Editorial

Marketplace best bet for savings growth

SMART MONEY

DEAR BRUCE: I have $47,000 in savings. What is the best thing to do with this money? I am 57 years old, self-employed, and have no other savings. Also, I own my home outright. What is the way to make this money grow in value? — Charles

Teachers shouldn’t have to ask for more money

It’s not quite summer vacation but teachers in Oklahoma and Arkansas are staying home anyway due to their belief that they deserve a pay increase.

Teachers in West Virginia just ended a nine day walk-out that ended in students not getting an education for nearly two weeks and a well-deserved five percent increase in pay.

Our state could be next.

Let them talk

Even though he is one of the vilest men in the history of the world, Hitler was also one of the best at writing and delivering speeches. The way Hitler spoke to Germans at the time convinced many that what he was doing to millions was OK because he said all the right words, in the right order.

A downside of casinos in Louisiana

Several quick financial fixes are being discussed in the current session of the Legislature involving the expansion of gambling. Here’s an interesting thought. Why is it that Louisiana and neighboring state Mississippi are always on the bottom of every national ranking involving virtually every aspect of a state’s quality of life? Yet casino gambling is widespread throughout both states at a level not found any place else in America outside of Las Vegas.

Consider giving life

April is designated as National Donate Life Month in support of organ donation, and we hope if you have not already committed to give life one day, you will consider doing so.

According to government data, an average of 75 people receive organ transplants each day. Sadly, an average of 21 people die every single day because there is a shortage of donors.

Facebook scandal shouldn’t shock us

You’ve probably already heard that Facebook founder and super-billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is in hot water with the government for allegedly failing to protect user data of the social media platform.

The times are not a’changin’

THE WAY I SEE IT

Someone wrote me a letter recently and I would have loved to reply to them personally, as I think they made some valid points in their writing. However, it must be easier to give an opinion if no one knows who you are, because whoever it was failed to sign the letter or give me any information as to how I could reach them. I hope it wasn’t you.

I quote from the letter, “It’s time the majority of intelligent people quit sitting on their assets and take an affirmative stand on what’s wrong with our world and do something about it.”

Foster children need help beyond age 18

Monday, a Senate panel voted to extend the state’s foster care program.

Currently, foster kids are kicked out of the system at age 18. At that point, the state stops providing funding to foster parents to help cover costs.

SB 129 by Sen. Ryan Gatti, R-Bossier City, would boost the cutoff age to 21, giving kids extra time to get a high school diploma. The change will cost taxpayers approximately $1 million each year, according to an estimate by the Legislative Fiscal Office.

Stick with it

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

Istood looking in the mirror as I exhaled in frustration. “Seriously, what’s it going to take? I mean, I was watching what I ate and running, and still nothing!”

With all the love and kindness he could muster, sweet husband looked at me and said, “But Babe, you did that for about a week.”

As I rolled my eyes as far back in my head as they would go, I thought, How rude! How mean! How… right.

The cost of living

VILLAGE IDIOT

According to a recent Financial Times article, the apartment prices in Manhattan have plunged. Last year, you needed to fork over $2.21 million for the average apartment, but now, you can scoop one up for the low, low price of only $2 million.

Why are you still reading this? What are you waiting for?! Shouldn’t you be on the phone right now, trying to snap up a New York apartment at a bargain-basement price before it’s too late?