Archives For money

Deals Are Usually Not Deals

May 10, 2013 — Leave a comment

The bottom line of any budget is that you simply cannot stay above water if you spend more than you make.

The best deal is $0

A product is only a good deal if you need it (not want), plan for it and save for it prior to purchase.  A couple of days ago I was on the way to dinner with my team from work (paid for by the company, don’t worry).  As we walked across the parking lot I saw a couple of clothing stores and in the moment thought to myself, I could use some new clothes.  As I got closer to the window I saw a sign, t-shirts for $5.  Cheap right?  I agree, almost thrift shop prices yet this was a decent clothing retailer.  Who could pass it up.  Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t read Tere Stouffer’s book, The Only Budgeting Book You’ll Ever Need.  It helped me realize three things:

  1. I didn’t need new clothes.
  2. I didn’t plan for new clothes.
  3. I didn’t save for new clothes.

What did I do… walked right by.  I successfully stuck to my budget and got the best deal.  This seems simple as you read it but I’m sure many can attest that it is not.  Remember that Items within the context of your financial goals are OK.  The rest of the deals are not deals.

The Art Of Adaptation:  Deals are usually not deals.

If you know someone who sucks at saving share this with them.  If you liked this post click here for another.

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In Get down to BUSINESS , , , , , , , , ,
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Time Deservers Respect

November 28, 2012 — 2 Comments

 

Time is money.

This is a very common saying we hear in our capitalist society.  Of course time isn’t really money.  Time is time and with your time you can either be working to make money or any number of other things on your priority list.

With my time I like to:

  • Work to make money
  • Spend time with my daughter and family
  • Practice Taekwon-Do
  • Study for university
  • Read
  • Volunteer
  • Write
  • Play music
  • Hang with friends

These are not in any particular order.  Some of them are almost universally seen as Continue Reading…

In All in the FAMILY, Looking for SELF IMPROVEMENT , , , , , , , ,
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The Zombie Apocalypse Has Already Begun

November 10, 2012 — Leave a comment

I recently had an interesting interview that was side tracked when the manager and I made a connection and started to talk about life philosophies (I know, probably not the best way to demonstrate my suitability… but that’s just me.  I can’t help but entertain when these topics come up.)  He told me that life is divided into thirds.  It’s important to balance these thirds. One third doesn’t matter.  You are unconscious.  You are sleeping.  The other two thirds are work and recreation time.  If you don’t have fun or have enough of one, it affects the other two.  The main focus in his life was enjoying the third he spends working.  He believes that’s one of the biggest struggles we face today.  How do we find what we love to do?  How do we do what we love to do?  He’s found that and has worked for 16 years with the same company.  Not a day goes by where he doesn’t have fun in the third of his life dedicated to work.

The idea of a zombie apocalypse is trending now in books, movies, comics and more.  Much like most trends in the entertainment industry the idea is rarely original.  It often has a seed, stem or bud growing or emerging in life.  These zombies are lifeless drones which never stop to do anything by find living flesh to feed off.  They exist to find one thing and one thing only, until there is none left or their bodies are so worn out they can no longer search.

Coming home from my interview, I was on the bus.  I looked around at the people on public transit and this idea of zombies hit me (maybe I’ve been watching to much of The Walking Dead).  We are all zombies now.  The zombie apocalypse happened years ago when we became unconscious slaves to money, advancement and the 9-5.  We are in such a hurry most of the time we never get much of a chance to talk.  The result is a kind of endless day-to-day shallowness, a monotony that leaves a person wondering years later where all the time went and sorry that it’s all gone.

So when two “conscious” people find each other in a sea of zombies.  It doesn’t matter if it’s an interview, a bus ride or any other event… we need to stop and talk, acknowledge each other and the fact that zombies aren’t the end and we don’t need to fear them if we stick together if we choose to do what we love and keep a focus on balance and the middle way.

The Art Of Adaptation:  There is safety in numbers.  Wake up.

In Get down to BUSINESS, Looking for SELF IMPROVEMENT , , , , , , , , ,
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Effective Volunteering

October 31, 2012 — 3 Comments

When you give your valuable time and useful skills to an individual or organization you want to be as effective as possible and maximize your return and theirs.

What returns?

Well they get help with what ever they need and you get that warm fuzzy feeling inside at the very least.  I try to push for a reference letter though… just a tip.

How to be effective:

  • Choose something you are passionate about.  If you don’t have a reason for helping you won’t do it for long.  Volunteering is the fire, motivation is the fuel.
  • Give what you can, not what they want.  If you don’t have the skills an organization needs don’t spend time and resources trying to fit the mold.  Find someone who needs what you’re giving!  If it’s money be wary, everyone needs that stuff.
  • Set goals.  Many causes are an ongoing effort.  Conflict is part of human nature, disease is part of biology.  Some things don’t have a beginning or end which can lead to a lack of direction and focus.  If you want to make an impact in the fight against Cancer, set a specific goal to help keep you on track.  Once complete, set another if you choose to continue.  Goal: I want to make a financial* contribution of ($) by (Date).  I will do this by (Method).

The Art Of Adaptation:  Effectiveness is the only way to make sure you get out what you put in.

Notes:
*The contribution doesn’t have to be financial.

In Making real world CHANGES , , , , , , , , ,
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My Wheel Of Life: Figuring out where I SHOULD improve.

September 3, 2012 — Leave a comment

There is no need to re-invent the wheel.  It is perfect as is.

Can you imagine what would happen if your motorcycle tire was shaped like a triangle or your car’s tire was shaped like a square…  It would make for a bumpy and inefficient ride.  The wheel is a symbol and artifact of our adaptation as human beings.

These days we have many people trying to or unknowingly… Continue Reading…

In Looking for SELF IMPROVEMENT , , , , , , , , , ,
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