Gobble Gobble -- Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a great day. It is the day we as a nation come together to be thankful for all the blessings in our lives. It doesn't matter how much or how little we have, we all have blessings in our lives that we can be thankful for. I am thankful for a great job and great employers in that job. I am thankful to see my debt be greatly reduced, even though I have had to make a lot of sacrifices to see that happen.

Others have their family. Or their friends. Or countless other things that they find to be a blessing to them. Some, may be of low income, but they are thankful to be alive or to just have those other blessings around them.

Today, I spent a couple of hours volunteering for our Community Thanksgiving Dinner, which served those that were poor, indigent or otherwise didn't have anyplace else to go for Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner doesn't ask for income levels, because it is free for all who wish to come. As you see in the first picture, the meal was a very traditional meal of mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and even a slice of pumpkin pie. The second picture here is of a few of the many people who were in attendance to eat of this meal.


With that I would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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Sunday Night at the Concert

So as i mentioned the other day, I had a ticket to the Oak Ridge boys Christmas Concert, on Sunday night. The concert was absolutely fantastic, although the venue hosting the concert was way unorganized.

The performance of Topeka Performing Arts Center was very lack luster, but should not distract from the performance of the Boys. They opened the doors at 6:30 pm as scheduled, but for 30 minutes the several thousand who held tickets was compacted into the small hallway outside the theater. While the doors was kept tightly closed, as more patrons were crammed into that small hallway that surrounds the theater. Handicapped, elderly, those who had been on their feet all day at work all day and everyone else were forced to stand for 30 minutes in those very tight quarters and not allowed to get even near their seats.

Once inside the concert was absolutely fantastic. Starting with several of their popular classics, such as "Elvira." After a 20 minute intermission, they came back to sing a number of Christmas songs and was certainly the first time I was wished a Merry Christmas this year.

One of my favorite Oak Ridge Boys songs, is one that isn't on any of their current albums. "(They called her) Christmas Carol" is a song about a very unique woman that everyone called her Christmas Carol.

Like a fixture down on Main Street, she stood there all year round
With a tin cup and tamborine, singin' Christmas songs
Folks thought she was crazy but they loved to hear her sing
Drop some money in her cup and she'd shake that tamborine

And they called her 'Christmas Carol'
There's not a Christmas song she couldn't sing
I remember Christmas Carol
With her snow white hair and a beat up tamborine

She wore that same old ragged coat all the year around
Lived all alone in a little shack just outside of town
She'd stand there singin' 'Jingle Bells' in the heat of the summertime
Yes, everyday was Christmas in Carol Johnson's mind

And they called her 'Christmas Carol'
There's not a Christmas song she couldn't sing
I remember Christmas Carol
With her snow white hair and a beat up tamborine

But I can still remember that twinkle in her eye
'Cause Carol kept a secret from the people passin' by
That secret was a mystery they talked about so long
How each Christmas Eve those gifts showed up
Outside the children's homes

That was 40 years agos, or 50, I believe
And still the toys keep showin' up each year on Christmas Eve
I wonder if we'll ever know just who took the cause
Is it still Christmas Carol or is it Santa Clause?

And they called her 'Christmas Carol'
There's not a Christmas song she couldn't sing
I remember Christmas Carol
With her snow white hair and a beat up tamborine


- Oak Ridge Boys

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Today and Today (SUNDAY) Only!

Today, Nov 23, 2008, is the day. What day is that? The day that I told you about yesterday. Dr. Pepper is giving away a free 20 oz Dr. Pepper. All you have to do, is go the the website, that I have already linked to and click on "the Dr. is on call" and then fill out the form. Simply follow the instructions on that form and with in 4-6 weeks you will have a coupon for one free bottle of Dr. Pepper. But, you must do it today (Sunday Nov. 23, 2008) by 11:59 PM. If you don't do it today, you will have forever lost your chance. So hurry, this you chance for the most frugal pop purchase, FREE. I am not a big Dr. Pepper fan, (occasionally I drink one), but I requested mine. I mean, who can pass up free, right? And, you can bet I will be drinking it down, as soon as I get it.


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Free Dr. Pepper

I heard this on the news Friday afternoon, but now I have found it in print. The only catch, you will only have to 24 hours to receive your free 20 oz soda pop. Once you get it, you will have until Feb 28 to use said coupon.

