$70 CSN Giveaway Just In Time for the Holidays (CLOSED)

Congratulations to Meaghan F. and happy holidays to everyone!

At the beginning of the fall season, I mentioned a partnership with CSN stores, and now I'm finally getting around to hosting the giveaway you all have been waiting for just in time for holiday shopping. Maybe some of you need a new dining set or barstools for your new apartment or dorm room. Others are probably trying to figure out what to buy for the holidays with money being so tight in this economy. CSN stores is a good place to start because it literally has every home and office item you are probably looking for whether as a gift for yourself or for someone else. You will never have to step foot in a department store now that all of your holiday shopping is just one mouse click away.

I decided to get a desk chair from CSN because mine was standing on its last two legs. CSN has over 1,400 desk chairs to choose from, many of them high quality and for a very reasonable price. All I needed was a comfortable yet inexpensive desk chair for my home office. I ended up with choosing the Regency Geo Bonded Leather Chair. I received it less than a week after ordering it online in brand new condition. This chair was such a great bargain and has held up very well so far. It looks great, feels comfortable, and adds a professional touch to my home office.

A lucky BIDER reader will receive a $70 CSN electronic gift card to use at any one of CSN's 200+ online stores. Hopefully this will go to one of our dedicated readers who really needs the money this holiday season. We know a lot of you who are in this position and BIDER is glad to help out in our own small way.

All you need to do is tell me in the comments section what item from CSN you would like to buy with your gift card. You get a bonus entry for following BIDER and mentioning you do so in the comments. Remember to include your contact information in the comment or email it to me or otherwise I'll have to pick another winner.

Giveaway ends December 1, 2010 at 12 noon. Good luck!

Thanks Executive Gift Shoppe! (CLOSED)

As you probably know, one of the perks of having this blog is the product reviews.

Executive Gift Shoppe told me to take my pick of the various many professional looking gifts on the website.  I contemplated getting a business card holder or a travel alarm clock.  In the end, Executive Gift Shoppe sent me this beautiful leather padfolio that was engraved with my initials "AL."  I love it!  It's perfect for taking notes when I appear per diem for other attorneys or even when I go to court on my cases.  It has a little pocket for my business cards.  It even has a place to put my Mont Blanc pen, a graduation gift from dad.  The leather is really nice!  I got it in a dark brown and it's quality leather. It reminds me of my softball glove in high school.

Now, we're extending the gift to you.  Executive Gift Shoppe is going to give a lucky reader $50.00 towards the purchase of any gift on the site.  There are plenty of options under $50.00, so you should be able to find something really nice.   If you're a practicing lawyer or you'd like to give a gift to someone in the corporate environment, I can't think of a better website to shop.
Here's what you can do to win:
1.  Leave a comment stating what gift you would get with the $50.00 and why.
2.  Become a follower of this blog (1 additional entry)
3.  Like "Executive Gift Shoppe" on Facebook.

I will let you know if you won on October 25, 2010.  Good luck!

Should I Be Insulted?

The scambloggers are gaining in power and recognition.  The AmLaw Daily wrote an article about all of the scam blogs that are popping up on the Internet:

Malan spoke with the authors behind blogs like First Tier Toilet, Third Tier Reality, Esq. Never, and The Jobless Juris Doctor about the employment prospects for students outside the country's top eight law school, as well as student loan debts reaching six-figures for some graduates.

And that's just scratching the surface. The Am Law Daily had a quick look at more than a dozen similar blogs out there, such as Exposing The Law School Scam, Highest Education, Legal Nihilist, Outside Lies Magic, Rose Colored Glasses, Scammed Hard!, Shilling Me Softly, Subprime JD, Tales of the Fourth-Tier Nothing and, dare we say, Fluster Cucked. No doubt there are countless others.

Ya.  There are others, like BIDER!  What the eff?  So peeved.  I know that we have readers.  What gives? I want a little recognition!!!!

New England College School of Law professor Bill Childs, who told Malan he follows blogs that decry the law school experience as a scam, doesn't take offense to what they're saying, but also doesn't think that law schools are fraudsters.

