Money and Sex

Two weeks ago I took a daring move in a close relationship. No I didn't make any deep dark sexual confessions. I talked to a friend about money.

This friend of mine had been struggling with debt for most of there life. I don't know all the facts but some of it is credit card. Some of it is from student loans. What I do know is that it is a heavy burden for them and although having taken steps to control spending and set up a budget, the debt is beyond there control.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post I have been trying to get my finances in order for the past several months. Finally, I feel as though I am in a place where I can begin to give more money away as well as aggressively save for a down payment on my first home. In the process of all this I have wanted to be more creative in how I give away my money. One thought was to help out my friend.

My first meaningful conversation with my friend about money was a lot like my first sexual experience. They were both very awkward and only lasted a couple of minutes. I told my friend that I would be willing to help out with $50.00 a month to be use to pay off the debt. My friend was very hesitant. As hard as it was for me to bring up the subject I'm sure that it brought up my friends insecurities as well. In the end my friend decided to think about it and get back to me.

In this process I can't help but notice one thing. Why is it that we don't think twice about taking money from a faceless corporation that we know is taking advantage of us, yet we find it so hard to discuss money with our closest friends who only want to help us?

The Good Debt?

There was an interesting article in the Boston Globe today about how people are starting to reconsider college debt. (Click) With the rising cost of College and the recent credit problems in the US this is putting many middle income families in a difficult situation.

I was glad to see this article and I hope that this conversation continues for a couple of reasons. First, I think people need to rethink there lives and what they really want. There is joke in Boston that when someone doesn't know what they want to do next in there life they just go to Grad school. Is that extra degree really going to make you happy? One thing is for sure it will give you a lot more debt.

Secondly, I am a huge fan of alternative career paths. I am on one myself. Even thought I do not have a bachelors degree I am on my way to becoming a registered Architect. It has take 10 years but I'll finish, and with only about $3,000.00 debt.

Lastly I'm not sure of the figures but I know of many people who are not working in the field that they studied in in College. (come to think of it a lot of them are English majors......) In today's economy people tend to move around from job to job many times in different fields.

Don't get me wrong I value education but not collecting diplomas.

Book Review A Peoples History of the United States

I recently finished the book A Peoples History of the United States 1492 to Present by Howard Zinn. You may have seen a couple of posts with quotes from the book.

This is a book that every American should read. It attempts to give you the lesser known version of American history, the alternative to what everyone is taught in school. Here is a snap shot. Zinn starts with Columbus exploiting the Indian's, moves on to the slave trade, then discussed the rise of the workers, and ends with US militarism after WWII. (With plenty of other happy topics in between)

The part of the book that fascinated me the most is the rise of the workers. My only real exposure to Unions was threw my parents. My mother worked in a furniture factory and my father worked for GE sylvania when I was growing up. Both were part of modern American union and neither had anything good to say about them. (both plants are shut down also) I won't get into a debate about unions here, except to say that back in the 1800's there was lots to fight about.

Two things stuck out to me regarding Unions. First that according to Zinn's perspective, the labor union movement came very close to turning America into a Socialist country. Secondly I am shocked at how the Federal government sided with companies during strikes. To the extent of sending militias to break up strikes often ending in blood shed.

Overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in American history, and the ability to read through a 688 pages.

I'm back baby!!!!!

I'm back....more specifically my computer is back up and working. I took it into the Apple store twice to get a repair for a Kernel Panic. A new logic board, new Airport card, a new hard drive, and two weeks later I'm up and running. Thank God I signed up for mozy, and online back up service, last year. I'm downloading my files as I type this.

On the bright side having a new hard drive feel like I have a clean slate. After two years of downloading programs, files and other things that filled up my hard drive, I can make a new start. To start off I'm eliminating some programs. Mainly Microsoft Office. these programs are really actually pretty sophisticated for people who just want to put together a shopping list. Text edit or google doc's are just as good for day to day stuff and don't talk nearly the same amount of hard drive space.

I can now finally install Quicksilver again. In case if you haven't heard about it, it's basically one of the greatest apps ever made.

Some Things Do Change

Rules for female teachers posted by a school board in Massachusetts in 1870:

1. Do not get married.
2. Do not leave town at any time without permission of the school board.
3. Do not keep company of men.
4. Be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
5. Do not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
6. Do not smoke.
7. Do not get into a carriage with any man except your father or brother
8. Do not dress in bright colors.
9. Do not dye your hair
10. Do not wear any dress more than 2 inches above the ankle.
    

My favorite is #5

More fun facts from "A Peoples History of the United Sates" by Howard Zin

Apartment garden update

Today was harvest time. not a very big harvest but a harvest.

This pot yelded enough for a rather small saild.

I think I need to plant more harder lettuce plants next time like romaine or iceberg. this fruffey lettuce isn't going to cut it.

In the mean time because spring is here I started some other plants that I should be able to put outside in a couple of weeks squash, peppers and cucumbers.

Some Things Never Change

If I had it all to do over again, I may have studied history. I am fascinated with the fact that some things never change and that history has a way of repeating it's self.

To that end I am currently reading "A Peoples History of the United States 1942 to Present" by Howard Zinn. I read this passage yesterday.

Henry Adams quote: "We are here plunged into politics funnier than words can express. Very great issues are involved.....But the amusing thing is that no one talks about real interests. By common consent they agree to let these alone. We are afraid to discuss them. Instead of this the press is engaged in the most amusing dispute whether Mr. Cleveland had an illegitimate child and did or did not live with more than one mistress."

The Mr Cleveland being referring to Grover Cleveland the two term President of the US in the late 1800's