You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that, my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
Adrian Rogers 1931
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
What is important?
It’s about gratitude, and perspective…
I know my grandmas would laugh about this, because I am sure I was a silly brainless kid once…
But it seems lots of people today don’t know the difference between a necessity and a want.
It surprised me when I was doing credit counseling (very briefly) that there were people who would hock a watch to get money for Easter dresses for their children. Then they’d pay the fee, buy back the watch, and use it like a credit card for other events….
Credit cards are bad enough but pawn fees are even higher.
Going into debt for things you need, if carefully managed, can be helpful. I don’t know anyone who could pay 100% of their first home. Cars these days are very expensive. So besides settling for a very small home or a used car, obvious alternatives to overreaching your income, going into debt can be the only way these things are possible. If you can’t work on cars, getting a used one can be even more expensive than new, so I won’t belabor that.
I have recently been inspired by the family who got out of over $100,000.00 in debt by hard work and frugal choices. By knuckling down and working hard, they managed to pay it all off, and now have freedom from debt, a house, and the satisfaction of having completed a Herculean task.
I also know a woman who challenged her family to buy nothing new for a year. They would scour yard sales, second hand shops, resale stores and link up with friends to trade clothes and find the things they might need. Food was, of course, exempt. They gave themselves 5 “outs” or times when they could buy a new item. One time, on vacation, they had lost their sippy cup for the baby, and after a thorough search of the local thrift shops, came up empty handed. That was their only “out”.
What do you need? Really?
How grateful we would all be if we truly learned to live within our means, to find joy in making do, to learn how to be happy!
I’m making a list of things I am willing to sacrifice for. Things I am grateful for. No whining!
I know my grandmas would laugh about this, because I am sure I was a silly brainless kid once…
But it seems lots of people today don’t know the difference between a necessity and a want.
It surprised me when I was doing credit counseling (very briefly) that there were people who would hock a watch to get money for Easter dresses for their children. Then they’d pay the fee, buy back the watch, and use it like a credit card for other events….
Credit cards are bad enough but pawn fees are even higher.
Going into debt for things you need, if carefully managed, can be helpful. I don’t know anyone who could pay 100% of their first home. Cars these days are very expensive. So besides settling for a very small home or a used car, obvious alternatives to overreaching your income, going into debt can be the only way these things are possible. If you can’t work on cars, getting a used one can be even more expensive than new, so I won’t belabor that.
I have recently been inspired by the family who got out of over $100,000.00 in debt by hard work and frugal choices. By knuckling down and working hard, they managed to pay it all off, and now have freedom from debt, a house, and the satisfaction of having completed a Herculean task.
I also know a woman who challenged her family to buy nothing new for a year. They would scour yard sales, second hand shops, resale stores and link up with friends to trade clothes and find the things they might need. Food was, of course, exempt. They gave themselves 5 “outs” or times when they could buy a new item. One time, on vacation, they had lost their sippy cup for the baby, and after a thorough search of the local thrift shops, came up empty handed. That was their only “out”.
What do you need? Really?
How grateful we would all be if we truly learned to live within our means, to find joy in making do, to learn how to be happy!
I’m making a list of things I am willing to sacrifice for. Things I am grateful for. No whining!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Christmas Lists
Yes boys and girls. It's time to make out your list for Santy Claus!
My mom would throw a Sears catalog at me and let me go for it. It was pointless because unless I could wear it or it was otherwise immensely practical, I didn't get it. I made my own clothes for Barbies I got from friends... but I digress. You might want to break it into four sections:
1. Things I need for school, sport, to wear or to sleep better at night:
2. Things I would like for school, sports, to wear or sleep better at night.
3. Things I would like for hobbies I like to do
4. Stuff
It's just a way to get them to think about things they need as well as the things they just see that are shiny in the catalog. I'm sure there is a better list! Tell me what you do!!