"Law school is not the best idea for everyone in the world," Childs said. "Some of these blogs are coming from an honest place and are saying, 'Think about your choices carefully.' I can't argue with that. I think that's good."

Yah.  You better believe that it's good.  We are exposing the dark side of a higher education.  Someone has to do it.  Just call me Geraldo Rivera.

Big Favor, BIDER Readers!

Every year, the ABA names the top 100 Blawgs.  It's the academy awards of Legal Blogs.  Since you're reading this now, I'm assuming you like BIDER and I'd love if you could nominate it for a top 100 spot.  Or, if you absolutely loathe and despise our content and writing, LEAVE.  No... don't. I'm totally joking.  BUT, feel free to nominate any scamblogger (See Blog Roll on the Side Bar) for the honor.  It would be magnificent if any of the scam blogs made the list since it will receive some great publicity and the message could spread far and wide.

Use the form located here.  Thank you so much!

Romano's Macaroni Grill Giveaway (CLOSED)

The winner is Phizzled. Congrats!
Angel and I love food. If you've ever lived in NYC, you have the unique advantage of hundreds of different types of cuisine right outside your doorstep, and you learn what is authentic and what isn't. I've become a bit of a food snob over the years. One of my favorite cuisines is Italian. Now that I no longer live in NYC, it is difficult to get anything authentic other than typical American cuisine like burgers and hot dogs. That's why I've learned to cook pretty well and make my own authentic dishes.

When I do go out to eat in Podunk, one of my favorite restaurants is Romano's Macaroni Grill. No, I wouldn't go so far as to say it beats eating in NYC's Little Italy, but it does fulfill my cravings for Italian in Podunk. That is why I was happy to hear that I can now buy Macaroni Grill at the supermarket. Yes, Macaroni Grill has branched out to frozen entrees so that all of us trying to save in this recession can still enjoy the taste of Macaroni Grill from our frozen food aisle starting this summer.

The four new Macaroni Grill frozen entrees are perfect for recreating authentic and premium quality meals right from your own kitchen. I was sent the Grilled Chicken Florentine with grilled white meat chicken and spinach, along with farfalle pasta tossed in creamy Parmesan cheese and garlic sauce. The fresh milk I was told to add in the directions made the dish very creamy. You can really taste the garlic and Parmesan cheese in the sauce and there were generous portions of chicken. Pair Macaroni Grill frozen entrees with a salad and you've got dinner for the entire family. The Basil Parmesan Chicken entree has grilled white meat chicken, broccoli florets and tomatoes with cavatappi pasta tossed in a flavorful creamy basil Parmesan sauce. I plan to pick up the Roasted Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Spicy Italian Sausage Pomodoro varieties from my local supermarket.

Be sure to check out Macaroni Grill on Facebook and Twitter today! Visit Macaroni Grill on Facebook and Macaroni Grill on Twitter to "Like" or "Follow" the brand and keep up with the latest news from Macaroni Grill. Now onto the giveaway!
Mandatory Entry: Share which Macaroni Grill frozen entree you would most like to try or which Italian meal you would like to see added to the Macaroni Grill frozen entree lineup.

Extra Entries: Follow But I Did Everything Right and let me know in the comments section.

The lucky winner will receive a prize pack through MyBlogSpark that includes a Macaroni Grill frozen entree, a serving dish, and pasta tongs, shown above.

Winner must be 18 years of age and live in the United States. The contest ends August 25th at 5pm EST.

Thank you to Macaroni Grill for providing me with a free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

Contest Winners, the College Scam, and BIDER Art Contest

Angel and I held two giveaways that ended today. Here are the lucky winners!

The winner of the Pear Tree Greetings giveaway is Joanna:

Joanna said...

I love the Scallops - Violet Mommy Cards, especially with the tear-off appointment card at the bottom. It's perfect for scheduling play dates and outings!

July 26, 2010 11:28 AM

Congratulations and enjoy your beautiful new personalized cards!

The winner of the No Sucker Left Behind book giveaway is debbie for sharing her college nightmare with us:

debbie said...

