Monday, February 27, 2012

Debt and the power of the written word.....

I spend a lot of time listening to the radio these days, specifically CBC radio due to my geographical area.  Local radio is absolutely awful  playing country and bubble gum top 40 back to back without any mention of real world concerns or issues.  I admit I miss my old commute to Toronto sometimes if only for the am radio talk radio availability. 

This afternoon I spent a small portion of it listening to Type A, a talk show that covers different issues and topics involving Canadian economics.  Today's show was specifically addressing debt and all the lovely things involved with it. 

I fully admit I became irked by the "this is how it is, get used to it" attitude with the majority of callers and panelists of each of the various segments.  I was quickly brought back to my American Express days and the many calls I took.  Over 15,000 a year roughly, all complaints and problems.

I immediately got on my iPhone and started tweeting to Type A, I felt obligated.  It bothered me to hear so many people talking and relating the issues they have had and are facing in the future.  The condemnation administered by collection agents leading to thoughts of suicide, the Depression era mentality of the elderly and how you only bought what you can pay for.

The real crime in all of it was the fact that regulations are not in place for banks or any credit lenders as far as default rates are concerned.  I mean honestly, doesn't anyone really read all the small print?
most have no clue that if they miss 3 payments in the course of your relationship with said creditors you are usually subjected to interest far above the original introductory and standard rate agreed at signing.  I cannot even count the amount of times I completely explained the Lending on Charge cards AmEx cleverly signed callers up for.

I'm still enraged now but I have a small boy to look after as I'm sure I could rant about this for hours on end.  My point in writing was to congratulate myself on being re tweeted by Type A.
They popped my re tweet cherry after being on twitter for over a year.

My picture on this blog was stolen for another blogger but it rings so true, I wish I could see the day that we all stop allowing a cost be applied to literally everything in our lives and realize that raising our children properly should be the most important job we have. 

OK, I'll shuddup now......

Cheers

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

You Just Gotta Love Technology.....

I fully admit I love my iPhone.
Do I really need the 4.8 Gigs of apps on it currently, of course not but as per Murphy's Law the second I delete something I will need it. Having a tech savvy 4 year old doesn't help either.
That pic from my previous post was all him exclusively, I had nothing to do with it whatsoever. He sneakily had me download an educational game to then take full advantage of the small time frame where one can download again without requiring a password.
Clearly my investment in high DHA content with Omega 3 and 6 in his infancy has paid off.

Anyway, I was able to download Blogger to my iPhone. 
Will I ever use it?  I don't know.
Does anybody care?  Of course not.
Should I add on a million gadgets to try and get my nearly 10 year old AdSense balance over $50?
Of course not, I'm not a salesman, I'm more of a truth teller.

On that note, I will end this little writing warm up and play with my son.
Time flies when you're having fun.

OK.....I'll shuddup now.

There's No Excuse.....


The amount of time I let escape is completely inexcusable.
Life decided to throw another curve and dealt me into the single parenting game.
Definitely a challenge I've been willingly happy to accept.
I love this boy so much I have yet to be able to sum it up in terms I can even understand.
Another challenge I'm happy to accept is the "There's Nothing Like Australia" Contest courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
"Tell us why you should be selected to receive this trip?
Winners will be based on topical relevance and enthusiasm for the desired travel experience, 250 words maximum.
Only 250 words......
For a someone like me this could be difficult.
After rereading my previous adventure with the Edge 102.1's old (2006) contest "The Moderately Paid Employee Program", I had to resurrect the guy I used to be and actually start writing again.
I can do this......
My work is just about to begin.
OK......I'll shuddup now.