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.
Advisor Eval
Drive smarter with guidance from PC-based software
I take many road trips, often on routes I haven't traveled, to places I haven't been, and often in a large motor home. Many trips are for business, so I need to get to the right place at the right time. I rely on a computer to plan the trip, then drive the trip. Little GPS receivers are cute, cheap, helpful -- but limited. But fortunately, my vehicle has plenty of space for a laptop that is visible to the driver. So I drive with computer-based, GPS-controlled map/navigation software running on a big computer screen.
There are two major software products in this category, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and DeLorme Street Atlas USA, and I think one strongly out-classes the other. Here's what and why...
Richard Rider Rant
Here's an excellent article from an odd source: Karl Rove. Printed in the Wall Street Journal, this piece exposes the economic nonsense of both Obama and McCain when it comes to raising taxes on oil companies. Good stuff.
Richard Rider Rant
I've been suspicious about all the exhortations to save gas by driving slower. Of course, it is true -– to some degree. But just how much? And what's that savings worth per hour?
Richard Rider Rant
The recession is upon us.
While still not official, most agree that we are in an economic downturn. Unemployment is rising, housing prices are plummeting and energy costs are soaring. As a result, in this election year, the federal government is offering tax rebates (admittedly ill-advised) to lessen the pain.
But in California, politicians think there are only two times to raise taxes -- good times and bad times. Oddly enough, this is one of those times.
Many of us predicted exactly what has happened to California, years ago.
Take Housing:
Back in 1998 and even as late as 2002 when everyone was saying to buy homes in places like Los Angeles and San...
Richard Rider Rant
Six Items – Five on San Diego fires, last one on home prices.
HawkTrek
We made it through, no thanks to politicians.
Boomer Advisor is published by Advisor Media at our office in San Diego. For several days we lived the nightmare known as Firestorm 2007, later called the Witch Creek Fire (though it was actually several fires in different places). Our office wasn't threatened, unlike the Cedar Fire of 2003, which burned to just a block from us. None of our San Diego-area staff was harmed and their homes all survived.
But it was a scary situation. Wild fires raged in various areas of the county, and they stopped more by luck -- a change in winds -- than by anything people could do.
This link is to an article I wrote that might be very useful for victims of the wildfires. I wrote the article after the Cedar wildfires in October 2003. Your readers might have to register on SSRN...
Hollywood locations of NCIS, CSI, 24, The Unit, Star Trek, and more...
Hollywood movies and TV shows are almost never filmed in the real Hollywood, a neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. Some studios used to be there, but many years ago most production companies moved to other parts of the greater "LA" area. This is why tourists who go to the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St. rarely see anything interesting. But I do ...
How I investigated, evaluated, and selected a mobile office motor home.
"How can there possibly so many different makes and models and designs and options in the RV marketplace?" In search of a vehicle that could be both a capable mobile office and a nice place to live on the road, the choices seemed overwhelming. But over time, I learned why there's so much variety, and what makes the most difference. While your needs and considerations might be different, here's some of what I learned in picking out the ideal RV for me.
How I spent a week immersed in politics -- and rock 'n' roll.
How did a young San Francisco radio station DJ go to Washington, sit in the President's chair in the White House Oval Office, then play rock 'n' roll piano with a dozen legendary performers?
It all happened to ME -- one week in 1972, and especially one amazing night. Here's my Boomer Years experience.
Richard Rider Rant
The state again leads by example
We're number one! Yup, California has the highest total taxes on gas of any of the 50 states. As of January 2008, we wealthy West Coast folks pay 63.9 cents of federal and state taxes a gallon, vs. the national average of about 47.0 cents.
Actually, total California state taxes are even worse than it first appears. All gasoline has a federal 18.4 cents a gallon tax. Hence the rest is all state tax. Thus California state tax is 45.5 cents a gallon vs. the average state tax of 28.6 cents. That means that California gas taxes are an outrageous 59% higher than the average of all states.
Richard Rider Rant
Public vs. private salaries, California business climate, Republican Party straw poll, make a will, fire fighter jobs, beach booze ban, Second Amendment, Omaha Mall shooting
My husband and I saw you on KUSI Sunday morning news and found your thoughts on San Diego's economy to be very informative. Please add us to your e-mail. Thank you
Don't let crooks take advantage of you.
When disaster strikes, crooks crawl out of their holes to "help". You can count on it happening, so you need to be on guard to protect yourself.
For instance, when San Diego was hit by a huge fire, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis warned residents about scams and price gouging. "Unfortunately, some individuals use this time of crisis to take advantage of others," said Dumanis. "We want people to know the consumer rights and legal protections that are in place as they begin to rebuild their lives."
As an alternative to both the insurers damage assesment and that of an expensive public adjuster you can hire a certified appraiser who will provide an unbiased damage assesment that you can...
Tips for dealing with the immediate shock and facing the challenges.
The October 2007 fires affected people for months to come, and will live in our memories for years. For those who lost homes in the fires, their lives will never be the same.
Please Feedback to the Editors
Do you have thoughts on an ADVISOR site, publication, or article? Do you have a Boomer Years story to share? Please click here to contact the Editors. You'll be helping us give you the information and advice you need. Also, you can discuss a specific story topic with other readers by using the article's Comment form.
I'm seventeen and I'm crazy. My uncle says the two always go together. When people ask your age, he said, always say seventeen and insane.
What's YOUR Boomer Story?