Our problems are not due to China or any other country. We have been thinking short-term for years, spending our money on houses bigger than we can afford, cars bigger than we can afford and a government bigger than we can afford. We complain about paying taxes at the same time we expect government to give us a full range of services AND solve all our problems.
We've gotten in the habit of putting everything "on the cuff." If you want something but don't have the money, charge it! Fighting a war while lowering taxes...no problem, just borrow the money from other countries. So now, China is the largest creditor nation in the world (they have more people owing them money than anyone else) and the largest debtor nation is the U.S. For the last decade, we should have been hip-deep in a crash course to develop self-sustaining energy sources, but why bother when there was plenty of cheap oil? Just a little bit of long term thought would have shown that we would run out sooner than later, but our national motto was "What? Me worry?" As long as the Dow kept going up and we had enough credit to buy the things we couldn't afford, we didn't care.
Well, we'd better wake up now. We'd better start investing, instead of spending every dime we have and then some. People who are working to waste less and save more have realized this.
But we'd better ALL start making sacrifices now to pull ourselves out of this hole, while we still can....or day after tomorrow, we're going to wake up to find ourselves a third-rate, debtor nation populated by has-beens. Don't think it can't happen. History is full of examples, from Egypt to Rome to Imperial Russia to the British Empire. We need to get to work, start saving, start sacrificing....now.
Is that photo supposed to be of a dandelion leaf? If so, it doesn't look like any dandelion leaf I've ever seen. Fortunately, there are a lot of edible dandelion look-a-likes but the dandelion leaf is rather distinctive.
I couldn't see spending $75 on a bin so on the advice of a seasoned composter I made a composting area in my yard that was 3ftx3ft. I took a pile of grass, layered with brown leaves, food scraps (no meat, oil or dairy), 1 cup Miracle grow, 1 can sugary soda, and 1 gallon of water. Mix it all up and in no time it heats up. Turn it and add to it every few days. It reduces down to practically nothing,(now in <1 wk) and is greast for my small garden. I don't even have to add soil conditioners every spring. I can add shredded bills and newspapers and in my area Starbucks gives away the old coffee grounds that we add in there too. The kids love the green science experiment.
Okay, Guest, you asked, so I'll spill ther beans. I have stumbled upon a way to make lots of money with your home, if you own one.
I'm renting a room in a house owned by a couple. They rent out 5 bedrooms at $150 per week. They sleep on couches in the living room. They provide three meals a day and control the kitchen (you don't get kitchen privileges when you rent a room).
Renting rooms by the week - with move-in costs far lower than monthly rentals - keeps the rooms rented. While the turnover is high, rooms fill up quickly with a free Craigslist post. Over several months, the vacancy rate does not exceed 5 percent.
The rental income is more than twice the mortgage payment. Sure it's extreme living but it is quite profitable.
I grew up with a dad who stayed at home while mom finished her Associate's degree, worked, AND traveled for work. Not to mention, she was an incredible mother. Dad ran his own business, out of the house, so technically, yes. He DID work 50+ hours a week - often staying up until 1-2 in the morning, to get the latest job done so we'd have food on the table, presents under the Christmas tree, money in the church plate. It was a lovely childhood - sure, we didn't have the latest and greatest RIGHT AWAY, but my parents really tried to instill (and succeeded with me, at least....my younger brother is another story. Hehe..) the value of saving up for something special.
We had great meals, there were always fruits and veggies in the house, as well as 'fun foods', thanks to my mother's tireless efforts to shop the sales and with coupons. We weren't always on the edge of fashion, but our clothing was neat, clean, warm when it needed to be, and durable, thanks to stores like JCPenney's outlet and Kohl's department store. Family was (and still is) an important part of life. We went on vacation only a few times - otherwise, my parents scrimped and saved to buy a pull-behind trailer, cleaned it and renovated it, and we camped every.single.weekend at a campsite in Portage, WI with friends. Life was full of campfires, exploring the woods, learning how to cook, clean, sew, reading books by the pool, summer school, taking College for Kids courses at UW Milwaukee....life was good.
Now, as an adult, I am so thankful for the experience I had growing up. I'm a Stay at home mom to one little guy, a full time graduate student, caregiver to 5 doggies, and a wife. I have time to take my little guy to story time, to go on long walks, to do the research and planning that was necessary to buy our first home (a condo) for 66% of its appraised value (okay...the crappy real estate market helped. A little.), time to coupon and shop sales, time to do our taxes on my own (which I won't be doing this upcoming year - buying a home and the new baby are extra deductions I want to make sure I get)...the list goes on and on. My husband wasn't happy when I was laid off last year, but now, a year later, tells me he can't imagine me having gone back to work, putting the baby in day care, and me also being in school.
