STARBUCKS
Bring in a reusable travel mug on April 15th to Starbucks and get a free brewed coffee. It’s part of their save the trees effort.
Archive for April, 2010
STARBUCKS
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010TAXES
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010TAXES
Did you file your taxes? Getting a refund or do you owe? A total of 46.9% of households paid NO income tax in 2009. That compares to 40.3% in 2004, 39.1% in 2005, 37.3% in 2006, 37.9% in 2007, 48.5% in 2008.
Taxes are somewhat intangible. It’s not like you go to a tax store and visibly see what you get in return. For instance, if I walked into a tax store and they asked me if I wanted a road that will take me to where I work, I would say yes and pay for it. If they asked me if I wanted to pay for research of why Peruvian dart frogs like to mate when the moon is full, I would say no. If they wanted to sell me services for poor crazy people so that crazy people don’t roam my neighborhood I would most likely say yes. As much as I enjoy the antics of crazy people I don’t know if they are capable of not doing something crazy that will affect me in a bad way. And if I wanted a refund on my tax dollars spent on a crooked politician, I wouldn’t want them put back on the shelf for resale.
There are some people that don’t want to pay anything in taxes. For those folks I say we take away everything that taxes paid for and see if they feel the same. If their house catches fire, they better hope it’s raining because they didn’t fund the fire department. The poor crazy person decided to live in the non-taxpayers shed now because they don’t have a safety net because jobless benefits and social help were taken away when the recession hit and they’re free to live there because there is no police department to call to take care of these issues. And the crazy person shot him when he tried to get him out of his shed because without a police department the crazy person doesn’t care what he does. There are no courts too once criminals are caught so that means you have to get them to see if Judge Wapner or Judge Judy will take the case, but since there are no taxpayer paid jails it is all for show.
There are some that don’t question what they are paying in taxes. For them I say we charge them for research on having crazy people train Peruvian dart frogs to drive. And since dart frogs need to be entertained before getting trained, the taxpayers should pay for them to be taken to Cedar Point or Six Flags. The all-accepting taxpayer’s is happy to pay their share without any checks and balances or questioning of those in charge of taxing or the taxes themselves. But putting all your trust into the system is like chewing gum you found underneath a desk…it’s just not right.
To understand the fairness of the tax system you have to know what progressive and regressive taxes are. Regressive taxes tend to help the poor while Progressive taxes tend to help the rich. Progressive taxes tax higher as income goes up. With Regressive taxes a tax lowers in percentage as the incomes goes down. For instance, if a rich person pay 7 cents in tax for a pack of gum, they are paying less in tax as a percentage of their income than that of a poor person – that’s called a regressive tax. Hence, taxes that increase as your income grows is supposed to balance those issues. A progressive tax would be an income tax that taxes people with a low income at a lower rate, say 15%, than that of a rich person, say 35%. Fees like a $150 charge for a speeding ticket are also regressive in nature. In essence all the progressive and regressive taxes should balance out in the end. In Switzerland and Finland speeding tickets are tied to your income – just like a progressive tax.
Why should the rich pay more in taxes when they earned it? Why should we spread the wealth? Greed for one reason. You can see what greed did when the banks decided to take advantage of poor oversight. When greedy people aren’t satisfied with what they have they will do all they can for that extra buck even sometimes if it means doing the wrong thing. Did Bernie Madoff earn his millions? Greed and using money as power can corrupt. Doing what is right balances those issues, but some people have a poor moral compass. Here are some other reasons:
Some verses from Proverbs:
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty.
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.
Also, in Proverbs it also tries to keep those with less means in line too:
Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
He who loves pleasure will become poor, whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
There is even a passage about taxes in the Bible. In Genesis (chapter 47, verse 24 – the New International Version), it states “But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.” Joseph was telling the people of Egypt how to divide their crop, providing a portion to the Pharaoh. A share (20%) of the crop was the tax.
One thing to be aware of – some vocal critics that don’t like to be taxed may be in debt themselves and there are rich people trying to sway public opinion that will lessen their own tax burden. Just because someone shouts out their feelings, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do and it doesn’t mean they are telling the truth.