I was doing a special associates degree on working with special needs children. (I was teaching school, while working at a special needs school), then planning on getting my teaching degree. I had gotten done with the third semester, with one to go, when the school called me to tell me they were cancelling the program. Since, I had one semester left, they told me I could still be in the program. But, they changed the classes to night classes, off campus, and in another town. I said forget it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

July 25, 2010 7:53 AM

I have heard a lot of crazy stories about schools pulling stunts and scams on their students, but moving the campus to another town takes the cake. I'm sorry you could not finish your associates degree.

Speaking of the college scam, there is a new book that all of you should check out. "Higher Education? How Colleges Are Wasting Our Money And Failing Our Kids - And What We Can Do About It" by Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus argues that the huge amount of debt students today take out to attend college is a waste of money:

Spending as much as $250,000 on a bachelors degree from world-renowned U.S. universities such as Harvard University and Yale is a waste of money, a new book asserts.

"Higher Education? How Colleges Are Wasting Our Money And Failing Our Kids - And What We Can Do About It," urges parents and students to consider colleges that spend on teaching instead of sports and which encourage faculty to interact with students instead of doing research, taking sabbaticals and sitting on campus committees.

"Undergraduates are being neglected," author Andrew Hacker, who co-wrote the book with Claudia Dreifus, told Reuters in an interview.

"Higher education has become the preserve of professors ... (who) really have lost contact with the main purpose of higher education, which is the education of students."

Hacker and Dreifus are critical of many U.S. universities, noting the cost of a 4-year degree has doubled in real dollars compared to a generation ago. But education, they say, has not become twice as good as many colleges lost their focus.

Many Ivy League professors don't teach undergraduates at all and at many colleges teaching is largely farmed out to low-cost adjunct teachers, Hacker said.

What they have to say about higher education should be nothing new to BIDER readers, but at least this book is spreading the truth about the corporate higher education industrial complex to a wider audience of parents and students before they get swindled. I've contacted the publisher and hopefully Angel and I will be able to host a book review and giveaway of this book in the near future.

And remember to enter our art contest. I'm still accepting entries, so please get them in before August 2nd! If you would like to enter but need an extension to submit your entry, let me know, and we can work something out.

BIDER Reader Moves to Canada!

I received some wonderful news from a long-time BIDER reader who took my suggestions to heart and was looking for an out from the law (and loans) in a foreign country. We exchanged emails for months, exploring options which included teaching in China. Little did I know that this BIDER reader is a U.S. and Canadian dual-citizen. I received an email soon after my post on the Globe and Mail's "Broken Europe" series that this BIDER reader is finally going to take advantage of his dual citizenship to move to Canada. Congratulations you lucky bastard!

Hi Hard Knocks:
Just a quick note. I have basically decided to abandon the China plan I once had. But, the reason I am likely going to do so is because - in reference to today's post on your site regarding Canada - I'm a U.S. and Canadian dual-citizen, as well as a graduate of a Canadian college, and it seems that in addition to a relatively humane health care system and much, much more responsible bank regulation, it still has a functioning economy. This, I did not know until recently, and I've decided that I am moving (likely on credit and couches) in about four weeks.
...
Canada's better in a lot of ways. I don't think that has always been true. But, at this point, I'm really very tired of the U.S. I was born here. I lived most of my life here. I've known for months that I was going to have to leave, but until the last few weeks, I didn't really want to. Obviously, I've got over that.

By the way, ever hear The Clash song, "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A."?

Good luck to this BIDER reader's job search in Canada. Be sure to update us on your new life there. I didn't think I needed to state the obvious, but for any BIDER readers out there who are unemployed dual U.S. and Canadian citizens, go to Canada. Their economy is doing much better than ours and you will have health care. It's a no-brainer. And don't forget your friend Hardknocks when you're watching the Titanic U.S. from your workplace or doctor's office in Canada.

BIDER Reader Needs Advice (and Well Wishes for the Bar Exam).

This is the type of BIDER fan that I don't know how to save.  The one that's already took the plunge.  Any words of wisdom for him/her would be appreciated.  I, frankly, don't know what to say. I've never deferred my loan payments, amazingly.  So, IBR is a foreign language to me:


Hello Angel,

My name is [BIDER READER], I'm a recent law school graduate from this year, and I am taking the bar exam in two states this week. I just discovered your blog a couple weeks ago and I would like to seek some advice from you. I'm sorry this email is long, but I would greatly appreciate if your read it and provide some advice.

