AP Starbucks Gift Card

It's nice to see the market up this morning. But the last couple of weeks have taught me a few things my parents already knew.

First, you can't take it with you, so maybe it's not that important. Second, don't depend on the government for anything.

Regarding the second point, I was standing in Starbucks yesterday. I noticed a sign announcing a new California law which allows customers to ask for cash back when using gift cards of $10 or less. It's nice to know that while the nation's most populous state teeters on the brink of insolvency after a record-setting budget impasse, legislators are able to come together to pass meaningful legislation like this. The barista behind the counter says their registers haven't yet been reconfigured to account for giving cash back when using gift cards. One woman insisted she get cash for her card "because it's the law," so they just gave her the whole $10.

Regarding my first point--you can't take it with you--I was also in church yesterday. It's good to be reminded there's a Power higher than Henry Paulson. It seemed the crowd was a little larger. It also seemed like the offering plate was a little emptier. It's going to be a tough holiday season for religious and charitable organizations. Funny, though. In my experience, I've never had a better return on investment anywhere else.

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Meantime, my biggest challenge continues to be raising two teenagers. It's heartening to see that even Darth Vader is struggling there, too.

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