tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37551833736049521252024-03-13T02:38:07.247-07:00Three States, One YearThree States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-37798536810683856802009-08-08T14:55:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:13:42.487-07:00Colorado Springs – Best City in the NationWell, according to the August 2009 edition of <a href="http://outsideonline.com/">Outside</a> magazine, that’s exactly what we are. Here is the rank order of the contestants (city, population, median cost of a home in thousands of dollars, funny commentary by me):<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-colorado-springs.html"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">(1) Colorado Springs</span></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">, .617M, $180, Oh, yeah!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp01jKqZzv5rodCFQ_oJcL-JvMPdym-2dKwvsZ6PGt-T8TanEL477X4MifqwgQ4s_ZdXsKs3CYeGJtPXBEy3JOVJQw3A4lhuOhgu4v_cSEfk5zyzOMmc81ngOVTtLwpltlYgUZ02U5b4/s1600-h/Slide2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp01jKqZzv5rodCFQ_oJcL-JvMPdym-2dKwvsZ6PGt-T8TanEL477X4MifqwgQ4s_ZdXsKs3CYeGJtPXBEy3JOVJQw3A4lhuOhgu4v_cSEfk5zyzOMmc81ngOVTtLwpltlYgUZ02U5b4/s320/Slide2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367725148285130914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3xW5pssPFzwLVHdNLw6F2i8tAGsj8Ta0hMeSKhzgMP8LKO4th9pLclk1vkpq71j19RoydPx31RYUqNaWoNkLdsFAJxqBRNMNKWFaYYxESoUGQjrYVkFogwGyq4DhBVcy-UQHOgeujZY/s1600-h/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3xW5pssPFzwLVHdNLw6F2i8tAGsj8Ta0hMeSKhzgMP8LKO4th9pLclk1vkpq71j19RoydPx31RYUqNaWoNkLdsFAJxqBRNMNKWFaYYxESoUGQjrYVkFogwGyq4DhBVcy-UQHOgeujZY/s320/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367725157956534978" border="0" /></a>Palmer Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4vXyTWNLhzn4ppta_a61ezdy9CRxn3f1n89iYNWWLMoZ8mdXwI8SaWaaXX3Sybai3XdEYh3ntxNIxl2Yc0-oj5-OgNVsPn-dSJqTJO9g5lizw69bVXeiF0-EFOYa7DlMll4HAGP3eJQ/s1600-h/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4vXyTWNLhzn4ppta_a61ezdy9CRxn3f1n89iYNWWLMoZ8mdXwI8SaWaaXX3Sybai3XdEYh3ntxNIxl2Yc0-oj5-OgNVsPn-dSJqTJO9g5lizw69bVXeiF0-EFOYa7DlMll4HAGP3eJQ/s320/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367725155741495458" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-seattle.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(2) Seattle</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 3.3M, $315, Ooh… Just a few too many cloudy days.</span></div></div><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-atlanta.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(3) Atlanta</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 5.3M, $115, Too hot.</span><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-austin.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(4) Austin</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 1.6M, $182, Same reason.</span><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-boston.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(5) Boston</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 4.5M, $290, Sorry Anthony, but it looks like your town is just too expensive.</span><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-albuquerque.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(6) Albuquerque</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, .845M, $182, No one can spell your town anyway…</span><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-portland.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(7) Portland</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 2.2M, $248, Who lives in Oregon?<br /></span> <a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-minneapolis.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(8) Minneapolis</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 3.2M, $174, I’ve had quite enough of the frozen north already, thank you very much.</span><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-cincinnati.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(9) Cincinnati</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 2.1M, $106, Well, my parents don’t live too far away from here, so I guess I could visit.<br /></span><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-charlotte.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(10) Charlotte</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, 1.7M, $171, Nice name, but it reminds me of a spider for some reason. That’s bad for image.</span><br /><br />Wow. I have friends that live in Seattle and Boston… Sorry, guys. Looks like CS has got you beat.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5TrqGl0k_1z1tauT82WKlnEBO1TuOZOAsy2cHdmOHol0IZlKhry66jbMT660IviSgZeEBNNdDzX-0QqMkuYsdjkytJD1IUliAmpUKq-O7_QN1CUN0_vyFaRu1WSgxTE4C8unTMZN_-A/s1600-h/20090708+Uintah+Park+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5TrqGl0k_1z1tauT82WKlnEBO1TuOZOAsy2cHdmOHol0IZlKhry66jbMT660IviSgZeEBNNdDzX-0QqMkuYsdjkytJD1IUliAmpUKq-O7_QN1CUN0_vyFaRu1WSgxTE4C8unTMZN_-A/s320/20090708+Uintah+Park+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367723162081832626" border="0" /></a>Park at Uintah<br /></div><br />I admit, I never thought someone would rate CS over these big cities. Then again, I have never been to these big cities either. Colorado Springs definitely has a lot going for it, but I think this article hits on one really important factor…<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M8yb1wTUMTooxb4xLROP0SVZ09VLTnojd3x2o9-EZsbvYm7LieW1KWFqaAeXT2mAKbzwSXRcXBRD7OqB4SzndfPxqWpvCv8CbKGT7DTMuccW5yoCPZxZm7Vk22iDY6_ke1ZunSOhdaE/s1600-h/20090608+Garden+of+the+Gods+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M8yb1wTUMTooxb4xLROP0SVZ09VLTnojd3x2o9-EZsbvYm7LieW1KWFqaAeXT2mAKbzwSXRcXBRD7OqB4SzndfPxqWpvCv8CbKGT7DTMuccW5yoCPZxZm7Vk22iDY6_ke1ZunSOhdaE/s320/20090608+Garden+of+the+Gods+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367725171173332690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/GeneralInformation.htm">Pikes Peak</a><br /></div><br />Sure, we have mountains and access to nearly 4 million acres of wilderness… And world-class ski resorts... and a heavily tech-based economy…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezoFKkvbj9-R0zA_etmu7dsriLj4ZZkRbhV3a_bxprpOOzkxW3nZfzSfIiVUYZbFf1unx2KckHCA7myn_c4e6ciTnd_he_OUbxWcDxPDOvQlpJ6k4jEbbqhiTUQSmH2Ek6uyTyJhsExE/s1600-h/20090608+Garden+of+the+Gods+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezoFKkvbj9-R0zA_etmu7dsriLj4ZZkRbhV3a_bxprpOOzkxW3nZfzSfIiVUYZbFf1unx2KckHCA7myn_c4e6ciTnd_he_OUbxWcDxPDOvQlpJ6k4jEbbqhiTUQSmH2Ek6uyTyJhsExE/s320/20090608+Garden+of+the+Gods+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367725160926468130" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.gardenofgods.com/home/index.cfm?flash=1"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Garden of the Gods</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><br />But if you ask me, all that means nothing without a reasonable cost of living.</span><br /></div><br />It is rather ironic (in two ways), that I happened upon this article. The first irony is that I just posted an article about being separated from family, but being at least partially satisfied with the comforts of CS. Second, I have been having this “discussion” with Anne about the cost of living in CS. She keeps telling me how expensive the housing market is in comparison with Omaha. I keep telling her that a lot of the reason for difference in price is location. I told her that location is probably one of the biggest factors in home prices and that CS seems to be universally considered a great place to live. She wasn’t buying this. In perhaps the biggest I-told-you-so scenario in recent history, I have the pleasure of supporting my position with this fine literary example (the article).<br /><br />On that note, I must point out that not only is the cost of living considered reasonable, but “extremely low” according to the article. Additionally, it is the main reason cited for “edging out” our big brother to the north, Denver. Who needs Broncos anyway? Not when I can afford to actually live with a gigantic view of Pikes Peak from my front yard.<br /><br />OK, so here’s the part where I get to back-pedal a bit… See I was all happy with my argument until I found this article by <a href="http://cnnmoney.com/">CNNMoney.com</a> that rates Papillion, Nebraska as #3 (which is basically Omaha, in case you didn’t know) on their list of the top 100 Best Places To Live!<br /><br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/snapshots/PL3138295.html">Papillion</a>, .022M, $151, This is why your wife is always right in the end... Thanks a lot CNN.