Readers, Your Tips are Needed

I am planning to write a post called "Making a Budget Pesach" where we discuss how to have an enjoyable chag that doesn't break the bank. I have a number of my own tips, but would like to incorporate your tips too since I think I have just started to realize how close Pesach is.

So, please chime in with your tips.

Follow-Up: What Makes a Marriage Work?

I intended to follow-up to this post that turned out to be surprisingly popular much earlier. But in the world of blogging, there is so much to write about that sometimes it is easy to forget to come back to a topic you intended to come back to all along.

In this post, I asked what "bottom line factor that, if missing, a relationship would be near impossible?"

My readers brought forward some very important factors in marriage including compromise, a sense of humor, respect for each other (as equals), commitment to shared values, giving, caring about the other person tremendously, communication (esp. listening), trust (extremely important), being close friends, and more.

The truth is that the question is somewhat misleading. There are so many important factors in marriage that, if missing, will make it near impossible for a marriage to thrive and grow. However, even with this admission, I still think that there is an intangible factor that makes one person (who you share goals with, respect, trust, and communicate well with) better than another person (with whom you would share the same).

What is that intangible factor? It is hard to put into words something that can only be felt on a deep spiritual level. But, there is no question in my mind that beyond the important factors listed above, there is something more that makes a match a happy marriage. There is an intangible factor that makes a dating couple move from the initial discomfort of the dating process to the desire to spend the rest of their lives together.

I'm not sure how to describe the intangible because it is exactly that. I've tried to put my idea on paper, but can never seem to find the right words. In my own relationship, I'd describe this intangible as a deep comfort: a comfort that allows me to trust his instincts and allows him to trust mine. A comfort that lets us defer to the other person and be a team, rather than being on our own even if we are under one roof. A comfort that makes it seem like we were always part of each others families and each others life all along.

Just my thoughts. Looking forward to hearing yours.

Life Insurance is a Must
Thankfully, The Price Tag is Within Reach

It is always fascinating to see where the discussions contained in the comments section of each post go. The comments from this post, at one point, turned towards a discussion of just how important life insurance is. On top of the pure tragedy of loosing a beloved spouse and parent, are the financial devastation that follows. Bills continue to pile up, and often the other parent is forced into the workforce prematurely and, even then, it is often unlikely that he (or she) will be capable of making up for the lost income.

I can't stress enough how important life insurance is, and not just for the primary breadwinner, but also for a homemaker, whose contributions must also be replaced. And, even a secondary breadwinner should not assume that he or she does need life insurance because that income may not replace the expenses that the family has assumed over the years. For example, a family with an average salaried teacher and a high salaried executive has probably incurred expenses and obligations that cannot be covered by a teacher's salary alone.

The subject of life insurance certainly isn't pleasant to discuss, but with a little practice, the discomfort wanes and the discussion becomes just another routine topic. But, be warned, chances are that if you haven't taken out life insurance and want to discuss the necessity of doing so, the ice will be a bit tough to break in the beginning.

Unfortunately, I know some people that are sorely mistaken in their views regarding both life insurance and health insurance and believe that taking out these policies demonstrates a lack of bitachon. Fortunately, the proper approach as delineated by our gedolim falls on the side of common sense. For more information on the Torah approach, see articles by Dr. Yitzchak Levine and Jonathan Rosenblum that appeared in the Jewish Observer and Mishpacha, respectively.

Fortunately, life insurance is not nearly as expensive as you may have imagined. Here in the SephardiHousehold, we pay around $550 a year for combined policies of over $1,000,000. In the case of the death of my husband (chas v'shalom), the money provided would pay off our mortgage, continue to provide a cash flow stream to cover our expenses, and pay for the college education of our children.

In the case of my own death (chas v'shalom), the money provided would pay for all additional expenses that would need to be incurred should we loose my (most valuable) services. Although I believe that my services are worth much more than they would cost on the free market, the point remains, nevertheless, that the services of a homemaker have value and would need to be replaced at some level. Child care, cooking, cleaning, running errands, shopping, etc. have value. So do the administrative and financial services provided by many "modern" homemakers.

In regards to the cash flow stream, one should know that your agent can and will include expenses well beyond "the basics" and ensure that it covers Yeshiva or Day School tuition also. It is a wonder that the admission applications for Yeshivot and Day Schools do not REQUIRE the parents to prove that they are carrying sufficient life insurance to cover these costs in the case of a tragedy, chas v'shalom.

The cost of life insurance is certainly a difficult cost to manage if you are paycheck to paycheck. But, this cost is so important that one should find a way to include it in the budget. Having life insurance gives parents choices that they might not otherwise have in the case of a tragedy, choices that could be necessary not just for the financial health, but for the mental health of the surviving family. Choices that allow parents to ease into a new life without completely upsetting an already upset home and family.

Dr. Levine suggests that buying couples their first year of life insurance as a wedding gift. I definitely think that it should be a priority of the community and of parents to make sure that all married couples (especially their own children) are educated about the basics and the importance of life insurance.

While I might not have the courage to offer life insurance as a gift to the next chatan and kallah, I admire those who do. Maybe, at the very least, I can muster up the courage to mention the importance of life insurance to young couples I know that are having their first child (or second, or third. . . ). I certainly would not have minded if someone had broached the subject, because until recently, we were not carrying nearly enough life insurance.

Interest Free Loans for Jewish Schooling:
Neither Solves the Problem and Might Even Contribute to It

Joe Schick and another friend referred me to an article written by his father that appeared in the Jerusalem Post. The article can now be found on Marvin Schick's website. The article advocates for pursuing government aid for private and parochial schools, an approach that I certainly think should be pursued.

However, the article also refers to an interest-free loan program that has caught my attention. Here is a quote from the article,

"AN INTEREST-FREE loan program to assist day school parents with tuition is reportedly about to be unveiled. Any effort to ameliorate the expanding Jewish tuition crisis deserves consideration.

I sense, however, that this is not the way to go - even with $100 million available for loans - because the dollars and numbers do not work out in view of the size of day school families, the number of years (as many as 14) that children are enrolled in day school and the rising cost of tuition.

Yossi Abramowitz, a leading advocate of the loan approach, seems to think that it will go a long way to resolving the tuition crisis. American day school education is now a $2 billion dollar a year enterprise. While Abramowitz favors loans, he opposes government aid, saying that "if we go after [tax] credits and vouchers, we'll divide the country over church-state issues for a mere $1,000."

