It's a Rigged Game Folks

I ask that anyone who votes and/or is planning on watching the TV Presidential Debates, please watch this short film.
Or go to Youtube and search for "No Open Debate" and watch it there.

It's a whole 26 minutes out of your life, but it's worth watching to the end.

If you don't care to watch it then let me give you the Cliff Notes on it.  
What we call Presidential Debates are a sham....and I am not talking throw pillows here!

The Presidential Debates are run by a private corporation founded by past chairmen of the DNC and the RNC. 
The corporation is staffed by Dems and Reps only but they dare to call it a nonpartisan affair.

The Debates and the Commission on Presidential Debates(aka CPD) that runs them is a Duopoly and they keep out any candidate who isn't Dem or Rep. in a myriad of ways.

One way is by "polling" statistics.   First, the PDC never discloses which pollsters they use.  Then many polling companies don't even give those who are polled a choice other than Dem, Rep or Undecided.
***We got a call just last night from a polster.  When Hubs responded that he was voting for Gary Johnson, the woman didn't know what to say/tick off.....it's like whomever trained her to call didn't even imagine the possibility that someone would answer something other than Rep, Dem or Undecided.  She ended up just hanging up on Hubs.  I guess we don't count. 8-(
It's impossible to poll high enough for inclusion for ANY candidate if you aren't even included in the polling choices!

They also have secretive contracts which the debaters(and their handlers) construct so that they can NOT actually debate each other nor be forced to answer any real questions since they screen ALL questions and pick and choose which ones they'll answer.

It's really just a big old press conference and a 2 party system lovefest.....and it has got to GO!

And the people, as in "We the People" need to let this CPD and the business entities that sponsor(meaning pay out loads of money to the CPD)these non-events that it's a load of bullshit.
 
And we're not going to take this anymore!

If you want things to actually change in this country for once, you need to stand up and speak out.
If you think the PDC should actually let every viable candidate into the Debates, call/write/email the Commission on Presidential Debates--google to get the contact info. or go to their website and leave an email comment.

Also contact the business sponsors of these Debates.  Tell them you will boycott buying their products unless they support a fair and truly open debate format.
 In 2012 these companies would be.....

* Anheuser-Busch Companies
* The Howard G. Buffet Foundation
* Sheldon S. Cohen, Esq.
* Crowell & Moring LLP
* International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)
* The Kovler Fund
* Philips Electronics North America
* Southwest Airlines
* YWCA USA

Write the news networks too......ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, FOX, etc. and likewise let them know that the Debates are rigged.

It's time to stop letting political insiders and big business collude and push the little guys(US!) around.

Sluggy

Food Spending Sept. Week 3, Meal Planning Week 4

 

Another Food Waste Poster from the US Food Administration during World War II

***********************************

And here is the "meal plan" that actually happened last week.  It was pretty close to what I had planned....

Sunday--Burgers on Rolls, Corn

Monday--Stuffed Shells, Green Beans

Tuesday--Pork Chops, Potatoes au Gratin, Beets, Apples

Wednesday--Beef Enchiladas, leftover Corn

Thursday--Leftover Pork Chops on Biscuits. leftover Apples--only 2 home

Friday--Chinese take-out--only 2 home

Saturday--Pizza

The weekly food spending was  $157.04 in reg. grocery spending.

An insane amount for me but I did do some deals.....Nesquick & 22 boxes of Kraft dinner for Son, instant coffee for Hubs, coffee-mate, Lean Pockets & juice for Daughter, 10 boxes of oatmeal, 4 boxes of trash bags for me, and 7 lbs. of ground beef(which I used to make a LOT of meatballs!lol), 3lbs. of bacon(I found some clearance packs that didn't cost up the wazoo finally!lol), fresh fruit, milks, evaporated milk(pumpkin pie making Season is coming!), and a pie just because I wanted it. ;-)

Oh, and 11 bags of salty snacks(house brand AND I got $5 back so they cost .55¢ each to hide and dole out over the next 3 months to Son to make them last.

