I was okay with the new car tax deduction. It didn’t offer a huge incentive to buy a new car or pose a big burden on the federal budget, but it was a nice bonus for people who planned to buy a new car anyway. Now the House of Representatives has passed a new “cash for …
First there was Black Friday, which has been around for a long time, but wasn’t a huge epic world’s bestest ever deal until about a decade ago. Then came the internet, and three years ago Cyber Monday was born. This year it’s been expanded to Cyber Week. You guessed it: that makes me stabby. Let’s Stop …
Why is that every time Congress starts talking stimulus, I start feeling more stabby? (stabbier?) This time it’s the inclusion of the “Buy American” clause for infrastructure projects. You’ve probably heard pundits discuss it on the news. Here’s the scoop on why “Buy American” is bad for America and bad for the world. Buy American …
First, let me say that I’m not opposed to personal bankruptcy. Every year, millions of people lose jobs, suffer major illnesses, or experience family losses that decimates their finances. These are the people bankruptcy was invented for. However, there is a new bankruptcy trend that really makes me stabby: filings by people who could pay their …
That Makes Me Stabby: Bankruptcy for Personal Gain Read More »
As I write this, I’m waiting for the election results, and it’s put me in a mood to vent. So, today we have another “that makes me stabby” post. Today’s topic: the early arrival of Black Friday. You know, the day after Thanksgiving when everyone is supposed to go shopping? Some retailers have decided to …
Yesterday, Good Morning America featured a story explaining how you buy a house for half price. They kept touting it as half-off or 50% off. Except it wasn’t. At one point they did explain that the homes were 50% from their last sold price at the real estate peak. But that doesn’t mean the house …
That Makes Me Stabby: These Houses are NOT Half-Off Read More »
As you know, my husband and I are looking for our first house. Right now is a tricky time to buy, especially in the Los Angeles market. If you’re in the market or thinking about it, it’s not a bad time to buy. Just be prepared for the frustrations, and probably to get a little …
I understand that states are strapped for cash, but I’ve heard two recent proposals from California and New York governors that strike me as going too far. It’s one thing to try to close the gap by increasing the sales tax, but another thing entirely to drive us into a total nanny state. These attempts …
That Makes Me Stabby: Poorly Considered Taxes and Fees Read More »
I’m not sure I have the strength to be stabby anymore, but I’ll give it a go with this year’s housing rescue plan. I say this year’s, because last year we saw the Barney Frank plan and apparently a whopping 35 households have taken advantage of it. That’s right, 35. So now we have this new …
That Makes Me Stabby: The 2009 Housing Rescue Plan Read More »
Welcome to my new occasional series: That Makes Me Stabby. It will focus on stupid economic news that really makes me angry. A lot of things have made me stabby this week. Most of them centered around AIG’s endless shenanigans, the election in general, and the dire prognostications of various financial experts. The thing that …
That Makes Me Stabby: The Second Economic Stimulus Proposal Read More »
