06.26.09
what you earn
This nifty little tool from CNN Money lets you calculate what you would have to earn in any city in the US to be comparable to what you’re earning now. It gives you a city vs city comparison of housing, utilities, etc.
06.09.09
quick fixes for your wardrobe
Have you ever hemmed your skirt with tape? I have. This is a time-honored quick fix that a college friend clued me into one day. This and other quick fixes are featured in The Frugal Duchess’ Cheap and Easy Repairs for Wardrobe Malfunctions. Others include:
- use a marker to banish scuff marks from shoes
- use staples to repair broken hook-and-eyelet fasteners
It’s a useful list.
06.08.09
tips on building a portfolio
Need help building your investment portfolio? Get Rich Slowly gives us The Lazy Way to Investment Success with tips on how to build your investment portfolio using index funds. Example:
The Couch Potato Portfolio from Scott Burns* 50% — Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
* 50% — Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)This two-fund portfolio from financial columnist Scott Burns may be the simplest way to achieve balance. It’s an even split between stocks and bonds, and should appeal to those investors who are both lazy and risk-averse.
04.28.09
info re swine flu from the city of Houston
I received this in my email from the city of Houston:
Information on the Swine Flu
The City of
Houston ’s Health and Human Services Department continues to monitor very closely developments surrounding an outbreak of Swine Flu inMexico and cases reported elsewhere in theUnited States . We are working with federal and state health officials to ensure prompt detection and appropriate responses. There are no known cases inSoutheast Texas at this time. Meanwhile, the best sources of information and advice on the Swine Flu and this occurrence include the following:
- The City of
Houston website, which will provide information specific toHouston and the area as warranted: http://www.houstontx.gov/health/swineflu.html
- The state Health Department’s website providing information about
Texas ‘ situation and response: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu/default.shtm
- The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:
- The World Health Organization website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Register for CitizensNet or go to www.houstontx.gov and scroll down to CitizensNet logo.
04.19.09
50 ideas for side businesses
Need some extra money? Maybe it’s time to consider starting a side business. thesimpledollar.com has a list of “50 Side Businesses You Can Start On Your Own” to get you started.
04.18.09
Hobby Lobby makes their minimum wage $10
Kudos to Hobby Lobby for raising their minimum wage to $10 an hour. This increase will affect their nearly 9,200 full-time employees and cost them between $10-$15 million more a year.
02.05.09
flexitarianism
Lifehacker’s Kevin Purdy posted about his success in dieting by using a an approach called flexitarianism. What that means is that he doesn’t eat meat before dinner, and that seems to make all the difference in the world.
So what did he do to succeed at this? He recommends:
- broaden your food base
- don’t get held hostage at restaurants
- re-think your hunger
- it’s a guideline, not a religion
Interesting approach.
01.30.09
ordinary links & news
Houston’s PBS Patricia Gras gives us “40 Tips for a better a life.”
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Army is reporting that Army suicides are at a 3-decade high. Not the info I want while my brother is over seas.
01.19.09
cutting my losses
One of the hardest decisions you can make (or that I’ve had to make) is when to call it quits. Either deciding that you have a cancel a project because it’s going to be/is a failure or making the decision to stop a relationship, it’s never easy. When do you do that?
I’m re-reading The Dip in an effort to get someone else’s perspective on when enough is enough. So far, I haven’t read the secret yet. I’ll let you know if that happens.
The reason this is especially poignant today is that I’ve been stood up/canceled on by a long-time friend… again. Out of every plan or appointment we make to get together, I realize that most are initiated by me. And of those plans, she cancels more than half (sometimes just failing to show up).
Today I had even turned down other invites (since most of us have the day off) since I had already committed with her for lunch. I feel kind of silly sitting along in this hotspot, catching up on email, when I could have been doing a shopping day out with family. Yes, my friend once again canceled on me, via text message.
She does this like my time isn’t important, like the commitment was
nonexistent, or just like I don’t matter. And, yes, that irks me a
great deal.
I am calling it quits. If she wants to invite me out, she’s welcome to do it. But I don’t think I’m going to be initiating plans any more. And I’m sorry to make that decision, and voice it to myself. I’ve known her forever and it feels like quite a loss, somehow.
I’m not quitting the friendship. I’m not saying that I won’t meet her for lunch or coffee in the future (though if she continues to stand me up I may have to do that too). What I’m saying it that the ball is in her court now.
12.26.08
Achieve financial indendependce
Get Rich Quickly has a primer on how to achieve financial independence that’s worth a read as you set your 2009 goals. Mine include getting a better handle on my finances and achieving some financial goals.
Four keys listed:
- start investing as early as possible
- be determined to save on a regular basis
- begin investing with the largest possible sum you can
- reach for the highest rate of return you believe you can safely receive on your money over time
Great advice. It’s never too late to get started.