For richer and poorer – new stats on the wealth gap
A story on NPR this morning on the growing gap between the wealthy and the rest of us in the United States, equaled only by the gap in the 1920′s.
The 400 people on Forbes magazine’s list of the richest Americans saw their combined net worth climb 8 percent this year. The good news for the wealthy comes as the poverty rate has reached a 15-year high and unemployment remains stuck near 10 percent.
“They” say the recession ended last August. This says we are headed deeper into an economic Bermuda Triangle. What do you think? What data makes sense to you? What choices are you making – that you are willing to tell blog readers?
Why Brazil, Round Two
I wonder if any of you feel as one respondent did to my e-invitation to join me on the Journey to the Heart of Brazil.
She said, “And what is the footprint of flying folks to this event and how does the cost fit with YMOYL? Seems you’ve come a long way Vicki… All the best and I won’t be joining you on this one.“
Here’s my answer – and it may help you decide if you are wavering. We need at least 10 people by October 15 to make it a go. We’re not there yet, and the deadline is fast approaching. (more…)
Reruns – but still good
I’ve been on the Kathleen Show several times and just now they chose to rebroadcast. Here’s the link they sent me:
I recall the interviews – Kathleen was one of the best prepared and most personal – really digging in to the ideas.
Brazil Happiness and Change
Travel changes you, opens our souls as well as our minds. We change. The trip I am leading to Brazil at the end of November will do that, in part by you seeing how social change happens in that culture. 
I first went to Brazil in 2001 for the First World Social Forum. The theme was: Another World is Possible. The speakers and participants were dead serious about how we were killing all that is beautiful and alive in this world.
The vibe in the halls and the streets as we marched, 25,000 strong, to the final talk by (I believe) Arundhati Roy, was JOY. Laughing, dancing and hugging were not considered inappropriate, given the gravity of the circumstances. They were “the possible other world”.
I was stunned. And swept up. And I have never stopped loving that feeling I get when I step off the plane in Sao Paulo. Something soft and sensual while also everyone being “about their business.”
You can have that experience to, and it will light up your work for change – in yourself and in the world. That’s why the eco-tourist company Aoka and I are inviting you to come to the warmth of Brazil in the dark of the year, and the dark of these times.
Click this link to find out more. Watch what happens in your body when you read through the day by day description of what we will do. Don’t just consult that worry wart, your mind.
I hope you will come. If you want to, time is short. You need to commit by October 15.
Transforming your relationship with food
Hey, I thought this was a money blog. Transforming your relationship with money. Not food.
I’m discovering with my September 10 mile diet that truly the same principles and practices for looking at money apply to food. By only eating what can produced within 10 miles of my home I am discovering a lot about my relationship with food.
I am seeing my emotional relationship – the feelings and desires that drive me this way and that. To nuts and after 9 PM eating. That would be like people’s money and stuff addictions. The visits to the mall to see what you might want rather than get what you want. To substitute shoes (or chocolate) for love. (more…)
Two wow’s from the NY Times
Wow one: The NY Times reported bankers using the D word. Depression.
Wow two: The NY Times is now blogging about frugality.
Wow one: On September 12 the NY Times used the “D” word. Depression. Not downturn. Not recession. Not banking crisis. Depression. They reported that:
Top central bankers and bank regulators agreed Sunday in Basel, Switzerland, on far-reaching new rules for the global banking industry that are designed to avert future financial disasters…of the kind that nearly plunged the world into depression in late 2008 depression.
Political leaders have been wary of the D word, not wanting to panic people. Now they can use it because our heroic politicians “averted” it. Hmmm. Really?
Wow two: The NYTimes has gotten into the frugality business. I hope this blog http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/ will be a reliable source for those kinds of daily financial decisions that bedevil us.
What should I do with my money now?
I invited Mark Zaifman and Monique Tilford to join me for a teleclass by this name, knowing this question is on everyone’s minds. While Mark gave financial investment advice, I tended to give more lifestyle advice – examining assumptions about “just gotta have it”, meeting needs differently (like taking your kids to free events rather than expensive ones), re-skilling. If money is indeed “life energy”, then investing time in activities that will bring you a big return in security makes sense – perhaps as much sense as investing in mutual funds. Okay okay, apples and oranges, but listen to what I wrote a friend when she asked:
Hi. any advice about what to do with a small inheritance? especially since the people involved are not FI right now but would like to be?
Read on… and tell me what YOU would advise… (more…)
The Whole Enchilada
Thank you to the nearly 600 (whew) who signed up for my free ones. There are two more and you can still come tonight or monday (see above).One person wrote: Thanks for articulating the issues, clarifying “whole systems thinking” and providing much needed encouragement.
I’ve loved teaching them and being back in the saddle, which would be my roller ball chair, Mt Baker and Puget Sound out my window, phone beside me on speaker and screen in front of me watching you pour into the room.
For everyone reading this blog and not at the classes, I want to tell you the new format for my course. I’ve rolled the two classes I anticipated teaching into one that I call The Whole Enchilada: Money, Happiness and Enough.
Why only one?
First, people wanting to get a handle on money via the Your Money or Your Life program can do just that with the Whole Enchilada. (more…)
Hope Beneath our Feet; essays of hope in hard times
Today is the launch of Hope Beneath our Feet, a compilation of essays gathered by Martin Keogh. Click that link and you can get it for a deep discount. I think you’ll want it, and not just because tucked among many luminaries is the essay Martin requested of me about two years ago. It’s called Letter from the Future. Here’s a link to one place it’s posted on the web. He asked us all to write to the question: In a time of environmental crisis, how can we live right now? (more…)
