Rise and Shine --- Money, money, money

Good Morning and is that humidity I feel out there today?

Now, I'll admit I don't know much about the stock market. I certainly don't know what it means when they say the U.S. has been downgraded by the S&P.
It always seemed to me the markets would go up and down on a whim. Uh, Oh, the wind blew the wrong way, down goes the market. It's a beautiful, sunny day, up go the numbers.
To me, this latest Yo-Yo is being manipulated behind the scenes for some political gain.
HMM, let's see, we need to point figures at the other side, let's frighten people about the economy.
The bottom line is, our economy has been in the toilet since we were put into two wars. Until we bring everybody home and focus the money on domestic problems, our economy won't get better.
Then again, I could be wrong.

Rise and Shine --- Ho hum, the NFL

Good Morning and if that was a break in the humidity this morning, I have a bridge for sale!!!

Don't you just love it when billion dollar people argue with millionaires about how much more money they can make. Finally, when they decide to meet in the middle, people celebrate when it would have been far more interesting to see them continue to argue.
Sure, the NFL is going to have a 2011 season. Was there ever really any doubt in your mind? When the players started to feel the real pinch of missing paychecks and the owners realized that TV money (not to mention the other stuff that goes with NFL games) might dry up, the deal was going to get done.
The legions will come back with their cheers and claps. The game will be called "more popular than ever" and life will go on as it was going.
Now, what would have been a better deal would have been if the players would have demanded the owners lower ticket prices. After all, without you spending a couple hundred on a Sunday, where would they all be anyway.
Of course, that will never happen.
Those that have the money can keep making it. The rest, well, just deal.

Rise and Shine --- Back to the grind

Good Morning and, man, it's hot out there!

So, probably one of the worst weeks of the year is that week after a vacation. Well, at least for me, the vacation mindset is still there, especially when you have a great time.
Spend the last week in Orlando checking out Disney World. Had a fun time. Didn't have to wait in long lines, ate too much and spent too much money. All factors of a great vacation.
Now, it's time to get back to work. Time to forget about the pool at the hotel and the laughing children and the yummy ice cream.
OK, maybe not yet. Check back next week.

Rise and Shine --- Tax freebies

Good Morning and welcome to the calm after the storm!

OK, you have to file taxes, one of the sure things in life. You may have done it in weeks ago or you may be waiting until today to get it all done.
Either way, there are plenty of chances to take advantage of some free stuff as businesses try to be your friend.
Cinnabon: From 6-8 p.m. today, you can get two free Cinnabon Bites. You can also enter to win a $100 Cinnebon gift card in a Twitter contest. Just Tweet how Cinnabon put frosting on a crazy or stressful day you've had after you follow @CinnabonInc. Hey, I guess anything is possible.
Chili’s Grill & Bar: Print out this coupon to get a free appetizer or dessert with an entree purchase.
P.F. Chang’s: Get 15% off your order. The closest P.F. Chang's is in Glen Mills.
Hooters: They are offering what's being called an instant rebate. If you buy 10 wings, you get 10 free. Quick aside, while driving past the Hooters in Concord the other week, an 8-year old I know asked what was Hooters. I told him it was a bar and restaurant. His reaction: 'Oh. I thought it was a doughnut store."
Tony Roni's Pizza: Need a slice after hitting the mailbox? The Drexel Hill pizza chain has a sign out front that says you can get plain slices for $1.
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream: Got the app at Chilies and now need dessert? You can get something called a mini crumb cake fundae from Maggie today from 3-6 p.m.
Let us know if you find more freebies, because there's nothing like free stuff.

Rise and Shine --- Money, money, money

Good Morning and make sure you have your galoshes this morning!

As I watch the protests continuing in Wisconsin (CLICK HERE to check out what's happening on the ground) and see all the stuff that's happening in Libya, I can't help but figure it all comes down to the dollar sign.
Those that have money (and there is a small contingent of people who control most of the bucks) want to make sure those "below" them continue to struggle.
According to a rally speech given by filmmaker Michael Moore Saturday in Wisconsin, 400 Americans have more money than half of all Americans combined. In other words, there is a small group that can control who gets elected, what laws are enacted and how many jobs will open up.
Somehow, that seems just wrong. For all the talk about the Founding Fathers in the last election, I don't think those back in the 1700s envisioned a place where so few would control so much.
I don't think anybody out there begrudges the rich because they are rich. Most of us are just hard-working people who want to do the best for their children.
Reaganomics started this mess and it's only gotten worse. It's time we started to stand up for ourselves.

Rise and Shine --- Lottery hangover

Good Morning and I'm still here, having not won the Mega Millions last night!

