Scordo.com - a practical living, how to, food, and personal finance blog.

8 Tips for New Dads During Labor and Delivery

2009-07-13T12:56:21Z

For most sane men, seeing their significant other give birth is a mind blowing experience. My brain, for example, is already beginning to elicit nausea every time I think about my wife's upcoming labor and delivery. Don't get me wrong, I'm terribly excited about the arrival of our first baby, but the birthing process isn't like renovating a kitchen or bath. Delivering a baby, at least from all the unsolicited second hand accounts I've heard, seems more akin to an art form than a structured process.

With the above said, I recently came across a "Husband Remind Sheet" from 1973 (thanks to a fabulous mother of six!). The printed document was part of a packet given to new parents at a local hospital and given that I'm a sucker for practical tips I've re-produced some highlights:

1. Your main function aside from physical comfort measures is to supply encouragement, emotional support, praise and to remind your wife of training tools as she may have difficulty remembering these during active labor contractions.

2. Understand that this is an extremely demanding physical experience and frequently tell her that you are proud of her efforts and grateful to be able to share it with her.

3. Ice ships, if hospital allows this, are given between contractions. Use alternatively with lollipops.

4. Talcum powder on your hands will add to the comfort of a back rub.

5. Be alert for signs of muscle tension and give the appropriate command to relax.

6. Be prepared to leave the room when asked and to retire to the fathers room or similarly designated waiting room until recalled back into the labor room. You are not to wander into the halls for any purpose other then extreme emergency! A nurse can be summoned with the call bell on the labor room wall.

7. Transitions signs - Irritability, restlessness, sensation or extreme physical and emotional fatigue, low back pressure increasing to an urge to "push", nausea (vomiting), tremors or shaking of the extremities, chills or heat flashes, a vocal expression of wanting to "give up" and finally and involuntary rectal push that signifies full dilatation.

8. Commands given in a loud demanding tone or voice will be "tuned out" so instead issue all directions in a low calm voice directly into her ear.

Conspicuous Consumption and Personal Finance: Do You Work To Want Things?

2009-07-09T17:06:52Z

Daniel Gross, a columnist at Newsweek and Slate, published a recent article in the NY Times Book Review that argued that today's über rich are essentially leisure-less tycoons who need to work around the clock. Gross goes on to argue that, "among Type-A, self-made members of the leisure class (read ultra wealthy), there's a sort of reverse prestige associated with leisure."

The idea that leisure is bad and that "conspicuous consumption", or spending only to build prestige, should be avoided comes out of Thorstein Veblen's 1899 classic, "Theory of the Leisure Class". For Veblen, writing during the peak years for Standard Oil and U.S Steel (the first billion dollar corporation), the rise of a social class concerned only with consumption wasn't a sign of progress it was, as Gross states, "a relic of barbarism, and evolutionary step from feudalism, and hence, un-American."

Veblen saw the equivalent of today's Bill Gates and Warren Buffet as individuals who contributed very little to society and who were focused more on acquiring wealth and leading a lavish lifestyle than giving money back to society, for example (of course both Gates and Buffet give away much of the their wealth).

The Theory of the Leisure Class also raises many interesting questions in relation to personal finance such as:

1. How much money is enough to lead a good life? And if we all achieve personal finance freedom (i.e., no debt, adequate cash savings, a comfortable home, steady income streams, etc.), then what truly comes next (golf and a martini every day or running your own charity)?

2. Is it bad to chase money, acquire material things (things that truly have no utility, such as luxury vehicles, multiple homes, etc.), and not truly contribute to the community, and society, at large?

3. If your personal financial situation is negative what got you into that position in the first place? Did you think that consumption would make you happy and did you have a warped sense of what capitalism can truly offer, you, the individual?

Personal finance, at the end of the day, is as much about personal lifestyle (and views about consumption) as it is about saving money and leading a frugal life. In many parts of the world, a large home with all of the material side dishes isn't a goal (including advanced countries with well off citizens like Sweden and Norway), rather happiness and quality of life seem to supersede materialism and consumption.

How do you view consumption, working hard, and personal finance? Do you work to save in order to gain independence or do you aspire to, privately or publicly, to live like the good old American tycoons of the past?

