Okay, anonymous. Now you've done gone and pissed me off. My reference to not "keeping up with the Joneses" in a recent comment on one of my own posts was related to the fact that bloggers don't compare themselves to one another. We're out here to have fun, to share fun information and sometimes, to vent. We're not about bragging or showing off.
I don't think that my husband, whether he's a doctor or a plumber, and I going on a vacation celebrating his 50th birthday is extravagant. I most certainly don't feel the need to justify that. We're not going to Kiawah, or Nantucket, or Europe or any other uber fancy place. That's not who we are. We're going to an ALL INCLUSIVE resort just north of Cancun. Check it out on Expedia...it's pretty reasonable. We're using our frequent flyer miles to get there.
We're not keeping up with anyone...just trying to get away on a nice vacation and take a break from working our arses off all the time. We EARNED it. It's PAID for. We won't be irresponsibly putting things on credit that we can't afford.
So, Anonymous, if you really want to let your voice be heard, why not make yourself known?
Oh, and by the way...jealousy doesn't become you.
XOXO
Sippycups
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Love this man...
I've recently started listening to Dave Ramsey. This is no small feat since he isn't on the radio in my town. So I've resorted to podcasts. I just love this man. (ok, so maybe what I love the most is his adorable Tennessee accent) He's a pure capitalist and he's all about being debt free. In times like these...who can argue with that?
If you go to his website you'll find lots of great articles and what I think are great ideas regarding the current situation with our economy. I know, I know, I said no more politics. But this isn't really politics. It's a solution. No more blame game...let's just get this thing fixed!!! From his website...
The Common Sense Fix
Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country,
but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support
any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following threestep
Common Sense Plan.
I. INSURANCE
a. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance.
Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the
world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.
b. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two
things:
1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a
6% fixed-rate mortgage.
a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the
balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a
chance to keep their homes.
b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or
the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of
foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable
for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that
encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while
working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and
ruined lives.
2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and
executive team members as long as the company holds these
government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming
executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.
c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.
II. MARK TO MARKET
a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III
bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down
bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.
b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on
failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.
III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX
a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock
market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in
the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.
b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping
the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the
economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement
investments that go up instead of down.
This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to
stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.
Genius.
And I'll definitely be buying this for my kids...
as well as
this...
If you go to his website you'll find lots of great articles and what I think are great ideas regarding the current situation with our economy. I know, I know, I said no more politics. But this isn't really politics. It's a solution. No more blame game...let's just get this thing fixed!!! From his website...
The Common Sense Fix
Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country,
but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support
any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following threestep
Common Sense Plan.
I. INSURANCE
a. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance.
Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the
world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.
b. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two
things:
1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a
6% fixed-rate mortgage.
a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the
balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a
chance to keep their homes.
b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or
the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of
foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable
for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that
encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while
working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and
ruined lives.
2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and
executive team members as long as the company holds these
government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming
executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.
c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.
II. MARK TO MARKET
a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III
bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down
bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.
b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on
failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.
III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX
a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock
market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in
the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.
b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping
the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the
economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement
investments that go up instead of down.
This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to
stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.
Genius.
And I'll definitely be buying this for my kids...
as well as
this...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Mmmmmm...Sideboards
Now THAT'S something that makes me happy. I had a reader ask me where I might look if I were searching for a sideboard. She likes one from Baker. Baker is without question in my top three choices for furniture. Timeless, well made, investment pieces that you can pass along to your kids. I would also check EJ Victor. They are by far my favorite furniture company.
Check out these pieces...
Just remember...have fun. Don't be too matchy-matchy. Mix things up a bit. Think about what you're going to put on top of the sideboard to accessorize. Will you have a beautiful mirror with lamps or sconces? Will you have a fabulous piece of art? If you plan to display an original piece of art above the sideboard, perhaps you should go with a more traditional or simple piece. If it's a mirror and sconces, go with something fabulous. Do you already have all mahogany or dark wood in the room? Think about the mirrored piece that will reflect light so beautifully and offer depth in the room which will add interest to the rest of the wood pieces you already have.
So many sideboards...so little space. Also, do think about the practicality of the piece you are choosing. If you need it for storage (and who doesn't, really?) then make sure you get something deep enough to store all those chafing dishes and punch bowls. Good luck!!!
