Personal anecdote that may or may not be pertinent. In my first "real" job I was the guy pulling the late hours, never taking a sick day, giving it a 110 percent. A coworker right beside me took all his sick days, had strict boundaries about when he was done with work, gave it probably 90 percent. He certainly was much less stressed than I was, made just as much, and probably has no regrets. Older and wiser now, I'm much more aware of work-life balance and the intelligence of finely-calibrating one's effort to one's pay and opportunity for advancement. Hard work isn't its own reward, but easy living is.
Over the last 10 years at 4 different companies, I've only seen owners do the following:
Skip every Friday afternoon to go golfing
Go AWOL with no notice for entire days - not answer phone/email
Ask employees to work extra with little/no overtime pay
Live by the 'dump and run' policy of delivering product to customers just to get paid by them - and cleaning up quality issues later (by having employees work extra hours and not pay overtime compensation)
Call all the employees out to the parking lot to show off his new Porsche (this was during the time when we had gone more than a month without a single day off - not even weekends - with only partial overtime pay)
Laugh off sexual harassment as someone just 'being too sensitive' and telling them to 'lighten up.'
Telling entry-level employees to 'lay off the crack. I know what you do on the weekends.' Just to scare them.
I think I could handle acting/thinking like the owners - but I've got something called a conscience....
And sometimes I wish I was just a minion back in the corporate world instead of in these small companies where I at least feel like I make a difference in an industry - when I'm not dealing with resenting the actions listed above.
I use a mach3 and dry shave. Its a lot quicker and saves on blades. I replace the blades rarely, but I also don't have that thick of facial hair.
It seems like when you shave with cream you can be a lot less particular with the angles and positions of your blade strokes. But once you get your dry shaving technique down it makes no difference.
Great article. This way you can enjoy food all year around no matter what the season is. Thanks for link to the properties of individual fruits and vegetables when freezing.
Little House - I agree with your post 100%. The problem is, once you let the cat out of the bag, it's impossible to get him back in!
Now all first time homebuyers who missed the tax credit window will be a little amiss. We need now permanent tax credits for first time homebuyers forever, as to show no favoritism. Once this happens, we'll be sucking more federal budget wind, but this is how things happen.
I got an error trying to download the first three installments, but I was able to access the latest installment on double coupons. I admit I was a bit disconcerted by the ad at the beginning -- I was momentarily confused about what the advertised site had to do with double coupons! I knew the basics about how double coupons work already, but it was helpful to get specific websites to visit for info on deals and coupons. One other useful piece of info that I wasn't aware of was that stores often limit the availability of their "best deal" items, so the tip to get to the store early is a good one. Overall, I found the speaker's voice pleasant to listen to - she spoke at the right pace and clearly throughout. I would agree with other reviewers who say that many of the tips are common sense (e.g., taking multiple forms of payment to a store in case one isn't accepted), but I think I got enough new info to make this podcast worthwhile!
My husband and I are currently saving for a down payment to purchase a house. We were glad when we heard about the $8K tax credit, but realistically we knew we probably wouldn't have our down payment saved by the end of November. Our original goal was, and still is, to purchase a house by July 2010.
So, Brent who made this comment: the whole point being that you should not reward latecomers. may not be quite on target with many potential purchasers. I don't think that people who are waiting, or saving money for a down payment, are hoping the government gives them a bigger tax credit. My husband and I are going to purchase a house with a tax credit or without one, that was never a determining factor.
For those people in the right spot, at the right time, who purchased their first house and are going to receive the tax credit, good for them. I'm sure most of them are happy they got in on this program.
I just hope that those first time home buyers didn't use the tax credit towards their down payment, and I'm glad to hear they've stopped that policy in most places. Isn't that why the housing market is in the terrible state that it is?
I think it would be nice if the government then proposed a $10,000 tax credit for first time VACATION home buyers. I've always wanted to get a place on the beach in Hawaii, or maybe a mountain place in Nevada, where there are no state income taxes.
If we're all paying more taxes over the next 7-8 years, we might as well try and all reap the rewards right?
I Found out that You can Hold your phone up to your forhead and can get signal i know it sounds weird but it does Work (atleast for me).. I dont know why It works like that but whenever i need to use my phone and dont have signal i do that and it gives me maybe like 2-3 bars... If you move it slowly while making a call from your forehead to your ear it should still have signall...
if it goes up, those who got 8K will be upset?!! Those who purchased just before and are repaying an 8K loan are also upset. As are some of us who bought our house with none of those special programs. Either buy a house or don't. I'm tired of seeing the "think you can't afford a house, get 8K free!" signs all over the place.
