Cheap Labor From..Myself

Hey everyone,

Happy Thursday to you. I was talking with my neighbor this fine evening and have been following his outdoor living space project that he's doing and got to really thinking about how much money we all save by doing this labor on our own. He's put in a coy pond, natural stone with mortar joints, a wall that is covered in natural stone, outdoor lighting, and a fountain. All very, very nice and very cheap based on the fact that he's doing it all himself. He estimated (he's in commercial construction and I know the cost of labor, materials as well) that it would have cost him upwards of $12,000 to do this project had he not done it himself. All told, he's only got about $2000 in the whole thing, which is really quite cheap given the space and vibe that he has created.

I grew up watching my Dad do home improvement projects and eventually chipping in when I was old enough or when he'd show me how to do the work. It's very rewarding and something that I'll use the rest of my life. When you really stop and think about this though, that's a lifetime of work that costs you nothing but the time involved, and sometimes it's downright therapeutic working on those projects.

This topic got me really churning the wheels in my brain and thinking about all the lawn work, painting, cleaning, woodwork, handyman work, etc. that I've done through the years and I'm grateful that I can do it myself. I find more reward in being a "do it yourself-er" anyhow. So thanks Dad, for the drive and the inspiration to get these things done myself.

Evelyn, my partner in crime is quite handy and willing to do home improvement projects as well. She's helped me on many occasions as well as repainting the majority of our house recently.

I have to hand it to my neighbor for his tenacity with his projects. Not only is he doing this outdoor living space, but he has remodeled his whole house on his own as well, not to mention building his own furniture. Quite impressive and handy.

The point in all this: next time you think you might want to hire someone to build that patio, or paint that bedroom, do it yourself if you're capable. You'll enjoy the rewards, both monetarily and in your pride of accomplishment.

Cheers!

$2 Billion More for Clunkers...Auto Bailout #2

Just as quickly as the "Cash for Clunkers" program was nixed, it was put back in to action on August 7th with $2 Billion more in funding from the Federal Government. Apparently the 1st weeks running gave the auto industry that much needed shot in the arm that was required to resume business in a grand fashion and American consumers found the $3500 and $4500 rebates very appealing as well. There was mention that the car dealers over sold the limit in automobiles eligible for the program as well, so the timing was impeccable.

Now it seems that the interest in the program is waning back to pre-Cash for Clunker status and the "gold rush" may be over for the auto makers. Speculation seems to be that the rush to take advantage of the federal government money has become less pressing with the additional funding. I think it can easily be said that this program is saving the big American auto makers though. We probably would have seen more bankruptcies ensue had something not been done to spark interest in the auto market again.

My problem with this whole program still lies in the fact that our wonderfully resourceful government did not think to deal with the motors and transmissions of our "recycled" vehicles that will be deemed "Clunkers." This not so green "green" approach is quite a juxtaposition if you ask me. Oh how lovely are the contradictions in the political arena.

Speaking of financial thoughts in the midst of a recession, here's a fine article on how to continue to be thrifty and thrive post recession.

Good luck with all your recession proof goals and have a great mid-week!

Cheers...

Music and Social Past Times

I spent my Sunday today doing what I love to do; tending to the garden, playing music, relaxing, and watching music documentaries on my laptop. Sounds funny but I have discovered so much cool stuff on Hulu that is free and very accessible. I am literally considering cutting the cable in our house in favor of Hulu because a) cable is the biggest rip off ever and b) there is just as much cool stuff on Hulu and c) I don't follow any shows religiously, so what's the big deal if I have to watch them a week or two after they've aired?

Or, in the case of the "Buena Vista Social Club," I watch the musical documentary and became inspired and rejuvenated musically again, and for free. I have seen this documentary in the past, but I love to venture back to great musical performances for inspiration and a bit of enlightenment when needed. These guys do it. Here's a video clip of them if you'd like to check them out as well: The Song Chan Chan. The sad thing is, most of the guys in this movie are now deceased, but Ry Cooder saw it fit to record them and keep the candle alive. The spirit and energy in this documentary are awesome. I found myself at times thinking about my own social "club" that our friends have with our music. We have found our little niche and occasionally have people that jump in our musical group that bring new flavors. Last night at our get-together at our house we had that happen. It's always fun to play music with new people and experience that new energy again. Can't wait to do it again.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

~Berthold Auerbach

Any great music or social environs that have inspired you lately?

Hope all is well and you have a great new week!

Cheers!

