Ron Paul: on top on the net, moving up on the tube?

Riding a wave of rising interest in constitutional practices in government (imagine that!), Ron Paul has passed 30,000 youtube subscribers, and their campaign has issued a press release today regarding their success

 on a similar note, I regret to say that I missed the GOP dibate to day and I wanted to see Ron mop up the place with the other guys (if they gave him opportunity to speak) but some of the responses I saw in the blogosphere are very encouraging.  This is getting to be almost as good as college football.  (well, almost)

link

Mysteriously, the CNBC poll results vanished shortly after the debates ended. However, for those who want to know the results, the last post we were able to record is below:

Here’s what I found at 5:46 p.m EST:

1. Which candidate won the debate?

Ron Paul 75%
Mike Huckabee 7.1%
Mitt Romney 5.6%
Fred Thompson 5.3%
Rudy Giuliani 3.6%
John McCain 1.8%
Duncan Hunter 0.7%
Tom Tancredo 0.7%
Sam Brownback 0.4%

2. If the GOP primary was to be held today, which candidate would you vote for? * 8253 responses

Ron Paul 76%
Mike Huckabee 7.1%
Fred Thompson 5.5%
Mitt Romney 4.9%
Rudy Giuliani 3.5%
John McCain 1.5%
Duncan Hunter 0.8%
Tom Tancredo 0.5%
Sam Brownback 0.3%

3. Which Republican candidate is best for your money? * 8253 responses

Ron Paul 76%
Mike Huckabee 7.2%
Mitt Romney 5.6%
Fred Thompson 5.2%
Rudy Giuliani 3.2%
John McCain 1.1%
Duncan Hunter 0.8%
Tom Tancredo 0.6%
Sam Brownback 0.4%

GO RON PAUL

Financial Peace University : Buyer beware

yesterday we attended our weekly seminar from Dave Ramsey.  It was entitled:  Buyer Beware

 One of the points that stuck out at me the most was how effective marketing schemes are.  Dave demonstrated how we get duped by scientifically conjured techniques from marketing agencies by things like eye-catching product labeling and repetitive advertising.  We say, “that stuff doesn’t work on me”  … O, yeah?!?  Have it your _____.  Melts in your mouth, not in your ____.    Repetition in advertising works.  (Who is Ron Paul anyway?) 

 He also gave some useful tips on making major purchasing decisions (over $200) like waiting overnight, consulting with your spouse, research and know about the product you are planning to buy, know the opportunity cost (if I spend $1000 on this cruise, then I can’t invest it in my mutual fund), and know whether the purchase would be filling a want or a need (either are okay to fill, the point is to be honest with yourself).  Practising these five disciplines are a sure fire way to keep us from making stupid and impulsive purchsing decisions that we will regret.

More tips from Dave:

Beware of the following as a consumer…

1. 90 Days Same-As-Cash
2. Zero-interest loans
3. All credit cards
4. “Let me check with the manager.”
5. Impulse product offers
6. High-pressure sales tactics
7. Get-rich-quick schemes
8. Zero-risk investments
9. Cosigning loans
10. Anything that sounds too good to be true

ending financial stress

It is such a great blessing to have little to no stress over financial issues.

 My wife and I have been attending seminars through Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey and have learned a lot.  We are on week 7 now and I am starting to get the hang of managing our finances according to the guidelines Dave gives. 

 When we started the program I hadn’t balanced our checkbook for about three years and we just signed on our first home.  That is proof of God’s providence if I ever experienced it.  I know that God put this all together in perfect timing.  Without God’s help our finances would be in shambles.

 So far, we have kept a zero balanced budget for two months, we are practicing the envelope system using 5 envelopes and from what I recollect, the system has cut our spending back nearly $200 dollars a month at Wal-Mart alone.  We have started building our emergency fund and we are ahead of schedule.  God is so good.