After 12 years of reading about personal finance, it never
ceases to amaze me all the things you can learn. I not only learn about money,
but I also get a history lesson in the process.
Did you know that credit cards have only been in widespread
use since the 1950’s?
Before 1950, credit was rare.
Most places did not offer much in the way of credit. They
wanted cold, hard cash.
Stores may have provided familiar faces and those in the community
with a store credit, but you better believe it was not a $25,000 limit!
I decided to have some fun last summer and see if I could
get approved for $5,000 on some random credit card. Well, guess what? I got
approved for over $20,000 in credit limits!
However, that pales in comparison to some offers that some
people have claimed their pets have received in the mail. You read that right,
pets!
I have read numerous books and articles where people have
received credit card offers for their pets.
Come on, America!
If the pet’s owner cannot afford a $400 emergency, as the
media claims, then how is an unemployed Yorkie going to payback over $50,000.
And yes, that is a limit I read one couple stated their dog received. And that
was only one offer. They also received others with one being $100,000!
However, there are some pets who earn their keep and make millions for their owners.
This post, for now, will focus on how Fido is able to write
checks for his own bone and chew toys that his puppy paws can cash.
Let’s take this a step further shall we and discuss real life ones!
It was recently reported that celebrity designer to the stars Karl Lagerfeld has passed away last month. He leaves behind an estimated $100 million-dollar fortune. The media was speculating that his cat may inherit a chunk of that money. Holy cow! Or should I say, MEOW!!!
In addition, Real Estate heiress Leona Helmsley left her pet dog $12 Million in 2007. The will was contested and the pet received death threats, which caused money to be diverted for security! Unbelievable! Any who, the pet ended up receiving a mere $2 million after the case was settled. That sure buys a heck of a lot of Puppy Chow!
Can you believe that?! A pet that literally has their own
access to a line of credit to pay bills including for their own security guards!
Once credit cards started being more the norm, it exploded!
Once you turn 18, it used to be time to go down to the MVA and sign up to vote. Now, it’s when credit card offers come in the mail.
I remember when I got my very first credit card for $250! I
even had a secure credit card for $500. That’s a far cry from the $20k, I was
approved for last year.
After the 2008-2009 financial crisis, credit dried up faster than nail polish. They were slashing limits faster than prices at Wal-Mart! Then it slowly started creeping back up. As it stands, credit card debt is now higher than it was in 2009! It stands now at over $1 trillion! The current outstanding revolving debt in the U.S. is $1.05 trillion.
The average debt in America has increased 18.5 percent since
2013! In 2015, the average American was in $5,700 dollars of credit card debt.
As of the end of 2017, it is up to $6,354.
The laissez faire capitalism in America allows you to
actually have access to $100,000 of credit while only making less than half of
that.
Debt is crippling. It
can have long lasting consequences if not handled quickly. You have to pay off debt
ASAP.
A guideline I use is anything you have that is under 7%, you do not have to pay off right away if you have other higher interest debt to take care of. However, if that debt is higher than 7%, you need to attack that debt like your financial house is on fire. Your financial destiny is depending on you to get your financial house in order.
Once you have the debt paid off, then you can build your
financial foundation on solid financial footing. All the money going to
creditors will now stay in your bank account and can be invested.
That’s what keeps me going: dreaming, inventing, then hoping
and dreaming some more in order to keep dreaming. – Joseph Barbera
This is the truth: I’d rather fail at this, whatever failure
is, than waste my life doing something elses, and feeling empty. – William Hanna
If you grew up in the 1960’s through the 1990’s, then you are sure to remember the Hanna-Barbera produced cartoon series The Jetsons. The Jetsons is an American animated sitcom, which originally aired in primetime from September 23, 1962, to March 17, 1963, then later in syndication, with new episodes in 1985 to 1987 as part of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera block. It was Hanna-Barbera’s Space Age counterpart to The Flintstones, another show they also produced.
In contrast to The Flintstones comical version “stone age” world, The Jetsons lived in a comical version of a futuristic world that was powered by gadgets, robots, and machinery.
The Jetson ran in reruns for decades on ABC starting in the
1963-64 season, and aired on Saturday mornings.
The Jetsons stands as one of the single most important piece
of 20th century futurism. The 24-episode first season has come to define the
future of Americas present.