+1 on the safety razor and traditional soap/cream, brush set-up. It is easier on the face and if you can avoid the various acquisition disorders it can be cost effective as well. Pick-up a vintage (read "cheap") Gillette and away you go.
Unless you pay your $8,000 back to the government you are being hypocritical. You took advantage of the first "extension". Other people bought the year before and only received $7,500 that must be paid back.
If you want it to be "fair", you should pay yours back as well so that you didn't get a better deal than the folks that came before you. YOU are the latecomer.
Brent, your example is a false analogy. You're attributing buying a house, a want, to doing homework, a need. Homework is a required; a house is not. So throw the entire ridiculous example right out the window.
No one forced you to buy a house. You saw an opportunity (the credit) and took it. If a better one comes along then so be it.
Saying you'll default because you didn't get the best deal is petty and childish. Be happy that you were even capable of taking advantage of the $8,000 credit. There are plenty of people out there who are pissed at you because you got an $8,000 credit whereas with the first attempt the deal was only an $8,000 interest free loan!!
Frankly, most of the stuff in these podcasts is common sense and the rest I've heard before. I guess if you're new to living 'cheap' then they'd be useful though.
No, I'm not talking about years down the line, just the 6-12 month extension. Maybe I'm looking at this from a fairness perspective and also a lesson setting perspective. If a teacher in grade school said, you get extra credit if you turn in this assignment 2 days early. You go and do it early and get your extra credit. But if the extra credit due date comes due and the teacher says for everyone that didn't complete it yet, you get even more extra credit by simply turning it in tomorrow (1 day early). The students learn to not trust the teacher's rewards.
This is supposed to stimulate, but if the stimulus gets greater the longer you hold out, it doesn't exactly provide an incentive to act early does it?
I thought the podcast was very informative. I am a seasoned shopper but still found the tips to be helpful. Thank you for the chance to win!
Good podcast with lots of basic tips. Perhaps a little too basic for seasoned shoppers, but worthwhile nonetheless.
I already knew about some of the topics, but a lot was new to me. I really enjoyed the podcast.
Thanks
Personal anecdote that may or may not be pertinent. In my first "real" job I was the guy pulling the late hours, never taking a sick day, giving it a 110 percent. A coworker right beside me took all his sick days, had strict boundaries about when he was done with work, gave it probably 90 percent. He certainly was much less stressed than I was, made just as much, and probably has no regrets. Older and wiser now, I'm much more aware of work-life balance and the intelligence of finely-calibrating one's effort to one's pay and opportunity for advancement. Hard work isn't its own reward, but easy living is.
Over the last 10 years at 4 different companies, I've only seen owners do the following:
Skip every Friday afternoon to go golfing
Go AWOL with no notice for entire days - not answer phone/email
Ask employees to work extra with little/no overtime pay
Live by the 'dump and run' policy of delivering product to customers just to get paid by them - and cleaning up quality issues later (by having employees work extra hours and not pay overtime compensation)
Call all the employees out to the parking lot to show off his new Porsche (this was during the time when we had gone more than a month without a single day off - not even weekends - with only partial overtime pay)
Laugh off sexual harassment as someone just 'being too sensitive' and telling them to 'lighten up.'
Telling entry-level employees to 'lay off the crack. I know what you do on the weekends.' Just to scare them.
I think I could handle acting/thinking like the owners - but I've got something called a conscience....
And sometimes I wish I was just a minion back in the corporate world instead of in these small companies where I at least feel like I make a difference in an industry - when I'm not dealing with resenting the actions listed above.
I have never heard this before. What I know is ipod only for music
Good start but I hope the author goes a bit more in depth because the tips seemed a bit obvious.
I use a mach3 and dry shave. Its a lot quicker and saves on blades. I replace the blades rarely, but I also don't have that thick of facial hair.
It seems like when you shave with cream you can be a lot less particular with the angles and positions of your blade strokes. But once you get your dry shaving technique down it makes no difference.
Great article. This way you can enjoy food all year around no matter what the season is. Thanks for link to the properties of individual fruits and vegetables when freezing.
Little House - I agree with your post 100%. The problem is, once you let the cat out of the bag, it's impossible to get him back in!
Now all first time homebuyers who missed the tax credit window will be a little amiss. We need now permanent tax credits for first time homebuyers forever, as to show no favoritism. Once this happens, we'll be sucking more federal budget wind, but this is how things happen.
