Consumer advocates and financial types are pushing to have large credit card debts reduced by as much as 40 percent for card holders. Consumers are defaulting on their credit card bills in staggering numbers. Americans have $900 billion in credit card debt.
This proposal would be for those with crippling amounts of debt. The article does not say how much credit card debt is needed to qualify. Indeed, the credit card crisis is real.
However, I assumed that bankruptcy was a way to have your debts forgiven.
If people were to have their credit card balances cut, I would like to know what they used the cards to buy. If they had medical bills, that’s one thing. But if someone were acting like an extra on Sex and the City, buying up designer goods, I would be VEXED! I would really hate for there to be a Louis Vuitton bail out–especially because I don’t own one!
I digress.
Do you think there should be credit card forgiveness during these poor economic times?
From 2 to 3 p.m. today a chef at the Whole Foods at 1020 Alton Rd., Miami Beach is hosting a fall cooking class.
What are you cooking for fall?
Mama McNeal put down her foot this year. I have to go home for Thanksgiving. My mother lives in Chicago. I do not. Determined to find an affordable flight, despite the increase in fares, I think I did ok with a roundtrip, non-stop ticket for $219 (taxes included.)
Here are some of my tips for affordable travel:
1) Buy now! There’s no sense in waiting to purchase your holiday tickets. I doubt the prices get better and there will be less flights to choose from. Give yourself some options.
2) Fly on the day of the holiday ! Last year, I flew home to Chicago on the day of Thanksgiving. I loved it! The airport wasn’t crowded, people were cheerful and my flight was super cheap. Make sure to get an early (think before 6 a.m.) flight that day so that you don’t miss the festivities.
3) Pack light! Over the last year, several airlines such as American and Continental instituted fees for checking your luggage. Don’t fall prey. Only one carry on. Your wallet will thank you.
What are some ways that you save money on your holiday travel? Are you traveling this season?
The New York Times wrote about the garage-sale economy growing in America. With so many people losing their jobs and homes, people are constantly having garage sales. I’ve been to a few garage sales, but I need to do more purging of my clothes. Before the end of the year, I need to make a drop at the Salvation Army or Goodwill. You get a tax write off for your donations and get rid of clutter! 
I live in small quarters so I don’t have space for more goods in my home. You can get good deals at garage sales, but you are still spending money. I’m kind of on an anti-spending rampage now. However, I don’t have any plans to do urban foraging, either. I’m all about the purge. I have never thrown my own garage sale. My apartment doesn’t have a garage!
Are you noticing more garage sales in your neighborhoods? Have you gotten any good buys? Are you throwing a garage sale?
There is a Latin Art/Dance party tonight at Pangaea nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock, near Hollywood. Free champagne or mojitos until midnight. The bash is hosted by Cuban exile painter Carlos Luna. Luna is showing at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale. The party is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Engaged couples here’s a deal for you! People living in the Atlanta area can win $10,000 toward their wedding if they abstain from sex before the ceremony. It’s a "Marriage for a Lifetime" contest run by a Georgia woman. As part of the requirements, the couple has to have premarital counseling. Oh yes, no alcohol can be served at the wedding, either. Quite a bit for $10,000, but if you are a cash-strapped bride or bridegroom, it may be an option The deadline to enter the contest is Oct. 31. Oddly, (hehehe)
no one has entered that contest. *chortle*
Would you abstain from premarital sex for $10,000 toward wedding costs? Doesn’t the average American wedding cost twice that? What do you think about the contest?
Happy Friday!
People are stepping away from the knife and cutting back on plastic surgery. I have noticed tons of specials on breast and liposuction procedures. My own dermatologist is running a juvederm and botox special. I secretly suspect that people were taking out second mortgages on their homes to pay for tummy tucks or breast enhancements. Now that the housing market has tanked, there’s no more easy cash to get "work done." Also, a lot of the people who work at plastic surgery centers have had "work done" and are employed there to pay off their personal surgeries. I hope those workers don’t get laid off. They will be without a job and indebted to their former employer to pay off their liposuction!
What do you think about people cutting back on plastic surgery? Is it at good thing? Have you had work done? Would you get work done?
Yippee!! Philadelphia Inquirer fashion writer Elizabeth Wellington interviewed me for an article on "the istas." There is a whole crew of us (fashionistas, stylistas, urbanistas, frugalistas) and Elizabeth explores the meaning of "the ista." I say it means "bad chick." Teehee. Anyway, please read the article. I’m super happy with it.
Are you an ista? Of course you are frugalistas/frugalistos. But what are your other talents? I know we have foodistas. I need some cooking help! Share with me!
Good morning! With the unstable economy, a lot of Americans are having anxiety problems. I say we should find ways to manage our worries and alleviate stress. Here is what I do when I get super stressed:
1) Take long bath at night. I am a big fan of lavender scents. Lavender is great for easing your mind. A great soak in the tub leaves me feeling renewed, like I washed away my problems.
2)Watch reality tv. A good old train wreck of a a reality show makes me feel great about my life. You get to compare your circumstances to the "scripted drama." I bet you would prefer your life any day.
3)Stop talking to grouches. I step away from my well meaning but McGrouchy friends. Some folks are just gloomy. I do believe there’s gloom in the world, but when I’m stressed out, I can’t tackle life’s ills. I can only work on my concerns.
4)Talk to encouraging people. I have a crew of people who are really positive. We don’t talk everyday, but when I need a jolt of confidence, they ALWAYS deliver.
5) Find solutions. I know that may sound strange, but when I have a problem, I find solace in finding a solution to it. I am a great "deal maker." I love it when I find a workable solution to whatever bothers me. It makes me feel smart. I didn’t go to my college’s homecoming this year because of finances, so I just wrote a freelance story about college homecomings. After writing the story, a lot of my college friends reached out. It was a workable solution for me and increased my visibility as a writer.
How do you relieve stress? Do you work out? Talk to people? Talk to me!
Thanks GLM!
Free Italian cheese tasting at Whole Foods on Tuesday, 4 to 6 p.m., 1020 Alton Rd., Miami Beach. Someone will teach you the art of picking the right cheese and wine combination. You know I’m in the house. See you there!
What’s your favorite type of cheese?