If he did the arithmetic, he would see that "a mere $1,000" per day school student amounts to more than $200 million dollars a year, which is a far larger sum and far more meaningful than a one-time loan program. "

It took a while to settle my thoughts about an interest free loan program, but now that my thoughts have settled, I decided that it was time to put my fingers to the keyboard.

I do not believe that an interest free loan program to assist parents in paying tuition is good solution in the least. But, I fear that it is a "sexy" solution that could ultimately do more harm than good.

Why do I say more harm than good, you ask? There are numerous reasons that I believe this is true. The first and foremost reason that I believe that free loans could do more harm than good is that free loans do nothing to tackle the real problem: the cost of tuition. All the while, this "solution" could threaten to take already scare funds away from the schools themselves and scholarship funds, leaving tuition to continue rising, while the supporters of the program pat themselves on the back thinking that this "BandAid" covered cuts many times its size.

Secondly, debt financing is no long term solution and debt leaves the payer and those surrounding the payer believing that everything is just fine. But, debt that finances living beyond your means, catches up no matter what. Interest free debt certainly is less painful than interest financing and there certainly is something to be said for temporary alleviation, but when Jewish education spans a minimum of 13-14 years per child, why are we trying to treat a gaping wound with a BandAid?

Lastly, I fear that the poorest among us will be turned away by scholarship committees everywhere and told to borrow money to finance their children's education. Currently, parents are being told to turn to just about anyone (usually their own parents and grandparents) before they appeal to the school and its scholarship committee. Our current multi-billion dollar educational infrastructure is already being propped up by those that should be saving for their own rainy day. How much longer will we continue to try to prop up a system that is showing cracks, instead of seek more permanent and meaningful relief?

Marvin Schick advocates for school vouchers, a cause that I support also and a cause that I support for reasons beyond that of Jewish education. I hope that school vouchers are a reality. But, I certainly don't want to hang my hat on that one sliver of hope alone, allow I hope that someday vouchers will be a reality. (Editor's Note: Marvin's Schick's main advocacy is for communal support of day schools. This should not be lost in the discussion and I apologize for leaving this note out of my post).

We need more solutions and not just BandAids.

Politically Correct Nursery Rhyme?

My husband likes to bring me articles that I would find interesting, or funny, or both. This one is definitely qualifies. Apparantely, teachers at schools in Oxfordshire, England, has changed the words of the famous nursery rhyme "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep' to "Baa, Baa, Rainbow Sheep." The teachers believe the lyrics could be offensive.

Well, here in the SephardiFamily, we will continue to sing "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep." And, if I was a sheep, I'd be offended that I went from Black to Rainbow (the symbol of the gay movement).

Incidently, black has nothing to do with race and everything to do with taxes imposed on wool in the 18th century. Black wool was taxed at a lower rate.

Working Women: What are you Actually Making?

Lately, in many different forums, I've heard the "tuition crisis" blamed on homemakers, more popularly known today as stay-at-home-mothers (a term I personally loathe). I hate the blame game because it is unnecessarily divisive and focuses attention away from the real issue: the rising costs of tuition. Instead of looking at what could be realistic ways to impact the "tuition crisis," we waste our energy pointing fingers and creating ill feelings. Ultimately, no worthy ideas are produced and an environment of sinat chinam is created.

In addition, it is absolutely ridiculous (I repeat, absolutely ridiculous) to assume that forcing women, especially women with small children in the home, to work outside of the home will do anything to solve the tuition crisis. Working is not cost-free and it is also possible that a woman would only break even or even loose money by going out to work at the cost of raising her own children.

This post is not going to get into the advantages of women being at home. In my opinion the advantages are great. But, discussing those advantages is clearly beyond the scope of this post. (Incidently, I also realize that there are needs to work to possibly to maintain a skill that could be lost). The only purpose of this post is to delineate the costs or working, and to let people plug in their own information so they can crunch their own numbers and make their own determinations.

My calculations are, unfortunately, somewhat simplistic. But, I still believe they are quite telling. The missing pieces of information that I have been unable to include are the child tax credit and the dependent care tax credits (only those with legal day care need apply), as well as a dependent care savings account that some employers facilitate that allows the taxpayer to pay up to $5000 in (legal) child care costs with pre-tax dollars. So, for simplicities sake, take a look at the credits you are receiving on your most recent tax form and add them back to your "bottom line."

I am also unable to value benefits, since they vary so much. Some benefits have long term benefits (e.g. tuition reductions, stock options, 401(k) matching). Other benefits may just be plain necessary if your husband does not get them through his work (e.g. health care).

But, if the benefits of your job don't entitle you to practically free Yeshiva tuition, and your husband's job provides the all important health care coverage, this method of evaluation is pretty reliable.

The unavoidable costs of working:

Taxes:
-->FICA OSADI is 6.2% of your salary.
-->FICA Medicate is 1.45% of your salary.
-->The marginal rate that you will pay in federal tax (varies: anything from 0% to 35%).
-->The marginal rate that you will pay in state tax (varies by state: anywhere from 0% o 10%).

For example: A woman goes to work and defers no pay for retirement. Her husband's salary places them firmly in the 25% federal tax bracket and an 8% state tax bracket. She earns a $50,000 salary. After taxes she brings home $29, 675.

Possible Costs of Working:

On top of unavoidable taxes (at least for the honest and for those without the ability to shelter their earnings, they are unavoidable), there are other costs of working. These costs vary by family, so I'm only listing some possibilities below:

-->Child care that you would not use otherwise
-->Pre-school and camp that you would not take advantage of otherwise
-->Transportation that you would not use otherwise
-->Business Clothing and Dry Cleaning that you would not use if you weren't working
-->Household help that you would not use otherwise
-->Increased costs of food and dining out that are attributable to working
-->Formula for a baby, assuming the mother would otherwise nurse.

For example: Our working woman has three children. Child One is 5 years old and is in kindergarten. Child Two is 2 years old. Child Three is 3 months old.

Because the mother works full time, she hires a (legal) nanny . The nanny takes care of Child Three and Child Two during working hours and Child One after school. Fortunately, this nanny is also willing to do some basic shopping and household chores. But, due to the halachot of kashrut and bishul yisrael, the mother does not want the nanny to cook for the family.
Cost: $22,000

Because the nanny is not Jewish, the mother decides that Child Two will benefit attending part-day pre-school program 3 days a week. This is a choice she would not make if she was home.
Cost: $3,500

Because the mother is working and her job does not let out for the summer, she believes that it will benefit Child One to spend the summer around other children in a Jewish environment and enrolls her in summer camp, a choice she would not have made if she was home.
Cost: $2,500

Total cost of child care, pre-school, and camp that would be completely avoidable:
$28,000.

