Wow. As a small business owner and someone who has worked in retail my entire life, I can't imagine people at stores being so inflexible as to realize they can copy your credit card number down, your expiration date, get your phone number, make you out a slip, and have you sign it and make the sale even though the credit card machine is down, then run the transaction through manually later. This is actually how credit card purchases were done some 15 years ago, and still can be done when there is a problem with "the machine".
Actually, I can imagine that level of lack of adaptablility and creativity. It's pretty sad though.
I think this is quite right. I grew up in a poor environment, and as a young adult I could barely afford rent. I'm still young, but now I'm what you'd say pretty much loaded.
Despite of this fact, I always find myself paying less than others for the same thing. Because I recognize the world as a big business place, and its now hardwired into my genes to make good deals. And it does not turn off even if the gain I achieve is minimal, like less than a dollar. It's about achieving something, not about the amount.
The story seems pretty much made up though, but serves well to prove a point.
This has great content but, man 'O man, is it ever boring to hear someone talk in one tone! Someone needs to go to speach classes. They need to learn to read with excitement in their voice. I think if you got someone else to read the script, I would enjoy listening to the content.
I struggle with this issue so I'm so glad you wrote about it. I joined a CSA this week because there is now one with a pick up near enough to my home to make sense. There is also a great farmers market that is expensive but not prohibitively so if I watch how much I am eating. I guess that is the bottom line: I want to eat good,local,organic food and I am willing to eat less if necessary.
I struggle with this issue so I'm so glad you wrote about it. I joined a CSA this week because there is now one with a pick up near enough to my home to make sense. There is also a great farmers market that is expensive but not prohibitively so if I watch how much I am eating. I guess that is the bottom line: I want to eat good,local,organic food and I am willing to eat less if necessary.
What got me interested in a debt free life was the realization that nobody else was going to provide for me in old age. Social security will not be there, companies are bagging traditional pensions and those that don't can't guarantee they will be able to pay what they've promised (ask a retiree from United or GM). Every time and "expert" wants to show you how to live debt free they ask for money to do so. Interview 5 financial advisors and you'll get 5 different answers. If I want to retire, I've got to do it myself.
What has inspired me was finding a way that makes sense which I can implement myself. Toyota is known for their "lean" management approach. When you look at their management principles, every one comes down to common sense and every one can be applied to your personal life. In short... Educate, educate, educate yourself, eliminate the wastes of time, energy and money, spend less than you earn and invest what you accumulate. Learn more detail at http://eliminatethemuda.com
Growing wealth is not about doing 1 thing right one time, it's about doing many things right over a long period of time.
We live in a tiny apartment, with barely enough room for a week's worth of food, so if some sort of horrible disaster were to hit... I guess we'd be in trouble. But we don't live in a place where there are hurricanes or blizzards, so hopefully we'll be okay!
On the last point it is right on the money. 'Not bad' doesn't necessarily mean good and this is the point is. This is the point of these posts, talking about the illusory recovery. Even alchoholics can be in recovery but the fact that the U.S. no longer makes anything and that we have more debt than savings and more ideology than policy, further complicates things. Plus I think a lot of consumers have short memories and tend to act in times of famine as if things will never get any better and in times of feast as if the boom will last forever.
These turned out great tasting. Won't have a problem eating one or two with my coffee in the morning.
Does anybody remember Bill Cosby rationalizing feeding his kids chocolate cake for breakfast because it had eggs, milk, etc.? That's kind of how these cookies make me feel; like I'm getting away with something.
I am really late in finding this recipe. I hate (HATE) breakfast but my physical therapist insists that if I don't eat it, my body will go into starvation mode and start storing fat. (You'd think after 57 years my body would figure out that it's going to get fed eventually) Anyway, I tried the Quaker Oats breakfast cookies and they were just yuck so I searched the Internet and found you. I have a batch in the oven as I type this and I must say they do smell good.
Changes to basic: Added an egg and some salt, used dried pineapple and brown sugar and 1/2 cup coarsly chopped pecans. Yield 24 cookies - is that about right?
We just made it to debt free- I mean totally-- no credit card, no mortgage, no student loan. All paid off. It took about seven years of diligence.
We paid down $40k in student loans, paid off a $154k house, and $2,000 in credit card debt.
It's just a matter of making it a priority and sending that little bit extra every month. The key to paying off a house is to make that one of the criteria when you are shopping for one. Ask, at this price, could we pay it off if we sent X amount extra every month? Crunch the numbers, buy only as much house as you need, and drive a hard bargain when you buy.
