I would be the most unlikely candidate to be writing something like this. To an extent. As I am the king of redundant purchases. How many of the same things does one need? This somewhat hoarding behavior can be justified in the terms of interest, hobby or collector.
I know that I get on kicks. Then ending up having way too much of something that one or two of would be quite adequate. Then you are like "which one of these things that are essentially the same do I use"? Creating stress and a realization of spending money that was not necessary.
Using what you have can be applied to your kitchen too. How many times have you bought something that you have three of in the pantry.
forgetting what was needed (make a list). That is why it is a good idea to inventory staples. Maybe not buy too far ahead.
That being said by someone who has twenty bicycle tires in stock! It is enjoyable to get new things. The thrill of opening up new packages with the latest must have. Again I am the pot calling the kettle black in this respect. As we justify acquisitions by taking them from a want to a need.
If you have a hobby or collection that you enjoy it is justified as something that gives you pleasure and hopefully benefits. Not putting yourself in financial panic, disturbing others or a criminal act I suppose it is OK.
Gee, I think I need another kitchen knife and skillet. You know I should have got the enameled cast iron Dutch oven!
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
$15 An Hour Is $31200 A Year
The coveted $15 an hour is $31200 a year. Still well below the "national average". Unfortunately that national average takes in to account all the billionaires and millionaires. Which drives that average up greatly. I do not know how retirees and people on entitlements figure in this formula.
The national average is about $25 to get to around the $50000 number. How many people do you know making $25 an hour at a job? A quick scan on the local Craig's List seems to show most jobs starting at $8 OR $9 an hour. About half of the $15.
Now the tricky thing is a lot of the the people on the campaign for the $15 an hour are part time workers that receive entitlements and cannot make over a certain amount or they lose the benefits. So if you can only work 10 or 15 hours a week to not exceed the limit this will drop down to 5 or 7 hours a week. Or given the choice of working more hours to get to the $31200 a year and giving up entitlements what do you think the most popular decision would be? Bust your butt and make more or drop down to 5 hours a week, pay no taxes and live the same as someone making $15 an hour. DA!
The national average is about $25 to get to around the $50000 number. How many people do you know making $25 an hour at a job? A quick scan on the local Craig's List seems to show most jobs starting at $8 OR $9 an hour. About half of the $15.
Now the tricky thing is a lot of the the people on the campaign for the $15 an hour are part time workers that receive entitlements and cannot make over a certain amount or they lose the benefits. So if you can only work 10 or 15 hours a week to not exceed the limit this will drop down to 5 or 7 hours a week. Or given the choice of working more hours to get to the $31200 a year and giving up entitlements what do you think the most popular decision would be? Bust your butt and make more or drop down to 5 hours a week, pay no taxes and live the same as someone making $15 an hour. DA!
Monday, December 5, 2016
Would Everything You Own Be Worth $500 At An Auction?
I think we would all be surprised that everything you have would not really be worth much. Not saying that everything that we possess is worthless. As they perform functions for us. But in the real world not much value. Which is why such "deals" can be found at thrift stores and yard sales.
All of your worldly possessions are not worth a grand! The things that mean the world to you are worth nothing. Or next to it. At least they perform a function or value to you. Your wardrobe might not even pass for sale at Goodwill. You would have to pay someone to haul off your furniture. The pawn shop wouldn't lend you $20 for your TV. Sad but true.
The nice thing about this is that thieves probably would try to steal your things. Kind of like robbing a coal train. Again, don't feel bad about it. That $3000 TV your brother in law bought won't bring but a couple of hundred at the pawn shop too.
All of your worldly possessions are not worth a grand! The things that mean the world to you are worth nothing. Or next to it. At least they perform a function or value to you. Your wardrobe might not even pass for sale at Goodwill. You would have to pay someone to haul off your furniture. The pawn shop wouldn't lend you $20 for your TV. Sad but true.
