Today is Grandson Collin's 18th birthday. It entitles him to begin transition to the great opportunities that life has to offer (including school and jobs). Happy Birthday Collin!
I see that Obama has come up with budget cuts of $100 million. Too bad it amounts to such an infinitesimal fraction of the total government expenditures. To put it in perspective, it would be the same as someone making $50,000 per year cutting his expenses $5. Come on!
An extended male member of the family named Tom living in Sheboygan has suggested that he and I "pan" for gold in "them thar hills". When the glaciers of long ago carved out the Kettle Moraine, it left gold in the mounds or hills. The theory is that the Kettle Moraine is full of gold nuggets such as found in California during the Gold Rush of the 1840's. I'll comtemplate it!
But there are "nuggets" of another nature. I keep looking for little ways to save money that reduce my cost of living. I'm on a "roll".
Nugget No.1 is I've stopped insisting on getting my cancelled checks back from the bank each month. I save $5 per month or $60 per year. Don't laugh. On a percentage basis that one move saves more than Obama proposes in his budget by a magnitude of 10.
Nugget No.2, I cancelled HBO from my cable company. Savings $15 per month or $180 per year. I might end up with withdrawal symptons but I'll survive.
Nugget No.3, I switched our phone service to the cable company for unlimited long distance service. I save $600 per year.
Nugget No.4, I succombed to buying the new Gillette "fusion" razor blades. They are expensive but last 3 times longer than the old. Based on longer use per blade, I save $70 per year.
Nugget No.5, I actually switched to "private store brand" canned soup versus Campbell. Savings should be $25-$30 per year. Hey, it is the same soup with a different label.
And so it goes! Being slightly anal retentive, I can find lots and lots of "nuggets" of savings out there.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that you don't have to go hiking through the Kettle Moraine to find more money to put in your pockets. "Nuggets" are all round you! You can find them too! My daily senior Diet Coke from McDonalds for $.51 a day is off limits. I don't want to get carried away with this program.
Love,
Dad