hobbies

July 23rd 2012: Update on the Bugout House

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give you an update on the Vacation/Bugout House.  Wow…what a summer.  Full of ups…and downs.  I can’t believe all I’ve gotten done on the vacation house, but it hasn’t been without its setbacks.

Since last I left you, I was filling dumpsters with trash and finishing-up the master bath.  Well, The master bath looks great but there’s one enormous problem left:  The old drain is stuck in and the special tool I bought called a “drain key” broke and is now stuck in the drain.  I am in the process of drilling it out, but it’s a time-consuming and frustrating proposition.

On the brighter side, I installed the downstairs bathroom can light housings, vanity, single-surface sink to (very modern) and am in the process of installing the trap/drain.  I’ll connect the faucet and the trap tomorrow and the downstairs bath will temporarily done.  We’ll temporarily install a shower curtain in the shower.  A glass door and panel will be installed eventually, but we like to be here when work is done, so we’ll schedule that work for another trip/visit.

I added two coats of paint to several rooms’ walls and ceilings and am putting in the trim pieces in the can lighting (also called “high hats” or “recessed” lighting.  I was painting ’til midnight last night after assembling a table and four chairs for the breakfast nook and replacing the halogens in the security lighting system.

Did I mention I spent every morning last week teaching 4th, 5th and 6th graders at Vacation Bible School?  I t was great and my wife got to see me teach.  My wife no longer thinks our daughter after a week with today’s kids and being introduced to the “new normal.”  I am exhausted because we’d come home every day and work until 11 or midnight.  We’ve been doing this for weeks, but it’s coming to an end now.

With just a short time before our return, we HAVE to devote a little of our vaction to a vacation.  Our daughter’s birthday is this Sat so we’re planning her party.  We’ll add a few mandatory trips to the old favorites and it’s back to our regular work.

I know it doesn’t seem like a vacation to many, but the equity we’re building is worth the effort, especially when I see those just standing still and getting farther behind.  Work usually yields success/progress.  We’re still grinding away at the house and sweating equity into the building.  I won’t be in my 40s or 50s forever, and i’d rather work hard now than in my 70s because I’m broke.  The sense of accomplishment we feel is a great feeling and we’re still sneaking in some time with family and friends.  In a little while we’ll pull the plug and then I’ll get to do what I’ve been dreaming about all year:

• Rent a canoe and hunt walleye and trout
• go to Kennywood or Idlewild amusement parks
• Catch crayfish in a nearby stream with my daughter
• Take my daughter on a hike to the waterfall behind my childhood home
• Take a few hikes in the woods
• Explore a cave
• Walk around the university district and visit the museums, libraries, and universities of my past.
• Watch squirrels gather nuts
• Plant some trees (I know, work)
• Make lists (one of my favorite things to do)
• Visit Steeler training camp

…and that’s about it. There will be other things thrown-in, but if I do half of the things on my list, I’ll call it a good summer.

Already scheduling work on the Vegas home and will be there in no time.

I’ll also probably need to schedule a hernia surgery and train for a half marathon this fall.  The neighbor called to tell me the fruit trees back home are gorgeous and the lemon blossoms are heavenly.  He said the tomatoes are delicious from my vines, too.

I’ve stopped thinking about vacations as “ultimate getaways” pumped into our heads by the Travel channel, and truly begun enjoying the “repurposed” vacation.  Vacations are an opportunity to build sweat equity, work on preps and build for the future.  I don’t want to leave my family homeless and penniless.  My work for my wife and daughter is joyous labor.  God has given me a strong back (after 2 surgeries) and a healthy body.  I use it to HIS glory and for my family’s benefit.

Have you stopped spending all of your money on empty vacations that are great for bragging, but bad for your finances and future?

Another truth I’ve come to and realized for a while now is that there will be people who will always make bad decisions and are destined to be without success.  I know someone who keeps making bad decisions despite money being thrown his way.  If he made a million, he’d spend two.  And nobody can help him…and he comes from a family of people who also make the same bad decisions despite people helping them immeasurably.  Sad, just sad.  Where do you draw the line between helping and enabling?  Something to consider…

Well, that’s my report for the day…I have so many wonderful things planned for blogs and podcasts this fall. but the lack of internet access is killing me.  This dispatch cost me a 2 dollar coffee at Starbucks–ouch!  Should have internet/cable next summer, but not having a tv all summer has been great.  TV isn’t and shouldn’t be my life–although with football season coming up, I see a few hours each weekend vanishing into a tv and couch.

