tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345984692023-11-16T11:19:09.937-06:00Getting Your Financial House in OrderKimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-40363730117085096662010-03-24T13:56:00.001-05:002010-03-24T13:57:20.347-05:00Defining a "cadillac" healthcare planOkay, so I found several articles that seem to explain what the government calls a "cadillac" employer-paid healthcare plan:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/30/AR2009093004730.html
"><b>What Makes a Health Plan a 'Cadillac'?</b></a> (10.1.09) – by Keith B. Richburg, WashingtonPost.com</li>
<li><a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2232434/"><b>Do I have a "Cadillac Plan"?</b></a> (10.14.09) – by Christopher Beem, Slate.com</li>
<li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121704344.html"><b>'Cadillac Care' is largely a myth</b></a> (12.18.09) - by Allan Sloan, WashingtonPost.com</li>
<li><a href="http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=238360&format=print"><b>Serafini clarifies reference to 'Cadillac' health care plan</b></a> (1.21.10) - by Erin Julius, Herald-Mail</li></ul>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-14980079928810522622010-03-24T11:02:00.001-05:002010-03-24T11:04:18.306-05:00Healthcare reform<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aa32kl.M09T4">Health-Care Changes to Start Taking Effect This Year (Correct)</a> - reported on <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aa32kl.M09T4">Bloomberg.com</a> by Shannon Pettypiece and Alex Nussbaum. My thoughts? I need to get to the tanning salon ASAP since a new 10% tax kicks in starting July. But on a serious note, I still want to know what defines a "cadillac insurance plan." I want to know because all families with employer-paid insurance will face a hefty tax in 2018 (if not earlier). As soon as I find the details, I'll post it here. However, based on previous experience with government determinations in addition to my background as a benefits specialist for employers, "cadillac" will most likely include most employer-paid plans. As the saying goes, expect the worst so you won't be disappointed. Oh well, getting a tax-free tan in time for May graduation will cheer me up.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-55022466837269082662009-08-07T06:47:00.015-05:002009-08-07T07:34:32.415-05:00How healthcare reform will impact YOUIf you're wondering about the details embedded in the proposed healthcare act--carefully labeled by Congress as "H.R.3200: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009"--here's a sneak peek:<font face="ARIAL" size="-1"><ul><li> Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure.</li><li> Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed.</li><li> Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process).</li><li> Page 42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.</li><li> Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.</li><li> Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.</li><li> Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.</li><li> Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN).</li><li> Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.</li><li> Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans).</li><li> Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens.</li><li> Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.</li><li> Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.</li><li> Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.</li><li> Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.</li><li> Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run public plan. No alternatives.</li><li> Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND their families.</li><li> Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll.</li><li> Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll.</li><li> Page 167: Any individual without acceptable healthcare (according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.</li><li> Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes (U.S. citizens will pay for them).</li><li> Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records.</li><li> Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." Yes, it really says that.</li><li> Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and the poor most affected."</li><li> Page 241: Doctors: no matter what speciality you have, you'll all be paid the same (thanks, AMA!).</li><li> Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional judgment, etc.</li><li> Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcare industries.</li><li> Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.</li><li> Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!</li><li> Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions.</li><li> Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the government.</li><li> Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited from owning and investing in healthcare companies.</li><li> Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval.</li><li> Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on "community" input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN.</li><li> Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures: i.e., rationing.</li><li> Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.</li><li> Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals.</li><li> Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by phone).</li><li> Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?</li><li> Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time.</li><li> Page 425: Goverment provides approved list of end-of-life resources, guiding you in death.</li><li> Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment; government dictates how your life ends.</li><li> Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.</li><li> Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life.</li><li> Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.</li><li> Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN.</li><li> Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government intervenes in your marriage.</li><li> Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating and rationing those services.</li></ul></font><br /><b><i>Source: <a href="http://digg.com/health/How_Health_Care_Reform_Would_Impact_You">Digg.com</a></i><br />Full text <i>(warning: long download)</i>: <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3200">www.govtrack.us</a><br />Full text also online at <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:h3200">The Library of Congress “Thomas”</a> site <i>(sections allow for faster, easier viewing)</i>.</b>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-52535587176138818132009-06-04T15:41:00.004-05:002009-06-04T15:45:26.282-05:00Worried about privacy? You should be.What a busy day! I reported live on a teleconference that impacts all of us--please read my new post on government regulations requiring employers to collect and report employee and dependent personal information to a federal agency: <a href="http://mynewsmuse.blogspot.com/2009/06/update-on-new-government-regulation.html">"My News Muse" <b>here</b></a>.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-26217928971872589382009-03-24T09:26:00.006-05:002009-03-24T09:33:24.164-05:00Debt, debt, debtFrom twitter fans, I learned about this incredibly informative blog entry by James Quinn, <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/90892-the-great-consumer-crash-of-2009">"The Great Consumer Crash of 2009."</a> It's long but definitely worth a read. Scroll down to check out the graphs he included that provide valuable visuals that reveal what's happening.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-92091591120692042402009-01-18T16:01:00.008-06:002009-01-18T16:14:46.212-06:00Need help with DTV conversion?My DTV coupon cards may have expired, but that won't stop the transition from coming. So here are some tips I came across that you may find helpful as well:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/2008/11/18/how-to-install-that-digital-converter-box/5188/"><b>"How to install that digital converter box"</b></a> - great tips thanks to Gadgetress.</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/overview/dtv-converter-box-guide.htm"><b>"<i>Consumer Reports</i> Guide to Converter Boxes"</b></a> - Lots of good information, plus read the product reviews <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/ratings/dtv-converter-boxes-ratings.htm"><b>here</b></a>.</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/pdf/L202.pdf"><b>NO SALES TAX</b></a> on the $40 coupon when you purchase your converter box using the DTV government card (.pdf file).</li></ul>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-77305962145014461542009-01-18T15:18:00.007-06:002009-01-18T16:00:49.642-06:00DTV expired coupons?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2ZnQ-BSBwiY1W70nlHVTcXqtBQdKD0zVchBJ-cEHakqshtIQTUc63iGx8kMUnvJUUnZkTvJYdPpIg1B8nzde0FmG2ulh6n28qFTMDFKYQeXaFOOzF-ZQkEIfAe6tfTKDdY35/s1600-h/dtvcoupon.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2ZnQ-BSBwiY1W70nlHVTcXqtBQdKD0zVchBJ-cEHakqshtIQTUc63iGx8kMUnvJUUnZkTvJYdPpIg1B8nzde0FmG2ulh6n28qFTMDFKYQeXaFOOzF-ZQkEIfAe6tfTKDdY35/s200/dtvcoupon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292755697432254754" /></a>Did you order your DTV converter box coupon cards early (like me), but they expired (like mine)? <br /><blockquote>"According to NTIA statistics posted on December 31st the redemption rate of coupons is at 52.5%. DTV Coupons expire after 90 days, based on this 47.5% of all coupons mailed will have their value returned to the funding pool. If you have requested coupons you will be put in queue to receive your coupons when funding has been returned." (<a href="http://www.velocitystore.com/?page=news"><b>"DTV Coupon Availability Limited"</b></a>)</blockquote> <br />I thought I was being oh-so-efficient by ordering my family's DTV coupon card ahead of the rush last year. Only when they arrived did I discover they did not expire on the well-publicized transition date of 2/17/09--but in NINETY DAYs (July 23, 2008). <br /><br />Two problems: 1) Stores did not carry converter boxes in my area until Christmas. 