LOS ANGELES – Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" is a reality. The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. "Chinese Democracy," infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes on sale Sunday.

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28.
- Yahoo News

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Oakridge Boys Are Coming

After three days in Branson (Thurs, Fri and Sat) the Oakridge Boys will bring their Christmas Cookies Tour tour to Topeka, KS. I am not a huge country fan, but I have always enjoyed the Oakridge Boys music. I just secured the last seat on the floor and even better yet it is an aisle seat. I am so looking forward to being there after work on Sunday.



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Debt Reduction - November

This month has seen some real reduction of debt. My car loan is almost to the $6,000 mark and my WaMu balance transfer is down to the $400 range. Take a look at my chart to the right to see my progress.

In addition, I was interviewed by a local ABC affiliate in regards to the local visioning plan for my community. I was surprised when I found that they carried so much of my interview. See the clip below.



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Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Small Kansas Town

This past week, ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition have been in Kansas.

Patrick Tutwiler was shot in the neck by an Iraqi sniper and returned home with a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, memory loss and speech problems. Less than a year later, their modest home was hit by the tornado of June 11, 2008 that destroyed a large part of Chapman, Kansas. Patrick and his wife, Crystal, pulled the family into a closet and used their bodies as human shields while the tornado tore the house apart.

Patrick, Crystal, their four children and nephew moved to a nearby military base temporarily until Patrick was given his official military discharge. Because of Patrick’s injuries and his current part-time employment, the family’s finances cannot afford to rebuild or purchase a new home.

Now it is up to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to build this dedicated solider a safer and stronger place they can call home.

- Rebuild Chapman

Last Tuesday, TY Pennington and the others from the show, showed up at Fort Riley, Kansas to announce to the Tutwiler Family, who have been living on a military base ever since their house in Chapman and the town was devastated by a tornado, that they will have a new home built.

On Wednesday, the crew arrived in Chapman to begin work on the Tutwiler's new house. Now tomorrow at about 2 pm, the family is expected to be back from their Disney Cruise to the Bahama's, to see their new home. While, I would love to be there to see this (and possibly be seen on camera in the crowd), I have other obligations. I however, would love to issue best wishes to the Tutiler family and wish them home. It is my hope that you will enjoy it, and I look forward to seeing the two hour special, tentatively scheduled for Jan. 25, 2009.
Not only, will the program replace the Tutwiler's family home, they also will rebuild the town's community center as well as at least do some work on a church that was damaged in the tornado.

The Topeka Sears store was utilized in this program as well.

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Can You Still Believe in Buffett?

ABC news had an article, that asked if we could "Still Believe in Buffett."

ABC News' Bianna Golodryga reports: On a day when the Dow lost another 400 points or so, when Citigroup touched below $10 a share, GE is below $16 and Goldman is down another 9 percent, one major investor points out that the Oracle of Omaha's investment strategy has disappointed even his staunchest supporters.

Both Buffett's personal and business (Berkshire Hathaway) holdings are tanking, like everyone else's, and the insurance part of his business has seen huge losses from hurricane claims this year following hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

To his credit, Buffett has lived up to his nickname of "sage" during the current financial crisis. His voice, his rhetoric, his humor and his easy-to-understand logic have together made a welcome and reassuring voice for everyone from President-elect Barack Obama to the average man on the street. He's the toughest man to get an interview with these days, and his every word can move a stock. He's said this is the worst financial crisis he's seen in a long time, if ever.

The article points out that there are three (3) perspectives to look at this from.

1. When he says he's a long-term investor, he really means just that, long term!
   


2. No one is perfect, and even the smartest investor in the world makes mistakes.


3. Today's Buffett is more of a symbolic and iconic figure than a master stock picker.
   

The article was very well written. To answer the question, there are going to be up's and downs, I invest for the long term, and do not pay attention to the market that closely. If I were, then I would just be sick to see the hit my investments (what little, I have). No, instead, I just sit back and hold on, because it is going to be quite a roller coaster ride. In 20-years, the investments and retirement accounts will up quite substantially. That is, unless the government gets a hold of those retirement accounts.

