07.21.10
Posted in frustrations, money at 2:28 pm by david
Even though using one of your ATMs to get reimbursement for health expenses may be preferable for you, it is not a valid option for the following reasons:
- The amount I am requesting exceeds the daily ATM limit on my account
- Last I checked, ATMs did not stock singles, so I would not be able to get the full amount
- Even if I could get the correct amount out, I don’t want to walk around with that kind of cash
- Oh, yeah. There is not a single Wells Fargo ATM in central Arkansas.
Cordially,
David Felio
Permalink
04.27.09
Posted in frustrations, money, theology at 8:26 pm by david
Onward toward asceticism! Not the theological “everything in this world is evil” kind of asceticism, but the “the cost of this dinner could feed a family for a month somewhere” kind. I just have to be careful of what I have previously termed the “Schindler Syndrome.” If you remember the end of the movie, Schindler is getting ready to leave and then begins to sob:
This car. Goeth would have bought this car. Why did I keep the car? Ten people right there. Ten people. Ten more people.
[removing Nazi pin from lapel]
This pin. Two people. This is gold. Two more people. He would have given me two for it, at least one. One more person. A person, Stern. For this.
I could have gotten one more person… and I didn’t! And I… I didn’t!
Beyond the fact that there is always more we can do, always money that we didn’t give, is just the idea of trying to live more simply in this overly (and overtly) indulgent culture. There is so much lavish waste in this country — really in most first world nations. Those resources could be used for so much more.
The name of this post comes from a community group meeting we were having where I was talking about this. I told them, with a bit of hyperbole, that I might end up living in a cave wearing nothing but rags when it was all said and done.
Permalink
03.21.09
Posted in animals, church, family, frustrations, justice, money, theology at 9:42 pm by david
I’ve been trying to hash through a lot of things personally and theologically lately. I’ve been wanting to put together some blog posts to discuss some of it, but haven’t been able to figure out what to say. A friend emailed me this past week to see how I was doing with Sasha’s cancers and Anna’s birthday coinciding. I ended up sending him a quasi-coherent, stream-of-consciousness manifesto. After I sent it, I realized that it would make a decent introductory blog posting, with a little clean up. So here it is. I hope to go into some more details soon.
The past 8 months have been a roller coaster, but the past week has been really bad. This outbreak Sasha is having with the osteosarcomas is really scary. I’ve started adding to our prayers that if it is God’s will that we lose Sasha, that He be preparing our hearts. As fast as these tumors are coming, I’m afraid it will end up in her organs soon. I’m not giving up, but it is looking worse than it ever has. I take a little comfort in knowing that we have done absolutely everything we can for her. She has had the best medical attention available and we are grateful to have been blessed to the point that it hasn’t come down to whether or not we can pay for her treatment.
I’m daily searching for God’s glory in all of this. I know He is moving in my heart in some strong ways, but (I don’t have the energy to phrase this next part properly — I’m not doubting God’s plan this is just how it is coming out) I really don’t think it should have required putting Sasha through this for change to happen in me. Then again, maybe I am just that stubborn. If so, I owe Sasha my life.
It is hard talking to people about this. Many don’t care enough about their pets to go through these emotions. Others may sympathize based on the loss of a person in their life, but that doesn’t work either. See, I don’t have the hope of Heaven with Sasha. This life is all she has and it has been a hard one. Too hard for such a good dog.
I don’t know how this is going to turn out, but I can’t sit back in this world any longer. I’ve always said that people aren’t giving enough money to advance God’s kingdom, but that isn’t enough anymore. I need to take action. There is too much wrong here. And people aren’t angry enough about it. Why isn’t the Church furious with what we see in our world? Why is it so hard for people to understand that life is important? Even the life of animals. Why am I the freak for loving my dog and being willing to do everything in my power to protect her? I’m busting my balls and my bank account to save my dog, while others are leaving theirs to starve to death on the streets and selfishly breeding more than people can house. This is a problem entirely of our own creation. This is not like storms or earthquakes that are just a part of living in a fallen world. This is a problem that we humans directly and intentionally created out of our own pride and greed.
I don’t know what the change is going to look like, but something has to change. How can I justify my lifestyle when that money could be used to preserve life? How can the church/Church justify multi-million dollar buildings when there are so many lives that could be saved, so many missionaries that could be sent, so many homes that could be built with that money? If Compassion International can fend off starvation for a child for $13/month, where do I get off paying $14 so Jennifer and I can have fish and chips at the St. Pat’s Day parade? We are all going to be held accountable for our indulgences. How can I face the horrific irony of a child in heaven who starved to death while I had to have cable TV to watch the Food Network?
Jennifer and I have decided not to do birthday presents anymore and to ask family to donate that money to various charities instead. (We haven’t told them this yet, so, surprise!) Big steaming pile of crap. It was the right thing to do, but it is hardly a sacrifice. I’ve taken comfort in thinking I am doing more than most in our culture for too long. Regardless of the accuracy or inaccuracy of that assessment, the (in)action of the multitude is not the yardstick that will be used when I am before the Father.