Yah I bought a bunch of crap this week along with the good stuff......crap I don't eat(Kraft, Coffee-mate and Nesquick)but I DID eat some pie.....so kill me. ;-)

I've spent $410.86 of my $400 monthly food budget so far this month.  

I'll try to not spend on food this week.  Looking at the ads it WILL be easy as there are no deals I like.  I'll just pick up what is needed for this week's menu.

I am going into the new week with these leftovers......1 Beef Enchilada, a couple of Biscuits.  Nothing to incorporate into a new dinner but stuff I can finish up at Lunch time.

***********************

This week's menu.....

Sunday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Caesar Salad

Monday--Taco Bell or Make Something Yourself-I ain't cooking!

Tuesday--Gourmet Onion Soup

Wednesday--Quiche Lorraine, Tossed Salad

Thursday--Fried Flounder, Fries and Green Beans

Friday--Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes

Saturday--Leftovers

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Cabbage, Milk.   We should have enough fruit to get us through the week.  Might need some bread though.  I'll try for $10 or less in food spending this week.

Wish me luck....lol

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy

Sometimes I Don't Like Being a Grown Up

This title means I sat down today and paid bills and it wasn't pretty.  But at least it wasn't as ugly as it could have been. ;-)

The second paycheck of the month hit the bank account credit union account on Friday, so I sat down this morning and paid the rest of the bills that need paying this month.
That would include the "monthlies"--electric bill, the credit card bill(which includes most of our gasoline purchases and some eating out).  The "rest of the bills" also includes the non-montlies like a $1197.71 car repair(I can now state for the record that I hate catalytic converters!) and the yearly school taxes(ditto school taxes).  I did receive a 5% discount for paying the taxes before Oct. 1st so it was a mere $1940.81.  I got about $76 off....go me!

After writing out the checks that needed writing, I now have $1246.24 LESS in my account than I had BEFORE the paycheck hit the account.!
Or to put it another way, I just spent $1246.24 MORE THAN the paycheck brought in.

Yah, still wrapping my head around that one!lol

Oh, and that doesn't count the $480 IN CASH Hubs took out of the bank on Saturday.  Ok, some of that was for me for my food budget, but most of it I will never get a single receipt back on what he blew it on.  I am guessing coffee and crap he buys at the hardware store.....crap he HAS already in the garage but he can't find because he refuses to CLEAN HIS WORKBENCH!
End of rant.......

I'll just say here that I am so glad that I put money aside each month for that tax bill(plus the other tax bill that comes due April 1st), plus the car insurance bill which I pay semi-annually. 

If I didn't and I had to basically pull money out of my ass for some of these bills, we'd be in a bad bad place financially....
A place called "Hello Credit Card!, let's put what we can't pay on YOU" and then only make minimum payments and stay in and increase our debt until we end up on Suze Orman's show as a warning to the world on how NOT to handle money, instead of downsizing out lifestyle and spending less on crap or "wants" so we can only be in debt for a short time while we turn our ship and get headed in the fiscally responsible direction.

But still......sometimes I hate being a Grown Up and doing the responsible thing instead of the easy thing or the thing I see other people doing that I know is only going to cause them pain at some point in the future.

But I have my eye on the prize.....the prize of a financially secure retirement.
Well, as secure as it can be considering the political atmosphere in this country. ;-) 

When I retire, THIS is the view I want to have when I have to pay my bills.....but with cuter feet......

Sluggy
 

Rite-Aid Quickie!

Finishing off the Spend $25 on Cold Meds, Get $10 +Up Rewards Deal....