Our situation before the increased prices of food from having the time to shop around, the increased price of transportation to to and from work, dry cleaning, and the cost of formula:
$29, 675-$28,000=$1,675.

I am sure that the little amount that is left will easily be eaten away by the extra costs listed above. But, even if it is not, it shouldn't be hard to find enough work to do from the home to make $1,675 dollars or more.

Looking forward to hearing the discussion. And, just in case:
I am perfectly aware that many people are in lower tax brackets (and higher tax brackets to, bli ayin hara, may you live and be well), that many people find less expensive day care options (I know people paying as low as $4 and $6 and hour for illegal day care, but don't expect your husband to ever become attorney general if you are trying out that option). And, yes, I am also aware that some people would choose to send their kids to nursery or camp even if they were home (just in case you have not figured this out: I am not of those people).

The scenario I presented assumes a husband who is out of the home the same hours as the wife and can't reduce child-care costs.

So, in conclusion, just because a woman works, doesn't mean the family has extra money. And, just because a woman works, doesn't mean that there will be more money to pay tuition (there might even be less, as not every women can make the right salary). Pointing fingers at homemakers is a waste of time and unproductive. The problem is tuition!

Financial Blog RoundUp: March 22, 2006

With so many interesting financial and related subjects being discussed on blogs all over, it is easier to just point them out so that I can keep the growing list of planned posts I have flowing. So, once again, I am doing a "blog roundup."

I was remiss to not point out Marvin Schick's article entitled "Wealthy Charedim and Tuition Costs" in my last roundup. His articles on tuition are always a worthwhile read.

Marvin's son Joe Schick posted three times on the subject of tuition in March. Check out
More On Day School Expenses and Tuitions
A Guest Post, A Parent's Perspective On Yeshiva Tuitions
Joe's own views on Why Yeshivas Don't Receive Communal Support

Charlie Hall posts an old RCA release on Pesach Price Gouching and Excessive Chumrot. Quite appropriate as 'tis the season.

Jak Black reviews the Artscroll Bio of Rabbi Samson Raphel Hirsch . The last passage he brings down has to do with the appropriate age to start training a boy for a vocation (12 years old) if you see he is not headed to great heights in Torah. I'm a firm believer in focusing on the future. So, I liked the passage and am inspired to try to actually finish this biography which I have picked up and read the first 50 pages at least 5 times.

Jewboy's Musings touched upon a sad but real topic, the interplay between family size and tuitions. Readers comments definitely are making this an interesting read. Check out Pru Urvu?

And, last but not least, AlanLaz received some fiery comments (which gives a blog life) when he touched on the touchy topic of Meshulachim. Meanwhile, I am seeking a job as a Sunday driver for meshulachim. So, if anyone knows a collector who doesn't mind up riding around in a beat up old car (may this car live to 120) and is willing to pay a woman equal pay for equal work, shoot me an email.

Enjoy these blogs.

Prioritizing Our Tzedakah
Is it Enough?

A close friend of our family asked a great question after reading the last post where I lamented the fact that Jewish Education continues to increase in price with no end in sight as the tuition increases appear to be part of a vicious cycle.

The question is a good one and I'm curious what my readers think is the correct answer. I believe that the answer is clearly a no. But, I do believe that prioritizing our tzedakah is part of the solution. However, we need to bravely look far beyond this piece of the puzzle.

Jewish education has always been costly and has always come at great sacrifice. But, today the situation looks particularly troublesome for young people who not only have to contend with tuitions, but with a housing market that has reached enormous proportions (woe to those who are still renting). Young couples today are contending with massive mortgage payments if they are lucky enough to have made it into a home, and oftentimes they are paying off massive amounts of student debt (something that is unavoidable when parents have been unable to save).

So, I ask my readers, do you think that finding ways to get the general Orthodox public to prioritize their tzedakah towards Jewish schools enough? If yes, why? If no, what do you think must be done to help rectify the situation?

Tuition Tops $17,000
Should I repeat that?

The newest tuition prices in my community were just published and they are enough to make a person choke on their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Once again, tuition has risen to astronomical rates. The entrance price (kindergarten) is just over $10,000 and the exit price (high school) is right around $17,000.

The tuition cycle is vicious. As prices increase, more families look to opt out or actually find alternatives. They may make aliyah (praiseworthy, but it still leaves more fixed costs to be shared by less students), they may try homeschooling, or they may even consider public schools. Costs do not fall when a school looses two or three or even five students per class. All that happens is that costs remain the same or (more likely) increase as salaries do not remain stagnant, and tuition rises.

I already know that prices will continue to rise next year. No, I don't have a crystal ball. But, I already know a good handful of families with school age children who are making aliyah. Hopefully, instead of the 5-10% increases of past years, there will be a lower increase. But, when the tuition is already between $10,000 and $17,000 at this school (other schools range from nearly $10,000 to over $15,000) the situation looks quite bleak.

I have no doubt in my mind that we will have to consider alternatives for our own children at some point in the future. And, I hate to think that we could end up as part of the problem. B'li neder, we would continue to send donations to the schools. But with a ma'aser requirement that doesn't even near a single kindergarten tuition, our little bit is starting to look like nothing.

Unfortunately, a solution seems to be nowhere in sight. The schools view each other as fierce competitors, rather than organizations that are all in the same boat and could benefit by cooperating with each other to some extent. Each school continues to maintain an administration that looks like a small army. And, struggling parents seem to overworked to get involved.

I firmly believe that if we want to be make a dent in this very real crisis, that we will have to start consolidating schools, which, naturally means compromise. I also believe that we will need to make tuition a community responsibility, rather than a burden on parents alone.

Jewish education is the key to the future. Jewish education is not negotiable. But, at $17,000 a head, one can't blame people for looking for alternatives.

Guidance for Tzeddaka Distribution
A Letter to the Baltimore Community

A friend sent this letter to me that was distributed by the Vaad HaRabbonim Rabbinical Council of Greater Baltimore. It speaks for itself so there is no need to add any commentary (although I welcome your comments).

