Katie and I want to take a dream vacation to Brazil, but we disagree on whether the kids should come or not. Katie wants them to come, I think they won't appreciate it.
Anyway, Eve walks into the room, and here's the conversation.
Katie: Eve, do you want to go on a big trip to Brazil?
Eve: No. I just want to go to the car wash.
Katie: (Laughing) Well, I guess that settles it.
What do y'all think? Should the kids come on the Brazil trip?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Money Advice
Here's some money advice I recently read on Mint.com. They started with simple advice they'd expect someone to hear from their dad (it was a Father's Day thing), then they said whether they agreed or not.
1) "Money Management is easy, just spend less than you make." Then Mint said that was a start, but you should also make money work for you with compound interest, and have an emergency fund.
2) "Buy low, sell high." Then Mint said not to try to time the market because it won't work.
3) "Don't carry a balance on your credit cards." And Mint said they agree, and added to check your credit score regularly.
What do y'all think?
Here's what I say:
1) I agree with everything on this one, but I would add that it is not enough to "spend less than you make." What you really need to do is spend as much as you plan on spending. In other words, trade "living within your means" for "living within your budget". Actually saving as much as you plan, and having all expenditures not exceed what you planned to spend. No one can know all they may need $ for next paycheck, but you should allocate some money to "general" or "free" categories that can make up the difference. The only way I've found that works for us to do this is to take out our variable payments in cash and not spend anymore when the cash runs out.
2) I also think timing the market is too risky, but I'd say buying something when the price is low is still a good idea, especially if you want to own that item anyway.
3) I'm not a big fan of credit cards. The companies themselves want to make money, and they will make much more the moment you are late on a payment or make a partial payment. I'd say use C-cards sparingly, even if you get rewards, because when you have a rough time financially, they will not be charitable.
That's what I think. Do you agree?
Any more sound advice you'd like to share?
1) "Money Management is easy, just spend less than you make." Then Mint said that was a start, but you should also make money work for you with compound interest, and have an emergency fund.
2) "Buy low, sell high." Then Mint said not to try to time the market because it won't work.
3) "Don't carry a balance on your credit cards." And Mint said they agree, and added to check your credit score regularly.
What do y'all think?
Here's what I say:
1) I agree with everything on this one, but I would add that it is not enough to "spend less than you make." What you really need to do is spend as much as you plan on spending. In other words, trade "living within your means" for "living within your budget". Actually saving as much as you plan, and having all expenditures not exceed what you planned to spend. No one can know all they may need $ for next paycheck, but you should allocate some money to "general" or "free" categories that can make up the difference. The only way I've found that works for us to do this is to take out our variable payments in cash and not spend anymore when the cash runs out.
2) I also think timing the market is too risky, but I'd say buying something when the price is low is still a good idea, especially if you want to own that item anyway.
3) I'm not a big fan of credit cards. The companies themselves want to make money, and they will make much more the moment you are late on a payment or make a partial payment. I'd say use C-cards sparingly, even if you get rewards, because when you have a rough time financially, they will not be charitable.
That's what I think. Do you agree?
Any more sound advice you'd like to share?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Father's Day Gift
My sweet wife took this picture for me for Father's Day. Then she printed it so I can put it in my office at work. I am loved!
Here are some of the other pictures from their photo session:
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| From 2009_06_16 |
Here are some of the other pictures from their photo session:
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| From 2009_06_16 |
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| From 2009_06_16 |
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| From 2009_06_16 |
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| From 2009_06_16 |
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| From 2009_06_16 |
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| From 2009_06_16 |
An exchange with Abigail
Me: Did you just toot!?
Abigail: No. (she smirks and puts her hands in front of her mouth) I burped in my panties.
Abigail: No. (she smirks and puts her hands in front of her mouth) I burped in my panties.
Insightful Quote
Strength and struggle go together. The supreme reward of struggle is strength. Life is a battle and the greatest joy is to overcome. The pursuit of easy things makes men weak. Do not equip yourselves with superior power and hope to escape the responsibility and work. It cannot be done. It is following the lines of least resistance that makes rivers and men crooked.
- Ralph Parlette
I read this as I was finishing preparing for my last actuarial exam. I was about out of steam and this was just the thing to keep me going.
So, what do you think? Can you become strong without struggle? Do you also like this quote?
- Ralph Parlette
I read this as I was finishing preparing for my last actuarial exam. I was about out of steam and this was just the thing to keep me going.
So, what do you think? Can you become strong without struggle? Do you also like this quote?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
And we have LIFT-OFF!
So this is my first trip into the blog-o-sphere, and it is pretty scary. For those of you who are frequent fliers, please be gentle and forgiving, because there may be turbulence.
This blog has 3 main purposes:
1 - share some adventures (or mis-adventures)
2 - share some thoughts (or ask advice from all you highly-intelligent people)
3 - seek some lift (I'll explain)
Let's boil my life down to 3 main parts. Doing, Thinking and Being. These coincide with this blog's 3 main purposes.
The first part will talk about what me and mine are doing. All the actions, reactions, and occurences. Well, not ALL, but hopefully a couple of the more entertaining ones.
The second part will be posts of stuff I'm thinking, planning, or being stumped by. Maybe there will be an actuarial exam question or dilemma thrown in, just for fun.
The third part is about what I want to become, who I want to be, or my ideals. Things that lift me up and give life meaning and value. Hopefully, y'all will be better for reading it too.
Anyway, now you know the plan. Let's see how I do at sticking to it. :)
This blog has 3 main purposes:
1 - share some adventures (or mis-adventures)
2 - share some thoughts (or ask advice from all you highly-intelligent people)
3 - seek some lift (I'll explain)
Let's boil my life down to 3 main parts. Doing, Thinking and Being. These coincide with this blog's 3 main purposes.
The first part will talk about what me and mine are doing. All the actions, reactions, and occurences. Well, not ALL, but hopefully a couple of the more entertaining ones.
The second part will be posts of stuff I'm thinking, planning, or being stumped by. Maybe there will be an actuarial exam question or dilemma thrown in, just for fun.
The third part is about what I want to become, who I want to be, or my ideals. Things that lift me up and give life meaning and value. Hopefully, y'all will be better for reading it too.
Anyway, now you know the plan. Let's see how I do at sticking to it. :)
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