You'll need a college degree. Unless you have years of experience in computer programming or are some kind of math genius, companies won't even look at you unless you have a degree.
Get a college degree in whatever area you enjoy most. There are tons of community colleges in the Seattle area, so I'd recommend starting at one of those. If you are interested in video games, Seattle has a plethora of companies that create, test, and market video games. Keep an eye out on Craigslist for weekend testing gigs - you can get paid, or at least fed, for spending a few hours at a video game manufacturer hq, providing feedback on new games. If you become a regular weekend tester, you can get your name out there and start looking for internships.
Another good way to prove to employers that you are passionate about a subject is to start a blog on that topic.
I'm sure there are people who are even less-qualified than I am to dispense advice. There's got to be at least one.
Perhaps you didn't read the actual article, as is the wont with some commenters, but I don't currently spend $250 a week on food. I COULD, but I don't, and I wrote the article to point out how to avoid it if you are a lazy yuppie.
I'm pretty well aware of what I could do with an extra $13K. Thanks for your concern.
I live in Minneapolis, and it's great for biking if you're winter-hardy. It's not a "big city" like Chicago or New York - we live in an inner-city neighborhood that is like someone set my 20,000 person Iowa hometown within biking distance of a bunch of downtown theaters and gave it decent bus service. I love it here (though that's easier to say in August than in February.)
But Amtrak from here (St Paul, actually, and the train station isn't integrated with the bus system) is only useful if you're going east or west. To go north or south you have to go to Chicago one day, stay overnight, and take another train. For instance, for us to visit my son's grandparents in Kansas City, there is no direct train. We can get to Milwaukee or Chicago no problem (or Boston or Seattle, for that matter - I've done both Amtrak trips from here.) No luck going to Des Moines, Duluth, or KC, even though they're better.
Honestly, I'm not trying to be a jerk about this, but TWO HUNDRED FIFTY A WEEK ON FOOD???? At slightly over 300% of the average American's food budget (based on the last US Census data), you seem like the least qualified person to be dispensing savings advice. Not hyperbole... you are probably in the 99th percentile of Americans on food costs.
You are spending $13,000 per year on food which happens to be just 17x the annual income of the average person on Earth. I don't challenge your right to do this of course... I just wonder if you would make the same decisions if you were fully cognizant of the opportunity cost (the other things you could spend that thirteen grand on)
"I like to think that I save a bundle compared to what I would spend if I were still ordering in pizza every couple of nights"
Dr. Kamerschen is NOT the author of the above post or story, commonly emailed around as "Tax Cuts: A Simple Lesson in Economics." Additionally, he does NOT know who wrote it.
This article reminders me of why I supported Ron Paul. This governement spends way too much and can print it's own money out of thin air. If only we would cut spending across the board (including on nation building John McCain), we would be on the road to recovery.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers", he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20". Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his "fair share?"
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, University of Georgia
The Fortis Property Group is leading the “Northeast-based private real estate investment group” that has agreed to acquire the 1 million-square-foot State Street Financial Center at 1 Lincoln Street in Boston for more than $880 million, or $880 per square foot, according to sources familiar with the sale.
The Brooklyn, NY-based Fortis and a group of other New York investors are expected to close on the 36-story office tower from a joint venture led by American Financial Realty Trust (NYSE:AFR) and an affiliate of IPC US Income REIT by the end of this year or early 2007.
Fortis apparently set its sights on Boston following several high-profile Dallas deals where it agreed to pay about $280 million for the three-building, 1.4 million-square-foot office complex known as Galleria Office Towers in Dallas.
Earlier in the year, Fortis teamed with Trimarchi Management, also from New York, on the nearly $100 million acquisition of two other Dallas office properties, Harwood Center and Saint Paul Place. It also invested in the $282.5 million purchase of JPMorgan International Plaza in Dallas.
The addition of State Street Financial Center will build out Fortis’ portfolio considerably. The privately held firm headed by CEO Jonathan Landau is controlled by the Kestenbaum family. Joel Kestenbaum is the son of Louis Kestenbaum. Fortis manages some 3 million square feet in commercial properties and about 454 residential units.
The group of investors joining Fortis in the Boston deal could not be learned. American Financial announced the pending sale last week, but did not identify the buyer.
