The Penny-Wise Provider

Donating to Charity in 5 Simple Steps

2012-03-01T14:17:00.001-08:00

I’m not the biggest of fans when it comes to making cash donations to charities; however, this doesn’t mean I’m against all forms of charitable donation or that I don’t like helping others; just the opposite in fact. Whether it’s donating by way of canned goods, clothing, household accessories, automobiles, or my own time and energy, I’ve given back in many different ways over the years.

Here are the five steps that I use in helping me to decide how and where to donate to charity.

Step #1 – Determine How to Donate
The first step I typically take in donating to charity, is determining how to donate. Some people prefer giving cash, others their time, skills, and physical labor. When I was younger and single, I preferred to donate my time and energy.

Now, as an adult with a family and career, I prefer to donate by way of personal belongings that we no longer need. This way I’m keeping our household tidy and organized and making use of things that we no longer want but that other people might.

Step #2 – Selecting Charities
My second step to donating to charity is to select an organization or organizations that I feel comfortable working with. Personally, since I take advantage of shopping at the Goodwill store and another resale shop in a nearby neighborhood, those are the places to which I typically make my donations. In a way, I’m just continuing the reuse and renew cycle.

Step #3 – Tracking Donations
When I make a donation to such operations, I ensure I get a receipt for the goods I’ve given. While such receipts are often just a signed slip that I’m allowed to fill in with a list of what I’ve donated since the organizations typically don’t have the time to go through and provide a written inventory, I try to do this as soon as I’ve made donations, ensuring that I can give a proper accounting of items and associated values before I forget.

Step #4 – Getting Something Back for Giving Something Back
With my receipts as proof of donation, I will typically take an estimated charitable donation amount as a deduction on our annual itemized tax return. In the past, this deduction typically ranges somewhere in the $250 to $500 range. However, on years in which we utilize the standard deduction, our donation doesn’t do anything for me in the way of reducing taxes, but it still holds intrinsic value.

Step #5 – Help Others Help Others
I often help the in-laws do their spring cleaning, which typically results in a lot of stuff being set out in the donate pile. While certain clothing items they might set out throughout the year for the Veteran’s Association to pick up, when it comes to larger donation goods, my wife and I will typically load up their stuff and deliver it for them. This allows us to donate in another way, by helping others help others, and it helps them recognize the tax savings of charitable donations as well.

Resources I Use to Help Me Do Our Taxes

2012-02-28T16:27:00.003-08:00

Even though I’ve been doing my own taxes for almost 20 years now, it doesn’t mean that I don’t need a little help occasionally along the way. As often as the U.S. tax code and our personal situation changes, it’s important to have some resources to rely upon when it comes time to again tackle our family’s contribution to the welfare of our great nation.

Here are four resources that I find instrumental in helping me do our annual tax returns and that make my job just a little bit easier.

Previous Years Tax Records
While some people may feel forced to retain their tax documentation for years (probably the ones that don’t do their taxes themselves), I prefer to keep previous years’ tax documents. As my tax situation -- and the tax code itself -- changes from year to year (other than when I was a teen, I’ve never had two consecutive years where I could follow the exact same tax format), these items provide a reference guide of sorts to help me refresh as I do my current year’s taxes.

An entire year is a long time, and having those previous years’ records as documentation to help remember how I did things last year, what deductions we took, what schedules we needed to file, and similar information just to jog my memory, makes my job filing taxes for the current year just a little bit easier and less time consuming.

Income Statements
For many people, their income documentation comes by way of their W2 form and possibly a 1099 form for bank paid interest. However, as a self-employed individual, my income derives from multiple streams and requires a bit more attention when it comes time to file taxes.

My wife is one of those people with the W2 and 1099-INT from the bank, so her income statement compilation is easy. However, I tend to pair multiple 1099 forms from various employers, with other, lesser incomes that don’t always come with a 1099. This means that I must track these incomes on a spreadsheet throughout the year in order to be able to give a proper accounting of my full income. This also means that my income tracking spreadsheet becomes an integral part of my tax resources come year’s end.

The Internet
I’d estimate that I spend several hours each year on the Internet buffing up on the latest trends or adjustments regarding the U.S. tax code or researching new aspects or areas that might be involved in doing our taxes. This year, such time spent involved researching the moving deduction (since we moved to the state of Washington, but since we didn’t meet the time requirements for living there before moving back to Illinois, we weren’t eligible to claim the deduction), and property tax payment implications on the sale of our home.

While I have found numerous valuable resources to help me with tax questions on the Internet, I’m careful not to take them all at face value, and I tend to reference what I read with specifics from the IRS, ensuring the website I visit ends in “.gov”.

Records and Receipts
You just can’t be sure when certain records or receipts might come in handy at tax time. I’m usually very good about saving any documentation I feel might be necessary to claim or prove a tax deduction or credit. Items like business expense receipts, charitable donation records, and similar items usually comprise much of this documentation. This year however, I may have dropped the ball.

Due to our lower earnings, my wife’s higher medical bills as a type 1 diabetic, and my paying of our own insurance as a self-employed individual, we might have been eligible for the medical expense deduction this year. However, since I wasn’t retaining medical expense receipts and records for the entire year, it’s very difficult to compile the necessary information regarding this aspect of our expenses. As a result, this year I’m attempting to save receipts from all aspects of our spending lives, not only for tax purposes, but as a written record to reference in an effort to better educate ourselves to our spending habits.

Wait! Don’t Take that Spare Change to the Bank Just Yet

2012-02-24T09:52:00.003-08:00

Besides buying rolls of forever stamps or investing in government savings bonds, there may be few low initial capital investment/savings options out there for the common person.

For those of us that don’t have thousands of dollars to toss at investments -- or just don’t want to -- there are still great ways out there to save without having to sink the family nest egg into an investment in which a stable return might not be guaranteed.

Spare change is one of my favorites, and is probably one of the easiest as well. And while we can’t go melting down all our coinage just yet, the day has arrived when certain metals contained within our daily pocket change are worth more than the actual change itself. While I don’t plan on getting rich off of saving 25 tons of pennies and nickels, considering the other investment options out there right now, saving a few of these coins in a jar or bucket might be a nice little hedge against inflation and rising commodity prices.

A Penny Saved is…2.5 Pennies Earned?
I think that word is starting to spread, but if you hadn’t yet heard, the metal value of a 1909-1982 cent is currently hovering right around 2.5 cents. Kind of strange isn’t it? The metals comprising this coin are worth more than the face value of the coin itself.

