Times are tough and I'm selling everything that I don't use around my house...I have extra printers, phones, clothes, paper, exercise equipment, etc...and I'm selling all of it. Make money, money, make, money, money, money!
eBay is how you can get rid of all of your junk (unused merchandise), and get paid.
Blood banks are paying too! Alcohol rub, Butterfly needle, a little pinch, and 3 minutes later - they have a bag filled with blood, and you have gas money, or at least enough for a sandwich. Sell it all! You only need food, shelter, and clothing - well maybe a computer to read my blog entries. Don't sell your computer; I want to stay in touch with you.
What do I do when I lose my job or suffer a lay-off? With massive job losses marking signs of a failing economy, we may have to re-invent ourselve, get creative, and look within.
CitiGroup is looking down the barrel of 53,000 job cuts very soon. What will these people do?Karyn Pettigrew, business and professional mentor, author, motiovational speaker, teacher and owner of KPConsulting, will inpire by giving practical advice to our lives. Are you out of work? What is your creative plan to make ends meet?
A question for RedEye columnist Kyra Kyles: should the CTA bail out customers? A fare increase is absurd and I am going to protest for everyone who cannot afford to pay for the increase. Kyra joins me on GML. See CLTV story on CTA Fare Increase.
Fares are going to $2.25 - That's high! Monthly passes with increase from $75 to $90. This can be devastating on a fixed income or someone with minimum wage income. 630 workers being layed off. If lay-offs are that huge, give riders a break. CTA: I'm protesting the increase on Garrard McClendon Live.
Uh oh! Senator Obama's name may change to President in a few hours...he just won Virginia, he's got New Mexico, Pennsylvania is in his pocket, Minnesota is toast, the North Eastern states are all wrapped up. A caller to my show said it's all about race...political race, not the politics of color. Will Indiana turn Blue? Call me at 630-575-Talk or leave a comment.
You thought your favorite sitcom was coming on, but the Democratic candidate for president bought the time slot and wowwed viewers with a dazzling 30 minute infomercial stumping on networks with cinematography rivaling Hollywood. Was the money and time worth it? I think so. Obama continues to show that he is a formidible force of nature in the political world.
Call it pompous, conceited, confident, or "humble," Obama spares no expense in getting the message out to potential Barack backers. Senator John McCain should have countered by spending $3 mil to do the same. The film may be the tipping point. Senator, lawyer, organizer, father, husband, candidate, and diplomat, Barack Obama shows us that excellence and hope is just a vote away.
Halie Soifer, Jewish Vote Director for the Barack Obama Campaign, talks to Palm Beach County voters. Staff Photo/Jim Rassol, South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Obama is not friends with anti-Jewish organizations and the Louis Farrakhan references are tired and insulting. The trick bag is filled with tricknology, half-truths, and fear. I am a little taken aback by Barack's committees. Are there directors for every ethnic and religious group in Obama's camp? Irish Vote Director, English Vote Director, German, Italian, Neo-Baptist Swahili Vote Director? Poor Halie says "I think some people have been swayed by all the slurs. They hear something and then their minds are closed." Halie - God Bless you - I'm glad that you're out there dispelling the myths of Barack being an enemy to Jews. You are to be commended. But some people love to be ignorant. It gives them a sense of comfort.
I am being robbed, by a parking stub and ticket. Chicago, I used to love you but...parking charges are damaging our relationship. Just to get a bite to eat, I'm charged $25 and taxes on top of the parking fees - you're killin' a brother.
I hear that your mayor is having a wicked shortful in the budget and that people are being asked to stay home for a few days: a sabbatical without pay. Chicago, you're trying too hard to be like New York, L.A., and Pheonix. Taxes, tolls, carpools, fees, excise, surcharge, meters, and a mayor who can't balance a budget.
Lay some people off, get a full day's work from everyone, and we'll see that a city can operate without raising fees. I'm fed up Chicago. I'll visit you in my flying saucer, it doesn't have a windshield wiper blade for you to leave a ticket and I can just hover on top of the parking garage and pay nothing.