I listened to the Target episode by Lindsey and thought it was very useful. I'm an avid Target shopper, so I knew about some of the tips, but I had no idea there was a schedule to when items go on clearance. I learned a few other tips, as well, and will file that knowledge away for when I'm planning my next shopping trip!
I watched my last CGI/Big Star/Holey Plot/Crappy Dialogue movie a couple years ago.
I've gone to just downloading them off torrents or to the free movie sites out there.
Seriously, movie produces are interested in making a huge profit off a blockbuster so they throw in a few big named stars, a bunch of CGI effects and, whip out a script that even a 14yr old would think is lame.
Example would be GI JOE. That movie looked like a bunch of computer geeks were sitting around making CGI movies of lazers and jet planes and thought "Hey lets turn this into a movie! Just throw a script in there and lets sell it!"
I would have paid to see Dark Knight in theaters, but I had been let down so many times, leaving the movie theater feeling like I wasted 2hrs of my life and $10.
Yeah, maybe the movie industry will go the same route as the music industry, buts its their own fault. Sell the people crap disguised as strawberries long enough and they'll stop buying.
I didn't really say this in the post (and went off in a different direction) but I do agree that it is okay to overshoot or apply for positions that seem like long shots. What I see sometimes are people who put lots of time and energy into long shots and very little time and energy toward the opportunities that are better matches.
That said, though, I also find that people think it is easier to land an entry-level position anywhere rather than pursuing their dreams. But oftentimes, it isn't. So, I encourage them to go for the dream job and highlight the experiences, knowledge, skills, etc. that match the dream (which they typically have if it is truly what they've always wanted to do, and aren't applying for a position just because it's open). And that passion usually comes through in the interview process, showing the decision makers that he/she will really work hard, continue education in that area, etc.
There really isn't anything on the horizon that will drive sustainable growth in the US economy at this point. The "growth" we're seeing (and I agree with Phil above, it's not really growth we're seeing, but we're just seeing things get less bad) is coming from the government sector. Japan did similar things all throughout the 90's and yet they've still ended up with 20 years of stagnation now. It seems we're headed in a similar direction. If we consider that our downturn actually started in 2000 when the tech bubble burst (and most stock indices are about at the same level they were then) we've already had almost 10 lost years.
The advantage that Japan had going into their downturn was that their people had a lot of savings. This is not an advantage that the US has - our people have a lot of debt. This will likely make out experience more difficult than the Japanese experience.
When it comes right down to it, the "wealth" of the last 15 years or so was just an illusion built on debt. Now we're in the midst of a painful readjustment down to a more sustainable standard of living.
I would never work with someone like yourself as your buyers' agent. You would be a red flag right off the bat. In most markets, the buyers' agent doesn't make more than 3% (we don't even make that, it is usually less than half after our expenses, taxes, cut to our broker, gas, and the thousands in fees, insurance, locks useage, etc. to even be a realtor). Also, in most markets, a good buyers' agent and reasonable seller will allow for the seller to pay 3% of your closing costs anyway. Wanting that in writing is weird to me, and in 5 years I have never heard of such a thing. It would usually happen anyway. And hiring a real estate lawyer is sort of needless unless it is a very unique property, in an instance of just buying a home. This is because the title company is your lawyer, and you are already paying for that anyway. It is a waste of money. Be careful filling out forms yourself. We are carefully trained to know how to word contracts, while we are not attorneys of course. I have taken many classes on it and had many situations where I had to be creative and consult with experts on wording contracts to truly and properly represent my client. While it isn't rocket science, it isn't something most people would know how to do properly if you haven't written and closed 100 homes with all different situations. I once wrote a contract with 25 contingencies, all very carefully worded out, and it wasn't even a commercial deal! Most homes only require 3-10, but there are some instances where you need to be covered on all things that you may not even think of! You would be surprised. While the media says the market is so down, our area is not down in the price range I most normally work with and they are still selling for full price if fairly priced, and within 30-60 days or less! So, I am not desperate and lots of my realtor friends are not. We would never be desperate enough to work with someone like yourself who thinks you know more than us and is unappreciative of our help that actually protects you down the road! I hope you wise up and get over your poor attitude. Looks like maybe you have been burned before and are generalizing and putting us all into one category. We won't be extinct in five years. My clients are very thankful for what I do for them. I don't just write up a contract and get paid. It is a lot of responsibility, time limits, and making sure everything is done correctly for months usually. I save my clients LOTS of time and money! Our job isn't as easy as you may think. You don't see behind the scenes all that we actually do for you. I spend sometimes hours each day for EACH client for months at a time, working until midnight sometimes, or on Sundays. I have even missed going out of town on planned getaways because my clients need me. I feel it is my responsibility to protect and serve my clients the best i can. I hope you stop spreading bad things about us realtors and realize that we are very needed.
