Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I wish I could speak and read Spanish but I've never been good at picking up new languages. I took 3 years of Spanish in HS and the conjugation rules were just brutal for me. Does Duolingo make it easier to learn?
Right now I'm prepping to take the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) Exam. I had been studying for it, using free resources, at a pretty quick clip but had to put it on the back burner for a bit while I tended to other things. That's the good thing about being this age - I can go at my own pace and start and stall as needed. There is no pressure which I actually think makes it easier to learn.
Last edited by springfieldva; Yesterday at 11:38 AM..
I tried duolingo and it's very well designed but I just can't hear languages. Reading a Latin language is one thing, hearing silent letters is another. I gave up on Spanish,
I tried duolingo and it's very well designed but I just can't hear languages. Reading a Latin language is one thing, hearing silent letters is another. I gave up on Spanish,
Wow, that is a very good point. I think that not hearing the silent letters might be a big part of it for me, too.
It always fascinates me to see a person who can effortlessly flip between English and Spanish or any other language. That's a very cool skill to have.
I tried duolingo and it's very well designed but I just can't hear languages. Reading a Latin language is one thing, hearing silent letters is another. I gave up on Spanish,
I don’t understand what this means. Almost every letter in English can be silent at some point, but there is only one silent letter in Spanish (h). All the other letters are sounded, and sounded in extremely regular and predictable ways. Of course it’s easier to read than to listen, because you can take your time when you read, and even look words up. But I’d really like to know more about this “silent letter” problem!
I have a friend whose husband grew up in Hungary. When I met him, he spoke not only Hungarian but German, Italian, Spanish and of course English. I think growing up in another country with other languages close would make it easier to learn other languages. But then, I could be wrong about that.
I traveled around Europe with this person and was amazed with the switching of languages like it was a breeze. I was very envious. Languages have never been easy for me.
I remember when I got my SS number. I had to go to the Post Office and fill out some paperwork. I had the idea of getting a job when I was 14 or 15 but my Mom said no one would hire me until I had that magic number. So I got the number in '65' or '66'. My first year of "earnings" in like '67' was less than $100. I'm glad I had SS taken out since I was too stupid to save on my own. In later years at work we would always really get after the youngsters coming in to participate in 401K. Lots of people don't think about it but getting a job with a pension or until recently, a 401K is like hitting the lottery for many.
Another thing hurting people our age is a big chunk of us had our jobs go off-shore (not me particularly) and got laid off, which besides being traumatic is a big interruption in earnings power until one makes it up with new employment.
Getting a pension is the lottery..........
401K is only good IF you fund it! My buddy has a lazy son, never finished 1st year of college, got hired at a big company and my buddy was thrilled to announce that he had a 401K!
So I ask: Yeah but does he fund it? "Deer in headlights" look: My buddy had no idea that you had to divert your money into the program to fund it. Yes some employers match but you still have to put your money in first.
Boomers inherited from their Greatest Generation parents an economic juggernaut in a relatively stable society with incredibly strong and functional institutions.
For those Boomers who didn't bother to save for their own old age, I just can't feel sorry for them.
Help my Millennial butt, who as a life-long frugal saver, continuously employed in the workforce, a veteran, homeowner, with no college debt.....please give me a reason to shed a single tear for broke Boomers.
I think the detriment to the boomers was the spending!
Boomers saw cell phones/cable/satellite tv explode at the peak of their careers followed by the wine explosion (wine clubs, vacations to vineyards), the whole Starbucks or as I call it "Six Bucks" hit. Then leased cars and new luxury brands like Lexus hit the market so they can drive in style to the Country Club
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
