Dr Dean - I agree with what you are saying to a degree...but the stock market has long recovered from the downturn, it's housing that we are still waiting on, and most likely will for years to come.
You pick a "owners draw" of "X" dollars. Let's use $ 1000 a week.
If you bring $ 6,000 this week after expenses, you draw $ 1000. The rest goes into savings (retained earnings). And the end of the year, you decide to give yourself a raise, or invest the money in expansion or productivity, or give yourself an "Owner's bonus".
Just finding this; great tips! Love the merchandise and price point; hate the shopping experience. I totally agree with avoiding weekends, but if you live more than 30 minutes from an Ikea like I do and work a day job, it's pretty tough to muster up the time and energy after work. Not to mention dealing with unfathomable Chicago area rush hour traffic to get there and then having to unload heavy items after 9pm. We don't have much choice but to go this weekend; I think we'll try to get there around five, maybe people will have started leaving for dinner?
Hitting the warehouse first is also HIGHLY recommended; I've done that several times and I've been enough times to have a general idea of where everything is located. And you can check the As Is section right away before your brain goes to mush. I've also been alone - definitely not recommended. The Schaumburg IL store also doesn't allow you to take the flat beds to your car. Why they would design the store that way and basically give a big middle finger to single visitors is beyond me. And yes, bring your own bags, or better yet plastic totes!
I use a laptop. The mobility is important to me (I work from home, the office, occasionally while traveling), as is having all my files in one place. The downsides are that price/performance is much higher for laptops, and you simply can't get as powerful machines.
I carry patch supplies with me but haven't mastered this approach yet. I found mixed reviews on the effectiveness, depending on the type of bike and wheels. Technique advice is encouraged from commenters.
So far, my avoidance method has been effective but I carry spare tubes and tools to lend to friends (or stranded strangers).
I own a desktop at home, and my work computer is a laptop on a docking station so it basically functions like a desktop anyway. I MUCH prefer desktop computers and have no plans to buy a laptop. I have problems typing on laptop keyboards, the screen needs to be at a specific angle in order to see clearly, the built-in mouse is a pain in the butt (and having to carry around and plug in a mouse at every use would be a pain in the butt too), the screens aren't big enough for my liking, and I don't like having them so close to my face or so low compared to my line of sight (which they have to be because of the nature of the keyboard). Desktops 1000000000%.
I buy ingredients in bulk when they are on sale so I can cook from my pantry. Appliances I love are a crock pot, stand mixer (for kneading bread), steamer, toaster oven and chest freezer. When we grill out we cook up lots of extra meat and then freeze it for quick dinners later.
Like the people who make an offer and then don't stand by it (more big companies than yard salers).
Or people who believe that the mere fact that they have owned something adds a certain je ne sais quoi and feel justified selling it for as much as new.
At the risk of sounding like a luddite, I prefer a desktop. I telecommute, so my desktop is very important to my livelihood. I have 2 large monitors for videos and movies, a great sound system for music streaming, and my set up is ergonomically friendly. Desktops last longer and can be upgraded - perhaps they are more environmentally friendly? Because hubby travels for work, he also has a laptop. Not so crazy about it.
My current desktop is 7 years old, and we'll need to replace it soon. After a thorough discussion, husband and I agreed that we'll be getting another desktop! My Droidx covers many of my Internet needs when I'm away from home.
I have both a Desktop and a Laptop. Desktop for gaming and MS Office work (I do all my financials in a speadsheet still).
Laptop for couch/ travel and netflix.
I pretty much only ever use a desktop workstation to edit video otherwise my laptop is practically always with me. I got into the Google CR-48 ChromeOS pilot program and the laptop I got from that program is the best netbook I've ever used!
When I was little, my grandfather gave us all money where he cut out a picture of him in a funny hat and taped it over the picture of the president. Another time he put it inside a christmas ornament.
Always enjoy learning about ways to outsmart the banks :)
thanks for the mention!
Dr Dean - I agree with what you are saying to a degree...but the stock market has long recovered from the downturn, it's housing that we are still waiting on, and most likely will for years to come.
I rent a room in my house to one of my friends... it's a lot easier when you know the person though.
I also blog about personal finance, not a huge money maker at the moment, but decently moving along.
That's not really the way it's done.
You pick a "owners draw" of "X" dollars. Let's use $ 1000 a week.