American Financial, a Jenkintown, PA, REIT decided to formally shop the 36-story tower in the last couple of months. The company is pruning its portfolio and repositioning itself. The REIT paid $705.4 million or $688.84 per square foot in February 2004 to acquire the property. Later that year, it sold a 30% stake to an affiliate of Canadian REIT IPC US Real Estate Investment Trust, for $60.3 million.
The building is fully leased with triple A credit tenant State Street Corp. occupying most of the building under a lease that runs until 2023. State Street also leases the property’s 900-space garage on a 20-year triple-net lease.
I agree with Cathy 100%. Just as we have to make choices with our personal budget--- many times it means not buying or doing what we want but what we must do --- we have to do the same with the national budget. I consider myself a progressive, so I would like to see programs that (i) help the disinfranchised, (ii) are environmentally "green", and (iii) invest heavily in education. If everyone, and I mean everyone, including corporations, paid their fair share of the tax burden we could not only have a balanced budget but also improve everyone's standard of living.
We, Americans, can accomplish anything we truly want.
I liken the whole situation to one of my kids spilling his juice, standing there teary eyed blaming his brother in the other room. While juice runs off the table and onto the floor. Stop whining and grab a towel!! If we could all get a grip on our own four walls we can lessen our dependance exponentially. From mortagage loans to world oil it all starts in our own homes.
I'm an at-home-dad with two children. Recently, both kids started school, but I remain at home. There's just so much to do. My one hive of bees swarmed into a small business, so technically, I do work, but it's in the backyard and in a few other yards in the neighborhood. (I'm also supposed to be working on the great American novel, but anyone who has stayed home with small children to pursue a writing career knows that waiting for the children to go to college soon becomes part of that equation).
Living on one income allows us to live without a car. We do everything by bicycle, and I'm not sure we would have that luxury if we both had a regular job. It also allows me to garden, take care of the chickens, take care of the bees, plan and cook good meals, write poetry, walk with the kids, etc.
I have to say that I do feel, often, that the sensual enjoyment of our lives, the fact that we have no consumer debt and an emergency fund, and the time we can spend with our kids, raises our quality of life well above that enjoyed by most people making a little above $40,000 a year. I FEEL rich. Other people seem to be busting their butts to maintain an income many times our level, and they're still sinking in debt. I don't know if that means I'm a status symbol as an at-home-spouse, but I do think our family life is better off for it, and I think that would remain true whether or not we had children.
The "mortgage crisis" and resulting economic downturn is another clear indication to those of in the US that the party is over. No longer can our citizens and governments continue to mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren.
The article and this post are right to the point. Most of us simply can't afford those mcmansions and hummers, both that clog our streets. We need to live way within our means, and take more time to smell the roses.
Please keep up the good work. It's important for our future.
I just bought a house and my partner and I have been discussing the creation of a compost pile. It looks like a daunting task though and so we keep putting it off.
One day, we finished up this large tub of pretzels we had bought at a warehouse store and I looked at it and said, "there's got to be some way we can reuse this giant plastic tub instead of recycling it."
My friend suggested we use the plastic tub to create a kitchen compost bin. It works absolutely WONDERFULLY! For two people, we don't really create enough waste for a huge compost tumbler. And talk about easy to turn! We just give it a shake and everything's mixed in! This tub fits under the kitchen sink and whatever we successfully compost goes right outside to the gardens.
Someday, we'll build ourselves a beautiful compost pile but for a quick and easy fix, this works great!
I agree with the post and a lot of the comments. Although, I get a little stuck on the "blame others" point, because so much of Canada's economy and culture is tied to the US. Americans screw up with their money management on a grand scale, and we (and I'm sure a lot of other countries too) are suffering because of it. So in some ways we do blame the US.
But the economy in the US and Canada is what it is, and blaming the governments doesn't help us much on a day to day basis. I think it's up to us to learn how to better manage our finances and to learn to curb our materialistic and consumptive habits. The government can't do that for us, but I think it's the best path to financial security for all of us.
I've used this formula 3 times this summer and don't see any improvement in my lawn. I live in chicago and the summer has been mild with temps in the 80's and cool nights and fairly dry. I love that this is a "natural" way to control insects and grubs I just wish it would keep my lawn green. Any suggestions for ingredient changes for my area? More ammonia?