There has been reports, that President-elect Obama wants to confiscate 401(k)'s and retirement accounts and merge them with the Social Security funds only earning 4%. If that were to happen, then I would lose the average 12% my retirement accounts could earn over the long haul. In fact, if, and I think it is a big if, that were to happen, I would cut my retirement investments and invest the difference privately (in non-retirement accounts).





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Dave Ramsey: Are your investments safe?

Dave's statements are more true now, then when it was recorded in January.




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Debt Falling

My debt is coming down. I am expecting to have Washington Mutual paid off by the end of the year. I am so close to be free from my debts, that I can taste it.

I expect to have the car paid off by the end of July. Hopefully sooner. I also expect to have the IRS paid of by July also. I am actually hoping to have it paid off by April 15.

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Quick Action on the Economy

Unless you have been living in a cave some where, I am sure you know by now that our next President will be Barack Obama. Further, I am sure you have heard by now, that he gave his first post-election press conference on Friday. His topic, of course was the economy. An issue that ties nicely into this personal finance blog. So, I thought I would take a look at his proposed plans.

Obama proposes swift passage by Congress of a new fiscal stimulus bill either before or soon after he takes office (Jan 20, 2009).

Immediate extension of unemployment benefits for those that can't find work.

I am curious about this. I know several people, who unemployed and don't plan to look for work, until the unemployment runs out. I know that's not all of them, but there are those people out there. So how will they decipher who can't find work and those that won't?

A rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create jobs and provides relief to families watching paychecks shrink and life savings disappear.

Aid for the struggling auto industry and related businesses, such as auto suppliers, which fave severe hardships.

Review the implementation of the $700 billion financial rescue plan to ensure it is achieving its goal of stabilizing financial markets while protecting taxpayers, helping homeowners and not unduly rewarding the management of the financial firms receiving government assistance.

A set of energy, health care, education and tax relief policies designed to grow the middle class and revive the economy.

OK, I am not sure what this is. How will this grow the middle class?

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Christmas Wish List 2008

As I grew up, and even in my adulthood, my mom has always wanted us to give her a Christmas wish list. Of course she rarely got what was on the list, but she still expected it. Of course, I wish to be debt free in the next year. - I fully expect to have the car paid off by July (hopefully March).
However, what are the things that make up my actual Christmas wish list? The things on this list this year, include tools to help around the house. It also includes clothing for work and of course items for one of my collections.

1. Skill Saw
2. Leaf Blower
3. Mechanical coin banks (for my collection).
4. Khaki's (for work) 33w 32L
5. (2) 4 foot Bar Clamps



As you can tell, for the most part my list is pretty reasonable. I do not ask really for anything that is not a necessity. Of course my real list does not include #1. That is simply one I continue to work on myself and asking my risen Lord and Savior for. Much the same way anyone of any religious belief would ask their god, whoever s/he may be.

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?u=889490
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What Will Happen With The Economy Now?

All through the campaign, we have heard one candidate or another would be better for the economy. Now the election is over. The candidate that has talked about wealth redistribution has won. According to his campaign website, I will be among the millions that will get $500 plus back from the government each year. I say plus, because according to his site, I will get credits for retirement savings on top of the $500 ($1,000 if married) tax cut.



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W.

Yesterday, I decided to check out a film, that I kept hearing positive reviews of. Every local reviewer and most national reviews were all positive. The only negative review was from the liberal Chicago Tribune. So, it was time to go check out "W." I mean matinees are only $5.25. Right? Well, not any more. As of last week, the local theater raised the admission prices to $7.25 for a matinee and $9 for the full price. That was to say the least was a shock. I don't see movies (t the theater) very often, and was annoyed at this new price. I was further annoyed, when I set down in my seat, at 1:18 for the 1:20 start time, only to see the advertisements to stop and no film or even the movie previews for over 10 minutes, because the projectionist was slow at getting the film loaded and started. I have to pay extra, but get worse service. I guess they don't value my time.

Once the film was finally started, it was entertaining. I wouldn't say funny necessarily, but it was entertaining. W.'s brother Jeb Bush is only mentioned by name, except for one time, when a 15-year old Jeb comes home drunk with his older brother George who had just been accepted into Harvard for his post graduate education.