How To Achieve Goals: Micro-Goal It And Keep It Simple

2009-07-06T17:02:50Z

For much of Sunday's epic Wimbledon Final Andy Roddick outplayed Roger Federer. Roddick out served Federer, played with more intensity, and had a number of incredible winners (including many backhand winners to Federer's forehand side). So, how did Federer manage to beat an opponent who played exceptionally well and, in some way, wanted the Wimbledon Championship more than Roger himself? Federer simply outlasted Roddick.

Let's face it, as the London Time's Simon Barnes suggested, Roddick was hurling thunderbolts in the manner of Zeus well into the early evening, yet Federer was able to capitalize on a few missed shots in the 15-14 game to quickly win the match and his 16th Grand Slam championship. In the end, Federer was just better at accomplishing the specific goal at hand: winning the tennis match.

Federer's mesmerizing style and talent reminded me of how important it is in life to stay on track and focus on particular goals. More specifically, Roger is a great example of the type of good short sightedness needed to achieve any practical life goal whether it be winning a tennis match, saving for a home, raising a child, or excelling at your job. Tuning out big picture goals for the sake of a MICRO-GOAL, such as winning a tennis match, however, is much harder than it appears. For example, think of all the random thoughts Federer may have had twirling in his brain at the time of the match:

"Man, Nadal isn't in this tournament, I really need to win now"

"I beat Roddick in two Wimbledon finals, why is he playing so well today"

"I just can't get a rid on his serve and he's hitting cleaner shots than I am today, it's not going to be a good day because I usually hit cleaner and can break serve"

"All these tennis legends and the media expect me to win and get number 16, what will the world think if I don't win"

"The wind is starting to pick up and the light is fading, can I outlast this guy? Maybe I should slow down the pace or pick up my energy level and try to go for outright winners"

Now, I don't have a window into Federer's brain (only he knew what he was thinking on Sunday) but his keen ability to simply win the tennis match; namely, keep the ball between the lines until your opponent makes an error or misses a shot is a superb practical life skill. Here are a few others that may help you achieve a few goals of your own (albeit maybe less impressive than 16 Grand Slam tennis championships):

1. Tune out unimportant variables. When you want to achieve something specific it's not good to act or think philosophically. The big picture is actually your enemy.

2. Don't change your style or approach if it works most of the time. For example, if you're a good saver and have had success with investing in low risk vehicles (like a traditional savings account, CD, bond, etc.) don't begin buying large quantities of securities because the current trend is big returns on your money. In the long run, you've probably picked an approach that has worked and switching tactics will not get you closer to a particular goal.

3. Surround yourself with people who think like you.

4. Avoid panic until the last possible moment. Staying calm is a great life skill; in addition to preserving your blood pressure and heart the ability to maintain a calm mind helps you stay relaxed and avoid pressure and a muddled perspective (remember you want laser like clarity on your end goal). Having said the above, I do advocate letting the steam escape at some point.

5. Prepare. If you know how to do it and have proved to yourself that you can achieve a goal then doing it again is a matter of being well prepared.

Coffee on the Go: HandPresso Wild

2009-06-19T12:09:21Z

I wasn't always a coffee drinker, in fact, I made my way through my senior thesis at the University on granola bars and orange juice alone (I must have been crazy not to consume caffeine). However, once I graduated and began the 9-5 routine I needed a pick me up to get me going in the morning and sustain me through my post lunch slumber - coffee was the silver bullet.

I grew up with stovetop espresso brewing at all hours of the day, but didn't take a liking to the rich, velvety, nectar until my early twenties. Espresso in it's best form has a thick crema head, buttery mouth feel, and consistent, almost chocolate-like, coffee taste. Unfortunately, the only way to properly experience a cup of espresso is via a good neighborhood café (Starbucks doesn't cut it) or at home with top of the line equipment.

Recently, I had the good fortune to try the handheld Handpresso Wild portable espresso machine. The Handpresso Wild works without electricity and is comprised of a hand held pump device that creates 16 bar of pressure to drive hot water (provided by the user) through an ESE espresso pod. I've used the Handpresso in several environments over the last two weeks including at home and in the office. I've also prepared several cups of coffee for both espresso experts and first time espresso drinkers. I've only used Iily branded ESE pods and have used both boiling water produced by a kettle and standard hot water from a water cooler (which has a lower water temperature). Here are my initial impressions:

- The Handpresso Wild isn't designed to produce espresso equivalent to
what you would find in a $5,000 Italian made machine. The Handpresso's main competitor is the $20 stovetop espresso pot (Bialetti being the standard brand).