I live in a 55+ manufactured home community where having anything outside for veggie gardening, except planting pots and EarthGrow Boxes, is not allowed. So, we vermicompost in our lanai, use a 2nd hand blender to puree veggie scraps to use for the worms and as supplements to our growing pots. Because, I guess, we are in SW Florida and so is quite warm, we do have a fruit fly problem with the worms - but it's outside so we are just careful when opening the door. We can also use the veggie scrap puree to feed our foundation plantings - hibiscus really seem to like it. This plus recycling paper/cardboard, glass & some plastics has reduced our garbage to just 1 13-qt bag a week.
...and it was definitely inspiring and enjoyable reading. We have plenty of purslane and dandelions here. I don't care for purslane myself, but my hens sure love it. It's very satisfying to have a good reason to yank weeds out, and to have a better use for them than compost. My hens take these plant "enemies" and turn them into eggs for me! I'm going to try a saute of dandelion greens soon, I swear!
...And possibly, in some cases, the economy it deserves too. America's national cult is one of convenience and instant gratification. The ultimate physical driver of all this has been cheap oil. But there has been a very powerful abstract driver as well: culture. We are (as a whole) arrogant, lazy, obtuse, and have an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. The first commenter perfectly illustrates your point about blaming others rather than looking in the mirror. It's always someone else's fault; someone else should be cleaning up the mess we made. Our founding fathers and mothers would be ashamed of what we've done with their vision and their sacrifices. Heck, even our great-grandparents would probably feel the same.
While I mostly agree with Cathy, I'm not entirely sure that investing in the shell game that is our stock market is the right way to go right now. I'm more interested in "investing" by 1. lowering my debt (just mortgage for me), 2. learning real skills that will support some quality of life if the whole house of cards comes tumbling down in my lifetime, (which, by the way, I consider likely,) and 3. getting fruit and nut trees and perennial vegetables planted now so that they'll be producing a few years down the road.
I never thought I'd see eye to eye with survivalists of any stripe. I suppose the end of the petroleum era is forcing many of us to reconsider many aspects of our lives. As well it should.
Up until a few years ago I didn't really understand depression.
Then I got clinically depressed. In a sense it was a choice. I remember "letting go" of the "normal state" and going into that room in my mind we call "depression." It was at the time when all of us were coming to the realization that the Iraq war would go on for a long time, with lots of death and destruction and without any exit any time soon, and that eventually the forces of tyranny and oppression ( the "coalition" ) would prevail and the Iraqi people would surrender. That's pretty much what has come to pass since that time.
When I got depressed I did the sensible thing ... I went to my doctor and got a prescription. Over the next few months I tried a few different drugs and eventually found one that works for me. Now whenvever I feel depressed I take a pill and it takes care of it for me. I have "chemical normalcy."
Part of my depression was caused by poverty and the pressure to 'make money.' NOw that the economy has deteriorated further I can see a lot of depression in my friends and neighbors. It's an epidemic. I recall how George Bush said "Go shopping!" a few days after 9-11 happened. It was the "cure" for the depression we were bound to experience from such a shocking tragedy. When I reflect on it now, and the realization that 9-11 was an "inside job" created by forces within our own government to justify "endless war" and strengthen the "tyranny of money" those words take on an evil, sinister meaning. "Go shopping" means "medicate yourself with money." It means that when you get depressed you should spend some money and forget about it. Feel better. Feed "in charge of your life" even though you know that things are way out of control. Forget about the chaos and craziness of life and focus on how you can feel better by spending money. You can be "king for a day" when you spend money. Enjoy the delusion. The credit card bill won't be due for 45 days.
Money is the drug addiction of choice for most Americans. It's how we "medicate the pain" of systemic depression and a feeling of powerlessness against the tryanny of our time. That tyranny is money, of course, and the idea that we can't "fight the system" so we might as well "enjoy the spell" money creates for us.
Tell the truth. Do you see depressed people around you? What's causing their depression? Is it money? Is it a lack of money? Is it the syndrome of social dis-connection caused by a lack of money? People don't invite poor people to events. They distance themselves from them out of fear. That's simply more oppression.
It's all US. We are the problem. We are the solution.
We need a new economic system. We need a new poltiical system.
We need to live in the truth and love each other instead of loving money.
Your country is now facing the prospect of millions losing their homes, their jobs, their retirement savings, their health insurance, and their livelihoods. What will the government do to help the victims of economic mismanagement, to provide health insurance, and to restart the economy? Is it really more important to spend billions each week on the occupation of Iraq?
