Saturday, February 26, 2011

2010 Financial Review




Unlike a lot of people, I like to know where my money goes.  I book my expenses month-by-month along with my income and summarize it at the end of the year.  In addition to knowing where I am spending money, I also get an idea of how much in taxes I am paying.

The percentages shown are a percentage of gross pay before any deductions.  Total Expenses represents all discretionary and non-discretionary expenses to include housing, utilities, gas (excluding taxes), health and dental expenses, life and auto insurance premiums, charity, and special one time expenses.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Lessons from Wisconsin

1.  When a union's bottom line is threatened, it will create an issue

In the case of Wisconsin, it's "about the children."  The state shouldn't cut pay and benefits because it will harm the children.  Never mind that these are modest cuts that are happening everywhere as states wrestle with budget deficits.  Private sector workers have been experiencing this for three years--time for government workers to join the party!

The heart of this issue is actually overturning compulsory union membership (i.e. Right to Work).  The unions know this would mean a substantial pay cut and decrease their ability to further their agenda in the state and throughout the country.


2.  It's never about the children

If it were about the children, the Wisconsin school districts wouldn't be going to court to get their teachers back.  If these teachers really cared about their profession, they wouldn't be harming the education of their students--the very justification against cuts.