Carpool Kenny is about to see a spike in his revenue if the State of Illinois introduces the dreaded carpool lane. I'm not havin' it. The lane of choice shouldn't be dependent upon the number of passengers in the car. You can't charge a toll on my car and then charge me extra because I am the only person in the car. Nonesense! I'll get an air pump, inflate Kenny, and take my chances. If the cops pull me over, I'll say - at least Kenny had his seatbelt administered. He loves talk radio and when someone wants a ride, I can say, "sorry, no room." Taxes and tolls are high enough - and you want to charge me for not carpooling? The state should buy a flying car for me or pay for my broadband so I can work from home.
Is Dan Seals - the truth, or a "face man"? Can he overcome his loss to Mark Kirk back in 2006? Candidate for Congress, Dan Seals, joins me on Garrard McClendon Live. Call the show...talk to Dan. 630-575-TALK (8255).
Watch it at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 on CLTV.
I don't know John. I think you have some concerns for the economy, but you aren't prepared for Friday's debate. Obama and you have been all over CNN today "live," and Washington and Wall Street have you both in a tornado spin. John McCain is not ready for the debate, and he used the economy as a deflection device. Can you say diversion?
Credit cards, foreclosures, and interest rates, and the DOW taking a huge dive...what should the average citizen do? Wait it out and be patient. Hasty decision-making can put you in an even worse position. What financial difficulties are you struggling with now? Terry Savage joins GML for a discussion and she'll answer your questions on the show. Call us tonight at 6:30 p.m. for The Savage Truth and The Savage Number with financial analyst and columnist, Terry Savage.
When is enough, enough? When The Cook County Board says so. First we get socked with 10.25% and now Cook County needs a loan for a hundred million dollars? President Stroger, please come on Garrard McClendon Live and explain...We would appreciate it, my friend.
We all can't be Gordon Gekko. That's a nice tie with suspenders though.
It is time to get creative. Get a second job, make a product, cut some grass. The economy is failing but you can secure your family's income by working harder and fortifying your livelihood. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Meryl Lynch, and IndyMac shouldn't control your life. Be creative, be bold, courageous, and get that work ethic back in gear. Our parents and grandparents had far less than we have so don't make excuses...create an intra-family New Deal and make a difference. You owe yourself the best.
Look for service cuts and increases on fairs next year. With 5% more people riding CTA and fuel costs elevating, you know your daily cost of going to work, school, and home will become more painful.
I drive a car - so I am not as affected as CTA riders, but I am concerned because I know senior citizens and students who ride. Seniors make up 92,000 free daily rides. Blagojevich was the town crier and pied piper of this benevolent act, but will it snake bite him and the CTA? $30 million spent on fuel alone! $30 million over budget! It may be time for the CTA to hire a good accountant.
Do we vote according to the idealogy of our parents? Or are we truly free thinkers who examine the candidates and their stance on issues? Have you checked Obama and McCain's voting records?
Sarah Palin stole the show during her speech. But John McCain is not the most charismatic and theatrical guy in the world. He will have to deliver a speech that resonates with Repubs and that touches the Independents and undecided voters. John McCain is in trouble now, but a good speech and more mudslinging may close the gap in the polls.
Annikin Skywalker, also called Optivum Servator, has changed his named to Joe Lieberman. Changing parties to get elected by any means necessary is how the senator rules his Connecticut galaxy. With lightsaber in hand, Lieberman Skywalkertold the delegates at the RNC, "when you vote for president, vote for the person you believe is best for our country, not for the party you happen to belong to." Tatooine has 2 suns so just flip to the party that elects you.
Joe, are you a Democrat, an Independent, or a Republican? C3PO or R2D2? Hyperspeed, Darth Maul, Vader, or Nader? Lieberman Skywalker, may the Republican force be with you.
I watched Cyndi McCain's speech. It doesn't get any less inspiring than that. She and Laura Bush had pretty smiles and pretty clothes, but they turned the opening day of the convention into a telethon. I guess it's the least they could do with FEMA failing 3 years ago. I appreciated their thoughts concerning hurricane Gustav and the levees, but they didn't say anything about the presidential candidate and Sarah Palin, the token-pick for the Repubs.
I quickly turned away from the convention and watched Live Free or Die Hard with my wife and in-laws. Bruce Willis is more inspiring than the St. Paul convention.
