National Debt | Savvy Families

Reason #2 to consume less and save more

By David Stookey, on December 31st, 2012

Reduced federal spending threatens family budgets more than increased taxes. [...]

Your fall from the Fiscal Cliff – what impact?

By David Stookey, on December 5th, 2012

Calculating your potential tax impacts from the Fiscal Cliff ignores other consequences to the family budget. [...]

Austerity crisis

By David Stookey, on December 4th, 2012

Austerity Crisis is a more useful phrase than Fiscal Cliff. It tells us what we can do to reduce the pain. [...]

The loneliness of the long-distance pundit

By David Stookey, on November 17th, 2012

Would you watch a news show that just reported on long-term, distant-impact trends – the stuff that won’t affect our wealth and well-being until years in the future? [...]

Where to avoid rising allergy costs.

By David Stookey, on July 30th, 2011

Ideas for allergy sufferers to avoid being triple-teamed by the growth of healthcare costs, budget deficits, and climate change. [...]

We can learn to do with less

By David Stookey, on April 19th, 2011 HOW THINGS WORK

Federal budget cuts will be like your local store going out of business but continuing to charge your credit card. Families need strategies to cope. [...]

Know the enemy: economics and finance

By David Stookey, on March 2nd, 2011 HELPING OURSELVES

Far too few Americans understand even the basics of economics and personal finance. Savvy families must. [...]

Visualizing climate change

By David Stookey, on February 2nd, 2011 HOW THINGS WORK

The real danger is not flooding; humans are good at building things. The real danger is fiscal; we’re not so good at paying for them. [...]

Most sustainable cities

By David Stookey, on December 15th, 2010 HOW THINGS WORK

While not fine-tuned to your family’s plans and concerns, city sustainability rankings are a good place to start to find and evaluate places you might choose to live. [...]

Lucy van Pelt goes to Washington, part 2

By David Stookey, on December 14th, 2010 HOW THINGS WORK

If the President’s bipartisan commission can’t agree on recommendations, what chance does Congress have to prevent our kids from drowning in debt? [...]

Lucy van Pelt goes to Washington, part 1

By David Stookey, on December 6th, 2010 HOW THINGS WORK

Will our DC decision-makers protect us from the dangers economists predict from the next ten years’ budget deficits: rising interest rates, expensive imports, reduced services, higher taxes, and more? [...]

Why economic growth?

By David Stookey, on November 24th, 2010 HOW THINGS WORK

There are lots of reasons why our economy is in thrall to growth. Seems debt service is the most insistent. [...]

Here, go balance the federal budget yourself

By David Stookey, on November 16th, 2010 HOW THINGS WORK

Taking a personal cleaver to the US budget deficit goes a long way to educating us. [...]

The least effective way to boost employment

By David Stookey, on November 7th, 2010 HOW THINGS WORK

The best way to create jobs is to get money to those who are sure to spend it. [...]

Will America now tackle its budget deficit?

By David Stookey, on October 26th, 2010 LOOKING AHEAD

I’m told the federal deficit will start cramping my family’s financial situation soon. [...]