Michael Erik's Blog

How About Those Gas Prices?!

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:04:00 +0000

Written by Common Sense Blogger- small business entrepreneur- information and knowledge broker- critic of all things stupid- motto: "blogging about the business of life"- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Credit Scores 760 is the new 680 Banks Win Middle Class Takes Hit AGAIN

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:26:00 +0000

What? A Credit Score of 760 is the new 680?

That's what's the word on the street per Bankrate.com. Can you believe it?

Banks Win Middle Class Takes Hit AGAIN full article here about this:

A Credit Score of 760 is the new 680

Highlights from this article:

"Three yeas ago, a creditworthy borrower was someone with a 680 to 700 score. Now, to get the best rates, that score needs to be 760 and up," says Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com.

What's in the Mix

"how an agency determines your score:

Payment history and bankruptcy 31%
Credit card debt 30%
Length of credit history 15%
Type and number of credit cards 14%
Credit card applications, inquiries 10%

...You can improve your score and make it easier to get credit by following these six strategies:

1. Review your credit report. One of the biggest factors swaying your credit score could be a mistake on your credit report...

2. ...Stabilize your credit...stop applying for credit cards you don't need...

3. ...Use the credit you have..paying balances and making payments on time...

4. ...Get a handle on your bills....

* Never miss a payment or due date
* Trim your credit card
* Always pay at least the minimum amount due, preferably more

5. Don't co-sign for a credit card or other consumer loan

6. Save. To get the best loan for a house or car, you'll probably need sizable savings...

Again, Read the full article at:

A Credit Score of 760 is the new 680

Written by Common Sense Blogger- small business entrepreneur- information and knowledge broker- critic of all things stupid- motto: "blogging about the business of life"- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Common Sense - Happiness Starts on the Inside

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:22:00 +0000

This Seems Like Common Sense About Happiness - But It's Not

You won't find happiness on the outside. You can only find it on the inside.

If you depend on the external things or even people in your life to make you happy, then eventually you will NOT be happy. If your happiness does not start and stem from the INSIDE as the root of your happiness, then NOTHING external will make you happy.

This is true regardless of how much money, how nice of a house, how nice of a car, how many vacations, how many drinks, how many children or how many adventures or other things you have or do.

Be Happy On The Inside

Be happy on the inside and all the things on the outside become magnified byproducts of your happiness and will only enhance it. Seek happiness from the external things outside of yourself and you will always be disappointed, whether now or later. It's SUCH COMMON SENSE!

Happiness Written by Common Sense Blogger- small business entrepreneur- information and knowledge broker- critic of all things stupid- motto: "blogging about the business of life"- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Common Sense - Oil Companies Again Achieve Record Profits

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:50:00 +0000

Use Your Common Sense Here...

While there are spills and price gouges galore, ALL oil companies report once again excellent profits. Nice...

Written by Common Sense Blogger- small business entrepreneur- information and knowledge broker- critic of all things stupid- motto: "blogging about the business of life"- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Common Sense Is Not So Common

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Ok Maybe It's True. Common Sense Is Not So Common.

People don't often have the common sense that they should. Why not? Because they are not as we would think them or want them to be, and therefore what is common sense to us may not be common sense to them.

Perhaps we should be more tolerant of what we define as common sense. If others think we don't have common sense, it is often for the same reason described above.

That is why common sense is not so common.

Written by Common Sense Blogger

- small business entrepreneur

- information and knowledge broker

- critic of all things stupid

- motto: "blogging about the business of life"

- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

It's Common Sense

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Sat, 22 May 2010 09:50:00 +0000

What is considered common sense may not necessarily be so common to some people...

We see examples of this daily...can you think of any?

I certainly can - like checking someones background thoroughly before allowing them to enter into a position of trust and authority. You'd think it were common sense. Guess again...

Written by Common Sense Blogger

- small business entrepreneur

- information and knowledge broker

- critic of all things stupid

- motto: "blogging about the business of life"

- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Common Sense Must Prevail

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Sat, 15 May 2010 19:46:00 +0000

Common Sense Blogger's Word of the Day About Common Sense:

Common Sense Must Always Prevail.

Good logic, not faulty arguments. That is the key to good old fashioned plain common sense.