2) But worse, and completely unexpected, our area suffered catastrophic devastation during the <a href="http://www.kimn.net/flood.htm"><b>June flooding of 2008</b></a>. My home was fine but the historic flood wiped out over 9 square miles of downtown Cedar Rapids, displacing over 26,000 residents and businesses. Our area was absolutely devastated and buying a TV converter box was by far the last thing on our minds. <a href="http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43572"><b>President Bush declared Iowa a disaster area</b></a>. Seven months later, Dave DeWitte of <b>The Gazette</b> reports that <a href="http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2131856/"><b>nearly half of the businesses in Cedar Rapids have not come back and are unaccounted for</b></a>.<br /> <br />After the flood, I spent the next 6 weeks volunteering during the massive recovery efforts. By the time I remembered our DTV coupon cards in August, they were expired. (Not that there were any converter boxes in our area anyway!) I sent an appeal through the <a href="https://www.dtv2009.gov/"><b>DTV website</b></a> in September but got not response, so I sent a second appeal today–-not that I expect any response now.<br /> <br />As for an expiration date, why didn’t the FCC set these coupon cards to expire on Feb. 17, 2009, the advertised date of transition? Why the 90 days? For those of us who ordered early, there were NO boxes available, no reviews, etc. I see NO reason at all for expiring them after 90 days. Not with a built-in advertised, well-publisized drop-dead date of Feb. 17, 2009.<br /> <br />And for those of us in disaster areas during 2008 and 2009 (<a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/395143_stormonline08.html"><b>Washington state suffered massive flooding this month</b></a>, just like Iowa) should be given extra time.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-64214436575731282612009-01-16T09:33:00.010-06:002009-08-07T08:12:43.649-05:00Tax evasion "innocent mistake"? I think not!A "no-duh" revelation: "Not paying your taxes is a growing problem in the public's eyes if you're the guy tapped to oversee the IRS." President-elect Obama calls it "an innocent mistake." <br /><br />However, according to a report by the Senate committee, Timothy Geithner had experience filing as a self-employed worker, handling taxes for a consulting business and for his wife's business. Furthermore, the IRS contacted Geithner in 2006 about his unpaid taxes, some of which he paid and some he ignored--until November 2008 when Obama prepared to nominate him for Secretary of the Treasury. <strike><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hj1yF_ptG-7vosxFrnx7fysb3IdgD95NR0GO0"><b>Read the full story here</b></a></strike>.<br /><br /><font color="RED"><B>UPDATE</b></font> - the Associate Press removed the story from the link above, so try this one from <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/obama-geithner-s-tax-errors-an-innocent-mistake-1.886851?print=true"><b>Newsday.com</b></a>.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-69927681875857471302009-01-02T00:46:00.002-06:002009-01-02T00:52:41.114-06:00Mortgage rates lowest in 37 years30-year mortgage rate falls for the ninth week in a row...<br />"The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.10% for the week ending Dec. 31, down from 5.14% last week and 6.07% a year ago. The mortgage rate hasn't been lower since Freddie Mac started the Primary Mortgage Market Survey in 1971." <br /><br />Time to refinance? Perhaps. If you save more than 2 points or 2 percent of your mortgage loan, it's worth it. For instance, on a $150,000 mortgage, 2 points is $3,000 ($150,000 x 2% = $3,000). If your reduced monthly payment adds up to $3,000 over the next three years, it's definitely worth it. <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/30-year-mortgage-rate-falls-ninth/story.aspx?guid=%7B54837020%2D904F%2D4B5F%2DBAB7%2D21F9BC25AC4E%7D&dist=msr_7"><br />Read more here</a>.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-6253276967372770872008-12-14T10:15:00.007-06:002008-12-14T10:33:16.562-06:00New credit card rules coming Thursday<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BC1YK20081213?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews"><b>Banks and consumers brace for new credit card rules</b></a><br /><blockquote>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. credit card industry, harshly criticized for imposing surprise fees and interest rate hikes on consumers, may face a day of reckoning on Thursday.<br /><br />The Federal Reserve is to vote on credit card reforms that may bring some relief to customers who face a variety of ways for being hit with late fees, universal defaults, shorter payment periods and confusing payment allocations for different balances.<br /><br />Credit card users likely also would see easier-to-read tables in their monthly statements as a result of the changes.</blockquote> Also in this report: "In 2007, Americans were using an estimated 694.4 billion credit cards with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover logos, according to the Card Industry Directory."