While this is only true if you were able to actually melt down the penny for its metal (which is currently prohibited by law in the United States), should that law change, we might see pennies from this time period start to disappear from circulation rather quickly.

Even newer cents from 1982-2012 (which are mostly Zinc -- 97.5% to be exact) are worth ½ a cent, since zinc prices -- like many other commodities recently -- have been on the rise. These cents’ metal value might soon join the ranks of other coins that have their melt value be worth more than their face value.

Don’t Discount Those Nickels
One of these other coins is the 1946-2012 nickel. Even though most of the nickel’s composition (non-1942-45) is mostly copper, between the copper and nickel mix content, and the current price of commodities, the melt value of the US five cent piece is now nearly six cents.

Just Look at Silver
If you want a reference on how things have changed when it comes to our pocket change over the years, consider some of the pre-1965 coins that were made largely from silver. Got a dime from that time period? It could have a silver content worth nearly $2.50. Have a quarter from the 1950s or early 60s? Its melt value could be worth over $6.

So before you go tossing that change away or pass up a coin on the sidewalk, you might want to take a closer look. There might be more value in that pocket change that you think.

Disclaimer:
The author is not a licensed financial professional. The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. The author is not advocating the melting of US currency or the breaking of any laws. Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is solely at the reader’s discretion.

Having a Child: Financial Factors in Staying Home or Going Back to Work

2012-02-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

It can be a tough call when deciding whether to go back to work or stay at home with your little bundle of joy after having a child. There are certainly the financial and long-term career aspects to consider, but it can be awfully hard to turn away from that sweet little pumpkin who is now such an integral part of your life.

Personally, my wife and I decided that one of us would be at home with our little one until he headed off to school. It was a choice that my wife and I made together, but not one we made without considering a multitude of various factors first. We reviewed how these factors would play not only into the raising of our child, but our future work and career paths as well.

READ MORE...

My Money Saving Television Options Just Keep Growing

2012-02-15T17:08:00.001-08:00

More and more television shows revolving around money saving options and opportunities keep popping up. I love such shows since they are not only interesting and educational, but they can build knowledge and confidence regarding various money-making techniques.

There are three main categories of such shows that I’ve found have proliferated the airways lately, and the options seem to just keep growing.

Auction Shows
I grew up going to auctions as a child, so I know just what kind of deals are out there when it comes to the auction environment. I went to my first storage auction a couple of weeks ago, but they had changed the dates, so I still haven’t lost my storage auction virginity just yet.

There are the wild storage auction battles taking place on Storage Wars, the heavy hitting bidding of Allen Haff and Ton Jones (yes, I said “Ton”) on Auction Hunters, the more laid back atmosphere of the southern-based Auction Kings, and the ever-interesting movie memorabilia finds on Hollywood Treasure.

What you’ll discover when it comes to such shows is really up in the air. Take all these shows together and you can learn something about almost any and every type of antique, collectible, or memorabilia out there.

Pawn Shop Shows
Before I started watching shows like Pawn Stars and Hardcore Pawn, I never really knew much about pawn shops. Besides getting a good education on how to authenticate items that people might “claim” are antiques, I also glean some good haggling and negotiating techniques by way of such shows, which can certainly be beneficial in various resale settings.

The knowledge that such shows provide, also helps viewers to get a better idea of what various items can be worth. However, these types of shows also drive home the point that just because people have an idea of an item’s value, that doesn’t necessarily equate to what they’ll get paid when they resell it. There can be a big gap between an item’s appraised or estimated value and what someone will actually pay for it.

Educational Picks
My educational picks are a smattering of several shows that bring varied offerings to the television viewing audience. With shows like American Pickers and Antique Roadshow, audiences can get a feel for the value of true Americana. They may even see a few items they have sitting in their attics or that were passed down from parents and grandparents.

Meanwhile, programs such as ‘til Debt do us Part or The Suze Orman Show can cater more toward everyday financial hurdles the average American might face. From paying down debt and cutting expenses, to making the right investment choices, planning for a child’s education, and deciding whether one can actually afford a big ticket purchase, such shows can help build a viewer’s financial education.

While I don’t do everything such shows recommend -- choosing instead to make my own financial decisions -- sometimes I can pull certain aspects of what they advocate into my own financial lifestyle.

Solar Flares and the Demise of the Internet: I Have a Plan, do You?

2012-02-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

With the recent news of massive solar flares stemming from our sun, there’s been talk about possible disruptions to things like Internet service. While initially it might not seem like a huge deal, should such a disruption continue unabated for a significant period of time, it might not be taken so lightly. In fact, it could disrupt a huge portion of our daily lives for many of us, affecting everything from our work to our play and just about everything in between.

While it might not happen soon, and who knows, it might never happen in our lifetimes; should it happen, I have a plan…do you?

Emergency Fund
Of course an emergency fund is a pertinent aspect of most any financial life whether or not the Internet fails us. Having a backup plan upon which to rely and survive temporarily for a variety of unexpected emergency situations can come as real peace of mind.

I find that breaking my emergency fund into various portions can help protect me in situations where electronic banking might not be available. Having some cash on hand, some cash in a safety deposit box (in the event that banks are still open), a little “real” silver coinage, and an extra food and water supply (so we don’t have to run right out to the stores during less than ideal situations) are the main portions of such emergency fund preparations.

Maintaining Productivity
Doing without the Internet temporarily might not lead to epic chaos in which we’re reduced to cash only transactions or worse yet, buying loaves of bread with silver dimes or bucket loads of cash. However, it might make it difficult for those of us who utilize the Internet to conduct a portion or all of our work.

Therefore, part of my plan regarding a loss of Internet service involves maintaining, if not a full work schedule, at least some level of productivity. This way, as a self-employed individual, I’ll be ready if or when Internet service resumes.

Emergency “Work” Fund
In the event of an Internet blackout, I have an emergency “work” fund to supplement my regular emergency fund. This ensures that I’m not left with absolutely no ready work to resume and recover my income once services are back up and running.

This backup plan of sorts consists of work items that I can conduct regardless of Internet service. By knowing what types of work my employers want on a regular basis, and having an inventory of available projects on which to work, I can ensure that I stay busy and am ready for when service resumes. While this plan certainly won’t keep me from losing a little productivity, I figure that overall, at least being able to sustain 70 or 80 percent of my regular productivity, at a time when much of the world may not be doing much of anything otherwise, isn’t all that bad of a plan.

IndyCar at its Best!

2012-02-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

I know this is supposed to be a personal finance blog, but I just couldn't help posting a link to this awesome IndyCar footage from Chicagoland Speedway.

