The View from the Paycheck Economy

The DC Hog-Trough Diner

2010-01-23T09:58:00.001-08:00

"If anyone thinks Washington DC excels in aid, compassion, benevolence, humanity, caring, they need to wake up, pay attention and get a valuable lesson. It is not about the lives, saving lives, helping those maimed or surviving earthquake victims. It is all about the money. Hint, now even Slick Willie has shown up to pretend to care. He must be lobbying for his buddies to get a seat at the hog-trough.

If anyone thinks Washington DC has a clue or gives an iota about providing 'solutions to problems' they need to pay very close attention. It is not about solutions or relief aid response until the matter has been resolved by the sharks and vultures behind the scenes to determine who gets to profit from this Haiti tragedy." From "SOS, Katrina And Haiti" By Karl Schwarz

Even the "Smirking Chimp" aka George W. Bush showed up. Nice going, Obama.

Happy Saturday, Paycheckers.

The Corporatocracy: A New Economic System for the Connected Banking Sector and Political Elites. Providing the new Serfdom Massive Debt Servitude.

2009-12-02T12:48:00.001-08:00

The Corporatocracy: A New Economic System for the Connected Banking Sector and Political Elites. Providing the new Serfdom Massive Debt Servitude.

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We Need More Judges Like This!!!!

2009-11-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

JUDGING INDYMAC – New York Supreme Court Judge Finds IndyMac’s behavior “repugnant, shocking, repulsive and completely devoid of good faith”.

Plundering California - Read it and Weep!

2009-11-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

A "must read" for all paycheckers:

Plundering California by Steven Greenhut, City Journal 23 November 2009

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers!

237 Millionaire Whores in Congress

2009-11-13T07:39:00.000-08:00

These people represent us?????

Report: 237 millionaires in Congress - Erika Lovley - POLITICO.com

Where's my pitchfork????

Happy Friday, Paycheckers!

Good! Who Needs Their Cheap, Defective Crap????

2009-11-11T10:35:00.001-08:00

From the Department of Schadenfreude:

For items made in China, a tougher sell overseas -- latimes.com

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This is What We Get

2009-10-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is what we get for bailing those A$$CLOWNS out:

Read it and weep, then do as others are doing and cut up your cards.

Happy Tuesday, Paycheckers!

We’ve Moved!!!! Yay!!!

2009-10-16T19:16:00.001-07:00

That’s all I’m gonna say for now. I am suffering from post-traumatic move disorder!

Happy Friday!

Is The FDIC Killing Short Sales?

2009-10-07T15:29:00.001-07:00

Is The FDIC Killing Short Sales?

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401k Investing: Is the 401k a Relic of Past Investing Models? S

2009-10-06T10:20:00.001-07:00

401k Investing: Is the 401k a Relic of Past Investing Models? S&P 500 versus Certificate of Deposits.

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"Debtors' Revolt" Message Resonates (VIDEO)

2009-10-01T10:18:00.001-07:00

"Debtors' Revolt" Message Resonates (VIDEO)

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Finally, People are Reacting!!!!!

2009-09-29T09:40:00.001-07:00

America?s backlash against banks

Shared via AddThis

What

2009-09-25T10:00:00.001-07:00

What’s the real reason that banks aren’t foreclosing?

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Sad But True

2009-09-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day:

"America is run largely by and for about 5,000 people who are actively supported by 50,000 beavers eager to take their places. I arrive at this figure this way: maybe 2,500 megacorporation executives, 500 politicians, lobbyists and Congressional committee chairmen, 500 investment bankers, 500 partners in major accounting firms, 500 labor brokers. If you don't like my figures, make up your own...'' ~ Robert Townsend, former head of Avis

As you can see I haven't posted for a while--needed some rest this summer due to medical issues. I'm back now, I hope.

Have a great day, Paycheckers!

Quote of the Day

2009-08-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Using future tax dollars to give banks more money to lend out at interest is robbing from the poor to pay the rich to rob from the poor. " -- Douglas Rushkoff

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers! Only two more days to go!

