From the category archives:

Random

“If you follow instructions, you will have little problems with your house. If you take shortcuts, you will be taking it apart and doing it over. Now. Are you ready to listen?” George Waterman was never one to sacrifice clarity for tact, and, as we slurped water in the 100° heat, we decided that we had better listen up.

I admit that my first encounter with George that summer of 1996 wasn’t all that positive. As an adult sponsor of a high school youth mission trip in Reynosa, Mexico, I was thinking, “He sure is bossy.” But he needed to be. As missionaries for World Servants, an international organization dedicated to overseeing short term mission trips, George and his wife Jan were responsible for not only the construction of a dozen 12’ x 16’ houses that week, but also the well being of dozens of high school kids. In retrospect, they needed to be tough.

Mexico 2009 Our VBS Group

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Check Out This DIY Post

by joeplemon on February 15, 2010

in Random

Greg at Eliminate the Muda has a post today, The Value of Do It Yourself is Greater Than Just The Savings, which includes yours truly (our fireplace), along with creations from other financial bloggers Paul from FiscalGeek and Joe from Joe Taxpayer.  It is a great read, along with pictures.  Besides saving money, the satisfaction of building your own furniture, rocking horse, or fireplace is priceless.

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Love and Money

February 3, 2010

photo credit: mateoutah
As I look back on my 39+ years of marriage, I can say that I look forward to another 39+ years of marriage.
I can also say that working together on our finances has been a huge factor for the success of our marriage. We certainly have made our share of mistakes, [...]

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Should You Hire a Real Estate Broker to Sell Your House?

January 20, 2010

photo credit: griffithchris
Before I go any further, I will state unequivocally,  “It depends.”
Not everyone needs to hire a broker. But what should you consider before making your decision? Just like buying anything else, you should balance the cost against the benefit to determine which way the scales tip. Hopefully, this article [...]

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How Do You Measure Success?

December 30, 2009

Last fall, at a class reunion in Palm Springs, CA, 39 year old Steven Burton wore dress Navy attire displaying the Navy Cross, the highest medal that can be awarded by the United States Department of the Navy. This award is given for “extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed [...]

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Are You Making Pascal’s Wager With Your Finances?

December 7, 2009

photo credit: NickStarr
 

“Pascal’s Wager” , an argument for belief in God, was formulated by 17th Century French Philosopher and Christian apologist Blaise Pascal.

The Wager Defined
The “Wager” argues that if one lives as an agnostic, he is betting his life on the non-existence of God. If, upon death, he discovers that he was wrong, then [...]

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Eight Tips For Christmas Shopping Procrastinators

December 2, 2009

photo credit: daveynin
 
OK. Black Friday has come and gone. Cyber Monday is over. Memo to those of you who have completed your Christmas shopping: “I think you are awesome and I tip my hat to you, but you need read no further. This post is not for you.”
For the rest of us procrastinators (yes, [...]

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Formula for Excellence: Practice for 10,000 Hours

October 22, 2009

photo credit: graymalkn
Author Malcolm Gladwell, in his new book “Outliers”, shares his research that very few people achieve excellence without putting in at least 10,000 hours of preparation. His research dispels the notion that people can be at the top of their games with talent alone. Gladwell states, “The closer psychologists look [...]

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Is The Music In You Still Waiting To Be Sung?

October 15, 2009

photo credit: justalexanders
Although Florence Littauer had been married for many years, she had never had a meaningful conversation with her mother-in-law Marita.  In Florence’s mind, Marita had always been a little too busy, a little too distant, and never seemed real.  But all that changed one evening when Florence asked Marita, who was nearing [...]

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Should Employers Use Credit Reports to Screen Job Candidates?

October 13, 2009

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…
In the midst of a national recession and rising unemployment, many who are seeking to dig themselves out of their financial woes are being hit with a double whammy: potential employers are disqualifying them from employment because of low credit scores. These employers are using a number (credit score) as [...]

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Are You a Quitter? Maybe You Should Be.

October 7, 2009

photo credit: Photo Mojo
Most of us have grown up hearing, “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” Sound good, but is it always true? Career coach Dan Miller challenges us to consider what road we are on and, if it is the wrong one, quit and change directions. If you were [...]

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Cast’n Que BBQ

October 4, 2009

photo credit: Chuck.falzone
I don’t know about the rest of the nation, but Barbeque is big business in Southern Illinois. Contests abound and this weekend is no exception. Janice and I will be in Murphysboro (home of 17th Street Barbeque) shortly, cheering on nephew and niece Chuck and Jenny as they compete. [...]

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