So far,your government hasn't done much. The stimulus package now taking effect, at about one percent of GDP and much of it likely to be saved, is quite small. The major legislation that Congress is considering for the housing crisis would mainly bail out lenders and investors while doing little for most underwater homeowners.
While I understand that individuals are responsible for their own financial situation, the effect of government policies can tremendously make or break a person's overall financial condition.
hey can you tell me more about contracting? like are there diffrent types and what types of work you do? im only 16 but i got my GED and i want to go to college and ive been reading up on ccontracting but i dont know what i would have to do in school to do what i want to do.. i love computers so i kind of wanted to be in that field... i live in the seattle area... soo what is there to do around here to learn more?? please let me know you can e mail me at liljamezy@gmail.com thanks soo much
@Svet, I certainly disagree to that, and generalizing the Filipinos on that sense. It maybe yes, but not all. Being jolly people we filipinos are, it's cultural and normal for us to celebrate and to enjoy an accomplishment, and take pride for it no matter how big or small it is. I hate to say this but you got it explained a different way around. It's nothing wrong on what we are, it's actually depending on how you see through our culture.
If you believe that China is your enemy, then consider that if Americans didn't buy so much stuff they don't need then factories in China wouldn't need to hire so many people and make all of this stuff. Here's a satirical article from The Onion that illustrates my point:
Additionally, America's exports are currently very different from China's. America's major exports are more along the lines of high technology, and not things such as plastic dinosaurs. So the field of competition is still quite different. Additionally, those factory workers in China are creating wealth for many American corporations who in turn invest their proceeds in higher paying jobs such as management and research back here in the United States.
Another important fact is that China is the biggest creditor to the United States government. So technically without the Chinese, the President may not get paid.
Sure, you can blame the Chinese for everything, but that wouldn't solve anything.
You'll need a college degree. Unless you have years of experience in computer programming or are some kind of math genius, companies won't even look at you unless you have a degree.
Get a college degree in whatever area you enjoy most. There are tons of community colleges in the Seattle area, so I'd recommend starting at one of those. If you are interested in video games, Seattle has a plethora of companies that create, test, and market video games. Keep an eye out on Craigslist for weekend testing gigs - you can get paid, or at least fed, for spending a few hours at a video game manufacturer hq, providing feedback on new games. If you become a regular weekend tester, you can get your name out there and start looking for internships.
Another good way to prove to employers that you are passionate about a subject is to start a blog on that topic.
I'm sure there are people who are even less-qualified than I am to dispense advice. There's got to be at least one.
Perhaps you didn't read the actual article, as is the wont with some commenters, but I don't currently spend $250 a week on food. I COULD, but I don't, and I wrote the article to point out how to avoid it if you are a lazy yuppie.
I'm pretty well aware of what I could do with an extra $13K. Thanks for your concern.
I live in Minneapolis, and it's great for biking if you're winter-hardy. It's not a "big city" like Chicago or New York - we live in an inner-city neighborhood that is like someone set my 20,000 person Iowa hometown within biking distance of a bunch of downtown theaters and gave it decent bus service. I love it here (though that's easier to say in August than in February.)
But Amtrak from here (St Paul, actually, and the train station isn't integrated with the bus system) is only useful if you're going east or west. To go north or south you have to go to Chicago one day, stay overnight, and take another train. For instance, for us to visit my son's grandparents in Kansas City, there is no direct train. We can get to Milwaukee or Chicago no problem (or Boston or Seattle, for that matter - I've done both Amtrak trips from here.) No luck going to Des Moines, Duluth, or KC, even though they're better.
Honestly, I'm not trying to be a jerk about this, but TWO HUNDRED FIFTY A WEEK ON FOOD???? At slightly over 300% of the average American's food budget (based on the last US Census data), you seem like the least qualified person to be dispensing savings advice. Not hyperbole... you are probably in the 99th percentile of Americans on food costs.
You are spending $13,000 per year on food which happens to be just 17x the annual income of the average person on Earth. I don't challenge your right to do this of course... I just wonder if you would make the same decisions if you were fully cognizant of the opportunity cost (the other things you could spend that thirteen grand on)
"I like to think that I save a bundle compared to what I would spend if I were still ordering in pizza every couple of nights"
According to this http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Whats_the_average_price_of_a_large_pizza the average price of a large pizza in the USA is $16, which means you can afford 15 of them per week on this budget and still have leftover tipping money.