Sure, it is a sacrifice. But it is one that is worth it. And for those who say "Well...what about divorce!?" I say to them....why are you getting married to that person in the first place, if divorce is a possibility on the horizon? I know in my marriage vows, I said for better or for worse.....
I agree wholeheartedly with the author. The enemy is U.S., both the populi and the gubmint. The elected officials are continually bribed by upwards of 40,000 lobbyist and the electorate, by and large appear to be a bunch of brats screaming: "but I want it NOW!!!" (shades of Willy Wonka!).
How can we remain globally competitive with Chinese slave wage workers earning 50 cents an hour working 12 hour shifts six days a week? The real enemy isn't us or our government. The real enemy is Communist style capitalism.
I have a deal pending with him. He has been professional and on top of things form the beginning. He even took the time to speak witht he borrower I would give him a chance.
Linsey - thanks for asking if my book is a good ROI, I have a very biased answer for you, and that is YES, of course it is. However, it's ultimately left up for the readers decide, as I think you acheived really well in your review explaining your thoughts (both good and bad) on the book. People seem to enjoy the story, the humor, and even the advice in the book regardless of their age, their financial situation, or even their interest in finance. So I hope everyone finds it a great investment in one way or another.
To TK, great question! I was frugal as I had no choice. If I wanted to achieve my goals within my timeframe, I had to maximize my saving and investing power. However, I made each action fun - it was a challege to find better deals, better investments, and that excitement of the treasure hunt for a cheaper alternative or bigger payout was what kept me going.
Now that I achieved my big financial goal I have other goals - traveling, renovating my house, trying new career paths, etc. Some of these will require me to penny-pinch at times, and I welcome it if it calls for it. The security and freedom earned from being frugal for so many years is one that some will never experience, and it's a great feeling to finally "get to the end" so to speak, and it's also a feeling I hope to teach and inspire others to achieve themselves as it's something any ol' Joe can achieve (like me). But then again, what's so bad about being frugal in the first place? It's a great trait to have!
I guess it's the same as asking those that are eco-aware this question:
"How long do you strive to conserve resources?" Money is a resource, one that isn't esteemed lightly in our family. If it ever becomes more plentiful than any other resource, maybe I'll stop being frugal. But I doubt it... I think that being good with your money is also good stewardship. So, to answer your question, never?
"You don't want to work for the sort of people who care about nitpicky details like that." Actually, sometimes it's HR that's picky, but the people you'd actually be working for aren't picky. Then you have to jump through the hoops before HR will let your actual possible future boss even see your application.
I've also seen someone apply for and get a job for which he did not have all the qualifications. Specifically, they said a master's degree was required and he did not have one. I know that the application process makes you promise that you do have all the required qualifications, so I know he also lied. The people hiring already knew him, though.
So I would say another good reason to not follow instructions is when you think that the people doing the hiring don't actually know what they want, but once they see, they will realize they want you.
I've seen both sides - my mom was a SAH wife and mom par excellence but to say she was never conflicted about it would be an out and out lie. She had worked for many years before marriage and she always missed the independence of earning her own money. Always.
I hate to see anyone devalue what she devoted her life to but I do think watching her life and knowing what she sacrificed contributed in some small way to my decision to work outside the home no matter what.
All that being said - while I am unchilded I DO work a very high-pressure (albeit well paying) job and usually put in more than 45 hours per week not counting e-mails and phone calls fielded yet we eat nutritious, home-cooked from scratch meals almost every night (when I say almost I mean 95% of the time) as I do not believe in consuming highly processed food and when we eat out we like good food - not fast food or low-end chains. My house is clean and well-run (I think), I exercise at ~5 hours per week and I arrange a “date” w/ my husband every week. Even if it’s only a gourmet meal for two that I prepare and a nice bottle of wine he picks out.
My point being not all (or I bet mest) working wives and/or mothers are cheating their families out of anything. Some of us gave up other things - I watch no TV and I sleep about 5.5 hours per night but I'm high-energy and like it that way.
So, the cheap/frugal discussion never ends, but for those people who tend towards the more extreme end of the spectrum, I have a question...
What's the plan/goal? Are you frugal/cheap until retirement and then suddenly become a spendthrift because that is what you've looked forward to your whole life? Or do you do it no matter what and then leave whatever is left over to your kids?