Through out the movie we see the tension between Jr. and Sr. It is the older George's desire for Jeb to be President, and for W. to do whatever he does. In the movie you see W. blame George's loss to Bill Clinton on the fact that his father didn't go into Baghdad and remove Sudam Hussein from power. Over all, the film was very well balanced and appears to have had some influence from W. himself, as some things could have only come from his memories.

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Companion Site Coming Soon

I am in the progress of developing a companion website. The website, will offer a download site. A place, you download various budget forms and other information in one convenient location. Be watching for it.

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Election Day

Today is election day. It is important that every registered voter gets out and votes. The future of democracy depends on it. No mater your preference, I want to encourage you to vote. Polls open at 7 am (6 m in some locations) and close at 7 pm. So get out there and vote/ It's your duty!

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November Budget

Here is my proposed budget for this month. I am hoping to get the last of the Fingerhut, turned WaMu debt paid off this month. Although, that amount has grown, in reality, because I put the car rental on the card while my car was in the shop. I also used the card, to get my printer that I have been without for the past year or so.

Item	Budgeted	Actual	Owed
GIVING
Tithe/Charity	$??	$???
subtotal	$??
HOUSING
Mortgage	$0		$0
Insurance	$80
Maintenance	$80
Taxes	$80
State Income Taxes	$0
subtotal	$240		$0
UTILITIES
Electric	$75
Gas	$75
Water	$50
Internet	$35
Phone	$0
Cell phone	$50
Trash	$15.50
subtotal	$300.50
FOOD
Grocery	$100
subtotal	$100
Transportation
Auto Gas	$70
Insurance	$0
Maintenance	$0
Tags & Taxes	$0
Car Payment	$400		$6,882
subtotal	$470		$6,882
CLOTHING
Sunday Best	$0
Work	$0
Everyday	$0
subtotal	$0
MEDICAL/HEALTH
Prescriptions	$0
Deductibles	$0
Eye Doctor	$0
Insurance	$0
subtotal	$0
RECREATION/Memberships
Entertainment	$0
Dating	$50
Optimist Membership	$40
Farm Bureau Membership	$35
Subtotal	$125
DEBTS
WaMu (Fingerhut Transfer)	$600		$600
Fingerhut	$0		$0
Black Gold Insulation	$0		$0
IRS	$0		$3,795.52
Subtotal	$600		$4,195.52
TOTAL	$a835.50		$15,124.03

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Gamblers cheer horse named Subprime

I don't endorse gambling, but this article I found in the Topeka Capital Journal, and reprinted from the New York Post.

Gamblers cheer horse named Subprime
The Associated Press

NEW YORK — The mortgage problems that have helped shape the current economic downturn have made "subprime" an unwelcome word to investors.

For gamblers, however, Subprime drew cheers this week. That was the name of a horse that won the ninth race Thursday at the Aqueduct race track in New York.

It was the first win in three tries for the 2-year-old filly, but the name made her an instant crowd darling.

The horse ran as the favorite and paid $6.30 on a $2 bet.

Maybe it's a family connection. Subprime was sired by a stallion with another name inspired by Wall Street: High Yield.

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Information from: New York Post,

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Gas Prices Falling - below $2

I loved the opening line a newspaper article in the local Sunday paper.

The sky wasn't falling Saturday in Topeka — only the gas prices.

The article, as you probably have already guessed was about lower gas prices.

At $1.99 per gallon, motorists flocked to two stations on S.W. 6th Avenue, where gas prices dropped periodically through the day.
Prices at the Quick Stop 2nd, 1320 S.W. 6th, opened at $2.03 Saturday before falling to $1.99. Quick Stop 6th, 1107 S.W. 6th, fell from $2.05 to $1.99 by Saturday afternoon

According to one person interviewed in the article (and I would have to agree with him).

"It's been a long time since I've seen it with a one dollar in front of it," John Crader shouted to another motorist waiting for an available pump at Quick Stop 2nd.

The low prices came just one day after the biggest drop in crude oil prices ever.

Oil fell about 32 percent for the month, with gasoline prices declining by about 40 percent since peaking this summer above $4 a gallon.

Sounds, like I need to make sure I get some gas to. Perhaps, gas prices will stay below $2 throughout the winter months.

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