While we've lost the IndyCar race at this track (hopefully just temporarily), I hope it's back sooner than later. I have some great memories of the two races I attended there (as well as my laps there in a stock car), and I only wish I could have been at the race I linked to, although I was at a great one in 2009. And of course I can't leave out the 2008 season finale and an oldie but good from '02. What great memories!

Miss the track and hope it's back on the schedule soon!

Welcome Back to Illinois! Here are Your New Costs

2012-02-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well, surprise, surprise! We’ve been back in the “Land of Lincoln” for just a week now and we’re already finding out that during our six-month absence, there have been a few changes. These are changes that could end up affecting our wallet either directly or indirectly and did not make for the most pleasant of homecomings.

Here are the three big items we’ve stumbled across already (one of which came only minutes into our entering the state) in what has been just our first week back.

Tolls
Just minutes into our homeward bound journey to Illinois, we were greeted with our first new costs of once again being back in the great state of Illinois. A flashing sign just across the state line informed us that tolls were increasing as of January 1, 2012. Since we were traveling on January 4th, this meant that we were several days late, and now several more dollars short.

Come to find out, there was a 100% increase for driving on the toll roads in the Chicagoland area, which is a common occurrence for both commuters and just passers-by. The average toll rate per mile (for travelers with the I-PASS automated toll payment system) has gone from 3 cents to 6 cents per mile.

Thankfully, since I work from home and my wife’s route to work avoids the toll roads, this isn’t a huge cost (typically running us around $60 a year in toll fees…guess it’ll be closer to $120 now); however, it’s an additional cost nonetheless, and one that was certainly unexpected.

Insurance Rates
According to an article in the Chicago Tribune newspaper, Allstate is looking to hike rates anywhere from 4-10% on some Illinois homeowners due to string of catastrophic damage suffered in many areas during 2011. Since we are looking to rent, this might not seem like a big deal. However, we have to consider that while we might not be suffering due to this increase directly, we may have to account for it in higher rental rates should the building in which we choose to live have its insurance rates increased. With those rates possibly being passed along to tenants, we could end up suffering just as certain homeowners might by way of increased rent or even higher renters insurance.

Income Tax Hike
Oh yes, and don’t let me forget about that little income tax increase to the tune of 66%. Yep, that’s right. I said “66%”.

Income tax in the state of Illinois moved from 3% to 5% this year to help bolster the state’s budget shortfall. Isn’t that nice! Since the politicians and state government can’t manage to be fiscally responsible, it once again falls upon the taxpayers to help them out. So now Illinois taxpayers can look forward to paying hundreds, if not thousands of extra dollars in income taxes each year.

Even though my wife and I were only part-year residents, the higher tax rate will still likely increase our state income tax bill by several hundred dollars this year.

Sources:
Illinois Tollway. Toll information page. http://www.illinoistollway.com/tolls-and-i-pass/toll-information

Yerak, Becky. Chicago Tribune. “Insurance rates surge on disasters”. January 12, 2012.

Cash4Books.net: Supporting Schools with Charity Event

2012-02-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

I’ve used and written about Cash4books.net multiple times during the last several years. I’ve found that the site is a quick, efficient and effective way to earn good money for used textbooks.

By way of my articles, I’ve learned more about this Beaverton, Oregon-based company and have been impressed not only with their business acumen and view toward the future, but their apparent ability to balance a growing company with maintaining a positive work environment for their employees (they were ranked #18 in Oregon's 100 Best Companies to Work For -- in the medium size companies category -- by Oregon Business Magazine).

Most recently their CEO, Jim Smith, reached out to me to help promote the company’s efforts to raise money for schools.

Here is a portion of the press release he sent me:

“During the month of February, 2012, Cash4Books is matching customer donations to DonorsChoose.org by 100%. Any customer selling at least $7 worth of books to Cash4Books is eligible to donate the value of their buyback order to DonorsChoose.org. Once Cash4Books receives the books, the customer will be sent a DonorsChoose.org gift card for the value of their donation, along with a check or PayPal payment for any remaining balance. Customers can then visit DonorsChoose.org and decide which projects to support. At the end of the month, Cash4Books will add up all customer donations and match that amount 100%.

Facing increasing budget shortfalls, federal, state and local governments have dramatically reduced school funding over the past few years. Budget cuts have forced schools to not only cut staff and programs, but have also severely reduced their ability to purchase critical school supplies. Many teachers pay for supplies out of their own pocket, but even with this generosity many students are left without the tools that they need to succeed in school.”

This could present an opportunity for people to check out a great site for earning a few extra bucks when downsizing textbooks that may be cluttering up bookshelves and closets. It could also be a chance to do something special for charity if they so choose.

I’ve found that using Cash4books is a super-simple process (as I’ve mentioned, I’ve used their services multiple times over the years). When I have a few books that I’m interested in reselling, I just type in their ISBN numbers, see if Cash4books is buying and what they’re offering in compensation for those books. Then Cash4books pays the shipping (I typically use their free FedEx service), checks my order for accuracy and quality upon arrival, and deposits money into a PayPal account (you can also be paid by check, it just takes a little longer). It’s quick, easy, and best of all it helps us declutter our home and earn a little extra cash in the process.

Disclaimer:
The author is not a licensed financial professional. The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. The author has used Cash4book.net services; however, he has not been paid by Cash4books.net for this article. Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is solely at the reader’s discretion.

Burger King Considering Delivery Service: Is it Worth it?

2012-01-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

Recently, there’s been talk of Burger King starting home delivery service. While it might seem like a dream of couch bound college frat boys, it’s actually already occurring in certain other countries.

In a recent article on Delish.com, it’s been reported that a minimum order of between $8 and $10 would be necessary, with an associated $2 delivery charge. While our family doesn’t eat a ton of fast food anymore, it’s still an occasional treat.

So what do you think? Is Burger King delivery service worth it? Will it work here in America?

Consider this…
It takes our family time to get to our local Burger King. There is the time to get the family together and ready, or if going alone, getting on shoes, coat, possibly out of pajamas and into pants, etc.

For a self-employed individual, even losing 15 or 20 minutes to go pick up food may be time that could be spent making money or at least doing something else productive. So not only may I be paying money to buy the food, but I’m losing money just to get there in the process.

Then we have the Chicagoland traffic to consider.

There is the gas spent to drive there, and the wear and tear of stop-and-start driving on the car, that while minimal, is there nonetheless. Add in the ever-present possibility of accident or injury, especially in an urban environment and with all the texters and cell phone talkers out there, and the list of benefits of Burger King home delivery service begins to grow.