I have been very nervous... about job prospects and my student loans when I get out of school. I graduated from a TTTT in the 60th percentile, with $120,000 in loans, and am currently trying to find a job in a very crowed legal market. I had some fears this past year that it would be difficult to find a job as a lawyer with those factors, and stumbling upon your website site pretty much confirmed that those fears were true.

In addition, I am very burnt out from three years of law school, and BarBri this summer. I am dreading three days of examinations this week, not because I am unprepared, but because I am so mentally drained at this point. And I feel like it could all be for nothing even if I pass, judging from everything I've heard on the scamblogs. I had the vigor to practice law up until a few months ago, but now I am questioning whether I want to keep dealing with the seemingly never-ending tests, fees, and frustration that surrounds the law...if I can even find a job.

So, part of me just wants to say screw the law, and seek a non-legal job as soon as the bar exam is over. Unless I can parlay my J.D. into a good position, I'll likely be stuck making around $40,000 like I was before I went to law school. I'm wondering, do you know how bad income based repayment will be with my law school loans? I already realize that I'm gonna be living in my parent's basement for a long time, and won't be able to start a family for a long long time either. But one thing going through law school has taught me, is that money certainly isn't everything, and I'd rather do something I enjoy that be stressed out constantly a la law school.

I would appreciate any advice you could give me, being that it sounds like from your blogs you've been through some of the things I'm going through right now.

Yes, BIDER reader, I feel your pain. Maybe some of the readers can pipe up about IBR and how it works.  Hardknocks may have some insight.  I would suggest trying to find any job, legal or non, and let that dictate your future.  I am ten years out and making what I made as a judicial law clerk, or worse.  So, $40K doesn't sound like a bad salary to me.  Sorry you made this mistake, but you are far from alone.  

Any ideas for this young lawyer?


Oh yah, I'd like to pretend that the bar exam doesn't exist, but it does and many of our readers are taking it this week. I wish you luck and I hope you pass on the first try. At least you'll be satisfied in knowing that you're eligible to practice the law and you can go on with your life--whether that's being a lawyer or something else. GOOD LUCK. Let us know how you did!

Giveaway Time: No Sucker Left Behind

Do you know a high schooler who is applying to college?  Are you applying to college?  Do you hate your alma mater and you can't put your finger on why?  Well, you need to read this book.

Even though I went to college a hundred of years ago, No Sucker Left Behind: Avoiding the Great College Rip-Off was a real education. It was an education on how my beloved college ripped me off and continues to rip off students every year. Had I known about some of the scams that colleges engage in to rip college students off, I may have broadened the scope of this blog. I actually was so focused on the big Law School Scam, that I had not thought about colleges and their lies that much at all.  

After reading this book, I realized that I had witnessed several of the scams first hand.

1. Bait and Switch Scholarship: The first year that I attended FYU (Fuck You University), I was given a scholarship based on ... hell, I didn't know. I had good grades in high school, so I assumed it was based on merit.  I filled out a FAFSA, and I got a scholarship.  At the end of first year, I filled out another FAFSA. I had a 4.0 (all of college actually)--so I assumed I would get the same financial package, but the scholarship was gone--POOF.  It was gone. I asked about it and I was told that it just wasn't available to me anymore. Classic bait and switch.  Give the freshman a great financial aid packages and pull out the rug from under them and they are stuck.  What are they going to do, transfer?

2.  FYU had an average sports team.  One year, the school made it to finals or playoffs or whatever they are called, and the next year, tuition went up by 20%.  As it turns out, the reason why schools give a shit about their sports team is NOT school spirit.  Rather, it's the greatest marketing tool ever.  If the team is doing great, then you can justify a hike in tuition.  Oh yah, alumna love to donate money to their schools when the sports team is doing well.

3.  Did you ever wonder why vital classes were offered only once a year, and not in the summer?  Why can't organic chemistry be offered every semester when it's the prerequisite to so many majors?  It's not JUST because the professors are lazy shits.  It's also because, if you don't fix your schedule perfectly, you're forced to enroll for one additional semester. I was wondering why so many people graduate from college in 5 years, rather than 4.  That's why!