The nice thing about this is that thieves probably would try to steal your things. Kind of like robbing a coal train. Again, don't feel bad about it. That $3000 TV your brother in law bought won't bring but a couple of hundred at the pawn shop too.
Spending Time And Not Money In A Day Without Spending
Ever thought about going a whole day without spend money? I mean nothing. Not running out for gas, milk, bread, smokes, eggs or anything. You have to use what you have on hand. Stretch out consumables for the day. You can however use your utilities as they are already paid for.
This doesn't sound like that big of a deal to some and beyond the pale for others. As some folks run out daily or even multiple times daily to get this and that. I mean not ordering anything online or over the phone. No new apps nothing. Out of soda, too bad.
A day of not spending is a good off day project. Although you can do it on a work day as well. You just have to pack your lunch! You can take an automobile to work as long as you do not need gas. Not so good for you that ride around on an empty tank. An exception can be fare if you use public transportation to get to your avocation or primary employment. For our purposes we will consider this a utility.
If this project is executed on an off day all the better. What better time to do those little things that have been on the back burner and just not done. Clean your living space. Most likely you have everything on hand to do so. Straighten out your closets. Wash the windows. Trim the outside plants. Once started it will snowball into many things.
This doesn't mean having to stay inside as one could take a walk, bike ride, go fishing, clean your car or just hang out. A lesson can be learned from older people that you see doing things that do not cost money. For the most part they can entertain themselves without spending. Although the Great Depression era folks are passing a lesson from them can be learned. As generations after became worst with money, me as well. I find that anytime I leave the house I spend money on something. And now days $5 won't get much so it's like $20.
After your walk come in and reconcile your check book. Have you done that lately. Put on some old movie. Run a scan and defragment your computer. Send an email to someone. Read a book or magazine. Surf the Internet. Learn a new skill. Sharpen up the kitchen knives. Scan and straightenn up those kitchen cupboards. Especially as you will have to use what you have on hand to prepare a meal. Find that can of soup that expired in 2008. And of course don't use it!
A day of not spending does not have to be horrible. And may find that it goes by very quickly. As being busy makes time pass. Piece together a nice meal. Feel like a job well done. Think how you saved and do it a couple times a month.
I know a lot of people do not have that low threshold of excitement as I do. I just wish that I would have applied this mentality sooner. That retirement at 62 would have been a breeze. Less clutter. Maybe healthier.
I do not know. But I would have had a better handle on it. What about all those good time memories? Well what about those bad time memories.
This doesn't sound like that big of a deal to some and beyond the pale for others. As some folks run out daily or even multiple times daily to get this and that. I mean not ordering anything online or over the phone. No new apps nothing. Out of soda, too bad.
A day of not spending is a good off day project. Although you can do it on a work day as well. You just have to pack your lunch! You can take an automobile to work as long as you do not need gas. Not so good for you that ride around on an empty tank. An exception can be fare if you use public transportation to get to your avocation or primary employment. For our purposes we will consider this a utility.
If this project is executed on an off day all the better. What better time to do those little things that have been on the back burner and just not done. Clean your living space. Most likely you have everything on hand to do so. Straighten out your closets. Wash the windows. Trim the outside plants. Once started it will snowball into many things.
This doesn't mean having to stay inside as one could take a walk, bike ride, go fishing, clean your car or just hang out. A lesson can be learned from older people that you see doing things that do not cost money. For the most part they can entertain themselves without spending. Although the Great Depression era folks are passing a lesson from them can be learned. As generations after became worst with money, me as well. I find that anytime I leave the house I spend money on something. And now days $5 won't get much so it's like $20.
After your walk come in and reconcile your check book. Have you done that lately. Put on some old movie. Run a scan and defragment your computer. Send an email to someone. Read a book or magazine. Surf the Internet. Learn a new skill. Sharpen up the kitchen knives. Scan and straightenn up those kitchen cupboards. Especially as you will have to use what you have on hand to prepare a meal. Find that can of soup that expired in 2008. And of course don't use it!