While on their own, each little item might seem small, but combined, they can add up. Seeing as how our regular order for a family of three is around $8 and $10 anyway, the extra $2 delivery charge might be worth it.

A Hard Habit to Break
I actually find it somewhat tough though, thinking about picking up the phone and ordering Burger King rather than hitting the drive-thru. In actuality, I find that it might be a somewhat strange habit to break, but not impossible.

It Might Just Work
On those cold winter days, it might be nice not have to bundle up and battle the snow, ice, wind or rain, and head out into the darkness, or on those humid summer afternoons to have to blast the ac just to make it to the drive-thru window.

And when those late night cravings hit after a few too many drinks or during the ballgame that we don’t want to miss, it might be really nice to be able to order our food and not have to leave the comfort and privacy of our own home.

And with Burger King being the first to make such an attempt among their main competitors, they might make a niche for themselves that has up to this point remained relatively untouched.

Who knows? It might just work!

Sources:
Bain, Zoe. Delish.com. “Will Burger King Bring its Delivery Service to the U.S.?” January 17, 2012 at 7:34AM http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/burger-king-tests-delivery January 19, 2012.

Will Paying My Child for Grades Send the Wrong Message?

2012-01-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

I still remember the times my grandfather actually threw me a few bucks for my grades. We didn't have anything in writing. No verbal contract. I didn't even have a clue that I was going to be rewarded for my efforts, but I got a little cash anyway, and boy was it satisfying.

READ MORE...

My Survivalist Travel Strategy

2012-01-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

When I travel, I enjoy the fact that I do so being as prepared as reasonably possible for a variety of scenarios. When I am on extended travels especially, a lot can happen in two or three week’s time. World events can change our global atmosphere in days or even hours. Just think about how our perceptions were changed in a matter of hours on September 11th, 2001, then tell me that it’s a little over the top to be prepared when leaving home for several weeks.

Call it sad, call it neurotic, call it overboard, call it paranoid, call it whatever you want. I call it being prepared.

Food Supply
We can’t always carry a lot of food with us when we travel, especially when we are doing so by way of the airways. At least having enough snacks on hand for a day or two though can keep us comfortable should an unexpected situation arise.

Bad weather, a terrorist attack, or other unforeseen issue can create lengthy travel delays or other situations in which you might not be in a location where food is plentiful or even available. And especially when traveling with a child, young children, or someone with a medical condition such as diabetes, having some snacks on hand can play a significant role in curing those savage -- and even life-threatening -- cravings.

Back Up Forms of Payment
What would happen if a situation suddenly hit the country that left the economy in shambles while you were far from home? We’ve seen what can happen in a matter of minutes during a stock market “flash crash” back in May of 2010. With computers controlling so many aspects of our daily lives, things can change rapidly and in extreme ways these days.

What if a week after you left home, a situation occurred in which computer systems were down, financial institutions closed their doors and hyperinflation began to take off? You might find yourself in a situation in which you would need a lot of cash to get back home.

Having items like checkbooks, debit/credit card, and at least a phone number for your financial institution with you on your travels can help to cover your bases should a dire situation arise. While it can be a bit risky should you loose such items, for many of us, carrying these things with us on vacation may be no more risky than taking them to work with us each day in our purses or wallets.

Extra Cell Phone Battery
Being left in a bad travel situation is one thing; being left in a bad travel situation with no communication or with communication devices that don’t work, could be even worse. Getting ready to make new travel plans, call a family member, or make similar arrangements only to realize that your cell phone battery has died can be extremely frustrating and in some cases even dangerous.

Finding that there are no outlets available where you are, that there is no power or that everyone else is scrambling to utilize such items to charge their own phones and laptops can leave you out of luck and feeling helpless. By carrying an extra -- charged -- cell phone battery though, you may be able to avoid such disruptions in your schedule.

Roll of Silver
Call me crazy (I don’t mind, I’ve been called worse), but carrying a roll of silver coins or even just a few ounce-sized silver coins in my bag can give me a little protection against a situation in which cash might suddenly become useless. While I expect the odds of ever encountering such a situation small, I don’t feel that carrying a few such coins with me is much of a hardship to guard against it happening.

Backup Eyewear and Prescription Items
If you’ve ever been left with a torn contact lense or a lost pair of eye-glasses with no replacement, you might realize just how important it can be to carry backups. Similarly, with a lost prescription item, you can begin to get that sense of panic, especially if you don’t have a way of recovering that loss any time soon and your life or well-being depends upon it.

With my needing corrective eyewear and my wife being a type 1 diabetic and relying upon insulin, having backups when it comes to such supplies can be of critical importance if placed in a situation where we might be forced to sit and wait things out for an extended period of time.

Why I Hate Taxes

2011-12-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

In a recent poll published by the Pew Research Center, people were asked what bothers them most about taxes. The results were not what I expected, but were interesting nonetheless. 57% of the respondents were bothered most because they felt that the rich were getting away with not “paying their fair share”.

Honestly, I don’t mind paying taxes in general because I understand that they are a necessary evil, but there are reasons why I hate them too.

Here -- in order of dislike -- are my own personal reasons why I hate paying taxes.

#1 -- Inefficient Use
As I said, I really don’t mind paying taxes. My problem is more with the way in which our government puts them to use. Having them frittered away wastefully or used in inefficient ways bothers me in the utmost.

Use them to fix our infrastructure, use them to keep us safe, use them to build new parks and educational facilities, but don’t give them to big banks, don’t use them to pay ridiculous government salaries, and don’t use them to give to foreign countries that hate and despise us. Seeing my money fruitlessly frittered away, is frustrating to say the least.

#2 -- Unfair
It’s not so much that I feel the rich don’t pay their fair share in taxes, but rather the corporations. When I read about huge companies paying less into our tax system than I do, that is extremely agitating. Companies that reap the rewards of being housed in a country protected and defended with taxpayer money should be paying their fair share just like everyone else.

#3 -- Inconsistent
I always do my own taxes, yet I’ve never encountered a tax year where I’ve been able to follow the exact same format as the previous year. While sometimes this is due to changes in filing status, change of location, job change or similar personal adjustment, it doesn’t change the fact that our tax code is constantly evolving.

From state to state and year to year, there are constant adjustments to state and federal tax codes, some of which come at the last possible moment in the year, adding a further strain to those of us who must attempt to complete our own annual taxes.

#4 -- Difficult to Understand
I heard just the other day, that the US federal tax code runs somewhere on the order of 20,000 pages. Whether this is right or wrong -- even if it’s just 1,000 pages -- in my opinion, it’s just too much.