The Jetsons are a nuclear family in the “space age” future residing outer space in a place called Orbit City. The city’s architecture is Google style, and all homes and businesses are raised high above the ground on adjustable columns. The year is 2062. Although, the show always references it’s the 21st century. The family consists of a husband, wife, two kids and a dog.
Let’s meet the family.
“Meet George Jetson…”
George Jetson lives with his family in the Skypad Apartments: Jane his wife, daughter Judy, and his boy Elroy. He works at Spacely’s Space Sprockets where he has a (relatively stable job) *cough* *cough* sideways glance and air quotes insert here please.
Meet Jane his wife…
His wife Jane is a homemaker, a mother of two children, enjoys the latest fashion, has a robot named Rosie that actually does most of the housework, and is obsessed with new gadgetry.
Housekeeping is seen to by a robot maid, Rosie, which handles chores not otherwise rendered trivial by the home’s numerous push-button Space Age-envisioned conveniences. A show before it’s time. 😉
Her favorite department store is the Mooning Dales. She enjoys charity work as she is a member of
the Galaxy Women Historical Society and is an avid art fan of Leonardo de Venus
and Picasso Pia.
I love how they take things and make them their own version
on this show. However, somethings need no modifications or improvements. For
instance, in my opinion, I say pay cash for all appliances like they did before
the invention of credit cards in the 1950’s.
However, some things do. A great response that a movie star
once gave when asked about changing silent films to “talkies” that is films
with words, was the following:
“Talking pictures are like lip rouge on the Venus de
Milo.” – Mary Pickford (The Queen of the Movies)
Variant: Adding sound to movies would be like putting
lipstick on the Venus de Milo.
And meet their kids…
Daughter Judy: their teenage daughter Judy attends Orbit High School. She enjoys buying clothes, hanging out with boys, listening to music, having fun, and talking to her digital diary she calls DiDi. (That ain’t nothing but FaceTime 😉
Some may even call it a Vlog or Vlogging, which is similar to a Blog and Blogging.
His boy Elroy: their son Elroy attends Little Dipper School. He is wicked smart. As sharp as they come, and just whip smart. He is a mild-mannered child that enjoys all space science such as astrophysics, star geometry, and space history. His best friend is his dog; the family pet dog named Astro.
Now, let’s talk about the future. Financially speaking of
course.
Meet George Jetson . . . His boy Elroy . . . daughter Judy . . . . Jane his wife. I just love that song.
Fun Fact: The theme song to The Jetsons was a pop hit in 1986 on the Billboard charts.
MAKE THAT MONEY: FROM THE SALT MINES TO SPACE OFFICES
1. Earn a living
George Jetson works for Mr. Spacely and he owns Spacely’s
Space Sprockets. R.U.D.I.: is George’s work computer and one of his best
friends. His name is an acronym for Referential Universal Differential Indexer
and he has a human personality.
Based on which version you have heard, George works either one-hour-a-day, two-day-a-week or three-hour-a-day, three-day-a-week job. Either way that’s a workweek of no more than 3-9 hours. Pretty sweet!
A common theme on the show was George being fired.
That is all too common in today’s time too.
The retail apocalypse, such as the recent closure of Payless shoe stores, has cost thousands of American jobs. Toys R’ Us resulted in about the loss of 30,000 jobs alone.
Here is some dialogue from the show.
Episode Unilab
(Nov 25, 1962)
George Jetson:
It’ll be easy. I’ll just tell Mr. Spacely I’m very sorry and that I’ll never
call him names again.
[Nearly has a head-on collision with another car]
George Jetson: Why you big strata-jerk. It’s vacuum-heads like you who keep fuselage and fender shops in business. Come on out and face the music.
Mr. Spacely: [Emerges from the other car] ‘Morning, Jetson. Nice day isn’t it?
George Jetson: M-M-M-Mr. Spacely, I presume?
Mr. Spacely: That’s correct. I hope you’re wearing your watch, Jetson, because you have exactly 5 MINUTES TO CLEAN OUT YOUR DESK!
Mr. Spacley: JETSON. YOU’RE FIRED.
