All Posts Tagged With: "money"

I will never understand people who use a credit card for everything!

AS for me, and my thrifty shopping habits: I always limit my spending to what I have in my bank account at the time (plus, as an avid saver, I always have extra cash when emergencies arise). Alright, alright … I kinda’ understand the “psychology” behind the credit card use: most people don’t feel as much of the pain of spending when they use plastic as opposed to cash…but I can’t understand this kind of talk: “I have plastic so I think I can afford more than I really can”. That just doesn’t register in my brain for some reason!

So you had a big balance on your cards (wasn’t too bright, you know)? You wanted to pay it back, but you were trying to make ends meet as well, am I right? Then when you got your credit card bill and saw the minimum amount due, I bet that very low amount enticed you to just pay it, and the extra money went towards other things like food and rent, correct? Did you answer “Yes” to all of these questions? Well then, fast forward a few years, and I also bet that you’ve finally figured out that instead of your ancient purchases getting paid off, your freaking amount grew out of control … now, when you finally look at the interest you’ve paid out over the years, you realize that it was as much as the original items you bought! Sound about right? Sucks, huh? Continued

Being true to yourself is not an easy thing to do in America!

It’s true: in this country, we’re judged by what we own, and what we do for a living … not who we are (note: you can thank the f-ing media for this phony bullshit)! That’s why it’s so hard to remain true to yourself … our whole freaking culture is based on competiveness, of which I don’t think is necessarily the worst thing in the world (our economy depends on it, after all) … it’s just the fact that we have been fully trained to define everyone as either winners or losers (“I don’t do that,” you say? Bullshit to that lie!). “He’s a janitor, so he must be a loser,” or, “He’s a Fortune 500 CEO, so he must be a winner,” is the kind of phony s@#t we’re taught to scream from the rooftops, all parrot-like!

It’s true (whether you want to admit it or not): we’re all guilty of judging people based on how they look, what cars they drive or the friends that they have! Here’s a question: have you ever been nervous to approach a person because they have a better job title than you? Sure you have! Have you ever avoided someone because they looked homeless? You better say “yes”! Well, judging others based on this irrelevant s@#t is kind of inevitable, so don’t feel bad since we all do it from time to time! Hey, it’s the first thing we see, right? However, I think some of us are really abusing the freaking system! Continued

“The Week in Review: Money Issues” is my weekly blog research on financial topics that define us as Americans, and shape the way we should do business.

Man, what a week I just had!

Ok, here goes the cool part: I was chilling in Key West, and got to live the Jimmy Buffett lifestyle for a while (I mean BEFORE he sold out, I mean!) and kicking back with my lady! Ready for the bad part? Ok, I was on antibiotics for this minor skin infection, and I shouldn’t have been in the sun or drinking … oops, too late! What resulted from this “oops”: a little sunburn (which hurts and itches) and a little thinning of hair on the top of my head (doc said it’s only temporary … he better be right! LOL). Ok, it’s not too bad, but it’s not cool, that for sure!

Well, let’s change the subject shall we? Good … here goes the best I could dig up for you this week! Enjoy: Continued

Want to discover your real purpose in life? NO, I’m not talking about your stupid job, your daily grind, or even your long-term goals … no, I mean the REAL reason why you’re placed on this earth — the very reason why you exist! Yes? Good, then let’s start …

Perhaps you believe that life has no meaning (note: that’s just freaking sad right there). Well, it doesn’t matter anyway, because not believing that you have a purpose won’t prevent you from discovering it, just as a lack of belief in gravity won’t prevent you from tripping all over the place. It’ll just take you a little longer to figure things out is all! Most likely though if you don’t believe you have a purpose, then you probably won’t believe what you’re reading right now anyway, but even so, what’s the risk of investing a little time and energy trying to figure this whole “purpose” thing out? Continued

Here’s a fact: most advertisements are full of s@#t (some more than others [see pic])!

Whether it’s on TV in a 30-second spot in between your favorite show, or in the weekly circulars that are tucked inside of your Sunday newspaper, you almost have to know that some advertising company was paid big bucks to make you do or buy something that you wouldn’t do or buy otherwise (not with a clear mind I should clarify here). So my advice to you is this: take these lies with a grain of salt, while you quickly turn up your bulls@#t meter a few notches at the same time!

Throughout my short life, I’ve met plenty of people and companies who are full of absolute s@#t, AND plenty who are as sincere and genuine as they come. The tricky part then comes when this person or company insists they are one way (like wholesome and good for you) yet their actions depict them in an entirely different light. When this crap-talking session occurs, you’re nostrils should begin to flare up, and when they’re saying that they are a certain way, but nothing in their past reflects this claim then this would be the perfect time to walk away from this bulls@#t (I mean right now … while they’re trying hard to suck you in!). Continued