I feel as though I am regularly trying to update and educate myself regarding tax changes and laws, and while I’m no dummy, I have to say that sometimes I find myself boggled by the series of steps I must take to come to one simple conclusion regarding a particular tax issue or calculation.

#5 -- Time Consuming
I spend hours and hours each year learning and re-educating myself to the ever-changing tax code, and completing my income taxes. This is time that I might otherwise spend in much more productive ways. I could be earning money, learning a new trade, spending time with my family, or even heaven forbid, spending some time enjoying myself away from work were it not for having to spend lengthy periods of time compiling, recording, filing, and retaining a plethora of tax documentation.

Sources:
Wolk, Martin. http://lifeinc.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/20/9587420-why-we-hate-taxes-its-not-what-you-think. December 20 2011.

My Real Estate Agent’s Recent Housing Market Explanation

2011-12-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

I recently got one of the regular monthly newsletters that our real estate agent (the one we bought and sold our first home with) sends out to former and current clients. This month’s letter was touting the “return” of the real estate market. In the letter, it said, “…real estate has been, and will continue to be, a good long-term investment.” Her words, not mine…definitely not mine.

To prove these words, she included a short, two-page pamphlet entitled “Why Real Estate is still America’s Best Investment”. Here are a few of the things I found interesting about this pamphlet and its explanation as to why real estate is still the “best” investment.

Full of Statistics
Statistics can be valuable tools in finding trends and helping to make decisions based upon all sorts and varieties of factors and data. However, the bad thing about statistics is that that can be warped and molded by the people and organizations utilizing them to make statements, jump to conclusions, and otherwise manipulate data to fit specific outlooks and motives.

The pamphlet this included in our real estate agent’s letter was packed full of statistics touting the long-term advantage of being a homeowner. From increasing rates in homeownership trends to changing demographics, the outlook appeared to me to be saying, “Since more people have been doing it lately, it’s still a good investment,” which I don’t tend to agree with. More people are getting college educations, but that doesn’t mean the quality of the education is getting any better.

Another statistic was about the increasing amount of long-term home equity homeowners were building. Once again, I find the statistic laughable, since I can buy a new car with little money down and continue to “build equity” in that vehicle, but that doesn’t mean the vehicle will be a good “investment”.

“Irrational Exuberance”
I loved the portion of the pamphlet that reviewed home values during the last 120 years. There was a chart -- with prices adjusted for inflation -- that tracked home values from 1890 ($100,000) to 2010 ($126,000). Not all that impressive a jump in my opinion...especially for 120 years.

I also loved the fact that this data was taken from the book by Robert Shiller entitled, “Irrational Exuberance.” Maybe they were hoping no one would look at the name of the source they used, list in tiny print below the statistic. But I guess the takeaway from this chart was supposed to be, (again in their words, not mine)…

“…Values Still Historically High”
Okay, given, the values are higher after adjusting for inflation, than they were 120 years ago. However, this is kind of like saying say my net worth is “historically high” compared to 10 years ago or 20 years ago. That doesn’t mean I’m wealthy or even well off, it just means I’m in slightly better financial shape than I was when I was in college or high school -- big deal! That’s not saying much…in my opinion.

Sources:
“Irrational Exuberance,” 2nd Edition, 2006 by Robert J. Shiller

“Why Real Estate is still America’s Best Investment”. 2011. Buffini & Company

My Rules for Getting Through the Post-holiday Financial Doldrums

2011-12-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

There are few times of the year that I dislike more than that month or two that follow the holiday season. October comes with Halloween. November we have Thanksgiving. December brings Christmas and New Years. Then there’s the let-down.

In January, there are W-2 forms being issued, which is about all I can look forward to, and which in turn means I get to start on the family’s income taxes. Then there is the credit card bill that comes for our holiday spending. And in February, my high-point -- if I’m on my game -- is getting our taxes mailed out.

Pretty exciting, huh?

So how do I get through the post-holiday financial doldrums? Well, it’s not always easy, but over the years, I’ve given myself a few rules to help me suffer through this period a little more successfully.

Set Up for Success
I try to set myself up for success before I ever reach the post-holiday financial doldrums. By constructing a holiday budget, breaking down that budget into how, where and upon whom I’ll be spending it, and then abiding by that budget, I can keep from overdoing it on holiday spending. This doesn’t leave me feeling so guilty after the fact and playing catch-up on my bills.

Look at the Doldrums as an Opportunity
For me, this is a great time of year in which to buckle down and really focus on my financial situation. Since we have typically lived in areas where January and February are the “hunker down” months, due to their bringing less than favorable weather for outdoor activities -- and since I’m not a big winter sports person -- there isn’t much to steal my attention away from dealing with my finances.

Not only do I find this is a great time to heighten productivity due to lack of distractions, but I have the time to do the family taxes, do some post-holiday deal shopping to look for next year’s gifts, and work on those financial New Year’s resolutions.

Incorporate Your New Year’s Resolutions
Speaking of New Year’s resolutions, this aspect of the holiday season can be a great precursor to making the transition into the post-holiday financial doldrums. By centering a few of your resolutions around financial goals, you may be able to make them a part of your financial fitness for the new year. With a few goals to help push you, there may be a bit more motivation when it comes to how and how successfully you push through the post-holiday period.

Make a List and Check it Twice
Your holiday list doesn’t have to disappear with the passing of December. In fact, a list could prove just as helpful to your finances after the holidays as before them. I find that compiling a list of holiday or holiday-related expenses that will be coming in -- before they arrive -- can help me better prepare for what could be a higher than normal billing period on the old credit card.

At least having a general idea of what sorts of bills are coming in and in what amounts can help you get the ball rolling on putting a little extra money away from that first post-holiday paycheck or two for paying down doldrums’ debt. And if nothing else, if you can’t pay off your holiday bills all at once, you can at least start coming up with a plan and timeframe for how you will do so. With no big-expense holidays lurking in the months immediately following December, and possibly little to do outdoors, I find that there is very little excuse for not sticking to your guns and getting your holiday bills paid off during the doldrums months.

My Rules for Developing Financial New Year’s Resolutions

2011-12-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Overall, I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. I tend to believe that goals should be set when and where needed through the course of the year, not just at the start of a new year. However, this doesn’t mean that I’m against them completely, and can’t see the positive aspects behind such resolutions, especially when it comes to our personal finances.

Over the years, and throughout resolution successes and failures, I’ve developed certain rules that help me to develop and achieve my financial New Year’s resolutions.