<br /><br /><b>Additional news sources following this story:</b><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/17/AR2008041703660.html"><b>Washington Post</b></a> - "Fed Drafting New Credit Card Rules"</li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/business/02card.html?fta=y"><b>New York Times</b></a> - "Agency Seeks New Credit Card Rules"</li><li><a href="http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/what-the-new-credit-card-rules-mean-1282.php"><b>CreditCards.com</b></a> - "What the new credit card reforms may mean for you"</li></ul> And a quick link to some helpful advice: <br /><a href="http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/credit/60-second-guide-to-managing-your-credit.aspx"><b>The Motley Fool at Fool.com</a> - "60-Second Guide to Managing Your Credit"</b>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-65005376252207172542008-12-04T01:23:00.006-06:002008-12-04T01:44:32.673-06:00Visual aid on financial crisis...Confused about the bailouts and bad mortgages, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, subprime whatchamacllits? Check out this handy <a href="http://flowingdata.com/2008/11/25/visual-guide-to-the-financial-crisis/"><b>flow chart</b></a> covering events from 2003 to present. <br /><blockquote>If you're like most people, you don't really know what's going on with the economy. You know there's something to do with loans and payments and what not, but not much else. [See this] <a href="http://flowingdata.com/2008/11/25/visual-guide-to-the-financial-crisis/"><b>"visual guide to the financial crisis"</b></a> - or a flow chart, rather - to clear up some of those cloudy details. It goes back to 2003 after the dot-com crash up to the recent government bailout.</blockquote><b>James</b> posted a thoughtful response with more info:<br /><blockquote>The above poster is a good start, but . . . it fails to back up to the late 90’s when Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are mandated to loosen lending standards for the “common good.” (not to mention free get out jail passes from Congress) Enter the era of “sub-prime” lending.<br /><br />This is, I believe, one of THE keys to fully understand the role policies the government has played. Of course, they don’t want you to know.<br /><br />It also glosses over the significant role derivatives and transaction based business models played. Some of those were employed to prop up Wall Street post-9/11. Decent intentions, bad implementation and outcome. Greenspan recently admitted to underestimating that individual greed could undermine “bank’s self regulation.”<br /><br />This collapse and bailout is a bailout of a failed bet on mandating sub-prime lending and their over-reaching into private lending (Freddie and Fannie). We’re left with the mess. </blockquote>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-69510616244179802802008-12-01T18:50:00.003-06:002008-12-01T19:17:28.112-06:00Free book!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_McOL3exKJCjQnzUiL4Tc8d7yMVL92hqBx2zvbKmwcPdpCcz-FhbMwajfkdRUuNdWxwK65s2WsP_POFPoqLDIX9SPu7kGDVWAKyjdYnvzMlqG2Z3_XyzMpTTevecsyFQFnBAq/s1600-h/GYFHIOtiltsmall.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 123px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_McOL3exKJCjQnzUiL4Tc8d7yMVL92hqBx2zvbKmwcPdpCcz-FhbMwajfkdRUuNdWxwK65s2WsP_POFPoqLDIX9SPu7kGDVWAKyjdYnvzMlqG2Z3_XyzMpTTevecsyFQFnBAq/s200/GYFHIOtiltsmall.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274989640665967634" /></a><br />Be the first to follow this blog and I'll send you a signed FREE copy of <i>Getting Your Financial House in Order</i>, the award-winning book I coauthored with Dave and Debbie Bragonier. Call it a gift rather than a bribe. Or just good business. :o)<br /><br /><i>(One book per person.)</i>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-54374640209721491932008-11-28T11:56:00.005-06:002008-11-28T12:02:48.853-06:0010 years onlineToday marks the 10-year anniversary of my Web site, <a href="http://www.kimn.net/"><b>The Write Place, Inspiration for Writers on the Web</b></a> (also known as <a href="http://www.kimn.net/">KIMN.net</a>), founded on November 28, 1998. <br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.kimn.net/GYFHIO.htm"><b>first chapter FREE</b></a> of <a href="http://www.kimn.net/GYFHIO.htm"><b><i>Getting Your Financial House in Order</i></b></a>, and take the fun <a href="http://www.kimn.net/financequiz.htm">finance quiz</a>.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-52296800704882029282008-11-25T18:58:00.019-06:002008-11-25T20:05:09.632-06:00Big Bad Bail-outsIs anyone else reeling from the recent and repeated announcements of various bail-outs from financial corporations on Wall Street to auto plants in Detroit? It's mind-numbing. After numbness comes anger. Wait for it...wait for it...it's coming....<br /><br />BUT NOW--breaking news just announced 10 minutes ago on <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081126/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown;_ylt=AkfruTKVNt2neFRkrodeg.DLLJ94"><b>Yahoo News</b>, "Massive new programs aimed at loosening credit"</a>: <blockquote>"[T]he Federal Reserve pledged <b>$800 billion</b> Tuesday [today] to blast through blockades on credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and other borrowing. Total bailout commitments, loans and pledges of backing neared a staggering <b>$7 trillion</b>."