These are just three of the scams that I found out about by reading No Sucker Left Behind.  It was a really enlightening book.  It's a must read for high school seniors!

So, here's the contest:  Think about college long and hard and write a blurb, in the comments, about how your college scammed you.  Be creative.  Or, if you can't think of a scam that applies to you specifically, just write about a college scam that you have identified.  If you become a follower of this Blog, then I will give extra consideration to your story.  If you don't feel comfortable telling me about your scam in the comments, then please email me your story and I will post it without your name--if you're the winner.   If I select your scam, I will post it and send you the book.  No restrictions on the age or location of the winner.  Anyone can enter.  Oh yah, no need to name your college.  

I will select a winner on July 30, 2010.  Good luck!

1st Annual BIDER Art Contest - Submit Your Entries NOW!

image courtesy of Nando at Third Tier Reality

Looking for a creative outlet to express your anger at the ABA, the legal industry, or your First, Second, Third, or even Fourth Tier Toilet school? Here is the place! Angel and I are hosting our very first BIDER art contest. If this is successful, we'll make the contest a yearly event. Please spread the word to your friends and tell them to enter.

Submit your own work of art depicting your law school experience, law school, career services, doc review, shitlaw, paying off student loans, having to deal with your boss or law partner, being unemployed or anything else about the law that drives you insane. We're giving you free license to express yourself through practically any medium. Scan and send us a drawing, painting, photograph, or even video. We don't want to restrict anyone's artistry, but please refrain from icky pornographic images, mmkay?

The winner will receive two 10 oz. bags of ground coffee courtesy of New England Coffee. It's not a $100k grand prize to pay off your law school loans, but beggars can't be choosers. Lawyers and law students worldwide can enter, but only the winner with the most votes from the United States will be able to receive the coveted ground coffee prize.

Please submit your art to hardknockslaw(at)gmail(dot)com by August 2, 2010. You can enter as many times as you want. I will post all the submitted entries and readers will have a week to vote for their favorite. We will announce a winner by August 10, 2010. Good luck to everyone who enters and have fun!

Added Note: We will NEVER reveal your true identity unless you specifically tell us that you are okay with having your real name published.

Pear Tree Greetings Giveaway

Have you ever received a hand-written note from someone that you saved, because it meant so much to you? That you pull out every now and again, because it brings a smile to your face. Or, is there someone you feel that could really use a note from you right now? A friend that’s going through a rough time in a relationship, letting her know you’re there for her. Your mom, just an out of the blue card telling her how much she means to you. Your husband, thanking him for supporting you, loving you, and being the husband that he is. A blogger friend that you’ve maybe never met in person but just want to tell them how much their friendship means to you. There is a special power of a hand-written, personalized note card. Not only does it mean so much to the recipient, it’s an amazing feeling when you drop that card in the mail.

In honor of these special moments, Pear Tree Greetings is giving one of you a free set of personalized note cards (up to 16 cards) from their new collection.
Who is Pear Tree Greetings? Pear Tree Greetings is a fun, fresh and affordable personalized stationery company that offers Birth Announcements, Moving Announcements, Photo Cards,
Baby Shower Thank You Cards and more, all on 100 lb matte card stock and truly affordable prices!As an additional gift, throughout the month of July, enjoy Free Shipping at Pear Tree Greetings! Just spend $29 on your purchase of Birth Announcements, Moving Announcements, Photo Cards, Baby Shower Thank You Cards and more!

Use code PEARJUL10. Shop Pear Tree Greetings.

Giveaway:

To win a free set of personalized note cards (up to 16 cards) from their new collection...

Mandatory Entry: Visit Pear Tree Greetings and comment here on a product that you really like.

Bonus Entries:
1) Follow BIDER and let me know in the comments (one entry)
2) Comment at my Greensations and Youthful Trends review about a product you'd like to try from the Greensations site (one entry)
3) Comment at my ThermaPak review about a product you'd like to try from the ThermaPak site (one entry).

Contest ends July 30, 2010 at 5pm EST.

This Lawyer May Help You!!