Dr. Kamerschen is NOT the author of the above post or story, commonly emailed around as "Tax Cuts: A Simple Lesson in Economics." Additionally, he does NOT know who wrote it.
Here's his university page stating that.
http://davidk.myweb.uga.edu/
This article reminders me of why I supported Ron Paul. This governement spends way too much and can print it's own money out of thin air. If only we would cut spending across the board (including on nation building John McCain), we would be on the road to recovery.
"Dandelion flowers can be used to make wine. And you probably know how Wise Bread feels about wine! Well, if you don't, we encourage it. "
Have I told you how much I love your site lately? ;)
Weeds and wine.
ROCK ON!
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers", he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20". Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his "fair share?"
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, University of Georgia
The Fortis Property Group is leading the “Northeast-based private real estate investment group” that has agreed to acquire the 1 million-square-foot State Street Financial Center at 1 Lincoln Street in Boston for more than $880 million, or $880 per square foot, according to sources familiar with the sale.
The Brooklyn, NY-based Fortis and a group of other New York investors are expected to close on the 36-story office tower from a joint venture led by American Financial Realty Trust (NYSE:AFR) and an affiliate of IPC US Income REIT by the end of this year or early 2007.
Fortis apparently set its sights on Boston following several high-profile Dallas deals where it agreed to pay about $280 million for the three-building, 1.4 million-square-foot office complex known as Galleria Office Towers in Dallas.
Earlier in the year, Fortis teamed with Trimarchi Management, also from New York, on the nearly $100 million acquisition of two other Dallas office properties, Harwood Center and Saint Paul Place. It also invested in the $282.5 million purchase of JPMorgan International Plaza in Dallas.
The addition of State Street Financial Center will build out Fortis’ portfolio considerably. The privately held firm headed by CEO Jonathan Landau is controlled by the Kestenbaum family. Joel Kestenbaum is the son of Louis Kestenbaum. Fortis manages some 3 million square feet in commercial properties and about 454 residential units.
The group of investors joining Fortis in the Boston deal could not be learned. American Financial announced the pending sale last week, but did not identify the buyer.
American Financial, a Jenkintown, PA, REIT decided to formally shop the 36-story tower in the last couple of months. The company is pruning its portfolio and repositioning itself. The REIT paid $705.4 million or $688.84 per square foot in February 2004 to acquire the property. Later that year, it sold a 30% stake to an affiliate of Canadian REIT IPC US Real Estate Investment Trust, for $60.3 million.
The building is fully leased with triple A credit tenant State Street Corp. occupying most of the building under a lease that runs until 2023. State Street also leases the property’s 900-space garage on a 20-year triple-net lease.
I agree with Cathy 100%. Just as we have to make choices with our personal budget--- many times it means not buying or doing what we want but what we must do --- we have to do the same with the national budget. I consider myself a progressive, so I would like to see programs that (i) help the disinfranchised, (ii) are environmentally "green", and (iii) invest heavily in education. If everyone, and I mean everyone, including corporations, paid their fair share of the tax burden we could not only have a balanced budget but also improve everyone's standard of living.
We, Americans, can accomplish anything we truly want.
I liken the whole situation to one of my kids spilling his juice, standing there teary eyed blaming his brother in the other room. While juice runs off the table and onto the floor. Stop whining and grab a towel!! If we could all get a grip on our own four walls we can lessen our dependance exponentially. From mortagage loans to world oil it all starts in our own homes.
I'm an at-home-dad with two children. Recently, both kids started school, but I remain at home. There's just so much to do. My one hive of bees swarmed into a small business, so technically, I do work, but it's in the backyard and in a few other yards in the neighborhood. (I'm also supposed to be working on the great American novel, but anyone who has stayed home with small children to pursue a writing career knows that waiting for the children to go to college soon becomes part of that equation).
Living on one income allows us to live without a car. We do everything by bicycle, and I'm not sure we would have that luxury if we both had a regular job. It also allows me to garden, take care of the chickens, take care of the bees, plan and cook good meals, write poetry, walk with the kids, etc.