I am a realtor and have seen a lot of folks get burned by not using a buyers' agent. Here in TN, most of the agencies will not allow DUAL AGENCY! We consider it very unethical here in the friendly south. So, the problem this guy has with dual agency is void here. There are many reasons why you need a buyers' agent. Being unrepresented is like using the same divorce attorney as your spouse! The other agent here in TN is bound by law to represent the seller ONLY. While they will hold your hand, be sweet, do a lot for you, etc. they are not representing you, but ARE representing the seller. They will be extra nice because they will make double the money because they don't have to split it with a buyers' agent. The ethical thing to do is for that realtor to still fully explain to you that you have the option by law to be appointed a buyers' agent. Reasons you should use a buyers' agent:
1. If experienced, they know what is good for resale (believe me, it isn't just common myths and things you THINK are good for resale, or things you learn on HGTV!). There are quirky things you will not know to look out for that we have experience seeing that make homes hard to sell later!
2. Easements, encroachments, fencelines, powerlines, growth and chances of something being built by you like a stinky papermill, garbage dump, carlot, or many weird things like this need to be researched and looked out for (no guarantees things won't change in the future, but at least have them looked at and evaluated).
3. HOA transfer fees and HOA problems with insurance, etc. (THIS is a big one that many realtors don't even research, but I do look heavily into all aspects on the WHAT-IFS b/c they are so important. Other agents call me paranoid, but I am just extra careful in making sure my buyers do not run into something bad later if I can help it. Plus, they may call me later to help sell it and I need to be able to sell it!
3. Appreciation rates. This takes me hours to figure and while no one has a crystal ball, we can show you the trends for that area, type of house, or neighborhood so that you can plan for how long you think you may stay in that home.
4. Are you paying a fair price? A good buyers' agent that truly cares will thoroughly research the TRUE comps, not just zillow or other online sites that pull any old house nearby. A true comp has to have many comparisons to the subject property and it is a square foot exact pricing, not just that this house sold for this and the other for that. That is in no way a way of determining value. My CMA's are very, VERY detailed and compare features, lot size, how many stories, materials used, year built, square footage, style, if there is a bedroom downstairs, fence, pool, patio, porch, and SO many more factors to consider. The condition of the home is one also.
5. A good realtor with a good contact list can refer you to reputable people that can make sure you are covered such as the title agency, loan officer, inspector, etc. If you use your own loan officer, that is fine, but a lot of times the realtor sends a lot of business to a good one that will make you priority for him/her. Your agent can make sure that you are not being charged junk fees and know how to read those confusing Good Faith Estimates better. This is SO important. Most people look at the rate only and this can be a huge mistake! Someone with a 5.5% rate vs. someone with a 6% rate can be deceiving if you don't know how to read it.
As an experienced agent, I would use a buyers' agent in another state that I am unfamiliar with. The main reason for this is that the agents have the real deal access to comps and values. I would interview agents until I felt that one was as honest as I could find that truly cared to help me out. I do this for many of my clients, friends, and family around the country-interview agents to find them the right one. I just did it for my parents who bought their retirement home in KY and they had a great experience!
Get a buyers' agent! Have an agent you trust interview agents for you in another state too. We agents know what to look for. There are some great agents out there, but it is just a matter of finding them. Some states are not big on buyers' agents, like TX for instance. I helped a seller I had here find a buyers' agent there, and I am convinced it was the only true buyers' agent that ethically performs for a buyer in that area. They like to sell their own listings there. I work either as a buyers' agent or a listing agent. It depends on if I am working with a buyer or seller. If I am already working for a seller, I will appoint a buyers' agent to the buyer if they want. If they don't want, that is great because I make double, but usually when they understand they have the right to one, they want one. That is the right thing to do!
Hope this helps protect someone in the future from making costly or stressful mistakes! Oh, and also, ALWAYS get a professional home inspection, ESPECIALLY on new builds or spec homes!!! These usually turn out with the worst results!
I can't say that I have a huge cache of supplies, but during hurricane season in SC, I do have an emergency supply just in case.
Unfortunately we are limited by space and the fact that we will be moving next year, so that has curtailed my border-line parckratting.