Best wishes to all.  Thinking of you.  Have to admit that with fewer podcasts I’ve gotten fewer emails.  Now’s a great time to have a problem or request answered.  Tell me what shows you want.  Tell me how I can help.

Dan

   Send article as PDF   

July 14th Dispatch. Keep the Faith

I am so VERY sorry my podcasts, updates, and site maintenance have been so infrequent lately.

The reason, however, is solid.  I don’t have internet access at my home while construction/renovation continues.  What little I do have is on my iphone–hence, the typos and real lack of being able to do much.

But I’m living my dream…

Our vacation house has consumed ALL of our time and most of our money…and we love it.  I believe in “Re-purposing Vacations”, a term I use to take your vacations and turn them into work time on your house/life/business/etc to increase value to your life.

Our vacation home is a better investment for us than an expensive resort we visit but keep nothing from.  It’s like a time share for us, but we actually own it.  We have sacrificed, scraped, and scrimped for our bugout/vacation house.  We don’t drive expensive cars, we don’t take vacations (except for here where we work and build equity) and live modestly.  We are positioning ourselves for our future.  We see some of our friends enviously talk about our vacation home, but they spend all of their money on expensive toys, cars, homes, and vacations…and never work except at their 9 to 5.  I tell them and I tell you: You can do it if you want to…but you’ve got to want to…”  and most of them don’t want to.

Our bugout home takes all of our spare cash, which keeps us away from alcohol/bars, casinos, toys/hobbies, etc.  It’s amazing that we’ve found the money to do the work, but it only comes with sacrifice.  But the sacrifice, for us, is worth it.

I guess that is a long way of justifying the lack of time I’ve put into podcasts and the site this summer.  That will continue for a few more weeks and then I’ll be back to the old routine.  So hang in there with me and the podcast/site…I haven’t quit.  In fact, I’ve never worked harder.

This week, we filled a 10 yard dumpster to overflowing with building materials, etc.  I cleaned out the garage, nuked all the rest of the fence and hedges, painted like a fool, and visited a scrap metal dealer for some recycled gold.  Now the cheaper, heaver materials we gave to Tom, a friend who has been helping with the yard.  The money he earns from a trip to the recycling center is well-earned on his part.  We pay him for the help, but the extra cash he’s earned from scrap metal is like a little tip/thank you to make him really feel appreciated.

We cleaned out our basement, aka “the Bomb Shelter” and actually have some space down there to work.  I removed the 50s cabinets down there and replaced them with the 4 free ones we got from out new kitchen cabinet install.  The company made some mistakes and we got to keep the.  Even without doors, 4 sparkling white cabinets mounted on the walls in the washing area really put a smile on my wife’s face…I did it between midnight and 2 am one morning.  Wow was she happy when she saw the results.  Then…more painting, sanding, spackling, etc.

We’ve taken about 2 days off so far. One was to return a solid foam mattress to Costco on the other side of the city.  It hurt my spine between my shoulder blades.  They took it back no questions asked.  Awesome customer service. That’s why we buy Everything we can there.  They do care about their customers…we bought the mattress there last summer and thought it’d get better.  It didn’t.  No problems w/ Costco.  Can I tell you how much I LOVE these guys?

Some people look at us funny for working so hard and preparing for our future.  ”Is it worth it?” a family member asked.  What a silly question.  We’re building something.  Together.  And we’re not stopping until we have a real hold on our future financially, prepping-wise, everything.  Maybe that sounds good to you.  I’m 43, so I’m no spring chicken, but i want to work my TAIL off for the next 10-12 years so I have something and so does my family.  If you want that, too, you know what to do…work harder, invest in your future and keep grinding.  Never give up and never give in.

I wish you peace and happiness.

God bless,

Dan

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 107: Interview With Bob Mayne

On today’s podcast, I interview Bob Mayne:  creator of Today’s Survival Show and Handgun World Podcasts.  Bob discusses many aspects of modern survival, including food, finances, community relations, self-defense, guns rights and freedom.

Bob Mayne is many things, but at heart, he is a patriotic American with a passion for gun rights, individual freedoms and survival.  Join us today as I interview BOB.

This is my FIRST interview (where I did the interviewing) and I couldn’t think of a better person to start off with.  You see, Bob was the first person to interview me as the host of Homestead Dividends.  Further, Bob has been a mentor to me in many ways in this business/hobby, always providing help and support without ANY strings attached.  He is a down-to-earth man who doesn’t try to impress you by taking himself too seriously.  Instead, Bob lets his wealth of knowledge and experience do all the impressing.

