Just an update (who cares right)

 So here's a quick update for those who don't care. 

I finally have a job! I will say I enjoy it and it's good paying, however… it's seasonal and as of right now a little low on hours, however...since the pay is good I do make a few less dollars than a full time job. There is hope I make it to full time but only time will tell.

Next. I always say have a Christmas meeting to discuss what your expectations and budgets are for Christmas. My wife and I had one by ourself and one with our kids. Here's the jist. We are not as financially sound as other Christmas's. We are not hurting but at the same time we've had to considerably decrease our Christmas budget. Last year we spent over 3 grand on our family cruise. This year we have set around a 150 per person budget. That puts us around 1 grand. We feel very blessed to even have that amount of money and with my job we will be able to pay the whole thing off in less than 2 paychecks.

The one thing that is covered 100 percent is anything food related. Thank you government!! Christmas dinner hot cocoa stocking stuffers my seasonal shrimp craving cookies Christmas crack chocolates gingerbread puddings eggnog. Ok I think you get the point. This will be weird this year. I've never had basically a blank check to buy, within reason, whatever I'm craving.

Moving on

If my job continues, I will be soon off FOOD STAMPS! Not that I want to leave but I for one hope I only use them for what they were originally intended. An aid to get back on your feet not a reliance. I hope some day I will pay it forward to someone in need.

Other than that, this year has sucked for future planning. I mean what are we suppose to plan for that covid couldn't destroy? Even are Christmas cruise was destroyed by a flu like illness that cause me to be bedridden for 2 days.

Which brings me to my next point. The Honeymoon I hope to take one day. Guess what it was actually planned for this year! Yep covid destroyed that. So as of right now the only thing I am doing is forcing myself to set aside 10 dollars a week for that eventual trip. It's honestly heartbreaking at this point. I at times feel like God is not even on my side when it comes to that subject.

Other than that guys. Keep your heads high, work hard. buy a lotto ticket and dream big!

Christmas hope.

 So this is my annual Christmas hope post for all those who feel like there's no hope for Christmas magic. For years I did not look forward to Christmas. It was just another expense that would pull me further into debt. It was a time of once again not knowing what to buy my wife and seeing the disappointment behind her smile. I remember very vividly having a conversation with my wife one morning before leaving to work. It was Christmas time and she let me know she had not had a good Christmas in a long time. That was heartbreaking to hear. I promised her that I would try harder and I did. Since then we've had a great Christmas every year regardless of our presents or our budget. It is my belief you can have a great Christmas in any financial situation. Sure it's great to receive and give presents but it's more than just that. It really is a sense of happiness and joy one can receive on the best holliday.

Here is what I have learned over the years that have put my mind at ease and made Christmas an easy more enjoyable holiday.

1st sit down and have a meeting with your spouse and or your family. Discuss what you expect and what your budget is for Christmas. If there is not a lot of money discuss creative ways to get gifts. I am serious when I say this, even if your entire budget can only be spent at a dollar store, it still will be a great Christmas because both or all of you know what your budget is and what you expectations are.

2 Start planning for Christmas EARLY. I would have a plan in place before Halloween. This makes it possible for inexpensive presents from China. China can take up to 3 months to get here! This is again another reason I like to start early.

3. Have a list of what your spouse wants. Ask for clothing sizes colors, pictures. Yes try to make it a surprise but this reduces the chance of a bad gift.

4. Try the 4 gift rule! We did this two years in a row and loved it. My kids even felt more in tune with the holiday spirit. Something you want, need, wear, read.

5. I was going to end of 5 but I realized one more. That is, if you feel like you need help with gifts food or something else, start asking EARLY. The sooner the better. Do not be prideful. There are SO many organization that want and are willing to help. Getting this done sooner than later can reduce a lot of heartache and stress. Every year, last minute, there's a mother out there heartbroken begging for help.

6 Give what you can. If you can financially do so Give. Even if you can't give monetary, give service.

7. Lastly remember to find Jo

No new phone this year.

