We just got new windows and every one had this (removable) warning sticker on it:
Window Warning
musing minds
Just a thought
If we know about White House staffers owing the government taxes, why wouldn’t we know about Mitt Romney?
Dear Katie
I am writing a letter to my pal Katie at Housewife How To’s:
Dear Katie,
I am giving my kitchen a face lift, painting the Shaker style cabinets and putting some bead board panels in the insets in the cupboard doors. I’ve painted the lowers already, but the uppers have a coating of that greasy, dusty, stick gunk from cooking (and there’s probably a bit of that nicotine stick from smoking even though it’s been six years (Yay!) since I quit.
What’s the best way to get that gunk off the cabinets so the paint will adhere better?
kimsch
UPDATE: We have an answer!
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
I took a picture off the TV tonight. Hubby noticed this crossbow.
How the heck is she supposed to fire this thing?
This is from a preview for the new NBC fall series Revolution. The show looks great but this crossbow is both backwards and unarmed.
This is an armed crossbow facing the right direction:
Happy Birthday to Me & Happy Fathers’ Day to Dads Everywhere
It’s my birthday today. I was born on Fathers’ Day a half-century ago. I don’t feel a day over 21.
My daddy and me about my first birthday:
California Tax Insanity
My cousin just posted this on Facebook:
Just had to pay $42 in sales tax for a $99 replacement iPhone! Called apple because I thought it was a mistake, but nope, it’s just the state of California charging tax on the highest allowable price. The rep told me the state was worried about getting its cut. I’m SURE the extra money will be well spent!
She was charged the tax on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the iPhone not the amount she was actually charged.
Does this mean that California customers can be charged tax on the “$110 Value” of the Yoshi Blue pan, the absolutely free ceramic mandolin, and the venting glass lid (just pay separate S&H) instead of on the $19.95 (plus S&H) that the firm actually charges?
According to Find The Best the California sales tax rate varies from 7.25% to 9.75% depending on location.
At the lowest rate sales tax is $1.45 on the $19.95 price. It’s $7.98 on the $110 value price.
At the highest rate sales tax is $1.95 on the $19.95 price. It’s $10.73 on the $110 value price.
So the state can steal more from you by assessing sales tax on the “value” of the item rather than the price paid.
In the Yoshi Blue case it’s $6.53 at the lowest sales tax rate, $8.78 on the highest sales tax rate.
In my cousin’s case she should have paid 8.75% on the $99 price of her replacement iPhone: $8.66. Instead she paid $33.34 more based on the iPhone’s MSRP.
MSRP can be anything that the manufacturer wants. The suggested retail price is just that, a suggestion. Retailers will charge whatever they want to based on many different factors. There’s the wholesale price, markup, deciding if the item will be a loss leader or if the retailer just wants to reduce inventory and places the item on sale.
So, when is sales tax charged on “value” rather than “price”? When it’s California charging it.
Memorial Day
This was shared on Facebook and I thought I would share it here as well:
We remember all those service men and women who sacrificed for us, to keep us free.
New Commenting System
We’re switching to Disqus for our commenting. There may be some lag time while comments are exporting to the new system. Please bear with us.
My New Favorite Non-Alcoholic Summer Beverage
Agua de Jamaica (AH-gwa day ha-Mike-uh) or Hibiscus Water (tea)
I live in an area with a large Hispanic population so there are many places to get Flor de Jamaica and piloncillo – Mexican brown sugar. Both are available on Amazon if you can’t find either locally.
Boil up a quart of water with some piloncillo (so it melts). Turn off the heat and drop in a good sized handful of Flor de Jamaica, cover and let steep for 10 minutes or more. Strain out the flowers and then add plain water to dilute to taste.
You can use white sugar if you wish. Piloncillo is an unrefined sugar however and it contains vitamins and minerals such a calcium that are actually good for you! The hibiscus has Vitamin C and other nutrients as well. No caffiene.
You can use sparkling water to dilute and have a beverage a bit like soda pop, but much, much better for you.
The Little Guy asks if he can “have some more of that delicious beverage.” Yep. He says “delicious beverage.”
Added: You can add some sliced ginger and/or cinnamon sticks when steeping for a slightly different flavor profile. Strain out with the flowers.
New Blog: Housewife How-Tos