The letter follows below:

11 Shevat 5766
February 9, 2006

To the Members of the Baltimore Jewish Community:
מרובים צרכי עמך

There are many most worthy causes and needy individuals amongst our people.
There Baltimore community is known for the generous manner with which it welcomes and supports these causes and needs. This is a source of great pride to all of us, and we hope and pray that we are able to continue to be supportive of one and all.

At the same time, all of us seek to exercise the proper judgment in the distribution of our Tzeddaka monies, making sure that we address our primary responsibilities meaningfully and effectively. As such the Vaad HaRabbonim wishes to take this opportunity to guide the community in this most important matter.

We encourage you to continue to be sensitive and responsive to one and all. Yet we must also encourage you all to plan you Tzeddaka allocations appropriately.

עניי עירך קודמים: While we welcome one and all, we must recognize our primary obligation to local causes and needs. We should be allocating most of our discretionary Tzeddaka fund to local causes and needs.

תינוקות של בית רבן: The proper funding of day school education is clearly one of our greatest challenges. Our families and our Mechanchim sacrifice immeasurably for the Chinuch of our children. This responsibility needs to be shared by the entire community. In former times when Jewish communal life was stronger, taxes were imposed on all members of the community to fund the Chinuch of the community's children. Today we can only encourage all of the members of our community - whether they have children in the schools or not - to consider our community's schools their first priority in their Tzeddaka allocations.

Individuals who receive tuition reductions from their child's school schould certainly view that school as their priority in allocating their discretionary Tzeddaka monies.

We hope and pray that in the merit of our generosity we will soon see the day of Redemption, when ציון במשפט תפדה שבי׳ בצדקה

Editor's note: Since I was not clear, I think this letter is fantastic and hope to see more letters like it from other Rabbinic Counsels soon. What would be even better would be if there was more concrete action and not just words.

Purim Parties: Absentee Parents and Absentee Rebbes

I have been extremely busy and am not addressing this topic timely in regards to Purim, but I'd rather believe that in true SephardiFamily style that I am addressing the issue really, really early. The issue: drunken Purim parties where parents, Rebbes, and all other should be role models check out for a day and let the chips fall as they may.

This issue has already been addressed by Orthomom here and here, by Beyond BT here and here, by Must Gum Addict here, and by Gil Student here. However, I am hoping that my post will add a new dimension to the discussion that is pragmatic and hopefully agreeable to all on a communal level.

I don't think we need to debate the halacha and chase our tails around in circles (see the reader's and author's discussions here and here for examples of such discussions) to come up with an acceptable solution that takes into account the fact that there are different opinions regarding Purim drinking and takes into account the absolute and undeniable fact that alcoholic parties are potentially dangerous--physically and even spiritually, as is proven over and over again Purim in and Purim out.

By instituting common sense policies and procedures in our communities, we are not forcing anyone to abide by only certain halachic decisors, we are only ensuring that the events taking place in our communities are safe for teenagers and youngsters, do not have the great potential for the chillul Hashem that results from public drunkenness and public parties, and (possible most importantly) allows parents to maintain their authority over their own children. As Beyond BT commenter Menachem Lipkin points out here "[e'lu v e'lu in regards to the halachot of drinking on Purim] is fine for us as adults interacting with each other, but it’s much more complicated when you have a 15 year old son in Yeshiva. And even more so when you firmly hold like the Mishna Brurah, that drinking should be limited a little more than “normal” and many of his friends and role models are getting plastered. It’s a little harder to respect other psakim when they affect you so directly."

In my opinion, parents should be the ones to make the decision of what (if any) their children drink, just like they do on Shabbat. Certain families have a history of alcoholism and may not want to introduce their children to alcohol period, while other families may have no problem allowing a teenage son to enjoy wine with their Purim seudah. And, still other families may (stupidly enough) decide that their sons can drink an entire bottle of Jack or Shmirnoff. That is their perogative, but they shouldn't dictate the policy in my home by serving alcohol to my children and I will be happy to reciprocate.

Here are my ideas to curtail this problem. Please add your own and excuse the choppiness of this post:

1. All organizations that are hosting events where teenagers will be present should either refrain from serving alcohol completely or should institute policies that only allow those of age to drink. Those who are allowed to drink should only drink modestly.

2. Organizations that allow (of age) drinking should have bar tenders and not allow alcohol to flow freely.

3. Any organization that allows (of age) drinking should have sober adults present that can monitor the drinkers. Those drinking should not be allowed to drive home. Keys shouldconfiscatedated when a drink is taken and only returned upon the assurance that it is safe to drive again.

4. Neighbors should not serve alcohol to teenagers by neighbors.

5. Parents should do their homework before allowing their children to attend a Purim party, even if it is at a Yeshiva. They should call to speak to the school in advance and find out what sober individual(s) will be supervising the party? What sober individual(s) will be supervising the party? Who will be allowed to pick a child up from the party in a car (i.e. other parents and siblings who are drinking should not be providing transportation)?

6. Preferably parents should drop in randomly to check on their teenagers who are attending events.

7. Teenagers and young adults should not show up drunk to a party if they are to be admitted.

I'm sure you (my readers) have plenty of common sense ideas based on your experiences. Please chime in with those ideas. Anyone who has seen a young person plastered knows that it is a scary experience and ripe full of potential for chillul Hashem. I believe it is best for drinking to be kept in the confines of one's own home at one's own seudah and not be something on display for the rest of the world and neighbors who are not ready to expose their children (younger and even older) to such behavior.

Purim Pleasures

This Purim definitely was a pleasure. I had the rare opportunity to attend shachrit for the megillah reading all by myself. To be able to hear birchat hacohanim and to be able to follow along so closely with the entire Megillah reading was quite enjoyable and I decided not to run home immediately and stay for the halacha shiur that follows shachrit.