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi-xm6MfOmjdoY87DciC8t_ouEUPTyoId4ha_eR427IXOZZjYOn6iEHdb9wnsdi3cSVekmzfz4BLSaQNcJ8-fpdQTlLWqJdYnlAHAXD1llKEDXmqX8FQdV0rEEph70u7dIusjNBJLEco/s1600-h/16+Oct+Omaha+055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi-xm6MfOmjdoY87DciC8t_ouEUPTyoId4ha_eR427IXOZZjYOn6iEHdb9wnsdi3cSVekmzfz4BLSaQNcJ8-fpdQTlLWqJdYnlAHAXD1llKEDXmqX8FQdV0rEEph70u7dIusjNBJLEco/s320/16+Oct+Omaha+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367723180150351074" border="0" /></a><a href="https://www.omahabotanicalgardens.org/">Omaha Botanical Gardens</a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnPp3Lv7A9QqjyADvmlf-QDNw7tgLrFL8yoAILcrugP0ifCDYUF3mT7Caaj4JLOJkct4K3EiKSUFxvVOsaeLGgbZDsjNyocTHNieNvVSz9QyvzGX78POpWey22Ysnm2O3Sk7K0uulgsA/s1600-h/16+Oct+Omaha+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnPp3Lv7A9QqjyADvmlf-QDNw7tgLrFL8yoAILcrugP0ifCDYUF3mT7Caaj4JLOJkct4K3EiKSUFxvVOsaeLGgbZDsjNyocTHNieNvVSz9QyvzGX78POpWey22Ysnm2O3Sk7K0uulgsA/s320/16+Oct+Omaha+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367723171947184642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ICactKZwCLj0X0dPLzZ2c9jAGMKyXFqHvQdo1VbRBQp1vX5MGT7dZo6L4Co5NpggVig__nAfZx8IEXaFOVICh9KDbEcanocerrgOqaWAyfwunhXquHjequrn_ykv8N1c4Ie0WI-hiYM/s1600-h/16+Oct+Omaha+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ICactKZwCLj0X0dPLzZ2c9jAGMKyXFqHvQdo1VbRBQp1vX5MGT7dZo6L4Co5NpggVig__nAfZx8IEXaFOVICh9KDbEcanocerrgOqaWAyfwunhXquHjequrn_ykv8N1c4Ie0WI-hiYM/s320/16+Oct+Omaha+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367723170062170514" border="0" /></a>Rats. Well, I guess this could only mean one thing… No matter which place we end up, it’ll be great. Although, Colorado Springs was still number one…<br /><br />Related Link:<br /><br /><a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-intro.html">Best Towns 2009</a>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-90661413700397757962009-08-08T14:51:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:18:01.592-07:00Relatively SpeakingSoon, our relatives will be visiting us in the Springs. They will be the first set to visit since we have lived here, and we are looking forward to it. Usually, we stay with them when we visit Omaha. Now, we finally get a chance to host them. Thank goodness there will finally be something to show them besides snowdrifts or sunflowers…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0Jq258O0WMHdRPT7sK7rlTAav-Dn7zxWU6-tqdH077CYLDJ-G9DLhqBP4rRgKvR9UTF50yZKI2DxVKi9qxjfqzHzBIT6XtwpaqCIgzY8u940jpIQhoHY7P64QU24UWEmJNh5XRim7PA/s1600-h/20081207+Cheyenne+Mtn+Zoo+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0Jq258O0WMHdRPT7sK7rlTAav-Dn7zxWU6-tqdH077CYLDJ-G9DLhqBP4rRgKvR9UTF50yZKI2DxVKi9qxjfqzHzBIT6XtwpaqCIgzY8u940jpIQhoHY7P64QU24UWEmJNh5XRim7PA/s320/20081207+Cheyenne+Mtn+Zoo+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367718939260116418" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.cmzoo.org/">Cheyenne Mountain Zoo</a><br /><br /></div>Let’s face it, Minot just does not have the same appeal as Colorado Springs. For one thing, I never have to describe to people where CS is on the map… And most people even seem to know there is a mountain here (I.e. Pikes Peak).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76P0X-BXxmsvxYDN6TrFle60opcjoPdadXrKdvSZMR4PBasVSXuqOeAGD9gvAGZSP9qXNL0jSDXY2d8E2e0AsEoxj2c9AjWoJSzTbf02c0lrQX1vBC7jlvph0y4uEz_gTHBrX3gLnh04/s1600-h/20081213+Mtn+Shot+001+Cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76P0X-BXxmsvxYDN6TrFle60opcjoPdadXrKdvSZMR4PBasVSXuqOeAGD9gvAGZSP9qXNL0jSDXY2d8E2e0AsEoxj2c9AjWoJSzTbf02c0lrQX1vBC7jlvph0y4uEz_gTHBrX3gLnh04/s320/20081213+Mtn+Shot+001+Cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367717205226718946" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/GeneralInformation.htm">Pikes Peak</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So, instead of telling you about all the great outdoor/scenic things we will do while they are here, I will talk about the importance of good family. It seems like good family is not always easy to come by. I have talked to so many people that would dread having anything to do with their families, much less the family of their spouse. I have lived a sheltered life, I suppose, as I would have no problem spending time with members of my wife’s family, or either side of my own. If there was a study done, I’m sure this would be a very rare phenomenon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmQXRrzYJs8oJzZAeo0ZKkeM2QeMS5JJibHK0wgvxzjGeV4Kk8pUJIP7aXCVHrQa0iGU_bEsKXJUrEkNNZxIpvvsnlgZ_Pu1LLivCfWKZdpMYaFesIiBucVM323ZGe0tkZ2W-iCrGCNU/s1600-h/20090708+Uintah+Park+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmQXRrzYJs8oJzZAeo0ZKkeM2QeMS5JJibHK0wgvxzjGeV4Kk8pUJIP7aXCVHrQa0iGU_bEsKXJUrEkNNZxIpvvsnlgZ_Pu1LLivCfWKZdpMYaFesIiBucVM323ZGe0tkZ2W-iCrGCNU/s320/20090708+Uintah+Park+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367718962456514738" border="0" /></a>Park On Uintah<br /></div><br />Unfortunately, we are geographically separated from both sides of our family. This has made things difficult at times, especially for Anne. She had never lived anywhere besides Omaha until she met me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOug9AFtMbt0cDtugqf1zgHhB_gTUnnu6MGmybzudb78KkRd5ZUHuKjPdCeVv5PmbAl4l8o-8bhgcwpjd4SSkk5G5cNpVyYO0ETeO0EeAY4admBwBZ5jwuHB8etfmbkcWBCA1GJwP61M/s1600-h/us+Map+3+states+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOug9AFtMbt0cDtugqf1zgHhB_gTUnnu6MGmybzudb78KkRd5ZUHuKjPdCeVv5PmbAl4l8o-8bhgcwpjd4SSkk5G5cNpVyYO0ETeO0EeAY4admBwBZ5jwuHB8etfmbkcWBCA1GJwP61M/s400/us+Map+3+states+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367730871099042002" border="0" /></a>3 Degrees of Separation<br /></div><br />Ironically, it was partly her idea for me to take a job that caused us to move. Now, I sometimes still feel a little guilty about that, but also realize our decisions were made with the best interest of our family in mind. We have grown as a family and learned to be much more independent than we probably would have otherwise. As a penalty though, we only get to see our families once or twice a year at best. And, of course, the usual negatives exist, like the fact that our kids don’t get to grow up around their grandparents or cousins. I know Anne does not always believe this, but I wish this did not have to be the case either. However, to complicate things, my side of the family lives in Ohio. So, there really is no perfect solution.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B5Ytk4QYoNNX9mHqPLJWQNftwjAgJRMvpVCjNbw_9dOPPOFpZ2gmzngPXez6JbnxMfe5qZtxJXDSp-60Z1_hwtgG45LvU1kk822Ku93JKbgIh-0-axG7atO9_jWUn2stXJrdKSOr3ac/s1600-h/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B5Ytk4QYoNNX9mHqPLJWQNftwjAgJRMvpVCjNbw_9dOPPOFpZ2gmzngPXez6JbnxMfe5qZtxJXDSp-60Z1_hwtgG45LvU1kk822Ku93JKbgIh-0-axG7atO9_jWUn2stXJrdKSOr3ac/s320/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367718946279790226" border="0" /></a>Palmer Park<br /></div><br />Our most difficult challenge has been learning to live apart from our relatives, but we are trying to find joy in our present situation. CS has been a help, as it is a much more welcoming environment. Also, my plans to change career fields will, hopefully, allow us to settle down a bit. We found a church that our whole family seems to like (even the kids!), and that would definitely be difficult to replace. In fact, for the first time we feel like there is a chance that we could be satisfied living somewhere besides Omaha. There is a lot of pressure (not directly or purposely) to move back home… But I think it is evident to everyone that just dropping everything to move back home would be unwise. I am still open to finding a job there, but the prospects are significantly less abundant than in our current local area… At least for the time being.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pnWsA_f4FbJS0-TNlz6PrX1qyVsIr6ifREavdnJU01CU0lHsd0-PQA6-pOL6vKtYMUVClYXrFMU0kEqyJfwS4UF-Zk7jfrQ5Lg6y7xhDl4yZBk7r-XeOMstFSYpxBa0NhsLqOY4nCvk/s1600-h/20090608+Garden+of+the+Gods+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pnWsA_f4FbJS0-TNlz6PrX1qyVsIr6ifREavdnJU01CU0lHsd0-PQA6-pOL6vKtYMUVClYXrFMU0kEqyJfwS4UF-Zk7jfrQ5Lg6y7xhDl4yZBk7r-XeOMstFSYpxBa0NhsLqOY4nCvk/s320/20090608+Garden+of+the+Gods+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367718941612158610" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.gardenofgods.com/home/index.cfm">Garden of the Gods</a><br /></div><br />Having the right attitude and priorities, we are better able to deal with things when they are not as picture perfect as we would like them to be. We are so blessed to have family that understands our situation and supports us. Even better, they still come to visit. I am also blessed to have a wife that still loves me, even though our situation is not our ideal. So, relatively speaking, we are happy to be just where we are, for now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi2e2NJmXljy1PWmtRJsXtI15vuxY8TmjETUkLr3RY2zaruH6Jr0WvkZlgv1-ofyMu2k4KfwRkXGKYju6NBjmjqtOknGHtl9LahY8g733hP6vZBZCMGXhzxdZhxML27dmPtNkpBgM43Q/s1600-h/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi2e2NJmXljy1PWmtRJsXtI15vuxY8TmjETUkLr3RY2zaruH6Jr0WvkZlgv1-ofyMu2k4KfwRkXGKYju6NBjmjqtOknGHtl9LahY8g733hP6vZBZCMGXhzxdZhxML27dmPtNkpBgM43Q/s320/20081025+Palmer+Park+n+Peak+079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367718952203668866" border="0" /></a>Sunset in the Springs<br /></div>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-36769254682835821092009-08-03T11:01:00.000-07:002009-08-10T07:59:41.986-07:00A Tale of Two Mindsets Continued...