Dont forget to make a copy and send the original to Santa Claus, North Pole
North Polar - Santa Claus P.O. Box 56099 North Pole, Alaska 99705-1099
If you want a reply you need to follow instructions here http://www.northpolar.com/
or email to http://www.emailsanta.com/ in English or French for your French Immersion Student!
Don't forget to track Santa at NORAD. We do this every year. Gives NORAD something to do besides watch for missiles and UFOs. :D
My mom would throw a Sears catalog at me and let me go for it. It was pointless because unless I could wear it or it was otherwise immensely practical, I didn't get it. I made my own clothes for Barbies I got from friends... but I digress. You might want to break it into four sections:
1. Things I need for school, sport, to wear or to sleep better at night:
2. Things I would like for school, sports, to wear or sleep better at night.
3. Things I would like for hobbies I like to do
4. Stuff
It's just a way to get them to think about things they need as well as the things they just see that are shiny in the catalog. I'm sure there is a better list! Tell me what you do!!
Dont forget to make a copy and send the original to Santa Claus, North Pole
North Polar - Santa Claus P.O. Box 56099 North Pole, Alaska 99705-1099
If you want a reply you need to follow instructions here http://www.northpolar.com/
or email to http://www.emailsanta.com/ in English or French for your French Immersion Student!
Don't forget to track Santa at NORAD. We do this every year. Gives NORAD something to do besides watch for missiles and UFOs. :D
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Bucket lists
Here is the "Real" bucket list from the movie:
Some of these things mean nothing to me. Some I have done, but would not have counted my life unfinished without them. I keep seeing mock bucket lists on facebook and other places and wanted to see what this was really about. Some things are just more important to some people.
Here's the challenge: this is what lists are all about. Make your own bucket list. As you broaden your perspective, add to the list. As you become more understanding of what's important to you, you learn more about yourself.
Feel free to share here or keep it in a Chock-Full-Of-Nuts can...
Here is some facebook stuff to give you more ideas:
The Bucket List
( ) Been to Europe
( ) Been on a cruise
( ) Gone on a blind date
( ) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
( ) Been on a plane
( ) Climbed a lighthouse
( ) Swam in the ocean
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
( } Seen the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.
( ) Played cops and robbers
( ) Flown a plane
( ) Owned a boat
( ) Own/Rode a motorcycle
() Watched grandchildren grow and loved every minute
( ) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Been to the Kentucky Derby
( ) Been to Key West
( ) Been to a rodeo
( ) Sang Karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
( ) Made prank phone calls
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose (hasn't everyone)
