Why is fixed income not fixed?

Why is is fixed income not fixed?

1.       Pension Income from the evil empire is fixed once you start receiving it. It will never go up.

2.       Social Security income is tied to the inflation index and raises every so often.

3.       The inflation index does not include consumer commodities like food and gasoline?

4.       Inflation according to the government is on the increase by 3.5%, however, food and gasoline is rising at a 10% rate.

5.       So if you do the math, your income is declining by at a minimum 5.5% a year.

So what is a person to do, when they are on a declining balance income?

Coupons for groceries and perishables.

Shop only sale items.

Turn off lights.

Use less water.

Keep heat turned down.

Don’t drive too far.

So! you say I already do that, and I still can’t make ends meet?

Get a job? Oh wait you are over 60 and therefore unemployable in the evil empire.

Ok so now what?

To start with a letter to your congressman and senator requesting they stop spending your money on wasteful things, and recommend that they really look at the tax structure for retired Americans.

Real progress will help protect older retirees.

We have worked all our lives, and should be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

No income tax on PENSIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you idiot Snyder!!!!!!!!!!

Medical premiums that are spiraling out of control? $1200. Deductible plus 30% co pay? Who can afford to go to a doctor if you  get sick?

Here are some email address that I have and a place to start:

senHHopgood@senate.michigan.gov

Paulclemente@house.mi.gov

rick.snyder@michigan.gov

take care
check back later
Randy

Why wait for New Years for Resolutions

Actually there is no reason to wait, as most resolutions involve exercise and weight lose.

Get started now: set realistic goals, and take small steps towards those goals.
I have been jogging, or as I like to call it, moving faster than normal for me, for just over a year. My wife and I have entered and run in six 5 k races. the neatest one being the Detroit marathon 5 k downtown Detroit.
I have set goals for the last year to better my time by at least 1 second each race we enter. I started last march and ran my first 5 k at 44.6 mins..... ended in November with a time of 35.5 for 5 k. I am really pleased with my self.
My goal this year is to run or mover faster than normal for a 13.1 mile half marathon?
I may make it, or may not? but that is my goal. I started last week training, I ran my first full 13.1 mile training run in 2hour 56 mins???? Today I did it in 2 hours 49 mins.

See start small and work on improving your self each time.

I will never be a marathoner, I am doing it for my health.
Last year I started out at 250 pounds........ over the year I lost 45 pounds.
I want  to lose another 10? easier said than done, that is why I have upped the running and goal, because you need to challenge yourself if you are going to complete any resolution.

So lets not wait for new years, lets get started now.

It has taken me 62 years to get to this stage, I now am looking forward to the next 62 years?
small goal?? maybe??

take care
check back later
Randy

Who has their hand in my pocket today?

I have been avidly following the local, state and national news, both from the Liberal viewpoint and the Conservative viewpoint.
I have come to a conclusion?
Both sides point out how dysfunctional the government is.
Liberals say, we need to spend more and make government bigger?
Conservatives say, we need less government and less regulation.
They both have arguments that support their own ideas and agendas.
Well !!!!!! after considerable thought and research, I have reached a conclusion.
Each party seems to have its hand in my pocket, if not federally, then the state.
Either way you look at it we are going to pay more taxes? 1st Snyder has put his hand in our pocket for pensions 4.2 %???, 2nd, the federal government is risking our social security and medicare by continuing to spend and take the money we are paying them and building a larger government which will cost more.
The cities are bombarded from the Feds and the State, and can't get anymore revenue, so they are also trying to dip into our pockets by refusing to lower the real estate taxes based on the value of current housing.
OK so how does all of this help our financial situation?
If I knew, I would be rich and not have to worry about it? However, since I am not rich, I really don't know what to do about it?
I do know where there is an island in the Caribbean sea that has no need of utilities, and housing is cheap.
Maybe that is the answer, lets all head to the islands for a year and let the idiots ruin the country then we can come back and rebuild it right, according to the constitution.
Is there a Jefferson or Washington out there anywhere that can help?
Check back later.
Randy

Christmas Time and Reflections

At Christmas, it is a time for reflection and memories.
We have had two Christmas family parties. One with the in laws, and one with the out laws? can't decide which group is which?
Both celebrations brought a sense of family togetherness.
The one thing, is not all our family can get together at one time, and some members are just unable to attend, and some have been gone from this life for a while.
While we enjoy our present family, lets not forget our absent family members, both those in other states or countries, and those that have died.
Let's try and enjoy each other for the remaining time left to us.
So Merry Christmas to all.

Check back later for more pithy comments and suggestions about ??? Whatever?

