Great piece!! So absolutely true. We cater to a Norfolk Terrier, who was imported from Slovakia and then judged not adequate for breeding here. He flies wherever we go— I don’t see why he doesn’t get frequent flier miles!
We had a 90 year old woman in the class who had been in it for about 20years. Her husband died in the middle of the night. Her kids insisted she attend the class the following morning. I think it was good call on the part of her kids. The class members were very supportive.
i take Aqua aerobics in a lap pool and a yoga type class in a warm water pool, I’d cut back food before giving up either! They are important exercise and social opportunities for me.
Totally agree. I’m not a soccer fan so wouldn’t spend on the World Cup, but if there were an activity I were truly interested in, I’d definitely do it. Also think of all the money that dribbles out on cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis. I think a big splurge spend is better than any of that.
It wouldn’t even have to be eliminated. Given data analytics today, it would be possible to track via tax returns spouses, young children, disabled children household income etc. SS tax could be modified to account for various life circumstances. There’s no need for one size fits all these days.
They do need the income but every dollar they earn is subject to SS tax, and that money goes directly to SS beneficiaries—including spouses who never paid into the fund.
i wouldnt brag about all the dollars your wife collected while she contributed very little to the system. Every week, I see older married women — some of whom sit on their walkers— who work as cashiers at Walmart to pay for those benefits.
Agree! All the fixes are band aids on a too old system. It really needs a thorough overhaul. Doubt that will happen, so in the meantime I’ll go with “take what’s given.”
I’ve been thinking about this since last night, I, too, have facilitated my granddaughter’s doing some special, expensive things. But I wonder if money or even the free time it makes possible, is really key here. Grandparents can take the kids to public parks, help catch fireflies in the backyard, or help them make a cake. One year after flying my granddaughter to NYC to see Annie on Broadway, we spent some time at my kitchen table playing with her plastic ponies. I sort of think the latter might have been more enjoyable for her.
Comments
Great piece!! So absolutely true. We cater to a Norfolk Terrier, who was imported from Slovakia and then judged not adequate for breeding here. He flies wherever we go— I don’t see why he doesn’t get frequent flier miles!
Post: Too Good to be True
Link to comment from July 23, 2026
I agree — though I thought I was the only one who felt that way.
Post: One Person’s Luxury, Another’s Necessity
Link to comment from July 22, 2026
We had a 90 year old woman in the class who had been in it for about 20years. Her husband died in the middle of the night. Her kids insisted she attend the class the following morning. I think it was good call on the part of her kids. The class members were very supportive.
Post: One Person’s Luxury, Another’s Necessity
Link to comment from July 22, 2026
i take Aqua aerobics in a lap pool and a yoga type class in a warm water pool, I’d cut back food before giving up either! They are important exercise and social opportunities for me.
Post: One Person’s Luxury, Another’s Necessity
Link to comment from July 21, 2026
Totally agree. I’m not a soccer fan so wouldn’t spend on the World Cup, but if there were an activity I were truly interested in, I’d definitely do it. Also think of all the money that dribbles out on cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis. I think a big splurge spend is better than any of that.
Post: FIFA Financials
Link to comment from July 20, 2026
It wouldn’t even have to be eliminated. Given data analytics today, it would be possible to track via tax returns spouses, young children, disabled children household income etc. SS tax could be modified to account for various life circumstances. There’s no need for one size fits all these days.
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from July 19, 2026
They do need the income but every dollar they earn is subject to SS tax, and that money goes directly to SS beneficiaries—including spouses who never paid into the fund.
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from July 19, 2026
i wouldnt brag about all the dollars your wife collected while she contributed very little to the system. Every week, I see older married women — some of whom sit on their walkers— who work as cashiers at Walmart to pay for those benefits.
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from July 18, 2026
Agree! All the fixes are band aids on a too old system. It really needs a thorough overhaul. Doubt that will happen, so in the meantime I’ll go with “take what’s given.”
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from July 18, 2026
I’ve been thinking about this since last night, I, too, have facilitated my granddaughter’s doing some special, expensive things. But I wonder if money or even the free time it makes possible, is really key here. Grandparents can take the kids to public parks, help catch fireflies in the backyard, or help them make a cake. One year after flying my granddaughter to NYC to see Annie on Broadway, we spent some time at my kitchen table playing with her plastic ponies. I sort of think the latter might have been more enjoyable for her.
Post: The Paradox of Wealth
Link to comment from July 16, 2026