You’ve probably heard a lot about flat taxes. Many deductions would be eliminated with a flat tax. What that does for the most part is lessen taxes for the rich and increase it for the poor. Same principal with the tax on the pack of gum. If we all pay the same tax, the rich pay a smaller percentage of their income than that of a poor person. Sure a flat tax is simple, but it’s not always fair. And again, the folks barking about it the most in the media are the ones that are rich themselves. They want to sway public opinion so that they aren’t taxed more. There is always an agenda when it comes to money. Interestingly, there are some billionaires like Warren Buffet that said they wanted to be taxed more. They felt they made too much money and wanted to better the financial situation in the U.S.
What countries have flat taxes? Most flat tax countries are made up of communist or former-communist countries. Russia and many former Eastern bloc nations have a flat tax. Check them out and more about flat taxes here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_tax
Taxes need to be for the right things and at the right amounts. And just like any consumer, governments must also belt-tighten dollars spent when monies are not available. Not easy to do when some programs and services are essential. California and New Jersey are two states needing to cut back a lot and won’t make some people happy with the cuts they are proposing. I’d also like not to be taxed at all, but I know that isn’t feasible. I’m ok with giving 20% to the Pharaoh. After all, how else is he going to pay the tip on his beer tab.
RESTAURANT.COM DEAL
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010RESTAURANT.COM
Get $25 restaurant gift certificates for $4 (normally $10)! All gift certificates are 60% off PLUS get a free $10 gift certificate!
Deal ends 4/15.
Use discount code: TREAT
Click here to order: http://tinyurl.com/yjutc54
GALES GARDEN CENTER
Monday, April 12th, 2010GALES GARDEN CENTER
Get a gift certificate for $20 Worth of Plants and Garden Supplies at Gale’s Garden Center for $9. One day only sale. Gift certificate expires 10/13. Maple Heights location.
Click here to order:
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu661645
DEALS O’ THE WEEK
Monday, April 12th, 2010K-MART
Final winter clothes clearance – $1.99
SEARS
Final winter clothes clearance – 80% to 90% off.
VF OUTLET
Get a 20% off friends and family discount with this coupon good from 4/15 to 4/18 – just tell them you’re real tight with the Coupon Guy. Click here for the coupon: http://vfoutlet.net/Portals/0/coupon_images/FabFest%20internet_coupon.pdf
NOTES
Ever wonder what happened to that letter or note that you lost when a big gust of wind took it out of your hands? Well, this site might give you an idea….and maybe you might want to chase down after those lost memories like a coupon that jumps from your stash of coupons to ride the wind and skip across a wet and dangerous parking lot.
Click here: http://www.foundmagazine.com/
JOANN FABRICS
50% off regular priced item coupon in ad. Now you can get that hot-looking thimble you had your eye on for the past year. Or use Promo code NFSE105 or NFSE107 when ordering online. Click here to order online:
http://tinyurl.com/ya8umuz
ALDIS
Super deals on produce:
Bag o’ Salad – 39 cents
Mushrooms – 8 oz – 69 cents
Baby Carrots – 49 cents bag
Strawberries – $1.19
CVS
Free after extra bucks:
Dove Shampoo or Conditioner – plus use recent coupon to make money
Dial Nutriskin body wash – plus use coupon from this link: http://tinyurl.com/ycfntx7
Dentyne/Trident 3 pack – buy 2, use recent coupons
WALGREENS
Schick Hydro Shave Gel
Shick Hydro razor – free after recent coupon
RITE AID
Free after rebate:
Schick Hydro razor – free after recent coupon
Complete contact solution
Crest 3D – 99 cents – free after recent coupon
Remember to fill out your rebate at http://www.riteaid.com – no UPCs, no reciepts, no stamps needed to send in!
A $25 gift card coupon for transferred prescriptions is in this weeks ad.