-   The Handpresso Wild is fairly easy to use. The unit has a hand pump which requires about 10-15 pumps to reach the right pressure (there's a little gauge on the unit that signals the user when the right pressure is achieved). The last 2 pumps are kind of hard to get through and it's difficult to lock the pump handle after achieving the right pressure.

-   The Handpresso unit I've been using only uses ESE pods (pre-ground espresso that has been pre-packaged). The advantage to this set up is that there's no messy process to fill the unit with ground espresso, but the huge disadvantage is that one cannot use freshly ground beans to maximize flavor. Plus, ESE pods are expensive.

-   The Handpresso Wild has a see through water chamber that holds hot water. The chamber is fairly large and filling up the unit is very easy.   The ESE pod is placed directly above the water chamber and the filter device easily attaches to the chamber unit. Once the unit is loaded with fresh hot water, espresso, and the filter head the user simply turns the device over and presses the pressure release button (and your espresso flows directly into your cup) The build quality of the unit is top notch and has a nice hefty feel.

-   It took some time to produce a decent espresso. At first, I was using too much boiling water and the unit produced a very watery cup of coffee (there is no water line indicator in the water chamber and I had to guess as to how much water to use). The unit also leaks a bit of water from the filter device during the extraction process (this could be a byproduct of the Ily ESE pods I was using given that there is a bit of extra filter paper on the pods which prevented the head from screwing on tightly).

-   The coffee itself was equivalent to stovetop espresso (both in mouth feel, taste, and consistency). The Handpresso Wild does produce more crema than your standard stovetop espresso unit, but crema alone doesn't produce great espresso taste).

-   I noticed a big difference in taste when freshly boiled water was used versus just hot water. The closer the water is to boiling temperate the better the taste of the espresso (I wouldn't recommend using a thermal to store hot water, you really need boiling water to produce a good cup of coffee).

-   Cleaning the unit is very easy (and much easier than a stovetop espresso pot).

Overall, I'm a fan of the Handpresso Wild. I like the fact that the unit is fairly compact, easy to clean and operate, and produces the equivalent of a very good stovetop pot espresso. You can find the unit for $89.00 at Amazon (you pay for the convenience of espresso on the go) and will also need to purchase ESE pods (though Handpresso has just introduced a unit that works with freshly ground espresso!). The Handpresso is perfect for the office worker who wants to make an investment in making his or her own coffee (just be sure to shut your office door so no one sees you getting the unit up to pressure with the hand pump!).

What To Always Keep in Your Kitchen: Top Ingredients for Great Food

2009-05-21T18:05:05Z

I'm kicking myself for missing a great food article by Mark Bittman published back in January. The article, "Fresh Start for a New Year? Let's Begin in the Kitchen", is a one stop source for what every aspiring cook needs to have in his/her pantry and fridge to cook well and, more importantly, quickly!

Let's get right down to the Bittman essentials (I've omitted items that I do not keep in my kitchen and added a few I think Bittman missed):

1. Freshly made breadcrumbs or toasted bread (don't buy store bread crumbs!).

2. Homemade stock (carrot, celery, and onion will make a simple stock if you don't have any meat or seafood on hand). Don't buy bouillon cubes or prepackaged Swanson stock even if the packaging says "Organic" and "Low Sodium" - it's all crap!

3. Homemade salad dressing (don't buy salad dressing in a bottle make your own with my easy recipe)

4. Fresh lemons for juice and zest (don't buy pre-squeezed lemon juice)

5. Fresh spices like cumin, cardamom, fennel seeds, ginger, pimenton (Don't keep spices longer than 6-12 months and forget about dried parsley and basil)

6. Dried beans such as black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo, cannellini, etc. Don't buy ridiculously overpriced canned beans!

7. Parmigiano Reggiano - the number one make any food taste fabulous ingredient on the planet (butter is a close second). And please buy the real deal and not the generic Kraft crap they sell at your local A & P (Note Grana Padano is a good, authentic, substitute for Parmigiano Reggiano if cost is an issue). Here's my guide to Italian cheese.

8. Frozen peas. You can add frozen pees to soup, pasta, risotto, eggs, salads, etc.

9. Olive Oil - here's my guide to olive oil.

Bittman also mentions miso paste, dried mushrooms, frozen shrimp, walnuts and pignoli, capers, anchovies, tomato paste in a tube, olives, fish sauce, and bacon and/or Prosciutto from Italy or Spain (technically Spanish ham is not Prosciutto).