I also like to buy extra (preferably on sale) because I am a recipe adventurer and like to whip up new things at the spur of the moment. There is nothing more annoying than excitedly starting a delicious looking recipe, only to find you have no evaporated milk!
1) Ethnic grocery stores often are great sources of good food at great prices. You cannot buy cheaper and fresher dried beans and flour products than at the local Mexican market. The Asian grocers in town are great sources of vegetables and noodles; some also sell fish and different meats quite cheaply.
2) Larger metropolitan areas often have companies which wholesale produce to smaller groceries or who purchase odd lots of food from here and there to sell for less. Many of these companies have "company stores" at which the public can buy smaller quantities of these products.
I am a member of a food co-op. Maybe I can help describe how it works.
A cooperative ("co-op") is a group of people bound together as a business entity for a specific purpose and using specific rules of operation.
These people contribute money for capital and on-going operations as members through the purchase of a "share" (the share I purchased to join my co-op was a one-time $90 charge). Some co-ops require members to work; at least in this geographic area, it is getting harder to schedule people during the day, make sure they are covered against workplace injuries, etc., so our co-op has a paid staff (though they also are members of the co-op).
Every member has a vote in how the operation works. Members elect a Board of Directors (made up of co-op members) to guide the co-op's broader business activity. We also have a professional Manager in charge of running the day-to-day business activity of the co-op ("Will we carry this specific brand of flour? How many people do we need to staff Produce?"). We meet annually to elect a Board and discuss co-op business (much like a corporate annual meeting).
In return for their money/time, members typically are offered discounts on groceries. If the debt condition allows it, members earn a dividend based on their purchases; at our co-op, some of the divident is returned to the member as cash and some is use to purchase additional (non-voting) shares in the co-op (again, based on purchases).
Successful co-ops reach out beyond their members by opening their stores to non-members, by offering educational opportunities, and by sponsoring local events. Our co-op has two stores, both of which offer classes in cooking, using natural health-and-beauty products, addressing food/ingredient illnesses (allergies, celiac disease, etc.). Our co-op also organizes member visits to local growers and has fostered additional community by promoting opportunities for like-minded members to gather on their own around a particular interest (political activity, reading books, crafts, etc.).
I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but this is a good start. Use your favorite Web search engine with the terms food co-op structure and you'll find specific examples of how other co-ops choose to model themselves.
I've been a member of my co-op for almost ten years now. I love the co-op model and, short of visits to the local farmer's market, really don't care to shop anyplace else. Co-ops can be hard to find outside larger metropolitan areas and/or large-college towns, but look around. It's well worth the effort.
I am so glad to have found this page. I am currently doing a project with Winrock in Nigeria, which has given me an opportunity to make a tremendous impact as well as gain practical field experience to boost my career potential. Thank you so much for this very valuable information!
Perhaps someone can describe how to start a coop, as I only participated in an already established one. The bunch of us ordered in advance from a list and paid upfront. (This gave us a chance to split bulk things with a friend.) Some items were regulars, some seasonal.
We'd meet the truck upon arrival. It was on a Saturday, once a month. Our town was one of several drops that particular truck had that day so times were approximate. Some of us checked off delivered items, some unloaded, some set up individual orders, some checked off and verified pick ups, some cleaned up afterwards. (These jobs rotated among members, working was part of the deal, everyone had a job.) If you couldn't make it you'd send in a sub. We'd use a local Masonic lodge in town as it had large open rooms, and a place for the truck to drop off.
The finished orders were arranged around the perimeter of the room in last name alphabetical order and items to be drawn from sat in the center by type. Large letters were taped on the wall around the room to facilitate organization. Order forms were stapled to the bag. I don't recall how extra bags for the same individual were handled. The whole process took several hours. Certain bulk items were extremely good values (oatmeal and flour). Other speciality items seemed pricey. I don't recall how frozen goods were handled. I think people brought their own coolers early but I'm not sure when. All in all it was great fun.
i like this pointers as they are realistic but i think that it cannot hurt to overshoot once in a while. you never know what may happen. take me for instance, i after high school i got a job that even people that already had families and work experience could not get mainly because i asked. Also my mom got a top managerial job in a reputable company with much lower qualifications that what they were asking for.(they even bypassed phds to hire her), it cannot hurt to dream and run after your goals.
The amount of detail the speaker knew about how Target manages their stores was surprising, and made me want to try out the tips to take advantage of deals. Alas, my work schedule prevents me from going to a Target on weekdays.