Today's halacha shiur, predictably, was on the halachot of Chag Purim as brought down by Rav Ovadiah Yosef. I enjoyed the reading and shiur and figured that I would share my mental notes:

• Sephardim do not say shechechinanu on the second reading of the Megillat Esther.
• One is obligated to give two mishloach manot worth made up of two foods worth a minimal value (a pruta), but preferably the mishloach manot should be enough for a symbol meal. But, a married couple counts as two people and therefore two manot. Nevertheless, it is praiseworthy to go beyond the minimal requirement.
• One is NOT obligated to wash for the Purim Seudah and eat bread. Nevertheless, it is praiseworthy to wash and eat bread. If one (who washed for the meal) forgets to say Al Ha'Nisim he does not need to repeat birchat hamazon as one is not actually obligated to wash on the Purim seudah.
• One should try to have meat from a beheima for the seudah, rather than fowl or fish.
• One should drink wine at the seudah beyond what one would normally drink, but should not become drunk as one needs to be able to fulfill their other halachic obligations, such as saying birchat hamazon if necessary.
• Rather than become drunk to get to the point of ad deloh yada, one should take a nap after the seudah as that fulfills the requirement.
• Rav Ovadiah holds that the mockery of talmidei hachamim on Purim is inappropriate and should not be done.

Besides a pleasant Shachrit and shiur, the mishloach manot were miraculously finished and we even mustered up enough energy to hand them out b'simcha. Our seudah was also enjoyable too and everyone enjoyed the food. The best part about the seudah for me was that I had prepared all of the food in advance and only need re-heating.

Here's hoping that everyone else had a wonderful Chag.

Is it just me?

Or are ay other Jewish mothers packing up their mishloach manot after the megillah reading because they have just haven't got it all together???

I can't complain since my schedule has been jammed packed with things I want to be doing, but this week's schedule and last week's schedule have thrown my timeliness for a loop. Shabbat was a rush to the finish (both meals were fantastic, however) and somehow I almost forgot about making mishloach manot completely until my husband asked me what the plan was. All I could say was "oops, I'll add some more things to the already huge grocery list."

Despite my husband's encouragement to just to the minimum (2 packages), it just doesn't seem like Purim baking and making packages for all of our nearest neighbors. Fortunately, in my world, a few candies and some baked goods thrown in a bag passes for package. So, unlike my buddy Orthomom, nobody will be delivering an all blue box (packed with care by their Nanny), complete with a bottle of Vodka. I'd hate to reciprocate that type of gift with a few yummy cookies and some candies, packed with love by the SephardiFamily, in a (drum roll please) plastic zip lock bag.

Purim Sameach Friends. I've gotta run. The last batch should be coming out just about now.

A Purim Message for the Husbands Out There

Year after year the Shabbat following Purim when the ladies get together before their husbands come home from shul, the discussion inevitably turns to their husband's "simcha" of the season. One by one the women tell their stories and while they appear proud, you can really see that many of the women are quite pained, but will not admit so publicly, even if put of the spot (I once did that).

I have heard a story about husband who have passed out in front of their children on a neighbor's doorstep. The wife and another man had to pick up the husband and carry him to the car to return home. I have heard the stories of husband's vomiting all over the house. I have heard stories of a group of kollel husband who got drunk and rowdy at a Rav's home and said some rather obnoxious things.

Husbands, it is fine to have some extra wine on Purim, but if you are passing out or vomiting all over your home, you are being 'over on who knows how many mitzvot and it is disgusting. Creating a huge mess for your wife to clean up is inexcusable. Passing out so that you are unavailable to help with your children is not at all conducive to the chinuch of your children even if done in the name of Purim. And, embarrassing your wife in front of your friends and Rebbeim, is terribly demeaning to her.

The women may try to tell their stories proudly, but it is obvious to all that they are pained by the behavior. So, think before you drink.

Baruch Hashem I have no stories to tell.

A Fantastic Cause, but a Ridiculous Claim

The letters and slick brochures for matanot l'evyonim for Purim and Pesach are pouring in. Each organization has their own heart wrenching stories to tell, their own unique ways to attract donors, and their own way of distributing the funds.

The plain truth should be enough reason for people to open up their hearts and wallets and make a donation. So, why make incredulous claims?

The most recent letter (make that brochure) promises "You have the power to determine how many families will be able to escape the vicious circle of poverty, distress and despondency!" Excellent, I thought. What is the unique product they are offering to help families escape poverty? Vocational training programs? Job counseling and placement services? Free or affordable business classes and seminars? Apprenticeship programs?

A quick look at the budget revealed that none of this is part of the programming. The services offered are fine and worthy ones and some of the services may even provide more than just relief of hunger. Putting food on the tables of hungry children and families is an incredible mitzvah, but putting food on the tables will not help anyone escape the vicious cycle of poverty. There is no need to make incredible claims that are not attainable through the programs offered when the pure and unadulterated truth should be sufficient enough to attract donors.

But now that the claim has been made, I must say that I would be thrilled to send my check to an organization that offers vocational training, counseling, and job placement programs in the Israeli charedi community I would love the opportunity to help fellow Jews escape from the vicious cycle of poverty, the highest level of tzedakah. But, I know that for the most part the programs being offered only provide temporary relief rather than the opportunity for more long term relief. I'm patiently awaiting this letter's arrival (no need for a slick brochure, please) in my mailbox.

Orthonomics Blog Roundup
1st Week of March

So many bloggers have been posting on financial and related subjects. Since it is near impossible to write a post about all the interesting things there are to write about, I figured that in the spirit of SerandEz that I'd post a "roundup."

• The last discussion of kids at risk prompted a discussion about who should be learning in kollel, learning a train (vocational skills), and more. Jak Black was kind enough to translate a piece from a sefer by R. Ezriel Tauber that looks how it became accepted for women to be the breadwinners, kollel, woman in the workplace and more. The piece is jammed packed with many items to discuss. It is great to here the voice of a chacham in the discussion. Thanks Jak!
• Michelle of Humble Jewish Opinion takes a look at the rotten behavior that is unfortunately so prominent in Yeshiva schools. There is no question that the behavior issues need to be tackled if we are to attract and retain good teachers who are happy on the job.
• Jewboy has a post on the fact that Kollel has become an expectation called a "Need for Balance." He takes a look at the sense of entitlement that so many young people have grown up expecting.
• Opinions responds to Jewboy's post with a post of his own simply entitled "Kollel". The discussion following the post is most interesting and Opinions puts forward a unique idea to raise money for schools and local tzedakah causes. I'm looking forward to the discussion that develops there. I personally like the idea.
• Frumtalk, in an older post, wonders if College is Necessary for Parnasah and asks if the general trend seen in society that corellates education to earning power is also true in the frum world. Good question, I'd love to see a study. But, my guess is that outside of those who have really succeeded in the business world, the general trend holds true for frum society also.
• Lamed points us to an article in the YU Commentator entitled "CJF and OU Prepare to Combat 'Tuition Crisis." The commission is apparantely researching these ideas: Other components to the accepted initiative include reprioritizing distribution of charities, forming a community super fund for long-term funding for day schools [see Orthonomics here and here], and networking further with Jewish federations and organizations that can potentially assist in the tuition crisis. Additional considerations consist of organizing teams to help day schools establish better methods of short and long term financial management, structuring a hierarchal method of tuition payment where families pay based on what they can afford, and studying alternative modes of education like home-schooling to ascertain how varying techniques can be utilized in improving the day school situation.
• It is great to see these ideas being looked at by national organizations. They should have much hatzlacha.

