Courtesy of ~ Flickr.com

…It’s time to call it a day!”…is the way, I believe, the song goes, but in this case the lyrics should be…”The party’s over…” It’s time to stash cards away! That could very well be a revived tune that many consumers should be singing these days. (more…)

Photo by tamelyn

It appears that if you own any kind of vehicle that utilizes gas, you automatically have been signed up for the “Guess The Price of Gas Today Game”. How do we deal with the fluctuating prices on a daily basis? This is one of many ongoing questions to this crazy game. Out here in California we have the nation’s highest prices! Thankfully, prices appear to be on the downward spiral now — for who knows how long?

Being unemployed, one has no choice but to cut back, and that is what I’ve done. I use my vehicle as minimally as I can. Although, I do use it for going out on interviews and necessary shopping excursions. Some people are parking their vehicles and taking to riding bikes, using public transportation or walking, if it’s convenient for them. I do utilize my feet for transportation (two for one: exercise and transporter) when I get the chance. (more…)

It appears, that in honor of 4th of July, I’m taking to a national past time…ranting. I plan on using the new “All American soapbox”…a blog…to get up and rant about things I have issues with. One of those issues, the big ongoing debate: “Paper or plastic?” Do you get asked that question every time you go to the supermarket/grocery store? I used to get asked all the time, but it has subsided somewhat in recent months. The question is starting to heat up. (more…)

I’m wondering…as I take time out from flying around the ether-world with my little avatar…I need to focus more on home base…meaning the USA. So I’m asking the question, ‘Are things getting better or worse?’ Gas prices are way up; the housing bubble is still letting out air; and food prices are competing with the gas, as to which can empty out our pockets the fastest!

The economist say we have something like a 5% unemployment rate, which they claim is not all that bad. That is… unless you happen to be one of the 5%… like me. However… I’m not one to go about wringing my hands and saying “woe is me”. I just have to “keep on keepin’ on”, because what else can I do, other than give up? (more…)

Courtesy of Xandert at morguefile.com
There are possibly three camps of people regarding the usefulness of fluorescent lighting: love, hate or somewhere in the middle. I probably am more in the hate category. The “green” folks are pushing these fluorescent lighting in a big time way, now. The only good thing I’m seeing while looking through the lighting issue, would be that it keeps things cool in the summer. Also, they are somewhat useful for growing plants indoors. (more…)

Summer has unofficially started with Memorial Day. Although, it’s been feeling like summer around these parts for a while. It got me to thinking, ‘I need to continue the simplicity theme all summer long.’ I’ve got my flip flops on and I’m preparing to do just that. (more…)

As we move into the summer months, I’m embracing a mindset that I aspire to all year — KISS (Keep IT Sweet & Simple). So my articles and links will be more succinct, while I look for a job and work on improving my business acumen. As far as money goes, it’s not an evil but a necessary tool in this life of ours. (more…)

Well, I wasn’t sure how I was going to approach my topic of difficulty this month, but as usual, it kind of just came to me as I moved through the process. The “cat was let out of the bag” in the previous article, that I was actually, unemployed. Yeesh! I said it again. So duh, that’s the reason I find it difficult to discuss the word “Money”! It’s a given. (more…)

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who stops by to check out my nest and my savvy link collection. I really do appreciate it. Looky-loo’s I’m including you too! You’re welcome to keep coming by. (more…)

As you can see my ‘Money’ section is always bringing up the rear, when it comes time to post new articles. I could have pretended for this month, that money was no option, but no, I decided to go the cheap and crass way, by using crappy (Oops! How did that happen?) language to pay homage to April Fools’ Day. (more…)