Fun Fact: Forbes made a list in 2007 and figured out what 25 fictional companies would be worth in today’s market. Spacely Space Sprockets, where George Jetson worked, ranked number 25 on their list. Listing its worth as $1.3 billion. In the article it said, “[CEO] Cosmo Spacely’s coddled employees said to only work three-hour-a-day, three-day-a-week jobs, but workers must suffer his notoriously volatile temper and endure incessant termination threats.”
In the illustrious words of Charlie Brown, “Good Grief.”
Although, on the show its comedy fodder, in the real world
this is no laughing matter. Due to the lack of financial teaching and literacy
in public school (where like 90% of preK-12 students go), many people are left
unprepared financially for setbacks. You must plan ahead.
I read this information on public versus private school
enrollment predictions in the Huffington Post. According to the U.S. Department
of Education, most preK-12 students, about 91 percent, go to public school.
I, personally, plan 2-3 years ahead or more if I can. I started by paying off debt, then rerouting that money to savings and investments. I have a minimum of 6 months’ emergency fund at all times, $100,000 invested in 1 out of 5 index funds, own a home that was way less than $1 million to buy, and am striving to have a 12-24-month emergency fund for those just in case moments.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICAN FUTURISM IN TECHNOLOGY
2. Automation is on the rise
The Jetsons it had everything our hearts could desire: jetpacks, video chats, e-books and electronic newspapers, flying cars, convertible objects, computerized watches (Apple Watch anyone?), robot maids, air chamber elevators, and moving sidewalks. They even predicted tanning beds! Tanning beds didn’t come into the U.S. until the 1970’s. This show first aired in 1962!
The Jetsons showed a technologically advanced culture where the largest concern of the middle class was getting “push-button finger.” And yes, The Jetsons were middle class! And still living paycheck to paycheck in the techno-savvy utopian future.
Grinding it out in the rat race.
” I told them 1,000 years from now or a million years, the problem is always going to be parking.” – Joseph Barbera
Think people don’t think much of this show or write it off
as merely a cartoon. Think again.
James Cameron was once asked about interactivity for future
movies. He concedes it is far off and replies: “You’re talking ‘Jetsons’ here.”
Your girl, Greenbacks Magnet, even recently did a shout out
to The Jetsons in a tweet.
See my tweet
I don't even want phones anymore. I'm sick of paying the bill.
On the 15th episode of The Jetsons, which originally aired on January 6, 1963 and was titled “Millionaire Astro.”
This episode shows how their dog Astro came from money. Elroy found Astro on the street. His original owner wants him back. A custody battle over Astro ensues where the original owner wins and he is returned to the estate. Given a life of incredible wealth and boredom (All the steaks he can eat, all the bones he can gnaw on), Astro is depressed and drowned in wealth and extreme luxury.
Meanwhile, George teeters on the edge of middle and working
class, while it seems that everyone is living in the lap of luxury, but
tangible quality of life improvements have not funneled down to those at the
bottom of the economic pyramid.
You may remember they did similar stuff like this at Walt
Disney studios with the cartoon Ducktales.
Case in point, The Occupy Wall St. movement, Americans being
reported to not have $400 to cover an emergency, little to no retirement
savings, and living off meager Social Security and minimum wages.
If my memory serves correct, didn’t Real Estate Mogul Leona Helmsley leave her dog like $7 million? In addition, I recently heard rumblings that the recently deceased Karl Lagerfeld (House of Chanel) and worth over $100 million, may have left $2 million to his dog? Interesting and disturbing.
ENTERTAINERS ARE ALL THE RAGE OR A SCREAM
4. Rock star money
One of the funniest things I ever saw on The Jetsons had to be Judy’s obsession with celebrity. And one in particular: Jet Screamer.
He is the quintessential rock god. The sun, moon, and the
stars revolve around him. People go wild when he comes in a room (as he always
makes a grand entrance). You get to see first-hand that he is living a very
different life than the average-joe.
In today’s time, that is still very relevant. I have nothing
against people with talent or those that create something out of nothing. It’s like Shakespeare says, “I am a true
laborer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s
happiness, glad of other men’s good.”
However, after
hearing so many stories of celebrities going broke, it makes me wonder if he
really is making all the dough we think he is as a rock star. For all we know,
Jet Screamer may be making $12,000 on 2.5 million downloads of music from Apple
iTunes as I read something like that in an article online. Maybe, he is making
$0 after all the money he owes to mangers, lawyers, stylists, and publicists.
Who really knows?
