| David O. Russell Finds Next Directing Project -- You Got A Problem ...
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in front of the camera, David O. Russell (Three Kings, Outrageous YouTube Video) strikes again -- this time, by attaching himself to the Columbia Pictures comedy Sammy's Hill. Pic will be based on Kristin Gore's novel ... and if that name sounds familiar, it's because she's Al Gore's daughter. Screw Washington, this family belongs in Hollywood baby! Russell will pen the screenplay, as well as direct; currently, there's no word on whether anger management classes were part of the deal. Book tells the story of a girl desperately trying to balance her career as a congressional aide on Capitol Hill, while at the same time attempting to find love in the seedy, depressing, money-hungry town. Doug Wick, who's producing along with Lucy Fisher and Red Wagon, says the film "will do for Washington D.C.
Getting a grip on that runaway spending habit
DURHAM -- How many times do you look into your purse or wallet and wonder where your money went? Most people want to save money for many different reasons. Unfortunately, the national trend is to borrow more and save less. Currently, the nation's personal savings rate is negative 5 percent, something that hasn't happened since the Great Depression. Americans love to spend their hard-earned cash and use plastic. A recent study commissioned by Consumer Credit Counseling Service revealed overall consumer debt increased by 38 percent for households at all income levels over the last year. UNH Cooperative Extension Family Resource Management is dedicated to helping individuals and families increase savings, decrease debt and increase confidence in managing their finances.
On the money: Share your wisdom as well as your cash when giving ...
Seven-year-old Lindsy Smith gets an allowance "if I be really good and I listen to my mom." Sometimes she gets a quarter or two pennies or a dollar, depending, she said. When she doesn’t listen to her mom and doesn’t get an allowance, she feels "mad! I want money! ... I like the way it smells," Lindsy said. Oh, yes. It starts early, that love of something that results in the cash register ring of cha-ching! And for many children, parents are an "internal revenue service" of sorts through an allowance. Opinions on allowances — what age to give one, how much it should be and whether to tie it to chores — are probably not debated with as much consternation as the income tax code, but parents still want to do it right.
Rick Steves' budget Europe tips for 2007
1.Use a guidebook -- they're $20 tools for $3,000 experiences. Saving money by not buying one is penny-wise and pound-foolish. An up-to-date guidebook pays for itself on your first day in Europe.
2.Stay in touch cheaply by dialing direct to loved ones back home. International phone cards with scratch-off PIN codes are sold at newsstands throughout Europe. They offer calls to the United States for 3 cents a minute -- a huge savings over the $3-a-minute rates offered by the big American services.
3.Look up friends, relatives and contacts in Europe. Assuming you are reasonably interesting and charming, you'll enjoy an abundance of hospitality. Bring a show-and-tell baggie filled with photos of your family, house and hometown.
4.Don't let frequent-flier miles cloud your judgment.
|