See, it seems like most people in the personal finance blogosphere are frugal/cheap "in order to" something. But what do you do when you get there? And how do you know you've arrived? *Then* what do you do?
By the way... I'm frugal and don't need convincing, I'd just like a nice discussion on the subject.
It's true that a lot of companies seem to be all about what they get from the employee with no thought to what the employee gets back, and that you need to view that as a warning sign.
On the other hand, whatever the company says is just a starting point for negotiations. Sometimes--when the companies really are as clueless as they seem--those negotiations go nowhere. Other times, though, companies can be much more flexible than they seem from the face of their adverts.
So--a sign that you need to be cautious, and not get too invested in the whole process. Maybe not a clear sign that the company needs to be avoided altogether.
On the other hand, I'm not saying that you're wrong. Life is too short to spend it futzing around with potential employers that show such strong signs of being disfunctional right up front, as long as there are more promising choices out there.
The key is to be clear in your own mind about what you want. If there are things you very much like about the position--the work, the location, the opportunties for growth--and the application process isn't too onerous, it may make sense to apply. You can always tell them to stick it later, if they won't offer you exactly what you want.
I dislike when employers post a long list of what they want and expect from an employee without even putting a minimum starting salary or benefits they might offer.
This is a clear sign that you should not apply for this company.
When I was taught how to do this, I was told one of the names is "wooden wife from wyoming." I've been using it for a few weeks for my pinto beans and it works great. We built a box from wood, lined it with wet hay on the bottom, put the pot in and formed wet hay around it and let it dry for a week. Made a pillow stuff with hay for the top and it works great. I'm going to be posting about it on my own blog this week or next with photos.
I think it's important to realize that, occasionally, not following instructions creatively can help land a job. I once read a story of a guy who applied for a graphic design position, and the employers wanted a cover letter, resume, and portfolio. Rather than provide the three things separately, the applicant drew up a comic, highlighting his past experience, why he wanted the job, and some of his previous work. Got the job in a heartbeat.
Since Wise Bread readers tend to think in terms of "return on investment", many of them are wondering if this book (like all books) are worth the price. I think that most everyone will take away something of value from the book in terms of unique savings strategies, but unlike other frugal tips books, you also emphasize the discipline and creativity that made your journey successful.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and answer questions. Maybe we can invite you back for a formal Q & A sometime soon!
My husband and I are waiting for about another 3-5 years before starting to raise a family because of this cost factor. My best friend, however, is actively trying to get pregnant and I fear for her. She has a non-working husband and more monthly bills than she can pay. I've tried to talk to her about it, but she won't listen. I worry she'll end up more stressed and not be able to enjoy her pregnancy and baby when she does get pregnant. For now, however, the stress seems to be keeping her from concieving, but it isn't a foolproof system. I'll have to give her a copy of this article...
I would think that being a full-time blogger (while not stress free by any stretch of the imagination!) would be less stressful than being a doctor. No one's life is in your hands *grin*
It's Alan Corey, author of "A Million Bucks by 30". I'll try to answer the questions some people had. Thanks for the review, Linsey - hope you don't mind me chiming in here.
Re: Crappy job - Yeah, my job paid more than more places do starting off ($40,000), but also NYC is one of the most expensive cities to live in, and starting salaries here reflect that. The thing to remember is that it's not how much you make, it's how much you do with what you make.
Re: Insurance/health care: The two reasons I stayed with my less than ideal job was for the health care/insurance it provided and because having steady employment helps you get loans/mortgages. In the book, you'll read that I eventually recognize my crappy job had silver linings - as yours probably does to.
I understand my book is not for everyone, and it's my story of how I accomplished what I did, and what it took for any average person like me to do it. They way I approach reading any book is that I try to take 3 things away from it and apply it to my life. I hope readers find more than 3 things from my book, but even if it's just 3 - you can significantly alter your financial outlook, and that should be the reason for reading any money book to begin with.
Thanks again, and I hope that answers the outstanding questions you guys had about my story. And lastly, best of luck on your own million dollar journeys!
Our problems are not due to China or any other country. We have been thinking short-term for years, spending our money on houses bigger than we can afford, cars bigger than we can afford and a government bigger than we can afford. We complain about paying taxes at the same time we expect government to give us a full range of services AND solve all our problems.
