How To Find Your Passion And Make Money
Filed under: Archives, Business Opportunity, Life, Making Money
It is written, that if you do what you love, in business, the money will follow. That’s passion.
But, how do you find what it is, that you truly love? Your passion?
Some people feel they need to leave their job, to follow their passion. Others, love their current jobs. Their “job”, is their passion.
However, there are others, who cannot find happiness in a full time job, or by being self employed. They search aimlessly, trying to find that “passion” in their life.
To find your passion, may take time, and work.
To get started, here’s a list of questions to ask yourself. Be honest with your answers.
Write the questions down, as well as your answers.
1) If money was not a worry, what could you see yourself doing? What would you do for free?
2) What do you do (hobbies or other), where you get lost in the “project” and time seems to “fly by”.
3) As a child, what did you enjoy doing? Do you still enjoy that “activity”, but in a more grown up sort of way?
4) What are your strengths? Are you organized? Are you a care giver? Are you creative? Are you social?
5) What do others say you are good at? If you’re not sure, ask your family and friends?
6) What don’t you like to do? Oftentimes, admitting what you don’t like to do, reveals more of what you like to do.
7) Do you feel passionate about something, but are too embarrassed to admit it to loved ones? Why?
8.) If you were to follow your passion, would others in your life “be left behind”? Do they have to be? Or is there a way of including them?
9) Are you making excuses for not following your passion, because you might actually succeed? Are you afraid of success? Why?
10) If you know what you are passionate about, can you find a way to begin that journey, plus do what you’re doing now? i.e. go to school part time? Follow your passion “after hours”….?
11) If you admitted you wanted to follow your passion, and others laughed at you, or were negative, how would you react? Do you feel strongly enough about your passion to defend yourself? Do you really care what others think? Remember, many great inventors and big businessman were scoffed at.
12) What “gets to you”? Do you hate waste? Do you hate seeing children becoming obese by unhealthy eating habits? Do you hate paying good money, for an inferior product? What “puts you on your soap box”?
13) Do you see something, and know you “have a better way”?
14) If you were on your death bed, would you have regrets because you did not follow “a dream”?
If you answered “yes” to #14,
15) What’s stopping you?
After you have taken time to write out questions and answers, step away from it. Wait for a few days or weeks, and review your answers. Have they changed? Do you need to elaborate on any of your answers?
As you look at what you have written, you may soon see a common “theme” emerging. Is this your passion?
You may realize you are a creative person, who could make a product in your own kitchen, and begin to sell your product to local boutiques or small shops. Maybe, you are a stay at home mom who loves being a care giver. A day care may be right for you. It’s something you could possibly start, in your own home. Or maybe as a kid, you used to love to build things. Would you like to be a carpenter or general contractor, who builds homes?
You may also have an idea for an invention. With some hard work, you could see it all materialize.
The possibilities are endless.
It is written, there is no such thing as a stupid question. I also believe, there is no such thing as a stupid idea. It may start out that way, but with a little bit of tweaking, it could be a multi – million dollar business.
For more ideas on how to get started, read a previous article of mine, titled: Take Your Idea – Make Millions.
Tags: inventionDoes Money Buy Happiness?
A common myth is that money can buy happiness.
If someone figured out how to bottle happiness, they could be a kazillionaire.
If you listen to anyone who has been poor, who has attained wealth, they don’t necessarily say they are happier.
Happiness is something we choose, internally.
Granted, not having money can create stress.
Not having money can create undue hardships.
Being poor, can hamper you from doing the things you want.
No cash in the wallet, and you don’t get to buy those pretty things you have been eying.
But, I have also seen people, without money, who don’t appear stressed, who work with what they have in a creative way, and set their sites on doing things that don’t cost money. But, they appear happy.
What’s their secret? First, I think it’s their faith. Faith in a higher power. And secondly, I think they choose to be happy. They are happy with what they have been blessed with. Granted, they may not be driving a Mercedes or living in a mansion, but their old rundown car, gets them to where they need to go, and their home is filled with love.
I once heard a story of a poor man, who idolized a business man who had tons of money. The poor man said, “If I had his money, I would throw mine away” “Oh, how happy I would be.”