Randy

Don't stay on the Porch

Physical well being.
I think I saw a quote on a tee shirt, " if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch."
Maybe it was in a bar at put in bay? No matter.
A year ago I could barely walk a 100 yards, and yesterday I ran my first every 10 miles in just over 2 hours.
Maybe I can't run with the big dogs (Renee and Robb), but I can at least see the back of the pack from here.
The point is I hope anyone who is reading, takes it to heart and starts their exercise program.
It's that positive attitude thing again.
My wife has done the exercise and diet thing for years, and it shows. She has the figure most 20 to 30 year olds would like to have. I really should have listened to her years ago.
Financial well being?
I have been thinking about this alot, especially in light of the fact that Governor Synder has decided to save Michigan on the backs of the seniors and young people. The bad part is that I saw that the President was not going to be able to help us, so I thought well, lets try the NERD. Big mistake there?
I have decided, that none of these jokers are going to help anyone except themselves, so We had all better do it on our own.
I have started learning more about how to do taxes, and hope to be certified this year for the start of 2011 tax year submission. At least I will have my own destiny in my hands for taxes, and may be able to lower my personal tax burden.
The most amount of money that anyone will spend in their lives, is on taxes, so it is best to learn as much as possible.
We shall see how that experiment turns out.

Take Care and check back later.
Randy

Reading Cereal boxes and its benefit

Comments about diet.
I started today with the intent of expanding on my blog in general, however , as I was having breakfast I read the following on the box of cereal: "The benefits of a diet rich in whole Grain".
OK, I am not a nutritionist, but it seems to me that there is more to diet than whole grains and why is everyone is jumping on the band wagon these days for only whole grains?
I have it on good authority that your diet has to be well balanced and needs exercise to go along with the diet to be really beneficial. Whole grain, fruit, starch, they all have their place in a great diet.
My brother has convinced me that wine is an essential fruit to be consumed everyday. That works for most of us.
Comments about Exercise.
Exercise is crucial to living and prospering. Lets talk about the things to do and the things not to do.
First: get started.
It does not matter what you do for exercise, tennis, roller blading, running, walking etc.
The key is get started, and have a plan and a goal in mind.
I started running last year in a fund raiser for CF, and ran my first 5k in march of 2011. I was horrible!!!!! However, I finished and it made me feel great to accomplish something positive. I could barely get my breath, my legs hurt, I was knocked into a ditch, and taunted by a 74 year old women who ran by me right after the ditch??? Coincidence? I think not.
My wife and I have since entered a total of six 5 k events, the best one was the Detroit marathon with 2500 people in the 5 k division. What a rush of accomplishment.
So what was my plan and goal after my first race you ask? Easy, I wanted to continue feeling good about my self, and I wanted to improve my running skill and time and all that stuff.
I put together a plan that said I will enter events when we can, and I will strive to beat my time by at least one second each event. Why one second? Because I know I cannot compete with marathoners and I am only competing with myself so I put my goals in manageable numbers.
I have actually progressed really well.
that is the DO------- Get started on something. Walk 100 yards, then add 1 yard a day? its does not matter what you do, but like the famous sports company says---- "Just Do it."

THE DONT'S......... Don't take advice from anyone who has run a half marathon or full marathon or is under 55. Why? Because you know your body are the best person to decide what and how much to do and when to limit yourself. You can go online to look for real advice from people who teach how to run marathons etc, but make sure it sounds like something you can do. For those of you thinking of running, check out http://www.active.com/ it is a great site and has PROFESSIONAL Advice. Which you can take.
Mental Well being.
The start is the exercise.
Financial well being.
More later.
Continued Education.
Read the paper, get informed.
more later
Take A Stand.
Learn about your community. Here is an example.
Ecorse where we live has been plagued by corrupt politicians for years and now has an EFM.
At first, I was horrified and like all students of freedom was against the EFM.
Then I started attending meetings voicing my opinion and finding out what was going on.
Well, I still am against EFM's in general as an expression of freedom it inhibits. However, I have come to realize that the EFM has actually saved Ecorse and none of the politicians could have taken the heat from the citizens to make the necessary but painful cuts.
More about Ecorse and its progress along with my involvement to follow.
The best example is the worst eyesore in the city is gone? Much more about this to follow.
Take Care, and check back later.
Randy

Welcome to my new Blog

Welcome;
On my blog I will try to share insights and views on numerous interests and events I feel are pertinent to the over 60 crowd.
I will try and include things like
Eating Right and Exercise and its benefits.
What is my background in this area? NONE! However with my wife's encouragement I started running? Well, I like to refer to it as moving faster than normal. Also I have added a weight work out.
So what you say!
I have lost 45 pounds since last March, I am off my blood pressure medicine, and most of my pain meds for aching joints etc. This should interest some of you.
Mental Well Being and its benefits.
Again my expertise in this area? NONE?
However, with a positive mental attitude, I am now enjoying my kids and grand kids more I find I have a greater appreciation of life in general.
Financial Well Being.
More on this in future blogs. I need to save somethings for later.
Continued Education.
Again I will leave this for a future topic, but let me say I have partly learned a  new language, and understand personal taxes more.
Taking a Stand.
I have started taking an interest in the community I am living in, and attending meetings to help improve rather than just complaining.
I have written letters to the local paper, and expressed interest on issues that affect the community.
Again much more on this later.
I hope I have enticed a few people to follow this blog, as I think I have a great deal to contribute to freedom of thought and expression.
Thanks for reading and check back later for more.
Randy