I had a lovely conversation with Mr. David Abrams, a BIDER reader and an attorney licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey, who is willing to help.  On a contingency, David might be able to get back some of the money that you have paid in student loans. I know, it sounds crazy, but he has been successful more than once. I think, for those BIDER readers who are drowing in debt (i.e. everyone), it's worth giving him a call.  Remember, he won't take any fees up front.  He works on contingency. Call him.  I wouldn't normally advertise an attorney's services, except that BIDER readers need the type of service that he is offering. I wish you all the greatest of success.

David Abrams, Attorney at Law

299 Broadway, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10007
tel. 212 - 897 - 5821
fax 212 - 897 - 5811

CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look and $20 Walmart GC Giveaway! (CLOSED)

UPDATE: Congratulations to MissJD2! Your gift card is on its way!

This review and giveaway opportunity was especially fun for me. I was due for a new look and pick-me-up when I received CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look kits in the mail thanks to MyBlogSpark and CoverGirl. I’ve always been a fan of CoverGirl because it is a well known brand that is affordable and high quality. You might have seen an advertisement online, on the television, or in a magazine for their new Smoky Eye Look kits featuring the lovely Drew Barrymore.

There are 3 Smoky Eye Look kits – Natural Look, Bold Look and Glam Look. Three different looks for any time of the day or night! Each kit contains SmokyShadowBlast, Exact Liquid Line, and LashBlast Mascara. Celebrity CoverGirl Makeup Master Molly Stern will show you how to create the perfect Smoky Eye with simple instructions anyone can follow. I’m not a makeup expert, but I found the instructions very easy and was successful in creating my own CoverGirl smoky eye look! I was happy to try all three and I think they go great with any skin color. My favorite is the Natural Look kit because I always like a soft look that can be worn day or night and in any setting without looking over the top. But I would definitely wear the Bold Look or Glam Look for a night on the town or to a party when I want a sultrier look.

Find out LOTS more, watch videos, hear what others have to say and share your Smoky Eye Look at www.smokeyeylook.com and at facebook.com/COVERGIRLMakeupMaster.


$20 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway! BIDER readers have the chance to try these SmokyEye kits with a $20 gift card to Walmart! Get an entry by visiting www.smokeyeyelook.com and commenting with which Smoky Eye Look kit is your favorite or which kit you’d like to try. Get an extra entry if you follow our blog. Once you’ve subscribed, or if you do already, leave a separate comment saying you have or do subscribe.That’s it!

The giveaway ends July 4, 2010 at midnight EST. I will randomly choose a winner and they will be notified by email so be sure to leave a valid email address!

And a big thank you to MyBlogSpark for sending me three smoky eye kits to review, a makeup artist director's chair, makeup bag, and the $20 Walmart gift card to giveaway!

Even the Europeans Think Our Education System is on the Brink of Disaster!

Angel,

I was perusing the BBC and saw this article.  It doesn't discuss law school but does a good job of identifying the huge surge in university attendance while presenting the staggering cost.  I think it would have been better if it then touched on the need for advanced degrees, adding yet another staggering cost in the baseline expenditure for a (maybe) useful degree. The best part about this is that it is international in scope and will reach a much larger European audience, where university education is much more subsidized!

It is just shocking.  I have never commented here but follow all the law school scamblogs almost religiously.  I have good grades and am prepping for the LSAT now.  I haven't made a decision but if I score below 175, I won't go.  It means that my chance at getting in a top 5 is a stretch and precludes me from any opportunity at getting any subsidy.

Thank you for your work, I hope to contribute more in the future.  Just today I was talking to a customer in the bar I work at who was waiting to hear back from the UVA waitlist for the law program.  I told him all about scambloggers and wrote the names on a card for him to look up.  He had not a thought in his head that the schools might be misrepresenting the figures.  I told him everything I could and told him to seriously research the job prospects and to contact UVA and ask them to break down all of the statistics for him.  He thanked me and gave me a huge tip (which was nice), plus he was super cute...ha!

Anyways, check out the article and keep fighting the good fight!

