Health "Care"

"Just nine people accounted for nearly 2,700 of the emergency room visits in the Austin area during the past six years at a cost of $3 million to taxpayers and others, according to a report. The patients went to hospital emergency rooms 2,678 times from 2003 through 2008, said the report from the nonprofit Integrated Care Collaboration, a group of health care providers who care for low-income and uninsured patients."

More Opinons on the Economy

Moe, over at Jezebel, thinks Wall St should go fuck itself. I concur. The country probably wouldn't be in so much trouble if lenders hadn't been so damned greedy for the past few years, giving out loans to anyone and everyone without so much as checking an applicant's ability to actually repay said loan. What, did they think the bubble would never pop? All bubbles eventually burst. Oh, and There are no guarantees in the stock market.

However, don't fret! Our old pal Dick says "we're [just] going through a rough patch." Ya think? Bet he doesn't lose any sleep at night, since his financial well-being is tied up in Halliburton, which is doing quite well, thanks to our unending war in Iraq (and our distraction from Iraq, thanks to fears about the economy).

Economist Joseph Stiglitz says:

"Think about it this way: the war has cost each American family about $30,000. That's more money than some families make in a year. For others, it might not bankrupt them, but it could sure make a difference. It's about the price of a new car - whether you wanted to buy the car or not."

Wow. A new car I'll never have.

Actually, it's not the "car" I'm upset about. It's the blind leadership we've had in politics and the financial world for the past few years that makes me sad. Five years after starting the Iraq war, Dub-Dub has the gall to say it has been "worth it." Wow, what planet is he living on?

$10 million?

Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, just gave Scientology $10 million bux. They gave her an "award". As for whether her soul is saved by Xenu or if she'll get 70 virgins in the afterlife, no one yet knows. Her bank account, however, is most definitely emptier.

How to make a million

This page shows you how to save now to be a millionaire by age 65. It's actually not hard to do. Well, that is, if you're not living paycheck to paycheck or neck-deep in debt like most people.

Holidays on the Cheap

This year I've been clipping and using coupons, shopping sales, and scoring unique items at thrift stores to take full advantage of my $100 holiday budget. So far, I've gotten all my family's (save for one brother), my squirrelly student workers, and my colleagues gifts, all for $52! How can you do Christmas on the cheap? Easy!

Here are some tips I'd like to pass on for being frugal yet classy this Christmas:

• Craft stores like Joann's and Hobby Lobby have ridiculous sales on holiday crafty shit this time of year. Right now all kinds of stuff is on sale for 40-50% off. Wrapping paper and cards are on sale, so are packing materials and gift tags. If you shop the sales you can get materials to make holiday tokens and cards for everyone in your office for under $15! YES! $15 total.
• Try buying blank postcards or scrapbooking paper. Buy one holiday-themed rubber stamp and stamp pad in the color of your choice, and a set of 25 mini-ornaments. Stamp the cards, sign your name, and punch a hole in the side to tie the ornament on. Voila! Instant coworker gift! No wrapping, taping or gluing required. Best of all, those people that drive you crazy all year will think you're a really nice person. Even better? You're only out a few bucks. (If you shop smart,* that is.)
• Have friends who like weird things or collect oddball objects? Head to the Goodwill and score 99 cent glass tumblers, $2 candle holders, or $3 abandoned but hilarious artwork. You can also get cool things like tennis rackets, coffee mugs, funky lamps, and funny/hip t-shirts for ridiculously low prices. Not only is the item probably one of a kind, but the purchase price goes toward helping someone get a job. Win-win, eh?
• Christmas cookies. Who doesn't love cookies? It's not like they're hard to make, either. After you bake them, place them in clear cellophane bags and tie with holiday-colored ribbon. Pass 'em out like candy. Oh, candy in a gift bag is another cheap but welcome gift! You can theme this idea to whatever holiday it is you celebrate.
• Time. Know someone who hates grocery shopping or can't get out to the dry cleaners regularly? Make a coupon book. Yep, one of those dork-ass but lovable coupon books full of favors. The recipient turns in a coupon, you do what it says. Since you're making the gift, don't put anything on the coupons you don't want to do, like grocery shopping or going to the dry cleaners. Doing that would just be stupid.
• Mix-CDs are always cool. Come on, you've got a huge stash of CDs and an even-bigger collection of mp3 files, why not burn a disc and make purty artwork for it? Who cares if it's a CD full of heavy metal hits and the recipient is wayyy into John Tesh? Think of your gift as a cultural exchange or at least a ticket out of Lamesville for them.
• Hard liquor. This time of year can be stressful. A cheap bottle of booze can go a long way for someone who's stressed out from shopping, decorating, or pretending to enjoy their family's company during the holidays! Make sure to buy it in a plastic bottle -- that way when that special someone reaches the bottom of said bottle and lobs it at the nearest relative, nobody gets seriously hurt.

