To say those costs look surreal is an understatement.  I was only educated in the public school system after exiting the parochial school at age 6 because the nuns wouldn't address me in English and I wasn't familiar with French. Public schools and their sports programs were free, except there were no sports prog...more

Until we confront the knowledge that Americans have math problems, we'll continue to have budgeting problems. One area in which math plays a vital role is organization.  How it happens in 2010 forward that we don't require adequate and proper entitlement to benefits is beyond belief.  How it happens we don't moni...more

No.  It took me thirty more years in working experience to make minimum after finishing college. BUT i was deeply grateful even to earn the minimum, so all wasn't lost.    Here's tips from a been-there done-that senior.  Find a group of Been-theres and ask them to evaluate your background, presence, appearance,...more

I love animals but truth is they cost money. Case in point: several DECADES ago a cat developed a  respiratory problem which required vet treatment. Before the weekend ended, intensive care respiratory solutions totaled $1100.  Upon reaching $1100,  I authorized  the bubble-machine be stopped, paid the bill, griev...more

Consequences, consequences; perceived reactions to our intended actions, image, image.... To me, Penney's image was always modest, perhaps even low-cost discounted and frugal. I never would have twined necessary staff caliber with jet-set dynamics.  Shows how very biased some buying public is. Though flying coac...more

It makes complete sense.  Good health costs less to maintain than bad health.  To grasp the impact of Medicare costs we must acknowledge that those receiving specialized treatments cost the most to insure.  Thus, Americans must pay higher withholdings to receive coverage if the system is not to go broke.  But, IF...more

The good life requires good information, better application and terrific correctional redresses. Americans work hard to obtain the good life and to leave it as an inheritance to their progeny. Without EDUCATION we are bound to flounder and are gullible to superstition, fantasy, bullies and poverty.  EDUCATIONAL LAC...more

Because I'm forced to live frugally, I live frugally.  Before I was forced to live frugally  I lived economically or thrifty. When I lived thrifty, I was very proud of myself.  I bought second- hand clothing, repaired my dress shoes, refrained from attending events which charged fees, and only indulged in fast-fo...more

Live as though the object of the game were to save money, not spend it.  In the 50s, when the U.S. was acquiring a backlog and a surplus, many ate as though they were still on the farm. Vegetable soup was a normal not an unusual decade event as it appears to be now.  Shop monthly and very carefully and stop wast...more