Generosity has built America. When we fail to invest in
children, we have to pay the cost. – Bob Keeshan, Captain Kangaroo
If you grew up in the 1960s through the 1990s, then you know
all about Saturday morning cartoons.
They aired between 8 am and noon. It was one of my favorite
things to do besides playing video games on Saturday mornings. The best part
about those cartoons were the lessons they taught. At least, that is my
opinion. I later found out that programs that are geared towards children are
required to be educational. I appreciated that. 😉
Those cartoons helped shape the person I am today. The name
of my blog even comes from an animated episode of X-Men, and the character
Magneto.
If you read my Meet Miriam page, then you already know some of my favorites. Here is a quick recap of some of those toons.
Memories…
Muppet Babies – Baby versions of Jim Henson’s Muppets imagine themselves in fantastic situations. The show aired from September 15, 1984 to November 2, 1991. The show had episodes that discussed morals, teamwork, love, friendship, and ethics.
Jem and the Holograms – Adventures of a music company owner who uses a holographic computer to live a secret life as a rock star originally aired from 1985-88. Jerrica Benton owns Starlight music and is the leader of the rock band Jem and the Holograms. Jem is her alter ego. Her earrings produce holographic images of anything Jem requests. In addition, she ran Starlight house, a home for foster girls. The show ran from October 6, 1985 to May 2, 1988.
G.I. Joe – Animated series from the mid-1980s tells the saga of a fearless, globe-trotting special missions force — called G.I. Joe — which works to combat Cobra, an organization with an evil commander bent on world domination. On land, on sea, and in the air — whenever trouble breaks out around the world, G.I. Joe is there, ready to battle for ideals that America values. The show aired from September 12, 1983 to November 20, 1986.
ThunderCats – “ThunderCats” follows the adventures of a group of catlike humanoid aliens from the planet Thundera. When the dying planet meets its end, the group, known as the ThunderCats, is forced to flee its homeland. The end up on Third Earth and are constantly attacked by the Mutants of Plun-Darr and Mum-Ra. This show was very mature. It was well-written, story-driven, incredible tales of humility, strength, endurance, morality, and ethics. The show aired from January 23, 1985 to September 30, 1988.
I cannot stress enough how vital it was for me to watch
these cartoons growing up. Sure, I went to school, read books, and went outside
to play, but cartoons just stimulated my interest like nothing else. I love to
be entertained. That is one great way to teach me.
One of the biggest influences during this era was Captain
Kangaroo, which was a character played by Bob Keeshan. He was no Mr. Rogers,
but he had a way with words. He was able to captivate an audience of 3
year-olds and believe me that is no small thing to do.
Without further ado, I bring you what I love about Saturday
morning cartoons.
But first…
WHO IS BOB KEESHAN?
Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every
word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a
greater influence on a child than the parent. – Bob Keeshan
The best teacher is an entertainer. – Bob Keeshan
Robert James Keeshan was born on June 27, 1927. was an
American television producer and actor. He created and played the title role in
the children’s television program Captain Kangaroo, which ran from 1955 to
1984, the longest-running nationally broadcast children’s television program of
its day. He hosted The Captain Kangaroo show from 1955-1984 and one of my
personal favorites in its original run CBS Storybreak in 1985.
Back in the old days, when I was a child, we sat around the
family table at dinner time and exchanged our daily experiences. It wasn’t very
organized, but everyone was recognized and all the news that had to be told was
told by each family member. We listened to each other and the interest was not
put on; it was real. – Bob Keeshan
One of my fondest memories from my childhood was watching
cartoons. They taught me that I should know the difference between right and
wrong, stand up for my beliefs, have principles and values. All things that
have helped me successfully navigate adulthood and will help you in any setting
you are in.
TELEVISION HAS ITS
LIMITS
One of the big secrets of finding time is not to watch
television. -Bob Keeshan
I read that Warren Buffet, one of the richest and greatest investors
of all time, spends 80% of his day reading. In addition, that Bill Gates reads
about 80 books a years and CEO’s read about 60 a year.
Although, as a kid, I loved reading the Sunday comics; my favorite comic strip was The Peanuts, I also made time to read. Television is a condensed version of books. You have to read to get all the knowledge and shows for kids usually encouraged us to express our individuality and explore our creativity through reading more.
