Category Archives: Money Stuff

House Arrest 15 (A Little Sale)

Posted on April 1, 2020 by sputterpub

In solitary combat with the curse Coronavirus, home alone and clean, and knowing consequences could be worse but clueless what the cancellations mean, long-term, in jobs and economic pain, inhaling headlines made me short of breath. I saw investments sink … Continue reading →

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Non Gratitude

Posted on February 26, 2020 by sputterpub

The dowager declined to buy or lend. Her grownup grandchildren were in a squeeze, and though she has abundance she won’t spend it yet. Presenting her with facts and pleas, I had to find another way around. I made her … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Money Stuff, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Three (Non)Wishes

Posted on August 26, 2016 by sputterpub

A deathless life and wealth beyond compare and never laboring: these are the three conditions legends say we would repair, if granted wishes. Immortality or gold is first, the other next, and work- avoidance makes the third gratuity. Then fables … Continue reading →

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Invoicing

Posted on July 7, 2016 by sputterpub

A capital proposal – we could bill them more who stalled, ignored or never sent us data; surcharge blamers for their ill behavior; let the way our time is spent assign the dollar rate we multiply. And what’s the charge … Continue reading →

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First Job in Second Person

Posted on December 30, 2014 by sputterpub

If you were me, you were born in early January. That makes your sun sign Capricorn, and nowhere near a cusp. You never studied astrology, and you were skeptical when you encountered it in 1967, but there was no avoiding … Continue reading →

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Buying Heinz

Posted on February 23, 2013 by sputterpub

I heard an item on the nightly news last week. I wasn’t paying close attention and I haven’t researched any of the details, but I don’t think that matters. The report mentioned a sale of the Heinz company. That good … Continue reading →

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Maeta’s Fable: Retirement Plans

Posted on January 2, 2013 by sputterpub

As expected, Goofus and Gallant got jobs after college. Goofus stashed his liberal arts degree in the bottom of the footlocker he used as a coffee table, and went to work in a succession of retail situations. His favorite stint … Continue reading →

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$ (1997)

Posted on July 20, 2012 by sputterpub

I meditate on money as I make my way to work. I wonder how much stuff a body needs in middle age, to break away from office life. Is it enough invested in a cottage, managed funds, a quarter million … Continue reading →

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Fair Market Value

Posted on July 28, 2011 by sputterpub

“The only place the word fair appears in the Internal Revenue Code,” Al intoned, is “immediately before the phrase market value.” Al has since retired, but I’ll never forget his words. He was responding to some complaint I voiced about … Continue reading →

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Retirement Savings

Posted on July 5, 2011 by sputterpub

     Don’t shoot me if I sound insensitive. I know many of us are living off savings or otherwise struggling to get by. But my job is about retirement plans for small businesses, so I interact regularly with people who … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Money Stuff, Poetry | 2 Comments