Both my parents are public school teachers. My Mom has been teaching first graders for 20+ years and my Dad has been a high school band director for 30+ years. They continue to live their lives based upon core principles and values and did their best to pass along some of these traits to me…
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6 Tips To Ease The Pain From High Gas Prices
Gas Prices have increased 75 cents per gallon from their levels just one year ago. A recent Lundberg survey found self-serve regular is averaging $3.57. Here are a few friendly reminders to ease the pain at the pump: Drive Less Consider walking, biking, or even public transportation to places that you previously thought to far…
Surviving The Project Plateau
I discovered Scott Belksky’s video, How to Avoid the Idea Generation Trap, via Lifehacker last Sunday. The video’s caption caught my attention more than the title: Ever find yourself jumping from idea to idea, hooked on the high of idea generation but never completing any one project? 99% Conference speaker Scott Belsky breaks down road-tested…
Drive Free Retire Rich Update
In May, 2009, I wrote a post called Free Cars For Life. The post was inspired by a video on Dave Ramsey’s website. The video’s narrarator states “you can drive free cars and retire a millionaire with just this one decision.” The ideas behind the video are not without a few flaws (such as suggesting…
Sell Unwanted Gift Cards For Cash at Plastic Jungle
If you are like me, your well intentioned friends and family occasionally give you gift cards you will never use. Rather than letting them expire, why not sell them to someone else for cash? Plastic Jungle is a great resource if you are looking to get rid of unwanted gift cards and/or trying to stretch…
Money – It’s Just Green Paper
One of my high school friends used to say, “money, it’s just green paper.” Looking back, I assume this phrase could have been intended one of two ways: Relax, it’s only money. It doesn’t define who you are, it can’t kill you, and it won’t keep you warm at night. It doesn’t buy happiness. Spend…
Surprise Anniversary Vacation – 2 Weeks After Christmas
While many people were left wondering when (and sometimes how) they were going to pay the stacks of credit card bills from the holiday season, my wife and I boarded a plane to New Orleans for our 3rd anniversary. Until the we arrived at the airport, she had no idea where we were going. Until…
3 Hidden Costs of Home Ownership
Home Maintenance I’ve written a post about preventative maintenance, but I never actually presented concrete figures regarding just how much these costs can be. This email from my dad the other day was quite an eye opener. Hey, just thought I would let you and [your wife] know, we got a programmable thermostat. I think…
Politics Make Me Want To Vomit
I understand that we are extremely lucky to live in the democracy that we do. I just, I don’t know, can’t stand the few weeks leading up to election day. I mean, society as a whole must be extremely ignorant. Otherwise, why would every politician known to man spend millions of dollars slinging mud at…
Dollar Cost Averaging Or Lump Sum Investing: Which Provides Best Return?
Let’s say you just inherited $10,000 on January 1, 2011 from your Great Uncle Herbert. Uncle Herbert may have been quick to lecture and always smelled like icy hot, but he was a financial whiz who knew how to save and invest. In his will, smelly Uncle Herb put one condition on your inheritance. You…