From deciding to read about finances, I learned to do the
following:
Start saving 40% or more of my income
Invest in index funds such as VTSAX, VFINX, or
VITSX
Read 2 finance books a month
LISTEN
A child needs to be listened to and talked to at 3 and 4 and
5 years of age. Parents should not wait for the sophisticated conversation of a
teenager. – Bob Keeshan
I cannot tell you how many times I had to tap dance sometimes
in my house to be heard. When you have siblings you better find a way to stand
out. However, there were times when I would start talking to adults and telling
them how I felt. To my surprise, they listened. I learned not to be shy and to
use my words not my fists. Keep all hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Got
it!
I enjoy meeting not only contemporary children, but
yesterday’s children as well. It’s nice to talk about the experiences we shared,
they tell me, ‘You were a good friend.’ That’s the warmest part. Bob Keeshan
It requires more strength to be gentle, so it’s the everyday
encounters of life that I think we’ve prepared children for and prepared them
to be good to other people and to consider other people. – Bob Keeshan
I would watch reruns of Mighty Mouse, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie Growing Up. They all expressed some of the same ideals. You can catch more bees with honey than vinegar. So, be kind. NOBODY wants to work with a jerk. Treat people right. It comes back to you. 😉
I think just as importantly we prepare people for the
definition of being gentle. – Bob Keeshan
When I think of that statement, I always think of Mr. T. He
always treated people with decency and respect. He was well-spoken, direct,
soft but firm. I have learned to do the same.
Play is the work of children. It’s very serious stuff. – Bob
Keeshan
If I didn’t go outside to play, I would lose my mind. It
just was what I needed to do. So, my parents let me stay outside all day.
After, I did my homework.
Now that I look back, I think they may have done it to get a
break from me. Regardless, I learned the value of true friendship and about
life on the playground.
One of my friend’s mom’s was very sick. She was so sad about
that. Understandably. So, we made sure to always check on her and her mom and
ALWAYS asked her to come outside and play with us. This was when she would
light up. One time she hurt herself really bad on the playground. It was on concrete. I will never forget it, she
cried all the way home and we went with her. We just wanted to make sure she
was okay. Because that is what friends do.
A RUNDOWN OF SOME
FAMOUS CARTOONS
Here is a short rundown of Saturday Morning cartoons. Nostalgia. Haha
The ones in bold
are some of my favorites.
1960’s
The Flintstones
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Quick Draw McGraw Show
The Yogi Bear Show
The Jetsons
Johnny Quest
The Magilla Gorilla Show
The Herculoids
Wacky Racers
The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
1970’s
The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show
Josie and the Pussycats
Secret Squirrel
Help!….It’s the Hair Bear
Bunch!
Wait Till Your Father Gets Home
Speed Buggy
Super Friends
The Addams Family
The Great Grape Ape Show
Dog Wonder
Tom & Jerry
Jabberjaw
Scooby’s All Star Laff-A-Lympics
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
1980’s
Super Friends
Richie Rich
The Smurfs
The Snorks
Pac-Man
Rainbow Bright
Strawberry Shortcake
My Little Ponies
Pound Puppies
The Paw-Paw Bears
Shirt Tales
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Dennis the Menace
The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo
CBS Storybreak
The Raccoons
The Wuzzles
Skeleton Warriors
Galaxy High
Fraggle Rock
Gummi Bears
The Berenstain Bears
Dungeons and Dragons
Voltron
Fantastic Max
1990’s
Tom & Jerry Kids
The Pirates of Dark Water
Camp Candy
Biker Mice from Mars
The Real Ghostbusters
Codename Kids NextDoor
The Powerpuff Girls
The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest
Bettlejuice
Here’s a shout out to Nickelodeon, the Cartoon Network and
other afternoon or weekday morning cartoons
Garfield and Friends
Power Rangers
Wild and Crazy Kids
Dare
Noodles
Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics
Woody Woodpecker
Mighty Mouse
Healthcliff
Gumby
Tiny Toon Adventures
The Care Bears
Pinky and the Brain
Hey Dude
The Adventures of the Little Koala
Noozles
Did I bring back any memories?
Is that list long enough for you? Did I miss any?
Let me know. And I will add it to the list.
Have you ever written a blog post about a cartoon? Let me
know and I will add it to a running list right here in this post.