A few months later, the poor man had the opportunity to visit the rich man at his home. The poor man was in awe of the beautiful home, and brand new vehicles parked in the driveway.
The rich man greeted him at the door. Behind the rich man, stood a woman, and a small child in a wheel chair. The rich man introduced the poor man to his wife, and daughter, who was a quadriplegic. (she had suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident). The rich man commented that it saddened him, that there was nothing else he could do for his daughter.
The poor man realized, that all the money in the world, would not help to make the rich man’s daughter walk again.
On his way home, the poor man realized that even though he didn’t have a lot of money, his life was rich. He felt blessed, and never idolized another rich person again.
Listen to those self made millionaires, and what they say. Money gives them security. They don’t necessarily say they are happier.
No tags for this post.Take Your Idea & Make Millions
Filed under: Archives, Business Opportunity, Life, Making Money
I’m amazed at how average people are making millions with simple ideas.
Last week, I watched two episodes of “The Big Idea” with Donny Deutsch. One show was how entrepreneurs started a business with less than $500.00, and the second show were entrepreneurs, who wanted to take their existing businesses, to the next level. They all have the capability of making millions in a short period of time.
Take a look at Donny Deutsch, the renowned advertising guru. To quote his bio,
he implemented his “leaner, meaner, faster, smarter” philosophy to transform a small advertising shop into one of the nation’s top 10 agencies. The $2.8 billion full-service agency has provided clients with strategic marketing programs that are intrusive, effective and talked about. Prestigious clients include GM, Johnson & Johnson, DirecTV, Novartis Worldwide, and IKEA.
Reread that, his advertising agency is worth $2.8 billion.
On the show (7/19/07), Donny Deutsch, spent the hour promoting struggling entrepreneurs. These individuals have great ideas, have done their business plans, have done marketing and sales on a small scale, but now want to get national and worldwide recognition. He offered advice to each person, and gave them hints as to what to do next. How cool is that? Donny Deutsch, giving you free advice, plus letting you promote your product on national tv.
“The Bid Idea” concluded the show with Kim Lavine, President and Founder of Green Daisy Inc. She has been nicknamed, “the Mommy Millionaire”. Kim provided the audience with links to six websites that are paramount to up and coming entrepreneurs.
Included in the list are:
SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business”
The US Patent Office
Thomasnet.com, A resource for industrial information, etc.
PR Web Press Release Newswire- for press releases
TradeShowToday. Information on trade shows
.
It was suggested that you build a website. How ironic. I “technically” have a website, with this blog. If you don’t have a blog, it’s easy and inexpensive to set one up. If you want to follow how I learned how to set up a blog, go to my other blog, Blogging Without A Blog.com
To add to the above lists, other websites that have great resources, either printed, or online, are:
SBA Small Business Association-for funding options
IRS Internal Revenue Service
US Department of Labor
Business.gov
USA.gov
International Trade Association
FDA.gov Starting a food business
Womenbiz.govWomen selling to the Federal Government
Export.gov Helping US companies export
You’ll also need a great accounting software program. For that, I would recommend Quickbooks Pro. Click on the following link and Get 15 % Off QuickBooks Pro Small Business Accounting Software + Free Shipping
Remember to also check with your state and local governments, for required licenses and/or permits.
Most states require that you register your business name, and type of entity, i.e. sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, etc.
If you have a great idea, go for it. For starters, check out “The Big Idea” website. For motivation, read the stories of the entrepreneurs who have succeeded, as well as these new entrepreneurs, who are destined to be the next millionaires. Their stories are filled great tips. Learn from them. Take your idea to the next level.
If you’re blogging, you already have exposure. If you’re not blogging, get a blog/website. Get a business plan. Get a patent (if needed). Promote your product on your blog. Do what’s needed to get your product on the market. Do your homework. None of these individuals said it was easy. Most of them literally went door to door, or sold their product, out of the trunk of their car.
The show that aired on 7/19/07, highlighted six new ideas. They were:
Eve Alexander A manufacturer of maternity lingerie.