Today we discuss the importance of many aspects of prepping.  They include:

• Why do you prepare
• Finances philosophy
• Food Storage
• Bartering
• Community Relationships
• Guns and gun selection, carry, and philosophy
• Common-sense applications of self-defense strategies

Ep 107_Interview w Bob Mayne

http://www.todayssurvival.com/

   Send article as PDF   

Pinterest’s Own Site is Now Following Homestead Dividends

Best of Pinterest @Pinterbest is now following you (@hdivs).

Just got this email from pinterest.  The best of Pinterest (their own site) is now following us.  That’s cool. Check out my photos on pinterest.  I’ll keep pinning.

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 066: When DIY Meets SHTF

Ep 066_When DIY Meets SHTF

One BIG hole in my podcast library is discussing D-I-Y SHTF.

If you’re not following me I mean: When you do a project yourself and you end up with a disaster.  SHTF (Stink Hitting The Fan) is never pretty.  Just the imagery alone is quite disgusting.  But here we are. And here YOU are, and you need help.

If you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, the FIRST thing to do is STOP.

• Don’t Panic.  Calm down and assess the situation
• Does it require an emergency phone call?
• If you’re not sure, look:
• If there’s water or fire or live electric or anything that will cause significant damage to yourself or the house CALL FOR HELP.
• An uncontrolled flood you cannot stop is a no-brainer. Note the word uncontrolled.  Go to the nearest valve and shut it off OR shut off the main water supply to the house.  No more emergency requiring immediate attention.  Your repair bill just went down.  Now fix the plumbing yourself now that you’ve calmed-down or call a plumber.  Now, not panicked, get a professional that won’t gouge you.
• Electrical?  Ususally not an emergency.  Go to the panel and flip the breakers where there’s exposed wires, etc.  Breaker box shooting sparks?  Call an electrician immediately or call the utility or call 911.  220 wiring exposed? Stay away.  Now call an electrician
• Fire? Grab an extinguisher and fight it while you consider if 911 needed.  Not sure call first, then fight fire.  Never use water on an electrical fire.  It could be your life.
• Structural? If the house is creaking and you hear wood cracking and snapping…GET OUT.  You may not be able to save the project safely.  Hear a couple of creaks?  Grab 2x4s and some jacks and shore-up the wall, ceiling, or whatever it is.  Never work in an area where you think collapse is imminent.  Better to lose a couple of beams or a wall than your life.  Most likely, though, the 2x4s strategically placed will hold it until help arrives.
• Speaking of help, call a trusted neighbor or friend for small emergencies where an extra set of hands is all you need.  Spouses work well, too, just remember to wear ear protection because the “I told you so” train is about to depart.
• Don’t lose your confidence.  One bad project isn’t the end of the world.  All craftsmen have done bad jobs they’ve torn down.  Only bad craftsmen never tear something down and admit mistakes.  I’m happy when a tradesman tears something down he’s not happy with and rebuilds it the right way…as long as he’s right and not charging me by the hour.
• Now that the situation has been stabilized, figure out what you need to fix the problem.  Most likely, you’ll be calling a professional.
• Get help from the retired tradesman locally.  Ask them to fix it but you want to help and learn.  This always works for me.  Nice, little, old men love me.  I guess I look like everybody’s son.  Anyway, they take me under their wing and show me what to do.  Another reason tradesmen like me is because I treat them with respect and not a scumbag servant.  People appreciate respect.  I give them that.
• With that, I wish you success and hope you never need this article.Ep 066_When DIY Meets SHTF

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 061: Veggies, Lawns, and Mortgages

Ep 061_Veggies, Lawns, Mortgages

Today I clean-up on some articles I published/linked to over the last several days. I just annotate/discuss them a little and add a funny observation about life to round-out today’s podcast.

My Pearl of Wisdom for the Week:

Mainstream Media is just like junior high school:

• People who are different are picked-on and ridiculed because they do not conform to what the “cool” kids (mainstream media) consider “normal”

• Only people who have a “cool pass” from the bullies (mainstream media) get to be different.  Lesbian Wiccan vampires who crochet are okay (in the mainstream) but people who are preppers who are concerned about emergency preparedness and taking care of their families–we’re the fringe.  What the *(&^@# ?   And to be clear: I’m not attacking Lesbian Wiccan vampires who crochet–I’m just making the point that mainstream media will champion the cause of the strangest, mostobscure groups and attack regular people. GEESH!

