Well, the death of MJ really didn't shock me...he's just another major celebrity going over the hill with personal and public problems. My big shock of the day was the resignation of Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton!!! I never thought this proud man would leave his post!
A bit of irony: while visiting my grandparents over the weekend, I asked Pappaw if Willie was still in his seat. "Oh, yes," he said with a sigh.
Showing posts with label Interesting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interesting. Show all posts
Friday, June 26, 2009
Saturday, May 02, 2009
No High-Five to the WI 529!
I (Ashley) am alone this morning. Katie is sleeping, Shadow is sleeping, and I'm nursing sore feet from last night's party. No one is around to give me a high five or thumbs-up, so I'm going to high-five myself with this post!!
Here's the story: beck in December, Bryan and I were debating whether to open a 529 or ESA for Katie's college savings. A 529 would usually be the better answer because you can deduct the contributions from your state income taxes. Both a 529 and ESA would grow Katie's money tax free.
Since I'm the researcher, I requested the manuals, booklets and prospectus for the WI 529 program, which is managed by Wells Fargo. I analyzed the different funds available, including the investments strategies, account management fees and expense ratios.
I thought the management fees were unusually high--they ran from .75 to over 1% per year! The fees would certainly cut into any anticipated growth we would earn. Sure enough, this was high, especially compared to the Vanguard S&P Index Fund, which is 0.15%.
My final recommendation to Bryan: Let's go with an ESA.
Here's the exciting part: I just learned that Consumer Reports agrees with me: they rank Wisconsin's 529 to be the WORST 529 fund in the COUNTRY!
That ESA looks better and better!
Here's the story: beck in December, Bryan and I were debating whether to open a 529 or ESA for Katie's college savings. A 529 would usually be the better answer because you can deduct the contributions from your state income taxes. Both a 529 and ESA would grow Katie's money tax free.
Since I'm the researcher, I requested the manuals, booklets and prospectus for the WI 529 program, which is managed by Wells Fargo. I analyzed the different funds available, including the investments strategies, account management fees and expense ratios.
I thought the management fees were unusually high--they ran from .75 to over 1% per year! The fees would certainly cut into any anticipated growth we would earn. Sure enough, this was high, especially compared to the Vanguard S&P Index Fund, which is 0.15%.
My final recommendation to Bryan: Let's go with an ESA.
Here's the exciting part: I just learned that Consumer Reports agrees with me: they rank Wisconsin's 529 to be the WORST 529 fund in the COUNTRY!
That ESA looks better and better!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Do You Have Room For 25,000 Boxes of Mac N Cheese
Evidently, the Waukesha Food Bank does! Thank you to Kraft Foods for donating 25,000 boxes of Mac N Cheese (one our of favorite junk foods). While we won't partake in any of the 25K boxes, we will have warmer hearts for the makers of Kraft.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Money Talk: What Is Your Spending Limit?
Every couple has a different sensitivity to how much money one person can spend before consulting the other. Bryan and I have agreed that we could spend up to $100 without consulting the other person; but honestly, we usually talk to each other before we spend $10! (Groceries excluded)
My old Cabana neighbor, Ruth, shares a story of how her husband bid $250 on an Ebay item without asking her (see the November 21st journal entry).
Her experience makes me wonder: Do other couples set spending limits? What are they?
My old Cabana neighbor, Ruth, shares a story of how her husband bid $250 on an Ebay item without asking her (see the November 21st journal entry).
Her experience makes me wonder: Do other couples set spending limits? What are they?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Have You Joined Your Craigslist Community?
Just yesterday, I posted five $5 Enfamil formula checks on the MKE Craigslist site. Because I don't list things for free, I asked $2 for $30 worth of checks.
Within minutes, I received four emails from willing buyers. Usually, I give the product to the first person who replies to my post, but I noticed a familiar name wanting the checks--an agent with whom I work! (It's such a small world). In keeping with the American Family loyalty, I called the agent and let him know that the checks were his (for free since the checks were free to me). He was surprised to hear from me, but grateful that he wasn't buying the checks from a crazy lady. Since his 8-month son is eating one of the most expensive types of Enfamil due to gassiness/fussiness, I happily and confidently passed along the checks.
