I inquired as to what she was doing.  She stated she was looking for some buried treasure.  She said, “you know, like the pirates have.”  So I asked her if the treasure was like a new pink dress.  She said yes enthusiastically.  It was obvious to me that she had no idea what buried treasure was.

To me, treasure is the freedom to live with the person you care dearly for.  Of course they aren’t buried.  But no one, hopefully, would want to steal my treasure.  Dogs have the perfect buried treasure in a bone.  We once owned a dog that would bury her bones for later enjoyment.  If you were watching her out the window when she was burying a bone, she would dig it back up and move it.  It was no wonder there were paths of dirt all around the fence edge of the backyard.  At least you knew where you could safely walk.  And we probably lost at least two lawnmowers in that backyard due to hitting bones with the blade.

Traditional buried treasure brings to mind old coins and pile of precious jewels.  Modern day pirates are certainly not likely to score such a good haul.  I believe most everyone’s life is full of treasure if you know where to look.  Treasure is in the eye of the beholder, Do you know your treasure and where it is?

Papakonstantinou predicts that real incomes would fall heavily for years to come if the Drachma was reintroduced. A decline of 50, 6O, even 80 per cent in paid wages would be the consequence, he estimates. Unemployment would rise to 30 to 40 per cent. The cost for the economy in an exit scenario would be simply enormous.

His estimates are the exact opposite of what the independent financial research institute ifo published recently. Munich based ifo is of the opinion that only the Drachma may save Greece’s economy. And they came up with the date of Christmas as the only viable solution for such a move.  Over Christmas, banks are closed for three days and it would be possible to close the borders, the airports, and the railway links to prohibit Euro exports at the last minute. But Christmas is a long way off, and the government must be seen promoting the opposite scenario.

ifo is also of the opinion that it would take at least three days to print and distribute the new Drachma notes and coins. But there is another solution to this problem. Greece is in talks with Switzerland over a tax treaty similar to the ones concluded between Switzerland and the United Kingdom and Germany. This means that the right people to organise a few odds and end are already in Switzerland on legitimate business anyhow.

Orell Füssli in Zürich is one of the world leading companies for printing secure bank notes. With just a bit of encouragement from the Swiss government, they would be able and willing to provide Greece with a new currency, design and all included. It would be even easier to order the federal mint Swissmint to do the coins. This would save days and bring the problem down to distribution, but with no traffic in the air, everything could be flown in within hours of the announcement.

The tax treaty with Switzerland is a very big issue for the Greek government. Bankrupt Greece has a huge problem with tax evasion and always had. A large portion of the fugitive money is stashed Switzerland; estimates as to how much there might be are divergent. Swiss authorities published an estimate of 30 billion Euros; German MEP Martin Schulz (SPD) mentioned an amount of 200 billion Euros during an interview. The truth will be found somewhere in between.

Giorgos Papakonstantinou doesn’t know the amount; he just called it a lot of money. This is one reason why Greece is pressing for a conclusion of a treaty; tax income from that money will help to balance the budget in the future. Greece wants the treaty finalised before the end of the year, which is near enough to Christmas. A part of that treaty could see Greek Euro assets frozen in Switzerland on Christmas and re-emerging as Greek Drachma assets after that date. The Euros would help the state’s currency reserves greatly as the Drachma may be expected to plummet after its launch.

The former Finance Minister is of the opinion that many people in Europe have not realised the deprivations the Greek people are already suffering from the first cuts. Salary cuts for government employees see state personnel 40 per cent worse off than two years ago. Because of the higher taxes introduced at the same time, the available income has been halved. I dare say we really don’t see the deprivations. After Greece introduced the Euro, it went and augmented the salaries to German standards almost within months. This is called living above your means. To earn salaries as the Germans do, you have to work like a German. If you don’t, then you haven’t earned it. I can’t see much deprivation in that.

