Author Archive
Friday, August 1st, 2008
Keep Money, Save Friends
Being in a reasonable financial position, I want everybody around me to also do well. I know where I am and where I want to go. Unfortunately, some friends of mine are in the opposite boat. They do not have their financial lives together and do not know where they are are or where they [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Other by Jack
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Ross Perot’s Updated Charts
As some of us remember, Ross Perot loves charts. They do a good job of conveying limited bits of information.
Well, despite not running for President this year, he has updated his charts. Take a look at his Challenges presentation.
I think it is logically put together, and does a better job of pointing out the long [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Jack
Friday, July 18th, 2008
What Is Your Unique Identifier?
Why do people drink Coke over Pepsi? Or Pepsi over Coke? What about choosing between sugar, Equal, Nutrasweet, and Splenda? Proponents of each can - and will - speak out about the virtues that make each one better than the other options.
This difference is critical. And not just for food and drink.
Promotions
When choosing somebody to [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Employment by Jack
Friday, July 18th, 2008
My Job as Scoutmaster
I volunteer to take other peoples’ teenage boys camping - for fun.
Not exactly the top choice of that many people. Especially those that do not have any kids of their own. Yet, it is something that I really enjoy and look forward to.
It is partially because of the great outdoors. It is fun to sit [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Volunteering by Jack
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
Personal Finance Update
Being past the midpoint for this year, it seems to be a good time to take stock and review how I am proceeding against my goals.
Emergency Fund
My emergency fund has been built and is now sitting at a little over $1000. Goal complete.
Credit Card Debt
At first, I did poorly with this goal for the year. [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in goals by Jack
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Time for Less Government
What does an ideally minimal government look like? We can look to European governments for an opposing view where the state enforces controls on individuals and businesses alike while owning in some cases certain services.
We can look to many developing and mostly developed countries ranging from India to Mexico and including several sub-Saharan African countries. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized, politics by Jack
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
Dave Ramsey is Wrong (but listen anyways)
Dave Ransey is a great personal finance guru for millions of individuals out there. His Christian viewpoint, practical advice, and emphasis on personal responsibility and shunning of debt is a breath of fresh air in an environment where debt is king.
A voice in the financial desert is a good way to describe Dave. He has [...]
3 Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Jack
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
Nuke the Fridge
Nuke the Fridge may become this decades equivalent of “jumping the shark”. Now, don’t get me wrong - Indiana Jones is an immensely entertaining series of movies. Yes, it asks you to suspend disbelief regularly and just watch for the entertainment bit. However, nuking the fridge was so over the top
Movies and TV series are [...]
No Comments » - Posted in politics by Jack
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
The Populist Party
One of the things that keep coming up in my posts is that I feel the Federal government is too big and intrusive. From a simple financial viewpoint it is either too big or we are not taxed enough. The government needs to be able to supply the services it does using just the resources [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in politics by Jack
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Make More Then You Spend
There are two ways to get ahead financially. Most people who are reading this article will readily recognize both of them:
Spend less than you make
and
Make more than you spend
That is it. Every single way that you can get ahead financially will fit into one of those two categories. Nothing mind-blowing by itself. [...]