Chilly Jilly A shawl/sarong in a bag
iHearSafe earbuds To protect children’s ears from load music
Klip-Flops A “design your own” flip-flop
Send A Ball A gift and greeting all in one (a ball)
Vroom An “energy” candy
These are all great ideas. Each product has a large target market. These entrepreneurs will soon all be millionaires.
If you have an idea, and have the belief, persistence, and passion; you, too, can succeed.
My question to you is, “Are you ready to follow your dream?”
It’s all up to you.
Not sure what your passion is? Read another article of mine, titled How To Find Your Passion and Make Money.
Update: Could your business be illegible for a Federal government grant? Check out the article I wrote on that subject. It also provides a free link to the Federal government’s grant website. Just click on: Free Information For Government Grants
Tags: blogFICO Scores – How Are Yours?
Filed under: Archives, Finances, Life, Saving Money
What is FICO? A FICO score is a credit score developed by “Fair Isaac & Co”. Knowing your FICO “score” could be as important as knowing your blood pressure numbers. FICO scores are the cornerstone to obtaining credit, whether it be for a equity line of credit, first or second mortgage, to consolidate loans, a credit card, or a car loan..
The higher your FICO score, the better your credit rating. The better your credit rating, the more money a lending institution is willing to lend to you. If you have a higher credit score, you’re more apt to get a better interest rate on a loan.
Your FICO score is affected by many factors. Do you pay your bills on time? Do you have a lot of outstanding debt? Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Do you have outstanding judgments? Do you “max” out your credit cards?
You can easily find out what your FICO scores are, plus get copies of your credit reports by signing up for Suze Orman FICO Kit
To quote Suze Orman:
You have three FICO scores, one for each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Each score is based on information the credit bureau keeps on file about you. As this information changes, your credit scores tend to change as well.
Your 3 FICO scores affect both how much and what loan terms (interest rate, etc.) lenders will offer you at any given time.
Taking steps to improve your FICO scores can help you qualify for better rates from lenders
So, if you’re looking for that equity line of credit, first or second mortgage financing, debt consolidation, car loan, credit card, or any other type of refinancing, get a copy of your credit report, and learn your credit score.
If you have a low credit score, or have poor credit, you may need to consult with a loan officer, financial adviser, or put off that large purchase, until you’re in a better financial position.
No tags for this post.How To Stop Gossip
Gossiping is such a waste of time. It’s been written that we gossip about others to make ourselves feel better.
I’ve also heard that what we see as a negative in another person, is a fault we also have. If you listen to yourself, or someone else gossiping about another person, listen to what’s said. Often, you’ll realized that the one gossiping has the same “traits”, as they’re complaining about in others.
Did you know, when you “point a finger” at another person, you have three fingers pointing back at you (and, maybe your thumb). You just tried that, didn’t you. 
See how that works?
I’ve been guilty of gossiping, but afterwards, I don’t feel very good about myself. I now try and make the gossiper “see the other person’s side”, defend the “gossipee”, or I’ll change the subject.
When a person tries to get you to gossip about others, just say, That’s none of my business”, “Who knows? Who cares?”, or my favorite, “That’s not my rodeo”. If none of those work, just let the gossiper know that you don’t care to participate in gossiping about someone who’s not there to defend themselves.
The best advice in regard to talking about others, has stood the test of time: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”
Positive Thoughts, Negative People, and Cavemen
Much has been written about positive thinking. Books make positive thinking sound like a prescription for happiness. Many individuals are quoted on how positive thinking turned their lives around.
But, how can we implement positive thinking, when our thoughts can be fickle? Something may set us off, and we’re suddenly sad. Moments later, a pleasant memory can give us the “warm fuzzies”. A cartoon in the newspaper makes us laugh. Then, a story on the news, gets us angry. Before you know it, we’re feeling like we’re on the roller coaster ride of emotions, in this amusement park called life. By days end, we’re mentally exhausted.
So, what do you do?
First of all, I think it’s important to start your day with the right attitude. I find a quiet place to sit and read my Bible, or a daily devotional, for 10 to 15 minutes each morning. Some people prefer to meditate. Others put a headset on, and listen to calming music. Find what works for you.
If you start your day with the thought, “Today’s going to be a good day”, you’re at least starting on the right foot.
