How I Pay $85 A Month For My Health Insurance Policy
September 10, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Health and Fitness, Insurance, Politics
Health care is the big topic around the country right now. Politicians want to push a reform bill that many Americans don’t want. Americans want affordable health care, but they are weary about handing it over to the government. In high school and college, I never worried about health care. I was always under my mother’s health insurance policy, so I never worried about it. Then when I got married, my first “real” job paid for 80% of my health care premium, and the rest of it plus the premium for my wife to be added on was taken out of my paycheck every two weeks. I still paid around $240 a month for it, even with 80% of my premium being paid, so I know that health care policies can be very expensive.
Credit Card Regulations Bill Passed By Congress
May 20, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Credit Cards, Credit and Debt, Politics
The bill to regulate certain credit card policies has now passed through the Congress. Why is Congress regulating credit card companies? Because, they recongize the abusive consumer practices that credit cards perform each and every day, yet we still continue to use them. Here is an excerpt from the article from Fox News:
Meanwhile, the credit card portion is aimed at addressing consumer concerns.
The new restrictions would protect debt-ridden consumers from many of the surprise charges common in the industry, like over-the-limit fees and a charge to pay the bill by phone.
Look For The Make Work Pay Tax Credit In Your Paychecks
April 4, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economy, Politics, Taxes
President Obama asked employers to start making adjustments to federal withholdings starting April 1st for the Make Work Pay Tax Credit. This was a stimulus-based tax credit that passed in the recent economic stimulus legislation passed in February. Last year’s stimulus plan sent lump-sum checks to individuals and couples with the hopes of these individuals putting the money back into the economy. This year’s plan will systematically distribute the tax credit in your paychecks.
Who Is Eligible?
What Do You Think About Obama’s Plan To Reduce Charitable Giving Tax Deductions?
March 11, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Giving, Politics
When President Obama announced his budget plan, one of his tax proposals was glossed over by the media, and I wanted to get your opinion about it.
Starting in 2011, President Obama plans to reduce the charitable giving tax deduction from 100% to 28% of your charitable contribution for families who earn over $250,000 in adjusted gross income. Right now, if you give $100 to your local charity, you can deduct $100 from your adjusted gross income, which determines how much tax you owe on your annual federal taxes. Obama has coined families making more than $250,000 per year as “wealthy”, so he is imposing a reduction in this tax deduction to 28 percent. For families that this applies to, they will only be able to deduct $28 per $100 they give to charity on their taxes.
Will Obama’s Housing Rescue Plan Work?
March 4, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Economy, Politics, Real Estate
Obama is making an effort to rekindle the housing market, and here is a good article outlining his propose plan.
I think the housing market is the key to jumpstarting our economy again. Everyone is focusing on the financial services and auto industry, but I think the real estate industry is the key to an economic recovery. I don’t like the idea of bailing out people, not because I don’t have a heart, but because buying a home is a risk. Failure is not always such a bad thing. Anyway, we are going to bail them out, and we’ll see how Americans respond to this gift.
The House Passes Obama’s Massive Economic Stimulus Recovery Plan
January 28, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Economy, Politics
To read the whole story about the house of representatives passing the stimulus bill, CLICK HERE.
This bill is chalked full of spending that has nothing to do with stimulating the economy. Philosophically, I disagree with spending and building infrastructure to stimulate an economy. I think cutting taxes stimulates an economy better, because it puts more money into the hands of businesses and individuals. When businesses have more money, they have more room to expand and create jobs.
Obama Tries To Scare Us Into Another Stimulus Plan
January 8, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Economy, Politics
Obama spoke of doom and gloom today after giving his strongest charge for nearly a $1 trillion dollar spending bill.
When you listen to him, it’s obvious that he’s trying to gain support from the American people by scaring us into believing that we need to spend more money to fix a problem. As a money crasher reader, do not take after the government when it comes to your personal finances. If you are going through financial problems, do not try to spend your way out of it. The smart thing to do is cut spending, save money, and do anything and everything you can to increase your monthly income.
Obama Gives A Speech About His Proposed Economic Stimulus Plan for 2009
January 3, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Economy, Politics
Obama is labeling the proposed plan as an “American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan”, and he wants it passed as soon as possible. The price tag could be $775 billion, and once again, politicians think the only way to get out of this economic slump is to spend more money. This philosophy was practiced by Bush and now Obama. Here is the speech he gave and released on radio and on YouTube.
What are your thoughts?
Information About A Possible 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan
December 9, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Economy, Politics
During the presidential election, Barack Obama spoke about proposing an economic stimulus plan for 2009. Originally, Obama and Congress wanted to get a stimulus plan passed during his lame duck period, but Congress is no longer in session until the beginning of the new year, so it looks like that isn’t happening. The Democrats wanted to get two stimulus packages passed, one by the end of this year, and then another one in the beginning of 2009. Now, it looks like they will push for one comprehensive stimulus plan in January or February of 2009.
Highlights of President-Elect Barack Obama’s Tax Plan
November 6, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economic Policy, Politics, Taxes
Congratulations to Barack Obama for winning the office of the most important and powerful person in the world. He wasn’t who I voted for, but it is truly a historic time to be alive to see the first African-American president of the United States. I know that one issue many are concerned about when it comes to Obama is his tax plan. Here is a good snapshot from Kiplinger’s magazine about what he plans to do with taxes.
Tax-Plan Highlights
Income Tax
Maintain current tax rates of 10% to 28% for most Americans. Reinstate top tax rates of 36% and 39.6% on joint income of more than $250,000 ($200,000 for individuals).