We've gotten in the habit of putting everything "on the cuff." If you want something but don't have the money, charge it! Fighting a war while lowering taxes...no problem, just borrow the money from other countries. So now, China is the largest creditor nation in the world (they have more people owing them money than anyone else) and the largest debtor nation is the U.S. For the last decade, we should have been hip-deep in a crash course to develop self-sustaining energy sources, but why bother when there was plenty of cheap oil? Just a little bit of long term thought would have shown that we would run out sooner than later, but our national motto was "What? Me worry?" As long as the Dow kept going up and we had enough credit to buy the things we couldn't afford, we didn't care.
Well, we'd better wake up now. We'd better start investing, instead of spending every dime we have and then some. People who are working to waste less and save more have realized this.
But we'd better ALL start making sacrifices now to pull ourselves out of this hole, while we still can....or day after tomorrow, we're going to wake up to find ourselves a third-rate, debtor nation populated by has-beens. Don't think it can't happen. History is full of examples, from Egypt to Rome to Imperial Russia to the British Empire. We need to get to work, start saving, start sacrificing....now.
Is that photo supposed to be of a dandelion leaf? If so, it doesn't look like any dandelion leaf I've ever seen. Fortunately, there are a lot of edible dandelion look-a-likes but the dandelion leaf is rather distinctive.
I couldn't see spending $75 on a bin so on the advice of a seasoned composter I made a composting area in my yard that was 3ftx3ft. I took a pile of grass, layered with brown leaves, food scraps (no meat, oil or dairy), 1 cup Miracle grow, 1 can sugary soda, and 1 gallon of water. Mix it all up and in no time it heats up. Turn it and add to it every few days. It reduces down to practically nothing,(now in <1 wk) and is greast for my small garden. I don't even have to add soil conditioners every spring. I can add shredded bills and newspapers and in my area Starbucks gives away the old coffee grounds that we add in there too. The kids love the green science experiment.
Okay, Guest, you asked, so I'll spill ther beans. I have stumbled upon a way to make lots of money with your home, if you own one.
I'm renting a room in a house owned by a couple. They rent out 5 bedrooms at $150 per week. They sleep on couches in the living room. They provide three meals a day and control the kitchen (you don't get kitchen privileges when you rent a room).
Renting rooms by the week - with move-in costs far lower than monthly rentals - keeps the rooms rented. While the turnover is high, rooms fill up quickly with a free Craigslist post. Over several months, the vacancy rate does not exceed 5 percent.
The rental income is more than twice the mortgage payment. Sure it's extreme living but it is quite profitable.
I grew up with a dad who stayed at home while mom finished her Associate's degree, worked, AND traveled for work. Not to mention, she was an incredible mother. Dad ran his own business, out of the house, so technically, yes. He DID work 50+ hours a week - often staying up until 1-2 in the morning, to get the latest job done so we'd have food on the table, presents under the Christmas tree, money in the church plate. It was a lovely childhood - sure, we didn't have the latest and greatest RIGHT AWAY, but my parents really tried to instill (and succeeded with me, at least....my younger brother is another story. Hehe..) the value of saving up for something special.
We had great meals, there were always fruits and veggies in the house, as well as 'fun foods', thanks to my mother's tireless efforts to shop the sales and with coupons. We weren't always on the edge of fashion, but our clothing was neat, clean, warm when it needed to be, and durable, thanks to stores like JCPenney's outlet and Kohl's department store. Family was (and still is) an important part of life. We went on vacation only a few times - otherwise, my parents scrimped and saved to buy a pull-behind trailer, cleaned it and renovated it, and we camped every.single.weekend at a campsite in Portage, WI with friends. Life was full of campfires, exploring the woods, learning how to cook, clean, sew, reading books by the pool, summer school, taking College for Kids courses at UW Milwaukee....life was good.
Now, as an adult, I am so thankful for the experience I had growing up. I'm a Stay at home mom to one little guy, a full time graduate student, caregiver to 5 doggies, and a wife. I have time to take my little guy to story time, to go on long walks, to do the research and planning that was necessary to buy our first home (a condo) for 66% of its appraised value (okay...the crappy real estate market helped. A little.), time to coupon and shop sales, time to do our taxes on my own (which I won't be doing this upcoming year - buying a home and the new baby are extra deductions I want to make sure I get)...the list goes on and on. My husband wasn't happy when I was laid off last year, but now, a year later, tells me he can't imagine me having gone back to work, putting the baby in day care, and me also being in school.
Sure, it is a sacrifice. But it is one that is worth it. And for those who say "Well...what about divorce!?" I say to them....why are you getting married to that person in the first place, if divorce is a possibility on the horizon? I know in my marriage vows, I said for better or for worse.....