<p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">Continued from "A Tale of Two Mindsets"<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">Part II - The Light<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One of the first major steps to freedom was getting hold of our grocery bill.<span style=""> </span>We had four young children, all hungry as ever.<span style=""> </span>Anne became very interested in saving money in this department and began researching coupons and many other money saving methods (these methods will be discussed in future posts).<span style=""> </span>After much hard work and time we began to see our grocery bill get smaller and smaller, yet the food we ate seemed to be getting better and better.<span style=""> </span>Next we learned about things like smart shopping.<span style=""> </span>CVS, Walgreens and Target all became resources for saving, instead of drains that led to the abyss.<span style=""> </span>After a while, we started to see positive trends and notice that we still had money left over at the end of the month.<span style=""> </span>The debt was still there, but the checking account was at least in the green.<span style=""> </span>We decided it was time to start pouring every little extra cent into debt.<span style=""> </span>First the cars, then the cards.<span style=""> </span>We used nearly all of our tax returns for the last several years to melt the debt snowball.<span style=""> </span>With “gazelle intensity” we started running down the path to financial freedom.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">The most important lesson to learn is that no method will be successful without the proper mindset to back it up!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It is never easy.<span style=""> </span>Waiting on the winning lottery ticket never works.<span style=""> </span>Quick fixes never work.<span style=""> </span>We began to view credit as almost an evil entity and delighted in slicing up old cards and cancelling credit accounts.<span style=""> </span>My favorite cancellation experience was when a customer care representative, after having tried for a while to convince me of the great benefits of credit and why I shouldn’t cancel, asked me,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Well, how are you planning on paying for things?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Aahh…<span style=""> </span>With money,” I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">That may have been the epiphany for me.<span style=""> </span>…The moment when I realized just how deluded our society has become in regard to credit.<span style=""> </span>How will I pay for things?<span style=""> </span>The answer should be so simple.<span style=""> </span>Maybe the question should be, how <i style="">should</i> I pay for things?<span style=""> </span>Or, how <i style="">will</i> I pay off things I never had the money to purchase in the first place?<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, the answers are usually found in painful lessons and in hind-sight.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="">FACT:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style=""> </span></span><b>Significant credit card debt can put you at a markedly higher risk of bankruptcy. (<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/eight/">reference</a>)</b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a scenario that puts things into perspective:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">The Benefits of Freedom<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hypothetically speaking, if one makes $35,000 after taxes, they have approximately $2,916 per month to spend (no savings available or extra sources of income).<span style=""> </span>Let’s say we have a house payment of $1,166, $150 in utilities, $700 in groceries, a $300 car payment ($7,500 left), a $75 cell phone bill, a $150 cable bill, $200 eating out and entertainment, and $150 in other misc bills/subscriptions, etc.<span style=""> </span>That’s a total of $2,891.<span style=""> </span>That should leave us with an excess of $25.<span style=""> </span>Not much room to spare, but often the scenario many people face.<span style=""> </span>Obviously, sudden extra expenses will be a problem, especially if they are sizeable.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now let’s say we decide to get frugal and use less A/C, spend $150 less on groceries, cancel cable, stop eating out and cancel all of our subscriptions. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);">We should now have approximately $625 that we never seemed to have before.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We’ll take that $625 and apply it toward our car for one year (12 x $625 = $7,500 = Paid Off).<span style=""> </span>Oh, look, no more car payment.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);">Now we have $925 more per month.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Take it to the next level.<span style=""> </span>Take your extra $925 and put it in savings every month for 1 year.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);">You just saved $11,100 in only one year!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You now have a 3 month emergency fund.<span style=""> </span>Do the same thing for the next 5 years and now you have saved or invested <b style=""><i style=""><span style="color:green;">$55,500!!<span style=""> </span></span></i></b>I won’t get into the math or philosophies of investment and savings in this post, but the basic math speaks for itself.<span style=""> </span>Keep in mind; these numbers do not even take into account tax returns or other sources of income.<span style=""> </span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">(Disclaimer:<span style=""> </span>I’m not too good with a calculator, but you get the idea.)</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the beginning of this post, I mentioned that finally being debt free is not as fun as you might think it would be (at least initially).<span style=""> </span>In some ways it is a great feeling and a relief, but it can be somewhat humbling and intimidating as well.<span style=""> </span>That’s because it takes a lot of hard work and determination to get there and the very last thing you want is to go back into debt.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are considering buying a house at some point (considered an acceptable debt by most financial advisors if done properly, even Dave Ramsey), but are apprehensive about even that form of credit.<span style=""> </span>Currently, we rent our home, so we are literally free of debt in every way.<span style=""> </span>We never want to use credit again or worship the FICO score, but the temptations don’t just go away.<span style=""> </span>They are everywhere, and sometimes it becomes very easy to justify certain expenses.<span style=""> </span>So far, we have been able to keep those desires within our cash budget, but every day we must remind ourselves how far we’ve come and just how much work and sacrifice it took to get here.<span style=""> </span>We want to keep our freedom.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We have a lot of decisions ahead of us, but the most important will be to remain focused, continue on the path to financial freedom and to pass along what we have learned to our children.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully, they will be much more prepared to face the wide world of credit and fend off debt wolves in sheep’s clothing than we ever were.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">More Info You Need To Know:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://money.aol.com/smoney/credit/canvas3?id=20060131102309990001">10 Things Your Credit Card Company Won’t Tell You</a> (money.aol.com)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2002/03/12/pf/banking/q_creditcard/">What You Don’t Know About Credit Cards Can Hurt You</a> (money.com)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/01/earlyshow/living/ConsumerWatch/main4909905.shtml">Credit Card Company Secrets</a> (CBS News)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/the-dirty-secrets-of-credit-cards">The Dirty Secrets of Credit Cards</a> (wisebread.com)</p><br /><br /><p></p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kHfN-YUkH1E&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kHfN-YUkH1E&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-23546783599198482702009-08-03T10:59:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:27:23.296-07:00A Tale of Two Mindsets<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Continued from "Debt Free in a World of Credit"<br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Part I - The Dark Side<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When my wife and I got married we were both free of credit card debt.