IT'S HERE!

The Case Files of Ronald T. Barone:

Case No. 1256

The Alien

Please Visit:

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Files-Ronald-Barone-Alien-ebook/dp/B00M10FG74/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406128135&sr=1-4&keywords=the+case+files+of+ronald+t.+barone

Remember:  Amazon's FREE Kindle app works on most devices--computers, Macs, smartphones, tablets, etc.

"The Orphanage" is almost ready to "go live." Just a few edits here and there and it will be
DONE!
Next, "The Wife" scheduled for June 2012! 
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Strawhand-Garner/e/B004NV88ZG

Checking in!

I've received a few inquiries about the suspension of my blogs. Nice comments! However, I published my first book in the Ronald T. Barone series and I'm madly working on the second. It's a lot of work to do that and pump out a weekly blog. I may start the blogs up again and do a monthly posting. I'm deep into the world of Ronald T. Barone though and have my doubts about starting up the blog again! We'll see. Look for "The Orphanage" in December 2012!

I've been asked if it's necessary to have a Kindle to read Kindle books. The short answer is "no." Many devices work great with the FREE Kindle app on Amazon. It's a great app that organizes your books and is so easy to use and comfortable to read. The app can be downloaded to all SmartPhones, computers with Windows and all Macs, iPads, and tablets. And did you know the Kindle app is compatible with most local libraries? That's right. Save a trip in the car and download your selections on your Kindle no matter where you are! I have a PC, a Mac, an iPhone, and  a Kindle. I have the Kindle free app on all my devices so I'm able to read wherever I am. My favorite place is to take my Kindle or laptop on the patio and read on my swing! Sometimes if I'm stuck in line somewhere or waiting for an appointment and I don't have my Kindle with me I read books on my iPhone. I never have to say, "Oh, no, I forgot my book!"Amazon is still the leader in title selections. Many titles are .99 cents like mine. I chose that pricing so that more people can afford to read. And Amazon has thousands of free titles. I have started a fabulous collection of classics--all for free. For those still unsure if they want an eBook reader (any brand) try the free Kindle app for a while first and you'll be hooked. I should mention that most eBook readers are proprietary as far as their readers but not their apps. I chose Kindle after a lot of research but they are all wonderful. And if you select a non Kindle ebook reader some day you can still keep your Kindle app on your computers and other devices. You'll simply have more options. Hope that answers questions. Rather than respond individually I thought this might be a little more efficient. Here's the link the Amazon's free app:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Here’s my newest book and it’s “live” on Amazon. It’s the first book in a series of detective stories I’ve been working on and I had a lot of fun with it. When you click on the link below you will find a narrative under “Book Description” that explains the series and why I decided to launch into the mystery world! You don’t need a Kindle to read it. You can use any of your electronic devices to download it including your computers, smart phones, iPads, etc. Just download Amazon’s FREE Kindle reader app. And again, I’ve placed this title in their .99 cent collection so more people can have access to it. If you click on my name which is directly under the title on the link below you will be taken to my “author page.” Let me know what you think!!! I’ve already started “The Orphanage” for a December publication date.

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Files-Ronald-Barone-ebook/dp/B0089ZTZ7C/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339338265&sr=1-4

Just finished the first book in my new series 

The Case Files of Ronald T. Barone

I'm attaching the book cover for a sneak peek. I'm doing the final editing now and will have my friend proofread with her magic pen in a couple of weeks but for the most part it's done and I hope to publish in June. It was so much fun and after I got into it I started writing outlines for the series. I can't wait to dig in and send Ronald and Claire on lots of scary adventures. Keep checking for publication.

I've had to put my weekly blogs on hold. I started my fourth book and keeping up with weekly blog postings and writing my new book is A LOT. So for now I invite you to check out my blog archive to the lower right of this message and drop me a note from time to time if you have questions.
Thank you!

Sharon 

sharonstrawhandgarner@yahoo.com

Personal Debt Addiction

[NOTE: Look to the right of this note and find “Home” and “Fun page.” New blogs posted every weekend. For previous blogs please visit “blog archive” to the lower right of this screen. Click on small black arrows for a drop down list.]  

Now that Christmas has come and gone I’ve been thinking about debt. Many go into debt to lavish gifts and entertainment upon their families and friends over the holidays. Food alone is a small fortune. It often takes all year to pay off Christmas debt. Sometimes it takes longer than a year and Christmas debt is piled upon Christmas debt year after year. Add to that other debt growth throughout the year and we have people who can’t dig up cash if their lives depended on it. Instead, if cash is needed, some take it from a credit card. It’s a vicious cycle---and excessive spending is an addiction. 

Fortunes are made by people who claim they can rid folks of debt. People go into debt paying for systems (or legal help) that proclaim debt can be eliminated simply and in a short time. These systems are expensive and plunge the debtor further into debt and despair. Most people who buy these systems find they can’t stick to them. Things come up they must buy and they can’t stick to the debt plan one month then another month then before they know it they are right back where they were before buying the system---and they are still paying for the system. Once debt has a person around the neck it’s not easy to get away from it. Some go to extreme measures to relieve their debt via criminal actions or suicide. Like drugs, alcohol, and gambling, debt can be an addiction.