1000 Hits!

Wow. Orthonomics has had its 1000th hit according to the sitemeter. I guess there are a lot of readers out there. Hope you are all enjoying the various discussions and don't be shy. Feel free to leave your comments, even if you disagree.

I also should note that I have quite an international readership and have noticed readers from from Austria, Turkey, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and more. I'd love to hear an international perspective on some of the issues being discussed. So, I hope to hear from you too.

Getting Paid On Time
Some insights, rants, and tips

One of the most frustrating things a worker can experience is not getting paid on time. This isn't a particularity Jewish problem, it is just a general problem. You tell your client or employer what you expect to be paid and when and then you wait and wait to be paid. And, nothing happens! You don't want to scare off your clients by demanding the money owed to you immediately either because you know you will be paid (someday) and you don't want to loose a client, you have sympathy for your client, or you are just uncomfortable broaching the subject.

I have plenty of friends who have waited for payment from an employer for months or even years. Sadly, nearly all worked in [you know where] and those that waited for years are, sadly, still waiting if they haven't thrown in the towel. Until recently, I had no conception of the problem and the scope of the issue. But, as of late, it seems that nobody wants to spit up the money they agreed to pay voluntarily. The real chutzpah, is that some of those who haven't paid up bargained me down to a lower price than I should have accepted. (Note to self: be brave and tell them you are raising the price).

Well, despite the fact that I am generally a strong person, I am definitely a weakling when it comes to demanding payment and demanding it now. I prefer to function on an honor system where we agree on a price and I have the money waiting for the provider as soon as the job is done. If I get any credit in olam ha-ba for fulfilling an important mitzvah, this will be it. I can't recall ever paying a service provider late, nor can I recall ever having a provider having to face the discomfort that can come from having to ask for payment. While I find myself unable to remember to say birchat ha-mazon (or even if I said birchat ha-mazon), I never seem to forget a bill and can probably name the due date of all of our bills in my sleep. It must be a quality that comes natural to financial people.

When I worked for a regular employers, getting compensated in full and on time was never was troublesome. But, once I started doing more informal types of work to bring in a little extra while I stay home to raise a family, getting compensated started to get ugly. But, recently, I finally got tired of dealing with late payments, no payments, and waiting patiently for the subject of payment to resurface, and I took matters into my own hands and combating the problem.

Here are some of my tips (some are actually working, others are theoretical and should work, but I have yet to find out). Here they are:

Make payment the first order of business

• When you report to a place of work for the first time, ask up front for your W-4, W-9, and your timesheets. This makes it clear that you mean business. Hopefully it will move you to the head of the class for payment if not everyone is getting paid that month.
• If you are being paid for services by the month, ask for payment at the beginning of the month. If you are are unsure what the total amount due for the month will be, charge a base rate for the month and bill the remainder or issue a refund at the end of the month. Just try to keep good estimations.

Get It in Writing

• Write up formal agreements. It might be uncomfortable, especially if you are friends with the person, or part of a similar social circle, but it shows you mean business and will help facilitate that in the long run. And, if you are not getting paid, you will have the documents you will need for any litigation (G-d forbid).
• Use written invoices in addition to oral agreement. Somehow written notices get noticed while what you tell someone orally goes in one ear and out the other.

Get Tough

• If you are not comfortable asking for payment and being strong about it, get in front of the mirror and practice asking just like you might practice a job interview or practice giving a public speech.
• Remember that working is for the purpose of making money. If you want to be involved with a chessed project, there are plenty of chessed projects out there. Don't make work a chessed project or you will end up with trouble from nearly every client since word flies quick.
• Don't offer too many discounts. While discounts may bring in sometimes the clients that are unwilling to pay market rate are not worth the trouble they bring and if they talk, which they often will, you may find that nobody wants to pay market rate and the only person who end up with the short end of the stick is you.

Readers, I'd love to hear your tips (or rants) if this is an issue you are dealing with.

Get Organized:
Preparing for 2006 Tax Season

We are not even out of the 2005 tax season, nor have we started cleaning our homes for Pesach, but it is time to get organized for the 2006 tax season before the work that needs to be done becomes overwhelming. It is possible that your taxes are simple enough that you don't need to get organized until the the 2006 tax season arrives, but if you "itemize" deductions, have a small business or work as a contractor, or have other sources of income from which tax is not being withheld, there is no time like the present to get organized.

I highly recommend organizing your personal system using Excel Spreadsheets and File Folders. Here are some ideas.

1. Itemized Deductions, Charitable Donations: Chances are, if you own a home, you itemize your deductions. When you itemize deductions you are eligible to deduct you charitable deductions.

• It is absolutely necessary to keep an ongoing records of your charitable deductions given throughout the year. Besides the nightmare that you will experience if you try to organize everything at the end of the year, it is inevitable that you will be inaccurate. Even if you only donate to organizations that send a year end statement, it is necessary to keep your own records. More times than not, I have discovered that the year end statements are inaccurate.
• I highly recommend giving with checks or credit cards over cash. Although a donor does not need proof for single donations under $250, if one is audited, it is best to be able to show that all deductions on the tax form are clearly supported by documentation.
• The most effective method that I have found for keep track of charitable donations is to keep an ongoing spreadsheet for the year where every donation given is recorded by date, organization, reference to donation (e.g. check number, credit card statement for month of, or cash), amount given and amount deductible if the donation is not fully deductible (e.g. Yeshiva banquet).
• Information in your spreadsheet should be supported by documents in your Charitable Donations File Folder. Attach an envelope to the back of your file folder to keep small documents like credit card receipts and cancelled checks. Use the folder to store letters of receipt for donations and year end statements. You can staple the corresponding check or credit card statement to the letter for even greater documentation.
• When you write a check to an organization, write "Tax Deductible," "Not Tax Deductible," or "Partially Deductible" in the Memo line. If something is only Partially Deductible, you will want to make sure to keep a tab on the letter of receipt since it will tell you how much is deductible. If something is not deductible, you don't want to record it.
• Remember that not all tzedakah is tax deductible. Giving directly to meshulachim, while certainly tzedakah, is only deductible you are writing your check through an organization like your local Va'ad.