Of course, even if I had won, I'd probably still be here today (wouldn't have found out I won until getting to work). Hey, even $350 million richer, might as well finish out the last day.
That's the way we all say it, but, sure, reality is I would have been out the door quicker than it takes Rush Limbaugh to down a Big Mac.
There are certainly people who play these lottery numbers every day. They sink the dollars into the hope of a big payout.
Me? I wait until it's one of those super payouts. Don't even think about the Powerball until it hits at least $200 million. The first time I picked up a Mega Millions ticket was yesterday.
I don't know why. Certainly, any lottery winning would be welcomed. It just seems like there are better things to do with a couple of bucks than sink them into lottery tickets.
Then again, how much is the Powerball worth this week?

Rise and Shine --- The Tree Scam

Good Morning and welcome back to the only place you can keep warm without spending any money!

So, this was the weekend to head out and find a Christmas tree. The last few years, that meant picking out a place, looking at the trees and picking one out. It was one place, one tree, everybody was happy.
This year, I decided do do a little shopping around and, boy, that might have been a mistake.
First of all, how anybody can ask $80 for a cut tree is beyond me (then again, I'm sure prices in New York would make that look cheap). So, once the $80 price tag was seen, we played a little game to find a bigger tree for a better price.
Of course, my entourage just wanted to get out of the cold (and get a tree in the house), so the game was mostly in my head.
The thing was, prices didn't come down much from that $80. Sure, there are always some with a $30 price tag, but they would even make Charlie Brown blush.
Then again, it's amazing $30 isn't enough to get a tree. Anyway, after a lot of Saturday was spent driving from tree place to tree place, it became obvious there could only be one stop Sunday.
So, we settled on a $40 tree, got it into the house and will decorate next weekend.
Sometimes, though, shopping around takes a little fun out of things.

Rise and Shine --- Drill, baby, drill

Good Morning and welcome back to the heat!

So, if anybody still thinks it's a great idea to be drilling for oil in the ocean, they are seriously misguided.
All you have to do is see one photo or read one story about the mess down in the Gulf and you have to know the time for drilling has passed.
It's like we keep getting these signs that something is not right. Sure, it was an accident that's spilling all of BP's 'Black Gold' into the water (and onto our beaches), but it's also about karma.
Oil companies, and car makers and the government, have for too long simply relied on our need for oil. The only way this stuff stops is if we actually get down to finding alternative fuel sources and stop the drilling.
How much damage has to be done? How many people have to die?
Stop the drilling now and get to work on something else.

Rise and Shine --- Contract details

Good Morning and, yes, there was frost on the windows this morning!

So, apparently Sarah Palin, on her country-wide tour to spread her own brand of misinformation, has enough perks written into her contract to make even the head of banks blush.
According to something that was found in a trash can in California, Palin demands, among other things, she must be provided with a suite and two single rooms in a deluxe hotel. She requires first-class seats on any airplane to get her from (You Betcha') Alaska to where she is speaking. Any private jet 'MUST BE a Lear 60 or larger.'
Well, to channel a different Saturday Night Live character, 'Isn't that Special.'
Sure, these top notch speakers get perks all the time (not to mention the ones provided to rock stars). Really, there's nothing wrong with it.
Well, unless your message is one of fiscal responsibility.
Then again, who ever said politicians practice what they preach.

Rise and Shine --- New day or not

Good Morning and welcome to something called Cyber Monday!

Yeah, we have to have names for everything now. We had Black Friday and now Cyber Monday. What's tomorrow, Take-out Tuesday?
This whole shopping thing is getting crazy. We are being inundated with information about shopping for the holidays. Now, if you go on any Web site, things pop up with special pricing today.
That's all well and good, but the money has to come from somewhere. Is this debit or credit? Well, in the end, it doesn't matter. Might as well make it Monopoly money.
So, get those cards ready. Spend. Spend. Spend.
While doing that, also check out some of those Tiger Woods stories from the weekend. As we are trying to figure out how to buy all that stuff, at least we are having a better weekend than Tiger Woods.
Which, is kind of nice for once.

Rise and Shine --- There's some money out there

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday!

According to a report out there today, airlines may start offering 'Standing Room Only' tickets. Now, anybody who tries to walk on an airplane to just get to the bathroom knows it's not the easiest thing in the world. Now, you can buy a ticket where you stand (actually get strapped to a bar stool) during the whole flight.
Will there be first-class standing room where you still get the champaign, but not a seat? How about a business-class standing room (you know, more elbow room)?
Sounds kind or ridiculous, but there are a lot of ridiculous things going on in business right now.
For instance, why does every local television channel need to send a reporter to Los Angeles to cover the Michael Jackson tribute? Do we really need a local face (or whoever) to stand in front of the Staples Center and tell us what is happening?
Next comes word the Sci Fi Channel is changing its name to Syfy. Most likely a bunch of people got paid a bunch of money to sit around a conference-room table for months to come up with this idea.
Guess the economy is OK for some people.

Rise and Shine --- Different worlds

Good Morning and welcome to reality!