Quote of the Day

2009-08-16T09:05:00.001-07:00

“No government can exist for a single moment without the cooperation of the people, willing or forced, and if people withdraw their cooperation in every detail, the government will come to a standstill.” --Ghandi

Something to think about.

Happy Sunday, Paycheckers!

This Is Scary.

2009-08-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Government job opening--what are they preparing for?

Click here to be scared.

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers! Two more days to go!

Quote for the Day

2009-07-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without.

--Henry David Thoreau

Finally!

2009-07-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here's an encouraging sign of the times: Americans who don't spend.

Happy Tuesday, Paycheckers!

Another A$$H*LE Dies and Goes to Hell!

2009-07-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

YAY!!!!!!

Long overdue!

Happy Tuesday!

Scary Stuff

2009-07-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

It's Not Just Me...

2009-07-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's happening to many people:

Pinched by a Paycut

I know exactly how they feel!

Happy Friday, Paycheckers!

HOORAY!

2009-06-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Good news, Paycheckers! Finally, some justice!

See you in 150 years, A-hole!

Happy Monday!!!!!!!!!!

Now let's hope they get all his relatives!!!!!!

Ever Wonder Why Others Seem to Have So Much?

2009-06-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon, Paycheckers.

Have you ever looked around at your neighbors and wondered how they seem to have it all, while you're struggling to survive? I know I have. Lately, I have come to the conclusion that many people are doing well financially because they are criminals posing as normal, hard-working people like us. A glance at the news from my old home town (Staten Island, NY) has a good example of this.

Read this and be disgusted....

I guess that's one of the reasons the rest of us must work so hard to barely keep our heads above water.

I am getting to the point where I almost automatically assume that people are involved in some sort of criminal activity (white-collar or otherwise) if they drive certain types of cars and have life-styles of excessive opulence.

What do you think? Am I being too harsh and judgmental?

Happy Thursday! One more day to go!

Quotes for the Day

2009-06-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Quote #1:

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." - Thomas Jefferson

Quote #2:

"When the people and the government fear Goldman Sachs, there is economic dictatorship that will destroy the very fabric of our existence as a civilized society." - Mike Morgan

I have to say it. If we had paid more attention to Quote #1, we wouldn't be experiencing Quote #2.

Something to think about.

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers!

"Must Read" Article of the Day

2009-06-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

Today's "Re" word, Paycheckers, is REgurgitate. That's what you'll want to do when you read this article about the shenanigans of that POS Henry Paulson. Have a paper bag handy.

Hank Paulson is a Pr*ck Who Took Down the Economy

Try to have a happy Wednesday, anyhow.

"Re" Word of the Day for Monday

2009-06-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

I am posting a wonderful video to illustrate today's "Re" word of the day: REsourceful.

I know that with the ever-rising prices of food and the ever-diminishing incomes of us Paycheckers, we need to be ever more resourceful in making ends meet!

Enjoy!

Happy Monday, Paycheckers!

"Re" Word of the Day - Redefine

2009-05-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Today I am posting a video clip that I think is worth watching, and it fits in with my "re" word of the day--redefine.

Click here to view the video

Happy Friday, Paycheckers!

(Only two more days till Monday!)

Targeted by TAR-ZHEY, Part Deux

2009-05-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting!

To recap: My daughter (aka The Best Daughter in the Whole Wide World) received notification from Target National Bank (aka Despicable Pieces of $h*t) lowering her credit limit based on purported negative credit report information from Experian. Knowing that all her accounts were in good status, TBDITWWW requested a credit report from Experian, fearing that someone may have stolen her identity. The credit report contained no negative information whatsoever. All accounts were valid and much to our relief, there was no sign of identity theft. Because all her accounts were in good standing, it seemed obvious to us that those DPOS were just fabricating an excuse to lower the credit limit.

