PSA: Take charge of your debt, one step at a time

   If you have debt that feels overwhelming, you can regain control.   First, know what you owe.   List all balances from mortgages, auto loans, medical bills, and credit cards, and divide that total by your gross income.   Aim for less than 35% with a mortgage or 20% without.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Peaky Blinders’ flick finally ends series" by: Jessica Shepard

   When the ‘Peaky Blinders’ British TV series ended after its sixth season in 2022, I wasn’t banking on getting any other entries into the franchise.  It seemed determined to end on a cliffhanger without any hopes of continuing.

What’s in your Vocabulary?

   There’s power in the thoughts you think and the words you speak.

Jim Folse announces re-election campaign

   Over the past several years, it has been my honor to serve the citizens of Bay City on the City Council. During that time, our community has made meaningful progress in infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and quality of life improvements.

"Corpus Christi is all the talk, but we all need to talk about water" by: Mike Reddell

   I don’t imagine many of us in Texas, particularly South of San Antonio, who aren’t aware of  Corpus Christi’s water woes.  It’s hardly new – drive out Texas 35 from Bay City and see the infrastructure that Corpus built to pull Colorado River water near the Texas 35 river bridge.

"Bureaucratic red tape is eroding partnerships" by: Jessica Shepard

   While I usually want to devote this column space to something more lighthearted and entertaining, I’m unable to do that this week.  And what’s on my mind is still a struggle because its’ something I’ve written about before, too.

"We jumped forward an hour and woke to a changing world" by: John Sample

   Last week was a bit of downer for investors as the price of crude climbed to $100 a barrel and sent the various indexes and averages south.  The S&P 500 dropped below 6700 as concerns grew over the impact of rising crude prices sending the cost of living higher.

PSA: Ease the squeeze on your retirement income plan

   Inflation has slowed, but many retirees still feel the effects of higher costs, especially for essentials like health care, utilities, and insurance.  They can tighten your income plan and make you wonder whether it can keep up over time.  What matters is how you respond - and you have options.

"Reel Review: ‘Hoppers’ banks on talking animals amid serious topics" by: Jessica Shepard

   When I first saw the trailer for “Hoppers” I was pretty annoyed that the story wasn’t focusing on a rabbit.  But, the film readily explained itself in no time at all.  Still, I maintain it might have been cuter with a rabbit.

Lost in Translation

   “Why does Julie always get to push the elevator button?”  I can’t tell you the number of times I heard that phrase when my children were growing up.In the beginning, there’s one child and two parents. Seventeen months later the second of the fold arrives.