2. Small Businesses and Contractors:

• If you have your own small business, or if you work as a contractor for someone else, you are responsible for your own taxes. You need to be paying "estimated" tax payments four times a year (unless you are overwithholding enough through another source of income). Therefore, you need to be keeping track of your revenues and expenses so you know what to pay. Estimated payments are due April 15 (Quarter 1: Jan 1-Mar 31), July 15 (Quarter 2: Apr 1-Jun 30), October 15 (Jul 1-Sept 30), and January 1 (Oct 1-Dec 31).
• You should be keeping track of your revenues and expenses either using an accounting program like Quickbooks or an Excel Spreadsheet. You will need to make sure and depreciate an assets your business owns properly, as capital assets are not a regular asset. In a folder, or set of folders, you will need to back up all transactions with original receipts and documents.
• One you know your net income for the quarter, you can easily calculate out your estimated taxes due. You can either go through the IRS's complicated form, or you can do a very simple calculation that you can keep track of easily in a spreadsheet. Simply, multiply your net income by 92.35% (the amount of income you pay tax on) and by 15.3% (the self-employment tax rate) and by XX%(you highest marginal rate). And, of course, don't forget to pay estimated taxes to your state of residence, also.

3. Other Sources of Income From Which Tax is not Withheld: These sources of income can include rental income, alimony, and investments, among other things. It is important to know what you are paid, if you need need to pay tax on that item, and how to organize your records.

• Rent: Rental income is taxable, however, the laws of rental income, especially the laws of depreciation, are far too complicated to review here. So, although rental income is a fairly common source of income for many (basement apartments, boarder students, etc), I don't plan to talk about organizing your records here.
• Alimony: Divorce agreements usually stipulate an amount to be paid from former husband to former wife. Usually, the husband deducts from his income the amounts paid and the wife pays taxes on the amount received. I highly recommend that each party keep a record of payments actually made and actually received, rather than just relying on the divorce agreement that may or may not be adhered to. Record amounts received in your spreadsheet and multiply by your marginal tax rate. This is the amount you should pay in estimated taxes each quarter. And, of course, don't neglect to pay your state of residence.
• Significant investments: If you have significant investments (e.g. stock trades) that earn high amount of income from these investments, you will need to keep track of these investments separate from statements you receive so that you know if and when you should be paying estimated taxes. You will also need to familiarize yourself with the different types of dividends and different capital gains tax rates so that you can keep detailed spreadsheets and make estimated payments when needed. And, of course, don't neglect to pay your state of residence.

The Rav: A Hero and Role Model for Jewish Education

This Shabbat, I took some time to read a wonderful and inspiring book that has been sitting in one place on my bookshelf for too long. I skipped around the book, and by hashgacha alone, I came upon a eulogy given by Rav Hershel Billet for "The Rav" which is recorded in the book Memories of a Giant.

I thought that I would share the two of the final three paragraphs of the eulogy with you. I think the memory of The Rav speaks for itself and provides us a model to emulate. There is nothing to add, but must reflection to make and action to be inspired and taken.

The Rav often criticized his students for being too selfish. He said that we only learn for ourselves and that was an undesirable trait. He wanted us to learn with dedication and share generously as well with others.

The Rav's love Torah study translated itself in his support of other Torah institutions. At the request of Rav Aharon Kotler zt"l, the Rav worked hard for Chinuch Atzmai. He spoke at their dinner in honor of Rav Aharon. When Rav Aharon took ill, the Rav personally raised funds for Lakewood Yeshiva. He sent a letter on his personal stationary on behalf of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas when they had financial problems. He worked tirelessly to see to it that Maimonides School in Boston always met its payroll on time.

Kids @ Risk II
Could Curriculum be Adjusted?

Being that the subject of "At Risk Kids" is only an auxiliary subject on my blog, I was a bit surprised to see the amount of traffic that the first post generated. Obviously the subject is a popular one, and it is well within the purview of "Orthonomics," so I figured that a second installment was definitely in order.

I don't claim any expertise in this subject area, but I think I am smart enough to recognize where some of the problems are coming from. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to point out some general issues. In addition, I think my life experiences could add a unique perspective that is hopefully worth reading about.

Over at Harry Maryles' blog "Haemtza," the subject of "At Risk" is also hot, to say the least. An amateur blogger like myself could only aspire to generating so much heated discussion. Harry has posted two installments on the subject, the first of which deals with the At Risk Issues in the Chareidi World and the second of which takes a look at the At Risk Issues in the Modern Orthodox World. The comments related to both of the posts lead to a very heated discussion about the curriculum in Yeshivot, especially boys Yeshivot.

Steve Brizel, a valued commenter there and now here, writes:

In this regard, I saw nothing in any of the articles about rethinking our curriculum, especially in boys schools, which function under a success ratio of 1/1000 between entering students and Gdolim produced thereat. The source of that ratio is a Medrash and is defended by R Dessler ZTL despite the fact that an explicit Mishnah(" a Mfureshe Mishnah") states age appropriate levels and that this age appropriate curriculum was advocated passionately by the Maharal. As of yet, I have yet to see, read or hear answer to the question as to why we continue to maintain a dysfunctional system that produces revolutionaries, drug abusers and sexually promiscuous adolescents and ER cases. How many must we tolerate before we state that the system is broken? We need a discussion led by the Gdolim on the issue, as opposed to mussar that blames parents and band-aid chizuk/kiruv-type solutions that deal with teens and those who have already survived the system and moved on from there.

I agree with Steve that we need to take a good hard look at our institutions. Our Day Schools basically offer a "Israel Experience Prep" and "College-Prep" courseload and our Yeshivot and Bais Yaakovs offer a "Beis Medrash Prep" or "Seminary Prep" courseload with some academics thrown in for good measure. A student who does not belong in either of these tracks for whatever reason, is certain to be float aimlessly.

While recently we have seen a dearth of vocational training programs for adult Yeshiva products, by this time it is often too late. Why do we force our children to stay the course in a completely college-prep track despite the fact that 1) our kids may not be college bound because of their own academic limitations -or- 2) our kids may not college bound (at least immediately) due to financial limitations.

