Sorry if people find this boring, but here's a few notes on investing and the economy.
There's always an inflation spike after a war (Wealth and Democracy, p36), due the excess gov't spending (and were making the record books on this one). How to protect against inflation? An inflation protected mutual fund, like this one by Vanguard. Bonds and gold traditionally do well in times of inflation and a slow economy.
If you don't really understand any of this, don't go out and bet the farm on this fund. Start studying.
A financial advisor I like:
Paul B. Farrell
20 August 2008
Government Credit Card
Well, the mandatory US Government credit card changed again, from Bank of America to a Citibank Visa. It last changed in about 2005, I can't remember from what.
I've always hated the government card. In short, it is a card you are required by law to carry and use for all travel expenses. Here's why I don't like it: It works just like any other credit card but not as well. The government doesn't have a credit line, it's my credit rating the card is issued against, but I am required to use it. If the government is slow to pay my travel voucher (still haven't been paid for my deployment, due to DTS problems), it's my credit rating that takes a hit. I also have less control over viewing charges online than I do with my own bank (USAA). This thing is a waste of time for everyone except the youngest military members, who haven't yet established credit.
I've always hated the government card. In short, it is a card you are required by law to carry and use for all travel expenses. Here's why I don't like it: It works just like any other credit card but not as well. The government doesn't have a credit line, it's my credit rating the card is issued against, but I am required to use it. If the government is slow to pay my travel voucher (still haven't been paid for my deployment, due to DTS problems), it's my credit rating that takes a hit. I also have less control over viewing charges online than I do with my own bank (USAA). This thing is a waste of time for everyone except the youngest military members, who haven't yet established credit.
13 August 2008
SOS and masters credit
Another post of information useful to young Air Force officers.
If you don't have it on paper, it didn't happen, as they say. Here are websites and addresses to use in getting records of SOS (training reports and diplomas) and in submitting records of academic completion to get them on your military records.
AU/SOS/Maxwell Registrar; Another SOS link
AFIT link
Address to have your academic transcript sent to:
AFIT Academic Coding Branch
2950 Hobson Way
Wright-Patterson AFB, Oh 45433-7765
If you don't have it on paper, it didn't happen, as they say. Here are websites and addresses to use in getting records of SOS (training reports and diplomas) and in submitting records of academic completion to get them on your military records.
AU/SOS/Maxwell Registrar; Another SOS link
AFIT link
Address to have your academic transcript sent to:
AFIT Academic Coding Branch
2950 Hobson Way
Wright-Patterson AFB, Oh 45433-7765
American Military University, where I'm doing classes right now
Morons
Okay. Here's one reason why I hate watching TV news.
Just saw a story on a prominent 24 hour cable news station about how U.S. soldiers traveling to the middle east have to pay the airlines the extra bag fee for their bags. The VFW is angry about this, saying that a young soldier heading off to war shouldn't have to pay such a fee, and I would be too. In fact, I think I have more right, since I have been deploying for 5 years, and I've been paying overweight and extra bag fees the whole time. Except for one thing: The military reimburses us for all legitimate travels costs, including those fees. Everyone, when they travel on the government dime, has to file a travel voucher. So whether you get charged a fee (on your legally required government credit card) or not, you're still filing paperwork.
Clearly no one involved in publishing this story bothered to have even a 5 minute conversation about it with any military member. If you really want to find out about what you should be angry about, study up on the DTS system for filing travel vouchers and what a waste of time it is for all of us.
Baggage fee story
Just saw a story on a prominent 24 hour cable news station about how U.S. soldiers traveling to the middle east have to pay the airlines the extra bag fee for their bags. The VFW is angry about this, saying that a young soldier heading off to war shouldn't have to pay such a fee, and I would be too. In fact, I think I have more right, since I have been deploying for 5 years, and I've been paying overweight and extra bag fees the whole time. Except for one thing: The military reimburses us for all legitimate travels costs, including those fees. Everyone, when they travel on the government dime, has to file a travel voucher. So whether you get charged a fee (on your legally required government credit card) or not, you're still filing paperwork.
Clearly no one involved in publishing this story bothered to have even a 5 minute conversation about it with any military member. If you really want to find out about what you should be angry about, study up on the DTS system for filing travel vouchers and what a waste of time it is for all of us.
Baggage fee story
06 August 2008
Delicious
Okay, so nerding out the other day I started a Delicious account. I read a lot of news online, and I finally got curious about the logo I kept seeing everywhere. Trying it out for now. Seems cool, lets you keep you bookmarks apart from a specific computer, a way of becoming hardware independent.
Bookmarks
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16 Dec 08:
Later post
Bookmarks
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16 Dec 08:
Later post
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