Sources and further reading:
Giorgos Papakonstantinou Interview on Swiss Television
ifo-Chef Sinn rät Griechenland: “Zurück zur Drachme”; in German
Orell Füssli – Homepage
Swissmint – Homepage
ifo – Homepage

Out of the corner of my eye stood an electronic display that was modeled in the form of a children’s arcade machine, labeled as the “Penny Arcade”. The monitor attached featured a cartoon character named Penny that guided the user through a system of inserting coins into a slot as they were automatically counted by the electronic algorithm within.

I had some spare change in my pocket and wanted to take my mind off the frustration of the waiting process, so I had a go with it. I took $0.48 worth of coinage and stuck it in the machine. I used the touchscreen to follow along with the instructions in counting my money.

The process took about 3 minutes to complete from insertion to printing of my receipt. But I was let down when the balance recorded was only $0.43, seeing that I had given this machine more than what was calculated. In fact, I had a loss of 1.04% as per the money I exchanged for a piece of paper.

Maybe the missing money was used for the electricity to power the machine or the ink and paper that it outputted. But in any case, what if my deposit was a larger sum of loose coins?

When I brought the piece of paper along with my work check to be deposited into my personal checking account, I kindly asked for a receipt and some paper rolls for my coins at home. The teller explained I could use the Penny Arcade. I replied I was unhappy with it. She chuckled, as she replied: “we hear that a lot.”

Kind of sinister if you ask me. Especially that the target audience of the byproduct is geared towards the monetary possession of children.

I wondered whose hands touch these coins before they landed on my scrap box. The truth is that, I just saw some of these coins on the ruins of our old house. Some were given by a college classmate and others are from my mother’s old wooden luggage. Some of them are just the same worth but different shape, design and size. All just prove that coins do change. Coins do evolve…lol…

The 1970’s Piso or Php1.00 coin or one peso coin is about 1 inch in diameter. There is an engraved image of the Philippine National hero Jose Rizal in one side and a logo of the Republic of the Philippines in the other side. I had two of these coins and they were dated 1974 and 1972. Years when both my mother and father were on their early 20’s. In the late 1980’s, the Piso coin was changed. It was a little bit smaller than the 1970’s Piso coin. Rizal was still on the other side but that time, the logo was removed and was replaced with an engraved image of the Philippine’s national animal which is Carabao. I had two of these coins and they were dated 1987 and 1989. In the mid 1990’s, it changed again a little smaller but with the same design. I have one dated 1994 and in 2000, the Piso coin evolved and again. A little bigger than the mid 1990’s but a little bit smaller than the 1980’s coin. Until now, it’s the used Piso coin in the Philippines.

The two Piso coins or Php2.00 no longer exist nowadays but I’m lucky to have kept one old Two Peso coin. This coin is a 10-sided shape and about ¾ inch in diameter. It has an engraved image of a coconut with its scientific name on one side and an engrave image of Andres Bonifacio in the other side. (There wasn’t a three peso coin before so we used to joke around that a three peso coin has an engraved image of a carabao tied to coconut tree… lol) My two peso coin was dated 1989. Two peso coins were produced along with the 1980 one peso coin and they were replaced and vanished on the mid 1990’s which is the reason why I only experienced them as my allowance for the first three years of my grade school years.

The only five peso I have grown up with was a bill. A green paper bill with a picture of Emilio Aguinaldo which is one of the bills I’m looking for now for a collection.  It was on the early 2000’s that it just disappeared and was replaced by a coin. I never even thought there was actually an old five peso coin until my college classmate gave this to me. (Actually, I asked him to give it to me as souvenir…he refused at first but I was crazy…) The old five peso coin is a bit smaller than the five peso coin today. It has an engraved image of a flower I’m not that sure if it’s Sampaguita but it has a scientific name below Pterocarpus Indicus and there was an engraved image of Emilio Aguinaldo on the other side. My old five peso coin was dated 1991.

Aside from two peso coin, other coins that have totally disappeared now are the 50 centavo coin and the 1 centavo coin. I was in my early grade school years when I got hold of fifty cents. Canteen snack were so cheap back then that I always had 50 cents on my bag’s pocket. It has a size just the same with the old five peso coin. It has an engraved image of an eagle with a scientific name under Pithecophaga Jefferyl on one side and an engraved image of Marcelo H. Del Pilar on the other side.(Now who said you can’t learn science and history at the same time with coins?) I have four 50 cents dated 1989, 1983 and 1984. Years when my older brothers and sisters were still toddlers.