Check out these pieces...
Just remember...have fun. Don't be too matchy-matchy. Mix things up a bit. Think about what you're going to put on top of the sideboard to accessorize. Will you have a beautiful mirror with lamps or sconces? Will you have a fabulous piece of art? If you plan to display an original piece of art above the sideboard, perhaps you should go with a more traditional or simple piece. If it's a mirror and sconces, go with something fabulous. Do you already have all mahogany or dark wood in the room? Think about the mirrored piece that will reflect light so beautifully and offer depth in the room which will add interest to the rest of the wood pieces you already have.
So many sideboards...so little space. Also, do think about the practicality of the piece you are choosing. If you need it for storage (and who doesn't, really?) then make sure you get something deep enough to store all those chafing dishes and punch bowls. Good luck!!!
And now for a little FUN
Friday I leave for the infamous 50th Birthday trip with Dr. Daddy. We're headed off to Excellence Playa Mujeres. I am SO excited to go and I'm praying there won't be any CNN or Fox News. Wishful thinking, I know.
Trying to get the kids ready for 10 days without Mommy and Daddy is a challenge! My in-laws will have them the first three days and my stepmom and her mom will have them the last 7. Saints they are! I've typed up the kids' iteneraries...one single spaced sheet per day. I've got sticky notes all over the house with instructions on how to work the tv's, what food is where, what to pack in their lunches, where the homework materials are, how to work the washing machine. You name it, I've labeled it. Clothes are (will be) washed, folded and pressed and lined up in pretty rows of 10. Soccer uniforms cleaned and placed in line. Leotards set out with coordinating scrunchy. Cub Scout uniform washed and ready for bonfire on Friday night with driving instructions, etc. Power of attorneys...oh, crap. Forgot that one. I'll have to add it to the list.
But did I say that I'm so excited?!
Here's where we're going...
And did I mention I'm psyched?
Trying to get the kids ready for 10 days without Mommy and Daddy is a challenge! My in-laws will have them the first three days and my stepmom and her mom will have them the last 7. Saints they are! I've typed up the kids' iteneraries...one single spaced sheet per day. I've got sticky notes all over the house with instructions on how to work the tv's, what food is where, what to pack in their lunches, where the homework materials are, how to work the washing machine. You name it, I've labeled it. Clothes are (will be) washed, folded and pressed and lined up in pretty rows of 10. Soccer uniforms cleaned and placed in line. Leotards set out with coordinating scrunchy. Cub Scout uniform washed and ready for bonfire on Friday night with driving instructions, etc. Power of attorneys...oh, crap. Forgot that one. I'll have to add it to the list.
But did I say that I'm so excited?!
Here's where we're going...
And did I mention I'm psyched?
There will be no retraction...but thanks for offering
I had an anonymous commenter on the blog today who advised that perhaps I might want to retract my earlier post.
While I am more than happy to give you all links to the snopes.com article as well as the Washington Post article, my point remains the same. Whether or not all three of these men are direct advisors to Obama is not necessarily my largest concern. The Post article was concerning Raines, with no mention of the other two.
MY concern is the obvious connections all three of these men have with former and current Decmocratic leaders. MY concern is Obama's economic plan...a plan which promises to raise MY taxes.
A dear friend of mine recently made what I consider to be one of the most thoughtful statements regarding this election. "I have to vote for what's best for MY family." It is not in my best interest or that of my family to vote for Barack Obama for president. I don't want higher taxes for programs that don't benefit me or my family and that I personally feel are mismanaged and for large part used as a way to gain votes from a constituency that otherwise wouldn't vote at all. In my mind, there are many of our welfare programs that are mismanaged horribly but the Democrats that push them through don't care...as long as those who benefit from said programs continue to vote for them. Believe me, I'm all about helping those in need. I probably spend 20 hours a week in some form of volunteer capacity. I just don't think it's appropriate for my money to go toward programs that don't do what they are supposed to. I think it's ridiculous that I feel it necessary to pay for private school because our public schools are mismanaged. I think it is pathetic that there are those in politics that believe our healthcare "reform" should be managed by politicians who have no basic knowledge of patient care services. There are lots of reasons why I don't think Obama should be president. The fact that he and his campaign associate with unsavory people only serves to strengthen that belief.
It is without question that both political parties have good and bad intentions at different times.