Start Early and with Variety
I find that it’s a good idea to start forming my resolutions early in December and sometimes even earlier than that. Waiting until the last minute can leave me scrambling to come up with financial resolutions that might not be the most effective or pertinent to my financial lifestyle or needs.

But just starting early isn’t where I leave my New Year’s resolution preparation. Instead, I consider multiple resolutions that are both short and long-term in nature. Meeting a few resolutions shortly into the new year can provide the motivation to maintain interest and keep pushing to meet my longer-term resolutions throughout the rest of the year.

Make Resolutions Lofty, Yet Realistic
While I might use certain short-term, simpler-to-meet type resolutions to push myself to attain various goals during the year, I don’t make the majority of my resolutions too easy to achieve. Instead, I like to set certain lofty, yet realistic resolutions to push myself.

What’s the point of setting goals, if they don’t push you to achieve?

Therefore, I utilize a combination of easily met goals, paired with loftier financial expectations to drive me in meeting a tiered goal structure. For example, cutting expenses by 10% each month, could help drive me toward an overall yearly savings goal, or increasing productivity by an extra 5% each week could help me achieve a goal of producing an overall increase in profits for the year of 30%.

Make Resolutions that are Pertinent to Your Financial Life
I find that it’s important to make New Year’s resolutions that somehow affect your regular financial life, or if nothing else, build up toward large resolutions. Just saying you want to quit a job and start an independent career as a self-employed individual without doing things like investigating your career interests or forming a business plan, could leave you with a resolution that’s difficult to attain on its own.

I had leaving my job as a New Year’s Resolution once, but there were plenty of mini-resolutions that accompanied that goal. Yet, by meeting those goals, which included building a business plan, testing out my chosen occupation before leaving my job, having an exit strategy, and similar items, I was able to achieve my larger, all-encompassing resolution.

Write Resolutions Down in an Easily Visible Location
I’ve often seen this sort of rule on other New Year’s resolution related articles, but I feel it’s a good one by which to abide. Writing your resolutions down and keeping them out where they are visible and seen by you on a regular basis can be important to keeping them fresh in your mind.

This location doesn’t necessarily have to be on a calendar, but placing them in a spot where you will see them regularly like a desk, computer or even refrigerator can help you stay on top of your financial resolutions and hopefully ensure steady progress. Just bear in mind that if they are not items you’d like to share with the general public, you might want to reconsider placing them in a visible place at work or some other spot where they might be seen by others.

My Wallet Economics

2011-12-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

I guess I’m just old fashioned, but I still like carrying cash in my wallet. Don’t hold it against me. Heck, I think it even helps me in a way. In fact, I think that carrying cash actually saves me money, and might even save you money if you consider a few of my theories.

What Lurks Within
I know pretty close to exactly what is in my wallet at all times. Not only the amount of cash I have on hand -- which is important for keeping an eye on how much I’ve spent and what I have left to spend -- but also the various cards inside my wallet. The knowledge of how much money I carry makes me think a little harder about my expenditures as the size of my cash laden wallet gradually shrinks to a more emaciated form, and tends to rein in my spending.

The inventory of items I carry is important to have locked inside my brain because this way, if I lose my wallet, it is stolen or if I happen to drop a card somewhere during the course of the day, I know what is missing and can take prompt action to ensure I report the loss to the proper party or parties.

Two-section Break Down
I have a front and back section to my wallet. In the front, I keep my budgeted spending money for the month. This money includes entertainment, food, and miscellaneous money -- mostly any items that aren’t things like utility bills, rent/mortgage, insurance, and regularly billed items. I know exactly how much is there -- say $300 -- so at any moment, I can pull that cash out and know exactly where I am with my “fun” money budget. And once this money is spent, it doesn’t get replaced until next month.

I was in a car accident once (before I began this wallet strategy) and the tow truck driver that came to pick us up would only take cash. We therefore had to find a place to get cash to pay him, during a time that was less than ideal. In the back section of my wallet, I now carry a reserve amount that is specifically for emergencies (such as an issue with my debit card or a situation that calls for cash) or special spending, and that I try not to touch unless I have to.

This money carrying strategy works well for me since I’m a responsible spender, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for those who find that they spend cash readily if they have it on hand.

The Secret Stash
I also keep a little secret stash that up to this point, I’ve never had to touch, but it’s there if I need it. It’s only about $15, tucked away in one of those side pockets of my wallet, but in a pinch it can be a little lifesaver. A meal, a few extra gallons of gas, a taxi ride home or whatever; it’s nice to have that little peace of mind socked away.

The Credit/Debit Card Hide
I finally got rid of my last credit card, but I still have a debit card. Even though I highly dislike debit cards, I like to have one as backup. However, even though I carry a debit card, I don’t really like to see it because it’s one of those little temptations that can get me in trouble because of its convenience. Therefore I use a little psychological trickery.

I tend to put my debit card behind other cards in my wallet. Not only does this keep it “out of sight out of mind,” but it reduces the chance that when I go to pull out cash or another card such as my driver’s license, I won’t accidently drop my debit card in the process…a potentially costly mistake.

Simple and Affordable Home Security Options When Leaving for Vacation

2011-12-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

For those of us without expensive security services or fancy alarm systems, it doesn’t mean we don’t like to leave our home as secure as possible when we go on vacation. And even if we have someone coming to check up on our home every couple of days or so, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be stretches with no one around to supervise the well-being of our property. Those can be some long periods of time for someone looking to break into a home, or maybe even worse, when a pipe bursts or a similar security or maintenance issue could result in an extremely costly situation.

Here are a few of the things that we do or consider when we are heading out for an extended time away from our home to decrease the chances encountering a costly issue when we come home.

Mail Hold
We always stop our mail when going out of town for an extended period, even if we have a friend or family member stopping by to check on the place. To do this, we either stop in and fill out a hold mail form or do it through the US Postal Service’s website at www.usps.com. I will typically start the hold several days in advance, just in case there is any confusion with the mail carrier (which there has been before). I also have someone check after we’re gone to ensure no mail has been mistakenly delivered in our absence.

We do this in order to prevent stuff from piling up or getting lost or stolen after being delivered but also so we don’t have mail littering our doorstep, providing an obvious indication to would-be intruders that we are away.

A Neighborly Offering
We typically try to find family members, friends, close neighbors or some other trustworthy beings to pop in occasionally while we’re away. Even if they don’t come inside, at least having someone to pick up fliers that may be left on the front door, keep an eye open for suspicious characters, or even clear or make tracks in the snow during the winter to make it look like people are around can help keep possible intruders at bay.