The truth is that I don't know how we could fund an education system that tried to track kids according to their levels and abilities and so I hope we can reserve those concerns for later. Right now I just want to look back at my (public) education and point out the positives (yes, there were positives!).

My school district was well aware that most students, even the most academically oriented among us, were not headed to elite private colleges. In fact, they realized that most students would be putting themselves through the local junior college while working or enlisting in the military (G-d bless those who are serving our country). The curriculum requirements reflected the fact that students who were not on a purely academic track would need to graduate with enough skills to get themselves on their own two feet rather quickly.

There were three basic curriculums that the school offered: 1) An Advanced College-Pre Track, 2) A College-Prep track that required a vocational elective, and 3) A Vocational Track. As my husband pointed out, many parents are loath to admit that their kids may not qualify for an advanced academic track. Fortunately, my school required students who were fell out of track 1, to supplement their education with a course from track 3. Basically, if you were not definitely headed to a four-year University, the school wanted to make sure you had an introduction to something vocational. And, if you were certainly not headed towards college, a la track 3, the school wanted to make sure that you had some marketable skills.

Being that I was in the first track, I spent most of my day with the same students that I had been in class with since the 4th grade or 7th grade. A number of students found their way into either advanced math and science or English and plenty of students were shown the door if they were not working up to their potential. So, I was fairly unfamiliar with the course offerings .

Fortunately, due to the internet, I was able to locate my school's course catalogue and see what was offered to those in track 2 or 3, and was I impressed. There are a full selection of both "white collar" and "blue collar" vocational courses and there is a career center to guide students through their high school courseload towards employment. The courses offered are "certified" and local businesses know that certain skills are being taught. All, in all, I think the model is a positive one.

So, what is offered?
Microsoft Office
bookkeeping
Computer Programming
Computer Networking
Hardware and Software repair
Criminal Justice with on-the-job training
Developmental psychology with on-the-job training in local pre-schools and public schools
Agriculture and Horticulture
Automotive classes, including classes in specific systems like brakes
Drafting, more advanced classes include software training with CAD
Graphic Arts
Metal and Woodworking
Construction

I am no expert in what our children need or what would interest them. I do think that it is criminal that we don't recognize that our children are not all going to become Roshei Yeshiva or Rebbeim, or doctors, lawyers, or businessmen. I also think that it is criminal that we let our children float aimlessly, rather than offer them skills that would give them the dignity that comes with accomplishment.

And, I also think it is criminal that we do not recognize that not every parent can continue to support their children financially while they pursue years in Beis Medrash and that we do not provide direction early on. Being able to support one's self and one's family comes with its own pride and dignity. The fact that there are 30 year olds in our communities who may never be able to support themselves is emotionally crushing.

Now leave my readers to discuss the situation and add their own insights. Shabbat Shalom!

HaKarat HaTov Where it is Due

Thank you to Ezzie for giving me a helping hand. He gave me a few formatting tips that I think will make reading this blog a little easier on my readers.

Thanks Ezzie. Maybe someday I will talk about the introduction to technology, which is continuing to this day. I now am quite comfortable. But, only years ago I was terrified to turn on a computer.

More on Gedolim Cards: The socialists among us

Many seem to feel that the manufacturer of the "Gedolim Cards" should not view his enterprise as a business, but rather as a chessed project. Apparently, the manufacturer should dedicate his time to producing the cards for little or more profit so that we can all benefit from the education they may potentially provide. This letter grandmother writes:

"If these stickers are truly a vehicle for our children to educate themselves and have fun at the same time, then the business-minded individuals who are selling these stickers should make each sticker more readily available." And, "If these stickers were meant to educate our children, then perhaps the individuals who thought of the idea would come up with a better plan. It is blatantly apparent that these stickers are systematically released and certain gedolim are a rare find. After a reasonable amount of time and for an appropriate price why not sell the set and then release a new series? Or, simply play fair and release enough of each sticker to keep the children interested and, most importantly, not consistently asking their parents - or grandparents for that matter - for money to support the pockets of others."

Michelle of My Humble Jewish Opinion also seems to feel the same way and writes

"I would think the goal of [collecting gedolim cards] is to have the kids focus on people that truly contribute to society and Torah, and once they have the cards, they can learn more about them, and consider them role models. But this twist in the system is typical of the Jewish money-hungry mind. He makes the parents spend a lot of money buying packages of cards."

Michelle continues:

"He's abusing the fact that the Yeshivish community is more willing to spend money on Jewish themed products. So these mothers are shelling out the big bucks...and it's completely against what it stand for itself. These Gedolim are for simple lives, involved in Torah-not immersed in materialism and all that. I just don't get it."

Many of the commentators of My Humble Jewish Opinion agree and call the manufacturer a "bastard" or "greedy."

A few things:

1. The manufacturer of the cards is "business-minded", which is exactly why he chose a successful business model that has proven successful since the advent of the first baseball card. If it wasn't for the profit-motive, he wouldn't be pursuing this idea.

2. The manufacturer has as much of a right to make money as any of us. He has bills to pay and kids to raise. The fact that he came up with an idea should be to his credit, although if I was a gadol, I would not want my picture on a card.

3. There is no exploitation going on. The business model is well-known and any kid can explain it to you.

4. If a child is "making" his parents buy him cards, then it is clear who is in charge (not the parents). These parents (and grandparents) should set some limits before they get run over by all of the demands their children will "force" upon them as they get older.

5. And, most importantly, you do NOT need to buy your children Gedolim Cards or any other item their heart desires. It is quite all right to say no to your child. And, if you see the value of them owning these cards, than tell your cleaning lady (in our house, that would be me) to take a day off and let the kids scrub the floors and the toilets to earn some extra money.

Every time I see people whine and complain about the Gedolim Cards, it becomes quite quite clear to me that we, as a group, are a weak set of parents and grandparents. I'm glad my parents had no problem saying no to many of my requests (Cabbage Patch Kids, Teddy Rumpskin, a Nintendo). They were not weak and I was the beneficiary.

Great to the See the Readers Getting Into the Action

I want to thank all of my readers who are making this blog a lively place, to say the least. I certainly am taking my cues from all of you on the topics you want to see discussed. Needless to say, as the comments come in, it is impossible to respond to all of them. But, I do read every single comment with great interest and can see many new topics developing based on the reader's comments. So, keep 'em coming.