I like to also keep free range chicken parts, dark and white meat ground turkey, pork chops, frozen corn and edamame, and homemade frozen pizza dough. More importantly, I also keep seasonal fruits and vegetables in stock at all times as well as brown rice, plenty of Italian made dried pasta, arborio rice, soba noodles, sardines, freshly pured canned tomatoes, and tuna packed in olive oil.

The idea of having the right ingredients in your kitchen at all times centers on being able to cook satisfying meals quickly and efficiently (this will keep you happy and prevent you from paying someone else to cook and serve you food - which is the biggest rip-off in recent human history).

For more information see my guide to the Italian pantry, essential kitchen tools, and getting started with cooking at home.

Bathroom Remodeling 101: 5 Tips

2009-05-19T16:15:01Z

Next to renovating your kitchen, a bathroom renovation can, in most cases, provide outstanding ROI for a homeowner. Beyond ROI, a newly constructed bathroom can also provide a homeowner with years of leak-proof functionality and enjoyment. If you're considering renovating the one room in your house that can make you look pretty, here are some quick tips:

1. Porcelain is king!
Porcelain tile is easy to clean and practically indestructible. Moreover, Porcelain tile is not porous so it's a natural fit in a room filled with water and moisture. Personally, I would stay away from marble (it's porous, chips easily, and tends to turn yellow with time), granite (needs to be sealed), and ceramic (chips and not as strong as porcelain) when deciding on tile choices for a bathroom renovation.

2. Light is important when you are trying to get clean.
I like to include lighting in or near the shower/tub area, wall mounted lighting above a mirror, and adequate overheard lighting.

3. Exhaust the room.
An average shower produces a ton of steam, so be sure to adequately vent your bathroom with a recessed bath fan. Also, if you have a window in your bathroom, be sure to open it during your shower (and try not to scare the neighbors)!

4. Replace the pipes, sheet rock, and plywood!
I recommend doing a gut renovation when it comes to bathrooms. A gut renovation will allow you to replace old and possibly faulty copper pipes, old concrete board and sheetrock (which may or may not have had water damage), and properly level and stabilize the floor and shower area with new plywood.

5. Expect the project to take longer than you imagined.
Renovating a bathroom includes tile work, electrical, sheet rock, concrete board, framing, plumbing, etc. and, in some ways, is a more complicated project than a kitchen renovation.

Are you looking for more information on bathroom renovations? If so, check out the GardenWeb Bath forum (the message board has tons of enthusiastic members who will answer your questions, Garden Web also has an excellent forum on kitchen renovation).

BONUS TIP

Don't purchase a rain shower shower head (they use tons of water and lack proper pressure), instead purchase this inexpensive shower head from Kohler (thousands of guests at the Holiday Inn can't be wrong)!

Cool Products: Handheld Espresso Machine (no cord!) by MyPressi Twist

2009-05-14T20:25:54Z

MyPressi Twist is taking pre-orders for a unique, hand-held, espresso machine that promises an outstanding cup without the need to plug in a bulky machine. The Twist uses pneumatic pressure, via re-chargeable Co2 cartridges, throughout the extraction cycle. The CEO of MyPressi promises that his little caffeine stick provides tons of crema and real espresso goodness all for under $129.00. The Twist requires the user to boil water and either use pre-ground espresso beans or espresso pods. I've yet to try MyPressi Twist, but the technology and end product look impressive! If you don't want to spend $129.00, however, there's always stovetop espresso!

Recipe: The Perfect Pre-Dinner Cocktail / Aperitif - Americano

2009-04-30T17:46:46Z

As a young kid, I used to marvel at how sophisticated our Genoa-born neighbor Amelia used to appear as she sipped her pre-dinner drink on the back porch. Amelia would often put together a bitter aperitif (usually red vermouth and Campari), along with a few toasted pieces of bread and Italian cheese, and sit elegantly waiting for her pasta water to boil (not a bad way to spend your retirement years). Amelia has since moved from my childhood block in New Jersey, but I've kept her pre-dinner cocktail ritual alive and well! Recently, I've fallen in love with the Americano which combines a refreshing, yet bitter, taste with just the right amount of alcohol (don't get me wrong I enjoy the occasional Martini, but I'd like to be sober after a cocktail so I can enjoy dinner with a glass of wine). Here's a super easy Americano recipe; first, the ingredients:

- 1 1/2 ounces Campari
- 1 1/2 ounces sweet, red, vermouth
- Cold club soda
- Slice of orange (you can also use lemon)
- Fresh ice

Pour the Campari and vermouth over ice in a glass, then fill with club soda. Garnish with a slice of orange (or lemon).

