Fans of the late Robert Heinlein easily recognize this acronym. The Wikipedia entry best describes it:
TANSTAAFL is an acronym for the adage "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch", popularized by science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein in his 1966 novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, which discusses the problems caused by not considering the eventual outcome of an unbalanced economy. This phrase and book are popular with libertarians and the phrase is often seen in economics textbooks. In order to avoid a double negative, the acronym "TINSTAAFL" is sometimes used instead, meaning "There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch".
It demonstrates opportunity cost. Greg Mankiw described the concept as: "To get one thing that we like, we usually have to give up another thing that we like. Making decisions requires trading off one goal against another."
That having been said, there is so such a thing, at least in the schools, as a free lunch. And some of us really need it.
This entry was posted back in July and focused on the problem of what to do about free school lunches where there's no school.
It was only a few days ago that this comment was posted to that entry: Last year I received reduced lunch, family of 4, made 35k. This year I was over the income by $900. family of 4/40k a year, (so much for that raise lol) My stepson came home and asked me if we received it this year, I said no that I was 900 bucks over the limit, his response " oh most my parent's family lied to get it". I Im not angry that I didn't get it because the federal government considers me above need now, I realize cut offs need to be set somewhere but do they even audit this program; I still would choose not to lie but it was tempting. I do live in morrisville, pa. not just a random lurker!! a lurker nonetheless though. One thing of note to others, LIHEAP raised thier income limits to 44k for family of four for this upcoming season, last year it was set at 31k for family of four. That is quite an amazing jump.
As we approach Thanksgiving, the classic opportunity for us to over-indulge, let's refocus our thinking. Yes, costs for EVERYTHING have risen and it always seems like there's a lot more week left at the end of the weekly paycheck. It's hitting you pretty hard.
Cut your income in half or more, and then try to make it stretch.
I'll say it again: Check out Philabundance.org. And don't forget there's free lunch students in Morrisville too. Not sure where to start? There's always the Morrisville Presbyterian Church food bank.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Board of Education Leadership Award
I found this link to the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) where they highlight their Board of Education Leadership Award. The selections are based on community relations, board operations and policies, board member professional development and related organizational leadership.
Want to see if our leaders in Morrisville would compare well? Here's the criteria for nomination.
Want to see if our leaders in Morrisville would compare well? Here's the criteria for nomination.
About those unpaid bills...
From the BCCT
Yearbook producer sues Truman High School
Posted in News on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm by Joan Hellyer
Jostens Inc. is seeking nearly $46,000 in fees plus interest on some of the expenses from Harry S Truman High School, according to a lawsuit filed today in the county’s Court of Common Pleas.
The suit alleges the Bristol Township school has not paid all expenses due for Truman’s 2006 and 2007 yearbooks. The Minnesota-based yearbook company said Truman owes it $45,859.56.
Almost $31,500 of that amount is for unpaid yearbooks, according to the court filing.
The remainder is for a loan Jostens, Inc. provided to Truman in 2005 so it could resolve “financial issues” the school had with its former yearbook supplier, according to the suit.
Jostens, Inc. also is asking in the suit that Truman pay 18 percent interest on the near $31,500 owed for the yearbooks.
Truman has 20 days to respond to the charges, according to the county court filing.
Yearbook producer sues Truman High School
Posted in News on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm by Joan Hellyer
Jostens Inc. is seeking nearly $46,000 in fees plus interest on some of the expenses from Harry S Truman High School, according to a lawsuit filed today in the county’s Court of Common Pleas.
The suit alleges the Bristol Township school has not paid all expenses due for Truman’s 2006 and 2007 yearbooks. The Minnesota-based yearbook company said Truman owes it $45,859.56.
Almost $31,500 of that amount is for unpaid yearbooks, according to the court filing.
The remainder is for a loan Jostens, Inc. provided to Truman in 2005 so it could resolve “financial issues” the school had with its former yearbook supplier, according to the suit.
Jostens, Inc. also is asking in the suit that Truman pay 18 percent interest on the near $31,500 owed for the yearbooks.
Truman has 20 days to respond to the charges, according to the county court filing.
Mini Tax Revolt?
From the BCCT.
Alternative to tax collectors considered
How to collect your taxes? That is the question. Although the district currently uses elected tax collectors to handle school taxes, Neshaminy’s finance and facilities committee will be looking at different options to see what’s most cost effective.
Why? Local tax collectors want a salary increase and district administrators are worried about being able to afford that in the current economy. According to district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III, there are other ways to collect taxes: through a private company or bank; or by using district personnel.
Board members Rick Eccles and Ritchie Webb suggested the board review those options after learning at Wednesday night’s meeting that the district’s tax collectors are requesting a 3 percent annual salary increase for the next four years, plus an additional $5 per each installment bill.
The tax collectors in Neshaminy are: Kathleen Nicastro for Hulmeville, Ellyn Schoen for Langhorne, Denise Reid for Langhorne Manor, Jennifer Yori for Lower Southampton, Thomas Kearns for Middletown and Janet Myers for Penndel.
Their salaries for 2009 will total roughly $102,000: $4,630 each for Hulmeville and Langhorne Manor, $4,684 for Langhorne, $26,201 for Lower Southampton, $55,551 for Middletown Township and $6,559 for Penndel.
At that rate, Paradise projected that paying for the tax collectors could increase to $121,000 in four years, plus another estimated $2,500 for installment costs.
The board and other taxing authorities, including municipalities and the county, must set the tax collectors’ salaries every four years. Their deadline is Feb. 15, Paradise said.
Alternative to tax collectors considered
How to collect your taxes? That is the question. Although the district currently uses elected tax collectors to handle school taxes, Neshaminy’s finance and facilities committee will be looking at different options to see what’s most cost effective.
Why? Local tax collectors want a salary increase and district administrators are worried about being able to afford that in the current economy. According to district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III, there are other ways to collect taxes: through a private company or bank; or by using district personnel.
Board members Rick Eccles and Ritchie Webb suggested the board review those options after learning at Wednesday night’s meeting that the district’s tax collectors are requesting a 3 percent annual salary increase for the next four years, plus an additional $5 per each installment bill.
The tax collectors in Neshaminy are: Kathleen Nicastro for Hulmeville, Ellyn Schoen for Langhorne, Denise Reid for Langhorne Manor, Jennifer Yori for Lower Southampton, Thomas Kearns for Middletown and Janet Myers for Penndel.
Their salaries for 2009 will total roughly $102,000: $4,630 each for Hulmeville and Langhorne Manor, $4,684 for Langhorne, $26,201 for Lower Southampton, $55,551 for Middletown Township and $6,559 for Penndel.
At that rate, Paradise projected that paying for the tax collectors could increase to $121,000 in four years, plus another estimated $2,500 for installment costs.
The board and other taxing authorities, including municipalities and the county, must set the tax collectors’ salaries every four years. Their deadline is Feb. 15, Paradise said.
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