So, armed with the positive credit report, TBDITWWW called the 800 number of those DPOS to express her displeasure at having been caused mental anguish by their dishonesty about her credit report. The customer service rep (better known as: person who lives in a foreign land) listened to her complaint and then told her she needed to take the matter up with Experian. No, she explained to the PWLIAFL, Experian has only positive information on my credit report, so that is why I am taking up the matter with you. You are claiming that my credit report has negative information, but it does not. She then expressed her displeasure at having been caused worry and anxiety over their false assertion. The PWLIAFL did not seem to get this. He kept telling her to take the matter up with Experian. Finally, after going around in circles for a while, she got the PWLIAFL to admit that the reason they lowered the credit limit is because she has not used the card enough. Never mind that she shops at Target all the time using cash, and that she is paying finance charges to those DPOS every month that are at usurious levels, this is apparently not enough for them. TBDITWWW then informed the PWLIAFL that she would not use the card again and would pay it off and close it as soon as she could, and the conversation ended at that.

Days later, a notice from those DPOS arrived in the mail informing TBDITWWW that her request to raise her credit limit had been denied! What nerve! At no time during the conversation with the PWLIAFL did TBDITWWW ask to have the credit limit restored to its former state. The call was solely to express extreme dissatisfaction with the false claim of those DPOS that there was negative information on her credit report, which had scared the bejesus out of both of us.

The end result of this unpleasant, uncalled for encounter is this: those DPOS have lost one credit card customer, and two Target customers. TBDITWWW will pay off the card as soon as possible, and then close the account. Neither of us will ever set foot in a Target store again. If Target National Bank will try to manipulate their customers to use their credit cards and punish them if they don't, what else are they capable of? We really don't know, but we don't want to find out. I hope they are satisfied. I know I am. We don't need to spend money on junk we can get anywhere else.

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers!

Targeted by TAR-ZHEY, Part I

2009-04-22T12:36:00.001-07:00

Having heard that many credit card issuers were lowering credit limits, even on customers with good credit, my daughter (aka The Best Daughter in the Whole Wide World) wasn't terribly surprised to receive a letter recently from Target National Bank Visa informing her that her limit had been lowered by a couple thousand dollars.

What did surprise her, however, were the reasons they gave. Page two of the letter claimed that the following two statements from Experian had the most influence on their decision:

Lack Of Open Real Estate Accounts

Number Of Recent Severely Delinquent Accounts

The first reason Re: lack of open real estate accounts is true. TBDITWWW has never owned property.

With regard to reason two, TBDITWWW has NEVER been delinquent, severely or otherwise, on ANY account in her life, and this statement caused both of us severe mental anguish due to our horrible suspicion that in order for Experian to report delinquencies on her credit report, someone must have stolen her identity.

As suggested in the letter from Target National Bank (aka Despicable Pieces of $h*t), TBDITWWW immediately requested her credit report from Experian, and we both nervously awaited its arrival, trying to figure out how best to handle a case of identity theft. We both had numerous sleepless nights worrying about it.

Well, the credit report arrived in about a week, and there were about 16 pages of accounts in good standing, and NO delinquencies at all. NOT ONE.

WTF? WTF*ingF??????????????? Those DPOS are lying.

TO BE CONTINUED....

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers!

Outrage of the Day

2009-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Read it and weep:

Taxpayer-funded Goldman Sachs profits

WTF?

Somebody get me my pitchfork....

Anyhoo, try to have a happy Monday, Paycheckers!

Good Article of the Day for Thursday

2009-04-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

I particularly agree with number 9.

Ten principles for a Black Swan-proof world (Requires free registration--PIA, but worth it.)

Happy Thursday, Paycheckers! One more day to go!

Quote of the Day

2009-04-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." --James Madison.

_________________________________

Something to think about.

_________________________________

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers! Only two more days to go!

A Public Service Announcement

2009-04-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday, Paycheckers!

Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One

2009-04-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

I hope your weekend was as good as mine was!

Now, back to reality. Please read the linked transcript. It is very important. Although fraud is and has always been illegal, it seems that it is allowable for the banksters.