Here's a video of the drink being prepared by a master bartender:

Recipe: Pork Scaloppini with Butter and Lemon

2009-04-28T17:30:00Z

Given the recent news coverage surrounding the swine flu outbreak I thought a tasty pork recipe would be in order! Now don't get me wrong any flu that gets the World Health Organization's level 4 pandemic alert should be taken seriously (wash your hands and run away from folks who cough incessantly), but I'm hoping folks do not stay away from some well prepared swine (as the CDC is saying it's ok to eat pork)! Here's my recipe for pork scaloppini in a butter / lemon sauce.

Let's start with the ingredients:

- 4-5 pieces of thinly sliced pork chops (bone removed)
- Juice of half a fresh lemon
- 5 sprigs of parsley (finely chopped)
- Quarter stick of unsalted butter (or less)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 cup of flour

Start by laying out your sliced pork chops and flattening each piece with a good quality meat tenderizer (I've used the following for about 5 years and it's a solid tool). Next apply flour to each of the pork cutlets and remove excess; you simply want to coat the meat (do not over apply flour). Next heat up the olive oil and about half of the butter in a large pan - you can add 2-3 pieces of pork at one time but do not overcrowd the pan. Season each cutlet with salt and pepper (while in the pan) and turn after about a 1 minute (you should get a nice brown color). Repeat the same for the other side of the pork and remove the meat to a clean dish. Next add the juice of ½ lemon and the rest of your butter (being sure to use a wooden spoon to loosen all of the tasty brown bits in your pan). Finally add the pork back to your pan, along with the freshly chopped parsley, and mix well. Serve the pork scaloppini in a large white dish with the pan sauce spooned over the meat! Serve the pork with some simply prepared stuffed artichokes (they are currently in season) and a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (and please don't spend more than $10.00 per bottle)!

7 Tips For Staying Cool in Hot Weather

2009-04-28T13:12:56Z

Apparently the Spring season has decided to bypass the East coast this year as the temperature today is expected to reach a record high of 90 degrees! I broke a sweat just climbing our stairs this morning; ok, I was doing some early morning work but it's not fun to sweat especially if you have Mediterranean blood in you!

Sweating is actually your body's way of keeping cool, so it's not a bad thing outside of feeling uncomfortable. So, you may be asking yourself how one can keep cool during a stretch of extreme temperatures? Well, I'm glad you asked because I have 7 tips for you:

1. Dress appropriately - this means loose fitting clothes and no socks or shoes (if possible). I aim to wear sandals outside of the office during the Spring and Summer months.

2. Take a shower - taking a shower will give you immediate relief from a hot and humid day. And the cooling sensation should last about an hour!

3. Draw the blinds in your home and shut all your windows during extreme heat (open windows actually let hot air into your home and a good set of window blinds should block the sun).

4. Run your AC on medium to low along with ceiling fans. Running a ceiling fan along with your AC can help you conserve electricity and also make your home feel cooler.

5. Drink, drink, and drink some more (cold water is best, but so is sparkling water or mineral water)!

6. Eat spicy foods! Ever wonder why folks in other parts of world consume spicy food (especially in hot areas like India, Mexico, etc.)? Well, it's because spicy foods increase perspiration, thus leading to a cooling effect on the body!

7. Mind over matter - If you think hot then you'll feel hot. Humans have dealt with hot weather for thousands of years (and well before AC), so try to focus on the fact that the sun is shining and it's not the middle of winter! Personally, I love playing a couple sets of tennis in extreme heat (provided I can rest in the shade between games and have access to plenty of water)!

10 Best Cities For New College Grads

2009-04-22T17:46:27Z

(The following is a guest post from Gradspot.com - a resource for soon-to-be and recent grads making the transition from college to the real world.)

(photo via wwworks)

With commencement season around the corner, seniors are starting to look at potential post-college cities like they once looked at schools. Where is the best party scene? The best food? The greatest opportunities for enrichment?

And, perhaps most importantly, how much will it cost?

