Wise Advice for Corona or Any Other Crisis

Did You Listen to Your Financial Advisor?

I know it might be a bit late for this current crisis in your life but when the #COVID-19 subsides I strongly advise everyone to look at this as just another unforeseen happening. Then think about and do something about the advice that banks and advisors have been giving for decades. Create an emergency fund for the possibility of six months or better with no income.

This was usually a guard against potential job loss but it applies equally here. With all the shutdowns yet to occur, you might be laid off. If not then for sure you must have seen people stocking up on - in some cases hoarding - certain things from the supermarket. Stocking up means buying extra - with what? If you immediately thought about your credit card you are in trouble.

Many years ago I was a financial advisor and for sure gave the same advice. Most people ignored it. Thank goodness I followed it myself. As just mentioned, this does not mean increasing your credit or credit card debt. That way lays disaster. You are adding to the first crisis or problem with a second one - throwing fat onto the fire.

The usual excuse was that nobody could afford it. I once wrote an article pointing out places most people could find extra cash if they had the willpower, not the means.
 

There are lots of lists out there of what things to stock up on for an emergency - essentially the basics of life so I won't repeat them here. Cash or available funds however are also one of them.

So here are some of those items I once wrote about. Just remember your #CORONA experience when you ask yourself if any of the following are VITAL and CRITICAL to your life. 

Can you at least cut down on (and put into your emergency fund):

1. Beer, wine, or other beverage?
2. Your monthly TV or entertainment package?
3. The need to have the newest, biggest TV to watch nightly?
4. Meat - one of the most costly forms of food. Buy cheaper cuts and learn how to cook them.
5. Going to movies?
6. The latest and greatest phones for both you and your kids?
7. New clothes or fashions?
8. A new car? Buy smaller and pre-owned for a couple of years. I always do this.
9. Vacations? Do a staycation once or twice and add a bundle to your fund.
10. Reno's and furnishings. This is very rarely vital. The same applies to the size of your home.

While you are at it, involve your kids in the discussions. It will be a great life lesson and a good test for your parenting ability.

#thebrewsterblock

Best Corona Article by Colin Berkshire

Read This COVID-19 Article People. Then Get Some Sleep

This is by far the best article I have read on the #COVID-19 virus. Read ALL of it:

https://talkingpointz.com/coronavirus-get-over-it/?fbclid=IwAR0d05uEG_AZvvCTj3VyxESpV9T4z6k4E7lem0iBvpvz8zBmcSBDoc_RhWg

Thank you Colin Berkshire. If people would read this and follow it the Markets and general health of people would be a lot better off. Take note of the advice about masks. I have been saying this myself. A virus will pass right through a mask and some will collect in it.

If posting this helps just a few of my readers feel better then I have accomplished something. Thank you again W.R. for posting it on Facebook.

#thebrewsterblock

More Snake Oil for Corona COVID-19 From Jim Bakker

This Guy Did Not Learn His Lesson

Have a look at this: 

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/ny-ag-hits-jim-bakker-with-cease-and-desist-order-over-alleged-coronavirus-cure/ar-BB10Xnjd?ocid=spartandhp. Scroll to the end.

Many won't recognize this character but more probably will. He was sent to prison for fraud years ago after bilking millions from innocent believers and now look what he is up to. He even cried when they took him away years ago - not crying now.

The AG of New York has apparently sent a cease and desist order to Jim Bakker ordering him to stop promoting “Silver Solution” as a remedy for the coronavirus. Google Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker if you want to know more about him. She passed away.

Next he will be offering stays in (now defunct) Heritage USA to be cleansed and sanitised in luxury. You might even enjoy Tammy Faye's sprit singing to you. It would not surprise me.

Some people will demonstrate the worst of our human character when others are desperate. This is another example. 

As a suggestion if a corporation really wants to be a good citizen then any who manufacture masks and sanitizers should make efforts to get people to stop hoarding them. How about REDUCING the price and asking retailers to limit quantities to each customer? 

Unfortunately on the mask topic there is a mixed message here. Some authorities were saying that they don't really work when you walk around breathing through them. They are meant more for those already infected so that their breath, sneezes, and coughs don't go directly into the air. Also if you wear them too long they can possibly collect the virus as it is being filtered making the person wearing the mask sick.

The problem here is that in the next sentence they will ask that the masks be left for care givers who need them. I assume the caregivers are not sick and hence not spewing out the virus. On the other hand how can they protect care givers against intake by wearing them but not citizens on the street? 

This needs clarification.

Let me close by observing once again that most people are still sneezing and coughing into the air. They are also not washing hands properly, holding or rubbing them very briefly under the tap with no soap.

Jimmy boy is not the only one who has not learned a lesson yet.

#thebrewsterblock

God Bless America (New Found Verses)

Please Forgive Me Irving Berlin

God help America

Land that we loved

Whisper to her

To show her

You still care

With a light from above.

From the right wing

To the left wing

Those who tarnish her good name

God help America

Remove their shame.

God help America

Seeking a way

To caring

And sharing

To the soul you gave her every day.