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain
( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sunrise
( ) Seen the green flash at sunset
( ) Blown bubbles
( ) Gone ice-skating
( ) Gone to the movies
( ) Gone to a Drive-In Movie
( ) Owned a convertible
1. Any nickname -No
2. Mothers Name - Yes, she has one
3. Body Piercing? - ears once only
4. How much do you love your job? How much... I love it.... hmmmm I do but hard to measure
5. Birthplace? I don't answer this as it's confidential
6. Ever been to Hawaii ? No
7. Ever been to Africa ? no
8. Ever been to China? no
9. Ever been to Europe? yes
10. Ever been to Austrailia? no
11. Ever been to South America? no
12. Ever been to Russia? no
13. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? Yes
14. Ever been on TV? Yes -- very briefly
15. Ever steal any traffic sign? No
16. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
17. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? Mine is 5
18. Favorite number? Are we buying chocolate or cutting inches off my hair?
19. Favorite movie I like many movies... All time fave gotta be It's a Wonderful Life.
20. Favorite holiday? Christmas
21. Favorite dessert? hot homemade chocolate chip cookies
22. Favorite type of food: seafood
23. Favorite day of the week? Saturday but I like the rest too
24. Favorite brand of body wash - I still use (gasp) SOAP
25. Favorite smell ? gardenias or lemon blossoms- not the perfume but the real flowers
26. How do you relax? Tempurpedic
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Older
Heidi's Bucket List
1. Be patient with my husband
2. Raise my children well
3. Continue every day to improve myself, broaden my vision, learn something new
4. Someday, write a book worth reading
5. Help people in need before they request it
6. Continue to work on my family history
7. Be completely debt free
8. Attend or at least see every graduation, wedding, birth blessing, and baptism of my progeny until I die
9. Every boy an Eagle Scout
10. Learn when to accept ignorance and when to fight it; personally, never stop learning
11. Live so people want to be more like me
12. Always find creative ways to answer challenges or teach
The "Bucket List"
- Witness something truly majestic
- Help a complete stranger for the common good
- Laugh till I cry
- Drive a Shelby Mustang
- Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world
- Get a tattoo
- Skydiving
- Visit Stonehenge
- Spend a week at the Louvre
- See Rome
- Dinner at La Chevre d'Or [1]
- See the Pyramids
- Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat", added after being earlier added and crossed off)
- Visit Taj Mahal, India
- Hong Kong
- Victoria Falls
- Serengeti
- Ride the Great Wall of China
Some of these things mean nothing to me. Some I have done, but would not have counted my life unfinished without them. I keep seeing mock bucket lists on facebook and other places and wanted to see what this was really about. Some things are just more important to some people.
Here's the challenge: this is what lists are all about. Make your own bucket list. As you broaden your perspective, add to the list. As you become more understanding of what's important to you, you learn more about yourself.
Feel free to share here or keep it in a Chock-Full-Of-Nuts can...
Here is some facebook stuff to give you more ideas:
The Bucket List
( ) Been to Europe
( ) Been on a cruise
( ) Gone on a blind date
( ) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
( ) Been on a plane
( ) Climbed a lighthouse
( ) Swam in the ocean
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
( } Seen the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.
( ) Played cops and robbers
( ) Flown a plane
( ) Owned a boat
( ) Own/Rode a motorcycle
() Watched grandchildren grow and loved every minute
( ) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Been to the Kentucky Derby
( ) Been to Key West
( ) Been to a rodeo
( ) Sang Karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
( ) Made prank phone calls
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose (hasn't everyone)
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain
( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sunrise
( ) Seen the green flash at sunset
( ) Blown bubbles
( ) Gone ice-skating
( ) Gone to the movies
( ) Gone to a Drive-In Movie
( ) Owned a convertible
1. Any nickname -No
2. Mothers Name - Yes, she has one
3. Body Piercing? - ears once only
4. How much do you love your job? How much... I love it.... hmmmm I do but hard to measure
5. Birthplace? I don't answer this as it's confidential
6. Ever been to Hawaii ? No
7. Ever been to Africa ? no
8. Ever been to China? no
9. Ever been to Europe? yes
10. Ever been to Austrailia? no
11. Ever been to South America? no
12. Ever been to Russia? no
13. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? Yes
14. Ever been on TV? Yes -- very briefly
15. Ever steal any traffic sign? No
16. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
17. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? Mine is 5
18. Favorite number? Are we buying chocolate or cutting inches off my hair?
19. Favorite movie I like many movies... All time fave gotta be It's a Wonderful Life.
20. Favorite holiday? Christmas
21. Favorite dessert? hot homemade chocolate chip cookies
22. Favorite type of food: seafood
23. Favorite day of the week? Saturday but I like the rest too
24. Favorite brand of body wash - I still use (gasp) SOAP
25. Favorite smell ? gardenias or lemon blossoms- not the perfume but the real flowers
26. How do you relax? Tempurpedic
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Older
Heidi's Bucket List
1. Be patient with my husband
2. Raise my children well
3. Continue every day to improve myself, broaden my vision, learn something new
4. Someday, write a book worth reading
5. Help people in need before they request it
6. Continue to work on my family history
7. Be completely debt free
8. Attend or at least see every graduation, wedding, birth blessing, and baptism of my progeny until I die
9. Every boy an Eagle Scout
10. Learn when to accept ignorance and when to fight it; personally, never stop learning
11. Live so people want to be more like me
12. Always find creative ways to answer challenges or teach
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