In a way, the main concerns are not so different, but the real decision-makers lie in the details. To help seniors and other recent grads assess their options, Gradspot.com has published its first annual Top Ten Cities for Recent College Graduates report, with top marks going to Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

In addition to relevant stats like bar closing times and average apartment costs, the report provides colorful testimonials from recent grads living in each city. Most seem to genuinely love the city they chose, but look out for some moments of brutal honesty, like the writer's assistant in Los Angeles who says, "LA's a terrible place. It's a city designed based on its fair weather, and, as fate would have it, all of its citizens are fair weather in their friendships and fandom."

Even in the economic downturn, the post-commencement diaspora is sure to send grads all across the country looking for the right environment and job opportunities. To keep things realistic, Gradspot's list focuses on industry hubs where jobs tend to be more abundant in certain field. (So while Little Rock is awesome, don't expect to see it represented.) Here is the top 10 in its entirety:

1. Chicago

2. New York

3. San Francisco

4. Washington D.C.

5. Seattle

6. Boston

7. Houston

8. Denver

9. Los Angeles

10. Atlanta

Gradspot.com's Guide to Life After College, a humorous manual for tackling the first year out of school, is avaliable on Amazon.com or as an e-book at gradspot.com/book.

Career Advice or The Next Big Thing

2009-04-09T15:17:41Z

A recent article in Wired Magazine by Jonah Lehrer entitled, "The Brain, Revealed" points out the massive research project underway to map the entire human brain. The project is funded by one of the founders of Microsoft, Paul Allen. And with any large contribution to a particular scientific endeavor one usually gets a research building named after them, so the current brain mapping project is taking place at the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle.

Working on the brain today is the equivalent of working on the web in the early 1990's, the software industry in California in the early 1980's, or being Isaac Newton and transforming the physical world in 1687; that is to say, the fields comprising the brain sciences (neuroscience, cognitive science, neurobiology, etc.) are poised for a revolution. We know a bit about the brain and understand which parts of the brain light up when we speak, think, experience pain, etc., but don't really understand how the brain produces thought and action vis-à-vis the real world (the brain game is not as easy as monitoring the firing of a neuron and correlating, or reducing it to, Joe burning his finger with a match).

So, if you're looking for the next hot field or area look no further than brain science. As soon as the academic world figures out how the brain works we'll see commercial applications for products, services, etc. (just like the internet developed in the academic community). If you're currently a student now is the time to arm yourself with a basic understanding of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, neurobiology, computer science, and, yes, Philosophy (or the sub field philosophy of mind) so that you're prepared for the next big thing!

Moral Intuition or How To Figure Out What is Right and Wrong

2009-04-07T18:49:45Z

David Brooks has a thought provoking ed-op in the NY Times today called, The End of Philosophy. Brooks argues that moral judgments are intuitive and not really informed by reason and rationality (as the Western tradition has taught us). Brooks points to modern research in cognitive science and psychology to argue that, "Moral judgments are...rapid intuitive decisions and involve the emotion-processing parts of the brain." These so called moral emotions are most likely shaped by evolution and the need to get along in large groups (after all, figuring out what is right and wrong is not an academic exercise related to sitting at a nice wood desk reading obscure text, rather morality is about one's relation to his or her community and important influencers (i.e., mom, dad, Pastor Jones, etc.).

Brook's op-ed got me thinking about the sorts of things in life that don't need a deep analysis and the things that do require reflection and a little bit of rationality:

1. Reading people = Go with your gut (you can usually tell right away what sort of person is standing in front of you; look at his facial gestures, observe his smile or grimace, listen to the tone of his voice, pay attention to how he's standing in relation to you, etc.).

2. Buying things = Use reason (you don't want to go with your gut when you're involved in the buying process; this is especially true with big ticket items such as a home, car, flat screen TV, home renovation, etc.).

3. Falling in Love = Go with your gut (this one is pretty obvious, but you first need to define what love means to you. Does love mean a long term relationship filled with kindness and great experience or does it mean something entirely more practical?).

Do you have other examples? When do you go with your gut versus a bit more thought?

On an entirely different bent (and to move away from the heavy thinking), I've been listening to the singer Adele and I've been completely mesmerized by her song, "Hometown Glory:"

* The image above is the Sacrifice of Isaac by Caravaggio (it depicts the moment when Abraham, about to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God's command, is approached by an angel).

Critical Questions for Twenty Somethings: Guest Post On Pimp Your Finances

2009-03-27T16:14:07Z

I recently had a guest post on PimpYourFinances.com and the entry dealt with critical questions every twenty something should ask him or herself if they'd like achieve goals and lead a quality life. Here's an excerpt:

If you're a Twenty-something consider yourself very lucky.