<span style=""> </span>Getting rid of it had seemed like a good idea.<span style=""> </span>Our pastor and pre-marital counselor seemed to think so too.<span style=""> </span>Since we had lived at home (our parent’s homes, that is) during college and had no college loans, paying off our cards wasn’t really that difficult of a task.<span style=""> </span>We even had about $10,000 saved up, but trips to Europe and other things that seemed really important at the time began to chip into our nest egg.<span style=""> </span>We still had a couple of car payments too and used a lot of our reserve money to pay for our wedding.<span style=""> </span>Things had started off so well, but our income was very low and no longer sufficient to sustain our new lifestyle.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t long before we began to fall into the dark abyss of debt. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="">FACT:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style=""> </span></span><b>There is no limit on the amount a credit card company can charge a cardholder for being even an hour late with a payment. (<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/eight/">reference</a>)</b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">What happened?<span style=""> </span>Life.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="">One of the most common reasons for going into debt is spending more money than you have.</span></b><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It’s simple math that even my 2<sup>nd</sup> grader can accomplish, yet so many people get caught in this trap.<span style=""> </span>The problem is greatly exacerbated by low income. <span style=""> </span>We were making minimum wage and then we decided to have a kid.<span style=""> </span>I stepped up the job search and increased my income to something a little more reasonable, but now only one of us had an income.<span style=""> </span>When we wanted or needed something, it was simply charged.<span style=""> </span>Things came to a point where virtually everything seemed to end up on a credit card and then we got even more credit cards.<span style=""> </span>They all came with great deals like deferred payments, 0% interest and cash back.<span style=""> </span>Cash back?<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we were making money on the money we were spending that we didn’t have and were paying interest on.<span style=""> </span>What a deal!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="">FACT:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style=""> </span></span><b>There is no federal limit on the interest rate a credit card company can charge. (<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/eight/">reference</a>)</b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Our minimum payments began to grow faster than the weeds behind our newly built, expensive apartment.<span style=""> </span>We had two car payments on top of utilities.<span style=""> </span>Food bills added up and who really has time to eat at home.<span style=""> </span>Restaurants are just so much more convenient, and you can’t live without TV or cable…<span style=""> </span>We were poised to experience one of the great features of credit cards that you don’t get to hear about on the commercials.<span style=""> </span><b style=""><span style="color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">MASSIVE PENALTIES.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">Think credit cards are cool?<span style=""> </span>Try missing a payment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We had never missed a payment.<span style=""> </span>In fact, I’m not sure we’d even had a late payment.<span style=""> </span>But none of that mattered when they slapped us with a $750+ penalty.<span style=""> </span>Why did we miss it?<span style=""> </span>We had the money; we just got so bogged down in life (I.e. our son being born) that we simply forgot to pay it.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know if it was because we lost the bill or we never got one.<span style=""> </span>You always feel a little paranoid and confused.<span style=""> </span>Years later, we learned that credit card companies have committees that sit around and think of ways to earn more money.<span style=""> </span>One of those methods involves sending a random group of people a bill late on purpose.<span style=""> </span>Credit card companies were (until very recently*) not required to send you a bill in a reasonable amount of time, but you were required to pay it, including penalties.<span style=""> </span>Enough people would pay the late fees thinking they lost the bill that it is worth it to credit companies.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>I was personally given a first-hand account from someone who worked in the industry confirming this exact same method and many other dirty tactics.<span style=""> </span>Here’s an excerpt from an example from an ex-credit card customer service rep.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.creditinfocenter.com/cards/customerservicerepdiary.shtml">Click Here</a> for the full article.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">HERE'S THE CATCH...knowing that it will take 7-10 days for your mailed payment to post (2-3 days postal & 5-6 days to process), the credit card company will wait and mail your bill 10 days before it's due, knowing that the odds of you mailing in your payment immediately the day you receive it is slim to none. That way, they get their late fee (MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!). I was told on break-time one day by a senior co-worker that legally a credit card company (I believe for those card companies based in Delaware) can hold sending your bill up until the 5th DAY before your payment is due--and don't think that they don't do that!!!!! Now you've got a late fee and finance charges being assessed on that daily!!!! When customers complain of this causal type of late fee, we couldn't justify with our withholding of sending your bill at the last minute or our lengthy sorting process, so we would just say it was a post-office issue and not our fault because "we don't have control over the postal system".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">*Note:<span style=""> </span>The federal government has been stepping in on this particular issue recently.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/22/politics/main5033322.shtml"><span style="color:black;">Click Here</span></a> to check out some of the upcoming changes.<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">Most revealing of credit card companies’ attitudes toward people is their reference to those who pay-off their accounts each month without incurring interest as deadbeats!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-weight: normal;">An excerpt from</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="http://wisebread.com/"><span style="font-weight: normal;">wisebread.com</span></a>, </span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.wisebread.com/the-dirty-secrets-of-credit-cards">The Dirty Secrets of Credit Cards</a><strong>:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Dirty Secret 9 – Good payers are called deadbeats!</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />Deadbeat – it’s what credit card companies call those folks who are responsible and pay off the balance each month. They don’t like those people, not one bit. That’s because they make little to no money off of them. No, credit card companies like you to carry a nice hefty balance and pay only the minimum each month. If you’re one of those people, known as ‘revolvers’, you’re part of the crowd that contributes roughly 90% of the credit card company’s income. What a crazy upside-down world credit is.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">That’s pretty pathetic.<span style=""> </span>What’s more pathetic is that we started off with no debt, had savings and still ended up with over $30,000 in debt.<span style=""> </span>This noose would remain around our necks for nearly 11 years!<span style=""> </span>Sometimes, we were able to chip away at the debt, but something always happened… Like a broken down car or a trip.<span style=""> </span>It always seemed to hover around the same amount, even when my pay at work increased.<span style=""> </span>It was hopeless.<span style=""> </span>At times, we would just give up and buy stuff anyway.