You know, there really are two different worlds out there. One has normal people and the other has people who don't know what it's like to be 'normal.'
Here on the normal side, we work (and work and sometimes work some more) to try to keep ahead of our bills and still make life livable.
Those in the other world (OK, those with tons of money), have no trouble just doing whatever they want. Others don't matter.
Feel too much pressure? Just hop on a plane and chill out by the Mediterranean.
Feeling a little down? Jet off to Africa and adopt a child.
Put your company into bankruptcy? Give yourself a bonus?
Well, at least on this side we can smile:


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Rise and Shine --- Excuses, excuses

Good Morning and welcome back to the world of excuses!

So, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said he was 'young and stupid' when he was injected with steroids by his cousin. Meanwhile, General Motors had the gall to ask for billions in government aid while also saying they would cut 47,000 jobs. Chrysler also asked for the money and said they would cut 3,000 jobs. In California, the Governator sent out 10,000 layoff notices. Here in Pennsylvania, Gov. Rendell is talking state layoffs, cutting school funding and cutting funding for police.
There are, of course, plenty of excuses for all of this.
So, it's time for the rest of us to use these excuses. Just robbed a bank, hey 'I was young and stupid. Sorry.'
Can't pay the credit card bills? 'I need government aid and will quit my job. Just give me the money.'
Need good schools, forget about it. We don't need no education. There aren't going to be any jobs anyway.
How about this: Don't give any more money to big companies until they show they are willing to help out the country as a whole. If GM cuts one job, tell the big-wigs in the big office to pay for everything. If the state can't function, tell the Governor and state legislature to get to work until it can.
Enough is enough.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Rise and Shine --- Beer and money

Good Morning and here's hoping your car started this morning!

Read this story this morning about how beer sales were down in the third quarter this year. The brewer of Miller is blaming the economy. Orders fell 'unexpectedly' at then end of 2008.
Maybe it could have something to do with taste. Now that there are seemingly limitless choices in the beer store, why settle for something like Miller or Miller Lite or Coors or Budweiser or any other cookie-cutter beer.
Hey, if we barely have enough money to pay the bills, buying junk beer is the last thing on the list. Thanks to the economy, maybe we are starting to get a little more picky.
Why waste the money on colored water like Coors Light when you can get a case of Guinness for a few bucks more. Leave the Corona in the case and pick up some Dos Equis Amber for the same price and get more taste.
Beer, wine or any other 'adult beverage' is a little treat we can give to ourselves. If it doesn't taste good, what's the point? Just fill the glass with water, add some yellow food coloring and call it Bud Light.
Better yet, grab the case of Sam Adams and enjoy.
Or just enjoy one of the best beer commercials in history:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Rise and Shine --- Bad money

Good Morning and welcome to the final lap before the end of the year!

It's kind of interesting that we are bailing out banks, bailing out Wall Street, bailing out the auto industry, but we aren't bailing out the exact place where a slow economy is being felt the most. We are not bailing out all of us.
Those who have thrown away millions on bad ideas and investments are getting a clean slate, meanwhile more and more of us are getting laid off. We are falling behind on bill payments. We are scaling down everything from food to travel.
Not that any of us are looking for a handout, but, hey, how about a little over here. The only way to get the economy back on its feet is to put the money in the hands of those who can actually use it.
Give me a million and I'll buy a new car. If everybody purchased a new American car with some bailout money, the auto industry would be saved. If we took that bailout money to the department stores, retail would be saved. Those retailers would then be able to advertise, which would save newspapers. If we got some bailout money and paid off the credit cards, the banks would be saved. If we grabbed some cash and traveled to New York City (or wherever), the hotel industry would be saved.
So, giving the money to those who would use it would be a win-win situation.
Of course, that would make too much sense. So, we keep throwing money on bad ideas, to bad people.
Then again, that doesn't get anybody elected, so our government will keep doing what they are doing. We will keep losing jobs, houses, cars.
Welcome to the cycle:


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Rise and Shine

Good Morning fellow owners of Wall Street!

That's right. It appears the $700 billion bail-out package is going to streamline through the government today.
Somebody much smarter than me forwarded an e-mail that broke down what really should be done with all this money (this breakdown when the talk was just the $85 billion for AIG):

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up...
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
The plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads.
Put away money for college - it'll be there...
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs.
Invest in the market - capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else!
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

So there you have it. I actually sent a version of this to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7 of Edgmont) as well as Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey. Of course, none of them even took the time to answer my e-mail.
I forget, is this an election year or not?


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Rise and Shine

Good Morning Wednesday and let's keep the rain away!