If something goes wrong, don’t dwell on it. Let it go. Learn from it, and move on. What just happened is now in the past. There’s no turning back. Granted, sometimes something tragic happens, and letting that go, will take time. But, in everyday life, when little things happen, in order to continue having a good day, we shouldn’t dwell on what we can’t change. If the news gets you angry, don’t watch it. If reading the newspaper or a book depresses you, don’t read them. Your choices can affect your thoughts.
After the 9-11 tragedy, I remember receiving an email that contained stories of how “little delays” spared people’s lives. One person spilled coffee on their shirt, and was running late because they had to change clothes, another was delayed in traffic, and there were others, who, due to “little” delays, are still alive today. The message in that email stuck with me. Now when I’m in a hurry and experience a delay, my thought is, “this delay could be helping me avoid an accident”, or whatever…. I prefer to be in the right place at the right time, not in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Do your thoughts keep going back to something negative? Practice changing what you’re thinking about. Try this the next time you’re feeling blue and can’t shake the negative thoughts. First, be aware that you’re thinking negatively. Then, find something positive to think about-a happy memory, a funny story, or your favorite person. Stop what you’re doing and “live in the moment” “Smell” that rose. “See” the beauty of the day. “Taste” your food. “Feel” the softness of that fabric. “Hear” your child talking to you. Use all of your five senses, and concentrate on “the moment”. Within a short time, you’ll “feel” your attitude and demeanor change. You’ll begin to start feeling happier and light hearted. I believe, using all of your senses and “living in the moment” can create precious memories that’ll last forever.
Another method of generating happy thoughts and feelings can be done through music. Find some peppy or sing-along type music. Play it, sing along, and before you know it, you’ll have had an attitude adjustment. If you’ve just broken up with a partner, don’t listen to the “crying in your beer” type of music. Listen to, and sing along to old songs like, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Keeping a positive attitude can be threatened by spending time around negative people. You know the ones. They’re always having a “pity party” and they want you to “attend”, or participate in their “doom and gloom”. They’re right, everyone else is wrong. They should have gotten that promotion. They’re worse off than you. Their problems are bigger than yours. Blah! Blah! Blah! In the beginning, you may try to give them advice, or may even help them out financially, but before long, you see that they’re content, just being miserable. You have to learn how to “tune them out”. If they’re co-workers, do your best to ignore them, by concentrating on your job. They may try and sabotage you or your work, so be prepared. If you befriend them, before you know it, you’re caught up in their “web”, and you’ll find yourself talking negatively about the boss, or other employees. In your heart, you know demeaning or gossiping about others isn’t a good thing, so it’s best to just avoid negative people. It’s said, “you can tell what a person is like, by the friends they keep”. So true.
With negative people, you can always try playing “devil’s advocate” with them. Turn the situation around. Make them look at the other side. Tell them, “It could be worse…”, and give them an example. Whatever you do, try not to let their negativity ruin your day. Let them know, you’re not interested in attending their “pity party”. Leave the room, do something you enjoy, go outside, take a drive, go for a walk,… Everyone is entitled to be “grumpy” occasionally, and a lot of time, all they need is a good leaving alone. Don’t assume you’re the one that irritated them. Usually that’s not the case.
Occasionally, you may wake up feeling “blue”. That’s normal, especially if you haven’t gotten a good nights rest. Sometimes it may take all day to “shake” that. If time permits, take a nap. Let those around you know you’re just having a “blue” day. Maybe you just need to “vent”. Ask a friend or family member if they’ll be your “sounding board”, so you can voice your frustrations. Do the same for them, when they’re having issues. Most times, just talking about what’s bothering you, will solve the problem.
Finally, we get to the issue of how men and women think differently. That’s another aspect to consider. Apparently, men like to “hole up” and think about their problems. If a man in your life needs to “go to his cave”, quietly close the door to the cave, and leave him alone. Don’t let his glum mood affect your positive outlook on life.
Some people can’t shake negativity or depression. Oftentimes, it’s a medical condition. If you feel that’s the case for you or a loved one, seek medical attention.