From the east coast

To the west coast

North and south please, help us all

God help America

Once more stand tall

#thebrewsterblock

Schumer: Another Mess You've Gotten Us Into

Thanks for Nothing Chuck Schumer

You can tell a lot about a person by image and first impression alone. Take JFK or Obama or George H. W. Bush for example. You know they were first class and highly intelligent. They had charisma. Take Trump - please. He has none of that.

During the impeachment hearings I admired the way both Pelosi and Schiff handled themselves even though they were not victorious. They were well spoken and passionate.

Then there was Schumer and Nadler. It is hard to imagine JFK and Nadler on the same stage for example. He has all the enthusiasm and charm of Newman in Seinfeld.

But this is about Chuck. He certainly did not do any Democrat any favour by attacking Judges of the Supreme Court. If the Democrats were ready to climb the last stretch of Everest and place their flag at the summit, he just kicked them back to their last camp and maybe into a crevasse.

Just look at the eyes peering over the glasses. He is acting - performing for the crowd. He reminded me of Bob Hope. Loved by many, he had a certain annoying delivery. He would tell a joke and the punch line and then get a smirk on his face and wait to see the crowd's reception of it. Chuck does the same thing by looking over his glasses. It is like "How was THAT one - really good right? I'm really clever right?"

Wrong. You played right into Trump's hand and his people's. Criticism of a Court decision or expressing an opinion on a pending one is OK, but naming judges and threatening them is absolutely wrong. And that is what you did Chuck. Dance 'till the cows come home. Sorry, that's an image I don't want to see, especially if he is peering over the specs.

Watch the re-run and observe your eyes. Don't ever run for President. You will lose on your first speech.

#thebrewsterblock

Tip My Hat to Steyer, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar

I Was Wrong And Glad Of It!

In recent posts I have to admit I wrote about the unlikelihood of any of the Democratic candidates dropping out for the good of the party. I thought they would fight until the last of them was standing. I wish more professional politicians could make similar admissions.

Now that Tom Steyer and Pete Buttigieg have already done so I eat my words in a most humble pie. It is indeed good for the party. FLASH! I just heard that Amy Klobuchar has joined them.

Tonight is another evening of CNN town halls with the remainders. Tomorrow is Super Tuesday. We shall see if any more follow after Tuesday. I suspect so. It has been a long road since the peak of 20 plus announced. I guess this is democracy at its best - certainly better than the Republican race was in 2016. But then only one really dragged them down into the mud.

I admire the three who packed it in. Besides money it also takes a special kind of person to handle that pressure and be able to speak on their feet never knowing what will be thrown at them next. I think all of them could serve the country well as part of another's team, especially at the White House.

Congratulations on great campaigns and a tough decision. I'm sure we will be hearing from you again.

#thebrewsterblock

Democratic Debate Mic Left On By Mistake

The Magnificent Seven; The Seven Wonders; or The Seven Dwarfs?

In the most recent Democratic debate, live on stage, somebody turned the microphones on too soon. It was not broadcast but is alleged to have gone something like this...

The Rest: OK Bernie. No offence but the target is on your back tonight.
Bernie: You nitwits couldn't draw a target if you all got together and together is just not in your vocabulary.
Pete: When I was serving in the military, I hit more targets than...
Bernie: Ya, Ya, Ya, hail to BUTThead.
Pete: That's "BOOT", not BUTT
Amy: You're going to feel six boots tonight and they will all be on your BUTT.
Liz: You all sound worse than the kids I used to teach.
Joe: God help those kids ...
Tom: I thought we all agreed to ditch the sniping or we will all pay the price...
Liz: How about you and your moneybags buddy over there paying the price. You've both bought everything else!
Mike: Typical frickin bitch remark...
Amy and Liz: What did you just say Mayor Frisky-Frisk?
Pete: When I was serving in the military, when we heard misogynistic comments like that ...
Joe: Oh stick a mortar shell in it Pete
Moderators: OK guys, we are nearing air time. Bring it down a notch.
All: Oh stick a mortar shell in it! Good one Joe. Can't you see we're busy fighting here?
Liz: So purple suit. Why don't you just face facts and drop out for the rest of us?
Amy: At least I own a suit four eyes. Where'd you get that outfit - Target Boutique?
Pete: Speaking of targets, when I was serving...
Tom: OK Patton, we get it.
Amy: Before I was interrupted, I'm not folding. When they hear about my support in the Midwest...
Liz: News flash snowbird. Neither Carolina is part of the Midwest. By the way, since you are facing East right now, the part of you facing West could use a little more support...
Amy: Oh yeah Miss Native Minority Queen? Want to step outside? That war paint you're wearing isn't going to help you out there, or your military brothers.
Pete: OK guys. I'm taking bets. Could use a little boost in the funds.
Joe, Mike, Tom, Bernie: We're in. What are the odds on Liz?

Mike to self: I knew the claws would come out. Two down, four to go...

#thebrewsterblock

Corona Virus COVID-19

Can You Name 5-6 COVID-19 Precautions?

I have seen simple precautions we should all be taking now, published in many places, to help limit the spread of this potential killer and to help prevent contracting it.

