Are you money smart?

I am amazed when someone who is barely getting by decides to run out and buy a brand new car. First, it is money dumb to buy a brand new car. You sign a loan to pay $20,000 for the new car. But as soon as you drive the car off of the lot, the car is worth $18,000. So you lost money. If you sold the car as soon as you drove off of the lot, you would still owe $2000. That is money DUMB!

http://www.moneyhighstreet.com/feature/12/

But it is really DUMB to buy a brand new car and make payments when you are having a hard time paying your rent and other bills that you need to live. The argument that is most often made is that "I need a car to get back and forth to work, so that I can pay my bills." True, but you do not need a brand new car.

The next argument that I will save money on repairs with a new car. Really? Does the cost of higher registration and insurance payments approximate any occasional repairs that you might have to make? NO!

Common sense says buy only the car that you can afford and rarely that is a new car.

100% effective birth control

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-03-11-std_N.htm?csp=34

With one in four or 25% of teenage girls having a sexually transmitted disease, it is time to talk about a method of birth control that is 100% effective. It is 100% effective against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Yes folks, it is called Abstinence. Refrain from any form of sexual contact until such time as you are married. Yes, that means kissing too. You can get herpes simplex from kissing. These are also called cold sores.

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/

You are responsible for yourself

It amazes me when people sit back and wait for someone to come rescue them from some disaster: financial, natural, or otherwise. You cannot count on the government or some other entity to come to your rescue, especially if you are poor or a minority. Just look at what happened after Katrina and compare that with the response to the wildfires in San Diego, CA.

People get mortgages that they cannot afford and turn to the government to bail them out. People have children that they cannot afford and turn to the government to pay for their children. People live with their parents or other relatives and sponge off of them. You are responsible to pay for yourself and your minor children.

How can you prepare to take care of yourself in a natural disaster?
1. Have one week's supply of food in your house at all times
2. Have 21 gallons of water per person in your house
3. Keep your car's gas tank at least 1/2 full at all times
4. Have at least $100 in small bills in your house at all times
5. Have a plan for each and every disaster that can hit your area
6. Do some research and determine what you need to do for those disasters and how to prepare

How can you take care of yourself financially?
1. Get a job, if you do not have one.
2. Get an education, if you want a better job
3. Make a budget and don't spend more money than you make
4. As part of your budget, set aside at least $10 a month in savings that you only touch in emergencies
5. Use birth control and plan when to have your children
6. Do not assume that someone else is going to pay your way, you have to pay your own way