Is it getting harder financially or is it just me?

[SDowner]

nope jg, not raising up for the bait.

you are correct too, in ur own way. 😉

[beanmaestro]

A few thoughts:

Like everyone else says, the car expenses seem awfully high. I’m assuming those are business miles; in that case, you’re spending an awful lot of your life on your business and it feels like you should be able to write off more in taxes.

We’re taking the opposite approach to my and my wife’s student loans: paying them down as slowly as possible, writing off the interest, and saving what we would have paid. But this strikes me more as a matter of personal taste.

Also, folks, don’t assume that SDHousehunter is giving directly to his synagogue. Jewish charity (tzedakah) has historically emphasized giving to those in need, rather than giving to your religious hierarchy. My wife and I give our extras to Heifer, since their teach-a-man-to-fish approach seems to offer the most sustainable help.

[beanmaestro]

A few thoughts:

Like everyone else says, the car expenses seem awfully high. I’m assuming those are business miles; in that case, you’re spending an awful lot of your life on your business and it feels like you should be able to write off more in taxes.

We’re taking the opposite approach to my and my wife’s student loans: paying them down as slowly as possible, writing off the interest, and saving what we would have paid. But this strikes me more as a matter of personal taste.

Also, folks, don’t assume that SDHousehunter is giving directly to his synagogue. Jewish charity (tzedakah) has historically emphasized giving to those in need, rather than giving to your religious hierarchy. My wife and I give our extras to Heifer, since their teach-a-man-to-fish approach seems to offer the most sustainable help.

[Ricechex]

This is a great thread. I have enjoyed reading the responses; they are intelligent and not inflammatory. (It appears that most posters on this board are logical, responsible and are sharper than the average bear).

That said, why are we commenting on Househunter’s choice to tithe or shop at Whole Foods? Both, are a preference and he defines his priorities. When we talk about money, we also talk about values. The value of what money really “means” to us, and how we should spend it or be in debt.

My suspicion is that Househunter goes to a very expensive synagogue. I would speak with the Temple CEO and see if you can bargain down the rate. That would be a good Jewish thing to do. (BTW, I was born and raised Jewish, now an atheist–but I contribute all year long to animal and environmental organizations–it is all a matter of priority).

Perhaps, you could pay for your internet. Corporate America will take your last dollar, market you till you can’t tell the difference between what is real and not real, but isn’t honesty important? How would you feel if you owned the business and someone was stealing from you? What are you role modeling for your children? Mixed messages.

Sounds like you are a nice young guy trying to make it work. Determine your priorities, you could cut back on some expenses but that would involve a sacrifice in other areas. Decide what is MOST important. Prioritize.

Live life in moderation.

[Ricechex]

This is a great thread. I have enjoyed reading the responses; they are intelligent and not inflammatory. (It appears that most posters on this board are logical, responsible and are sharper than the average bear).

That said, why are we commenting on Househunter’s choice to tithe or shop at Whole Foods? Both, are a preference and he defines his priorities. When we talk about money, we also talk about values. The value of what money really “means” to us, and how we should spend it or be in debt.

My suspicion is that Househunter goes to a very expensive synagogue. I would speak with the Temple CEO and see if you can bargain down the rate. That would be a good Jewish thing to do. (BTW, I was born and raised Jewish, now an atheist–but I contribute all year long to animal and environmental organizations–it is all a matter of priority).

Perhaps, you could pay for your internet. Corporate America will take your last dollar, market you till you can’t tell the difference between what is real and not real, but isn’t honesty important? How would you feel if you owned the business and someone was stealing from you? What are you role modeling for your children? Mixed messages.

Sounds like you are a nice young guy trying to make it work. Determine your priorities, you could cut back on some expenses but that would involve a sacrifice in other areas. Decide what is MOST important. Prioritize.

Live life in moderation.

[SDHousehunter]

Interesting replies.

I think religion needs to be a separate topic on a separate thread. Nevertheless, it does play a role in one’s values and values are a variable when it comes to asset purchasing. Therefore it is indirectly related to our discussion. This will be the last of my religion comments on this thread.

To the commentor on using the internet of the neighbor. According to Jewish Law I am not “stealing” anything. To give an analogy. A neighbor has a lemon tree that borders my property via a fence. Lemons from the tree fall from the neighbor’s tree and land on my land. Question: Who do the fallen lemons belong to, the neighbor or myself? If the lemons belong to my neighbor than one can state that my privacy and spacial right are being infringed. If the lemons due not belong to the neighbor than I have a variety of options. I can confront the neighbor and demand that he clean the excess lemons from my property. Or I can collect the lemons, make lemonade and sit by the pool.