BEST DEAL MAGAZINES
Daily Deals:
4/12 Harper’s Bazaar 1 Year $4.29
4/13 Woman’s Day 1 Year $4.29
4/14 Life Extension 1 Year $4.29
4/15 Hot Bike 1 Year $4.29
4/16 Backpacker 1 Year $5.29
4/17 Mac Life 1 Year $5.29
4/18 Boy’s Life 1 Year $5.29
Take An Extra 15% Off Most Titles Code: PXCJ418 Offer Expires April 18, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $5 OFF $30 ORDER COUPON Code: MNDCJ418 Offer Expires April 18, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $7.50 OFF $40 ORDER COUPON Code: MQQCJ418 Offer Expires April 18, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $10 OFF $50 ORDER COUPON Code: MQPCJ418 Offer Expires April 18, 2010
Weekly Deals:
Additional 20% Off – $3.75 for 1 year
Use Coupon Code: WKLYSPEC
FAMILY FUN
AUTOMOBILE
FAST COMPANY
Click here to order:
BEST DEAL MAGAZINE DEALS
ACE HARDWARE
Deals end 4/30
99 cents after rebate:
Wildflower Seed Mix – limit 3
Seed Starter Professional Grower Mix
Plant Food – limit 3
Leather Palm gloves – free after rebate
Use $5 off $25 coupon from Entertainment book with deal.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
All books 50% off & free shipping.
Click here to order:
http://tinyurl.com/yghozvs
CLOSING
James Clothiers – Landerwood Plaza in Pepper Pike – now 50% off
Medina Oriental Rugs – savings starting at 70%
OPENING
Alladin’s Eatery – Mentor (in spot where Luchita’s was located)
Style Furniture – North Randall
LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Saturday, April 10th, 2010LAKELAND FREE CLASS DAY
Free classes, free lunch, free blood pressure screening! Check out a class on the Three Stooges or one on Dreams or one on UFOs. April 17th from 9 AM to Noon. No registration required. Just show up. The library also has a book sale. Books and videos are 25 cents each or $1 a bag.
Click h…ere for a list of classes and more info:
http://tinyurl.com/y4wbh4z
http://lakelandcc.edu/freecollegeday/FCD_Classes.pdf
RESTAURANT.COM
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010RESTAURANT.COM
Get $25 restaurant gift certificates for $3 (normally $10)! All gift certificates are 70% off! Deal ends 4/11. New restaurants: Saffron Patch, Taverne of Richfield, Saigon, Whitmores, Mallorca, Giovannis, Taste, House of Blues and many more. Find restaurants across the U.S.
Use discount code: DISH
Click here to order: http://tinyurl.com/yjutc54
LOWES
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010LOWES
6 Pack Annuals – 89 cents (more than half off)
Gallon Perennials – 3 for $10 (half off)
12″ Retaining Wall Brick – $1.18 – great deal
Wheelbarrow – $24.88
Deal good through 4/12.
BUEHLERS
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010BUEHLERS
Pick 5 packages of meat and seafood selections, get the 6th free. I found that the packages cost from $4.50 to over $7. Of course, your best deal would be to get items all over $7. In essence if you get 6 items that cost $42 you will get them all for $19.95, more than half off. If you buy items at $5 each you will save around 33%. Better to get BOGO deals if that is the case.
Apples – 3lb bag – $1.49
They don’t double coupons at Buehlers, so you can’t consistently get 70% off or more. Spend $50, get a $1 reward. Go to Buehlersc.om for online coupons. Sale goes through 4/11.
DEALS O’ THE WEEK, COINS
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010COINS
The snow has melted and revealed all the grit and grime from winter. Sidewalks are full of rubble and castoffs from the road. Each soupy lumpy mix of winter vomit can hold many treasures. Even more exciting for me is that it also reveals any coins and baubles that people dropped and lost in the snow. Might I find a baby’s doll head or safety pin? Perhaps a button or some gold bullion. Or even better…some coins.
Nothing like finding coins that most people don’t want to bend over and pick up. Not me. I scan left to right as I walk down a sidewalk looking for the heads of Lincoln, Washington, or Roosevelt. Before long I find enough coins so that I can buy an Archie comic book. Or maybe The Katzajammer Kids comic or a mood ring or a months worth of groceries.
Should someone want to hunt me down all they have to do is line up some coins on the sidewalk and place a pile of them under a box propped up with a stick tied to a string.
