Tag Archive for money

Helping Nepal Sensibly

May 4, 2015 Comments Off on Helping Nepal Sensibly

Before you donate money to help the people of Napal, be sure the organization you’ll give your money to can–and will–actually do the job.  Some are well-meaning but don’t have the resources or experience to handle such a large task.  And some are out-and-out scams, preying on the vulnerable and our emotions.

Here’s a list of ones that have been vetted and are already helping in Nepal.  You can read a little about each and get a link to each at http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-25/how-help-nepal-7-vetted-charities-doing-relief-work-following-earthquake.

The organizations are (in alpha order) AmeriCares, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Direct Relief, GlobalGiving, International Relief Teams, Operation USA, Save the Children, Seva Foundation, and World Help.  Two others currently working over there are UNICEF and Oxfam, also described on that webpage.

The people of Napal need every cent they can get to find their lost loved ones, recover, and rebuild.  Make sure that every penny you give actually helps them.

 

 

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A Positive Look Back and Forward via UC Berkeley

December 30, 2014 Comments Off on A Positive Look Back and Forward via UC Berkeley

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley has published its 2014 “Top 10 Insights from The Science of a Meaningful Life.”  For an explanation of each, click on their article cited above. Meanwhile, here’s the list:

  1. Mindfulness can reduce racial prejudice—and possibly its effects on victims.
  2. Gratitude makes us smarter in how we spend money.
  3. It’s possible to teach gratitude to young children, with lasting effects.
  4. Having more variety in our emotions—positive or negative—can make us happier and healthier.
  5. Natural selection favors happy people, which is why there are so many of them.
  6. Activities from positive psychology don’t just make happy people happier—they can also help alleviate suffering.
  7. People with a “growth mindset” are more likely to overcome barriers to empathy.
  8. To get people to take action against climate change, talk to them about birds.
  9. Feelings of well-being might spur extraordinary acts of altruism.
  10. Extreme altruism is motivated by intuition—our compassionate instincts.

I think there’s a lot to chew on as we finish one year and embark on a brand new one.

 

 

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Letting off a Little Steam Today….

June 20, 2014 Comments Off on Letting off a Little Steam Today….

Waring: I’m venting today on something political that really bugs me–money and the Koch brothers.

At their conference “American Courage:Our Commitment to a Free Society,” they announced their plan to spend half a billion (yes, with a “B”) dollars to get Republicans elected to the Senate, to secure a majority, therefore, power. (This is after they spent hundreds of millions in 2012.)  And not just any Republicans but the ultra conservative ones whose battle cry seems to be “No negotiation–Our Way or Die!”

I don’t begrudge them the right to spend their and their backers’ money in any way they choose.  What DOES bother me is that they’re trying to buy elections. Whether we like it or not, the person with the most financial backing usually gets elected, because they’ve had more advantages of publicity, public exposure (therefore, name-recognition), chances to use negative campaigns against opponents, opportunities to make deals with groups to support him.

It just seems to me that the Kochs are trying to Cook the election, and I don’t like it!

 

 

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Freshening Up the House

December 7, 2013 Comments Off on Freshening Up the House

When freshening up those dingy walls, use eco-friendly paint.  It’s is healthier—even dry paint can emit vapors that trigger headaches, allergies, and asthma—and, when discarded carelessly, one gallon of regular paint can pollute 250,000 gallons of water.

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 [For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

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Halvsies: Old Idea Worth Repeating

September 21, 2013 Comments Off on Halvsies: Old Idea Worth Repeating

Doing “halvsies” is a good idea.  Use only the quantity of shampoo, detergent, cleaners, etc.  needed to do the job. If half of what you’ve been using works, next time try half of that. Repeat until you get the minimum workable amount. This trick leads to benefits for your wallet and the Earth.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

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Weiner or Winner?

August 16, 2013 Comments Off on Weiner or Winner?

Anthony Weiner was on the news again.  In his delusional state of mind, he actually believes he can be elected to anything other than the national chapter of Weirdos Anonymous.  He doesn’t mind spending mountains of money.  My suggestion for him is to actually make a difference by dropping out and instead donating all the money he would have spent on campaigning.  He could choose a charity or non-political organization of his choice.  If he doesn’t have a favorite, I have some suggestions (I bet you do, too).  That would help transform him from a real weiner to a real winner.

 

 

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Buy a Gun (Vote)

April 29, 2013 Comments Off on Buy a Gun (Vote)

Of the 45 senators who voted NO on the gun control legislation in Congress last Wed (4-24), 42 had received money from pro-gun lobbyists.* Some of the donated money was given as little as three weeks before the vote, when it seemed probable that extending background checks would pass.

*Sources: The Guardian 4/18/13, Sunlight Foundation

 

 

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Earth-Friendly Tip: Power to the Earth

April 27, 2013 Comments Off on Earth-Friendly Tip: Power to the Earth

40% of the electricity used in the average home goes to electronics when they’re powered off but still plugged in.  If we avoided all that phantom load we could close down 17 power plants.  The easy, safe way to “unplug” one or more items is by using a power strip with surge protector.

 Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

 

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