My neighbor’s wireless network is sending electronic signals into my private space without my consent. I have not entered his space in order to benefit from anything within his property. So I am not “stealing” which implies a unauthorized acquisition of goods or violation of boundaries. Like the lemon analogy I am merely a victim of someone throwing electronic signals into my home. I have two options: I can demand that he encrypt his network and stop bombarding me with electronic waves (move the tree) or I can learn to live with the waves and make the best of an incovenience (make lemonade).

Now, as for the slingbox. . . I have received consent from a family member who purchased the service to utilize it on my home computer. That implies no violation of rights and therefore I am not “stealing.” It is analagous to borrowing a tupperware bowl from your mother with an indefinite lending period.

Some posters have commented with suggestions as far as budgeting and removing a Tzedakah offering for utilization as reserve capital. Its a good point. The rules of Tzedakah are complex. Question: If one is to give 10% of ones income is that net or gross? Can one deduct expenses? Does this law also apply to businesses as well as personal budgets? Are medical expenses or a child’s education tuition deductible from the Ma’aseh (Tithe) offering?
When my children begin school the above rules will change.

What interest me is that without the corporate entity, how can the average Joe get ahead utilizing after tax income without the corporate tax benefits?

Can he purchase, maintain and depreciate a vehicle? Can he utilize a SEP IRA program whose contribution limits far exceed a 401k? Can he deduct health insurance premiums as before tax expenses?

[SDHousehunter]

Interesting replies.

I think religion needs to be a separate topic on a separate thread. Nevertheless, it does play a role in one’s values and values are a variable when it comes to asset purchasing. Therefore it is indirectly related to our discussion. This will be the last of my religion comments on this thread.

To the commentor on using the internet of the neighbor. According to Jewish Law I am not “stealing” anything. To give an analogy. A neighbor has a lemon tree that borders my property via a fence. Lemons from the tree fall from the neighbor’s tree and land on my land. Question: Who do the fallen lemons belong to, the neighbor or myself? If the lemons belong to my neighbor than one can state that my privacy and spacial right are being infringed. If the lemons due not belong to the neighbor than I have a variety of options. I can confront the neighbor and demand that he clean the excess lemons from my property. Or I can collect the lemons, make lemonade and sit by the pool.

My neighbor’s wireless network is sending electronic signals into my private space without my consent. I have not entered his space in order to benefit from anything within his property. So I am not “stealing” which implies a unauthorized acquisition of goods or violation of boundaries. Like the lemon analogy I am merely a victim of someone throwing electronic signals into my home. I have two options: I can demand that he encrypt his network and stop bombarding me with electronic waves (move the tree) or I can learn to live with the waves and make the best of an incovenience (make lemonade).

Now, as for the slingbox. . . I have received consent from a family member who purchased the service to utilize it on my home computer. That implies no violation of rights and therefore I am not “stealing.” It is analagous to borrowing a tupperware bowl from your mother with an indefinite lending period.

Some posters have commented with suggestions as far as budgeting and removing a Tzedakah offering for utilization as reserve capital. Its a good point. The rules of Tzedakah are complex. Question: If one is to give 10% of ones income is that net or gross? Can one deduct expenses? Does this law also apply to businesses as well as personal budgets? Are medical expenses or a child’s education tuition deductible from the Ma’aseh (Tithe) offering?
When my children begin school the above rules will change.

What interest me is that without the corporate entity, how can the average Joe get ahead utilizing after tax income without the corporate tax benefits?

Can he purchase, maintain and depreciate a vehicle? Can he utilize a SEP IRA program whose contribution limits far exceed a 401k? Can he deduct health insurance premiums as before tax expenses?

[SDHousehunter]

So your Jewish?

I am sure your Bubbe and Zaide would be proud of their grandson and his contributions to valuable causes. Such a Jewish thing to do 🙂

To answer your question I do not pay dues to any synagogue. Good idea to bargain though? Personally, my charity is geared to providing a Jewish education to every Jewish child regardless of affiliation, commitment or non-commitment. I have a firm belief that no Jewish child should go through life without learning about his heritage.

We are a remarkable people and have created and contributed so much to the world via law, education and science. Our history is something we all should be proud of and inspire us to do more.

Now, back to RE. . . . how do you think the credit market, CDO Swaps and the Bear Stearns debacle will affect lending conditions in the future. You can’t buy houses if nobody will lend the money?