Mountain Tops

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

-Harriet Tubman

When we indulge in our passions and our truest talents, doesn't it seem like time flies by us? I find that when I'm doing something that I truly love, like playing guitar, or scuba diving, or hanging around awesome people, time just gets by me and there's a certain ease with which life passes. This ease is something that some may call the "zone," or a flow, but whatever you call it, it makes us forget the time and space that we're in and focus on the now. Isn't it funny that it takes certain events to make us get to that part of our self? What if life were always like that? Do you think that we'd take things for granted?

I think those talents that we are given and those moments that we have that give us the ease in life are the moments that make us appreciate the life we have. If we did have those "flow" moments all the time, we may let life pass us by without knowing how much something meant to us. It does take the valleys to really appreciate the mountaintops.

Here's to hoping that you experience a lot of mountaintops!

Have a great weekend!

Making It Count

"Lost time is never found again."

-Benjamin Franklin

Hey All...

Another great day in Central Indiana. Beautiful weather after lots of rain yesterday. I had some serious challenges yesterday with work and my business, but today is a new day and this too shall pass. All is well in my mind again. Isn't it funny how we can get so bogged down with life's challenges and we can't see past the current situations and how they affect us now? I am constantly amazed by it and am constantly learning how to better cope with every one of life's challenges.

In thinking about all of this everyday life stuff I thought back to a speaker that I saw a while back. The guys name was Brian Tracy and while I'm not necessarily crazy about his approach with selling all his wares to you in his seminar, he did have good messages and great approaches to sales and life. One of the things that I took from his seminar was that you need to write down your short term and long term goals to make them "real" and physical. I totally agree with this and did that on the day of the seminar. I've been using this approach for the most part prior to the seminar, but really took serious action that day and have kept to it since. I write down everything that I want to get done and then get to it in my current day or week. I find that it holds me accountable for my goals and dreams. If I have something physical and tangible that I look at all the time, it constantly reminds me that I need to keep working at these things. This approach can work for your work life, finances, traveling, relationships, etc. It really all depends on your needs and goals for the moment and/or the future.

Another personal challenge is perfectionism. I constantly am my own worst enemy and I'm learning to slowly let that go as well. Not to the degree that I accept mediocrity, but to the point that it doesn't eat me alive. Anyone else struggle with this and find great ways to overcome it?

Have a great week everyone!

Surfing in Indiana

I bet your laughing at that one.

If you know me, you know that I like water sports and especially surfing. I really enjoy it when I can get to a place that has big waves (read California, Central America, etc.) even though I'm really not good. I do enjoy being in the water though and the workout that comes with trying to put yourself up on a board on a wave and then continue to stay upright. Lately I've been wake- surfing behind boats here in Indiana since that has been my only real option close to home. Luckily I have friends that own boats and wake-surf boards, so I can stay practiced up fairly well. So imagine my surprise when I starting looking for cool places to surf around me and found Lake Michigan to be a hot spot. I know, crazy. Check this out though. Apparently there's a whole culture of surfers in the Chicago-land and northwestern Indiana region. I can't wait to get up there now and find out where these surfer dudes go.

The thing about surfing, and scuba diving for that matter, that really draws me back to the earth and how cool it really is. The power of the waves really push you along and keep you going on a small chunk of wood. I think I was just born to be a fish with no gills. I love the water and am drawn to it but I want/need a tank of oxygen, my swimming trunks, or a surf board to navigate it.

I found a pretty cool surf shop in the region of Southern Lake Michigan call Third Coast Surf Shop as well. They also have a cool video on their site that talks about the beaches in Chicago where you can now surf as well. Chicago...a surf town. Who would've thought? Check it out...

Surfs up.....Cheers!

Exploring Your Backyard

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

Mohandas K. Gandhi

I had a great weekend traveling around my old stomping grounds in Northeastern Indiana and even played golf at a place that I used to play in high school. Had some trips down memory lane but most of all I had a reawakening of inspiration. The reason for the trip is because an old friend from back in LaGrange that I played baseball with and went to school with has a disease that is challenging him. The golf outing was a charity event to help him and his family out. The hope and tenacity that he has is incredible.

It seems lately that I've been in the path of some pretty incredible people and events that shape how I'm thinking. I'm constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to have the people we have in this short span that we live here.

The drive home today got me thinking about exploring places that are close to home as well. With the economy the way it is, it's trendy to do "stay-cations" and one tank get aways. Driving around Indiana can be pretty cool. I tend to get caught up in saving to travel around the world, but there are some awesome places to explore in Indiana and your own proverbial backyard. I enjoy kayaking and saw some really cool places that I could have kayaked this weekend. Lakes, the Wabash River, ponds, wetlands, etc. Lots of places that would have been really cool to explore. I can't wait to take some free time this fall (yeah, that's easy to say right) and go check these places out.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoy your Monday. Cheers!