I agree wholeheartedly with the author. The enemy is U.S., both the populi and the gubmint. The elected officials are continually bribed by upwards of 40,000 lobbyist and the electorate, by and large appear to be a bunch of brats screaming: "but I want it NOW!!!" (shades of Willy Wonka!).
How can we remain globally competitive with Chinese slave wage workers earning 50 cents an hour working 12 hour shifts six days a week? The real enemy isn't us or our government. The real enemy is Communist style capitalism.
I have a deal pending with him. He has been professional and on top of things form the beginning. He even took the time to speak witht he borrower I would give him a chance.
Hey Alan again.
Linsey - thanks for asking if my book is a good ROI, I have a very biased answer for you, and that is YES, of course it is. However, it's ultimately left up for the readers decide, as I think you acheived really well in your review explaining your thoughts (both good and bad) on the book. People seem to enjoy the story, the humor, and even the advice in the book regardless of their age, their financial situation, or even their interest in finance. So I hope everyone finds it a great investment in one way or another.
To TK, great question! I was frugal as I had no choice. If I wanted to achieve my goals within my timeframe, I had to maximize my saving and investing power. However, I made each action fun - it was a challege to find better deals, better investments, and that excitement of the treasure hunt for a cheaper alternative or bigger payout was what kept me going.
Now that I achieved my big financial goal I have other goals - traveling, renovating my house, trying new career paths, etc. Some of these will require me to penny-pinch at times, and I welcome it if it calls for it. The security and freedom earned from being frugal for so many years is one that some will never experience, and it's a great feeling to finally "get to the end" so to speak, and it's also a feeling I hope to teach and inspire others to achieve themselves as it's something any ol' Joe can achieve (like me). But then again, what's so bad about being frugal in the first place? It's a great trait to have!
I guess it's the same as asking those that are eco-aware this question:
"How long do you strive to conserve resources?" Money is a resource, one that isn't esteemed lightly in our family. If it ever becomes more plentiful than any other resource, maybe I'll stop being frugal. But I doubt it... I think that being good with your money is also good stewardship. So, to answer your question, never?
"You don't want to work for the sort of people who care about nitpicky details like that." Actually, sometimes it's HR that's picky, but the people you'd actually be working for aren't picky. Then you have to jump through the hoops before HR will let your actual possible future boss even see your application.
I've also seen someone apply for and get a job for which he did not have all the qualifications. Specifically, they said a master's degree was required and he did not have one. I know that the application process makes you promise that you do have all the required qualifications, so I know he also lied. The people hiring already knew him, though.
So I would say another good reason to not follow instructions is when you think that the people doing the hiring don't actually know what they want, but once they see, they will realize they want you.
I've seen both sides - my mom was a SAH wife and mom par excellence but to say she was never conflicted about it would be an out and out lie. She had worked for many years before marriage and she always missed the independence of earning her own money. Always.
I hate to see anyone devalue what she devoted her life to but I do think watching her life and knowing what she sacrificed contributed in some small way to my decision to work outside the home no matter what.
All that being said - while I am unchilded I DO work a very high-pressure (albeit well paying) job and usually put in more than 45 hours per week not counting e-mails and phone calls fielded yet we eat nutritious, home-cooked from scratch meals almost every night (when I say almost I mean 95% of the time) as I do not believe in consuming highly processed food and when we eat out we like good food - not fast food or low-end chains. My house is clean and well-run (I think), I exercise at ~5 hours per week and I arrange a “date” w/ my husband every week. Even if it’s only a gourmet meal for two that I prepare and a nice bottle of wine he picks out.
My point being not all (or I bet mest) working wives and/or mothers are cheating their families out of anything. Some of us gave up other things - I watch no TV and I sleep about 5.5 hours per night but I'm high-energy and like it that way.
Here is a site that will provide programs on how you can get help paying for bills, and some other tips and advice.
http://www.needhelppayingbills.com
So, the cheap/frugal discussion never ends, but for those people who tend towards the more extreme end of the spectrum, I have a question...
What's the plan/goal? Are you frugal/cheap until retirement and then suddenly become a spendthrift because that is what you've looked forward to your whole life? Or do you do it no matter what and then leave whatever is left over to your kids?
See, it seems like most people in the personal finance blogosphere are frugal/cheap "in order to" something. But what do you do when you get there? And how do you know you've arrived? *Then* what do you do?
By the way... I'm frugal and don't need convincing, I'd just like a nice discussion on the subject.
It's true that a lot of companies seem to be all about what they get from the employee with no thought to what the employee gets back, and that you need to view that as a warning sign.