A friend of mine on Wall Street who works as an analyst commented that his firm feels the Fed will tighten towards the end of the year and no mercy will be shown to specualtors. Also, as for the banks. . . . he stated that this liquidity crunch will be painful. . . not armageddon. . .but very painful as the hedge fund bets of Subprime unravel,

[SDHousehunter]

So your Jewish?

I am sure your Bubbe and Zaide would be proud of their grandson and his contributions to valuable causes. Such a Jewish thing to do 🙂

To answer your question I do not pay dues to any synagogue. Good idea to bargain though? Personally, my charity is geared to providing a Jewish education to every Jewish child regardless of affiliation, commitment or non-commitment. I have a firm belief that no Jewish child should go through life without learning about his heritage.

We are a remarkable people and have created and contributed so much to the world via law, education and science. Our history is something we all should be proud of and inspire us to do more.

Now, back to RE. . . . how do you think the credit market, CDO Swaps and the Bear Stearns debacle will affect lending conditions in the future. You can’t buy houses if nobody will lend the money?

A friend of mine on Wall Street who works as an analyst commented that his firm feels the Fed will tighten towards the end of the year and no mercy will be shown to specualtors. Also, as for the banks. . . . he stated that this liquidity crunch will be painful. . . not armageddon. . .but very painful as the hedge fund bets of Subprime unravel,

[fuggy]

I would use the tithing money to pay off the loan. It seems a tad arrogant to want to be the big philanthropist when you are in debt. And then before you have your retirement funded.

Then I would move to a cheaper state and buy a used house in a middle class neighborhood right by work.

On a personal note we were discussing the pitiful wages and high prices in the US this morning and were discussing The Italian Solution, the multi-generational home. One trash bill, one cable and internet bill, one pool-guy bill, one home insurance bill, one yard maintenance bill…but I suppose no American woman would marry my sons if they proposed that?

[fuggy]

I would use the tithing money to pay off the loan. It seems a tad arrogant to want to be the big philanthropist when you are in debt. And then before you have your retirement funded.

Then I would move to a cheaper state and buy a used house in a middle class neighborhood right by work.

On a personal note we were discussing the pitiful wages and high prices in the US this morning and were discussing The Italian Solution, the multi-generational home. One trash bill, one cable and internet bill, one pool-guy bill, one home insurance bill, one yard maintenance bill…but I suppose no American woman would marry my sons if they proposed that?

[meadandale]

Sorry to burst your bubble but using your neighbors wireless internet without their knowledge or permission IS stealing however you try to spin it. The lemon tree analogy isn’t quite accurate but nice try.

If you truly feel that you are in the right, knock on their door and tell them what you are doing. If they have no problem with it, cool. If they do, it just proves my point.

I had an unencrypted wifi access point up for awhile and found several of my neighbors connecting. It pissed me off so I kicked them off and locked it down.

On another note, Slingbox would probably take exception to you using your family members service, regardless of whether you have your family members consent or not. It’s slingbox that has the arrangement with your family member. It would be no different than a family member living next door letting you tap into their cable tv. I’m pretty sure the cable company would frown upon that.

I find it interesting that someone who is supposedly religious is defending a couple of obvious examples of theft. I guess that the moral bar is set pretty low these days.

[meadandale]

Sorry to burst your bubble but using your neighbors wireless internet without their knowledge or permission IS stealing however you try to spin it. The lemon tree analogy isn’t quite accurate but nice try.

If you truly feel that you are in the right, knock on their door and tell them what you are doing. If they have no problem with it, cool. If they do, it just proves my point.

I had an unencrypted wifi access point up for awhile and found several of my neighbors connecting. It pissed me off so I kicked them off and locked it down.

On another note, Slingbox would probably take exception to you using your family members service, regardless of whether you have your family members consent or not. It’s slingbox that has the arrangement with your family member. It would be no different than a family member living next door letting you tap into their cable tv. I’m pretty sure the cable company would frown upon that.

I find it interesting that someone who is supposedly religious is defending a couple of obvious examples of theft. I guess that the moral bar is set pretty low these days.

[stansd]

At the risk of getting off topic again, I think your lemon analogy is flawed. Your neighbor owns the lemon tree, but the true owner of the internet signal is the broadband company. The fact that your neighbor granted you access to that signal makes it no more moral than if a bank employee chose to leave the vault open for you late at night.

Stan

[stansd]

At the risk of getting off topic again, I think your lemon analogy is flawed. Your neighbor owns the lemon tree, but the true owner of the internet signal is the broadband company. The fact that your neighbor granted you access to that signal makes it no more moral than if a bank employee chose to leave the vault open for you late at night.

Stan

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