You're probably healthy, super educated (only about 26 percent of Americans have a bachelor's degree), full of energy, have a full set of teeth, and have very few, real-world commitments.

You've probably just started to think about how to go about "living" in the world, but have continued with the same day-to-day / task oriented existence that you've operated under since kindergarten, as opposed to an existence focused on goal setting and planning.

If, however, you are that rare twenty-something who can plan ahead and set specific goals, you may have already started to figure out how you can truly enjoy a high quality of life over the long term.

Money Goals

What do you want money to do for you?

Do you want to earn money so you can purchase stuff (such as a car, flat screen TV, clothes, etc...), or do you want to earn money so you can make money work for you (in the form of an investment such as the purchase of stock or a CD)?

Would you feel better about saving 10 percent of your salary or 70 percent? Do you see money as a means of security or as a vehicle to help you acquire things? Do you want to earn more to secure debt?

How do you want to earn your money; that is, by working for someone else or by starting your own company? Do you get excited when you think or talk about money or does money make you feel uneasy?

Happiness Goals

What makes you happy each and every day?

Do you like to make things, sell things, talk about things, research things, teach other people about things, etc...? Can you see yourself doing the same type of job every day or do you require new challenges?

Do you crave being around people so you can get things done or are you most happy as an introvert? Can you point to a few, consistent, things in your life that have made you happy?

Is your personality consistent or does it change with the weather? Do your family members all feel happy about the same sort of things?

Go to PimpYourFinances.com to read the full article.

Home Improvement Tips From a First Time Homeowner

2009-03-25T13:48:32Z

(The following is a guest post from David at Pimp Your Finances - click here to subscribe to his blog)

I'm new to the world of home ownership, but I've already learned a lot. I'm big on doing things myself. It's incredibly satisfying, and I like the idea of saving money.

Here are some of the projects I've worked on so far: built a 200 foot retaining wall (with french drain), installed a screen door, installed a storm door, installed two ceiling fans, dug a garden, grown grass from seed, built a 400 foot fence, and wired my living room walls for surround sound.

It's been a lot of work, but it's also been fun, and I've learned a lot too. Here are 14 home improvement lessons I've learned.

1. Make a plan

Before you so much as pick up a hammer, you need to have a plan - and not just for the current project. It should include at least the next few years of projects. There are a few reasons why.

First, if you don't have an over-arching vision, you'll end up with a bunch of projects that look good individually, but don't tie together at all.

And second, if you don't do your projects in the right order, you may end up having to redo previous ones.

As an example, I built a retaining wall beside my driveway. Then I had the driveway paved a few months later. The company that did it ended up hitting the wall, so now I'm stuck with a crooked wall in a few places.

I should have paved the driveway first, then built the wall.

2. Add one-third onto your material estimates, one-half onto time estimates

As obsessive as I am with planning and numbers, none of my initial estimates are ever accurate.

I've found that if I add one-third onto all of my material estimates, it gives me enough to finish most projects. I'd rather have too much than not enough.

You can always take extras back to the store later. Plus running to the store in the middle of a project is frustrating, and a waste of time.

On the time side, I've found that everything always takes longer than you think. Nothing ever goes according to plan.

If I add one-half to all of my time estimates, it makes things more reasonable, and prevents me from taking on too much at a time.

3. Make sure you get irrigation right

Irrigation is by far one of the most destructive problems you can have with your property. If you don't get it right, water will run towards your house. This can be disastrous, as it can lead to foundation problems, which are among the most expensive and difficult to fix.

Do yourself a favor, and fix the irrigation on your property first and foremost. Water should be channeled away from the house, and the ground should slope upward anywhere it touches your home.

4. Recognize your limits

As much as I like to pretend I'm superman, there are some things I just can't do. Take irrigation for example.

I managed to successfully direct water away from my driveway, but now it just goes straight into my backyard. I've tried two or three times to correct it, but it's just not working.

At this point, I'm ready to pay someone to do it for me. It's getting so bad that water is running towards my house (and basement walls), and I'm not going to put my foundation at risk.

For me, it's worth it to hire someone to do it. After the irrigation is taken care of, I can the rest of the landscaping myself. But until then, it doesn't make sense to do anything because the water is so destructive.

5. Buy supplies from local, independent companies when possible

I found a great landscape supply company just a mile or two from my house. I can buy dirt, gravel, etc... by the ton for much cheaper than I could get at the big chain stores.