<span style=""> </span>We tried tracking tools and books, but our hearts were never really into it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">Knowledge is key, but attitude is paramount.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Good attitudes can sometimes be like good intentions.<span style=""> </span>The road to failure is often paved with them.<span style=""> </span>A couple years ago, our mindsets finally began to change.<span style=""> </span>We realized that we wanted to look at a different career path, but found ourselves stuck in the so-called “financial-draft”.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t until we started doing tons of research and following the advice of people like <a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/">Dave Ramsey</a> that we began to see the light.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">To be continued...<br /><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-53346638877379293312009-08-03T00:38:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:29:19.327-07:00Debt-Free in a World of Credit<p class="MsoNormal">Many people think being debt-free is impossible.<span style=""> </span>I always did too.<span style=""> </span>I mean, so many expenses, so many things you want.<span style=""> </span>…So much debt already.<span style=""> </span>How could being debt-free ever become a reality?<span style=""> </span>Well, before we talk about the how, let’s talk about what it’s like to be free from the tyranny of the credit giants.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s not the feeling that I expected.<span style=""> </span>Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty amazing and exciting, but I thought I wouldn’t be able to wait even a minute to call up <span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/">Dave Ramsey</a> </span>and shout, “We’re debt free!” Not only have we not called, I actually got a bit anxious thinking about all the next steps and things that we’ll have to save up for in the future.<span style=""> </span>There’s college, a home, cars, emergency funds, savings, investments and even job transitions to plan for.<span style=""> </span>You see, we are still at the <i style=""><u>beginning</u></i> of our journey down “the path to financial freedom.”<span style=""> </span>And it still seems like a long road ahead. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);">So, if I don’t have enough money, should I buy it anyway?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you’ve never seen <a href="http://consumerist.com/252491/snl-skit-dont-buy-stuff-you-cant-afford">this video</a>, you need to watch it now.<span style=""> </span>If you have seen it, watch it again.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><object width="384" height="222"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/J4vJO8oTo5zAO0QrO_sbLQ"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/J4vJO8oTo5zAO0QrO_sbLQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="384" height="222"></embed></object><br /><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In a way, having debt can feel pretty liberating.<span style=""> </span>What do I mean by this?<span style=""> </span>Well, let’s say I want to go out and buy a new computer.<span style=""> </span>It can be justified.<span style=""> </span>I’m a student, my laptop is getting old and I’m gonna have to upgrade sometime.<span style=""> </span>But I don’t have the money, not quite all of it anyway.<span style=""> </span>I can just put it on my credit card.<span style=""> </span>It’s just a few bucks a month and I’ll hardly notice the interest.<span style=""> </span>Right?<span style=""> </span>The problem with this is, of course, that a lot of things start to become small justifiable purchases…<span style=""> </span>And before you know it, you’ve got thousands of dollars in debt.<span style=""> </span>I don’t just mean a few thousand, I mean $30, $40, $50,000 or more.<span style=""> </span>Rent <i style=""><span style="color:red;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYYCSEV-i1Y">Confessions of a Shopaholic</a></span></i> to get a good idea of where this kind of mindset can get you.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);">Wait a minute.<span style=""> </span>That stuff only happens to people who are irresponsible with money.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First, I believe that most people are irresponsible with money in some way.<span style=""> </span>There can be many different reasons:<span style=""> </span>Lack of experience or advice.<span style=""> </span>Bad habits or bad “luck.”<span style=""> </span>Bad investments.<span style=""> </span>Big college loans.<span style=""> </span>Naivety.<span style=""> </span>The list goes on.<span style=""> </span>Yet, our culture and our advertisement unabashedly proclaim credit as a form of freedom.<span style=""> </span>It is a lot like surrendering to the enemy in order to preserve your life.<span style=""> </span>You may live, but you will still be a prisoner.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(0, 176, 80);">Good money management.<span style=""> </span>No debt.<span style=""> </span>True freedom and happiness…<span style=""> </span>Priceless.<span style=""> </span>There are some things money can't buy. For Everything Else, There's MasterCard.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It’s no wonder the world has a debt centered mind-set.<span style=""> </span>Take a look these other credit card company slogans:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span class="paragraf1"><b style=""><span style="">American Express: <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">My life. My card.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">Long Live Dreams </span></span><br /><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">American Express. Do More. </span></span><br /><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">Make life rewarding</span></span><br /><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">Do you know me? </span></span><br /><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">Don't Leave Home Without It </span></span></span><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">(American Express Charge Card)</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">The businessman's passport </span></span></span></p> <p><span class="paragraf1"><b style=""><span style="">Discover Card</span></b></span><b style=""><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">:<span class="paragraf1"><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p><span class="paragraf1"><span style="">It pays to Discover</span></span></p> <p class="paragraf"><b style=""><span style="">Visa: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="paragraf"><span style="">Visa. Love every day. </span><span style="">(Europe)<span style=""><br />Visa. All it takes </span>(Asia-Pacific campaign)<span style=""><br />Visa. All you need. </span>(Canada) <span style=""><br />It's Everywhere You Want To Be<br />Wherever it takes you, the future takes Visa </span>(European ad campaign)<span style=""><br />Could be cheap. Could be expensive. Visa. All you need.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Long Live Dreams?<span style=""> </span>Make Life Rewarding?<span style=""> </span>Love Every Day?!<span style=""> </span>Who are they kidding?<span style=""> </span>Creditors are clearly trying to make their products sound like a solution to all of your problems.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);">This is why having the right mindset toward credit is <u>critical</u> to your financial survival.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To better illustrate this point, I will share with you a story about how credit works in real life, not in the credit industry’s fantasy land of plastic bliss. But you'll have to wait until my next post!</p><p class="MsoNormal">To be continued...</p>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-32556596552044545642009-08-02T20:27:00.000-07:002009-08-03T09:51:44.724-07:00Ghost Town Condo and Money MistakesOne subject Dave and I want to tackle on this blog is the area of personal finance, including debt. Ah, the good old <span style="font-style: italic;">"d"</span>-word. Debt has caused most of the economic problems that our country finds itself in. Debt has also caused many a financial headache for Dave and I over the years until we finally turned things around and paid it all off! <span style="font-style: italic;">(More on that to come.)</span><br /><br />A story I just ran across about a guy who went into great debt holds some good lessons for us all. The poor sucker and his family made several mistakes including:<br /><br />-buying a condo in a building that has few tenant/owners<br />-going into huge debt for a vacation home (not a good idea for your primary home either)<br />-putting all his financial eggs in one basket<br /><br />Read his fascinating story about living in a building that seems like something "in a scary movie."