On this roller coaster ride of emotions, at the amusement park called life, it’s how we deal with the twists, turns, hills and valleys that determines if we get off the ride with a smile on our face, wanting more, or if we prefer to go home alone, “hole up” in our cave, and “have a pity party”. The choice is yours.
No tags for this post.The Science Of Love vs Online Dating
On Monday night, NBC aired a show called “The Science Of Love”. It was based on an experiment about falling in love. A bachelor got to hand pick one girl out of 50, that were chosen by a dating service. A second girl was chosen for him, based on scientific data i.e. his biological and psychological makeup.
The show held a lot of merit. The scientists who chose the girl for the bachelor, were experts in the science of love. Both of the girls appeared to be a good match for him. The date with the girl he had chosen, was a typical date-time spent tossing a ball at a football field (he’s a football player), and an evening of dinner and dancing. The date the bachelor went on with the “science girl” was “engineered”, and they participated in activities and ate food, that arose “feelings”, and “awakened the senses” that parallel those we feel, when we’re in love. With both girls, the communication flowed naturally, and there was a “chemistry” between the bachelor and each of the girls. Ironically, in the end, he chose the girl based on scientific data.
That raises the question, do online dating services work? Or, would it be better to find a “scientific” match?
In two earlier articles I wrote about online dating. The first article is, Online Dating, Does It Work?, where I explore relationship issues and provide links to several online dating services. The second article is, Online Dating Services-Be Safe, and I address the issue of being “smart” if you choose to participate in online dating.
Personally, I think online dating can work. I know several couples who met online, and they all appear to be as happy as couples who met in a more traditional way. I’m sure their first meeting was as nerve racking as any first date, however, they probably rank higher in time spent communicating. With communication being so important in a relationship, online daters may have an advantage. Plus, if it’s not working, it would be a lot easier to “break it off” online.
So, until someone opens up a “scientific” dating service, it’s back to meeting that special someone, either in a traditional way, through personals, or online. Which ever way you choose, I wish you all the best.
No tags for this post.Building? Remodeling? How Not To Get Ripped Off
I hate hearing stories of how people got ripped off by shady building and remodeling contractors. It’s even worse when homeowners are victims of a natural disaster, and get ripped off. These unscrupulous building and remodeling contractors are a bad reflection on honest contractors, who have spent years building their business and reputation.
If you’re planning on building or remodeling, the first burden lies with you. Know what you want. Find a good architect and have all of your drawings (plans/blueprints) how you want them. It’s a lot less expensive to make changes on paper, than it is after construction has begun. Ask your architect if they have a computer program that will give you a virtual tour of your new home or remodel. If you take more time during this phase of building, delays and over runs are less likely to happen.
Have all of your finances in order for your project.
Before you submit a set of plans to a building or remodeling contractor for review and a bid, make sure this is your final set of plans, including all revisions and governmental approvals (i.e. city or state). It’s unrealistic to expect a contractor to bid a set of plans, have them give you a proposal for what it will cost, and expect them to stick with that number, if you later make revisions to the plans.
Get bids from no less than three contractors. Make sure they all have the same set of plans, and are bidding the same items. When you look at more than one bid, you may not be comparing “apples to apples”. Different contractors bid differently. You want the job bid “complete”. Read the fine print. The lowest bid is not necessarily the one you should accept For example, does one bid include materials and labor, but the other one, only include labor? Naturally, if everything isn’t included, one contractor will come in lower than the other. Don’t just look at the bottom line..
Consider the reputation of the contractor, and the length of time they’ve been in business. Their price may be a little higher because they use higher quality materials, have more knowledgeable employees, and do the job right the first time, as they don’t want “call backs”. I’m not saying that the lowest bidder isn’t a good contractor, or that the highest bidder is the best contractor, what I’m saying is, make sure you’re getting the exact same thing with all of the bids.
Once you have the written contract, make sure you’re protected. If the contract is written by the contractor, they will most likely have clauses that protect them. If there aren’t clauses that also protect you, have your attorney rewrite the contract to the satisfaction of both parties.