So, despite warnings to the contrary, it appears the government is pushing ahead with its $700 billion bank bail-out plan.
Here's another idea: Take that $700 billion and pay off all the mortgages for everybody in the country making less than $300,000 a year.
That way, there would be more money to buy useless things and thus boost the economy as we head into the end of the year.
Imagine the gifts, big-screen TVs, cars, cameras clothes and food we could all buy if mortgage payments weren't taking us all down.
Suddenly, there would be a major influx of money into the system. Little companies wouldn't be struggling. The vacation industry would see a major uptick. All those who have been laid off thanks to the catch-all 'tough economic times' excuse would get their jobs back.
Hey, if our grandkid's grandkids are going to have pay for this folly, why can't we all benefit.
We would be a nation of happy people instead of people who are just fighting to get through every day.
We would be happy. Our children would be happy. Our businesses would be happy.
It's a win-win for everybody. I can't believe it hasn't been talked about down in Washington.
Tell you what, the political party that starts to push this plan would get a lot of votes. After all, that's what it's all about anyway.
By the way, here is some exclusive video of those big business CEOs after convincing the Government of its dire straits:


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Rise and Shine

Good Morning and welcome to another Wednesday!

Phillies Hall-of-Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt once said in Philadelphia you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day.
Schmidt, until he was at the tail end of his career, was no friend of the media. Much like other superstars, he hid after games, rarely talking.
Schmidt wouldn't be able to leave his house if he played today. The proliferation of sports talk radio has taken the fun out of the games. You can just watch the game and enjoy it for what it is, a break from normalcy. The next day, though, don't turn on the radio unless you want to hear about how bad it really was. Had it on in the car for about five minutes Tuesday and actually heard one of the hosts say the Phillies should cut or trade Ryan Howard in the offseason because he's no longer helping the team.
As someone says, 'Genius.'
Speaking of genius, how about the government giving $85 billion to AIG so the insurance company can stay afloat.
While we on the ground struggle with food prices, heating prices and the general overpricing of everything, these big companies are getting bailed out.
How about if I petition the government for money so I can remain solvent?
By the way, AIG's CFO Steven J. Bensinger took home a salary of $2.1 million last year. Meanwhile, former CEO Martin J. Sullivan got a $4.7 million severance package when he was forced out last year. Current CEO Robert Willumstad, who is rumored to be on his way out after the buyout, got an annual salary of $1 million, but took home a reported $21 million in bonuses and stock options once worth $36 million.
They need saving? How about this, instead of bailing out these companies make the greedy execs reinvest their money until the company becomes solvent. That's the way it works in the real world.


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Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

It's amazing the money being thrown out for professional athletes.
The 76ers are just the latest, giving forward Elton Brand 82 million reasons to leave Los Angeles for the East Coast.
Just last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy gave soccer star David Beckham $250 million to leave England for Hollywood.
In 2001, Alex Rodriguez was able to convince the Texas Rangers to give him a 10-year, $252 million deal.
You know, looking from here, it's all funny money. Except for feeding your ego, do you really need $100 million to play a game.
Sure, some players who get big deals stay in shape and help their teams win, but, more often than not it seems, that money goes to waste. Remember in 2002 when Jim Thome became the highest paid Phillie ever, taking a six-year, $85 million contract to jump away from Cleveland.
Sure, he hit some home runs and all, but the Phillies never won with Thome cashing his checks.
Back in the day, for those who remember back in the day, the Phillies actually started all this madness.
Early in 1979, the Phillies went out and gave Pete Rose (only the best hitter baseball has ever seen) a four-year, $3.2 million deal. OK, the first year the team didn't make the playoffs, but Rose stirred the Philies drink over those four years. They won three division titles, went to two World Series (of course, winning in 1980) and were a model other franchises followed.
Then the crazy money started. Philadelphia teams never seemed to be big players in this, which made the fans crazy.
Now, the 76ers are making a splash. Let's hope Elton Brand is the next Pete Rose.


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Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think so...
Anybody notice how we keep hearing about how high gas prices are getting, but we really aren't offered any solutions. Sure, we're told to cut down our driving, walk more, ride bikes or stay closer to the house. Really, though, how can we do that?
We have to get to walk. We need to stock up our kitchens. We need to get the children to the library, to the park or to the pool. We need to get around. It's not like the public transportation system offers much help. Have you ever tried to board a bus while only carrying a $5 bill? The driver doesn't even laugh. You have to find change somewhere.
It reminds me of the movie 'Falling Down' starring Michael Douglas. It's about a guy who is just fed up with everything. He takes matters into his own hands and just tries to get home. The ending ruins the better parts of the movie, but it might have been a little bit ahead of its time.
We're all getting fed up with high prices and the like. You shouldn't have to work three jobs just to make ends meet. If this truly is the 'Greatest Country in the World' as we like to say, then we need to get a handle on everything. The divide is getting too big. We need to take care of each other.


By the way, comedian George Carlin died Sunday. It's kind of tough to find a video of him without language that, well, would offend some.
It's not impossible, though, and here's a classic:



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