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBleisoWTUXs5hVEDoZs7giUsq0jok4OYEZPHTot_l8zdzo4zVzYT5WDNa8gsjtvbzmAP3Bs_RqX43rEbG6jw9mU1n2cmyIqrNzxAApJvsfTkMtJoedDTD-wBfF0blTm7dd-cFKrhwli0/s1600-h/condo3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBleisoWTUXs5hVEDoZs7giUsq0jok4OYEZPHTot_l8zdzo4zVzYT5WDNa8gsjtvbzmAP3Bs_RqX43rEbG6jw9mU1n2cmyIqrNzxAApJvsfTkMtJoedDTD-wBfF0blTm7dd-cFKrhwli0/s200/condo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365589262272752034" border="0" /></a><br />Story <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32255580/?GT1=43001">here</a>.<br /><br /><div><iframe src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/32224153#32224153" frameborder="0" height="339" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><p style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; font-size: 11px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); margin-top: 5px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; text-align: center; width: 425px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153) ! important; text-decoration: none ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; height: 13px; color: rgb(87, 153, 219) ! important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">Breaking News</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153) ! important; text-decoration: none ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; height: 13px; color: rgb(87, 153, 219) ! important;">World News</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153) ! important; text-decoration: none ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; height: 13px; color: rgb(87, 153, 219) ! important;">News about the Economy</a></p></div><br /><br />I also found some fascinating insights into these people's state of minds and decision-making process. The wife states that <span style="font-style: italic;">"We wanted t</span><span style="font-style: italic;">o believe... we were looking for what we were offered." </span><br /><br />"We <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">wanted</span></span> to believe." They also <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">wanted </span></span>a vacation home they couldn't afford. Just like WE ALL want that certain car or house or whatever. It's easy to slip into that wishful thinking mode that leads to giving in to our wants and dreams without pragmatically facing our realities.<br /><br />Just today I was faced with a big want. Dave and I want to buy a house with a little bit of land (like 1/2 to 1 acre or so) in the city so we can have gardens, chickens and rabbits. We recently found out that such a neighborhood exists in our city in just the area we want to stay in! I've been doing some research on <a href="http://www.zillow.com/">Zillow</a> and found a house in pre-foreclosure that we could potentially get a bargain on.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(this could be me... blissfully tending my garden on my little slice of country in the city... *sigh*)</span><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVEAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVEAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVEAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVEAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmATa3iA_hPxW-mK56tBH_7hHGa2VITZVyMd0k3rrkinoBIptzWsP0OQ74JiTAQbL8APj0TTg0ybzh6WMHEvtk1UHOZ5lK6aAVFJ4DOAEWXIEjqoedF0CsfYarnBacTJQi8E-QGpJEzg/s1600-h/gardenlady.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmATa3iA_hPxW-mK56tBH_7hHGa2VITZVyMd0k3rrkinoBIptzWsP0OQ74JiTAQbL8APj0TTg0ybzh6WMHEvtk1UHOZ5lK6aAVFJ4DOAEWXIEjqoedF0CsfYarnBacTJQi8E-QGpJEzg/s200/gardenlady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365589685531719682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But we weren't planning on buying a house for 2 or 3 years until we had a 3-6 month emergency fund and hefty down payment saved up. Oh yeah, and first we need to get through a job transition to know if we are even going to live in this state in 2 more years.<br /><br />Yet I started thinking about that $8000 dollar tax credit the government is offering for first-time buyers. I found myself thinking that it could be okay if the payment was comparable to our rent and we got a bargain.<br /><br />I started worrying about what would happen if the home prices climb back up and we are priced out. And what about those good interest rates right now? Aaagh!! It's so maddening how easy it is to justify this! I'm back to convincing myself it could be a good idea!<br /><br />Must.Stay.Strong! Help! :)Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-14791794236981071792009-07-30T07:21:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:28:19.708-07:00Rearranging FurnitureYesterday we took on a new project. Anne and I have decided to move all of our family room furniture, to include the TV and couch, downstairs. This will accomplish several things:<br /><br />1. It will help eliminate the kids' constant video and video game watching/playing.<br /><br />2. It will free up the family room space for use as a "play" room.<br /><br />3. It will allow us to designate the main level as a living/family area and dedicate the basement to more recreational/educational pursuits.<br /><br />We hope these changes will bring about a more active, more easily maintained lifestyle. This change will also encourage us to be more interactive as a family, since we will be less distracted. Anne has to take the credit on this one. The whole thing was her idea... And I hope it's permanent, because there is no way I am hauling all that furniture back upstairs! Not to mention, I think I broke the entertainment center!<br /><br />Like many changes, this one will incur a little cost. We just purchased a little computer desk online from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Walmart</span> ($129) and we may need some storage for the toys, etc. But it will all be worth it in the end when we live in perfect harmony. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OK</span>, it may not be that dramatic, but I think it is a step in the right direction.<br /><br />Here's the desk we chose:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9z2I_4gnw4R6oaI06UsDYDOc_O1NegHItYo8cKFFlsJs-ZRRDZPUoW-bB0kEIYE-KLZuHuX7vqwhaT9fEuHeJ2jU55Waw2MWX6iqhzTVVSTHrF4p1TeOMgIE2CBwZV35Exsdfnh1FT4/s1600-h/comp+desk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9z2I_4gnw4R6oaI06UsDYDOc_O1NegHItYo8cKFFlsJs-ZRRDZPUoW-bB0kEIYE-KLZuHuX7vqwhaT9fEuHeJ2jU55Waw2MWX6iqhzTVVSTHrF4p1TeOMgIE2CBwZV35Exsdfnh1FT4/s400/comp+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364263280148202946" border="0" /></a>Here are some that we eliminated for, hopefully, obvious reasons...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZetSVNewCEP-Z0vyVCC6qmMmRIO_xRGzmCqioUNWstO2sLeP-GeSPJwKtGprYki6gUal6lnjWFlofrym9zaiRHNdeJL3g368_CwBLV1O47R8NhWr-roqdaKVwv4rpgqsRDjYNcBk-u0/s1600-h/tall+desk+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghatZ9b0t1LIu1ubW33qIKdrEqYL8xi8-JR4ZQZU5EIiYkwFOphbrcnY42c50Kx22sJZ0h2zwXrJmF3T4m8IqHaANR7U_X73KWYAG_pQRigskG7L0QyApvNeiiuPy3LTuJGUc71yoMlRY/s400/pink+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364263783778424610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsJJeCHYTSDHOTw7OeHImnXSiQAzqmgkJyM6Nue-O9xtW_itcZrx1bGceNuELacRbZas8GqMLichh5FlzAN_DcH0gJHQW09zBhs8tMEVsQUlPtR4JLhgXTk_AncoYs4VLqdBxTkU2B3o/s1600-h/green+comp+desk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsJJeCHYTSDHOTw7OeHImnXSiQAzqmgkJyM6Nue-O9xtW_itcZrx1bGceNuELacRbZas8GqMLichh5FlzAN_DcH0gJHQW09zBhs8tMEVsQUlPtR4JLhgXTk_AncoYs4VLqdBxTkU2B3o/s400/green+comp+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364263781007523538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEciWfQDQ-gzbKhpyqX-_EKZxiaf6RrN1xW5togH_XBj_ZGEyWOUctotIydVEcY_2lonGKR98-IM8aQSWkLGtfit2TSF_62RDZE97R432yE44lguD3BGWsNv3AukQ9W7yj3P0ZeXPFK8o/s1600-h/blue+desk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEciWfQDQ-gzbKhpyqX-_EKZxiaf6RrN1xW5togH_XBj_ZGEyWOUctotIydVEcY_2lonGKR98-IM8aQSWkLGtfit2TSF_62RDZE97R432yE44lguD3BGWsNv3AukQ9W7yj3P0ZeXPFK8o/s400/blue+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364263776862398402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RhcrMADKXp_Yguupl6yXn6vdAPfCr_CA01wdEcOtqEWcy-ZSQrqZ7fOWcT2V1xYDaZ1YxEs5nzB1jKPaPzW6Owtls_HZ3qkJMDL1YVQAyfMwp9wHYPp8sr4E1WSxV3Ap1SBU2zqXN90/s1600-h/purp+desk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RhcrMADKXp_Yguupl6yXn6vdAPfCr_CA01wdEcOtqEWcy-ZSQrqZ7fOWcT2V1xYDaZ1YxEs5nzB1jKPaPzW6Owtls_HZ3qkJMDL1YVQAyfMwp9wHYPp8sr4E1WSxV3Ap1SBU2zqXN90/s320/purp+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364264703786590754" border="0" /></a>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-89652042610601414552009-07-28T05:08:00.001-07:002009-07-28T05:42:58.403-07:00Response to: Marriage - Putting on the PoundsI don't know how much I attribute being married to weighing more than I used to, except to blame it on Anne's awesome talents as a chef. It seems to me that age and children are probably more likely factors. Then again, I suppose that having children leaves us with less time to work out and more stress. Here's the thing though, I'm pretty sure there is a statistic out there that says married people live longer. Here, I found an example:<br /><br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Depression/story?id=2298049">ABC News Article</a><br /><br />In fact I just found this interesting article that claims that married people not only live longer, but they are healthier and wealthier too!