Vote, vote, vote!

On Tuesday, Nov 4 the polls will open for our votes and although I am sure most of you already know for whom you will cast your vote, what is not clear, are all those propositions.

In California there are quite a few important issues for us to consider, but the problem is that the media and everyone else for that matter is influencing our decisions. Let us take Prop 8, the proposition against gay marriage. So far all we heard is that it really is not about the marriage factor, but more of a factor of our children's education and whether or not this subject will be thought in school. I have listened to all the pros and cons from all major networks, read newspapers, magazines and the official voting guides and now I am as confused as ever. There is probably and exact 50% pro as there is con and the worst part is that everyone takes excerpts from the Prop, but no one gives you the who written proposition to consider. So how does one remain relatively neutral in their decision and what are the actual facts?

Educating your self on the decisions you are going to make this November is an important part of our right to vote, the problem is that the lawmakers do not particularly want us to be overly informed; however, we the people do mind the low amount of info. So unfortunately, the only way to get to the facts is to dig for them and have the desire to do so.

I guess the point of this blog is simple. Make the best damn decision you are going to make, but no matter what you do, be sure to vote.

Halloween might not be the scariest thing this October.

This October, while all the kids will be going trick or treating, the adults will wonder just how much of their candy purchases should they put on the already full credit card. The scariest part about this holiday is that the fun must go on, but someone will have to pay.

In the past few weeks I actually heard consumers telling me that they cannot settle with their creditors because they must spend money on Halloween celebration. I cannot seem but to wonder, if this is what's happening in October, just what kind of a holiday season do we have to look forward to November and December?

Couple of days ago when mediating a Discover Bank case for over $19,000 I discovered that the creditors also use the same excuse. They did not want to cut the costs due to the approaching holiday, citing the need for more cash flow due to the exponential loss of settlement. Don't even ask about stipulated judgments, apperently no one trust each other anymore - period.

So, boo! And I hope your Halloween goes debt free.