“Why should my tax dollars pay for your medical care?” she says. Her blue eyes are piercing against her softly tanned skin. Her eyebrows are raised, and her lips pursed in annoyance. At first I think she’s kidding. But she’s not. She is about thirty, and we know each other casually. She’s healthy, single, in […]
Big Bucks For Kids, Statistical Confusion?
I’ve commented previously on the cost of raising a child. At the time I did, the figures I used referenced newly released 2010 data, estimating $222,360 per child, on average (for middle income families), up to age 18. But this morning I took a look at another reference to the same originating document which is […]
Are You Fat?
Are you fat? Oh, I’m not talking about five or ten pounds. I’m not talking about feeling fat – which is another issue altogether. I mean getting on a scale, trying on your clothes, looking in the mirror – and facing it – excess weight for your stature, body type, age and sex. Worse – […]
Kids and Money (Again)
Tiff is probably too strong a term. Misunderstanding would be more accurate, but it was frustrating and upsetting, going around and around – again – with my son. Over money. Over things I can’t afford that I don’t consider a priority, although what he was asking wasn’t unreasonable. These are things his peers have, or […]
Kids Waving the Flag on the 4th? Be Careful Out There!
Apparently, all Americans over the age of 45 are Republicans. What! You didn’t get the memo? But there’s data! Data and a bit of extrapolation on my part. Now tell me. Are you over 45 years old? You must be a Republican, right? And are you planning on taking your children to a parade tomorrow? […]
Women and Money. Are We THERE Yet?
Women don’t care about money like men. True or false?
I Dare You. I DOUBLE Dare You.
Why aren’t you pissed off? I mean – really pissed off – if you’re a woman struggling with running a household and holding down an outside job, and barely able to make it? Maybe you’re home with kids and wishing you could work for pay but it’s more expensive to cover child care than what […]
Turning a Blind Eye
So what do Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dominique Strauss-Kahn have in common? Both have made headlines this week, though the circumstances are dramatically different; Schwarzenegger has admitted to a love child, and Strauss-Kahn has allegedly committed assault. But they are public figures, and I think we can agree, powerful men. With the current media swirl around […]
Baby Bump? Try Budget Bummer!
I know several women who have recently given birth, and others who are expecting babies. I couldn’t be more delighted for them. In each case, they are mothers (already), and devoted ones at that. Babies are always happy news. Giving life is an incredible experience, and parenting – filled with wonder. But the realities of […]
Innocent until you “look” guilty?
This particular news item caught my eye this morning, regarding immigration legislation in Georgia, signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal. Is this about jobs? About tax dollars and services, or something more insidious? Netting it out – Georgia has joined the states of Arizona and Utah in trying to enact their own immigration legislation. […]