I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. I also don't think it's irresponsible for me to post substantiated information on MY blog. If you don't want to read it you don't have to. Skip to the other stuff that's more fun.
On that note...there will be NO FURTHER POLITICAL DISCUSSION UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION. (but I reserve the right to change my mind :)
While I am more than happy to give you all links to the snopes.com article as well as the Washington Post article, my point remains the same. Whether or not all three of these men are direct advisors to Obama is not necessarily my largest concern. The Post article was concerning Raines, with no mention of the other two.
MY concern is the obvious connections all three of these men have with former and current Decmocratic leaders. MY concern is Obama's economic plan...a plan which promises to raise MY taxes.
A dear friend of mine recently made what I consider to be one of the most thoughtful statements regarding this election. "I have to vote for what's best for MY family." It is not in my best interest or that of my family to vote for Barack Obama for president. I don't want higher taxes for programs that don't benefit me or my family and that I personally feel are mismanaged and for large part used as a way to gain votes from a constituency that otherwise wouldn't vote at all. In my mind, there are many of our welfare programs that are mismanaged horribly but the Democrats that push them through don't care...as long as those who benefit from said programs continue to vote for them. Believe me, I'm all about helping those in need. I probably spend 20 hours a week in some form of volunteer capacity. I just don't think it's appropriate for my money to go toward programs that don't do what they are supposed to. I think it's ridiculous that I feel it necessary to pay for private school because our public schools are mismanaged. I think it is pathetic that there are those in politics that believe our healthcare "reform" should be managed by politicians who have no basic knowledge of patient care services. There are lots of reasons why I don't think Obama should be president. The fact that he and his campaign associate with unsavory people only serves to strengthen that belief.
It is without question that both political parties have good and bad intentions at different times.
I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. I also don't think it's irresponsible for me to post substantiated information on MY blog. If you don't want to read it you don't have to. Skip to the other stuff that's more fun.
On that note...there will be NO FURTHER POLITICAL DISCUSSION UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION. (but I reserve the right to change my mind :)
Irony
I promise...this is the last time I'll get riled up today. We'll do something fun later this afternoon...
Here is a quick look into 3 former Fannie Mae executives who have brought down Wall Street.
Franklin Raines was a Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fannie Mae. Raines was forced to retire from his position with Fannie Mae when auditing discovered severe irregulaties in Fannie Mae's accounting activities. At the time of his departure The Wall Street Journal noted, " Raines, who long defended the company's accounting despite mounting evidence that it wasn't proper, issued a statement late Tuesday conceding that "mistakes were made" and saying he would assume responsibility as he had earlier promised. News reports indicate the company was under growing pressure from regulators to shake up its management in the wake of findings that the company's books ran afoul of generally accepted accounting principles for four years." Fannie Mae had to reduce its surplus by $9 billion.
Raines left with a "golden parachute valued at $240 Million in benefits. The Government filed suit against Raines when the depth of the accounting scandal became clear. Housingdoom.com . The Government noted, "The 101 charges reveal how the individuals improperly manipulated earnings to maximize their bonuses, while knowingly neglecting accounting systems and internal controls, misapplying over twenty accounting principles and misleading the regulator and the public. The Notice explains how they submitted six years of misleading and inaccurate accounting statements and inaccurate capital reports that enabled them to grow Fannie Mae in an unsafe and unsound manner." These charges were made in 2006. The Court ordered Raines to return $50 Million Dollars he received in bonuses based on the miss-stated Fannie Mae profits.
Tim Howard - Was the Chief Financial Officer of Fannie Mae. Howard "was a strong internal proponent of using accounting strategies that would ensure a "stable pattern of earnings" at Fannie. In everyday English - he was cooking the books. The Government Investigation determined that, "Chief Financial Officer, Tim Howard, failed to provide adequate oversight to key control and reporting functions within Fannie Mae,"
On June 16, 2006, Rep. Richard Baker, R-La., asked the Justice Department to investigate his allegations that two former Fannie Mae executives lied to Congress in October 2004 when they denied manipulating the mortgage-finance giant's income statement to achieve management pay bonuses. Investigations by federal regulators and the company's board of directors since concluded that management did manipulate 1998 earnings to trigger bonuses. Raines and Howard resigned under pressure in late 2004.
Howard's Golden Parachute was estimated at $20 Million!
