Videos are now beginning to surface showing the destruction of perfectly good automobiles thanks to the cash for clunkers program. I fail to see the stimulative effects of disabling the engine of a car with thousands of useful miles in it for it to be scrapped and piled in an already overcrowded junkyard or landfill.
It is is especially troubling considering the number of people out there struggling to hold a job, or find work because of a lack of transportation. In fact, there are probably hundreds of uses for these cars. Why not donate them to shelters, churches, and high school shop classes or trade schools to train new mechanics? What’s next; the leveling of perfectly good homes if people agree to buy a new, slightly smaller one and accept $10k in taxpayer money to do it?
As for me, I’m keeping my 19 year-old clunker.
The Frugal Roundup
Debt Reduction – Emergency Fund Savings – The Balanced 75/25 Method. I’ve struggled finding a balance between debt repayment and building our emergency fund. The 75/25 method makes a lot of sense. (@Debt Free Adventure)
What Yoda Taught Me About Money Mastery. Points to Neal for working Star Wars into a personal finance post. I enjoyed the points made in the post. It is true that without teaching there is no learn (hey, I made a Yoda-ism!).(@Wealth Pilgrim)
Stuff Isn’t Always the Enemy. A nice perspective on the accumulation of stuff. Nothing wrong with a healthy collection. It’s when it becomes an unhealthy hoarding habit that it becomes a problem. (@On Simplicity)
What To Do With Your Money Just In Case Trends Forecaster Gerald Celente Is Right. I don’t subscribe to most doomsday theories, and this is no exception. However, I do think it is prudent to make basic preparations for unforeseen emergencies, natural or otherwise. (@Get Money Energy)
Are You Planning Your Life Around Money? The exercise described here as “begin with the ending in mind” works wonders for helping one form the proper financial priorities. (@Money Smart Life)
I Am Getting Fired: Looking At the Bright Side of a Bad Situation. While I was sorry to hear about Jeff’s situation, I was inspired by his response. He’s right, sometimes getting fired is just the “kick in the pants” we need. (@My Super-Charged Life)
32 Thought-Provoking Life Stories. I read through each one of these stories, and each of them really “made me think.” (@Marc and Angel Hack Life)
Best of the Rest