Wow. As a small business owner and someone who has worked in retail my entire life, I can't imagine people at stores being so inflexible as to realize they can copy your credit card number down, your expiration date, get your phone number, make you out a slip, and have you sign it and make the sale even though the credit card machine is down, then run the transaction through manually later. This is actually how credit card purchases were done some 15 years ago, and still can be done when there is a problem with "the machine".
Actually, I can imagine that level of lack of adaptablility and creativity. It's pretty sad though.
I think this is quite right. I grew up in a poor environment, and as a young adult I could barely afford rent. I'm still young, but now I'm what you'd say pretty much loaded.
Despite of this fact, I always find myself paying less than others for the same thing. Because I recognize the world as a big business place, and its now hardwired into my genes to make good deals. And it does not turn off even if the gain I achieve is minimal, like less than a dollar. It's about achieving something, not about the amount.
The story seems pretty much made up though, but serves well to prove a point.
This has great content but, man 'O man, is it ever boring to hear someone talk in one tone! Someone needs to go to speach classes. They need to learn to read with excitement in their voice. I think if you got someone else to read the script, I would enjoy listening to the content.
I struggle with this issue so I'm so glad you wrote about it. I joined a CSA this week because there is now one with a pick up near enough to my home to make sense. There is also a great farmers market that is expensive but not prohibitively so if I watch how much I am eating. I guess that is the bottom line: I want to eat good,local,organic food and I am willing to eat less if necessary.
I struggle with this issue so I'm so glad you wrote about it. I joined a CSA this week because there is now one with a pick up near enough to my home to make sense. There is also a great farmers market that is expensive but not prohibitively so if I watch how much I am eating. I guess that is the bottom line: I want to eat good,local,organic food and I am willing to eat less if necessary.
I look forward to the rest of this series!
What got me interested in a debt free life was the realization that nobody else was going to provide for me in old age. Social security will not be there, companies are bagging traditional pensions and those that don't can't guarantee they will be able to pay what they've promised (ask a retiree from United or GM). Every time and "expert" wants to show you how to live debt free they ask for money to do so. Interview 5 financial advisors and you'll get 5 different answers. If I want to retire, I've got to do it myself.
What has inspired me was finding a way that makes sense which I can implement myself. Toyota is known for their "lean" management approach. When you look at their management principles, every one comes down to common sense and every one can be applied to your personal life. In short... Educate, educate, educate yourself, eliminate the wastes of time, energy and money, spend less than you earn and invest what you accumulate. Learn more detail at http://eliminatethemuda.com
Growing wealth is not about doing 1 thing right one time, it's about doing many things right over a long period of time.
We live in a tiny apartment, with barely enough room for a week's worth of food, so if some sort of horrible disaster were to hit... I guess we'd be in trouble. But we don't live in a place where there are hurricanes or blizzards, so hopefully we'll be okay!
On the last point it is right on the money. 'Not bad' doesn't necessarily mean good and this is the point is. This is the point of these posts, talking about the illusory recovery. Even alchoholics can be in recovery but the fact that the U.S. no longer makes anything and that we have more debt than savings and more ideology than policy, further complicates things. Plus I think a lot of consumers have short memories and tend to act in times of famine as if things will never get any better and in times of feast as if the boom will last forever.
Jabulani Leffall
Monetary Gadfly, Common Currency
00000 Broke Blvd. Kitchenette #68 & 1/2
Lowcash, CA 90000-0000
These turned out great tasting. Won't have a problem eating one or two with my coffee in the morning.
Does anybody remember Bill Cosby rationalizing feeding his kids chocolate cake for breakfast because it had eggs, milk, etc.? That's kind of how these cookies make me feel; like I'm getting away with something.
I am really late in finding this recipe. I hate (HATE) breakfast but my physical therapist insists that if I don't eat it, my body will go into starvation mode and start storing fat. (You'd think after 57 years my body would figure out that it's going to get fed eventually) Anyway, I tried the Quaker Oats breakfast cookies and they were just yuck so I searched the Internet and found you. I have a batch in the oven as I type this and I must say they do smell good.
Changes to basic: Added an egg and some salt, used dried pineapple and brown sugar and 1/2 cup coarsly chopped pecans. Yield 24 cookies - is that about right?
I tried this, but my remote doesn't have a button labeled "setup" - any other options?
We just made it to debt free- I mean totally-- no credit card, no mortgage, no student loan. All paid off. It took about seven years of diligence.
We paid down $40k in student loans, paid off a $154k house, and $2,000 in credit card debt.