Jim Johnson - A former executive at Lehman Brothers and who was later forced from his position as Fannie Mae CEO. A look at the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's May 2006 report on mismanagement and corruption inside Fannie Mae, and you'll see some interesting things about Johnson. Investigators found that Fannie Mae had hidden a substantial amount of Johnson's 1998 compensation from the public, reporting that it was between $6 million and $7 million when it fact it was $21 million." Johnson is currently under investigation for taking illegal loans from Countrywide while serving as CEO of Fannie Mae.
Johnson's Golden Parachute was estimated at $28 Million.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
FRANKLIN RAINES? Raines works for the Obama Campaign as Chief Economic Advisor
TIM HOWARD? Howard is also a Chief Economic Advisor to Obama
JIM JOHNSON? Johnson hired as a Senior Obama Finance Advisor and was selected to run Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee
IF OBAMA PLANS ON CLEANING UP THE MESS - HIS ADVISORS HAVE THE EXPERTISE - THEY MADE THE MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. Would you trust the men who tore Wall Street down to build the New Wall Street ?
Here is a quick look into 3 former Fannie Mae executives who have brought down Wall Street.
Franklin Raines was a Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fannie Mae. Raines was forced to retire from his position with Fannie Mae when auditing discovered severe irregulaties in Fannie Mae's accounting activities. At the time of his departure The Wall Street Journal noted, " Raines, who long defended the company's accounting despite mounting evidence that it wasn't proper, issued a statement late Tuesday conceding that "mistakes were made" and saying he would assume responsibility as he had earlier promised. News reports indicate the company was under growing pressure from regulators to shake up its management in the wake of findings that the company's books ran afoul of generally accepted accounting principles for four years." Fannie Mae had to reduce its surplus by $9 billion.
Raines left with a "golden parachute valued at $240 Million in benefits. The Government filed suit against Raines when the depth of the accounting scandal became clear. Housingdoom.com . The Government noted, "The 101 charges reveal how the individuals improperly manipulated earnings to maximize their bonuses, while knowingly neglecting accounting systems and internal controls, misapplying over twenty accounting principles and misleading the regulator and the public. The Notice explains how they submitted six years of misleading and inaccurate accounting statements and inaccurate capital reports that enabled them to grow Fannie Mae in an unsafe and unsound manner." These charges were made in 2006. The Court ordered Raines to return $50 Million Dollars he received in bonuses based on the miss-stated Fannie Mae profits.
Tim Howard - Was the Chief Financial Officer of Fannie Mae. Howard "was a strong internal proponent of using accounting strategies that would ensure a "stable pattern of earnings" at Fannie. In everyday English - he was cooking the books. The Government Investigation determined that, "Chief Financial Officer, Tim Howard, failed to provide adequate oversight to key control and reporting functions within Fannie Mae,"
On June 16, 2006, Rep. Richard Baker, R-La., asked the Justice Department to investigate his allegations that two former Fannie Mae executives lied to Congress in October 2004 when they denied manipulating the mortgage-finance giant's income statement to achieve management pay bonuses. Investigations by federal regulators and the company's board of directors since concluded that management did manipulate 1998 earnings to trigger bonuses. Raines and Howard resigned under pressure in late 2004.
Howard's Golden Parachute was estimated at $20 Million!
Jim Johnson - A former executive at Lehman Brothers and who was later forced from his position as Fannie Mae CEO. A look at the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's May 2006 report on mismanagement and corruption inside Fannie Mae, and you'll see some interesting things about Johnson. Investigators found that Fannie Mae had hidden a substantial amount of Johnson's 1998 compensation from the public, reporting that it was between $6 million and $7 million when it fact it was $21 million." Johnson is currently under investigation for taking illegal loans from Countrywide while serving as CEO of Fannie Mae.
Johnson's Golden Parachute was estimated at $28 Million.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
FRANKLIN RAINES? Raines works for the Obama Campaign as Chief Economic Advisor
TIM HOWARD? Howard is also a Chief Economic Advisor to Obama
JIM JOHNSON? Johnson hired as a Senior Obama Finance Advisor and was selected to run Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee
IF OBAMA PLANS ON CLEANING UP THE MESS - HIS ADVISORS HAVE THE EXPERTISE - THEY MADE THE MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. Would you trust the men who tore Wall Street down to build the New Wall Street ?
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