So there you have it! Some easy and cheap tips for gift giving and holiday survival! May your wallet remain fat, your thighs thin, and your sanity intact! Seasons Greetings and to all a good night!

*S-Mart. Duh.

What Would Jesus Buy?

That's the question posed by this documentary of the same name.

I like Christmas. Not for religious reasons, but because it's the time of year that everyone seems to be nice to their fellow human beings just because. I really love giving presents and I also enjoy getting them. Sure, presents are nice, but who really needs that 3rd DVD player, the $35,000.00 dragon topiary, or that expensive gizmo that's just going to sit in the garage? The greed in the air can get quite breathtaking. The load of commercial consumerist crap seems to grow larger and larger every year, but I try to tune that out and enjoy the carols, the lights, and most of all, the food.

I saw stores putting out Christmas decorations and other holiday swag for sale in September this year. (Or was it August?!) There are already countless reports of how our economy desperately depends on holiday sales. Wow, there's unnecessary pressure for ya. I also know that I won't have any more money the month of December than I did in November, so I won't be cruising on guilt, economic or otherwise, and rushing out to buy gifts for everyone.

In fact, I plan on making gifts this year for people instead of buying them. Here's an idea: let's see if I can't have a gift for everyone I need/want to give one to and not spend over $100.00 USD. As in, $100.00 for all the gifts I'm giving this season, not each one. This means I'll make almost everything, or be creative with store-bought things.

Oh! The challenge is on, people! Let's make this Christmas The $100 Christmas. You can't spend more than $100 on holiday gifts on or before Dec 25th. That includes every trinket you buy for coworkers, the present you'll give your mom, the gift for your little nephew, etc. Also, you can offer services or barter for gifts, and buy secondhand to save something from the landfill. Join me! Don't go into debt this year! Feel good about sharing and caring. Avoid the mall! Figure out the meaning of truly giving to someone else, as in, sacrifice a little. It's worth it to see the smile on the recipient's face and still feel the jangle of change in your pocket.

Rocky Mountain Money

Colorado's state quarter is making the rounds. The design is quite lovely, but I have to say their choice of "Colorful Colorado" as the motto on the little banner is unfortunate.

Quarters are monochromatic and the motto just makes me feel like I'm missing out. Perhaps they should have gone with the more apt, "Colorado: quite pointy in parts."

Fuck You, Supreme Court

Yesterday the SC made it harder for workers to sue their employers for pay discrimination. Wow, so not only do I make 78 cents for every dollar a man does, I also can't do a damn thing about it (unless I can get proof within 6 months that someone else doing the same exact job is getting way more money). Gee thanks, Government!

From the "I Could Totally Do That" files

Wow, $73million for a painting of colorful squares. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Mr Rothko's work; however, I get frustrated because it often reminds me of the paintings I did in kindergarten.

Hmmm...perhaps mom kept those? I'll have to call her.

She loves the ladies

Well, I guess it's really not that shocking. Suze Orman, financial investment 'guru' admits she's a lesbian and a 55-year-old virgin. She's not a virgin in my book; she's been with her partner, K.T., for seven years. I find Orman kinda irritating as a television personality, but I'm glad she came out! Go Suze! Welcome to Tha Family!