Taking my coins to Coinstar is free if I convert them into gift cards. Otherwise it costs 9.8 cents for every dollar counted. Pshaw I say. I get free coin rolls from a local bank and wrap them up myself and get 100% back.
I also like putting coins in my pockets so that the ching ching sound it makes scares away any bears that might be in the area.
Bending over to pick up a penny is great excercise too. I usually do ten squats with my arms outstretched every time I see one before I pick it up.
So coins, even pennies, have many uses. Next time you see a penny on the floor…think deeply about what that penny can do for you and the quality of your life.
EASTER CANDY
50% off at most stores.
KMART
They aren’t doubling $2 coupons and less in the Northeast Ohio area this week, but many stores outside the area and in other states. Here is a list of locations that are doubling:
http://tinyurl.com/y9jogf3
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
All books now $15 plus FREE shipping! Deal good until 4/30.
Click here to order:
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK DEAL
RESTAURANT.COM
Get $25 restaurant gift certificates for $2 (normally $10)! That’s 80% off. Deal ends 4/6. Get gift certificates early in the month before they sell out.
Use discount code: CHOW
Click here to order: RESTAURANT.COM 80% OFF DEAL
MCDONALDS
A couple weeks ago there was a page of coupons for McDonalds with the coupon inserts. Most were BOGO coupons, but don’t miss the one that was for a free small frappe.
PRICE MATCH
We took a Krogers ad to Giant Eagle so they would price match the ham. Kroger was .99/lb. and GE was at $1.19. They said no because Kroger wasn’t a local store. I had a Dave’s Supermarket ad that I printed and they did price match it – they also were priced at .99/lb. Interestingly the Giant Eagle ads in the Columbus area had the hams at 99 cents/lb because the Krogers were local there. And while I was in the Columbus area I found out that Krogers tripled coupons the other week – I just missed it!
BEN & JERRYS
Free cone day on April 17th from 12 PM to 8 PM.
INTERNET COUPONS
Get nearly 200 internet coupons this month. Most stores take them now including Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Marc’s, Giant Eagle, Heinens, etc. Can change at any time, but for now they do.
Click here to print them:
COUPONS
GRAVEYARD MALL
They recently had a get 10 pairs of sunglasses for $9.99 deal. Check the bargain bin for great deals. Click here to order:
GRAVEYARD MALL DEALS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
The percentage of workers who said they have less than $10,000 in savings grew to 43% in 2010, from 39% in 2009, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s annual Retirement Confidence Survey. The savings exclude the value of primary homes and defined-benefit pension plans. The percentage of workers who said they saved for retirement fell to 69%, from 75% in 2009.
CAPTAINS BASEBALL
Find promotions for the Lake County Captians monor league baseball team at: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/promotions/index.jsp?sid=t437
Check other minor league teams here:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp
APPLIANCE REBATE
All the clothes washer and dishwasher rebates are gone. Still over 3,000 refrigerator rebates available and plenty of water heater rebates. Over 90,000 Energy Star rebates have been claimed. Ohio will cut energy consumption by 11,656,501 kilowatt-hours and 449,755 therms per year and saved 175,652,211 gallons of water per year. Ohio’s rebates were more generous than other states.
TARGET
$10 gift card with new or transferred prescription coupon in ad.
CVS
Free after extra bucks:
Stride gum – plys use recent coupon
Complete contact solution
SHELBY LIBRARY RESCHEDULED
Monday, April 5th, 2010SHELBY LIBRARY
Class rescheduled to Thursday, May 13th at 2:00 PM.
HAPPY EASTER
Sunday, April 4th, 2010RESTAURANT.COM 80% OFF!
Friday, April 2nd, 2010RESTAURANT.COM
Get $25 restaurant gift certificates for $2 (normally $10)! That’s 80% off. Deal ends 4/6. Get gift certificates early in the month before they sell out.
Use discount code: CHOW
Click here to order: RESTAURANT.COM 80% OFF DEAL
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK – $15 & FREE SHIPPING
Thursday, April 1st, 2010ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
All books now $15 plus FREE shipping! Deal good until 4/30.
Click here to order:
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK DEAL