Permalink
02.02.09
Posted in church, frustrations, money at 10:21 pm by david
Just this past week I was thinking about the magnificent sermon I heard once by S. M. Lockridge. I had forgotton Rev. Lockridge’s name and then tonight I happened to stumble on a YouTube version of part of it from a friend’s Facebook profile (You can also get the text of the full sermon.)
As I was doing some searching about Rev. Lockridge, I found his obituary. Here’s an interesting excerpt from it:
During Dr. Lockridge’s tenure at Calvary Baptist, one of the most prominent African-American congregations in San Diego, his ministry reached more than 100,000 people. He oversaw 5,000 baptisms and increased the church’s assets from $25,000 to more than $1 million.
It wasn’t the increase or the starting amount or the ending amount that I found interesting. It was the impact per dollar. Our church has assets well in excess of $1 million. Are we having that kind of impact? He was at Calvary Baptist for about 40 years, so let’s assume an even distribution during those years (which is so conservative an assumption as to be inaccurate). Is our church directly reaching 2500 additional people per year per million in assets? Is our church seeing 125 baptisms per year per million?
Is yours?
Permalink
07.27.08
Posted in animals, frustrations, money, theology at 10:43 pm by david
I’m still here and still on track with my study schedule. Time for my monthly post; it is a bit of a rambler since it has been a month.
We took Sasha for her annual check-up a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned to the vet that I had noticed her favoring her left, rear leg. The vet noticed it as well and wanted to take some x-rays. She also recommended a preventative dental cleaning. It had been 2 years since her last cleaning, but Jennifer brushes Sasha’s teeth pretty regularly and I hate that she has to go under anesthesia for it. Since she would have to be under for the x-rays anyway, we decided to do the dental cleaning at the same time and scheduled it for this past Thursday.
When the vet intubated Sasha, she found a 1-inch growth on the very back of her tongue. She easily removed it and sent it off for analysis. She said she doesn’t think it was malignant, but needed to send it off for verification. We should hear the result later this week. As for the x-rays, Sasha has some wear on the ball part of the ball-and-socket in her left hip. She is still in good shape right now and she has no mobility issues, but it is likely to get worse as she grows older. For now, the vet suggested 250mg of glucosamine per day; fortunately Walgreens was having a sale and I picked up a year’s worth for about $20.
So the total wasn’t $6 million. It was actually just over $600. But I don’t care. If I had to pay $600 to repair one of the cars, I’d be miffed. If I had to spend $600 to fix something around the house, I’d be a bit annoyed. But $600 so Sasha can be healthy and happy? I’d do it any day of the week and twice on Sunday with no regrets.
A week or so ago, NPR had a story about the amount some people spent on health care for their pets. One man spent $20,000 on cancer treatments for his pet goose. That resulted in letters from listeners furious that he spent so much on a goose, one asking why he couldn’t have spent that on cancer treatments for children. That made me mad. First, no one has any idea how this man spends his money other than the money he spent on the goose.
More to the point, though, so what? If there had been a story about someone who spent $20,000 restoring an old jalopy, no one would have written in complaining that that money could have been better spent on some altruistic causes. Yet, this man who invested his money to help a living creature, and one that undoubtably provided the man with much companionship and enjoyment, was the subject of vitriolic letters condemning his prodigality.
When determining how to spend money, there is almost always going to be a “better use” for your money. Rather than go out to eat on our anniversary, we could stay home and give the money we saved to ACMS. But why give to a cultural organization when there are physical needs that need to be met? No, that money should go to the ASPCA. But why give to animals when there are people that need help? No, that money should go to Bethlehem House. But why give to Americans, who have access to more resources and food even in most poverty-stricken areas than those in some third-world countries? No, that money should go to Samaritan’s Purse. But why give to an organization that already has so many people giving to it instead to an organization where that money could really make a difference? No, that money should go to ACMS.
This is what computer scientists call recursion. See also: infinite loop.
Each person must decide for themselves what God is leading them to do with their money. We are called to help the needy, support the local church, and support missions. God also wants us to enjoy life:
Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
The road of financial responsibility has ditches on either side. We can err by hoarding and we can err by extravagance. We are called to neither asceticism nor hedonism. We are called to gracious, sacrificial giving and abundant, joyful living.
Finding that balance is the art of stewardship.
Permalink
03.18.08
Posted in frustrations, money at 7:58 pm by david
I do not like Jim Cramer. I especially do not like his show Mad Money. You’ll notice I am not even linking to any websites related to him because I do not want to facilitate any traffic to his sites. Thus, it is with much joy, that I witness his comeuppance at the hands of the always hilarious Jon Stewart. The entire clip is worth a watch, but the Cramer-mocking begins 4:40 into it.
Permalink
03.16.08
Posted in family, food, frustrations, money at 9:35 pm by david
- For The Last Time, The Answer Is Always, “No!”
- “I’ll have Dr. Pepper.”
“Is Mr. Pibb okay?”