I have to say that I do feel, often, that the sensual enjoyment of our lives, the fact that we have no consumer debt and an emergency fund, and the time we can spend with our kids, raises our quality of life well above that enjoyed by most people making a little above $40,000 a year. I FEEL rich. Other people seem to be busting their butts to maintain an income many times our level, and they're still sinking in debt. I don't know if that means I'm a status symbol as an at-home-spouse, but I do think our family life is better off for it, and I think that would remain true whether or not we had children.
The "mortgage crisis" and resulting economic downturn is another clear indication to those of in the US that the party is over. No longer can our citizens and governments continue to mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren.
The article and this post are right to the point. Most of us simply can't afford those mcmansions and hummers, both that clog our streets. We need to live way within our means, and take more time to smell the roses.
Please keep up the good work. It's important for our future.
I just bought a house and my partner and I have been discussing the creation of a compost pile. It looks like a daunting task though and so we keep putting it off.
One day, we finished up this large tub of pretzels we had bought at a warehouse store and I looked at it and said, "there's got to be some way we can reuse this giant plastic tub instead of recycling it."
My friend suggested we use the plastic tub to create a kitchen compost bin. It works absolutely WONDERFULLY! For two people, we don't really create enough waste for a huge compost tumbler. And talk about easy to turn! We just give it a shake and everything's mixed in! This tub fits under the kitchen sink and whatever we successfully compost goes right outside to the gardens.
Someday, we'll build ourselves a beautiful compost pile but for a quick and easy fix, this works great!
I agree with the post and a lot of the comments. Although, I get a little stuck on the "blame others" point, because so much of Canada's economy and culture is tied to the US. Americans screw up with their money management on a grand scale, and we (and I'm sure a lot of other countries too) are suffering because of it. So in some ways we do blame the US.
But the economy in the US and Canada is what it is, and blaming the governments doesn't help us much on a day to day basis. I think it's up to us to learn how to better manage our finances and to learn to curb our materialistic and consumptive habits. The government can't do that for us, but I think it's the best path to financial security for all of us.
I've used this formula 3 times this summer and don't see any improvement in my lawn. I live in chicago and the summer has been mild with temps in the 80's and cool nights and fairly dry. I love that this is a "natural" way to control insects and grubs I just wish it would keep my lawn green. Any suggestions for ingredient changes for my area? More ammonia?
I live in a 55+ manufactured home community where having anything outside for veggie gardening, except planting pots and EarthGrow Boxes, is not allowed. So, we vermicompost in our lanai, use a 2nd hand blender to puree veggie scraps to use for the worms and as supplements to our growing pots. Because, I guess, we are in SW Florida and so is quite warm, we do have a fruit fly problem with the worms - but it's outside so we are just careful when opening the door. We can also use the veggie scrap puree to feed our foundation plantings - hibiscus really seem to like it. This plus recycling paper/cardboard, glass & some plastics has reduced our garbage to just 1 13-qt bag a week.
...and it was definitely inspiring and enjoyable reading. We have plenty of purslane and dandelions here. I don't care for purslane myself, but my hens sure love it. It's very satisfying to have a good reason to yank weeds out, and to have a better use for them than compost. My hens take these plant "enemies" and turn them into eggs for me! I'm going to try a saute of dandelion greens soon, I swear!
-Kate
...And possibly, in some cases, the economy it deserves too. America's national cult is one of convenience and instant gratification. The ultimate physical driver of all this has been cheap oil. But there has been a very powerful abstract driver as well: culture. We are (as a whole) arrogant, lazy, obtuse, and have an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. The first commenter perfectly illustrates your point about blaming others rather than looking in the mirror. It's always someone else's fault; someone else should be cleaning up the mess we made. Our founding fathers and mothers would be ashamed of what we've done with their vision and their sacrifices. Heck, even our great-grandparents would probably feel the same.
While I mostly agree with Cathy, I'm not entirely sure that investing in the shell game that is our stock market is the right way to go right now. I'm more interested in "investing" by 1. lowering my debt (just mortgage for me), 2. learning real skills that will support some quality of life if the whole house of cards comes tumbling down in my lifetime, (which, by the way, I consider likely,) and 3. getting fruit and nut trees and perennial vegetables planted now so that they'll be producing a few years down the road.
I never thought I'd see eye to eye with survivalists of any stripe. I suppose the end of the petroleum era is forcing many of us to reconsider many aspects of our lives. As well it should.
Up until a few years ago I didn't really understand depression.