Financial Samurai
I got an error trying to download the first three installments, but I was able to access the latest installment on double coupons. I admit I was a bit disconcerted by the ad at the beginning -- I was momentarily confused about what the advertised site had to do with double coupons! I knew the basics about how double coupons work already, but it was helpful to get specific websites to visit for info on deals and coupons. One other useful piece of info that I wasn't aware of was that stores often limit the availability of their "best deal" items, so the tip to get to the store early is a good one. Overall, I found the speaker's voice pleasant to listen to - she spoke at the right pace and clearly throughout. I would agree with other reviewers who say that many of the tips are common sense (e.g., taking multiple forms of payment to a store in case one isn't accepted), but I think I got enough new info to make this podcast worthwhile!
My husband and I are currently saving for a down payment to purchase a house. We were glad when we heard about the $8K tax credit, but realistically we knew we probably wouldn't have our down payment saved by the end of November. Our original goal was, and still is, to purchase a house by July 2010.
So, Brent who made this comment: the whole point being that you should not reward latecomers. may not be quite on target with many potential purchasers. I don't think that people who are waiting, or saving money for a down payment, are hoping the government gives them a bigger tax credit. My husband and I are going to purchase a house with a tax credit or without one, that was never a determining factor.
For those people in the right spot, at the right time, who purchased their first house and are going to receive the tax credit, good for them. I'm sure most of them are happy they got in on this program.
I just hope that those first time home buyers didn't use the tax credit towards their down payment, and I'm glad to hear they've stopped that policy in most places. Isn't that why the housing market is in the terrible state that it is?
-Little House
I think it would be nice if the government then proposed a $10,000 tax credit for first time VACATION home buyers. I've always wanted to get a place on the beach in Hawaii, or maybe a mountain place in Nevada, where there are no state income taxes.
If we're all paying more taxes over the next 7-8 years, we might as well try and all reap the rewards right?
Equality for all, rich or poor!
Financial Samurai
I Found out that You can Hold your phone up to your forhead and can get signal i know it sounds weird but it does Work (atleast for me).. I dont know why It works like that but whenever i need to use my phone and dont have signal i do that and it gives me maybe like 2-3 bars... If you move it slowly while making a call from your forehead to your ear it should still have signall...
It may sound stupid but whatever it works :)
if it goes up, those who got 8K will be upset?!! Those who purchased just before and are repaying an 8K loan are also upset. As are some of us who bought our house with none of those special programs. Either buy a house or don't. I'm tired of seeing the "think you can't afford a house, get 8K free!" signs all over the place.
+1 on the safety razor and traditional soap/cream, brush set-up. It is easier on the face and if you can avoid the various acquisition disorders it can be cost effective as well. Pick-up a vintage (read "cheap") Gillette and away you go.
Brent,
Unless you pay your $8,000 back to the government you are being hypocritical. You took advantage of the first "extension". Other people bought the year before and only received $7,500 that must be paid back.
If you want it to be "fair", you should pay yours back as well so that you didn't get a better deal than the folks that came before you. YOU are the latecomer.
You don't need a brush to use shaving soap.
Wet your face.
Wet the soap.
Rub it on your beard.
Shave.
No fuss. No foamy mess.
One small shaving soap bar lasts for a couple of months.
You don't need a brush to use shaving soap.
Wet your face.
Wet the soap.
Rub it on your beard.
Shave.
No fuss. No foamy mess.
One small shaving soap bar lasts for a couple of months.
LOL, these analogies are absurdly unnecessary.
Brent, your example is a false analogy. You're attributing buying a house, a want, to doing homework, a need. Homework is a required; a house is not. So throw the entire ridiculous example right out the window.
No one forced you to buy a house. You saw an opportunity (the credit) and took it. If a better one comes along then so be it.
Saying you'll default because you didn't get the best deal is petty and childish. Be happy that you were even capable of taking advantage of the $8,000 credit. There are plenty of people out there who are pissed at you because you got an $8,000 credit whereas with the first attempt the deal was only an $8,000 interest free loan!!
Frankly, most of the stuff in these podcasts is common sense and the rest I've heard before. I guess if you're new to living 'cheap' then they'd be useful though.
Agree. As someone who has made the careful decision to rent versus buy, I find this absurd.
No, I'm not talking about years down the line, just the 6-12 month extension. Maybe I'm looking at this from a fairness perspective and also a lesson setting perspective. If a teacher in grade school said, you get extra credit if you turn in this assignment 2 days early. You go and do it early and get your extra credit. But if the extra credit due date comes due and the teacher says for everyone that didn't complete it yet, you get even more extra credit by simply turning it in tomorrow (1 day early). The students learn to not trust the teacher's rewards.
This is supposed to stimulate, but if the stimulus gets greater the longer you hold out, it doesn't exactly provide an incentive to act early does it?
very good podcast. i love wise bread! this pod cast will be recommended to my friends!