from reader Maddie Sugg

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With the current state of the economy, how have your finances changed when compared to last year?

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Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Comments:

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I'm guessing Osama el-Atari was one of the deranged "Much better" voters ...

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on June 10, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the additonal 18% increase in my electric bill! Gas, electric, trash, water, property...........whats next?

Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A little behind, but it's mostly because my wife & I had our first child and daycare is expensive.

Posted by GentlemanFarmer (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Electric up 18% (as of yesterday). Medical Insurance up 17% (Self Employed), Natural Gas up 33% ($1.06 per them Jan 08, $1.36 per therm for May 08, check your last 6 bills), can't wait for January 09 gas bill, Property Tax up 14%, Milk, Cereal, Bread, etc.. up 15%, Gasoline up 50%, Homeowners Insurance up 20% (never had a claim), Children's college funds down 15%, Retirement funds down 15%, Oh yea, one more thing, no raise in 1 1/2 years. If this is not a bad situation, I don't know what is.....

Posted by salm624 (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the stats... and Gov't reports say inflation is under control. Makes you wonder, eh?

Posted by dfhaines (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you ever notice how, when temporary downturns in the economy occur, government never has to do with less money like ordinary citizens? Even so-called "cuts" in government aren't really cuts. Anytime a government program's budget rises only 3% when it was expected to rise 7% some bleeding heart liberal claims that funding was "cut" for program X. Where does government get its money? Hint: it has none of its own. It has to get it from somewhere. Answer: it gets it from the people. But, you say, businesses pay taxes too, don't they? Not really. They pass those taxes (and regulatory fees) along to the retail consumer in the price they charge for goods and services, so ultimately, only individuals pay taxes. During this temporary downturn in the economy, may I suggest that government try combining a freeze (or a real cut) in taxes plus zero-based budgeting and spend no more (preferably much less) than it collects in taxes and fees?

Posted by obviously (anonymous) on July 5, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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