I've returned and have sent $300 to Michelle in Vermont

Thanks again to everyone who has emailed me over the last month. I've been busy with all sorts of things and have neglected answering as many messages as I'd normally like to. And I certainly apologize for not mailing out money or updating this blog in a while either. Please forgive me folks.

Anyway, fall is upon those of us who live in the northern half of the United States and pretty much all of Canada. I've been carving jack o' lanterns and eating Halloween candy (too much candy actually!).

In a celebration of the season, I've agreed to send $300 to Michelle in Vermont. She says she needs some money to buy birthday presents for her child and if there's some left over, perhaps some groceries and a Halloween costume too. Money is tight and every little bit helps.

I understand that there may be others with what are more urgent needs or pressing issues. But I wanted to help Michelle today because it felt like a good thing to do. I know that birthdays are important days for kids, and hopefully this makes for a good one.

Please keep those emails coming and I'll do my best to read them and respond if I can. Your comments are always welcome on this blog too. Thanks for reading.

$50 gift for Brett in Lansing

I received an email recently from Brett in Lansing, Michigan. He requested $500 to make his next two car payments since money is a little tight.

I offered and he accepted a small portion of that money. So I have mailed him $50 to make part of his next car payment, get an oil change or fill up the gas tank.

I know it's not everything you needed, Brett, but I hope it is helpful.

Brett's request got me to thinking about automobiles this morning. The U.S. government's CARS program (also called Cash For Clunkers) ended yesterday. I'm curious if any of you folks took advantage of the program? If so, did you have a good experience and did you get the car you wanted/needed?

I personally didn't take advantage of the program. I wasn't in the market for a new car and my potential trade-ins weren't eligible anyway (one gets 32 MPG already and I haven't owned the other, a very old and rusty used truck, long enough to qualify).

Feel free to post to the comments section of this blog if you have any thoughts on the goverment's rebate program.

I have returned

I have returned after a long absence. I'm pleased to share with you that I just sent Tanya from Oklahoma $100.00 to cover college-related expenses that she needs to pay for this fall.

Education is obviously important and I hope Tanya's pursuit of a degree leads to big things in her life.

I also encourage all of you to consider trying to help others like I'm trying to do on this site. I'm not particularly rich and I'm sure most people reading this blog are not either. But if we can all do just a little bit to help out friends, neighbors and even strangers, maybe this world can be a better place.

Good luck and talk to you all again soon.