The 1 centavo was a bronze one and small. It has an engraved image of a man looking at Mayon Volcano on one side and a logo of the Philippine Republic on the other side. The one I keep now was dated 1962. In 1980’s, the 1 centavo coin changed. It turned smaller and its shape was square with rounded corners. It has an engrave image of Lapu-lapu on one side and the logo of Banko Sentral nang Pilipinas on the other side. In the 1990’s it totally vanished. The one I keep now was dated 1982.

I’m not that sure but 25 centavo coin is one of the coins that have undergone a lot of changes. In the 1960’s, 25 centavo coin has an engraved image of a woman with a long curly hair. In her background was Mayon Volcano. On the other side was the logo of the Republic of the Philippines. The one I keep now was dated 1966. In the 80, 25 cents were changed into smaller sizes. It has an engraved image of Juan Luna on one side and a logo of Banko Sentral nang Pilipinas at the other side. I have two of these and they were dated 1982 and 1981. It was only in the 90’s when they changed it to a smaller one showing only the number 25 on the front and RP logo on the other side.

5 and 10 cents have been into some evolution as well. In 1970’s the 10 centavo coin has an engraved image of Francisco Baltazar  on one side and BSP logo on the other side. The one I keep was dated 1979. It was on the late 80’s and early 90’s that it changed into a smaller silver coin with an engraved image of a Milkfish on the front with s scientific name Pandaka Pygmaca and Francisco Baltazar’s engrave image on the other side. I have one dated 1994. Later on 1990’s, it evolved again, smaller and bronze with number 10 on the front and RP logo on the back. Until now, this bronze 10 cents are still being used anywhere in the Philippines. Five centavo coin had been into evolution too. Back in the  late 1980 and early 90’s the 5 centavo coin is a small one with an engraved image of Melchora Aquino on one side and an engraved image of an orchid on the other  side with a scientific name Vanda Sanderiana. I have two dated 1987 and 1990. Later on 1990’s together with the change of 1 peso and 10 centavo coin, 5 centavo coin changed smaller. It even has a hole in the middle that makes it look like a washer.

1.       Middleton received the same engagement ring Prince William’s father gave to Princess Diana
2.       The engagement ring an 18 carat white gold with 12 carat oval sapphire and 14 round diamonds
3.       The Royal Mint has produced a £5 coin to mark the engagement of the couple
4.       The Royal Australian Mint has also issued collectable coins to mark the couple’s engagement
5.       The Royal Canadian Mint is also set to produce some coins to that effect
6.       The Canadian post is also set to issue stamps in commemoration of the royal wedding
7.       The Royal Wedding is been faced with several threats from some terror groups
8.       A British militant Muslim said Anjem Choudary has cautioned that a terrorist attack is most likely 
9.       “Muslims Against Crusades”, a group has announced a demonstration at the wedding
10.   Security agencies are considering several tough measure to prevent any disorder

Prince William

Take a look in your wallet. You may find a colored Poppy coin from 2004. If so, you’re holding a piece of history because it is the first colored circulation coin in the world!

It took a while for people to get used to it. In fact, it was mistaken as a spy coin. When American defense contractors first saw the poppy coin in 2007, they examined the coin’s security features and incorrectly concluded that the protective coating was being used to hide a surveillance device!”

at http://www.mint.ca/store/mint/learn/kids-and-teachers-1000008 (yes I know they spelled defense incorrectly)

I hate to inform the US that Canada really doesn’t care to spy on them. Everything they do can be found on the news or on the web. As Canadians we have much better things to do with our time and energy.

Also I refuse to call someone from the US an American. Technically, anyone from Canada or the US is an American as we all live in North America! I think for the most part USers or United Statians works better!

