by Rupe | Sep 3, 2011 | Money Matters
If you do borrow, time is no longer your best friend Money grows over time, everyone knows that. And if you are investing regularly, time is truly your best friend. I’ll take a known statistic for example. Most of the time, your money doubles every eight years on average. For someone who is investing and not tapping into their 401k plans like a savings account, this is great news. However, if you withdraw money from your 401k plan you are missing out on serious growth opportunities. There are many reasons people take 401k loans, but many Americans take out money for a mortgage. 401k rules allow for these loans to be taken out for up to 5 years, and up to 15 years for a home purchase. If you borrow from your 401k, you are missing out on opportunities for your money to grow among other things. Over the long haul, this could mean the difference between $50,000 and $500,000. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss out on the potential long-term growth prospects for my retirement money.
Click source to continue…
Source: GenxFinance
My Comment:
I must admit I have been tempted to do this to settle things with my mortgage company and break off the relationship, but this article has given me pause.
by Rupe | Sep 2, 2011 | Fitness
Narrative:
This was supposed to be a back day, but I ended up not being able to get to it; so it turned into a cardio day.
Cardio: 61 mins
Distance: 3.50 (Morning + )
Calories: 494
Crunches: 0
Tracker
Total Distance: 184.99 miles (Goal 400/215.01 remain) *
Total Calories: 47,684 (Goal 80,000/32,316 remain) *
Total Crunches: 1075 (Goal 25,000 / 23,925)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Sep 1, 2011 | Mad Musings, philosophy-religion
During George W. Bush’s presidency, many liberal and secular Americans came to regard religious conservatives not merely as their political opponents, but as a kind of existential threat. The religious right, they decided, wasn’t a normal political movement. Rather, it was an essentially illiberal force, bent on gradually replacing our secular republic with what Kevin Phillips’s 2006 best seller dubbed an “American Theocracy.â€
These anxieties dissipated once the Republican majority imploded. In the Obama era, debates over the economy and health care crowded out arguments about sex education and embryo destruction, and liberals found a new set of right-wing extremists to worry about: Tea Party activists, birth certificate obsessives, the Koch brothers.
Click source link to continue…
Source: New York Times
My Comments:
I read Kevin Phillips’s book – American Theocracy when it came out in 2006. I must say I am not warm to the thoughts of Bachmann and Perry touting their religious credentials. Our democracy prides itself on keeping religion where it should be – a personal thing. I could careless what Perry’s or Bachmann’s religious leanings are.  I hope people of this ilk will never rise to lead this country.Â
by Rupe | Sep 1, 2011 | Fitness
Narrative: 131mins
Pretty good all around workout day. Started off with an ok bang after coming back from lunch at LongHorn Steak House (Senior Nichols goodbye). Still a bit achy shin from pounding the pavement in my new early morning walk, but I should get a reprieve after tomorrow, since the weekends are off time. I got pretty tired to end of my weight lifting session, I seem to always have this problem… I guess I simple need supplements for that.
Abdominal Exercises:
As stated above, in this workout you should train your abs at the end of each session. Use these exercises:
- Oblique (L and R) Crunches - 2 sets of 50 reps
- Hanging Leg Raises – 4 sets of 25 reps
- Lying Left Crunches - 2 sets of 50 reps
- Decline Crunch - 2 sets of 50 reps
- Lying Right Crunch - 2 sets of 50 reps
| Wednesday – Chest |
| Chest |
| Exercise |
Sets |
Reps |
Weights |
| Incline Dumbbell Press |
4 |
15, 12, 12, 10 |
50,55,55,60 lbs |
| Flat Dumbbell Press |
3 |
15, 12, 10 |
55,55,55 lbs |
| Decline Dumbbell Press |
3 |
15, 12, 10 |
55,65,65 lbs |
| Cable Crossovers |
2 |
12 |
50,40 lbs |
| Incline Flys |
2 |
12 |
25,20,20 lbs |
Cardio: 60 mins
Distance: 4.0 (4.0 + 0.0) – Morning Walk only
Calories: 1219 (509+710) – Morning + Afternoon
Crunches: 500
Tracker
Total Distance: 181.49 miles (Goal 400/218.51 remain) *
Total Calories: 47,190 (Goal 80,000/32,810 remain) *
Total Crunches: 1075 (Goal 25,000 / 23,925)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Sep 1, 2011 | Mad Musings
Prostitutes in the German city of Bonn must carry a ticket purchased from a new parking meter-like machine while working the streets or face hefty fines from tax authorities in a scheme launched on Monday night.
In Germany, ladies of the night pay income tax — the level of which varies from region to region — but compliance is difficult to enforce with women seeking business on the street.
Germany’s first “sex tax meters,” from which prostitutes can purchase a ticket for 6 euros ($8.72) per night, will ensure the tax system is fairly implemented, a city spokeswoman said.
“Inspectors will monitor compliance — not every evening but frequently,” the spokeswoman told Reuters.
If caught without a valid ticket, offenders will first be reprimanded, then face fines and later even a ban.
About 200 prostitutes work in Bonn. Due to protests from residents, city officials have limited the areas of operation to specific quarters.
But critics say this has made it easier for prostitutes to ply their trade. The city has erected what officials call “consummation areas,” wooden parking garages where customers driving cars can retreat to with prostitutes. ($1 = 0.688 Euros)
Source: Reuters
My Comments:
Well…the world oldest occupation…the Germans might have the right approach.