Debt doesn’t crop up over night. It’s insidious and slides into our lives with tiny purchases or sometimes genuine emergencies. We often buy things we don’t need---but want. It’s easy to buy that tiny item so that when the next desire presents itself we spring for it. After all, it’s only a few dollars more a month. This continues, especially with those inexperienced in money management, young people and people managing an income alone after a divorce, or any number of circumstances, until one day the person wakes up and realizes they are in a terrible bind. Then real debt builds as they take on debt to pay off debt. It’s a trap set by commercial entities. We are bombarded with offers of great discounts and wonderful goods at incredible price reductions for goods we DON’T need and tiny payments. Because we’re worth it. That's a lie for another blog.

The first factor in determining how we got into debt is to simply stroll around our homes. How many items do we see that were purchased on credit? How many items did we save for and buy with cash? Do I hear laughter? It’s true. Who buys anything anymore with cash that has been saved for a special item? (My son does which I will explain a bit later.)

Some items are difficult to save for. Most of us need a car. If we live in a major city we do not need a car and some enlightened urban dwellers do not buy cars but take public transportation (only in cities where it works---our old transportation systems need repair today but at one time our cities had great public transportation). If a car is needed then those folks rent cars for weekend trips. Of course, they need a credit card to do that. It amazed me the first time I rented a car that I had to have a credit card. I wanted to pay for it with cash. What kind of world do we live in where we MUST have a credit card? I think it’s so that if we destroy the car or do something to it they can come after us via our card. My daughter went on vacation and the rental car agency added huge additional charges a couple of weeks after she got home. She fought the charges and won. It was a battle.

So after we evaluate our homes and analyze what we purchased with credit we then learn whether or not we needed the items or wanted the items. There’s nothing wrong with wanting something---if we can afford it. If we want something and can’t pay for it, we should save for it. (Oh, stop laughing.) We simply make a payment to ourselves monthly until we’ve saved enough to buy it. Better to make the payment now than after. So many nasty things can happen after when there’s no money but the paymen(s) linger. If we are saving for a TV now and the engine falls out of our car on the freeway, we can dip into our TV savings and fix the car. (Can’t we charge the car repair? Oh, of course we can because we decided we need a car.)

But putting big ticket items aside like cars, refrigerators, heaters, etc., they are not what truly gets us in debt. It’s the hundreds of little things we buy on credit. That we don’t need but we want. We want some things so desperately we are willing to go into debt.  

How many pairs of shoes does a person need and of what quality? I’m hard on shoes. When I used to buy expensive shoes in only a few weeks I’d scuffed them and scraped them (how do I do that) and was horrified. Now I buy some medium priced shoes but mostly very cheap shoes that I beat to death and I don’t buy many. When they are bad I dump them and replace them. How many pieces of jewelry do we need (none, actually), or how many decorative items for our homes that we are willing to go into debt to purchase? In fact, how many electronics do we need? None. It’s true. None. Remember it’s all about need v. want. But I have every electronic gadget ever invented and the minute it’s outdated (which is usually the day after I buy it) I want the updated version. I’m guilty too.

So over a year ago my son decided he wanted a top of the line laptop. He researched the various computers he was interested in and eventually found just want he wanted and in fact special ordered an upgrade and his computer is so slick he could run the Pentagon with it. Then he purchased a couple of accessories for it---all with cash. He saved for about a year. He did without many things. He dipped into his savings for a couple of small emergencies (one car emergency and something he needed for work). His computer is very expensive and it’s 100% paid for. I have friends with outrageously outdated computers they are still making payments on. Some are still paying for old computers they no longer own. I have two and both are paid for.

Delayed gratification. We’ve all heard that term. Sometimes it has a sexual connotation but it also applies to other desires, the desire to have goods we want and we want them right now. Maybe it’s because I’m older now and wiser (I hope) but there is nothing I want so much that I would go into debt to have. And mind you, there are many things I actually do want. Just not enough to go into debt.

Of course, I do have a big fat mortgage and that is certainly debt. But as debt goes it helps me at tax time and it’s my little nest/home. But I know some who are rethinking home ownership and all of its repairs and maintenance and many in my age group are dumping their homes for the ease of renting a nice apartment somewhere. My mom still lives in her home and recently had expensive termite work done and I’ve had dry rot repair going on for weeks. An apartment is very appealing right about now.

So here’s how to get out of debt and my advice is free. Stop charging stuff. Do without. Only buy essentials (groceries, medical care, dog food) until the debt is gone. Have a huge garage sale. Take that money and pay off some of the debt. If the debt is tremendous and completely out of control consider bankruptcy. Some debt people have is because they lost their jobs. Most is because we spend too much for things we don’t need. Don’t spend, don’t charge, one step at a time. Make a list of what is needed to live and every time a purchase is considered ask if it’s needed---or wanted. Depending on the debt it could take a long time to pay it off. That’s fine. If the job market is not cooperating, consider asking for government assistance if it might apply to your situation. That’s why it’s there. Don’t be embarrassed. Everyone needs a little help once in a while. Life is too short to live with stress every day. Find ways to pay off the debt, all of it or some of it, then never accumulate debt again.

Over the years I’ve kept a list of things I want which is separate from things I need. The list is long but when I review it from time to time I cross items off the list because I no longer want them. I wanted the items when I placed them on the list but now they’ve been on there for so long I’ve realized I actually no longer want them.

I know people who have comfortable incomes and buy whatever they want but they still use credit for the purchases. I’m not sure I understand that because when the you-know-what hits the fan, and none of us are safe, those debts will ruin them. When the comfy income goes then what?

I guess I should point out it’s easier for me to not buy things because I don’t like to shop. For those who love to hit the mall on a regular basis to buy things “on sale,” ew. You don't save money buying things on sale. You spend it. Think about it.

[No part of this content may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author. Blog series began in March 2009.]