OK done my ranting for now

In Canada (particularly when compared to the United States) coins can really pile up to huge amounts of money, as Canadians use a $1 and $2 coin in place of bills. Other nations who use coins to represent larger amounts of money also have the same occurrence.

photo source

People seem reluctant to count up their coin and use it. Rather most people empty their pockets, or wallets, of their coin and it accumulates in a dish somewhere at home.

I encourage people to look at this money in a new way. Use it to do something good for yourself and your local economy.

Count up your coin. If necessary roll up pennies and coin that adds up to larger amounts. You can either take this coin to the bank to be exchanged for cash or keep it as loose change.

Look around your local area for a way to spend the money specifically supporting local business, ideally one that sells local produce. I have a local Ice Cream / Sandwich shop nearby, they are not a chain and are locally owned, they get their ice cream from a local dairy, get their bread from a local bakery, and they employ local people (lots in the summer). When I shop there I know most of my money stays in the local economy, it doesn’t go to far away head offices or to purchase goods from other countries.

Ideas on Where to Spend your Cash to Aid your Local Economy

• Locally Owned (not chains) Restaurants, Bakeries, etc.
• Locally Owned Stores that sell Local Produce
• Locally Owned Business that are well staffed
• Thrift Stores that support Local Charities
• Farmers Markets
• Locally Owned Services (spa, dog walker, housekeeper)

The key is to avoid chains because a large portion of the money spent at chain stores leaves the area. Avoid businesses that sell products from other areas. This includes restaurants that do not use local produce (all chains have their food come from their warehouses located elsewhere).

If everyone took a few minutes to dig up their piles of coins they could not only help their local economy but have some spending it too.  Go for Ice Cream!

Related Links

Are you a Classy Shopper?

Shopping Hypocrites

Made in China

The Cruelest of All Children’s Toys

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Never leave your client unhappy with the reading; it must always end on a positive
note. After all, our thoughts are our most powerful tool and you do not want
your client going away feeling depressed or unhappy, the chances are they
came to you because they were anyway. So it will be up to you to show them
the light at the end of the tunnel and that they always have control over their
actions.

Now onto our next lesson, as I told you in the last lesson, we are going to use
one of the most popular spreads for tarot readers the celtic cross.
 
This spread is quite possibly the most popular Tarot spread as it packs a
great deal of information into a few cards and is usually right on target. It is
excellent for a first spread for the consultant, and is also good as a conclusive
spread.

It might look complicated at first glance. In fact the number of cards in the lay
out, actually make it an excellent layout for the beginner. Having very specific
cards for very specific purposes makes it easier to interpret. For this reason
the Celtic cross spread is often described in the booklet included when you
buy a new Tarot deck.

There are many variations of the Celtic cross; none are right or wrong. The
one I am going to show you, is the one I use, however you can experiment
with different layouts to find what works best for you.

I quite often use this as an opening spread, before any questions are asked of the client. It can tell
you quite a lot of relevant information and takes into account their distant past,
immediate past and present as well as their immediate future. It also tells you
about their inner emotions, which even they may not be aware of; you must
be confident when reading this, as sometimes it can reveal hidden fears that
they may have but not be aware of until you bring it up.
 
Now you should have your cards ready and mixed with both the Major Arcana
and the suit of wands/batons and cups. When you are ready you can shuffle
the cards. Try and leave your mind blank for this reading as opposed to
thinking of a question. If you can request your client to just relax and shuffle
without any particular thoughts, then the reading will bring out what is relevant
to them at this time, as opposed to what they may want to know. I tend to use
this spread as an opener. Should questions arise in this spread then you can
do another one after to clarify points that may have arisen and need more
detail after this one.