Blinds
We tend to keep our blinds and curtains closed for a large portion of the day -- even when we’re at home. Therefore, we feel comfortable keeping them closed when we are away in order to increase privacy and security. However, the other day when at my mothers, we were heading out and I had closed several of her window blinds. She responded by saying, “Well, you really know how to make it look like no one is home, don’t you? (she tends to keep her blinds open most of the time)

It caught me off guard, but made me realize that sometimes, changing the appearance of your home in an effort to increase security might actually be more of an indication that you aren’t present than if you had just left your home as it would normally look.

Lighting
At our last home, we had an outside light that was set on a timer to come up at around dusk and turn off again around daybreak. And while I think that leaving a light on all night in normal circumstances is wasteful, when away, it might be a cheap form of extra home security.

The price of three or four extra kilowatt hours of electricity to leave a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom light on may only run 30 or 40 cents. This is far less than the costs of an insurance deductible and the time and trouble that might result from a home invasion or burglary.

Long-term Considerations
While I’ve never gone this route, I have considered it a time or two, and had I a friend or family member who I could trust not to throw a wild party or make a complete mess of my home, I might have gone the route of letting them stay there while we were away.

Allowing a trustworthy representative to stay in your home during a vacation could act as a money saver for both you and your house sitter. For them, it could be free rent, food, and utilities. For you, it could be free security, supervision, and even a pet sitter.

Valuables
I never really liked trying to hide valuables when on vacation because I know that most career burglars know these hiding spaces and can find them rather easily and speedily. However, I still figure it’s worth a shot. For what valuables I can’t deposit in a safe deposit box (my favorite hiding location), I do my best to ensure that they are stashed safely when we leave for vacation. This includes storing financial paperwork properly and in areas where I hope it might be overlooked if a break-in occurs, and stashing a few small family heirlooms where I don’t think anyone might look.

While my hiding spots might not be perfect, they at least provided a little affordable peace of mind and protection against the unforeseen while we are away.

My Winding Road to Retirement

2011-11-29T04:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the most direct route to something may not always be the best route. This can be true in many facets of life, including the road leading to retirement. For me, this road has taken some unexpected twists and turns in what has only been the first portion of my working life. While I began this road in the fast lane of what I hoped to be a straight shot to an early retirement, I’ve encountered several detours that have turned my plan onto a different, longer, but not altogether bad route to retirement.

What I’m trying to say is that my plan is kind of like a road map. There is a start point from my initial work, which leads to an end point at retirement, connected by an interstate in between. However there are a lot of little side roads that spread out along the way. These alternate routes will eventually get me to the same spot, and they might take me in a different and somewhat unexpected direction, but that route could be a more scenic one than if I had taken the highway straight to my destination.

The Direct Route to Retirement Gets Me There Faster but…

When I was working in the hotel business, I was on the fast track to early retirement…at least that was the goal at the time. I wanted to retire when I was 45 and be done with it all. But this goal largely left me missing out on life. I was stashing as much cash as I could and working all the time, which left me with little time to enjoy myself or my surroundings.

As the years passed, I began to realize that while the highway to retirement might get me to my goal quicker, I was missing all the scenery of life along the way.

The Retirement Side Roads are More Scenic

At the realization that I only live once and that life was passing me by while I worked like an ant, scurrying back and forth between work and home with blinders on to the world around me, I began to view things from a different perspective. While retirement was still an important goal for me, I began to wonder if I was taking my goal to reach it so quickly a bit far. This led me to ponder other ways of living, ways that were somewhat outside the norm, but that might work for me, and in fact, could work for many other people if they stepped back for a moment and reviewed their situations.

This was when I began contemplating leaving the hotel business to become self-employed. At about the same time, my wife and I were considering having a child. I thought that if I could correlate the two (leaving the hotel business to work for myself, and the birth of our son), it might help me slow down a little, enjoy life a bit more and take a few scenic side roads on the path to retirement. In my opinion, it was worth working longer in a job I liked, and be able to take care of my son, even if it meant delaying my retirement.

Adopting a New Retirement Strategy

So now that I’ve stepped back from the regular working world for a time, I’ve seen a lot of different scenery and gotten a new perspective on life, living, and retirement. I’m not in a rush now to retire since I’ve found work that I actually enjoy doing.

When you’re doing something you don’t really like, retirement might seem like the only escape. This could however be a clear indication that it’s time to start considering a different job or career. For those in their younger years especially, suffering through another 20 or 30 years of doing something that is less than satisfactory just to get to retirement, could leave them with years of unhappiness. Meanwhile, doing something you love, or at least enjoy, might have you feeling like you’ve already retired while still working toward bright golden years.

I’ve now shifted gears from the fast paced, “get there at all costs, regardless of the toll on my happiness” type retirement attitude. While those early years helped to get me to where I am now, they also taught me an important lesson about a proper life/work balance -- it’s often not so much about how quickly you get where you’re going, it’s how much you enjoy the drive getting there.

Should You Buy a Home if You May Inherit One?

2011-11-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

Homeownership can be an acquired taste. There are positive aspects in certain situations and for certain people, but I question whether many of the benefits that people list are really as great as they seem. And many of these same people remind us non-homeowners of the day that will come when a home is paid for and no longer such a burden upon the old pocketbook.

But there are still those holdouts like myself (even though I’ve owned a home for a brief, three year stint), who don’t feel they particularly need or want a home. We want to be free to travel and explore the country. Yet, in the back of my mind, a little voice keeps nagging at me saying, “Wouldn’t a home be nice to have in old age or when you retire?”

Part of me agrees with this voice. But then another voice chimes in and says, “If you buy now, by the time you have your home paid off, you may have inherited a home from your mother.” And while I don’t expect this or count on it, since many things can change in the next 20 to 30 years, it is something to consider.

So if you aren’t big on the whole homeownership idea, but may inherit a home by the time you’re ready to retire; is it worth buying your own?

The Baby Boomer Generation
Many boomers own or may soon be paying off homes as they near retirement. Several of my boomer relatives either own outright or are working toward paying off their homes as they close upon their golden years. While I don’t expect to inherit homes from all of them, there is a good chance that one day down the road I could, so in some ways I’d almost rather help maintain and keep up their particular properties than have to buy one of my own to maintain.

Carrying Costs
There is no denying that homes can get costly; and no matter how much you plan and prepare for homeownership, it’s near impossible to take into account every costly situation you might encounter with a property over the years. Rather than dumping money into a property as I have done previously, why not let someone who loves living in a home maintain and care for it, especially if they may one day leave it to you?