On the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, Senator Barack Obama will accept the nomination, deliver a speech, and continue his quest toward becoming America's next top model -- I mean President. Is there substance in his change movement? What about policy over politics? What would you like Mr. Obama to improve in this country over the next 4 years?
Delmarie Cobb and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. will be guests on GML.
Do you think the Democratic Party is unified? Did Hillary trump or stump on Tuesday night? Can the democratics really beat John McCain and the Republican juggernaut?
Was Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech -- too good? Was she stumping for Obama or campaigning for 2012? I did like the speech...her metaphors and stories were memorable, especially the Harriet Tubman story, the slogans, and the Twin Cities remark about Bush and McCain. What were your thoughts on Hillary at the DNC?
The first day of school: Should you go or not? Arne Duncan takes the hotseat on Garrard McClendon Live. Chicago Public Schools have the herculean task of getting students to school on the first day. Advocates such as Phillip Jackson agree with Duncan. BlackStarProject is sponsoring the Million Father March in hopes of sending children to school holding the hands of their fathers in several cities throughout the U.S.
The after-parties in Denver are going to be obscene...all of those democrats in one city for a whole week. Howard Dean, Alexi Giannoulis, Emil Jones, Jr., Jesse Jackson , Jr., and Michelle Obama are headlining tonight. Will you be watching? Is Obama your presidential candidate?
If you live in Illinois, you know the name: Roland Burris. The CEO of Burris & Lebed Consulting, Burris served as Comptroller and Attorney General of the State of Illinois. Hear his views on Obama/McCain and Vice Presidential candidates tonight on Garrard McClendon Live. Questions for Mr. Burris? Please ask by calling 630-575-TALK at 6:30 p.m. or post a comment below.
PACE bus drivers have thrown a wrench into the machine. Ten percent of 155 PACE drivers called in sick today - evidently in protest for contract negotiations. Is it best to negotiate or boycott?
Is a boycott the only way to get people's attention?
Finally, city government decides to do the right thing: embracing fiscal responsibility.
Layoffs are never pleasant, especially for those who receive the dreaded pink slip, but $420 million is a monumental sum that can potentially be an asset to the city, its workers, and property owners. In the event of a massive layoff, care must be taken not to release people who may be crucial for city services, but the layoff must be done with expedience, so that morale doesn't place workers in "deer-headlight" syndrome.
These layoffs can also guage the excess in the city and its needs. Municipal employment has too many extremes - either you're working hard all day, or taking several coffee and smoke breaks to kill the time. This layoff may be a blessing in disguise.
Gov with a Speed Gun
I've seen it all. Blagojevich holding a press conference on the expressway. He pledges to put up cameras so aggressive, that if you're photographed over the speed limit, you will be ticketed. Everybody is going to break the law, at least until the tickets start arriving in the mail. I won't admit to driving above the speed limit, but I will say that I keep up with the traffic.
Has Ebony Magazine dedicated too much coverage to the Obamas? They have put the Camelot couple on the cover several times which can be interpreted as newsworthy, political patronage, or smart art direction. The Obamas can sell magazines, especially in an internet content-driven reading environment.
Splitting with your spouse can be painful. But what could be worse? Alimony, child support, mortgage splitting, selling your home, and paying for the entire divorce process. If youget a divorce, who gets the house? What if you want to sell it? How can you buy out your soon-to-be-ex-partner without enough to pay the mortgage? Who lives in the house? Should one person get an apartment? Who pays the mortgage?
Divorces are one of life's many tragedies that keep some people from realizing their best. You get married to this wonderful human being and in a few years, you can't stand that son-of-a-mortgage.
In Gold Digger, Mr. West says, "we want pre-nupt, we want pre-nupt - yeah." You know people don't think about finances when they get married. Look at the money they waste on the wedding. Any one for arranged marriages?
What should you do if you have a mortgage and a spouse that wants out?
Uh oh! Where else can I get a Monte Cristo sandwich, Kilkenny salad, or a grande Komodo Dragon? Two of my most reliable and safe hangouts are closing. I will no longer have the opportunity to run into R. Kelly at the Bennigan's in Calumet City, and if too many Starbucks close, where will I tap into WiFi?
The economy is forcing many of our favorite establishments to shut their doors. What will we do without them? Favorite item from Bennigan's and Starbucks?