William K. Black Interview

Remember, knowledge is power.

Happy Monday, Paycheckers!

Quote of the Day:

2009-04-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

"If it makes sense to increase profits by outsourcing skilled labor, let's save big money by outsourcing the most uncompetitive worker in the U.S. corporate hierarchy: the CEO."

--Kevin Danaher and Jason Mark, AlterNet.org

Happy Thursday, Paycheckers
(aka S.H.I.T. day -- Sure Happy Its Thursday!)

Well said....

2009-04-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Link of the day:

FINANCIAL TERRORISM AND YOU

A "must-read" for all concerned Americans!

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers. Only 2 more days to go!

So Sorry....

2009-03-30T12:46:00.001-07:00

Another "Re" word.

I hereby apologize to the following:

1) My hairdresser. Despite the fact that you are a great beautician, I will not be able to come to the salon for a haircut on a regular basis anymore.
2) My dog groomer (and my dog). Sorry, no more monthly "poufs" for my dog; maybe every 4 months or so from now on.
3) The local Italian restaurant (or any other restaurant, for that matter). Sorry, no more pizza take-out, Saturday burritos, or special holiday treats for me.
4) Various charities. Sorry, Sister Alice Mary at St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels. I will no longer be able to contribute. Sorry, Cancer Society, etc. I'm tapped out for now.
5) Ralph's Supermarket. Don't expect me to spend as much on groceries this year. I will be making more things from scratch and will be buying cheaper items, such as lentils.
6) Any other retail establishment, local or nationwide, at which I normally spend my disposable income.

You see, I have no more disposable income. I have just received, along with all other employees at my company, a REDUCTION in salary.

Therefore, the "Re" word of the week is REDUCE. I know all of you count on your customers, but many of your customers are getting their salaries reduced and/or losing their jobs, thanks to the corporate financial wizards. I guess you all will have to reduce your spending, too. Since you may be customers (or may be customers of customers) of my company, I hope this doesn't come back to bite them.

Happy Monday, Paycheckers.

The Road to Hell....

2009-03-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

I don't always agree with Daniel Pinchbeck, but I like this paragraph from his essay:

"...we are receiving harsh lessons in the power of intention on a vast scale. Over the last decades, the international financial elite manipulated the markets to create obscene rewards for themselves at the expense of poor and middle class people across the world. Using devious derivatives, cunning CDOS, and other trickery, they siphoned off ever-larger portions of the surplus value created by the producers of real goods and services, contriving a debt-based economy that had to fall apart. Their own greed — such a meager, dull intent — has now blown up in their faces, annihilating, in slow motion, the corrupt system built to serve them." --Daniel Pinchbeck, "The Intention Economy"

Hey Everybody, It's Schadenfreude Time Again!!!!

2008-10-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

Click here for a good laugh:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Happy Monday, Paycheckers!

Something Worth Considering...

2008-10-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

From my list of "Re" words, the word for today is: reinvent.

A relevant excerpt from an essay by a really intelligent man:

"I see the necessity of massive debt forgiveness becoming a reality. You can’t move when your debt swallows your entire paycheck, and that is what has been done on a grand level. Since much of this debt is based on fraud, it would not just be an act of altruism. I see the necessity of the world’s economies switching to a more qualitative and non-material basis of worth and well-being.

Environmentally, financially, and spiritually we can’t continue to simply materially grow and consume. We need to invest real money and commitment into developing non-scarce, non-polluting assets that have intrinsic (rather than simply instrumental) worth and actually increase in value the more they are shared. I see education and learning as possible goods that fit this criteria. Intercultural exchange of music, language, and appreciation might be another. Lastly, I think we will need huge investments in infrastructure and ingenuity, including communication networks social media, alternative energy, and so forth. These will both enhance the ability to develop non-scarce, non-material goods, but also allow for a physical renaissance in which scarcity is transformed into abundance. It is possible, and many people are already making the move. It will be interesting to see if the present crisis contributes or detracts from the shift." -- Zeus Yiamouyiannis, Ph.D

I'll drink to that. See the entire essay at: http://www.oftwominds.com/journal08/zeus9a-08.html

Happy Thursday, Paycheckers! Only one more day left!