Written by Common Sense Blogger

- small business entrepreneur

- information and knowledge broker

- critic of all things stupid

- motto: "blogging about the business of life"

- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Jennifer Lopez, Hard Work, a Free Market and a Quality Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:44:00 +0000

What Links Jennifer Lopez, Hard Work, a Free Market and a Quality Blog?

Jennifer Lopez will be discussed a little bit later, and she is relevant to this discussion. Especially when it comes to the concept of hard work, believe it or not.

The definition of quality blogging should be noted: creating a quality blog with meaningful content that provides something of meaning and value to others.

How do we tie all of this together?

Quality Blogging is More Than "What's In It For Me" - Lessons from The Market

In the world of business, success hinges on whether a business provides a useful and quality product or service. If a business does not have a viable product or service it will fail. This is because the world of business is based on supply and demand.

The Blogosphere, Supply and Demand

In the blog world, also called the blogosphere, we are beginning to see a similar trend of value-based blogging as described above regarding business supply and demand.

The blogosphere is destined to become the same way because the Internet is also a supply and demand based economy and is like a new marketplace and therefore seems to follow the same rules.

It's information, instead of money, that is the valuable medium of exchange in the Internet and blogosphere economy. Information has as much relative value as a dollar. The value depends on what value it is given and what value it is said to have at a given moment.

To one its value is zero. To another it's value is worth millions. Or, at some point it has lots of value and at another it has little. Watch the movie Wall Street and you will never have the same view about information again. Information is a commodity.

Where Does Blogging Place in the Information Economy?

Blogging is where information must be presented in a way where it is valuable to others not just ourselves. Just like a business, if the only person that likes the product is the creator of that product, that business will fail. So too with blogs.

Hence we should be making the aim of our blog about giving something back, not just about satisfying oneself or gaining something.

In any economy of supply and demand, there is a risk of investment and a subsequent return. But gain is never realized unless something is first put it. Sometimes those who get in early get the worm simply because of luck and timing.

Later, as the competition increases, it takes more skill, more merit, more time and eventually the cream rises to the top.

Even Hollywood entertainers know this, so when they first start they are willing to do 30 second commercials and it may not be until much later that they are offered a part that catapults them.

Take Jennifer Lopez for example. She was from the Bronx (a classic American tale of success, fulfilling dreams and making it big!) Jennifer danced her heart out to get to be a dancer on a show where she was slightly noticed, yet noticed still (In Living Color).

Not a small thing but not a big thing. Yet an important stepping stone where she could've quit. She didn't. That is admirable.

Jennifer Lopez later starred in movies to include Selena, and the world realized that her skills and talents were comprised of more than just dancing and acting.

She was acting but with a much more vibrant personality and with great passion, style and fashion, a nickname JLo that developed and eventually hit big and now even has her own perfume and line of clothing.

How long did it take Liz Taylor or Liz Claiborne to get their own perfume? Jennifer Lopez did it in a very short time, comparatively speaking. There are many reasons.

And we can probably draw parallels to how this compares with blogs that became just as popular as older websites, due to timing, market flux, paradigm shifts and of course good old fashioned hard work and sweat.

The Hollywood hopefuls discussed earlier know if they can't act well, then they won't star in any upcoming films. Just as well, if people create poorly written blogs then they will also find their blogs become obscure. And this is how can be all tied together.

There are elements of quality, timing, and strategic moves as well as consistent and enduring hard work, also known as perseverance. All of these in powerful combination spell success.

The Present Dilemma

Blogs are too easy and quick to produce. While this has its advantage, one of the unintended consequences is a new sea of Internet junk and information overload or information pollution which is getting worse and worse.

Effects of Information Pollution and Information Overload

What's happening is that search engines like Google and Ask Jeeves are bogged down in having to search and spider too much and will begin setting new rules if they haven't already, in order to separate the good from the bad.

Quality Blogging

The only sure way for bloggers to survive and prosper in their niche is to blog quality content that others find valuable and worthwhile. As long as people think a site provides value, then the site will be fine.

However, when a site becomes irrelevant or outdated, then its quality rating or opinion rating will go downhill fast and the site may cease to exist.

The best thing to do is to stay focused on quality blogging because a quality blog is valuable and over time, like gold, simply increases in value. Keep on blogging, and I the QualityBlogger encourage all to focus on quality content.