Sincerely,
BIDER READER

I did check out the article and it seems the Europeans are onto the education scam. It is ridiculous that we send our kids to school for $200K, and even more so when the kids go on borrowed money.  Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have always loved the BBC as a source for news.  They aren't owned by Turner.  I hate Turner.  That's another story for another day though.  Thanks again.  Also, I second your idea about 175 or bust.  Sounds like a plan.  Good luck!

Bad Debt v. "Good" Debt?

A BIDER tipster sent me a funny story about debt.  The question addressed in this fluffy "news" article by Jeff Brown is "when is it okay to carry debt?"  It makes some good points:

Don't use an 18% credit card to fund a home addition that will take years to pay off. If you must borrow for that, take out a home-equity loan. The rate is likely to be half as much. Installment loans average about 8%, according to the BankingMyWay survey...

In a real emergency, you can justify almost anything. A legitimate emergency is a serious illness, or a car problem that will keep you from getting to work, a leaky roof that will ruin your home.

The need for a vacation is not an emergency. Basically, an emergency is something that will seriously undermine your life for years, not something that will put a little damper on your lifestyle.

Very good points, Jeff.  My parents raised me to think of credit card debt as evil.  Unfortunately, I didn't listen.  But my debt exists primarily because of my emergency situation, being laid off.  When you have to support yourself with credit card debt, is that a justifiable emergency?  But then Jeff totally loses me with this next line:

The best policy: borrow only for a home and an education, two purposes with benefits outweighing the costs. If necessary, borrow to get basic, essential transportation, not to get luxuries like leather seats and navigation systems. 

I bolded 'education' so you'd see that our message has not spread far enough.  There are so many contingencies that need to be mentioned before one makes a bold statement like 'borrow only for an education because the benefits outweigh the costs.'  It depends on where you go to school, how much of it is financed by your parents, whether you major in something worthwhile, etc., etc.  You cannot make an absolute statement about education being worth something.  Sometimes, it's utterly worthless.  Irresponsible journalism such as this fluff piece by Jeff Brown is responsible for many dumb 18 year olds  feeling safe about borrowing $25K to attend an expensive private school to major in Art History.  Where is the disconnect?  Sometimes, it is worth it not to get an education, so that working at the local Walgreens can sustain your lifestyle.  Sometimes that is the more intelligent choice.  When you have no debt, life is freeing.  You can work a job that actually sustains your lifestyle.
A home may be worthwhile, because you can live in and will always be able to live in it... and one day, you will own it free and clear.  But an education may make you overqualified and underpaid from the second you get your diploma.  It's almost as bad as the notoriously depreciating asset, the brand new car.

Try again, Jeff.  Most debt isn't "okay."  I wish I could get him to read our blog where thousands of educated people could tell him that he's wrong unless he qualifies his statement.  Oh yah, the federal deficit is wrong too.  I wish we could have crowned Clinton king.  Oh well...

Update From a BIDER Reader...

Success!  She will be one, that is, since she decided not to go to law school.  You may remember, our anonymous reader whose mother was dead set on her attending law school.  I advised her against it and even explored some options with her on gchat.  She sent me an update:


Angel,

I hope you are doing well.  I am writing to update because I sent you a letter you posted on your blog.  I asked for advice for dealing with my immigrant mother who desperately wanted me to go to law school.  After taking the LSAT and researching schools, I found the scam blogs and decided against law school.  Instead, I found a new job and I will start in a couple of weeks.  My new employer offers a higher salary than my old job, better benefits and will fully fund my education if I decide to pursue a degree at night.  I have a couple of friends taking the law school plunge this fall, but I am glad I will not be joining them.  They will leave jobs in order to pursue JD's at second tier schools in the hopes their career paths will be much betterafter obtaining a JD.  I sincerely hope it works out for them, but knowing that they're taking out 60k+ in loans at least within the next few years, I am not envious of their position.

In my previous e-mail I mentioned my cousin who just graduated from a third tier school and how my mother was convinced she would have a great career after graduation. My cousin is now working at a small law firm and only gets paid when there are cases for her to work on.  She goes weeks with any paychecks and has to quickly learn how to drum up business to stay afloat.  After learning about this situation my mother has quieted down a bit about my decision to skip law school.