Have you seen this? A little humor....

2008-10-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Dear American:

I need to ask you to support an urgent secret business relationship with a transfer of funds of great magnitude.

I am Ministry of the Treasury of the Republic of America. My country has had crisis that has caused the need for large transfer of funds of 800 billion dollars US. If you would assist me in this transfer, it would be most profitable to you.

I am working with Mr. Phil Gram, lobbyist for UBS, who will be my replacement as Ministry of the Treasury in January. As a Senator, you may know him as the leader of the American banking deregulation movement in the 1990s. This transactin is 100% safe.

This is a matter of great urgency. We need a blank check. We need the funds as quickly as possible. We cannot directly transfer these funds in the names of our close friends because we are constantly under surveillance. My family lawyer advised me that I should look for a reliable and trustworthy person who will act as a next of kin so the funds can be transferred.

Please reply with all of your bank account, IRA and college fund account numbers and those of your children and grandchildren to wallstreetbailout@treasury.gov so that we may transfer your commission for this transaction. After I receive that information, I will respond with detailed information about safeguards that will be used to protect the funds.

Yours Faithfully Minister of Treasury Paulson

Happy Thursday, Paycheckers.

A List for You...

2008-10-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a list by Ben Stein for your reading pleasure today:

How to Ruin the U.S. Economy

I don't always agree with Ben, but this time I think he is absolutely correct. I particularly like #6 on the list:

"6) Allow the creation of large betting pools called "hedge funds" that can move markets and control the outcome of trading, thus taking a forum for savings and retirement for families and making it into a rigged casino game that exists primarily to fleece suckers like ordinary working men and women."

Happy Wednesday, Paycheckers!

This is what we're all working and investing for....

2008-10-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

In organized crime circles, this kind of thing used to be called a "bust-out."

Check out what this despicable POS got for bankrupting his company.

This should be illegal. Oh, wait--it probably is. How about some forefeiture and jail time for corporate looters????????

Happy Tuesday, Paycheckers!

Back to Work--It's Monday!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"...America does not have a debt problem. We have a political problem. We have created a system where secret governments can steal and have Congress, the U.S. Treasury, and the Federal Reserve replace whatever they stole. The theory is that the end of the world will come unless we bail them out. That is not true, for all the reasons you learned in kindergarten about letting bullies have their way.

....If there is to be any blessing in this housing bill, perhaps it will be to so offend, so disgust those of us who are awake that the process of withdrawing from the old and reinvesting in the new models will accelerate. And maybe the smartest and most creative among us will be willing to invest the time and energy it takes to reinvent a model that incorporates what we like to think are traditional American values. These are the values that are enduring and make us proud to be Americans still. There is no hint of these values in the housing bill. There is, however, an abundance of them in the hearts and minds of the people."

-- Catherine Austin Fitts, http://www.solari.com/

Happy Monday, Paycheckers!

Banker BS Bingo

2008-10-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is great....

Click here to play Banker Bullsh*t Bingo

Have fun.

The "RE" Word.

2008-10-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

There is no recession. There is no recession. There is no recession.

That's what we've been hearing for the past year from the establishment hacks.

Then, all of a sudden, it's: "GIVE US $700 BILLION OR THERE WILL BE A DEPRESSION!"

Funny, huh? No one would even admit to the "RE" word (recession), but now we need to prevent a depression.

At the beginning of 2008, a friend sent me an astrological forecast for the year that mentioned some other "RE" words, ones that I took to heart and decided to embrace in 2008 and beyond.

Since I knew then that, contrary to public opinion, we were already in a recession, I made a list of "RE" words that were important to me and that I would use to guide my actions:

reuse
recycle
repurpose
redo
rethink
replay
reconnect
reinvent
restore
revamp
rescript

Maybe recessions aren't such a bad thing. Maybe tough economic times bring out the best in us. Maybe we learn what is really important.