I know such reasoning might sound somewhat harsh, but it’s also logical. A home must be passed along to someone, and it’s not as if you’re knocking off a loved one to get it. But if you have reasonable expectations of receiving a home one day by way of an estate, and you really don’t care for the thought of owning and maintaining one over the next 30 years or so, it’s a logical line of reasoning to undertake.

Why should you and a relative or loved one each pay property taxes, maintenance, and all the rest on a home for the next 30 years if you don’t really need to, and when eventually you would have to sell one (or even both homes) eventually anyway?

Freedom to Move and Explore
Choosing to avoid homeownership with the chance of inheriting a home in the future, could also provide a chance to move and explore without the hindrance a home. Not having to worry about upkeep and maintenance while you are away for long periods of time, or having to go through the sales process each time you want to move, can be a weight lifted from your shoulders.

My wife and I have moved multiple times over the last decade and have found that it is much easier, quicker and cheaper to do so without having to sell a home.

Principal Considerations
Not everything might be coming up roses however in a scenario in which you might be expecting to one day inherit a home. In our case, one set of relatives has a second mortgage on a home, which means that should that set of mortgages still remain at the time of their passing, rather than inheriting a home paid in full, we could be straddled with additional debt.

The amount of principal -- or debt -- a home you might one day expect to inherit carries is another factor that may likely have to be considered in such planning. Whether a home is paid off, still carries a mortgage (or two), or has a home equity line of credit, reverse mortgage or a lien of some sort attached, might affect your decision as to whether or not it’s wise to purchase a home of your own and work toward paying it off regardless of what an inherited home might bring.

Can’t Count on it
Maybe the greatest factors of all to consider when deciding if it is wise to buy a home if you may inherit one, is that it is extremely difficult -- even with all the planning and preparation -- to ready ourselves for what the future may bring. A relative might change their will, they may encounter unexpected health or financial issues, or you might pass away before them.

This means that with all the planning, hoping or expecting, you may be left on your own when it comes to eventually tackling the housing situation. While this won’t sway me one way or the other when it comes to how I feel about homeownership, I do think it is something important to consider when it comes to an inheritance and could alter the way others could or should see the possibility of being left a home by way of a benefactor.

Where I Look for Self-employment Work Ethic

2011-10-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

I always looked up to my grandfather. He had attended the University of Michigan, majoring in journalism. He even played baseball for the school. He was going to play football, but upon entering the stadium to suit up for his first practice, he was met by a fellow player coming off the field carrying his front teeth in his hand (this was back in the leather-helmeted days of the late 1930s mind you). He therefore decided that baseball would be the better route to go. I can’t say that I blame him.

After graduating, marrying, getting a job as a woman’s undergarment salesman, and having a few children, he decided it was time to try his hand at becoming a full-time writer. The rest of his story is what motivates me the most in my writing endeavors.

Upon making the decision to pursue a full-time writing career, my grandfather figured that if he was going to do it -- and having had enough of the Michigan winters -- that he should haul the family, which by now included three children, down to Florida.

After four years of only moderate writing success though, and with grandma working as a waitress to help support his work, they decided to head back to the Midwest where he took a job as director of communications with that same undergarment company he had sold for previously. He did their weekly newsletter, copywriting, and performed similar duties, but he didn’t let his dream of becoming a full-time writer die.

Motivation and Mentoring from Beyond the Grave
I didn’t start writing full-time until a year after my grandfather passed away, but his example still served to motivate me in my endeavors. Before work each morning my grandfather would wake at four in the morning to write for several hours before going in to work. I used this example to push myself in my early years before I quit my work in the hotel business. I used to come home from work each day and write for several hours in the evening in an effort to gain experience before taking the plunge into full-time writing.

While it took years, my grandfather eventually found success. After selling several stories to The Saturday Evening Post Magazine he became a humor writer for them and eventually senior editor. And though it had taken him several decades in between, his perseverance had finally paid off.

Generational Differences…and Similarities
Thinking back to the writers of my grandfather’s day, I find additional motivation in my self-employment work ethic. It makes me wonder if they would have found our current writer’s market unbelievably easy to tame. They wouldn’t have to type everything out by hand, type additional copies by hand, send their articles and manuscripts by snail mail, and wait for weeks on end with no response. While some of these aspects are still part of a writer’s life, it’s now much easier to be noticed in a variety of other mediums, although the amount of competition for that attention has increased dramatically as well.

And just when I think that technology has drastically transformed the way we go about things these days and that I’m probably pursuing my writing career completely different from the way my grandfather did, I find a box of his old articles, short stories, poems, and notes. Within, I find all his unpublished work for which he never found takers.

I find myself surprised that a senior editor at a major magazine had boxes full of unpublished work, rejection letters, and even his old expense book documenting each cent he spent.

So now, even with my grandfather dead and gone, I can set his box of rejection letters next to mine, his handwritten expense book next to my handwritten expense book, and all his unpublished work next to my zip-drive of unpublished work, and I can look at it as a reminder of just how hard he had to work to get where he was and as motivation to keep me hard at work when the rejection letters are steadily pouring in (by way of email that is).

Trimming Our Dining Out Costs By $950 a Year

2011-10-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

I enjoy going out to eat ... in certain situations, that is. Going out to eat just to go out to eat doesn't do it for me. I need character, ambiance, fun and interesting servers or great prices and good food in a place at which I pay someone to bring me my food.

Call me picky. I'm not, but that's OK. I simply don't like wasting my money at a place that offers little outside what I could create myself. I want a menu or an environment that's outside the norm. I want people who entertain my brain or who are characters. I don't want to just waste my money eating a meal I could have cooked myself at home.

READ MORE...

What Will Happen to Yahoo?

2011-10-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of speculation out there about the future of Yahoo. Will it be bought out by Alibaba? What about Providence Equity Partners? Is Microsoft still in the picture, or have they finally called it quits on trying to acquire Yahoo?

READ MORE...

Thanks for the Memories Dan Wheldon

2011-10-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

When a Twitter follower joked with Dan Wheldon before his final Indycar race (one in which he was eligible to win $5,000,000) that he should just pay the other drivers to pull over, Dan's response -- his final re-tweet before his death -- was: "That's not the way to win my man!!!"

Though I didn't know him personally, I think that says a lot about him.

Thanks for the memories Dan!!!

Breaking Down Our Monthly Energy Bill

2011-10-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Breaking down and understanding utility bills isn't always easy. Here are some of the things that I did to more fully comprehend what these bills were telling me and how I used that knowledge to save money.

READ MORE...