Here’s
a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest
of the states. The news is breaking
bad, and getting worse, so I keep updating this
article.
INCOME TAX: California has the 3rd worst state income
tax in the nation. 9.55% tax
bracket at $46,349. 10.55% at
$1,000,000
Richard Rider Rant
Richard Rider Rant
One of the modern day rationales for bigger, more expensive public libraries is free Internet computers. Supposedly vast numbers of San Diegans lack Internet access. Maybe that was true 10 years ago – but not today. It’s sad to see library lovers flailing around for such silly reasons to justify not only maintaining but expanding public libraries.
Today, computers are a cheap commodity. A netbook computer can be purchased new for under $300. Fully functioning used desktop systems on CraigsList can go for under $100 -- about the price of one expensive video game for a PlayStation III.
Richard Rider Rant
- CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
- Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama administration aren't paying their taxes.
- Hotwheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.
- Obama met with small businesses to discuss the Stimulus Package: GE, Pfizer and Citigroup.
- McDonalds is selling the 1/4-ouncer.
- Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.
- A truckload of Americans got caught sneaking into Mexico.
This list is awesome. Thanks for the laugh!!
Epic lol - Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama administration aren't paying their taxes.
Cheers,
Chris
Richard Rider Rant
This recession is bad, but for men, it is REALLY bad. According to US NEWS & WORLD REPORTS (May, 2009), "Men account for nearly 80% of the jobs lost since February 2008."
There are higher job losses in manufacturing and construction, where far more men than women are employed. This recession is the opposite of what has been seen in past recessions, where women have often lost more jobs than men.
Richard Rider Rant
Where's the proof of price gouging?
Here are facts from a mostly-accurate email circulating the Internet. The emphasis is on the size and impact of Walmart.
The part that interests me most is the profit margin. When all is said and done –- including paying corporate income taxes, Walmart nets about 3.4 cents per dollar of sales, an amazingly low figure for a retail non-grocery store. And this is a consistent pattern year after year.
Richard Rider Rant
Back in June of last year, I calculated the value of saving gas by driving slower. See http://www.advisor.com/boomer/blogs/richard-rider/putting-actual-dollar-...
We should look at the bottom line numbers again, since gas is now about 1/3 what it was then.
Assuming gas is $4.50 a gallon, if I drive 65 MPH instead of 75 MPH, the extra time driving translates to a fuel cost savings of $9.87 for each extra hour behind the wheel. Better than minimum wage, and tax free. But not a big savings.
It doesn't work for Poland - dollar is too expensive so petrol is not so cheap.
The Un-Comfort Zone
I was abruptly awakened and told, "The house is on fire. Go outside!" As I ran out of my bedroom and into the hall my socks slipped on the polished oak floor. A guiding hand helped me keep my footing and a frantic voice urged, "Hurry! Hurry!"
As I got to the door I looked over my shoulder and saw flames leaping out of the heating grate on the floor. The door was thrown open and I was shoved outside into the carport. "Go stand in the driveway and wait for me. And, DO NOT come back inside. Do you hear me? DO NOT come back inside the house!"
I totally agree with you that Fear is a powerful motivator. I fear I will not be able to pay for my loan so I have to work very hard everyday. I fear bad food will influence my health so I try to eat...
When one spouse handles all the finances, how do you avoid a power struggle?
Q: My husband and I have been married for 37 years. Like many couples, I'd imagine, we've fallen into a routine where I take care of some chores and he takes care of others. One of the chores he handles is the bill paying. But, I've come to realize that, if something were to happen to him, I don't have a good handle on our financial situation. So, I offered to share the bill-paying tasks with him. He said that was fine; but, I strongly sense he feels I'm invading his "turf."
Both should have an interest in paying the bills. If one is better at going through the grind, the other should at least be on hand to consult, and to aware of where the money is going.
In more than...
Richard Rider Rant
The best solution is under our feet
Many folks look back fondly on FDR’s efforts to pull us out of the Great Depression. Killjoys point out that FDR’s deeply flawed policies didn’t work – we had the longest, most sustained depression since perhaps the Renaissance.
At least some solace is taken from the widespread assumption that WWII finally bailed us out. Perhaps some see today’s overseas adventures as serving a similar purpose in this economic tailspin.
But we don't need no new stinkin' wars to "stimulate" the economy. I have a FAR better plan.
Mr. Rider, I can see why you weren't elected for mayor. You obviously suffered from the Adlai Stevenson effect! Thank you for pointing out the absurdity of the money system.
Richard Rider Rant
Here is a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states (version 1.37 of my report). The news is breaking bad, and getting worse:
California has the 2nd highest state income tax in the nation: 9.55% at $48,000 income, 10.55% at $1,000,000 income.
California has by-far the highest state sales tax in the nation, 8.25% (not counting local sales taxes).
California has the highest state car tax in the nation, at least double any other state: 1.15% per year on value of vehicle.
Great article I must say. California is where our home and business are. We are experiencing all of the above, BIG time. I don't know why I was urged to read your article, but I did. California is...
Richard Rider Rant
Casino indians receive enormous windfall profits from their government protected gambling monopoly. The actual dollar amounts are hard to glean -– the indians are no fools in this matter, keeping their cards close to the vest. Most tribes in California are rather small -– unlike their casinos. Of particular interest to me is the per-indian gambling profits.
From time to time a number leaks out -– an innocuous factoid in a story about tribal activities. Such is the case in a recent story on the Sycuan Casino in San Diego County.
Imagine a country where Vegas resort clones are just like any other business, and they can be opened anywhere there is space. The appeal of this is that casinos rarely fail - after you deal with the...
Reinvent yourself to survive and thrive.
An old joke is, "What kind of work are you out of?" Except maybe now it's not a joke. Another old line is, "What are you going to be when you grow up?" But I think, if you have the right attitude, that's still a good question.
One day soon (if it hasn't happened already) you'll wake up with a new goal: Find another way to have fun and make money.
Richard Rider Rant
Government's actions to "fix" the financial situation are both amazing and disheartening. The magnitude of the nonsensical bailouts is simply breathtaking. I just can't keep quiet about it.
If you're thinking a reverse mortgage might be the answer to your retirement quandaries, a new law works in your favor -- while the housing crisis works against you.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 upped the borrowing limits on reverse mortgages, put the brakes on aggresive marketing of reverse mortgages, and limited the fees a financial institution can charge for reverse mortgages.
The Un-Comfort Zone
Do you know what really motivates you?
What motivates you? That's the question I'd like to ask in this inaugural blog entry on motivation. Are you motivated by fame, fortune, or fear? Or is it something deeper that fans the flames inside of you?
Perhaps you are like Jeanne Louise Calment whose burning desire let her do something that no other human being has done before -- feat so spectacular that it generated headlines around the globe, got her a role in a motion picture, and landed her in the Guinness Book of World Records -- a record that has yet to be beaten.
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