Living for today - Planning for Tomorrow
There is an interesting article over at Fortune magazine called “A recession of biblical proportions“. It takes an interesting look at saving and spending trends during downturns and notes that this recession is different than others in that we are now saving during the downturn as opposed to using previously saved funds to get by. It notes that during the boom times that we have
Arrrgggghh. I have to remember that cars won’t just go forever without some drama. It seems like just yesterday that we put roughly $900+ in to our Honda for a new timing belt, water pump and seals. It was an easy decision to make because we fully intend to drive that car for as many miles as we can. It’s great not having a car
Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh but we have discovered we’ve pretty much quit eating out, other than an occasional fast food restaurant. After reading Madame X’s post about where she spent her food money last year, I can say I’m quite happy we have stopped eating out at places like Applebees, The Keg, Red Robin and other local “sit down” restaurants. I was shocked
Well, after a couple month hiatus, I’m dieting to shrink my waist line a bit. I’m not really subscribing to a strict diet but I have drastically reduced my food intake and am counting calories through the Weight Watcher’s method. To keep me honest I’m meeting my brother in law at his house to weigh in each Monday night. So far so good. If I
I’ve really been somewhat riveted by the current economic crisis. Each day seems to bring new twists and the numbers are getting worse by the month. Today they announced a 2.7% decrease in December retail sales. Isn’t December the month where everyone is supposed to go gangbusters and spend tons of money they don’t have? Apparently not last December. I’ve read more than a few
Amidst all the noises of garbage landing in the pile and large machines working away I heard the sound of my long time friend being crushed in to a thousand pieces. I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. The couch that has been my comfort every evening for 10 years finally had it’s last behind on it yesterday. At first I thought that
It seems that the demands on my wallet never cease. Last week my wife decided to make something on the stove. We have a Jenn Air stove that just sits in a hole on the kitchen island in our home. Our oven is not connected to this and is on a wall in the kitchen. (It’s not a range/oven combo). Anyway, when my wife
A couple of years ago my house was known as the “cold” house. Every time my sister came to visit she made sure she brought along sweaters and coats. At that point in time my thermostat was set at 69 degrees during the day and 62 at night. With the temperature at 69 I could easily walk around the house with a T-shirt on and
Happy New Year! I’ve had the last two weeks off from work and have enjoyed spending time with my wife and daughter as well as just relaxing around the house. We had a very interesting weather pattern here leading up to the new year so I also shoveled more snow than I ever have in my life. Christmas was low key and I think we
Today was one of those days that you remember for the rest of your life and I didn’t spend a nickel all day. Up here in the Pacific Northwest the weather has been a little abnormal. By that I mean that it snowed. It has been cold for a week and we even saw temperatures in the single digits overnight in a couple areas. With