It's just a matter of making it a priority and sending that little bit extra every month. The key to paying off a house is to make that one of the criteria when you are shopping for one. Ask, at this price, could we pay it off if we sent X amount extra every month? Crunch the numbers, buy only as much house as you need, and drive a hard bargain when you buy.
I listened to the Target episode by Lindsey and thought it was very useful. I'm an avid Target shopper, so I knew about some of the tips, but I had no idea there was a schedule to when items go on clearance. I learned a few other tips, as well, and will file that knowledge away for when I'm planning my next shopping trip!
I watched my last CGI/Big Star/Holey Plot/Crappy Dialogue movie a couple years ago.
I've gone to just downloading them off torrents or to the free movie sites out there.
Seriously, movie produces are interested in making a huge profit off a blockbuster so they throw in a few big named stars, a bunch of CGI effects and, whip out a script that even a 14yr old would think is lame.
Example would be GI JOE. That movie looked like a bunch of computer geeks were sitting around making CGI movies of lazers and jet planes and thought "Hey lets turn this into a movie! Just throw a script in there and lets sell it!"
I would have paid to see Dark Knight in theaters, but I had been let down so many times, leaving the movie theater feeling like I wasted 2hrs of my life and $10.
Yeah, maybe the movie industry will go the same route as the music industry, buts its their own fault. Sell the people crap disguised as strawberries long enough and they'll stop buying.
I didn't really say this in the post (and went off in a different direction) but I do agree that it is okay to overshoot or apply for positions that seem like long shots. What I see sometimes are people who put lots of time and energy into long shots and very little time and energy toward the opportunities that are better matches.
That said, though, I also find that people think it is easier to land an entry-level position anywhere rather than pursuing their dreams. But oftentimes, it isn't. So, I encourage them to go for the dream job and highlight the experiences, knowledge, skills, etc. that match the dream (which they typically have if it is truly what they've always wanted to do, and aren't applying for a position just because it's open). And that passion usually comes through in the interview process, showing the decision makers that he/she will really work hard, continue education in that area, etc.
There really isn't anything on the horizon that will drive sustainable growth in the US economy at this point. The "growth" we're seeing (and I agree with Phil above, it's not really growth we're seeing, but we're just seeing things get less bad) is coming from the government sector. Japan did similar things all throughout the 90's and yet they've still ended up with 20 years of stagnation now. It seems we're headed in a similar direction. If we consider that our downturn actually started in 2000 when the tech bubble burst (and most stock indices are about at the same level they were then) we've already had almost 10 lost years.
The advantage that Japan had going into their downturn was that their people had a lot of savings. This is not an advantage that the US has - our people have a lot of debt. This will likely make out experience more difficult than the Japanese experience.
When it comes right down to it, the "wealth" of the last 15 years or so was just an illusion built on debt. Now we're in the midst of a painful readjustment down to a more sustainable standard of living.
I would never work with someone like yourself as your buyers' agent. You would be a red flag right off the bat. In most markets, the buyers' agent doesn't make more than 3% (we don't even make that, it is usually less than half after our expenses, taxes, cut to our broker, gas, and the thousands in fees, insurance, locks useage, etc. to even be a realtor). Also, in most markets, a good buyers' agent and reasonable seller will allow for the seller to pay 3% of your closing costs anyway. Wanting that in writing is weird to me, and in 5 years I have never heard of such a thing. It would usually happen anyway. And hiring a real estate lawyer is sort of needless unless it is a very unique property, in an instance of just buying a home. This is because the title company is your lawyer, and you are already paying for that anyway. It is a waste of money. Be careful filling out forms yourself. We are carefully trained to know how to word contracts, while we are not attorneys of course. I have taken many classes on it and had many situations where I had to be creative and consult with experts on wording contracts to truly and properly represent my client. While it isn't rocket science, it isn't something most people would know how to do properly if you haven't written and closed 100 homes with all different situations. I once wrote a contract with 25 contingencies, all very carefully worded out, and it wasn't even a commercial deal! Most homes only require 3-10, but there are some instances where you need to be covered on all things that you may not even think of! You would be surprised. While the media says the market is so down, our area is not down in the price range I most normally work with and they are still selling for full price if fairly priced, and within 30-60 days or less! So, I am not desperate and lots of my realtor friends are not. We would never be desperate enough to work with someone like yourself who thinks you know more than us and is unappreciative of our help that actually protects you down the road! I hope you wise up and get over your poor attitude. Looks like maybe you have been burned before and are generalizing and putting us all into one category. We won't be extinct in five years. My clients are very thankful for what I do for them. I don't just write up a contract and get paid. It is a lot of responsibility, time limits, and making sure everything is done correctly for months usually. I save my clients LOTS of time and money! Our job isn't as easy as you may think. You don't see behind the scenes all that we actually do for you. I spend sometimes hours each day for EACH client for months at a time, working until midnight sometimes, or on Sundays. I have even missed going out of town on planned getaways because my clients need me. I feel it is my responsibility to protect and serve my clients the best i can. I hope you stop spreading bad things about us realtors and realize that we are very needed.