Link to me if you want to do something of quality and value today!

Written by Common Sense Blogger

- small business entrepreneur

- information and knowledge broker

- critic of all things stupid

- motto: "blogging about the business of life"

- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Jennifer Lopez aka JLo Recommended These 3 Relationship Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Jennifer Lopez Somewhere Recommended These 3 Relationship Movies

and/or as her choice at least...

Not sure where I read this, but I made note of the 3 movies JLo Recommended

Love the Soul
Prelude to a kiss
When Harry Met Sally

Thoughts?

Written by LifeBlogger Michael Erik - small business entrepreneur - information and knowledge broker - critic of all things stupid - motto: "blogging about the business of life" - I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Firefox or Internet Explorer - Which is Better and More Popular?

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:40:00 +0000

Which browser is better? Firefox or Internet Explorer?

In my opinion, Firefox has IE beat overall, based on all the items they compare with below. I would say Firefox is beating IE overall by about 2 to 1.

Also, some sites of mine get more Firefox visits, while others get more IE visits. Not sure if that's due to the niche demographic related to that site and what they prefer.

Which browser has more features and better functionality? Firefox or Internet Explorer?

Definitely Firefox. It has many more plugins and features. But I wouldn't put it past Microsoft to be working on something competitive in return, related to graphics capabilities and functionality as well as slimming down things to speed up the Browser's functionality.

Which browser is more secure? Firefox or Internet Explorer?

I say Firefox due to the many security plugins.

Which browser is more customizeable? Firefox or Internet Explorer?

I say Firefox is a bit more granular and also because of the plugins.

Which browser looks cleaner and delivers better looking content?

I have actually found that IE seems to look a bit better color-wise than Firefox, surprisingly. The images and overall look and feel seems a bit crisper and cleaner for some reason.

Which Browser is Faster, Firefox or Internet Explorer?

It depends. Pound for pound, Firefox wins. However I have noticed IE has slimmed down a bit and Firefox has actually slowed down a bit due to security and plugin features - so it all depends how heavy a user has made Firefox. IE alone versus Firefox loaded with plugins is actually faster.

What are your thoughts, and what is your vote for which browser is faster and the one you like best and use most - Firefox or Internet Explorer? Please share!

Written by LifeBlogger Michael Erik
- small business entrepreneur
- information and knowledge broker
- critic of all things stupid
- motto: "blogging about the business of life"
- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Information Pollution - Information Overload - What to Do About It

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:27:00 +0000

Is Blogging Doing Us a Favor for Information Pollution & Information Overload?

Yes and no. Even kids these days are bloggers on sites like myspace.com. The Blog concept was originally an easier means for people to introduce themselves to the world, and vice versa. It's fun, it's a hobby, it keeps them out of trouble, hopefully. But it also contributes to spam.

Ever heard of a Slog?

A slog is as many of you know, a "spam blog". I've read somewhere, along the lines of 80-20 rule, something that stated approximately 80% of blogs out there are spam. From what I've seen it's probably more than that.

If you have a blog and or website, what's its purpose or goal?

The answer to this ultimately answers whether what you have "out there" is worth anything to anyone beyond you and your circle of friends. Hey I'm not knocking that one bit if it’s like that. In fact, I think it's great friends are again communicating using things like Myspace, Facebook or Twitter as a useful way to do so.

But if those same people complain about how spammy the web is, they must have forgotten that their sites contributed a bit too. We shouldn't forget to me more "environmentally responsible" ourselves!

Should the solution be to ban all Blogs?

No way. But technology will have a lot of filtering to do if every blog or site has to be included in the search results of major search engines. Will the search engines keep up?

We've all got to be "Internet Environmentally Conscious"

Just as we are environmentally conscious not to dump oil down the drain or into the regular trash, but instead dispose of it properly, there are some rules for "Web Pollution" as well.

Key Ideas about Information Pollution - Information Overload

The fact that there is a lot of information on the web makes it overload eventually.

The fact that there is a lot of junk on the web makes it polluted.

We all have or are contributing to both overload and pollution. (Can someone say e-mail? I've always said 80% of all e-mail is junk too, another 80-20 view on things, reverse of how it should be, unfortunately)

Face It - We Are Part of the Problem

Think about regular pollution for a moment. We all consume, we all drive cars, we all create trash and waste. How much we create is what we can control. The same applies to the Internet. We all need to communicate via the web, Blogs and e-mail. But how "environmentally responsible" we are in the same regard is often the result of our own actions.

