Thursday, February 23, 2006

Today's News

Here's a few items of interest:

Average U.S. Family Income Declines

"The average income of American families, after adjusting for inflation, declined by 2.3 percent in 2004 compared to 2001 while their net worth rose but at a slower pace."

Crime Not Only Doesn't Pay, It's Expensive

"Almost every encounter with the criminal justice system these days can give rise to a fee. There are application fees and co-payments for public defenders. Sentences include court costs, restitution and contributions to various funds. In Washington State, people convicted of certain crimes are also charged $100 so their DNA can be put in a database.

Private probation companies charge $30 to $40 a month for supervision. Halfway houses charge for staying in them. People sentenced to community service are required to buy $15 insurance policies for every week they work. Criminals on probation and parole wear global positioning devices that monitor their whereabouts — for a charge of as much as $16 a day."


Work and Leisure


"Americans are not, in fact, working as much as they used to. They are just getting paid for more of the work they do."

"Ninety-seven percent of men ages 21 to 65 had jobs in 1965, compared with 87 percent in 2003. That drop accounts for about 60 percent of men's increase in leisure time."

"In 2003, women spent 11.1 fewer hours a week working at home than they did in 1965. The biggest drop, 6.2 hours a week, came in cooking and cleaning up after meals."

5 comments:

Bitty said...

"In 2003, women spent 11.1 fewer hours a week working at home than they did in 1965. The biggest drop, 6.2 hours a week, came in cooking and cleaning up after meals."

In my case, yes. It's either Popeye's Chicken, Chunky Soups, or a big bowl of Mini-wheats.

Something has to give.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, this isn't about this post, but about your New Worth Goal for 1/1/07. You have done remarkably well to be at the Net Worth that you are in your mid-thirties. Especially in a high cost of living town such as NY.

However, you goal for 1/1/07 seems awfully modest. Your goal is a mere 3.5% higher than your current net worth. Is there a reason for this?

Madame X said...

Hi LAMoneyGuy-- the reason I kept my goal modest is that I will be closing on an condo in a few months, so between mortgage points, other closing costs, moving, and whatever minor decoration and furniture I can still afford at that point, I expect to take a big hit.

Anonymous said...

Makes sense to me. Like they say in golf, "as long as you're getting closer to the hole."

You know, as opposed to further away. Luckily, I'm much better with money than golf. I had the uncanny talent for turning a 12 foot putt into a 20 foot putt.

Anonymous said...

why the hell are you paying points?