Stimulate Me: The Greatest "Story" Ever Told!

Photo Courtesy of kyle/thebookpolice

Growing up, I used to get in BIG trouble for calling someone a liar. Even if they actually were lying! Instead I was encouraged to say "So and so told a 'story'."

This never jived too well with me. A lie is a lie. And there's a BIG LIE being told to you on a daily basis as far as the economy is concer-- um excuse me...

THIS JUST IN...

"Only YOU can prevent this nation's colapse!"

While I was driving home last night listening to talk radio, I heard a politician lay out the steps to strengthening the economy. Basically, he said it was all on YOUR shoulders to fix this. Yes YOU!


"Thank Heaven for the express line, I only have 7 items!"

YOU have to buy brand new American cars, and Flat screen tv's. Oh and while you're at it please prop up the restaurant industry by eating out more so that we can get back to being America the Beautiful... Um and since we're on the subject you would do well to pick up a premium gym membership so that all that eating out doesnt ruin your perfect American figure. Mmmm but come to think of it either way you're gonna need to buy a whole new wardrobe cause either you're gonna lose weight from working out, or gain it from eating out... just a thought. - $igned : Capitol Hill, Wall Street, & The Media.

P.S.: You can't save money and save the country from financial ruin at the same time so dont even try the first one. We're counting on you to do what's right for your fellow Americans...


Emancipation from Stimulation...

I'm hearing more and more about people who want to do the right thing for the 'economy' so they are foregoing paying down their personal debt, and spending more of their income to 'help' troubled industries such as dining, travel and retail.

C'mon guys, please dont compromise your responsibilities to your family by taking on any part of this 'national burden' that's being sold to you on the airwaves. THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB!!

If you DO still have a job, it is to provide for your family and manage your personal situation to the best of your means.

Unless you are an elected official, or an economic adviser by profession, this nation's economy woes are NOT your responsibility.


The 4 Walls: The frame of your financial house.

In times like this - no scratch that -at all times you have 4 main responsibilities, or what Dave Ramsey calls the 4 Walls: Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Transportation.

When things are tight, keep those 4 things going, and only those 4 things. Not the 401k, not the greens fees at the country club, not the Costco membership, and not the standing order sent to you monthly from Omaha Steaks or the 12 different magazine subscriptions you currently recive.

While the nation is expecting you to take care of it, I'm expecting you to take care of you.

So what's it gonna be?

@W


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Suze Orman: Your Loss is Her Gain...

Photo courtesy of Glennia


"I'm proud that I make money, that I work hard, that I've created what I've created. But I can tell you this: I haven't hurt one person getting here." - Suze Orman

Oh really Suze?

I usually don't do this. I usually don't 'go after' someone in the public eye. But Suze Orman has pressed my final button, so I just have to get this off my chest.

Orman is considered to be the most recognizable personal-finance expert in the world. And quite possibly the most polarizing as well.

Now anyone who follows this blog knows that I'm a fan of Dave Ramsey's methods for eliminating debt and managing your finances. Not because I have a 'thing' for Dave, but first and foremost because he uses the Bible as a foundation for the principles he teaches. There is proven truth to what he says... he doesn't sugar-coat it, he doesn't water it down.

Suze on the other hand seems to "play to the crowd" a bit too much for my liking. She wont tell you what you NEED to hear all the time, because it may alienate you from being endeared to her.

I just read an article about her on Time.com called "The Queen of Crisis". I highly recommend checking it out. But I digress...

My biggest problem with Suze is that she's not afraid of credit. She wants credit to be your friend in turning your woes into wealth.

Last week I caught the 2am replay of Oprah. (Please don't ask...) Suze Orman was the guest of honor and she was answering every one's "tough" questions about this economy and their money. Questions like: "We're getting married this summer and we want to spend no more than $50,000. After our expenses each month we have about $500 leftover. How can we afford to make this happen?"

Suze told them that they couldn't afford it, but she then went on to tell them HOW they could afford it!

Oh, and how about the couple that wanted to remodel their kitchen and bathroom by taking out a $76,000 Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)? Suze said "Go for it!"

Whaaaa? Excuse me? Have you seen property values lately?

To me this is reckless! While we're facing the worst economic situation in the last 80 years, The world's foremost financial expert is on a show with possibly the widest viewership into the 'average American home' and she refuses to be a voice of reason against the mentality of trying to afford what you cannot afford?! Really? At a time like this?!

In the quote at the start of this post, she says she hasn't hurt one person getting to where she is... but I beg to differ. With advise like the variety she gave on Oprah, I shudder to think how many people she hurt in that hour alone. How many people did she just empower to continue to run their finances into the ground?

Ok, and one last question...

Why does she charge $80,000 per speaking engagement? Is her advice really that valuable? As I said before when it comes to the economy, our loss is apparently her gain.

Till next time,

@W



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