I am a realtor and have seen a lot of folks get burned by not using a buyers' agent. Here in TN, most of the agencies will not allow DUAL AGENCY! We consider it very unethical here in the friendly south. So, the problem this guy has with dual agency is void here. There are many reasons why you need a buyers' agent. Being unrepresented is like using the same divorce attorney as your spouse! The other agent here in TN is bound by law to represent the seller ONLY. While they will hold your hand, be sweet, do a lot for you, etc. they are not representing you, but ARE representing the seller. They will be extra nice because they will make double the money because they don't have to split it with a buyers' agent. The ethical thing to do is for that realtor to still fully explain to you that you have the option by law to be appointed a buyers' agent. Reasons you should use a buyers' agent:
1. If experienced, they know what is good for resale (believe me, it isn't just common myths and things you THINK are good for resale, or things you learn on HGTV!). There are quirky things you will not know to look out for that we have experience seeing that make homes hard to sell later!
2. Easements, encroachments, fencelines, powerlines, growth and chances of something being built by you like a stinky papermill, garbage dump, carlot, or many weird things like this need to be researched and looked out for (no guarantees things won't change in the future, but at least have them looked at and evaluated).
3. HOA transfer fees and HOA problems with insurance, etc. (THIS is a big one that many realtors don't even research, but I do look heavily into all aspects on the WHAT-IFS b/c they are so important. Other agents call me paranoid, but I am just extra careful in making sure my buyers do not run into something bad later if I can help it. Plus, they may call me later to help sell it and I need to be able to sell it!
3. Appreciation rates. This takes me hours to figure and while no one has a crystal ball, we can show you the trends for that area, type of house, or neighborhood so that you can plan for how long you think you may stay in that home.
4. Are you paying a fair price? A good buyers' agent that truly cares will thoroughly research the TRUE comps, not just zillow or other online sites that pull any old house nearby. A true comp has to have many comparisons to the subject property and it is a square foot exact pricing, not just that this house sold for this and the other for that. That is in no way a way of determining value. My CMA's are very, VERY detailed and compare features, lot size, how many stories, materials used, year built, square footage, style, if there is a bedroom downstairs, fence, pool, patio, porch, and SO many more factors to consider. The condition of the home is one also.
5. A good realtor with a good contact list can refer you to reputable people that can make sure you are covered such as the title agency, loan officer, inspector, etc. If you use your own loan officer, that is fine, but a lot of times the realtor sends a lot of business to a good one that will make you priority for him/her. Your agent can make sure that you are not being charged junk fees and know how to read those confusing Good Faith Estimates better. This is SO important. Most people look at the rate only and this can be a huge mistake! Someone with a 5.5% rate vs. someone with a 6% rate can be deceiving if you don't know how to read it.
As an experienced agent, I would use a buyers' agent in another state that I am unfamiliar with. The main reason for this is that the agents have the real deal access to comps and values. I would interview agents until I felt that one was as honest as I could find that truly cared to help me out. I do this for many of my clients, friends, and family around the country-interview agents to find them the right one. I just did it for my parents who bought their retirement home in KY and they had a great experience!
Get a buyers' agent! Have an agent you trust interview agents for you in another state too. We agents know what to look for. There are some great agents out there, but it is just a matter of finding them. Some states are not big on buyers' agents, like TX for instance. I helped a seller I had here find a buyers' agent there, and I am convinced it was the only true buyers' agent that ethically performs for a buyer in that area. They like to sell their own listings there. I work either as a buyers' agent or a listing agent. It depends on if I am working with a buyer or seller. If I am already working for a seller, I will appoint a buyers' agent to the buyer if they want. If they don't want, that is great because I make double, but usually when they understand they have the right to one, they want one. That is the right thing to do!
Hope this helps protect someone in the future from making costly or stressful mistakes! Oh, and also, ALWAYS get a professional home inspection, ESPECIALLY on new builds or spec homes!!! These usually turn out with the worst results!
I can't say that I have a huge cache of supplies, but during hurricane season in SC, I do have an emergency supply just in case.