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.psychpage.com/family/library/brwaitgalligher.html">The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier and Better Off Financially</a><br /><br />That last example has a lot of references, so it seems like fairly legit research. I found it interesting to note that the article takes it a bit further by stating that living together does not have the same benefits because it lacks the "permanency" that marriage offers. ...And getting divorced certainly doesn't seem to a be a contributor to happiness, health or longevity either.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcpgf3YA0gT_jED-1-WCE9EiqQutAlj40gmUInt5smlQM9wbUsJhTMNCoupvvWc4GzDkZ2xm9nQjGEgqioOykulWZiWznhV9l0Mcx-AiLaudJb4Da2Xg0WLSoKgImKjaKmFT9nKB-7G8/s1600-h/married+couple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcpgf3YA0gT_jED-1-WCE9EiqQutAlj40gmUInt5smlQM9wbUsJhTMNCoupvvWc4GzDkZ2xm9nQjGEgqioOykulWZiWznhV9l0Mcx-AiLaudJb4Da2Xg0WLSoKgImKjaKmFT9nKB-7G8/s320/married+couple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363490247366251362" border="0" /></a>So Dr. Dave concludes that, while being married may tend to make one a little heavier, it is better to be fat, dumb and happy than to be less financially stable, less healthy and more likely to die. I don't know, the choice seems pretty obvious to me.Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-22053040690745691222009-07-27T16:17:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:30:09.968-07:00Marriage = Putting on the Pounds?While on the elliptical at the gym last night (phew, I was at the gym and not sitting on the couch eating cookies), I saw a story on the ABC nightly news about how married couples gain more weight than their single counterparts.<br /><br />"In the few short years of marriage, a couple is twice as likely to become obese as are people who are merely dating, according to a new study." Article <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WorldNews/Story?id=8179024&page=1">here.</a><br /><br />A timely topic for my husband and blog partner Dave and I as for the last few weeks I've been on a big push to consistently work out and eat better. A couple of months ago Dave just finished up his own big push to get in shape and lose weight for the yearly fitness test he has to pass for his work.<br /><br />Curious to find out more I did a little digging around on the web and found these listed as possible reasons:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* We are no longer trying to attract a partner </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * Pregnancy occurs</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * We cook for gratification</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * We eat as much as our partner</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * We put our family's eating preferences above our own</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * We become the family's garbage disposal</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * Our partner sabotages us</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * We are in an unhappy marriage and turn to food for solace</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> * We have unresolved issues</span><br /><br />*article <a href="http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/health/marriage.htm">here</a><br /><br />I have to admit that part of my motivation is that I *don't* want to "let myself go" as I get older. Too bad food has to taste so dang good! I think tonight I am going to munch down a couple of cookies while sitting on the couch watching TV with my honey!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpw3uBBqZ5GUve_7cR5jzN20CSEbEanDgP5fqdVllZA2fMObR3TyvY9idAqOcce4YTe2XfwSPgoSW0k3cFqxqjoqjHQk1RM05ib5CcLKeq0F68MzoaBthl-Dcp9b1Spa4iRkHOfyTuOA/s1600-h/Run.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpw3uBBqZ5GUve_7cR5jzN20CSEbEanDgP5fqdVllZA2fMObR3TyvY9idAqOcce4YTe2XfwSPgoSW0k3cFqxqjoqjHQk1RM05ib5CcLKeq0F68MzoaBthl-Dcp9b1Spa4iRkHOfyTuOA/s320/Run.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363294438727178946" border="0" /></a>Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-44208967933384538702009-07-27T07:33:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:30:52.768-07:00Same 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Stuff We Don’t Agree On… Sort Of:<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For my first non-introductory post, I thought I would talk about some of the differences that have already surfaced in the creation of our blog.<span style=""> </span>We had quite a time deciding on the title and the format (still working on that one), much less the type of blog we wanted.<span style=""> </span>Digging into the weeds, we can examine the real-life differences that people deal with every day.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcjUn_BDTunXnP1Bm4JTcpiL4g42xbete2AZU82hrfSDCv9qeAmqhpXTN54Gu2dTPxha4UY4Akp5HZHBnYa2tcHTzRx57ZUyALVrEXCshSao_VZUvb7lIEfAokBeKDiOVbpHwWg8pRDo/s1600-h/weeds.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcjUn_BDTunXnP1Bm4JTcpiL4g42xbete2AZU82hrfSDCv9qeAmqhpXTN54Gu2dTPxha4UY4Akp5HZHBnYa2tcHTzRx57ZUyALVrEXCshSao_VZUvb7lIEfAokBeKDiOVbpHwWg8pRDo/s320/weeds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363149513582413154" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVE%7E1.DAV/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For example, I have the distinct impression that Anne will find my posts (particularly that first one) too cheesy.<span style=""> </span>She’s probably right, but being a man of the arts, it is hard not indulge from time to time…<span style=""> </span>And believe it or not, I actually mean most of what I try to say.<span style=""> </span>I just don’t think it always comes off the way I intend it to.<span style=""> </span>To test these waters, I did intentionally put some kind of really cheesy slogan in the About Us column.<span style=""> </span>It was actually a place holder so I could explore the formatting for our site.<span style=""> </span>She hasn’t said anything yet, but she might bring it up soon.<span style=""> </span>I also think it is funny that she refers to me as DH on many of her posts, but doesn’t want to be referred to as DW.<span style=""> </span>That one I completely agree on, because when you have kids you see a lot of Arthur.<span style=""> </span>And from that perspective, being called DW is kind of an insult.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">More Stuff We Agree On:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHeCZ5JDRDJtqJmQPMRkiGb5Eb5kO3XdlUX7ubfIDzyWxpJUgxvSyAC58er4zxSU__u-5w18NTP5pEfRMxyZlac3TVH43PnpiExzx_c-VtXt2sMo2_phPUC3O40ydV2BoYJ7E7ZJL25I/s1600-h/Zoo+15+July+07+020.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHeCZ5JDRDJtqJmQPMRkiGb5Eb5kO3XdlUX7ubfIDzyWxpJUgxvSyAC58er4zxSU__u-5w18NTP5pEfRMxyZlac3TVH43PnpiExzx_c-VtXt2sMo2_phPUC3O40ydV2BoYJ7E7ZJL25I/s320/Zoo+15+July+07+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363150382840840706" border="0" /></a>
<br /><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Blogging takes time, but we don’t want it to take up too much of our time.<span style=""> </span>That’s one of the best reasons to start a blog together.<span style=""> </span>Not only can we share the time that it takes to keep up with one, we can also share the stories, topics and conversations.<span style=""> </span>That sort of thing is good for relationships, and I am hoping that this will bring us closer together.<span style=""> </span>It is difficult to find common ground when it comes to specific interests.<span style=""> </span>For instance, while I enjoy the results of frugal living and good menu planning, I am not as into the actual details such as coupon clipping and, well…<span style=""> </span>Making menus.<span style=""> </span>Likewise, while Anne enjoys using the computer and electronics, she doesn’t really share the same motivation I have to learn every little detail about them.<span style=""> </span>These factors make it difficult to have a conversation regarding these topics.<span style=""> </span>Lately, we have been trying to find more of those things that bring us closer together.<span style=""> </span>…More things that we can share.<span style=""> </span>I recommend making this a priority in any relationship.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Stuff We Can’t Decide On:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHleHm5KetOhAoxgXTUuqXReB3cuk7fBrPNJji5cZDNoJPVF1ZB_mjyGJXoGRq4KyQDOSiQNIiF0LWbC_dYIEibzUP51ubqcBNXFXDXvF9MSTKIElq5_p5NTV-NojW-Yni8Tq9eRBpacE/s1600-h/question+mark.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHleHm5KetOhAoxgXTUuqXReB3cuk7fBrPNJji5cZDNoJPVF1ZB_mjyGJXoGRq4KyQDOSiQNIiF0LWbC_dYIEibzUP51ubqcBNXFXDXvF9MSTKIElq5_p5NTV-NojW-Yni8Tq9eRBpacE/s320/question+mark.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363150796737448850" border="0" /></a>