Find out if the contractor is offering a warranty on his work. Is a long term home owners warranty available? Check into that. On new homes, typically a contractor will stand behind their work (for minor repairs) for at least one year. Long term warranties usually cover items like roofs, siding, heating and cooling systems, etc. However, all of these warranties are only as good as the contractor. Warranty work is a “non paying” job, but if a contractor does things right the first time, you may never have to call them to come back. If a warranty is part of your contract, do a walk through upon completion, and document anything you find that needs to be redone or repaired. Keep those records in a safe place. Get the warranty work done as soon as possible. I’ve known of people who have gotten a home inspection right after their house is built. Hiring a home inspector is a great way to have someone with that “critical eye” look at all aspects of your home. They see things a typical homeowner wouldn’t even think of looking for. This could be one of your best investments. If it’s something you plan to do, remember to add it to your budget.
How reputable is the contractor? How long have they been in business? Is their license, bond and insurance current? Do a little homework. Ask for a current certificate of insurance. A lot of states publish contractor licensing information online. Go to your state’s official website, and search for licensing information. If you can’t find it, call the state office. A few minutes researching, could save you thousands of dollars (or much more). If the contractor isn’t licensed, bonded and insured, find another one.
Ask for references from previous clients. Before a bank lends you money, they check your credit rating. This is the same principle. Some contractors may just give you a couple of names of people whom they know will give a great reference, however, if a contractor has “burned” all of their customers, they probably won’t have any references to give you. If a contractor can’t give you any references, that’s a red flag. A reputable contractor can probably give you a list of dozens of satisfied clients. Call the references. If a customer had a home built, ask the homeowner if they would be willing to supply their address, so you can drive by. Ask them if they would recommend the contractor to others. Ask them if they would use this contractor again. Ask them what problems arose during construction, and how the problem was resolved. Ask them if the contractor stayed on schedule and on budget. Ask them if the contractor performed the warranty work to their satisfaction. A great way to find a good contractor is to ask friends and/or relatives who they would recommend. New to an area? Ask people you meet? Check with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A lot of good contractors don’t need to advertise. They get most of their work from referrals. If the same contractors name keeps popping up, that’s a good sign.
Ask yourself, can I work with this contractor for the next “blank” number of months? Do we have a good rapport? Do they listen to me? Are we on the same page? Do they show me respect? Follow that “gut” feeling. Don’t let a contractor “rush” you into a project. A reputable contractor is normally so busy, that you’ll have to wait to get on their schedule. Plan for it.
Sometimes, a contractor will ask for money “up front”. This isn’t all that unusual as they may need to pay payroll, or will need to purchase materials for your job. Do not, I repeat, do not, give them all of the money upfront. A down payment is usually relative to the total cost of the job. The bigger the job, the percentage “upfront” is usually smaller. On a small job, a down payment of 25% is reasonable , 75% – 100%, is not. The contractor may ask to have an escrow account set up for the job. This assures them that the money is there for the project. If you’re hesitant to set up an escrow account, this could be a red flag for the contractor. Just as homeowners need to be smart when it comes to choosing a contractor, a contractor need to protect their interests, as well.
For your part, make sure the contractor is receiving their check(s) as per the contract. If you don’t pay the contractor, they could stop work, and delay your project. If you’re borrowing money from a bank, lost time means you’ll pay more interest on your construction loan. If you don’t pay the contractor, they could lien your project.
To save some money, you may want to buy all of the materials yourself, however, this is a time consuming process. If you buy the wrong materials, you could easily delay your job for days. A reliable contractor already has a rapport with their suppliers, knows exactly what they need, plus knows the “language” of their trade.
If you’re doing a large project, your contractor is most likely using “subcontractors” and is purchasing materials for your job. It’s also important to know that these “subs” and suppliers are getting paid. If they aren’t, they can lien your property. Some unscrupulous contractors “take the money” and run, leaving you, the suppliers, and the subcontractors, “holding the bag”. All the more reason to hire a reputable contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau. If they’ve received complaints about a contractor, let that be a warning sign.
Some, but not all, states have inspections on the different phases of building. Make sure the contractor isn’t proceeding on your project without getting the proper inspections, and, approval on his work. Most inspection records are kept in a “job box”. If an inspector approves or disapproves what was done, that will be recorded on the inspection record.
