Keep Hoping Machine Running (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thefourthvine) wrote2009-07-04 09:07 pm
thefourthvine) wrote2009-07-04 09:07 pm
Entry tags:
[Poll] Eeeeeeekonomy.
So, the other day I took the earthling to the mall for walking-around purposes, and every single store except the Cinnabon was having a sale. It was a little scary. And we're looking for a desk right now, and half the local furniture stores are having a sale. The other half are out of business. Friends of mine have been laid off. California's budget looks like it's been hit by asteroids.
I am alarmed. And so I'm wondering about y'all: how are you doing? Poll time!
And, by the way, if you're thinking now might be a good time to get your finances in order, I highly recommend the services of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jarrow, who does custom budget spreadsheets for fellow fans (and, I assume, others). The spreadsheets are a) really, really pretty (they look like Monopoly!) b) easy to use and c) cheap. It does not get better than that, people. (Except it does: he also provides instruction and tech support. And emotional support, too, if you need it, like if you find budgeting just way too scary ever to face, or if you hyperventilate every time you think about your bills.) We had been trying to use Quicken for two years, and basically only achieving an ever-growing hatred of Quicken. John's spreadsheet, on the other hand, is totally working for us.
And now, let's talk about you.
[Poll #1425209]
I am alarmed. And so I'm wondering about y'all: how are you doing? Poll time!
And, by the way, if you're thinking now might be a good time to get your finances in order, I highly recommend the services of
jarrow, who does custom budget spreadsheets for fellow fans (and, I assume, others). The spreadsheets are a) really, really pretty (they look like Monopoly!) b) easy to use and c) cheap. It does not get better than that, people. (Except it does: he also provides instruction and tech support. And emotional support, too, if you need it, like if you find budgeting just way too scary ever to face, or if you hyperventilate every time you think about your bills.) We had been trying to use Quicken for two years, and basically only achieving an ever-growing hatred of Quicken. John's spreadsheet, on the other hand, is totally working for us. And now, let's talk about you.
[Poll #1425209]
no subject
Oh, god. I remember the joys of being self-employed - for the most part, actually, it was really good, but not having anything was not so good. (Now I do some freelance stuff, but mostly I am employed by the earthling, who does not actually pay anything. But he gives great intangibles!)
New Zealand doesn't have government health insurance, per se: we have a public health system (ie, public hospitals and partially subsidised GP visits and prescriptions).
To someone in the US, trust me, this looks like government health insurance. And, actually, I'm always fascinated to hear how these systems work in other countries, and I wish more people would talk about them on LJ and elsewhere; I think it would help clear up a lot of confusion and get people comfortable with the idea. I would LOVE to see lots of posts from people talking about what the health care/health insurance situation is like where they are.
I still have visions of Anne stealing apples at the beginning of King Kong, but I've also had vague murmurings and possibilities of work in the last week or so, so it's hard to tell whether we're still plummeting downwards or things are looking up.
I will hope for looking up! *hopes hopes hopes*
no subject
I did this, btw. I meant to tell you sooner. :-)
no subject
In progress: a post about what it's like to have good insurance in the US. I have no idea where I'll post it, though.
no subject
(Oh, speaking of which, I got thoroughly squicked by something last night and then read that SGA fic you recced (Junk Cheap) and it made it ALL BETTER, THANK YOU SO MUCH!)