<br /><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We can’t decide on just how much detail to include about our personal lives on a blog.<span style=""> </span>We want to talk about relevant issues, but we don’t want to be Jon and Kate (at this point, no one probably does).<span style=""> </span>On the other hand, the conversation that we hope to have with others will require certain details about our family.<span style=""> </span>We can’t decide whether it is a good idea to post pictures of our kids or tell you what their names are.<span style=""> </span>There are a lot of less-than-reputable people out there that probably can’t spell less-than-reputable but can type a lot of other seemingly innocent terms in search engines.<span style=""> </span>The internet is a wonderful tool that connects people around the world but includes a certain amount of real danger in the process...<span style=""> </span>We also can’t decide which new girlfriend of Jon’s we dislike the most or which parent is to blame for the break-up.<span style=""> </span>But more importantly, we can’t decide whether any of that is really good to talk about at all.<span style=""> </span>I think we are leaning toward, not really at all on that one, but we’ll see.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Closing Thoughts:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As you can see, we will have a lot of things to talk about if we can just decide on what those things will be and how we will talk about them.<span style=""> </span>I think a mix of trivial, useful and serious topics will be the best way to proceed.<span style=""> </span>If you have any suggestions, feel free to throw some of those out there.<span style=""> </span>Until we really get our blog established, we will probably only be writing to ourselves anyway.</p> Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755183373604952125.post-49895067746152408222009-07-27T07:17:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:33:11.765-07:00From Prairie Grass to Mountain Tops<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDAVE%7E1.DAV%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDAVE%7E1.DAV%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDAVE%7E1.DAV%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> 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line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">The creation of this blog has already been an interesting journey.<span style=""> </span>My wife and I have had much discussion on the topic of starting a blog that explores our different (or similar) perspectives.<span style=""> </span>The first discussion we had was about the title.<span style=""> </span>We were trying to avoid pinning down a specific geographic location or come off as clichéd or soap-operatic…<span style=""> </span>Well, we are not sure that we succeeded, but we did agree that starting the blog was the most important thing right now.<span style=""> </span>Another thing we agreed on was a need for explanation of the title that we did choose.<span style=""> </span>I’ll get to that in a minute, but first, a little more about our blogging experience so far.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the most important issues with blogging is creating a conversation, and that is what we hope to create with this blog.<span style=""> </span>Anne is a seasoned blogger that has posted on topics ranging from family to finance to menu planning.<span style=""> </span>I have always been impressed with what she has had to say and think she has a unique and skilled voice.<span style=""> </span>So, look forward to reading her posts and opinions soon.<span style=""> </span>I am, however, brand new to the blogging world, so I will have some catching up to do…<span style=""> </span>But we both realize this experience will be an evolution.<span style=""> </span>We kind of just want to see where this experiment takes us.<span style=""> </span>I have recently been interested in a collaborative online “book” called <a href="http://thelostbook.net/">The Lost Book</a> that is written by everyone involved, even by the fans.<span style=""> </span>In that sense, our blog will be written by our experiences as a family, as well as interaction by people who follow our posts.<span style=""> </span>It will be interesting to see where this takes us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Back to the title explanation:<span style=""> </span><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Three States, One Year</span></i><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We thought this title said a lot about our current lives.<span style=""> </span>We have, in fact, lived in three different states within 12 months.<span style=""> </span>There are six of us, so we have been doing a lot of packing, driving, stressing and adjusting.<span style=""> </span>We started off this journey just about as far north as you can go in the U.S.... North Dakota.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFO8mXDuiEuMmTZTjzkUhc0DgktBCUkY90wZlhn264FwulEP76siKnD51JineAIUciXSjDbZYWaRlSTclZJO_ovc8kmTfMpX_i0lPfYvu1hekefqAbMDqH2QA_c7weA2pNKjlKDn0XXU/s1600-h/100_2457.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFO8mXDuiEuMmTZTjzkUhc0DgktBCUkY90wZlhn264FwulEP76siKnD51JineAIUciXSjDbZYWaRlSTclZJO_ovc8kmTfMpX_i0lPfYvu1hekefqAbMDqH2QA_c7weA2pNKjlKDn0XXU/s320/100_2457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363146723084913314" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">After having endured the fabled long and harsh northern winters, we finally got a chance to escape to a warmer climate…<span style=""> </span>At least for a few months.<span style=""> </span>Yes, the central coast of California was very easy to get used to, but hardly a sensible place to buy a home these days.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2LqiV_S8gRt-5JEiKDmDYIWjL9EyMvVEC3DdVZh5GBdFlx3Z6gg1nLSULJxw1fT_e-4u1Dy8TH7qBnxBBqNvyM5uGF2zpIVPldpn1b-HArOh6QqXlobmvYLZifwagEir1GkUm3o9EXg/s1600-h/20080619+Surf+Beach+022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2LqiV_S8gRt-5JEiKDmDYIWjL9EyMvVEC3DdVZh5GBdFlx3Z6gg1nLSULJxw1fT_e-4u1Dy8TH7qBnxBBqNvyM5uGF2zpIVPldpn1b-HArOh6QqXlobmvYLZifwagEir1GkUm3o9EXg/s320/20080619+Surf+Beach+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363146730071917090" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Finally, we made it to Colorado where we have been now for almost 3/4 of a year.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnMXSS_yWWTL1-jSu7fIC6Oq7ixLELrm4RtHubrpY3FCUiYKiWDDHmMJpKHc19grbeYcDlnosF-ec2cGolUmtHkb0K9qThzKyWQNsisdBbR7AY7dSVcGfNtEP2s1EVXZUNkXtPgrv4JQ/s1600-h/20080601+Piece+of+Paradise+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnMXSS_yWWTL1-jSu7fIC6Oq7ixLELrm4RtHubrpY3FCUiYKiWDDHmMJpKHc19grbeYcDlnosF-ec2cGolUmtHkb0K9qThzKyWQNsisdBbR7AY7dSVcGfNtEP2s1EVXZUNkXtPgrv4JQ/s320/20080601+Piece+of+Paradise+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363147147736407522" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We went from the prairie to the ocean to the mountains all in one year and have experienced many ups and downs, highs and lows, twists and turns along the way.<span style=""> </span>…A perfect metaphor for our lives together since we have been married for over 11 years now.<span style=""> </span>A perfect metaphor for most people’s relationships, I suspect.<span style=""> </span>As our blog progresses, we will talk about a lot of these different places and experiences.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, there you go.<span style=""> </span>It’s a blog about wherever life takes us next.<span style=""> </span>Maybe we’ll be here tomorrow; maybe we will live somewhere else…<span style=""> </span>But at the very least, we will experience life together, arguing, discussing, laughing and even crying along the way.<span style=""> </span>This is the place where will be able to share how we both feel about all of it.<span style=""> </span>We hope you will also come along for the ride.</p> Three States, One Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191133681084522432noreply@blogger.com0