I hope so. I encourage everyone to try living by some "RE" words. In bad economic times (or good), it certainly can't hurt.

Have a good Friday, Paycheckers.

I'm Back.

2008-09-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them, will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." -- Thomas Jefferson

Need I say more?

Happy Monday, Paycheckers.

Frugal Friday

2007-10-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I am done with my paid work for today and can finally do some bloggin'!

This has been a good week: my paycheck was slightly early, the busiest time of the month is behind me, and I can begin setting priorities (both work and personal) for October.

The highest personal priority for me this month is to practice frugality on a higher level. I'm taking it up a notch, folks!

One of the ways I can be more frugal is to make use of things I have on hand when planning meals this week. I just checked the freezer and found an unopened bag of frozen chicken breasts. In the pantry, I have some canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, and in the refrigerator I have some white wine and grated parmesan cheese.

This means all I have to buy are some onions and a box of whole wheat spaghetti and I'll be ready to fire up the crock pot and make Chicken Cacciatore for our weekend dinners. Yippee! We'll have leftovers for the week, too, and all for the price of some onions and spaghetti.

Any money I save this month on groceries will be put towards paying down debts. This is another step I'm taking to improve my finances and help fund my escape from the paycheck economy. What are some of your steps?

It's Friday, and you know what that means--I get to celebrate!!! I've got a bag of microwave popcorn with my name on it and a book I bought with a gift certificate back in May and I plan to thoroughly enjoy kicking back and reading for the remainder of the afternoon!

Happy Friday, paycheckers!

Thankful Thursday

2007-10-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday often reminds me of what I am thankful for, especially in the fall. I think that's because Thanksgiving is in the fall and it is always on Thursday. At any rate, here are some of the things I am thankful for today:

Family and friends, of course!
Being born in what is still (arguably) the best country on the face of the earth.
Interesting work to do and wonderful people to do it with.
Credit that is available to me in case of emergencies.
My beautiful dog, Tiny Chalupa, "The Best Little Dog in the Whole Wide World."

There are many more things for which I am thankful, but those are the things that came to mind right now. What are you thankful for? Let me know.

Happy Thursday, Paycheckers. The picture of Tiny Chalupa is to brighten up your day!

My Opinion re: Outsourcing Labor Costs

2007-09-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

Any questions???

Life on the Hamster Wheel

2007-09-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I have not posted since Sunday. This week has been one endless loop on the Hamster Wheel--extremely hectic at work and problems with low-life neighbors and incompetent apartment management company at home, among other things.

On the plus side, there were no unanticipated budget breaker expenses this week.

On the minus side, groceries and gas keep getting more and more expensive. I am a consultant, and since there was a holiday at the beginning of the month, I won't make as much this month as I had hoped. Oh well, I sure did enjoy the holiday, so that is some consolation.

Since it is finally Friday, I am going to have myself a frosty glass of beer to celebrate, and kick back and watch TV. Not for too long, though--the Hamster wheel keeps turning!

Happy Friday, paycheckers!

Schadenfreude Saturday

2007-09-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

Housing Woes Go South!

I’m sorry, but it does my heart good to read an article in the online L.A. Times today entitled “U.S. housing woes go south -- to Baja.”

The sub-heading says it all: “'Flippers' from California who invested in the construction boom on the northern Mexican coast are now finding it difficult to unload their condos.”

Some snippets as reported by Marla Dickerson:

“Ground zero was this mid-sized community about 20 miles south of Tijuana, where developers sold hundreds of condominiums on spec. Most jacked up their prices as their projects filled, fueling a sense of urgency among U.S. buyers to get in while the getting was good.”

“Greed has turned to regret for some investors who now can't sell their Mexican properties.”

“Flippers who can't find buyers will have to come up with the cash to honor their contracts, or secure Mexican mortgage financing at rates as high as 12%.”

