Thursday, December 20, 2007

Living on $12,000 a Year

I just read an article on msnbc.com about a woman in her 40s who has gone back to school and is living on $12,000 a year. She does this by living on alimony and a school grant. She never mentioned what degree she is seeking. She says she is not only living but thriving on this amount of money.

If she says she is, who am I to argue with her? I know that she wants to study hard and do well, and that she doesn't want a job eating into her study time, but I can't help but think that having to think that hard about every dollar you spend is time wasted too. More power to her, but in her shoes, I think I would rather just find a way to make more money.

Here is the link:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/SurvivingAndThrivingOn12000AYear.aspx

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Wal*Mart Screws Up Again

What in the world is wrong with Wal*Mart? It seems they have stuck their proverbial foot in their mouth again. The retail giant that has had so much bad press over the years takes a few baby steps in the right direction, only to kick itself in the behind again.

Is there no one awake at the public relations wheel at Wal*Mart?

Apparently not. Unbelievable.

The latest is the news that came out today that they are suing one of their former employees who was brain injured in a collision with a truck to recoup the insurance money they paid out on her.

You can read the sad details with the link at the bottom of this post.

I know that accident victims aren't supposed to double dip--in other words get money for the same injuries twice, i.e, from the Wal*Mart insurance company and also from the trucking company. But she was not made whole, and she will need expensive care all of her life.

I have two thoughts on this. One is that she really should have gotten a higher settlement. Maybe it is her lawyers' fault and they should be sued for malpractice. Get some of their money back from them. (This is a good suggestion.)

And, even if Wal*Mart is entitled to that money, again I say what is their problem? Don't they know this is going to be another PR nightmare for them?

If they want to subrogate and get money back, they should not have tried it with this victim. Makes them look greedy, greedy, greedy, and they should have known better. Shame on them.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/EmployersGrabAccidentVictimsCash.aspx