Would Be a Whole New Ballgame
The people of American are looking for debt relief any way they can find it these days, and it appears that the only way true gains in this area are going to be made is if major restructuring of America’s financial regulatory agencies [...]
This weekend at the theater
If you don’t think the Rated R satirical comedy “The Men Who Stare at Goats” — which critics call “a farcical antidote to big-screen bores about Afghanistan and Iraq” — is quite your speed, you have a couple of options at pretty opposite ends of the [...]
Unemployment rate not improving
New statistics on the U.S. unemployment rate were released today, and things haven’t been worse for 26 years. The October unemployment rate was 10.2 percent, more than double normal levels. It’s also the highest unemployment rate the country has seen since 1983, when it hit 10.5 percent.
I [...]
Study of Detroit Area Households Yields Surprising Results
There are numerous entries in the volumes of study on payday loans which suggest that low- to middle-income (LMI) families are the most frequent users of the product. Where access to credit and liquid assets are limited – particularly in areas that are [...]
Droid sales attract cell phone geeks
Stores opened at midnight. People lined up in the streets, awaiting Verizon Droid sales. When did people become cell phone geeks? I think it started with the iPhone, which was the first mobile communication device in recorded history to cause people to behave this way.
Now, [...]
Impact on nation’s retirement accounts
These days, it seems as if you can hardly turn on the TV or radio without hearing news of the current economic recession and its impact on our nation’s retirement savings accounts. And it’s true – many people’s 401K, 403(b) and IRA accounts have lost significant [...]
There’s Never an Excuse
Child cruelty is something I do not take too kindly to. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, placing a child in any type of danger is absolutely intolerable.
Being a responsible parent requires time and mass amounts of love and effort. Of course, [...]
Should Courts or Executive Branch Agencies Have Final Say?
The recession has forced America to face some of its most deep-seated systematic financial troubles. One thing that has become clear is that unscrupulous mortgage lenders and credit card agencies have dined for far too long upon consumers who largely didn’t understand [...]
Verizon Droid Eris a cheaper Droid
Everyone has heard of the Motorola Droid, set for retail release tomorrow. We’ve all seen the commercial publicizing Droid’s quest to one-up the iPhone. However, today it has gotten out that another Droid, the Verizon Droid Eris, will also be available, and for half the [...]
Unemployment benefits extended 13 weeks
The unemployment extension, passed November 5, 2009, was included in a bill with the homebuyer tax credit, and now millions of Americans can continue to collect benefits. The homebuyer tax credit was extended to 2010 in April. The unemployment extension means workers whose unemployment insurance was [...]
Homebuyer tax credit 2010 now a reality
Congress today passed a bill that extends the homebuyer tax credit, which was set to expire at the end of this month. Homebuyers who initiate their purchase between now and April 2010 will be able to take advantage of a $6,500 deduction in their [...]
Remember, remember the 5th of November
OK, a lot of us saw V for Vendetta, but people were commemorating Guy Fawkes’ Night (November 5th) a long time before the movie came out, and certainly before the graphic novel (that the more sophisticated and discerning among us have read) that the movie [...]
Federal minimum wage 2009
Since July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour. That means in every state in the United States, employers must pay workers at least $7.25 per hour. In Washington, D.C., it means employers must pay $8.25 per hour because the law there dictates [...]
Bills, Bills, Bills
You see them every day, and you hate to open them. What more exciting news could they possibly bring than reminding you of your obligation? Don’t they realize there is a recession going on? Do they think you have extra cash lying around? Rather than looking at them [...]
Chiefs fans don’t want Johnson in record books
Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs who resent the continued presence of infamous running back Larry Johnson have created a petition to team owners and management to keep him from playing, so he won’t break the record currently held by Priest Holmes for [...]
Back to the future, anyone?
People who have seen the Honda Skydeck concept minivan, which was unveiled the at the Tokyo Motor Show, call it “futuristic.” The front doors are scissor doors. You know, like the ones on the DeLorean, so that’s what I thought of immediately when I saw photos [...]