DISQUS

BB,

I am not sure I see this conclusion play out in real life though. On the extreme end the 20 richest people in the world all had children. I know it is extreme but it would basically destroy the statistics that children = less wealth.

I will argue that the change that happens when maternal and paternal love springs from the deep changes your life forever. I know I am a living example, I know that I am probably happier and more fulfilled and with that becomes more motivated and driven. For me I know that is much wealthier since I got married and then had children. Just my take, I forget what the Millionaire Mind had to say on the issue.

Sid,

From my research I couldn't find any proof of that actual study being real. You can check out my research on my Yale goals study post. I still agree with the premise.

I understand that 300% sounds like a lot, but realize that we are talking say $70 on a two week loan of $600. I suspect that an interest rate like this is probably not to far off. Essentially I think they are saying that if 1/9 loans default they are breaking even. I don't know the real statistics, but I would assume for the payday loan population this doesn't sound out of line.

With that said of course something needs to be done, although I am not sure government is the answer. How about picketing? How about changing public opinion? How about financial education and counseling? How about getting our hands dirty and changing lives rather than trying to fix a symptom. The problem is people trapped in cycles of poverty and addiction, payday loans aren't the problem.

I like the sound of churches getting involved or non profits that form relationships, lend money, teach, save, and inspire. Now those are steps towards a real solution.

Right on joekc and others a long the same path.

I think most people agree even Rene Marie said that as an artists she go overboard when giving the opportunity to make an artistic statement. Agreeing to sing one song and singing another was inappropriate, period.

With that said there is a racial component here. Would people care much if she song God Bless America to the same tune, most likely not. It would have blown over quickly.

Let's not blow this thing out of proportion. She sang a beautiful song in a beautiful way at the wrong time, but I for one can appreciate the beauty and artistic expression of it all. I don't think it was meant to be divisive and tear the nation apart, so let's learn to appreciate our differences rather than use them to divide while accepting that this was a bad choice.

The ATM thing kind of skeeves me out for some reason. The act should be intentional and personal not rote habit.

I stopped trying to remember my check book a year or so ago(because I couldn't), and started using free paper checks of the ING Electric Orange. Sometimes you do have to face the awkwardness(real or perceived) that we put on each other when people don't drop your envelope or cash in the bag/bucket/plate.

Our church does have an online giving portal, but it doesn't feel right either. Plus why would you want to give credit card companies 2.5% percent or so of your tithe.

Risk. That is the big variable in the equation that is often unseen. Any time you have debt, it is much more risky than not having debt. When you take out debt on top of debt to fund an investment that in and off itself is risky you are asking for trouble in my opinion. People don't plan for things like not being able to find decent renters, roof leak that costs $5000, loss of job, hassle of being a landlord, etc. All added risk. I would say pay off any other debts first, then make sure you are funding your retirement accounts to take advantage of tax breaks then focus on paying off the house. Simple and straightforward. Less fun and exciting? Maybe, but losing your neck isn't fun and exciting either.

The ironic part is often that we don't know what our needs are!

The thing is that people who don't or don't think they have enough money to buy in bulk, probably need to tackle larger finance and behavior issues before something like this would seem possible.

PS : One of the project wonderful ads in your right sidebar is probably fall in the risque category.

Electric Orange - Virtually free overdraft protection. I think ours is $165, but I haven't ever over drafted. $102 dollars in fees is ludicrous though, and they should have reversed all the charges if it was a first offense and the value you business. Sounds like it might be time for a new bank, although it is a pain to switch.

This is a nice little list, and all the ideas are great potential money makers.

I like make sure they don't become more trouble then they are worth. I always like to do a risk and time versus reward analysis. Often times the return on some activities is just a few dollars, but we go to the ends of the earth to get there. Like driving across town to get a few pennies cheaper in gas.

One late fee on a credit card ruins months of rewards, plus if things get tough, and sometimes life does, you are stuck with debt.

If you are constantly switching money between checking and savings, it is probably not worth the time and stress, or even a possible bounced check. Leave enough in your checking to not worry about having too little in there.

I think a lot of people just plan don't know. That is what you ran across, and in my experience most people just haven't learned blogging etiquette and don't know were to look.

Plenty of articulate people with a have great writing voice and like the blog outlet, but don't know much about computers or blogging. That is just my experience. I have yet to come across someone with those options set on purpose.

Most people have the goal of make money, or have fun.

I know that I have specific quantifiable goals for my blog, but I can't say the I have directly narrowed who my audience is and how I am going to be different. Not easy tasks to quantify without having some experience and time.