Ways to fight it

I'll save that for my next post, but know that this is pretty simple and straightforward, and many parallels can be drawn between regular pollution and information pollution and ways to control it respectively. Can you think of any? That coupled with taking action (i.e. comparable to ride sharing, recycling, etc.) will make the "Internet World" a better place.

Written by LifeBlogger Michael Erik
- small business entrepreneur
- information and knowledge broker
- critic of all things stupid
- motto: "blogging about the business of life"
- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

Why You Need 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:29:00 +0000

8 Hours of Sleep?

Yes! You need it!

Are you getting 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night?

Ever wonder why people are so grouchy, tired, irritable and forgetful in the office? The answer is simple and obvious. Many people are like this because they don't get enough sleep.

People are trying to do too much and forfeit one of the most important things they can do to stay young, lose weight, be calm and less stressed. They forfeit sleep and ruin their health in the process! Why? Is whatever else they're staying up late for, worth it?

The body needs at least 8 hours

This is especially true for children under 13 and for adults, especially the older an adult gets.

DO everyone including yourself a favor. Stop blogging at 12am, stop surfing or reading or watching TV past the 1/2 hour before bed (to get an 8 hr sleep time-frame).

If you want to remember better, have more energy, be more alert and intelligent or sharp, and less irritable and forgetful, and stay healthy and live longer and better - then do the obvious, get more sleep!

You need between 8-9 hours preferably, and never less than 7 hours per night every night!

Written by LifeBlogger Michael Erik
- small business entrepreneur
- information and knowledge broker
- critic of all things stupid
- motto: "blogging about the business of life"
- I teach people how to make money online - wanna learn?

How Daily Life Is Like The Stock Market pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:16:00 +0000

In part 1 of How Life Is Like The Stock Market...

I talked about characteristics of the stock market. Now allow me to compare and contrast and draw the parallels to the stock market.

Life Has Many Similar Characteristics As the Stock Market

Life is volatile with ups and downs

Failures can seem great

Events can be devastating

Life moves fast

Risk a lot, lose a lot, gain a lot - definitely all risk and return

Life is definitely filled with hope, ambition, stress, and greed

Like is indeed unpredictable, you never know what will happen next

Lessons - Life Hacks

Just like the stock market keeps going, even in bad times we must keep going

It's also a matter of perspective, and must be viewed from a long not short range

Since we know life's characteristics, we should plan what we can, control what we can, know what we can't, and be prepared, hoping for the best but knowing we can sometimes be hit with what may seem like the worst.

What other characteristics between life and the stock market can you think of, that can provide us with some valuable life lessons, hacks, i.e. wisdom?

How Daily Life Is Like The Stock Market pt 1

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:16:00 +0000

Life's Has Its Ups and Downs Like The Stock Market

One thing is for sure, life will have its fair share of ups and downs. Sometimes, when it rains, it hails. The most difficult thing is To realize that after something bad happens, or a series of stressful events,

Life goes on

You must go on

You should find happiness while doing so

Realize you did accomplish something all along

Know it has been an upward climb, with an occasional fall, but not a downward spiral

Like a Stock Market

Truly, like in my post about how life is like a graph, as my friend TJ pointed out. Over a short period of time it may seem like one can take a huge or devastating fall.

But when viewed from a different perspective over a longer period of time, the climb was upward all along.

The spiritual and philosophical implications of this is great. The perception is along Einstein's relativity theory...it's quite relative as to how it's viewed, and can be either good or bad.

Characteristics of the Stock Market

It's volatile, and has it's fair share of ups and downs

Short term failures can seem like total failures

Short term events can be devastating

It's all about risk and return

It seems to move fast most of the time

It's full of ambition, greed, hope and stress

It's unpredictable (or, like Forrest Gump would say, like a box of chocolates)

In part 2 I will contrast How Life Is Like The Stock Market and wrap this up, so you can learn a simple lesson for how to live better and live simple!

What To Do About Dishonest Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:14:00 +0000

The best advice is to ignore it...

Most advertisers promise things that they can only deliver in a perfect world. Honesty is almost completely absent in marketing and salesmanship anymore.