A day of not spending does not have to be horrible. And may find that it goes by very quickly. As being busy makes time pass. Piece together a nice meal. Feel like a job well done. Think how you saved and do it a couple times a month.
I know a lot of people do not have that low threshold of excitement as I do. I just wish that I would have applied this mentality sooner. That retirement at 62 would have been a breeze. Less clutter. Maybe healthier.
I do not know. But I would have had a better handle on it. What about all those good time memories? Well what about those bad time memories.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Do Most People Notice The Tiny Details You Think Mean Something?
I can go a lot of directions with this tittle. We could go to brand consciousness. We could go to personal hygiene. We could go to habits and mannerism's. Style and demeanor. That is confusing enough to start I guess.
Brands have their merit though. They were recognized for the quality and innovation. Making the product desirable and pricey Here is an example of one of my brand conscious flops. A few years ago I put some Michelin tires on my commuter bicycle. I thought people would really think that I am cool. But in reality people only seen what was. A fifty something old man riding a forty yea r old bicycle to work because I did not have a car or license. Not for exercise, green planet or saving money. Let alone that it had Michelin tires. So clothing, automobiles, or any other product you can think of has relevance. To some and not others. Brands will generally mean a lot to a small group who dwell on such things and nothing to the vast majority. Next time you get robbed at gunpoint are you going to see if it is a Colt, Smith and Wesson or Beretta? Probably not. Although it would be important to some folks.
How about personal hygiene? Am I sharp as could be or stink? Most people will not look if you are dressed to the nines. But will notice if you stink. Somewhere in the middle will work well. Of course you could be dressed well and still stink. I have cut my own hair (what's left) for eight years. I cam to the conclusion that I am still going to be an ugly old man whether I pay $25 for someone to cut it or do it myself. Less than two haircuts will get you up and going with the tools you need. Do you use the most expensive perfume or after shave? Or just a low priced non offensive pleasant sent. Does your hair and skin look clean? Do you smell bad or not at all?
Let's look at style and demeanor. Do you stand out in a crowd or sort of blend right in? Is your style mainstream or the latest and greatest? You could however dress way old like a leisure suit and a Members Only jacket with a white belt and shoes. Or with the very last word in fashion.
Your demeanor also is a detail. You stand out or blend in basically. A person can be loud and obnoxious. Maybe over nice. Or blend in.
Everybody is wired different. As we all know.
Brands have their merit though. They were recognized for the quality and innovation. Making the product desirable and pricey Here is an example of one of my brand conscious flops. A few years ago I put some Michelin tires on my commuter bicycle. I thought people would really think that I am cool. But in reality people only seen what was. A fifty something old man riding a forty yea r old bicycle to work because I did not have a car or license. Not for exercise, green planet or saving money. Let alone that it had Michelin tires. So clothing, automobiles, or any other product you can think of has relevance. To some and not others. Brands will generally mean a lot to a small group who dwell on such things and nothing to the vast majority. Next time you get robbed at gunpoint are you going to see if it is a Colt, Smith and Wesson or Beretta? Probably not. Although it would be important to some folks.
How about personal hygiene? Am I sharp as could be or stink? Most people will not look if you are dressed to the nines. But will notice if you stink. Somewhere in the middle will work well. Of course you could be dressed well and still stink. I have cut my own hair (what's left) for eight years. I cam to the conclusion that I am still going to be an ugly old man whether I pay $25 for someone to cut it or do it myself. Less than two haircuts will get you up and going with the tools you need. Do you use the most expensive perfume or after shave? Or just a low priced non offensive pleasant sent. Does your hair and skin look clean? Do you smell bad or not at all?
Let's look at style and demeanor. Do you stand out in a crowd or sort of blend right in? Is your style mainstream or the latest and greatest? You could however dress way old like a leisure suit and a Members Only jacket with a white belt and shoes. Or with the very last word in fashion.
Your demeanor also is a detail. You stand out or blend in basically. A person can be loud and obnoxious. Maybe over nice. Or blend in.
Everybody is wired different. As we all know.
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