I want to give a thank you to the scam bloggers for getting the word there.  I'm sure that pursuing a J.D. is a great thing for people who end up having great luck, but as for me, I consider myself lucky to have a job with a decent salary, minimal debt and the prospect of a free graduate degree if I decide to pursue one in the future.

Best of luck to you,

Anonymous

Best of luck to you BIDER reader.  You, unlike me, certainly did do everything right and I'm sure you will shine in your industry and rise to the top.  Maybe you should take me out to dinner when you're in my area, since I sure as hell can't afford to treat you!!!

Wanchai Ferry Prize Pack Winner

There was a huge response to our Wanchai Ferry contest! Unfortunately, there can only be one winner. The lucky person is jsc123! Congratulations!

jsc123 said... Our favorite flavor is the Shrimp Lo Mein.
Thank you so much for the chance to win.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

I will submit your name to My Blog Spark today. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Wanchai Ferry Prize Pack Giveaway

Wanchai Ferry and My Blog Spark have given me the opportunity to offer one BIDER reader a prize pack to try Wanchai Ferry for themselves.

I was sent the newest flavor, Beef & Broccoli from Wanchai Ferry through My Blog Spark. It is the first beef dish in their line of complete Chinese meals for two. Ready to serve in only 14 minutes, Wanchai Ferry Beef & Broccoli comes with beef strips, and an assortment of Asian-style vegetables, including broccoli florets, red peppers and water chestnuts. It also includes rice and a brown sauce accented with soy and garlic. Sounds good, doesn't it?

I love to cook and I love Chinese food, but I've never been a huge fan of frozen food, so this was my first time trying Wanchai Ferry. I was pleasantly surprised. It actually tastes like the Chinese food you'd get at your local Chinese restaurant. It's become necessary for me to eat at home more often rather than dine out during this recession, and sometimes you just don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen preparing and cooking. Wanchai Ferry frozen entrées are perfect to have on hand for those nights when you're staying in and don't feel like cooking or spending a ton of money for delivery.

Be sure to try the two additional new flavors of Wanchai Ferry frozen entrées, Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Style Chicken, which will soon join five other delicious varieties including Orange Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Spicy Garlic Chicken and Sweet & Sour Chicken. Additionally, all of the entrées have no added MSG!

Get a coupon for $1.60 off purchase of Wanchai Ferry.

Also check out the website at http://www.wanchaiferry.com/MealTips.aspx later this summer for meal tips to enhance your Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée.

GIVEAWAY

One BIDER reader will win a Wanchai Ferry prize pack that includes one frozen sample of the Beef & Broccoli variety, in addition to two tea sets with organic green tea. A great dinner prize pack for an evening at home with a friend or family member.

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me which Wanchai Ferry product is your favorite.

Bonus Entries:

Follow BIDER and let me know in the comments. (1 additional entry)

Comment on another post and let me know in the comments that you did (1 additional entry)

Contest is open to US Residents, 18 and older. This contest ends June 3, 2010 at Midnight Eastern Standard Time. I will email the winner as well as post it on my blog.

Poster Print Winner!

The winner of our Online Poster Printing Giveaway is comment #14, Ania! Congratulations!

Ania said...

I would love to have my private view of the mountains(I have a perfect picture) at home :-)
fingers crossed!

May 24, 2010 5:43 PM

Enjoy your new poster of the mountains :-)

Online Poster Printing Giveaway

Enter to win a 18x24 Rolled Poster, High Gloss or Semi Gloss with Free UPS Ground Shipping from Online Poster Printing! These Poster Prints are great for a special photo you'd like to enlarge and hang up in your office, bedroom, or living room.

This giveaway is limited to US Residents only. Must be 18 years old and up.

To enter this contest, please comment below with why you'd like to win a Poster Print. It's that simple!

The contest ends at midnight, Tuesday, May 25th. A winner will be selected at random and contacted by email so please leave a valid email address. You can also email me at hardknocklaw(at)gmail(dot)com if you prefer not to leave you email address in the comments section.

Get an additional entry if you follow our blog. Please let me know in the comments or by email if you are a follower and would like to be entered.

This giveaway is sponsored by Online Poster Printing, a subsidiary of UPrinting.