Why? Because everything is “all things being equal” or “in a perfect world or most ideal situation” etc… that's how things are presented...always without the fine print. And when you try to hold them to what they said, they pull out the fine print.

In this world of ours, there is constant interruption, distraction, misdirection, misinformation and unforeseen unintended consequence.

That's why there's fine print, along with the fact that advertisers get an immediate I can say what I want, that I am the best, even when I'm not and get away with it" card. These people are protected more than consumers.

That's because big government legislation always favors big business first. Why? Because your big government is practically set up by, paid with and bought by big business money in one way or another.

What else can be done about dishonest advertisement?

Success vs Failure and Qualities That Make a Difference pt2

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:13:00 +0000

In part 1 of Success vs Failure - Qualities That Make a Difference...

I talked about success and how success is defined and measured. In part 2, I will talk about failure, how it too is defined and measured, and then I will put all of this into perspective.

What is failure and and how is failure defined or measured?

Failure is also somewhat relative. For one person failure could be getting less than "A" in school. For another failure is just getting a "D" or maybe even just an "F".

What makes the critical difference between success and failure?

I say all of the following do:

Positive attitude
Having clear goals
Persistence
Performance
Intelligence

Why do I attribute these qualities with success?

Just study those who are a success. They typically have most or all of these attributes, and probably in the order given above. The richest people aren't always the smartest or most talented.

But they are typically the ones with the greatest persistence, attitude and overall performance. As someone once said, "attitude, not aptitude determines altitude". Right on.

Performance follows the attitude and goals because along the way people learn, improve, get better, and eventually succeed if they keep at it long enough

See how this works? That's how it worked for me anyhow. Now go and apply it yourself, and let me know if this helped you!

Success vs Failure and Qualities That Make a Difference pt1

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Success Versus Failure - An Important Topic

I feel that success is a topic worth writing about, because some people out there are trying to figure out what success is.

At the same time, others are trying to achieve success and they often think they are a failure simply because they looked at things the wrong way, in my opinion.

If people don't consider what actually constitutes success or failure, by definition, how would they ever know whether they succeeded or failed?

So what is success and how is success defined or measured?

Honestly, success is whatever we want it to be and success is what you make it. In other words, success is relative, or defined by us to a great extent at least. Now I will say this there is probably a certain amount of things we can agree on that spell success, such as:

Being happy
Being healthy
Feeling fulfilled
Achieving goals
Being debt free

Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Truly, this is all so subjective, because the extent or the amount of all these things and what is considered to be a success or failure varies from person to person.

One person could think that if they achieve all or most of their goals, then they're successful. Another could think that if they achieve only half of their goals they are a success. Yet another could view some of this as failure.

Is Success Relative?

Do a degree yes it is. And maybe even to a large degree. It can be said that one person's success is another persons failure, or one person's failure is another person's success. It's relative.

For instance, to one person making $100,000 this could be called great success while to another that's barely enough to get by. Therefore it can be relative to the situation.

in part 2 of Success vs Failure - Qualities That Make a Difference, I will talk about failure, how it too is defined and measured, and then I will put all of this into perspective.

Trying Too Hard - Why You Must Try Softer pt2

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:09:00 +0000

Bruce Lee & The Law of Diminishing Returns

The law of diminishing returns says that trying harder sometimes has a more negative rather than a more positive outcome. This principle can be applied from politics and warfare to learning something, or accomplishing a task or project at work, planning or executing an event, etc. There are many applications to how one can violate this law.

An entire chapter in Joe Hyams' book Zen in the Martial Arts has a chapter that is entitled “Effortless Effort" where the principle of Try Softer” is explained, as it is in a Poem with that title later in the book. It has an interesting quote by Bruce Lee that says, “The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be”.

Zen and the Art of Trying Softer

While I don't accept Zen personally as my religion or a means to salvation, I think that the book has some things worth reading about, and worth understanding the Martial Arts better through. The point with the book is that the arts teach valuable lessons for life. trying softer is one of them.

Trying softer means not fighting ones self in trying to get something done, and also not fighting others, where we become our own worst enemy and prevent our own success. It's ironic this could happen, but it's probably the 80% reason why people fail.

