Are Your Political Campaign Donations Worth It?
Is all of the talk of the upcoming presidential election stressing you out? Do you feel helpless about the potential outcome? If so, perhaps you have considered donating to a political campaign? With the stakes feeling higher than ever, it’s natural to wonder if our donations can truly make a difference. Should you part with your hard-earned money to support a candidate, or is there a more impactful way to engage politically? While donating to a political cause may help you feel like you’re doing something, does your donation actually make a difference? If you’ve ever thought about whether donating money could help your candidate win, you will definitely want to check out this article.
Now, I’m gonna breeze over a lot of information about donation limits and the many strategies for getting around them. I assume our readers are more familiar with the salty kiss of ramen noodles than the inky cotton fragrance of thousands of dollars you wanna just give away
~Lauren Torres (aka Kitty), Bitches Get Riches
In this article, Lauren Torres (aka Kitty of Bitches Get Riches) explores the effectiveness and impact of donating to political campaigns. In her trademark irreverent and witty style, she discusses the complexities of campaign finance, highlighting how donations—especially at the national level—may not translate directly into electoral success. Although the article has a decidedly liberal take on politicts, someone of any political persuasion could learn from the deep insights and data on how small donors affect election outcomes (from city council to the Whitehouse). While the full article is definitely worth a read, if your short on time, Torres Torres suggests that volunteering your time can often be more impactful than small political donations.
The Budget and the Debt Ceiling: How A Government Shutdown Could Affect Military Pay
As we approach the end of the US Government’s fiscal year, you may have heard words like “government shutdown” floating around in the news again. And because of the intricacies of how Congress operates, there’s another spectre haunting the news… the “debt ceiling”. Government shutdowns and the debt ceiling debate often bring anxiety, especially for government military personnel who rely on timely paychecks from the government. Even if you are not a government employee, you might wonder how these events could affect your lifestyle. Would you still get social security? Will your meat and dairy products still get stamped by USDA food safety inspectors?
Just like many families and companies, our federal government spends more money than it earns. In order to pay its bills, it borrows money. Because it always spends more than it earns, it is always borrowing more and more money. And, as you know, you have to pay interest on the money you borrow.
~Kate Horrell, Kings High Media
If you’re unsure of what might happen in a government shutdown, you might want to check out this article by Kate Horrell. In it, Horrell explains the potential risks military personnel face during a government shutdown, particularly related to budget and debt ceiling issues. A government shutdown can occur if Congress fails to pass the federal budget or raise the debt ceiling, both of which could halt government operations, including military pay. While historical precedents suggest that military pay is often protected, the article emphasizes that there are no guarantees, especially in the event of a debt ceiling crisis. The author advises service members and other government employees to stay informed, prepare financially for possible delays, and understand the implications of such shutdowns on their pay and benefits.
D I Why?
When was the last time you changed the oil in your own car? Maybe it’s possible that you wouldn’t even know how to change the oil in your car. For many people, doing it yourself (or DIY) is one of their most cherished hobbies. And it’s not just cars that people DIY. Based on commercials for Home Depot and Lowe’s, it seems like many people want to spend time fixing up their homes. But is it worth it to do it yourself? In a world where many of us sit at computers all day for work, it’s unlikely that your job skills can translate to snaking electrical wires through your walls or ripping out your toilet. How much is your time worth, and are you saving any money?
3 years ago we made one of the worst financial decisions you can make and bought a house. This happened to also be one of the worst time management decisions you can make. Fortunately we have a flexible schedule.
~Jeremy, GoCurryCracker
This article from one of the original FIRE (financial independence, retire early) bloggers takes a deep look into the pros and cons of doing it yourself. Jeremy, from GoCurryCracker found that hiring a professional can cost three to ten times more than the materials alone. However, Jeremy emphasizes that more than money, taking the time to learn and do it yourself can be worthwhile in terms of personal fulfillment. He shares his philosophy of embracing mistakes as part of the learning process, which ultimately leads to significant savings and the confidence that comes with knowing how to fix things yourself. The article encourages readers to consider DIY as a cost-effective and rewarding approach to home maintenance, even if it means redoing the work a few times to get it right.