Unfortunately we are limited by space and the fact that we will be moving next year, so that has curtailed my border-line parckratting.
I also like to buy extra (preferably on sale) because I am a recipe adventurer and like to whip up new things at the spur of the moment. There is nothing more annoying than excitedly starting a delicious looking recipe, only to find you have no evaporated milk!
1) Ethnic grocery stores often are great sources of good food at great prices. You cannot buy cheaper and fresher dried beans and flour products than at the local Mexican market. The Asian grocers in town are great sources of vegetables and noodles; some also sell fish and different meats quite cheaply.
2) Larger metropolitan areas often have companies which wholesale produce to smaller groceries or who purchase odd lots of food from here and there to sell for less. Many of these companies have "company stores" at which the public can buy smaller quantities of these products.
I am a member of a food co-op. Maybe I can help describe how it works.
A cooperative ("co-op") is a group of people bound together as a business entity for a specific purpose and using specific rules of operation.
These people contribute money for capital and on-going operations as members through the purchase of a "share" (the share I purchased to join my co-op was a one-time $90 charge). Some co-ops require members to work; at least in this geographic area, it is getting harder to schedule people during the day, make sure they are covered against workplace injuries, etc., so our co-op has a paid staff (though they also are members of the co-op).
Every member has a vote in how the operation works. Members elect a Board of Directors (made up of co-op members) to guide the co-op's broader business activity. We also have a professional Manager in charge of running the day-to-day business activity of the co-op ("Will we carry this specific brand of flour? How many people do we need to staff Produce?"). We meet annually to elect a Board and discuss co-op business (much like a corporate annual meeting).
In return for their money/time, members typically are offered discounts on groceries. If the debt condition allows it, members earn a dividend based on their purchases; at our co-op, some of the divident is returned to the member as cash and some is use to purchase additional (non-voting) shares in the co-op (again, based on purchases).
Successful co-ops reach out beyond their members by opening their stores to non-members, by offering educational opportunities, and by sponsoring local events. Our co-op has two stores, both of which offer classes in cooking, using natural health-and-beauty products, addressing food/ingredient illnesses (allergies, celiac disease, etc.). Our co-op also organizes member visits to local growers and has fostered additional community by promoting opportunities for like-minded members to gather on their own around a particular interest (political activity, reading books, crafts, etc.).
I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but this is a good start. Use your favorite Web search engine with the terms food co-op structure and you'll find specific examples of how other co-ops choose to model themselves.
I've been a member of my co-op for almost ten years now. I love the co-op model and, short of visits to the local farmer's market, really don't care to shop anyplace else. Co-ops can be hard to find outside larger metropolitan areas and/or large-college towns, but look around. It's well worth the effort.
I am so glad to have found this page. I am currently doing a project with Winrock in Nigeria, which has given me an opportunity to make a tremendous impact as well as gain practical field experience to boost my career potential. Thank you so much for this very valuable information!
Perhaps someone can describe how to start a coop, as I only participated in an already established one. The bunch of us ordered in advance from a list and paid upfront. (This gave us a chance to split bulk things with a friend.) Some items were regulars, some seasonal.
We'd meet the truck upon arrival. It was on a Saturday, once a month. Our town was one of several drops that particular truck had that day so times were approximate. Some of us checked off delivered items, some unloaded, some set up individual orders, some checked off and verified pick ups, some cleaned up afterwards. (These jobs rotated among members, working was part of the deal, everyone had a job.) If you couldn't make it you'd send in a sub. We'd use a local Masonic lodge in town as it had large open rooms, and a place for the truck to drop off.
The finished orders were arranged around the perimeter of the room in last name alphabetical order and items to be drawn from sat in the center by type. Large letters were taped on the wall around the room to facilitate organization. Order forms were stapled to the bag. I don't recall how extra bags for the same individual were handled. The whole process took several hours. Certain bulk items were extremely good values (oatmeal and flour). Other speciality items seemed pricey. I don't recall how frozen goods were handled. I think people brought their own coolers early but I'm not sure when. All in all it was great fun.
i like this pointers as they are realistic but i think that it cannot hurt to overshoot once in a while. you never know what may happen. take me for instance, i after high school i got a job that even people that already had families and work experience could not get mainly because i asked. Also my mom got a top managerial job in a reputable company with much lower qualifications that what they were asking for.(they even bypassed phds to hire her), it cannot hurt to dream and run after your goals.
The amount of detail the speaker knew about how Target manages their stores was surprising, and made me want to try out the tips to take advantage of deals. Alas, my work schedule prevents me from going to a Target on weekdays.