</blockquote> MORE OF TODAY'S HEADLINES:<ul><li><b>ABC News</b>, 11/25/08: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6332892&page=1">"Financial Bailout Balloons to the Trillions"</a></li><li><b>BostonHerald.com</b>, 11/25/08: <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2008_11_25_Bailout_tally_approaches__7_trillion/srvc=home&position=recent">"Bailout tally approaches $7 trillion"</a> - great timeline of events leading up to today's melt-down.</li><li><b>Time.com</b>, 11/25/08: <a href="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1862028,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-biztech">"Why Government Intervention Won't Last"</a></li></ul> So how does seven hundred billion dollars turn into seven TRILLION? I feel like swearing. I won't, but pardon me for pointing out the obvious--this is outrageous, ridiculous, insane and out-of-control. And could be cause for great concern. Check out my post today about it at <a href="http://mynewsmuse.blogspot.com/2008/11/america-in-danger.html"><b>MyNewsMuse</b></a>.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-20551837860580832272008-10-11T18:50:00.006-05:002008-10-11T19:01:33.684-05:00gas pricesCheck out this interactive chart comparing Iowa gas prices to the national average and more interestingly, both local and national prices compared to crude oil prices. Try clicking on the months and see what happens: <br /><!-- Start GasBuddy Code --><br /><table width="100%"><tr><td align="center" font-weight:bold; font-size:16px;></td></tr><tr><td align="center" id="gasbuddy_4323"><br /><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://df.gasbuddy.com/feed.gdf?k=ij663OsPKo97loc5TVzAWlwtD%2fhIiwX%2bpVltZB5stIKY5ALldwQK%2fSUh3Va0I8yKalo%2bqXTMtEu6GdBCfgPtcuDn8avfYUmj&i=4323"></script><br /></td></tr><tr><td align="center" style="font-weight:bold; font-size:11px;font-family:arial"><b><a id="PCa_sitenm" href="http://www.IowaStateGasPrices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx" target="_blank">Iowa Historical Gas Price Charts</a> Provided by <a href="http://www.GasBuddy.com" target="_blank">GasBuddy.com</a></b></td></tr></table><br /><!-- End GasBuddy Code -->Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-37326527732409005892008-09-17T06:16:00.009-05:002008-10-11T18:13:56.038-05:00Another bail-out?After the financial failures (and executive coverups) of <a href="http://www.time.com/time/2002/enron/"><b>Enron</b></a> and <a href="http://www.scu.edu/ethics/dialogue/candc/cases/worldcom.html"><b>Worldcom</b></a>, followed by the government bail-out of Bear Stearns, <a href="http://www.wnbc.com/money/17478794/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=money"><b>Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac</b></a>--and now the collapse of Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/09/17/lkl.suze.orman/index.html?iref=mpstoryview"><b>AIG </b></a>. Anyone else frustrated by the irresponsibility of corporate executives walking away with millions after their companies collapse, leaving an unconscionable burden on us taxpayers after We the People bail them out?<br /><br />What's next? Reuters announced this morning, "<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUKN1644235820080917"><b>After AIG rescue, Fed may find more at its door</b></a>."<br /><br />Now, on a personal finance level...I had AIG insurance for a brief six months, but the number of simple clerical errors exasperated me--they got my husband's and my birthdates wrong (not just switched, but completely different months and years!), then our drivers' license numbers wrong, and on and on. I called them more times in that first six months to request corrections to our account and our coverage than I've ever had to contact an insurance company in all the previous two decades! I immediately found another company and dumped AIG. <br /><br />After, I shook my head at their polished television ads while behind the scenes, AIG paid low-wage workers with, sad to say, matching IQs to handle accounts.<br /><br />Lesson? <i>Trust your instincts.</i> No matter what the purported reputation of a company, if they prove incompetent or questionable in simple matters, move on and find a company who proves to be more than style over substance, who invests in their customer service as well as their public persona.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-16662963513859470752008-08-13T22:46:00.005-05:002008-11-25T20:04:30.106-06:00Cost of flood recovery...Two months ago TODAY, the city of Cedar Rapids--my new home town--suffered from a catastrophic flood reaching an unprecedented historic level of 31.1 feet above normal and submerging approximately 1,400 city blocks, which displaced thousands of people from their homes and businesses. Local news sources compiled what the city has spent so far on recovery efforts:<br /><ul><li>Debris Removal $3,280,749.28 </li><li>Emergency Protective Measures $28,754,319.90 </li><li>Administration $2,138,222.92 </li><li>Roads & Bridges $20,474.22 </li><li>Buildings & Equipment $3,050,402.34 </li><li>Utilities $2,321.84 </li><li>Parks, Recreation & Other $9,634.13 </li><li>Operating Expenses $1,374,408.32 </li><li>Non Reimbursable $3,516,486.44 </li><li>Total Encumbered $42,147,019.39 </li></ul><i>"To date the City of Cedar Rapids has encumbered $42 million in expenditures related to the June 2008 flood . . . the majority of cost incurred by the City relate to emergency protective measures which include cleaning and securing facilities, professional services, overtime of employees, and materials purchased such as sandbags. Non reimbursable cost includes matching funds to the Job and Small Business Recovery Fund and financial advisor assistance."