Cali 'Splains Economic$

Economics is a dismal science, full of principles that are difficult to understand. Studying economics is depressing. And life is depressing enough, at times, without thinking about economics. Or maybe because of economics.

Another problem with listening to economists is that they are so well educated that, trying to understand what they are saying goes beyond our capabilities, as non-economists. And, as a non-economist with years and years of experience, I humbly present my own economic paradigm.

(I was once asked what a paradigm is, and I answered: twenty cents.....[think about it]....)

The four principles are really quite basic:

Don't spend more money than you earn.

Don't buy anything you don't need.

Save for a rainy day.

And...

Help others.

I know what you're thinking: how can I spend more than I earn when I don't even earn enough to buy the necessities of life. Take another look: what made the “list” of necessities? A McMansion? A plasma TV? A huge gas-guzzling car? A trip around the world? Food?

Rethink things. Look at the difference between what you earn and what you spend: that's how much you're going in the hole every month. Or how much you're saving every month.....

Here's another way to determine if you “need” something. Start saving money to pay cash for your something. Put a few nickels, or dollars, in the jar every time you can. When you have finally saved enough money to buy what you “need” and if it's still available for sale, ask yourself if you really still want it. Having to save up for it may take the “glamor and magic” out of owning it.

Save for a rainy day. I know, it's already raining on the economic scene. But, it can always rain harder. You can have a bigger, more pressing need, later. So save what you can today.

Ah, helping others. “Nobody's helping me, why should I help others?” Because that is what we are supposed to do. Help others. Not necessarily financially, but in some fashion. If you have more clothes than you need, give some away. If you have things that are cluttering your life, give them away.

Chances are, if you had saved money in a jar to pay for them, you never would have bought them.

I firmly believe that those who are capable of appropriating billions of dollars for national, or international, projects would do well to follow my principles. If any of you know any of them, have them call me; I'd be glad to help....

No, if you follow these principles, you will NOT become rich overnight. No, I don't have a DVD and accompanying book to sell you, for a mere $29.95 (a month, for a year). You can't sign up to receive my monthly economic email, and I am not an adviser to the POTUS.

I am just Cali, and I want to help you.