Though markets are at best a 3 to 5 year out thing when it comes to planning, some of us have seen the writing on the wall and realize that there are ramifications of climate change that affect the economy. Like insurers losing so much money from weather disasters that either pull out of entire areas or make insurance too expensive for most people ( Read more... )

This year, I saved up to pay taxes like I always have. I got online and went through all the steps-- found that the 1040 was shorter, but most of the stuff on it was still required via a "Schedule 1" added document. Figured all that out and was pleasantly surprised to discover that this year I pay $200 less on federal taxes! Yee hah ( Read more... )

Well, it was about what I thought-- a little over $500 when all was said and done, but I was prepared and could cover it.

*wipes brow* Whew!

I don't want to be worrying about this when I am in the midst of moving and changing addresses here in a month or so-- and getting it done over 2 weeks earlier than last year is also giving me a thrill.

I

I have a place for people to go who want to sponsor me and support my writing projects (of which I suffer from an embarrassment of riches-- no lack of material to write about!) Patreon grants a way for people to pledge an amount every month, thus augmenting my modest income. I've been getting $80 to around a $100 a month for over a year now, and it ( Read more... )

I don't really follow the whole Bitcoin thing, but I inevitably hear about it from the many tech types who live in our techy-heavy areas in and around Seattle. Parties I've gone to I hear guys gathering to talk about it, for instance ( Read more... )

One day a month, Cat and/or her mother go shopping with me for things besides our routine once-a-week stores. Today, Cat-- who is feeling considerably better and does NOT have to have surgery!-- went with me for a day out.

I needed some groceries of my own. Generally, I eat with the family for dinner, and often save money by eating leftovers of ( Read more... )

I made a longer post on Patreon and At Spiral's End about this, but the jist is that one patron quintupled his donation from $10 to $50 a month and I'm understandably thrilled! =^D ( Read more... )

I am really upset.

I thought I was done with the court until February-- but no! Gerick has been over-spending on gifts and travel for and with his boyfriends to the tune of about $300 a month. He refuses to ask them to pay more rent (they should be paying $400 to $500, but are paying less than $150 per month) but also refuses to curb his spending on ( Read more... )

If I were not going through such personal upheavals just now, I would be posting much more on recent events as they've unfolded over the last 3 to 4 months. Things are beginning to get interesting-- in the Chinese curse sense of the word ( Read more... )

Things sure are getting interesting in the Chinese curse sense of the word! For those of you not plugged into the serious news, it appears the economy has started to get the shakes ( Read more... )