Babies vs. pandas

Because there's clearly nothing more important going on in the world, there's a fascinating poll on the front page of CNN.com: Which do you think is cuter, babies or panda cubs.

Proof:

For the record, at the time of writing panda cubs are out in front, 61% to 39%.

Also, CNN thought it would be useful to many people to publish an article called Scraping By on $150,000 a year (that's their income when only the wife is working). Here is my nomination for oh-my-god-these-people-are-f*cking-idiots award:

Budget for some fun

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Last year, for instance, Brian's parents gave the Schuetts a horse named Red for their kids to ride. They think it will cost a few hundred dollars a month to feed and care for the animal, and they're willing to give up ballet lessons and gymnastics classes for the girls to pay for it.

The trade-off is worth it, says Brian, because "the kids so love having a horse."

In fact, Amy has already got a name if they get a second horse: Buttercup. "We'll probably have to wait a while for that," says Brian. "We've got another beast to tame first."

Yes, the beast that is their two unoccupied rental properties. Woe is Brian! I'm so glad to have learned about his mistakes and problems, which are so similar to mine and those of most people in the US.