The Large Print Giveth, and the Find Print Taketh Away.

The Large Print Giveth, and the Find Print Taketh Away.

Emergency Preparedness – The Large Print Giveth, and the Fine Print Taketh Away.           Beware of prepayment penalties on fixed or adjustable-rate mortgages, and home-equity loans and lines of credit.  They require borrowers to pay extra cash as a penalty for closing out loans within the first three years.  These fine print contract features, pervasive in the late 70’s and early 80”s during double- didget interest rates, have crept back into lenders agendas to penalize borrowers who see the…

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What Food “Sell-By” Dates Really Mean.

What Food “Sell-By” Dates Really Mean.

Emergency Preparedness – What Food “Sell-By” Dates Really Mean        Many states require food manufacturers to mark perishable foods with a date so that customers can gauge product freshness.  There are no federal regulations requiring products to be dated and there isn’t a uniform system.  “Sell-by” dates let stores know how long products can remain on the shelves and are used as guides for rotating stock.   Perishable foods can remain good long after this date, dependent on home storage…

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Chill Out.

Chill Out.

Emergency Preparedness – Chill Out.        Wayne Dyer has long been a voice for simple planning and stress-free living.  Here are a few thoughts: 1.        Understand that you are the source of your stress.  I have so many things to do that I can never get caught up.  I can never get ahead in this job.  I worry about my health problems.   I feel uneasy about the economy, and have lost so much money already.  My family members are…

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Family Values. (Paraphrased from Vanguard Groups Mony Whys)

Family Values. (Paraphrased from Vanguard Groups Mony Whys)

Emergency Preparedness – Family Values.  (Paraphrased from Vanguard Group’s Money Whys)        Seventy percent of parents believe that children today have a sense of “entitlement,” according to a 2004 study.  In other words, kids expect “to get whatever they want whenever they want it.      Does that hit close to home?  Then consider the example of a couple in suburban Philadelphia who taught their children the value of money.  They started with allowances in grade school, moved to checking…

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The 50 Year Home Mortgage is On It’s Way.

The 50 Year Home Mortgage is On It’s Way.

Emergency Preparedness – The 50 Year Home Mortgage is On Its Way.   QUESTION:  Considering 18% credit card debt, and 6% home mortgage debt, which will cost you the most money in interest expense during the repayment period?      Most would say this is a NO BRAINER – 18% is more than 6%.      ANSWER:  When repaying the first year’s payments on short-term credit card debt (5 years or less), about 45% of the monthly payment is applied to principle. …

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Feel Good Debt; Good, Better, and Best.

Feel Good Debt; Good, Better, and Best.

Emergency Preparedness – Feel Good Debt;  Good, Better, and Best.        “I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go.”  How can I ever feel good about my debts? FEEL GOOD – pay off your student loans and cars. FEEL BETTER – pay off your credit cards and pay cash for all your purchases. FEEL BEST – pay off your house mortgage and use the payment money for retirement and missions.      It doesn’t matter what everybody says,…

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“…that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial worlds.” (D&C 78:14)

“…that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial worlds.” (D&C 78:14)

Emergency Preparedness – “. . .that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial worlds.”  (D&C 78:14)   (From J. Thomas Fyans, of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, Gen Conf., April 3, ‘82.) “The Church can be no more independent than the collective independence of its individual members.  We fear that some may misunderstand the intent of the resources of the welfare program of the Church and fall into a false sense…

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Taxes, Value, and Cost.

Taxes, Value, and Cost.

Emergency Preparedness – Taxes, Value and Cost.        “If I hire a painter to do the house, it will cost $3,500.  I’ll have to earn $5,000, pay taxes and tithing and I’ll have enough for the painter.  If I paint the house myself, materials will cost $300 to $400.  What’s my time worth?      If this man paints his own house, he is obviously getting the best deal – adding value at the lowest cost and minimal taxes.  In…

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Who Needs the PBGC?

Who Needs the PBGC?

Emergency Preparedness – Who Needs the PBGC?        United Airlines employees are currently asking:  “If my employer can’t afford my retirement benefits, who will take care of me?”      The answer, of course, is the PBGC  (Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation).      Currently holding about $33.2 billion in assets, a little known arm of the US Government is ready to insure benefits for qualified retirees if their company goes under.      The future appears secure until one recognizes that the…

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Self Sufficiency or Social Security?

Self Sufficiency or Social Security?

Emergency Preparedness – Self Sufficiency or Social Security?        “Americans Not Saving Enough,” read the TV headline, as two matronly Mall shoppers walked by.      “That’s ridiculous,” said one of the women.  “I bought four pairs of shoes and saved $60.00.”      Socialism is when you expect others to provide for your needs with tax dollars from somebody else.  How quickly we surrender our own accountability when someone else makes a guarantee, especially when participation is mandatory and the…

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