On the other hand, whatever the company says is just a starting point for negotiations. Sometimes--when the companies really are as clueless as they seem--those negotiations go nowhere. Other times, though, companies can be much more flexible than they seem from the face of their adverts.
So--a sign that you need to be cautious, and not get too invested in the whole process. Maybe not a clear sign that the company needs to be avoided altogether.
On the other hand, I'm not saying that you're wrong. Life is too short to spend it futzing around with potential employers that show such strong signs of being disfunctional right up front, as long as there are more promising choices out there.
The key is to be clear in your own mind about what you want. If there are things you very much like about the position--the work, the location, the opportunties for growth--and the application process isn't too onerous, it may make sense to apply. You can always tell them to stick it later, if they won't offer you exactly what you want.
I dislike when employers post a long list of what they want and expect from an employee without even putting a minimum starting salary or benefits they might offer.
This is a clear sign that you should not apply for this company.
When I was taught how to do this, I was told one of the names is "wooden wife from wyoming." I've been using it for a few weeks for my pinto beans and it works great. We built a box from wood, lined it with wet hay on the bottom, put the pot in and formed wet hay around it and let it dry for a week. Made a pillow stuff with hay for the top and it works great. I'm going to be posting about it on my own blog this week or next with photos.
Awesome! Never knew milk powder could be used in so many ways. Nora you're just too good!
I think it's important to realize that, occasionally, not following instructions creatively can help land a job. I once read a story of a guy who applied for a graphic design position, and the employers wanted a cover letter, resume, and portfolio. Rather than provide the three things separately, the applicant drew up a comic, highlighting his past experience, why he wanted the job, and some of his previous work. Got the job in a heartbeat.
Ok since so many of you are interested in the art.... How about seeing how the "old" people did it and still do it....
The Portuguese have been making what is called Aguardent for 1000's of years.
This is everything you will ever have to know about how it is done... and a day at a Portuguese Quinta making the real stuff.
Oh and YES do NOT drink the heads or tails but you can and should use them.
See this:
How it was and is done:
http://www.copper-alembic.com/distilleds_pt_experience.php?lang=en
Everything you need to know (how to):
http://www.copper-alembic.com/distillation_history.php?lang=en
Cheers from a Portuguese.
Since Wise Bread readers tend to think in terms of "return on investment", many of them are wondering if this book (like all books) are worth the price. I think that most everyone will take away something of value from the book in terms of unique savings strategies, but unlike other frugal tips books, you also emphasize the discipline and creativity that made your journey successful.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and answer questions. Maybe we can invite you back for a formal Q & A sometime soon!
Linsey Knerl
My husband and I are waiting for about another 3-5 years before starting to raise a family because of this cost factor. My best friend, however, is actively trying to get pregnant and I fear for her. She has a non-working husband and more monthly bills than she can pay. I've tried to talk to her about it, but she won't listen. I worry she'll end up more stressed and not be able to enjoy her pregnancy and baby when she does get pregnant. For now, however, the stress seems to be keeping her from concieving, but it isn't a foolproof system. I'll have to give her a copy of this article...
-Suz
I would think that being a full-time blogger (while not stress free by any stretch of the imagination!) would be less stressful than being a doctor. No one's life is in your hands *grin*
-Suz
Great recipies, I've always thought it'd be good to make my own soy products but I've never attempted it. I just might now!
-Suz
Hey guys,
It's Alan Corey, author of "A Million Bucks by 30". I'll try to answer the questions some people had. Thanks for the review, Linsey - hope you don't mind me chiming in here.
Re: Crappy job - Yeah, my job paid more than more places do starting off ($40,000), but also NYC is one of the most expensive cities to live in, and starting salaries here reflect that. The thing to remember is that it's not how much you make, it's how much you do with what you make.
Re: Insurance/health care: The two reasons I stayed with my less than ideal job was for the health care/insurance it provided and because having steady employment helps you get loans/mortgages. In the book, you'll read that I eventually recognize my crappy job had silver linings - as yours probably does to.
I understand my book is not for everyone, and it's my story of how I accomplished what I did, and what it took for any average person like me to do it. They way I approach reading any book is that I try to take 3 things away from it and apply it to my life. I hope readers find more than 3 things from my book, but even if it's just 3 - you can significantly alter your financial outlook, and that should be the reason for reading any money book to begin with.
Thanks again, and I hope that answers the outstanding questions you guys had about my story. And lastly, best of luck on your own million dollar journeys!
Cheers,
Alan