Then I got clinically depressed. In a sense it was a choice. I remember "letting go" of the "normal state" and going into that room in my mind we call "depression." It was at the time when all of us were coming to the realization that the Iraq war would go on for a long time, with lots of death and destruction and without any exit any time soon, and that eventually the forces of tyranny and oppression ( the "coalition" ) would prevail and the Iraqi people would surrender. That's pretty much what has come to pass since that time.
When I got depressed I did the sensible thing ... I went to my doctor and got a prescription. Over the next few months I tried a few different drugs and eventually found one that works for me. Now whenvever I feel depressed I take a pill and it takes care of it for me. I have "chemical normalcy."
Part of my depression was caused by poverty and the pressure to 'make money.' NOw that the economy has deteriorated further I can see a lot of depression in my friends and neighbors. It's an epidemic. I recall how George Bush said "Go shopping!" a few days after 9-11 happened. It was the "cure" for the depression we were bound to experience from such a shocking tragedy. When I reflect on it now, and the realization that 9-11 was an "inside job" created by forces within our own government to justify "endless war" and strengthen the "tyranny of money" those words take on an evil, sinister meaning. "Go shopping" means "medicate yourself with money." It means that when you get depressed you should spend some money and forget about it. Feel better. Feed "in charge of your life" even though you know that things are way out of control. Forget about the chaos and craziness of life and focus on how you can feel better by spending money. You can be "king for a day" when you spend money. Enjoy the delusion. The credit card bill won't be due for 45 days.
Money is the drug addiction of choice for most Americans. It's how we "medicate the pain" of systemic depression and a feeling of powerlessness against the tryanny of our time. That tyranny is money, of course, and the idea that we can't "fight the system" so we might as well "enjoy the spell" money creates for us.
Tell the truth. Do you see depressed people around you? What's causing their depression? Is it money? Is it a lack of money? Is it the syndrome of social dis-connection caused by a lack of money? People don't invite poor people to events. They distance themselves from them out of fear. That's simply more oppression.
It's all US. We are the problem. We are the solution.
We need a new economic system. We need a new poltiical system.
We need to live in the truth and love each other instead of loving money.
Blessings!
Steve
Your country is now facing the prospect of millions losing their homes, their jobs, their retirement savings, their health insurance, and their livelihoods. What will the government do to help the victims of economic mismanagement, to provide health insurance, and to restart the economy? Is it really more important to spend billions each week on the occupation of Iraq?
So far,your government hasn't done much. The stimulus package now taking effect, at about one percent of GDP and much of it likely to be saved, is quite small. The major legislation that Congress is considering for the housing crisis would mainly bail out lenders and investors while doing little for most underwater homeowners.
While I understand that individuals are responsible for their own financial situation, the effect of government policies can tremendously make or break a person's overall financial condition.
Sam
Fix My Personal Finance
http://fixmypersonalfinance.com/
hey can you tell me more about contracting? like are there diffrent types and what types of work you do? im only 16 but i got my GED and i want to go to college and ive been reading up on ccontracting but i dont know what i would have to do in school to do what i want to do.. i love computers so i kind of wanted to be in that field... i live in the seattle area... soo what is there to do around here to learn more?? please let me know you can e mail me at liljamezy@gmail.com thanks soo much
@Svet, I certainly disagree to that, and generalizing the Filipinos on that sense. It maybe yes, but not all. Being jolly people we filipinos are, it's cultural and normal for us to celebrate and to enjoy an accomplishment, and take pride for it no matter how big or small it is. I hate to say this but you got it explained a different way around. It's nothing wrong on what we are, it's actually depending on how you see through our culture.
I agree completely with the above poster. We only think short-term and use a band-aid when surgery is needed.
If you believe that China is your enemy, then consider that if Americans didn't buy so much stuff they don't need then factories in China wouldn't need to hire so many people and make all of this stuff. Here's a satirical article from The Onion that illustrates my point:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/31049
Additionally, America's exports are currently very different from China's. America's major exports are more along the lines of high technology, and not things such as plastic dinosaurs. So the field of competition is still quite different. Additionally, those factory workers in China are creating wealth for many American corporations who in turn invest their proceeds in higher paying jobs such as management and research back here in the United States.
Another important fact is that China is the biggest creditor to the United States government. So technically without the Chinese, the President may not get paid.
Sure, you can blame the Chinese for everything, but that wouldn't solve anything.