 Ok so the iphone 12 is out. Big woop as usual I don't care. From the looks of it iphones may be going down in price. Maybe apple is realizing that selling a lot for a little less is worth it? Again I don't care I was just wondering.

I'm here again to share another money saving tip I am doing. I share these with my friends and they too just don't care. Related to the iphone this savings tip is about phone usage. My last phone I purchased was around a year ago I purchased it for around 60 bucks. It was a google pixel. I purchased it because my pixel XL was not charging and the screen was falling apart.I may have even wrote about it in another entry. After shopping around I found a grade b phone with some screen burn. I can tell you right now the phone acts new and I haven't noticed the screen burn. Anyways I have wondered if I should upgrade myself. I could use a better camera maybe some more storage space. My charging port on the phone was starting to fail. Maybe it was time to upgrade. Then I watched a YouTube video on how to fix a phone that's not charging and guess what. I now have two pixels that work. And have decided not to upgrade. Here's why.

My main use for my phone is E-mail, text, a few photos, games, and most importantly my spreadsheets for my financial crap.

I could use a better camera but I have a nice Cannon Camera that will do that for me.

My pixel is performing great. 

The only downfall right now is my battery and because I was able to get both pixels working I can now have one charging while using the other one. I could fix the screen on the pixel XL but then again why? The pixel is actually worth less than the screen! I might as well just use it till it dies.

That's why...

 So it's been a while and unfortunately our world is in chaos. I too have been feeling it. My world has been changing at a much faster pace then I would like. Houses are being built in my vision in a down economy. That's mind boggling. I don't understand how that can happen but I for one hope for the day home prices crash. 

Anyways that's not the reason for my writing today.

I have an announcement. Not only is my entire family on Medicaid we are also on Food stamps.

Yep. This current disaster has moved my family towards government help. This has not made me feel like a failure rather somewhat vindicated. I may be wrong in others opinions but I also feel a bit of entitlement to these programs. I worked hard and raised my 4 kids without any parental help and very little help from the government when I did qualify. To put it in perspective, I have spent around 4 times more in a single month on food stamps than I have gotten from the government in my first 10 years of marriage. If you calculate my child's recent dentist bill then it would be 20 times.

Now why would I do this. Why after all these years would I finally break and join a government program when I have written extensively that the government and even church should not so freely give? I've proven I don't need help, I can provide for my family in hard times, why then would I want or need a government program? Well it's an extensive answer that does require a little journey back in time. By the way in my perspective I'm taking advantage of a program not joining. In my perspective I'm using it to my advantage to my goals not relying on it.

Ok let's go back to the beginning of this blog again going back to what I was feeling back in 2014 when friends, acquaintances, relatives, ward members, and neighbors just seemed to have it easier than I did. (This is not to say they all did) Every dollar I spent was carefully calculated so I didn't miss a credit card payment or my mortgage. At times after my paycheck on Friday my wife would ask me could we get out of town this weekend, go on an adventure. My answer often was "we can't afford it". Credit cards were maxed out causing financial wounds that would never heal with interest eating up most of my payments. For fun or entertainment we often window shopped at Walmart or went to the dollar store or a thrift store. Finishing our day with a 5 dollar pizza and a short drive. I mean we were making it but not well. We were happy yet I felt we deserved more.

There's a lot that goes along with this story including lessons learned through a broken down car or me having my own personal revelation on how I can better manage my financial situation. I could have an entire book dedicated to just answering this simple question. I don't have the time for it and quite honestly you probably don't want to read it.

So back to around 2013 and 2014. Two of my toughest years financially. I wanted answers and solutions to my question. How and why were people making it better than I was when I know I was making more money than some of my friends and had half the debt others did and what are the solutions to my problems?

So I created a blog. The blog's purpose was my own kind of healing. My journey to find answers to those questions. A place where I could share my feelings and ideas with no one to judge me. To date I believe only one cousin even knows my blog exists. And he's probably forgotten about it by now.