</i>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-36955747053292901022008-08-08T23:28:00.003-05:002008-08-08T23:47:54.947-05:00Noticing numbersI have nothing really pithy to share but this fun fact: it is August 8th, 2008, which as a trinumerical makes it 08-08-08. In China, the number 8 is considered lucky, but do you know why? I don't, but consider this: the Chinese character for boat or ship includes two components on the right side for "eight" (ba) and "mouth" (kou). Could this be a reference to the 8 souls saved during the catastrophic world-wide flood described in Genesis 7:13? (Noah, his three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah's wife and the three sons' wives.) Lucky, indeed. Also, turn the number 8 sideways and you have the mathematical symbol for infinity. Cool.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-83910305664990996882008-06-18T07:43:00.002-05:002008-06-18T07:51:25.588-05:00Flood plainsIf you've noticed the national news coverage of the Midwest floods, or if you live in one of the flooded areas, you might have wondered about the terms "100-year" and "500-year" flood plains. Understanding these terms is vital when you consider purchasing a home or adding flood insurance to your coverage.<br /><br />It turns out these terms do not mean that this kind of catastrophic flooding occurs once every 100 or 500 years as many think, but rather, it is a statistical possibility that one out of 100 or one out of 500 floods will be that bad. <a href="http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/OPINION03/806180304">Read more about this in the <b><i>Iowa Press-Citizen</i></b></a>.Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-7840923502860533802008-02-29T14:23:00.001-06:002008-06-18T07:51:55.430-05:00Gas tips for Leap DaySave money on car repairs by thinking smart at the gas pump! These tips come from my father plus my own experience with cars over the years:<ul><li> <b>Avoid the build-up of condensation</b> in your gas line by filling up regularly--in winter, don't let your gas tank fall below <b>half-full</b> when the temperatures dip below freezing.</li> <br /><li> <b>Watch out for sludge!</b> Do NOT fill up when you see a tanker truck delivering gas at your regular station that day. If you ignore this advice and buy gas anyway, it's more likely the pump will suck up <b>particulates</b> and drop them into <i>your</i> gas tank from the sludge loosened or stirred up by the truck delivering the new supply. These particulates <b>clog your fuel injectors</b> and could cause a myriad of other problems. It's better to go somewhere else or wait until the next day. </li><br /><li> <b>What I call the "sludge principle" is true for <i>your</i> car, also</b>--as a general rule, <b>never</b> let your gas tank fall below a <b>quarter of a tank</b>. Otherwise, you risk sucking up the sludge that lies in the bottom of your own gas tank into your engine and gunking things up. <i>(An added benefit--if you never let your gas tank get below a quarter full, you'll never get stuck on the side of the road out of gas, something my poor husband has experienced twice--and me? Never.) </i> <img src="http://www.kimn.net/misc/smiley.gif" border="0"></li><br /><li> <b>Beware of "<a href="http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/16090382.html">bad gas</a>."</b> Buy your auto fuel from the same station, one you trust, after you see that your car continues running smoothly. If it runs terribly after you just filled up, <a href="http://www.kcrg.com/home/related/16090382.html"><b>it's a very good sign that you bought "bad gas,"</b></a> gasoline that was mixed with water or simply not processed correctly. </li></ul>Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34598469.post-52384625227273995232007-12-28T14:53:00.001-06:002008-06-18T07:52:41.468-05:00Need help?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKxXFvXFRr4EERhxke_I44MV67QOJPSb1U8MThtS4qm95eXXh2_ceWP9cIvNW6T6gOX6Xnou0BcYXLI7_Gmozuv4sNwsCbX0-vabR3krn48PMvkvs1r2weSgLp2wZkDdPIzS/s1600-h/gyfhiotilt.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKxXFvXFRr4EERhxke_I44MV67QOJPSb1U8MThtS4qm95eXXh2_ceWP9cIvNW6T6gOX6Xnou0BcYXLI7_Gmozuv4sNwsCbX0-vabR3krn48PMvkvs1r2weSgLp2wZkDdPIzS/s200/gyfhiotilt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149131622129156082" /></a><br />When Dave and Debbie Bragonier contacted me to write <i>Getting Your Financial House in Order</i>, I had read many financial books. Their concept was cool, though--each chapter is a room in a house that relates to a financial area of life. <a href="http://www.kimn.net/GYFHIOfree.htm" target="_blank">Read the first chapter here FREE</a>. Start your New Year with a plan!Kimnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575198441540113122noreply@blogger.com0