RichardCByrne.com

A little statement found on social media that makes a good point. There are many kinds of purchases where the cheapest is not always the best, and might even in the bigger picture of life be exploitative of others. (I have seldom shopped at Wal-Mart myself, even when funds were tight, for these reasons.) But there's no shame in it, if that's all you can do.

lesbianery's blog:
having a material lifestyle in accordance with your morals (eg buying fair trade coffee, going to farmers markets, composting) is admirable but it becomes concerning when people think those are the sole actions they need to take for their causes, when at the most, they are supplementary to presumably the real goal of social change. and they don’t make you morally superior to people who aren’t living life as “pure” as you are. capitalism is designed to keep those who are most oppressed by it, dependent on it. if you are able to break out of this cycle, it means you had the privilege to choose when others did not. direct your anger & moral outrage toward the capitalists that actually perpetuate that system, not toward someone who can only afford to go to wal-mart.

will continue to scream this

As I have written, "It's hard to drain the swamp when you'r up to your ass in alligators!"

Covid-19. Something no one had heard of a year ago, but now we can't get away from. Even if you haven't gotten it or had someone close to you have it, we've all been affected. For those who have, and especially those who have lost loved ones, the disease itself has to be paramount; but what if you are not in that category?
I haven't lost a family member, but several people whom I had connections to one way or another have died or become seriously ill. Probably most of us fit that category
But what else ? Economic hardship, changes in work (even if not loss of work), just the whole re-forming of society that's going on. Sort of a poll, I guess. Or, if you were to set up a poll, what questions would you put on it?

Continuing on the topic of education: Did you know that you can get a credit against your income tax for educational expenses that aren't covered by scholarships? (Even if covered by loans, as those do have to be paid back.) And, for the first 4 years of college, or your child's college if they are your dependent, you can actually get up to $1000 extra (or "refundable") credit even if you don't owe that much in taxes. But there are limits, so check it out on the IRS website or with your tax preparer. (This situation came up with a taxpayer I've been helping in the last few weeks.)

We can talk about that and other education topics in a free conference call I'm offering on Tuesday, August 13 at 7pm Central Time. Just call in to (712)770-5505, and enter access code 132975.