While writing this blog I learned a lot. First of All car loans are horrible! Insurance cost can and should be controlled. Credit cards are great and Dr and dentist bills can always be negotiated. It helps to have good phone skills on that last one.

I also wrote a lot about and learned there is a lot of subsidization EVERYWHERE! I'm talking Dr Dentist grocery stores universities (Heavily subsided) prescription drugs utility bills and even my favorite Disneyland! Indirectly subsidized is Disneyland. Want proof. Simply require all Californians on Any social program (Medicaid food stamps section 8 housing) restrictions on visiting the park. I guarantee attendance will be way down. The reason a lot of Californians can visit the park is because they are subsidized!

Even if you claim to have no government help that does not mean you haven't been subsidized.

I really did not like president Obama but there was something he said that I as a more conservative voter agree with. He once said "you didn't build that" meaning you didn't build that building or company yourself. Now I understand some people pre 2000 did actually work hard and built their companies mostly themselves. What about their kids? Did they not get any family help when they succeeded? I can probably imagine they didn't receive a dime in any social program that doesn't mean they too didn't benefit from a subsidy. A FAMILY SUBSIDY! This too is everywhere and it should be! Families who can provide help even if it's a place to stay in between good and bad times or even in between houses can provide a SUBSIDY at no cost. While writing this I learned 40% of 25-35 year olds live with their parents in the state of California.

The family SUBSIDY is one of the reasons x-friends of ours were able to have some play money while we stayed home on the weekends. They lived rent free while living with parents. Had free utilities. Some of their food cost was covered as well. They also were on WIC which provided free food and formula. Over a thousand dollars was saved monthly. We made around the same income but they were better off because of this magic word SUBSIDY.

I want to share this next story that happened recently that actually influenced my decision to apply for food stamps. I had a conversation with a younger brother of mine recently. Somehow the topic of food stamps came up. Friends of our are on food stamps and because of the cares act they received 500 dollars more in a single month. My younger brother shared his feelings about that. Probably the exact same argument I used to always make. People on food stamps seem to be able to afford some frivolous things. I then brought up a point. I asked him a question are you applying for a FAFSA grant this year? He answered yes. I then told him how great it was my first year when I received 2 grand for free. It provided enough money to cover all books all tuition and housing. I had a blast my first semester of college. I then asked him why is it ok for you to accept one form of "government handout" but someone else who doesn't feel college is worth it accept another including food stamps. He actually answered, "well I'd rather not accept government help"

Well why don't you! You have a choice!

Look. If you want a level playing field when it comes to opportunity or financial help let's level the playing field. If a person 'A' should not accept financial help from the government (according to person 'B') why should person 'B' accept help from a financially sound Family. Both sign an agreement that both will not accept ANY help. Person 'B' should not be making the rules that benefits him/her over person 'A'

So to finally answer the question above. I tried it on my own and I succeeded. I also tried reaching out to family for help when I felt help could improve my situation. My parents basically told me I'm on my own and my brother told me he wasn't going to loan me any money when I wanted to buy a house. (That was actually a blessing in disguise but that's a topic for another day) 

Subsidy is everywhere. My nephew is benefiting from it while being married and staying with my brother. My brother's and sister have both had government grants. My sister and her husband stayed with my mom and dad for a couple of weeks/months. My brother who has strong opinions about food stamps said his first grant was 5000 dollars. My brother's sister and nephew have/will probably benefit from FAFSA grants.

If you attend any BYU Schools your tuition was probably subsidized through tithing. Even my dad told me at the hospital with my last child, he didn't have to pay for my 2 youngest brothers. His hospital bills were covered.

So the question now turns back to you. Why do you think I should not have help when I need help. Why should I have no family help, church help, or government help? 

Again if you think it's unfair that I'm getting free food and free healthcare let's level the playing field. You give up all your subsidies, match our wealth, not support your children and I'll do the same. Well in a perfect world I would have an entire city or town sign the agreement.

That's not going to happen and subsidies in all forms are not going away.