- Gee, Wish I Had Considered That Earlier
- “So, the baby’s almost here? Your life is gonna change.”
I know people mean well, but we are aware of this. It was amusing the first few times, but now almost every social interaction I have these days will include some variation on this theme.
- Attention Congress, I Am Not Wealthy (at least not by your standards)
- Stop saying that you are going to roll-back the capital gains and dividend tax breaks because they only benefit the wealthy. They benefit me and I am far from the top tax bracket. The reason you think only the wealthy benefit is because you think only the wealthy have enough money to actually save anything. This is not quite true, despite your desire for Americans to budget just like you do.
Permalink
03.09.08
Posted in family, money at 5:01 pm by david
…you get an Excel spreadsheet that determines the cost per diaper and per wipe at the local stores. I’ve priced the Target and Wal-Mart in Conway, the Babies-R-Us in LR, and diapers.com and put the results in a spreadsheet. I hope to actually put this in a database and make it web-accessible, but, well, I haven’t yet.
Anyway, diapers.com actually appears to have good prices, especially if you buy $50 to get the free shipping. If you order from diapers.com, you can also use referral code DAFE3542 and get $5 off your first order (and I’ll get $1).
Permalink
02.27.08
Posted in frustrations, money at 8:55 pm by david
This will probably come as a surprise to most, even to those who know me well, but I’m generally a “follow-the-rules” kind of guy. I don’t speed. I don’t jaywalk (usually). I don’t cheat on my taxes (though I’ll bet that I’ll still get audited some day, but that is a rant for another time). However, I intend to totally defy the will of Congress. What is this bold act of defiance? I am not going to go prodigal with the economic stimulus check.
Granted, we are doing our part to help the economy this year (especially Babies R Us, not that they deserve it, but that is also a rant for another time), but we are not going to pour an extra $1200 into it just because we get a check for it. The government expects to get out of/avoid a recession by advocating the same bad behavior that exacerbated the sub-prime mortgage crisis and has kept the US at a near-zero personal savings rate for 4 years — by lowering the interest rate to encourage people to take on more debt and by issuing “rebate” checks and encourage spending rather saving.
I’m not an economist and the Fed (that is, the Federal Reserve Board, not the federal government) generally seems to know what the economy needs, but I wonder if the “hair of the dog” prescription would be necessary if the country weren’t drunk on debt to begin with.
I really like what Marc Acito said on NPR’s All Things Considered last month, except for the part about sending it back. Even if I did send it back, Congress would just find another way to spend it rather than use it to pay down debt. Just as they are asking the American people to do.
As you can see, this is one area where Congress isn’t being hypocritical — they are constantly spending money they don’t have, including this rebate plan. So, to help the economy, just do as Congress does. Don’t pay off debt (which the majority of people have) or build up an emergency fund (which the majority of people don’t have). Instead, help our economy by buying MP3 players, PS3s, Wiis. China will thank you, anyway.
Permalink
02.03.08
Posted in frustrations, money at 1:43 pm by david
It is that time of the year when all of the year-end tax statements come rolling in. I had though I would be able to file my taxes in the next week or two. Instead, I’m going to be trying to correct 4 different statements. Why is it that people keep screwing up my money?
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!
Two of the charities we give to monthly sent us reports with wrong year-end totals. One left out an additional check I wrote. Also, for the last 4 months of the year, our church recorded $50 less per month than we actually gave, and we have that drafted from the bank automatically every month.
I’m still trying to get the last $120 out of my old TDAmeritrade account. The sent me a statement showing the money is in there, but they simultaneously list the account as closed so I can’t get it out.
I’m also having to deal with Lehman Brothers on a big issue. They handle all stocks purchased through my company’s ESPP, which I have participated in for the past 5 years. I sold some shares in late November with a limit order of $7.75; the order executed the next day and I got the check a week or so later. The check was a bit less than the cost of the shares sold, but I figured they had taken out the income tax portion of the transaction. (Part of the proceeds from the sell of ESPP shares are taxed as income regardless of how long you own the stock.) When the income tax didn’t show up in my statements from work, I asked and Lehman Bros said they don’t withhold the income tax. So why the difference? I looked back at my confirmations and my order confirmation was correct; my execution confirmation, however, was not. Somehow my limit order to sell x shares was executed as a sell of (x-10) shares and a buy of 10 shares. Lehman Bros is being very vague with me about what happened, but so far, there have been at least 3 errors in the execution of the order.
- The limit order was executed manually. It should have been processed automatically by their system. There was no reason for manual intervention.
- The order was broken into 2 parts. The order was for even lots and there was plenty of volume in the market, so there was no reason to break it up.
- Most obviously, my sell became a friggin’ buy!
They have said that they will eat it and I will get a check for the difference. As vague as they have been, though, I’m wondering if a report to the SEC is in order as it sounds like they have someone doing something naughty. I’m likely going to sell some more shares in the next trading window (due to insider trader rules, we are only allowed to buy or sell 1 month each quarter), and I am just a bit skittish about it.
Permalink
« Previous entries
