Comments on: $8,000 First-time Homebuyer Refundable Tax Credit

By: Dave Ozment

Dave Ozment — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:57:09 +0000

Thanks Lisa. You know, I just use excel spreadsheets. I have links to the exact versions that I’ve used for years on this site. Just hit up “Free Budget Tools” for the links and downloads.

Dave

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:18:19 +0000

Hi really enjoyed reading your article and was wondering What is good financial planning software that can be used in confuction with dave ramsey plan (microsoft money?

By: Alba

Alba — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:10:17 +0000

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By: Dave Ozment

Dave Ozment — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:17:48 +0000

Hey Samuel, thanks for commenting. I have to say that I think the cash for clunkers deal was a horribe idea. I recently listened to an interview with a long time car dealer and industry watcher and he was already observing the effect of your first bullet. He was quoting monthly sales trends and how they spiked and dipped since the clunker program. I also dislike it for it’s flawed environmental reasoning. The “clunkers” were often good cars that now must be destroyed. A solvent is poured into the oil pan and the car is run until the engine seizes… then the cars must be destroyed. I say let nature run its course, those cars will be replaced overtime without having to be destroyed.

There are many other reasons I dislike the program but those are a couple.

But that’s not to discourage your participation. I hope to have you engage the discussion again soon.

Thanks,
Dave

By: Samuel Kline

Samuel Kline — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:21:01 +0000

I think another example of a good program is Cash for Clunkers. It was a success since it was gone and implemented quickly. Although, others say that it would hurt more in the long-run for a variety of reasons:

- All the program did was advance consumers’ purchase of new cars.
- The program effectively stole some value from the used car industry
- there was a slowdown in other purchase in the long run
- etc…

Im not an economist so I don’t know if these have some basis. Let’s just wait for the data to come in after a few months to see the real score. But what do you guys think of the program?

By: Dave Ozment

Dave Ozment — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:27:07 +0000

I agree… when social programs are used, we should seek out those with the best opportunity to sustain growth beyond simply the tax dollars plugged into the program.

Thanks for commenting Dustin!
Dave

By: Dustin | Engaged Marriage

Dustin | Engaged Marriage — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:34:25 +0000

I share your general opinion that social programs are usually wasteful and ineffective, particularly economic initiatives like the “stimulus” package. However, I think this home buyer tax credit is an example of a government program that can be helpful and actually useful in meeting the stated goals (prop up the real estate market). If the entire $800+ billion dollar stimulus was applied to actual infrastructure projects and programs like this, I think our economy would turn around much more quickly.
Dustin | Engaged Marriage´s last blog ..Have You Tried a Marriage Retreat?