Lately, I have been obessed with Craigslist. I've sold some things on it for Katie's Kelty backpack fund, and I've bought LOTS of diapers on it--just last week I bought 120 diapers for $6! That's about 5 cents a diaper for size 3 diapers. NOT BAD!!
Here are a few tips I wanted to point out in case you want to join the Craigslist Community:
1. Never accept checks. I read a post where a lady sold her crib and changing table for $225. She was given a check that bounced! Needless to say, she never heard back from the person who bought her items.
2. Never give away items for free. Every once in a while, people will "call out" others who might be scamming them. For example, one lady read a post about someone needing free baby items for her soon-to-be-born baby. The nice lady gave away some free baby clothes to the person in need...a few months later, the nice lady gave away some more free newborn stuff regarding a different post and the same "person in need" showed up at her door (months after the supposed due date of the baby). I theorize that the person collecting the "free" items usually tries re-selling them on Ebay.
3. Set up bulk or little-used email account. Because I don't want to share my name and real email to everyone with whom I do "business", I use a bulk email address for Craigslist communication. I prefer to use the most anonimity as possible until a buy or sell is definite.
4. Try to meet in a neutral place for item exchanges. Ok, I usually let this rule slide whenever I buy or sell baby items. Before giving out my home address, I call the person doing the pickup, and if I hear a baby in the background, I consider that person legit. Maybe I'm too naive, but I consider it safe to give a woman with a baby my home address.
Within minutes, I received four emails from willing buyers. Usually, I give the product to the first person who replies to my post, but I noticed a familiar name wanting the checks--an agent with whom I work! (It's such a small world). In keeping with the American Family loyalty, I called the agent and let him know that the checks were his (for free since the checks were free to me). He was surprised to hear from me, but grateful that he wasn't buying the checks from a crazy lady. Since his 8-month son is eating one of the most expensive types of Enfamil due to gassiness/fussiness, I happily and confidently passed along the checks.
Lately, I have been obessed with Craigslist. I've sold some things on it for Katie's Kelty backpack fund, and I've bought LOTS of diapers on it--just last week I bought 120 diapers for $6! That's about 5 cents a diaper for size 3 diapers. NOT BAD!!
Here are a few tips I wanted to point out in case you want to join the Craigslist Community:
1. Never accept checks. I read a post where a lady sold her crib and changing table for $225. She was given a check that bounced! Needless to say, she never heard back from the person who bought her items.
2. Never give away items for free. Every once in a while, people will "call out" others who might be scamming them. For example, one lady read a post about someone needing free baby items for her soon-to-be-born baby. The nice lady gave away some free baby clothes to the person in need...a few months later, the nice lady gave away some more free newborn stuff regarding a different post and the same "person in need" showed up at her door (months after the supposed due date of the baby). I theorize that the person collecting the "free" items usually tries re-selling them on Ebay.
3. Set up bulk or little-used email account. Because I don't want to share my name and real email to everyone with whom I do "business", I use a bulk email address for Craigslist communication. I prefer to use the most anonimity as possible until a buy or sell is definite.
4. Try to meet in a neutral place for item exchanges. Ok, I usually let this rule slide whenever I buy or sell baby items. Before giving out my home address, I call the person doing the pickup, and if I hear a baby in the background, I consider that person legit. Maybe I'm too naive, but I consider it safe to give a woman with a baby my home address.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Migratory cattle
Who knew that German farmers bring their cattle down from the Alpine Meadows to spend the winter in a less harsh climate? Maybe German cows are the happiest cows--not California cows!
More from the Big Picture about fall around the world (thanks for the link, Schulzes). Nanna, you'll love this photo essay!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Holocaust Survivors Detail Their Love Story
Who doesn't like a good love story? (besides Bryan)
He was a teenager in a death camp in Nazi-controlled Germany. She was a bit younger, living free in the village, her family posing as Christians. Their eyes met through a barbed-wire fence and she wondered what she could do for this handsome young man...MORE
He was a teenager in a death camp in Nazi-controlled Germany. She was a bit younger, living free in the village, her family posing as Christians. Their eyes met through a barbed-wire fence and she wondered what she could do for this handsome young man...MORE
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