This is a 1 year old story but crazy

Dixon,Ill comptroller steals 53 million from city over 20 years...how does that happen...whose watching the watchers:

http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/Former-Dixon-Bookkeeper-Arrives-for-Sentencing-191208381.html

And she's still gonna cost the state money as a prisoner for 20 years. She's only sorry because she got caught.

I say shoot the bitch. No mercy.

No need for shooting - it's only money, although a lot of it. I think life without parole in a cell with a homicidal crazed lesbian would be the ticket.

She screwed with hard earned tax payers money during some of the worst economic times. Good honest hard working people, municipalities did without so she could pursue her horse ownership dreams, illegally...53 million dollars, what she did chaps my ass. They've only gotten back a couple million so far. And how many more are going undetected?

Yup, I'm sure there are many more like her out there. We've only seen the tip of the iceburg. I hope that more of the money can be recovered.

Squeaking by economically is not a secret...live within your means. It sucks if you have loftier monetary ambitions. Too many Americans do just that. I know a couple who between them make a healthy 60,000$+ a year but they struggle. Its not because the economy is harsh, its because they both have to have top dollar new vehicles, a fancy expensive over the top home and spend spend spend. 60,000$+ is good money anywhere unless you're living above your means.

Your point certainly doesn't apply to a young couple renting, supporting 2 reliable cars to earn their 60k. Eating and trying to save in order to buy a home which will run more than 200k. I agree with you if your house is paid for and/or you live in a slum or rural area (then one would need to find a jobs that pay a combined 60k) Working for minimum wage at McD 'a or Home Depot won't support a rental or mortgage hear. 60k on LI puts you on a dead end or living with mom and dad.


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No offense but yes it does.......I would relocate to a better economy. Not easy but very doable. Sometimes agood run is better than a bad stand.

There are many many beautiful and less crowded and less expensive places in this great country. To insist on living in an area that obviously you cannot afford is a fools folly. Trying to live in an area where 60,000$ is a pittance and you barely have that is again living above ones means.

I would vacate the premises period. Smart people do it all the time. I realize that the thought of moving from family is unreasonable by many peoples standards but in a strictly live w/in ones means theory that is in some cases a luxury(living near family). It is obvious in the case you mentioned that there is no way short of a miracle like a lottery ticket or a inheritance that the couple trying to live in an economy that is obviously over there head, makes any sense.

Where we live is similiar. To rent, never my own a 2-3 bedroom place,day care and utilities,groceries etcc on entry level salary is near impossible. My oldest daughter is a certified Medical coder and it was not enough and lived with us until she relocated. And so far 2 of my 3 kids have relocated to different states and while not close to us they are living quite comfortably without that stress that living above ones means causes. We see each other often enough. In fact we are all heading to Disney World in 2 weeks. I'm taking everybody,lol. Good times.

Today one has to think smart. Living to be simply house poor is something to think real hard about.

I drive a 96 Ford, my wife a used Toyota. I have the house we borrowed for in '99, now paid, and my Harley. 1 perfect daughter. Between land tax, daycare, insurance, internet, a vacation once a year, vehicle maintenance, gas, electricity,house repairs, medical ins,saving for retirement and university, there is no extra meat on the bone. The expenses of a family today are twice what they were 20years ago, and the pay is only 30% better. That is the new economy. I am well below where my parents were at this time, and I worry how bad it will be for my daughter.
If it is not made by North America, try and avoid it. It will only cost those you love in the future. Things are getting worse, not better.

Badinfluence, there is no acceptable reason that a medical professional in one of the worlds most developed countries should have to live with her parents, and then relocate to a less desired residence due to money. When stars, sports professionals, and CEOs are making billions while life savers and important cogs in society like plumbers, engineers, pilots and construction workers are deciding whether to make the mortgage or car payment this month, things need a change. And no, I am not a communist! Do work, Get Paid! Work hard, get more! Does not feel like that much anymore.

As I wrote...luckily there are great places in America that are still economically user friendly but much like our pioneer ancesters one has to be willing to endure various difficulties, sacrifices and do w/ out certain luxuries to accomplish a relocation.

In part and with the new economy is the new generation of people who unlike our pioneer ancesters want their cake and to eat it too.

Until I was 46 years old (57 now) and got the promotion of a life time we as a family of 5 were getting by on around 40,000$ and at times a little less with me working 2 jobs at 70-80 hours a week. And in this expensive area. We drove 6-12 year old cars, coupons and bought a modest home(a dump) in the country which we have now. Shopped at KMART and Walmart. Motorcycle was one I owned from 1983 until 2008. Kids started working at 12-13 to raise there school cloths money. It was still better than living back in Rhode Island and whose economy was worse than LI. At least up here we could obtain out American dream with relocating,hard work and frugal spending.

When I got that promotion back in 2002 it was huge!!! Mad money woo f'ing hoo!!!! I deserved it. My salary doubled and I only had to work one job! We had been living close to the vest for so long the new job was a financial breath of fresh air. Unexpected even.

You bet your ass I bought new nice cars for my wife first, and the diamond ring I owed her and slang money around to help the kids...God is great!!! Eventually upgraded my motorcycles a couple years later. Still beig frugal I bought used low liliage motorcyles. Being frugal(cheap) is a hard habit to break.

Moral of the story is if I had stayed the course of living in Rhode Island because thats where our families were from 1)we wouldn't have what we have now and 2)our families could very well have facilitated our break up. Both our families were extremely manipulative and meddling.

It is what it is. The majority of the population of the USA likes to crowd up places like NYC,LI,Chicago,Dallas, LA etc... and it drives up the limited amount of real estate available so yes it does make sense from that point of view. BUT we are lucky we have a whole big huge wonderful and beautiful country with options and opportunities. The trick is to properly and thorughly investigate your best bet. Again with effort, easy to do.

The area the daughter who is a certified Medical Coder moved, the economy is user friendly and she and her sons are living la vida loca!!

Good to hear all is well for you guys, really overall same here. Here we have clean water, fresh air, money in the bank, and no nut job suicide bombers running around. Life is good overall. Fun to rant though, and my points still stand. The real estate prices along both seaboards are high, due to supply and demand, and I agree with you. You worked hard, and it finally paid off. As it should be. Just sucks that a chosen few seem to work so little and get so much.
Guess we got off the original thread a bit, but yes, it does seem like white collar crime can pay in todays society as you indicated at the thread start. Punishment seems weak sometimes.

While we may have gotten off the course of the thread it mirrors real life conversation and exchanging ideas, different at times and agreeing at others. Always enjoyable.

We moved many times in our married life to different parts of the country. Move to a place that has a lower standard of living and there will be lower wages to match.

While the standard of living and lower wages in NC exist it is more user friendly then way up north, you have no idea. NC is reasonable and doable for the average Joe, way up north is insane crazy, I feel bad for my kids and glad 2 of the 3 have vacated the area expeditiously. You can get by in NC on McD's pay, not up north, no way.