They fail themselves first, try too hard, and they fall victim to diminished returns. they forget the value of incremental progress, as detailed in my other article with that theme.

I recommend the book "Zen in the Martial Arts" for someone who wants a glimpse into martial arts philosophy and strategy applied to life and technique. Not everything in the book should be adopted of course, but it does provide a useful overview to some important points I do espouse. Again, absorb what is useful.

In summary, the “try softer” approach works, and it is therefore a practical and useful principle you should understand, learn and follow. Remember songs like "Take it Easy" and "Don't Worry, Be Happy"? There you have it in a nutshell...

Trying Too Hard - Why You Must Try Softer pt1

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:58:00 +0000

What Do I Mean By "Try Softer"?

Ok this one is real easy, though unknown it seems. The harder you try, the less successful you are. Why is that? because when you try too hard, you psychologically over-psych yourself out to the point where you make more, not less, mistakes.

The point is that you're trying too hard, when you're tired, or otherwise a wreck. This forms bad habits, and pays back less, called diminishing returns.

Try Softer

It only makes sense. Have you ever stayed at work too long? at some point you become detrimental to productivity when you do. You reach a point where twice the effort produces half the result. Your mental sharpness is no longer there, and you see a diminished return on productivity.

The whole point is not to try too hard. When you do, you're doing a self-defeating thing, and unnatural thing. Only after you get more comfortable, natural and when you try a little softer, or less hard, that things come finally.

It's like riding a bike or using the computer for the first time. Everyone tends to try too hard, and thereby does more damage as a result. Only after it comes more natural does it get easier. To come more natural, this takes time, patience and persistence. Then it will come more naturally.

Read more in part 2 of Why You Must Try Softer Not Harder next...

Inflation and the 80-20 Rule

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:55:00 +0000

Yes even Inflation has an 80-20 rule application

80% of the prices of goods will always rise according to the inflation index, and only 20% will stay the same or may fall slightly.

Sure there are economies of scale and other things that can make stuff cheaper. But economies of scale are often short lived. That's because, if for no other reason, it's a supply, demand and optimum price balancing act (known as an equilibrium point in economics).

Prices will always rise to help others make more money, instead of just passing the savings on to us. If the choice is for a company to make money or pass on savings, especially if sales stay the same, why should they not raise prices and make more money?

Prices are Interconnected - The Matrix is Complex

80% of things if not more are so interconnected that raising prices in one or a few areas will raise prices in several other areas. Here's a real simple example. I remember some years back there was a serious shortage of tomatoes. Immediately in every store, not only did fresh tomatoes go up in price, but so did canned tomatoes. Then, pasta dishes, pizza, etc...anything that used tomato sauce.

Another slightly more complex example...oil. When the price of oil goes up, so do these (and this is a very small list)

Cost of gas for planes, trucks, and therefore cost of transportation and logistics

Cost of lubricants for moving parts, maintenance and oil changes and other things

Cost of plastics and all kinds of products made from things that have petroleum products in them...probably half of the things in a store, and the means to get them there...these effects are huge and interconnected. When transportation costs go up, so do costs of other services.

Prices of Candy Bars and a Loaf of Bread - the 20% stuff

Inflation also has to do with not so much the loaf of bread or candy bar only...if that's what you're using to gauge inflation, you'll miss 80% of it. The 80% happens in areas of massive economic significance (big ticket items in life)...one I already mentioned is transportation and logistics. Here are others

Cost of basic raw materials...which itself affects more stuff than the single thing called oil...

Cost of housing (even tied to raw materials, as well as non-tangible things)

Cost of automobiles (even tied to raw materials, oil, etc.)

Cost of utilities such as power generation (again can be affected by raw materials, coal, oil, etc.)

Cost of water and irrigation...which effects the cost of commodities like corn, wheat, etc...

As you can see, tie it all together and prices rising will force others to rise. This is no organized and cohesive thing, it's very random and unpredictable, but overall works itself out to about 4% rise in prices per year. And I've just skimmed the tip of the iceberg in this oversimplified example.

Living 80-20 and Inflation

So just remember, don't measure inflation by the 20% things that may stay the same or fall or only rise a little, like a loaf of bread or candy bar...and even these have gone up. The real measure is in the 80% stuff...big ticket items in life like the cost of transportation, raw materials, oil, housing, automobiles, commodities, water, electricity/power generation, etc.