My opinion on government or church help may have softened and my opinions do change. This is not to say I am for or against food stamps. My opinions are broad and require thought and more time to write. That's not going happen

 I can and will individualize examples of other governments helping wealthy individuals that will prove my point of person 'B' trying to make the rules that favor him/her over person 'A'.

Fine tune your finances. Fine tune your happiness

I for over a year off and on drove for both Uber and Lyft. During those times I had my fair share of interesting passengers. One in particular stands out that goes along with today's subject. 

Just north of Hill airforce base South of Ogden east of the I15 freeway and south of the I84 sits a community backed up to an embankment of hills which cast a shadow on this neighborhood  during sunset and probably during most of winter. I picked up a passenger headed to a payday loan place. On the way we started a conversation. She let me know that the reason she was on her way to get a payday loan was because her husband had his old truck he inherited from his dad in the shop for the 3rd time repairing the same problem. They didn't have the money to fix it so she was going to go get a loan to pay the mechanic. Me being a financial guy asked her If the truck was even worth fixing to which she responded that it was his dad's truck that he inherited after his dad died, they were never going to sell it, and we're going to do whatever it takes to get it running.

I get it. We all have our sentimental objects. Most of these objects such as a book, clothing, Grandma's old Jewelry or Grandpa's coin collection don't require upkeep cost at all. We simply keep them safe and show them to others. What this guy inherited was a money pit. Which I'm all for he fixing it. IF HE DOES IT WITH HIS OWN MONEY. Is he really finding happiness by mortgaging his future on a truck that has very little financial value? Is his financial decisions that day going to require him to look elsewhere for help when he can't pay the payday loan or other bills? Are generous people paying into social programs going to eventually subsidize his truck? This is again another reason I hesitate to blindly donate to any social program. 

This last week I pulled out my old laptop that unfortunately stopped working when my wife let my daughter do her school homework on it. I had the intention of fixing it and using it for my financial spreadsheets. After purchasing a power cord I accessed the damage and realized it may need a new hard drive and a new battery. The minimum cost would be around 50 dollars. 

I then asked myself is it worth it. For what I want for this laptop to perform, is it worth it.

First of all I don't need it. I have several phones that can handle my spreadsheets just fine. Secondly I can buy a used Chromebook for less than what it would cost to repair my computer. Sure it wouldn't be as great as my computer but it would perform the task I would need it to do. 

Sometimes we find ourselves so into a project we forget to ask ourselves is it worth it. Too many people get stuck in a money pit continually fixing upgrading and pouring money into their projects not realizing even the very part they buy is worth more than their entire Car, boat, or computer. I myself am guilty of this. I too have poured too much money into projects that did not produce a return on investment not even an investment of happiness.

So take a step back ask yourself is it worth it. Can you afford it with your own DISPOSABLE  income. Fine tune your finances. Make your money work for you. Stop working for your materialistic possessions. 

It's only 14 cents

It's only 14 cents.

The other night my wife and I didn't feel like cooking which lately with our diets is somewhat unusual. When you're dieting there's always plenty of food and plenty of leftovers so going out to eat would be a waste of food and a waste of money not to mention a waste of paying more in sales tax to the government. Anyway we decided on buying McDonald's. With their app I consider their deals quite reasonable. After ordering my family's and my usual (2 cheeseburgers hold the mustered add mayo lettuce and tomato((I call it the mc'imposter)) I proceeded to check out. As I was staring at my checkout screen I was stumped on a simple question. Should I use the credit card on file or should I go find my wallet and use a different credit card that would get me an additional 14 cents cash back.

I mean it's only 14 cents right?

Since 2014-2015 I have been interested in credit card cash back, loans, intro APR's, and credit card purchasing power. Before that I was a Dave Ramsey fan still am by the way. I just use credit cards ALL THE TIME. In fact I rarely use a debit card. My credit cards don't charge me an overdraft fee. They don't charge me interest. (Yes I'm that good) They pay me monthly to use their cards and as a secret I'm only going to say once. I get cashback on my cashback. I don't even need an ATM. My credit cards give me cash out option.