I could list them here but you should look them up and PRACTICE them. I shake my head when I see people violating the obvious ones every day. I try to follow them, but even as I write I just scratched my eye and the side of my face. This is a no-no.

Every Seinfeld fan probably remembers the episode with his girlfriend's father. He owns a restaurant and cooks in it. While Jerry washes his hands at the sink in the men's room he sees the father leave a cubicle after doing his "business" and head straight out the door, tainted hands and all. He then handles Jerry's food with his bare hands.

I can't believe the number of times I have witnessed this very act (without the food prep. I hope.) The majority of men after using a urinal only hold their fingers under water for a few seconds and then wipe them thereby polluting the towel dispenser or the door handle! I hope women are better.

People sneeze, cough, pick their noses and bite their nails constantly. What chance do we have when all of these habits will spread it and anything else?

Here are a few more ideas :

- Perhaps this is happening already but employers should take the initiative and emphasize to all staff that coming to work if they show any symptoms of illness IS NOT AN OPTION and they will not suffer loss of pay.
- We should all be calling out the sneezers, those not washing hands etc.
- How about posting anonymous videos of violators. Maybe fear of being caught will work.
- Wearing surgical or other rubber gloves will help protect you (but will still spread the virus when gloves touch surfaces IF this virus is spread by contacting surfaces.)
- Don't shake hands or even fist pump.

- For sure don't do the kissy cheek thing

- Come down really hard on violators of safe hygiene practices in restaurants, bars, and pubs

- Don't have any form of sex under any circumstances. OK just testing to see if you are still with me.

Another thought: When we get over this, it seems to me there is a fortune to be made using today's technology by developing devices for the future. Here are some to get started:

- Move to making all doors touchless open / close by default
- Keep developing speech driven PCs and other electronic devices to eliminate finger use
- Make all washrooms touchless for washing, drying, door opening/closing including cubicles, tissue dispensing. We are making progress here. Same goes for showers and lockers in gyms and sporting facilities.
- Provide and encourage use of touchless hand sanitizers on public vehicles and private shopping facilities

- Research and develop efficient sanitizing devices (like UV) for virtually any surfaces. Use them for all personal devices and for cleaning your home, office, car, hotels etc.

- Make government awards available for developing such items

Feel free to comment below with any other ideas. This is serious stuff.

#thebrewsterblock

   

Democratic Debate or UFC Free for All?

Are the Gloves Off or Were They ever On?

I watched another debate last night on CBS with seven Democratic candidates. Firstly I don't know who was in control - the candidates or the moderators. For sure the latter lost control.

When will the people who run these things finally get it? At times the debaters were like seven piranhas fighting for the last fish in the Amazon! Give them their allotted time, a warning, and then cut off the microphones after 10 seconds. They will soon learn to wrap up. I thought the moderators were the least impressive.

The jabs and belly punches got pretty bad. If they think they will ever unite after Super Tuesday when things will really be rocking they are hallucinating. If one ever faces off against Trump, all Trump has to do is replay some of the finer moments with a "You really think THESE people can run the country?" type comment.

I have said it before. It is time for a woman. Of the two, Klobuchar is by far the best on image, perceived energy and drive. Although no doubt smart, Warren still looks and sounds like a teacher.

Women have been cleaning up after men for centuries. Following Trump, two of them are probably needed.

Now wouldn't THAT shock 'em? President AND Vice President. I like the idea and have said so before. Unfortunately I have to wonder if they could get along for eight days let alone eight years.

So sad. Too bad. Thelma and Louise. Just keep 'em away from any cliffs.

#thebrewsterblock

Food for Thought

Thought for Food Maybe Not So ...

Here I go again, right off the top. I am seated in front of a PC on this free website where I can pretty much write or express myself in any manner I please. What will it be today? This is also without - I hope - concern for lawsuits, fines, or reprisals. I did get some hate mail once. What a fantastic freedom.

There are places of course where this is not the case. I happen to be in Canada. I wonder whether my neighbours to the south are as lucky anymore. If their current leader and the networks that support him have their way, maybe not.

The sad part however is that I only started to enjoy writing later in my life. I have no credentials or degrees in journalism etc. but at least have the right and freedom to try. My biggest problem is that today not many people want to read it. Naturally that could be because I am not a household name, have no following, and maybe I'm just not very good. I accept that but I think there is more to it.

Some solace can be gained by my awareness that long established newspapers and magazines are also having a tough time staying in business despite their sometimes famous writers. I suspect it is for the same reason. Loyal fans of those outlets still enjoy reading a newspaper but they are a dying breed. 

Younger audiences want news snippets and off the wall videos which they can experience in seconds and forward to their "friends" whom they might never have met. Tweets fit the bill and funny, outlandish stunts. 

I'm afraid that I am too late to talk about anything meaningful for more than a few sentences and nurture a following. I have to dumb it down or jazz it up. So no, expressing thoughts for food or any form of compensation is just not going to cut it. If you write it they will come is the stuff of movies but not blogs.

I should turn to lying through my teeth, grow outlandish hair, or wear a tie a foot longer than it should be. Look what it has done for others.

#thebrewsterblock