”Those that can't close the deals risk forfeiting their down payment, often 30% of the purchase price.”

Wow, that just made my day. Hope it makes your day, too. Karma, anyone?

Happy Saturday!

Sub-Prime

2007-09-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

This month I’ve been making an effort to improve my financial position. I am determined to pay off my credit cards and loans and increase my savings. (Actually, to save anything would be an increase.) I recently made a list of all the bills and am now keeping track of everything I spend. This is step one (of many).

On another note, I’ve been reading about how our politicians want to help the people who are losing their houses because they cannot afford the payments on their sub-prime liar loans. Funny, the politicians refused to help people who lost jobs a few years ago when companies started offshoring their work. I guess if you are irresponsible, then you should get help from your fellow taxpayers, otherwise, you are on your own. This is another wonderful feature of the Paycheck economy, brought to you by our master manipulators.

I wonder if the mortgage help is for the benefit of the home owners or the bankers. Hmmmmmm….

Happy Thursday, paycheckers!

What's Your Excuse?

2007-09-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

You are probably wondering how I ended up stuck in the paycheck economy, with no end in sight. Well, here are my (lame) excuses/reasons:

1) Selected bad mates
2) Became a single parent due to widowhood
3) Stayed too long at a job because it was close to home near children
4) Developed debilitating levels of fatigue due to arthritis and diabetes
5) Spent small inheritances by taking time off from work to get some rest
6) Was unable to find new job for almost 2 years after a layoff
7) Ran through savings while out of work
8) Too tired to work at two jobs for long enough to get clear of debt

I may have missed some....now, if you care to share, what are yours?

Tomorrow, will discuss plans for the future. Have a great day!

Back to Work

2007-09-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the Labor Day holiday is over and it is back to work for most of us. Hope everyone had a great weekend. At my house, we had one of our "kitchen" barbeques, where we grill hot dogs on a stove top grill (hey, it was about 112 degrees outside). I made Sabrett-style onions for the hot dogs, corn on the cob, chili beans, and potato salad and we chowed down!

Over dinner, my daughter and I discussed (of course) the state of the economy. She told me of reading in the newspaper about banks with large inventories of foreclosed homes who would rather let these houses sit empty than reduce the prices. What we have noticed of late is this: many organizations seem to think that the "market price" of something is the price they wish to get for that something when they sell it. If they are unable to get their desired price, they refuse to take what they consider "below market price." Consequently, they are stuck with lots of unsold houses and unrented apartments, and they wonder why. Hey banks and landlords--here's a clue: the market price is what people are actually willing to pay for the thing being sold, not what you wish they would pay.

As usual, we could only shake our heads and wonder about how divorced from the constraints of reality some of these entities are. Then we continued to snarf our "kitchen" barbeque.

Now get back to work!!!!! LOL

My Stress Reliever

2007-09-03T10:01:00.001-07:00

In the Paycheck Economy, we are subject to numerous forces beyond our control. We plan for emergencies, we put away money for a rainy day, we borrow if need be, but all the plans can go astray if those who are controlling our economy decide to make unanticipated (by us) changes to the way certain portions of the economy are functioning, usually at the behest of some of their cronies.

Happenings beyond my control have, in the past, caused me great stress, but I have learned and continue to learn how to cope with stress. One way, which I present to you at left, is by making collages out of bits of materials that I recycle from junk mail, newspapers, magazines, etc. These are a labor of love, and I will display more of them as time goes on. Have a happy and safe Labor Day.

I Finally Did It!

2007-09-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to start a blog for the longest time, and here it is! I will be writing about what life is like for those of us surviving in the "paycheck" economy, where although many of us make a decent amount of money, there is little left at the end of the pay period. In some ways this is a blessing--there is not much to lose if and when (probably when) the macro economy goes south, but for the most part, we struggle, taking one step forward and two steps backward each year, never seeming to get ahead. At any rate, life in this portion of the economy is always challenging and rarely boring. Let's examine how we all got here and how we can improve our financial situations.