Nothing funny about feldspar

I’ve been reading about the new rules on credit card minimum payments, and I’m a little confused. Is it now that the minimum payment of 4% of the balance is required by law? Or is it that the credit card companies are now allowed to force you to pay that much (after having been at 1.5-2% for years)?

I heard a story on Marketplace yesterday about someone whose minimum payment went to 5% — and he contacted his card company and complained and still has to pay the 5%, but he also got a lower interest rate. What are the chances of that happening to most people?

Sure, sure, people shouldn’t carry balances if they want to be fiscally responsible (blah, blah, blah). But you know in Finance and Accounting classes, you’re drilled on the utility of Leverage. So even if we force people to take finance courses, their basic idea of using loans and credit as a way to leverage your cash will be reinforced.

And yes, the people affected by this will be forced (forced!) to pay lower interest over the life of their account if they stop spending. But what do you want to bet that many of these same people miss a payment, or sometimes don’t pay the minimum? And what happens then? Their interest rates go up, and they pay extra fees to the bank — both of which increases their minimum payments. Funny thing, isn’t it? You sure don’t hear the banks complaining about this potential loss of interest, do you?

From the BBC — Visions of Science:

Just when did this happen? And is it true (as it seems) that housewifery automatically turns the victim into a control freak?

I find myself muttering that “I’m going to have coffee-colored countertops next time” when I’m wiping the kitchen counter for the 900th time that morning (why can’t they make non-drip coffeepots?).

I get annoyed when I see leftovers uneaten in the fridge and greenish-hued bread on the counter. “Didn’t you see the bacon you specifically asked me to buy you sitting on the shelf in plain sight?”

This is so totally not what I thought what I’d be doing at this point in my life. I’ve got two degrees! And, more importantly, no children, so why am I shopping during the day, doing laundry during the week, and cooking every night?

Pretty soon, I’m going to start schlepping around in sweats and mules, and watching daytime TV and eating chocolates by the kilo. By then I probably won’t care what’s spilled on the counters.

By Toby Bucket:

I just got the flat-mouthed “hmm” of disappointment today for something I didn’t do well last week. It makes me want to scream, “But if it’s so important to you, do it yourself!”

Yet the week before, when I did the same task perfectly, even better than usual, I got nothing.

I don’t want the false “this is wonderful, Orthoclase!” said in a sing-songy voice like I’m a 7-year-old that I get from some members of the household. I’d just like some genuine notice and appreciation for what I’ve done when I’ve done it right.

Save your “hmm”s for your harmonica.