Then, realize you must plan for inflation in all you do. From investing to sending your kids to college, for retirement, and anything else that has financial impacts for your future. Be prepared for inflation, and make sure it doesn't impact you...again the 80-20 rule comes in handy to see this.

What To Do When You're Stuck in a Rut

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:51:00 +0000

When you're stuck in a rut or hole in life, or whatever you call it...the single most important thing you can do is this:

Stop digging! Stop digging it deeper. Then come out of it before it's too late, while you still have a chance.

When you're lost, why get more lost? Better to try to backtrack than to continue down the path that goes nowhere. When you're in a hole, if you dig deeper, you may never come out.

This is of course easier said than done. But of you look at consequences and the advantages and disadvantages (write them down if you have to, to see what they are and what you can think of, to help you), you'll see the benefit of this advice after all.

The Best Things In Life Are Free!

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:33:00 +0000

The Best Things In Life Are Indeed Free

Think about all the things you pay for in life. Then think about the things that are free. Which do you value more? Which really mean more? If you can’t think of any, let me help…

Things that are free

Love from your spouse and your children

Seeing your children graduate high school or college

Awesome sunsets and sunrises

Going hiking in the mountains

Going to the beach

Things that usually cost money

Going to the movies

Going out to eat

Going to a place like a ball game or show

As we can see, we often do things that cost but in actuality the things that are free are worth so much more...they're priceless...so why do we spend so much time and money on the things that cost? We shouldn't, and it just baffles me when we do...we could live so much more simple if we didn't!

When Bad Things Happen To Good People pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:32:00 +0000

So you think you're good, or perhaps indeed you are...

For the most part at least. So then, what about when bad things really do happen to good people?

Well, we have some choices actually. Believe me this is not my area of where I do it best. We are all tested often in ways we would rather not be. But here is what I have learned become our options...

We can continuously complain, be upset and stay irritated and jaded and later turn into the mean old grouch, the Grinch, Scrooge, etc.

We can try to see the good if there is any, and try harder to see if we can find any...sometimes like squeezing water out if a rock...but we must try

We also can accept it for now, seek to do something about it over time and ultimately and hopefully, be vindicated without losing ourselves, our self esteem, our freedom, our sanity or our soul. Nothing is worth losing any of that!

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When Bad Things Happen To Good People Part pt1

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:30:00 +0000

Why do bad things happen to good people?

I think that a couple of things need to be said here. First, who says you're good, and second, if you are good then I also have some advice.

But back to my first question. Sometimes people overestimate their good...

Maybe things are happening to bring to your proud or otherwise impregnable attention that you may be ok, or bad, but not all that good or maybe you've slipped a bit. Whatever the case, you may not be as good as you think.

That is a humbling discovery. So what should you do?

Re-evaluate. Are you really good or is there something that you know deep down but just won;t admit, to yourself even. that is step one. Get past that then...

Re-evaluate one more time. Is there anything else? What are you doing about it?

Talk to others and actually listen to them even if they are critical. You need honesty. Just be careful who you ask, ask someone who will be honest and balanced. Ask for suggestions.

Improve! Everyone can always improve. Learn the lesson of life. Determine to master this lifehack and things can get better.

If you are good, then see part 2.

Either way, it's one step at a time, one day at a time.

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What Comes Around Goes Around - Law of Reciprocity

noreply@blogger.com (Common Sense Blogger) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:29:00 +0000

Have They Forgotten the Law of Reciprocity - Sewing and Reaping?

Sure enough, people are often sneaky, mean and downright crude and rude. I experience this more often today than ever before, it seems.

But I also noticed that those same people also tend to eventually get theirs, without me ever having to do anything.

Does this mean karma exists? Sort of. This is also called the law of sewing and reaping. Do people reap what they sew? Ok, as a lifehacker I have to say that the 80-20 rule applies here.

80% of the time, in my humble opinion, people do reap what they sew. 20% of the time they do not. So for the most part, I can say that what comes around does go around.

So be careful, because this law is true in most cases, and will catch up with those who think they can always outrun it. Some may have gotten away with something for a long time, and continue to do the bad that they do.

But sooner or later, their time runs out, and they get theirs. Watch out.

Do good, because what comes around goes around.

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