If you decide to make a change in the middle of construction, don’t expect the contractor to hold to their original price. Ask the contractor a separate bid for the change. Get it in writing.
Don’t expect the contractor to give you “freebies” just because they’re there with their tools or equipment. For instance, if you want a tree cut down, and you see the contractor has a chainsaw in their truck, don’t say, “While you’re here, can you …..” You hired them to do a specific job. If you want that tree cut down, (or whatever,) either be willing to pay the contractor to do the extra job, or do it yourself. Contractors work on tight schedules, and time is money to them. That’s how they make their living. Your’s, is most likely, not the only job they’re working on. And…you don’t want to be their only client. Red Flag!
Once your project is underway, stay out of the way. Let the professionals do what they do best. Interrupting their work, or the work of their employees, will only slow down your project.
Plan, you’ll go over budget. With building and/or remodeling, it’s very common to go over budget. Plan for it! How much should you plan for? It’s not uncommon for homeowners to go over budget by at least 10%. Keep in mind, the more upgrades you ask for and/or changes you make to the original plans, the greater this percentage will become.
Plan for delays. Your project may go on schedule, however, delays are very common. A delay may be due to weather, a family emergency, an unforeseen error in your plans, or maybe you created a delay in your project, because you haven’t provided the contractor with the necessary information they need to proceed. Plan for delays!
Don’t give a contractor the final payment until the job is complete, signed off by the proper governmental agencies (if applicable), and you’ve gotten what you agreed to. On the other hand, if the contractor has completed your job as agreed, make the payment as per the agreement.
Building or remodeling a home is a stressful project. You’ll have hundreds of decisions to make along the way. Do your homework before starting your project. Choose a reputable building or remodeling contractor, and have a written contract. Your life will be disrupted for months, but don’t let that stop you from fulfilling your dream. If you know you can trust your contractor to do their part, the process of building or remodeling could actually end up being a fun project.
No tags for this post.Learn The Rules Of Cribbage
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In a previous article, I wrote “Teach children basic math with Cribbage
Teaching cribbage is quite easy to do, however, if you’re not familiar with cribbage, you can’t very well teach it.
Here’s a great website link, “Teaching kids the gentleman’s game of cribbage”. On the bottom of this page, you can follow the links to learn how to deal the cards, count your points, peg, etc., plus the rules of the game.
What intrigued me about this site, was the story of Paul Zuiker, an elementary school teacher/guidance counselor in Wisconsin, who teaches his third graders how to play cribbage. I think this is so cool. What a fun way for them to learn basic math.
Leaning cribbage is quite simple. Check out this site for the simple rules of cribbage. as well as (FAQ) frequently asked questions.
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Losing Frequent Flyer Miles?
Are you at risk of losing your frequent flyer miles? Frequent flyer miles are becoming harder to use, and in some cases if you don’t have activity in your account, you can lose all of the miles you’ve accumulated. On one airline, I was close to losing mine.
The question is, what do you do if you’re at risk of losing frequent flyer miles? Do you just let the airline “take them?” I don’t think so.
My philosophy is, do something useful with them. Today I donated miles to a favorite charity-The Fisher House. They are (to quote them)
“supporting America’s military in their time of need, we provide “a home away from home” that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time — during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury….”
This, I think, is a great cause.
Granted, I could have transferred them to another person with the same mileage program, bought more miles and taken a trip, or lost the miles.
Donating miles is quite simple. Just log into your mileage account. Find the “Frequent Flyer” program, and then follow the links to “donating miles”. I then selected the charity I wanted to donate to, and clicked a few more times, and that was it. I did have to donate in 5000 mile increments.
While researching for this article, I was alerted of a website that handles frequent flyer miles, and gives you options of how to use them. It’s www.points.com. I didn’t take the time to register (for free), and find out exactly how their program works, but it looks like a site worth checking out (if you choose to try and keep your miles, or use them for purchases). I found out about www.points.com, on an interesting site called The Travel Writer’s Life
Don’t rise losing those unused frequent flyer miles. Check your accounts today.
Donating frequent flyer miles may also be a tax write off. Check with your accountant.
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