Example
Card 1 The present situation of the client.
Card 2 The immediate challenge/obstacle, to gain more accuracy read
both the negative and positive aspects.
Card 3 Distant past, this card will indicate what problems the client has
had in their past. It will only become clear if they have overcome these as the
reading progresses.
Card 4 Recent past, including events. This will tend to indicate things
taking place now or very recently. Card 3 & 4 should be looked at carefully as
it can give you a good guideline as to how past problems are affecting them
now, or if they are safely in the past.
Card 5 Best outcome, If the client has had problems, this can indicate
what is the best that can be expected at this time, should this be a negative
card, it might be best if the client cut their losses and moved on.
Card 6 Immediate future: This can indicate events taking place in the
next few days, weeks or months (usually not longer than 3 months hence)
Card 7 Factors affecting the situation. Compare this card with card 1
and if there is a conflict between them, such as one very positive card and
one not then this tends to indicate they may be going in the wrong direction.
Card 8 External or surrounding influences: This can be people,
energies, or events, which are beyond the control of the person having their
cards read for.
Card 9 Hopes and fears. Inner emotions, I find this card very useful to
find out what the client is really thinking. Sometimes they may not even be
aware of their inner feelings, as they could be kept well hidden and deep in
their subconscious.
Card 10 Final out come: It is a good idea to read card 5, 6 and 10
together as this will give you a more detailed outcome.

Now let us imagine you have your client sat opposite you, or if you prefer you
can sit by their side and place the cards so they are face down in the order
above. Please remember as always to place all the cards chosen by the client
face down and only turn them over one at a time. I will show you after how
you can link all the cards together at the end of the reading to give a broader
outlook.

Taken from part 2 of the professional Tarot Course – Luna online homestudies

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The origin of the word pocket gives us the clue to the evolution of the pocket. The word pocket is related to the word pouch and also to the almost forgotten word poke meaning a bag or sack. You may be familiar with the saying ‘a pig in a poke’, it is usually applied buying or being left with something useless. In the late middle ages when buying a piglet at market it was often put in a sack to transport it and tricksters would sometimes substitute a cat for the piglet so it was vital to inspect what you were buying carefully. To buy a pig in a poke (a pig in a sack) without inspecting it was foolish as you risked being left with something useless.

Anyway back to the origin of the word pocket, the two words pouch and poke provide the clue. In the middle ages the pocket began as a detachable bag or pouch worn inside the clothing for safety. This was inconvenient as it involved undoing the belt and fumbling inside the clothing in order to reach the money. Over the years trousers were made with a slit at the side to enable the person to reach his money without removing the belt. It was only a matter of time for someone decided to sew the pouch into the slit creating the pocket or ‘poke-ette’.

I guess from that time on little boys (and a few girls) have stuffed their pockets with all manner of dubious treasures, and men (and maybe some women) have jingled coins in their pockets.

If his ghost could communicate with us even Lincoln would tell us to get rid of the penny. Many people argue that we need to keep the penny because it honors President Lincoln, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. First of all he has the five-dollar bill, which does him more than enough justice. The penny fails to honor him simply because most people don’t care about the penny, some even going so far as to throw them away. If Lincoln could see the way people treat his coin I think he would feel disgraced. This wouldn’t be the only reason he would want to get rid of it either.

Back in 1857 the U.S. got rid of the half penny because it was deemed too nugatory to be worth carrying. If you were to estimate its purchasing power in current terms it would be 11 cents. If we look to the past once again you can see that today’s nickel has the same purchasing power that a penny had in 1971. We never had a smaller denomination than a penny then, so why do we need a denomination smaller than a nickel. At the end of 2007, it costs the U.S. Mint 1.67 cents to make a penny. So every time the U.S. Mint produces a penny they are increasing the national debt for no reason at all. A penny hasn’t been worth the metal it’s made from for over six years at least.

Once we do finally succeed in abolishing the unwanted penny all we will have to do is round up or down. While I was stationed in Korea the penny was not used on base. The way they handled business without a penny is a model for the rest of us. Instead of using pennies cash transactions ending in 1, 2, 6, or 7 cents were rounded down to the nearest five cents, while transactions ending in 3, 4, 8, or 9 cents would be rounded up. This never seemed to be an issue with people and you even end up forgetting about the penny entirely. There were also a lot of people who didn’t like the idea of rounding up or down and thought it was the stupidest thing, but after they experienced it they wound up liking it. They didn’t want pennies to come back even though they were reluctant at first.

These are just a few facts for you, and there are tons of others. Suffice to say, it is definitely time for us to eliminate the penny once and for all.