As an example, dirt normally runs $2-$5 for 40 pounds at Home Depot. I can buy a ton of the same quality dirt for $30 from the local store. That's a savings of at least 70%.

You'll need to have a truck to really take advantage of it, but the prices are so good that it would be worth it to rent a truck from Home Depot for an hour.

6. Consider renting tools you'll use infrequently

As fun as it is to have a big tool collection, sometimes it's a waste of money. If you're only going to need tools once or twice a year, it may make more sense to rent them from hardware stores. You can rent tools for between $40-$100, depending on the tool and how long you need it.

If you're going to use a tool infrequently, it doesn't make sense to buy it. You've got to store it, maintain it, and pay to fix it if something goes wrong.

A good example - I needed an auger to dig holes for fence posts. Instead of buying one for at least $300-$400, I just rented one for the day for $60.

7. Don't forget regular maintenance

Make sure you take the time to do regular maintenance after you finish big projects.

I spent a lot of time last spring working on growing grass from seeds. It took about 4 or 5 months, but I finally had a healthy looking yard.

Then I let the grass grow too long. When I finally cut it, the yard was shocked.

Then a drought hit, and most of the grass completely died.

I lost six months worth of progress because I didn't spend two hours mowing the yard. It's an awful feeling.

8. Do it right the first time

With most things in life, it doesn't matter if you get it exactly right. I've heard some people say that you really only need to do something 85% of the way to get the benefits of it.

Home improvement isn't one of those things.

You have to live with your work for years. Take the time and effort to do things right the first time.

You don't want to have to redo it later (wasting your time), and it could bug you for years if something isn't quite right. Parts of my retaining wall aren't straight, and it absolutely drives me crazy.

9. Don't put off projects until you're getting ready to sell

I've seen people that put off home improvement projects until they're getting ready to sell their house. As a result, they never get to enjoy it.

Their house is actually at its best right before they move out. It just doesn't make sense.

Make sure you get to enjoy your improvements... do them for yourself, not the next owner.

10. Make improvements because they're important to you. Not because of what it will do for the value of your home

If the recent housing bubble has taught us anything, it's that you can't count on your house always increasing in value.

When you make improvements to your house, you should do it because it's something that's important to you and will make your life more enjoyable. You shouldn't do something just because you think it will increase the value of your house.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't be aware of how projects could affect your property value... just that it shouldn't be the deciding factor. If you choose projects that are important to you, you won't regret them later.

11. Choose plants that makes sense for your climate

When you landscape, choose plants that make sense for your situation. Don't just choose something that looks pretty. Your first criteria should be what makes sense for your:

>> average rainfall

>> temperatures

>> directness of sunlight

Too many people choose plants by their looks, and try to force it to work in their climate. It ends up wasting time, energy, and water.

You'll be much better off choosing plants that naturally thrive in your situation.

12. Most of the real yard work is done in the fall and winter

The most important yard maintenance is done in the fall and winter. This includes things like aerating, fertilizing, repair, and reseeding. By the time you get to the full heat and sun of the summer, it's too late to grow anything from scratch.

13. When you hire contractors, get estimates and references. Also, pay them in cash for a discount.

There are times when you have to hire outside help, but that doesn't mean you have to pay an arm and a leg for it.

When you hire contractors, get estimates from at least 3-5 people. Also, ask for references! You want to make sure that they actually see jobs through to completion, and take care of any customer concerns.

Don't forget to ask if contractors offer a discount for paying by cash (or check) instead of credit card. In my experience, many offer a 2-3% discount. This is especially true if you work with independently owned businesses.

14. Have fun, and take pride in your work

Home improvement is hard work. It's time consuming, and it can be expensive.

But that doesn't mean it can't be fun. Try to enjoy the work you do. Take pride in it, and try to think about how your home will be more enjoyable after you're finished with the project.

You'll enjoy yourself more, and the quality of work will improve if you keep a good attitude.

Even though I'm busy every weekend with one project or another (and a to-do list in case I finish early), I still love working around my house.

I love knowing that I'm making my home more enjoyable (and hopefully more valuable). I also love that I'm saving money - and maybe doing a better job - by doing it myself.

About the author: David writes at Pimp Your Finances, a personal finance site aimed at young adults, but full of information that everyone can use. He tries to keep things fun and informative. If you like this post, subscribe to his blog to read more.