That being said. Throughout the years I have fine tuned my credit card strategy. Originally I had a citi dividend card and a chase Freedom card that provided one percent cash back from every purchase. The citi dividend card had a flaw where it would only give a maximum of 300 dollars per year. I'm not completely sure what my percentage is now but I currently getting between 1 and 20 percent off or cash back on my purchases if I were to estimate I would probably say around 8 percent. That means every 20 dollars I spend I get around 1.33 back in savings or actual cash back.

So back to my story. The two cards I was contemplating using were a 3% restaurant card and a 2% Citi double cash. If I were to use the restaurant card. It would take me an additional 5 minutes to order our food. The difference in cash back was seriously a mere 14 cents but to me that 14 cents represents a lot more than it's worthless value.

I mean seriously, hypothetical question. If you were at a hotel and while checking out the attendant says. Would you like to pay full price or I can take one percent off. You would want the one percent off right? What if your mortgage company or rental office said hey would you like to pay full price or we'll take 14 cents off?. I don't want to pay more than I have to toward a house. I'd take a penny off.

To me this savings of 14 cents is more than 14 cents back for purchasing my sandwich. It's 14 cents off my mortgage, off my credit cards, or 14 cents towards my next vacation. It's 14 cents added to my financial arsenal. This 14 cents is then worth 15.12 cents if you're calculating my 8% average cashback/savings calculation. 

Last thought. Oil companies know how well a fraction of a penny can turn into a goldmine of funds. If you didn't know you pay 9/10ths of a penny on your fuel. That equates to a half a billion dollars extra a year.

So is it worth it to save a few cents?

Absolutely.

Food banks are getting crowded.

Thoughts today while I'm going insane trying to find my social security card.

From lessons I learned from Survivorman Les Stroud: When surviving, think within a circle. First find out what's around yourself. (Inner circle) Your home. Find out how much food you have and go from there. This very inner circle is your own personal responsibility. Your family, your kids YOUR dog come first before anything else. Your family and kids deserve a meal and their needs met before the car payment gets paid or wants are purchased. As a side note, when in a time of emergency such as we are in now sit-down and think for a second. What could I have done better to prepare for this. If this happens again how can I prepare for a future loss of income, disaster, or pandemic so my family doesn't suffer. If you can't even take care of your inner circle, why??

Is your car payment too high? Is your house payment too high? Are you taking too many vacations? Are you going into unnecessary debt?

I asked myself these question along time ago. I really reflected on them when my car broke down. 

If your first circle needs help get help but at the same time find out why. 

If you have excess beyond your first circle you work on your second circle. These would be extended family members neighbors and close friends. Take care of them before your third and  final circle. This is the donation circle. Food banks, church services, charities. If you're reasonably blessed go for it. I've warned before,make sure you know what you are donating to before you donate. As an example, a Father who has a 600 dollar Truck payment, a 300 dollar RV payment, 200 dollar vehicle insurance payment, 10k in credit card debt. A 10k gun collection 2 ATVs 2 newer Snowmobiles a brand new house 3 dogs and 4 kids needs help from his bishop with a mortgage payment and food. I know that's a little exaggerated but how about this one. A young couple one child 2 dogs 2 car payments 200 a month car insurance who took 3 trips last year. All 3 included roundtrip airfare and averaged around around 2500 each need help from the food bank. 

This does happen guys! Irresponsible spending creates a healthy market but as an adverse effect it creates a horrible situation if the market goes down which I and others have been sounding the alarm for years. Have some preparation in place for your future self. Reduce your spending. Realize car payments are a horrible way to buy a car. The only winner is the car dealership, the loan company, and insurance companies. Pets are great companions but when does the responsibility fall on you to feed and take care of them? If you're not able to take care of them in both good and bad markets, consider making your financial life better before getting a pet. Dogs are not human.  Just FYI.

More to come.