If you bring $ 6,000 this week after expenses, you draw $ 1000. The rest goes into savings (retained earnings). And the end of the year, you decide to give yourself a raise, or invest the money in expansion or productivity, or give yourself an "Owner's bonus".
You are welcome!
Just finding this; great tips! Love the merchandise and price point; hate the shopping experience. I totally agree with avoiding weekends, but if you live more than 30 minutes from an Ikea like I do and work a day job, it's pretty tough to muster up the time and energy after work. Not to mention dealing with unfathomable Chicago area rush hour traffic to get there and then having to unload heavy items after 9pm. We don't have much choice but to go this weekend; I think we'll try to get there around five, maybe people will have started leaving for dinner?
Hitting the warehouse first is also HIGHLY recommended; I've done that several times and I've been enough times to have a general idea of where everything is located. And you can check the As Is section right away before your brain goes to mush. I've also been alone - definitely not recommended. The Schaumburg IL store also doesn't allow you to take the flat beds to your car. Why they would design the store that way and basically give a big middle finger to single visitors is beyond me. And yes, bring your own bags, or better yet plastic totes!
I use a laptop. The mobility is important to me (I work from home, the office, occasionally while traveling), as is having all my files in one place. The downsides are that price/performance is much higher for laptops, and you simply can't get as powerful machines.
Thanks for the mention!
I carry patch supplies with me but haven't mastered this approach yet. I found mixed reviews on the effectiveness, depending on the type of bike and wheels. Technique advice is encouraged from commenters.
So far, my avoidance method has been effective but I carry spare tubes and tools to lend to friends (or stranded strangers).
Thanks for the tips, including another reason to carry cash (currency).
I own a desktop at home, and my work computer is a laptop on a docking station so it basically functions like a desktop anyway. I MUCH prefer desktop computers and have no plans to buy a laptop. I have problems typing on laptop keyboards, the screen needs to be at a specific angle in order to see clearly, the built-in mouse is a pain in the butt (and having to carry around and plug in a mouse at every use would be a pain in the butt too), the screens aren't big enough for my liking, and I don't like having them so close to my face or so low compared to my line of sight (which they have to be because of the nature of the keyboard). Desktops 1000000000%.
I buy ingredients in bulk when they are on sale so I can cook from my pantry. Appliances I love are a crock pot, stand mixer (for kneading bread), steamer, toaster oven and chest freezer. When we grill out we cook up lots of extra meat and then freeze it for quick dinners later.
Are the 5 worst sellers still coming.
Like the people who make an offer and then don't stand by it (more big companies than yard salers).
Or people who believe that the mere fact that they have owned something adds a certain je ne sais quoi and feel justified selling it for as much as new.
Laptop, because I can take it with me anywhere! Right now, I'm on a LayZBoy recliner and am Wayyyy more comfortable than an office chair. I love it!
laptop- it's portable!!!
At the risk of sounding like a luddite, I prefer a desktop. I telecommute, so my desktop is very important to my livelihood. I have 2 large monitors for videos and movies, a great sound system for music streaming, and my set up is ergonomically friendly. Desktops last longer and can be upgraded - perhaps they are more environmentally friendly? Because hubby travels for work, he also has a laptop. Not so crazy about it.
My current desktop is 7 years old, and we'll need to replace it soon. After a thorough discussion, husband and I agreed that we'll be getting another desktop! My Droidx covers many of my Internet needs when I'm away from home.
I have both a Desktop and a Laptop. Desktop for gaming and MS Office work (I do all my financials in a speadsheet still).
Laptop for couch/ travel and netflix.
I pretty much only ever use a desktop workstation to edit video otherwise my laptop is practically always with me. I got into the Google CR-48 ChromeOS pilot program and the laptop I got from that program is the best netbook I've ever used!
i have one of each, thanks to my brother the techie. i like convenience of laptop, but desktop feels so much more stable...
"discard the old tube"?!
Boo! You're supposed to be saving money - how about a follow-up article on how to apply a $0.10 patch?
I have a desktop. And a second hand laptop that doesn't work.
Desktop, but I wish it was a fancy Mac laptop :)
When I was little, my grandfather gave us all money where he cut out a picture of him in a funny hat and taped it over the picture of the president. Another time he put it inside a christmas ornament.
What about meditation???
Love my laptop. I can't imagine even going back to a desktop at home. I love being able to tuck my laptop away and taking it with me whenever I want.