2 x Incense w/20%wellness discount $1.19=$2.38
1 x Alka Seltzer cold BOGO50%off sale=$6.49
 1 x Alka-Seltzer reg. BOGO50%off sale=$2.14
SubTotal....$11.01

Coupons Used
1 x $3/2 Alka Seltzer IPQ=$6.00
Coupon total.......$3.00

$11.01-$3.00=$8.01 + .04¢tax=$8.05

I used $8 in +Ups and put the .05¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card.
I received back $13 in +Up Rewards($10 Spend $25/Get $10 Cold Meds, $3 WYB 2 incense).

In total,  I spent $26.99 on Cold Meds, used $13 in Qs, got a $10 +Ups and got a $5 SCR, so Rite-Aid paid me $1.01 for buying 6 boxes of Alka-Seltzer!
Dontcha love that?!

And the Flora Incense deal has changed.  There is a LIMIT OF 2 DEALS on it now.
If you bought incense last week,before Monday, it doesn't count toward your total of Deals done.
So going forward, buy 2 incense, get a $3 +Up Reward, limit 2 Offers.
This means Free incense if you have NO Wellness discount and a small Moneymaker if you have either Silver or Gold level Wellness discount.

As for this coming week's ad?
I'm getting free toothbrushes(Oral-B)or free toothpaste(Crest)-both are $2.99 and give a $2.99 +Ups and after using a Q also will be a moneymaker.
I'm also getting free Kotex tampons since I have $3/1 Qs from previous boxes of tampons-I'll show y'all Sunday night what I did there.
Rite-Aid brand hand sanitizer($1) is also free after $1 +Ups you get back but I don't need anymore of that.

Anybody see any other good deals for next week?

September Grand Totals so far.....

Out Of Pocket....$38.65  cash
Value of items bought....$344.96
Savings Rate of  88.80%
Single Check Rebate due....$10.00
Other Rebates due......$3.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $25.65
Savings Rate  92.56%

+Ups at beginning of month...$18+
+Ups used....$103+
+Ups received...$100+
+Ups currently...$15+



Sluggy


 

The Boring Blog Box GIVEAWAY....Come Enter Again!

Time for another......

Sluggy's BORING BLOG BOX GIVEAWAY!

Here's how it works.....

I put things in the box(mostly what I have gotten for free or almost free)each week and when the box is filled we draw a winner from all the entries received.

Week 3  and here is what went into the Box today.....

1.  1 tube of Pepsodent Toothpaste

2.  1 Oral-B battery powered toothbrush
3.  1 Scotch pop-up wrist tape dispenser

If this is your first time, please go read all the rules for these Giveaways HERE.  *As always, if you are located outside the US, you CAN enter and win but weight restrictions/shipping costs may mean your prize box will contain less items.*

***Time to enter.....You can enter on this Giveaway post until I close this post to entries.

1 entry per person per day on THIS POST.
Leave your name/email addy and a COMMENT on this post.  

This week I want to hear about how you feel about Halloween. 

Here's some questions to get you started....

What was your most favorite costume you wore as a kid and why?

As an adult, do you decorate for it or do you wish it would just go away?  

Do you party or do you feel it's a holiday for the kids?

And do you give out candy at your house to trick-or-treaters and if so, what kind?

 

You can come directly to this blog post or find it through the link on the right side bar to leave 1 comment per day.  The current Giveaway Post will be linked right at the top of the side bar.

Please NOTE--You MUST be a follower to enter the Giveaway.  If you aren't one, just click on the "Follow" button on the right hand side of my blog to become a follower.

There are 2 ways to get 2 EXTRA entries on this and each new Giveaway Post.......

1. Put my blog on your blog's Blogroll.  Leave an extra comment for this entry on THIS POST with the URL of your blog so I can go check it out. **If I'm already on your Blogroll, say so in an extra entry comment once each week of this giveaway.

2.  Blog about this Giveaway on your blog with a link to this post.  Leave an extra comment for this entry on THIS POST with a link to your blog post so I can go view it.  You can do this extra entry once each week of this giveaway.


Any questions?  Just email me.

Happy Entering!! 

Sluggy