• The people who were cool in junior high school turned out to be losers/non-factors in high school/ life…MEANING that I cared about the cool bullies for a bout a second in junior high, and I cared about mainstream media and their opinions for about the same length of time.  Yeah, the mainstream clowns are irrelevant…and they’re not cool.

• With mortgage rates at record lows, it’s time to refi: see the related article below
• I cover what veggies work well in the shade: again, see its companion article below
• And, finally, I cover the lawn and garden yearly maintenance calendar…and again, see the related article below.

Thanks for listening.

God bless,

Dan

   Send article as PDF   

Lawn and Garden Care Calendar

I came across a couple of articles on lawn and garden maintenance from several websites. Houselogic.com has a pretty comprehensive article. I read it and am passing it along.  Remember, if you wait too long, you’ll miss the calendar dates and throw everything off. READ ARTICLE

BetterHomesCalendar–Read Article

Me, personally…I’m not  “manicured lawn guy.”  I’m a NICE lawn guy.  I don’t douse lawns in chemicals and sprays.  I cut grass, plant flowers and grow trees.  I like an attractive lawn..but I’m not OCD about it.  I had a neighbor–no joke–who would occasionally mow his lawn TWICE in a day and would bust out the ruler and measure the grass length.  That’s creepy to me.

I like a house to look nice but I don’t want to be Mr Lawn and Garden…I want a property that produces food and provides enjoyment.  Spraying for crabgrass and spending all my time on inedible flowers to impress neighbors just isn’t me.  I’d rather impress the neighbors with a bag of pears or apples from our tress out back.  I’m definitely not a  garden party type of guy.

Remember, there is NOTHING more beautiful than a cherry tree in bloom: one that produces REAL fruit (or an apple or a pear or a whatever) outshines the prettiest flower.  Fruit trees produce beautiful flowers in spring, provide shade in summer, and yield delicious, healthy food in the fall.  Take THAT, Mr. Rose Bush.

Costco also has a good article on lawn care.  Now, of course, it pushes products it sells in the article, but the material is very informative for the average gardener.  Please remember to adjust the calendar as appropriate to your zone and simply ignore it if you live in the desert

READ ARTICLE

   Send article as PDF   

Most Miserable Cities

Forbes recently published an interesting article on the most miserable cities in America.  Near the top of the list: Miami.

What does this tell you?  That you need to stop buying the hype the media and popular culture are pushing– of sunshine, swimming pools and palm trees.  Those things don’t necessarily equal happiness.  Further, the article mentions that California and Florida host sixteen of the top 20 markets in home foreclosures.

California also had its share of entrants in the top twenty miserable cities.

Let’s be honest.  You are happy near your family, gainfully employed, enjoying your home, and living your life.  You don’t need to chase a dream across the country to do it.

Home will ALWAYS be Western Pennsylvania to me, and I’m elated I have a retirement home there I’m fixing-up.  The trees, the grass, the people, the relatives, the rain are all special there to me.  Having lived in Miami and currently living in Vegas, no amount of sunshine and “pop culture cool” will ever replace my hometown.  I inwardly laugh when people remark how lucky I am to be in Vegas with them and how bad growing up in Pittsburgh must have been.  I simply add,” You have no idea.”   Because they don’t.  They have no idea of the great communities, families, schools, and friends I left behind.  I love Las Vegas, but don’t need to put it down to make my home feel better.

Over HALF of the homes in Vegas are underwater.  That is a crisis, and I see it in the eyes of other Las Vegans.  But I love it here, too.  One thing I love about Las Vegas more than anything else is sitting out on the back porch in winter, huddled next to my wood-burning chiminea, and watching a clear dark sky filled with lights billions of light years away.  I can even see shooting stars and satellites fly by overhead.  I enjoy the howl of the coyotes on the golf course, and the hum on the wind against the side of the house.

Home is where you make it and where you want it to be.  NEVER apologize for who you are or where you come from or where you want to be.  To me, I’d rather live in many “uncool” places than the ones lauded by the mainstream morons.  If they like it, you KNOW there must be something wrong with it…unless it’s right for you.  Remember, live your own dreams.  If they lie in West Lafayette, Indiana or Barstow, Ca…that’s where you need to be.  I love my family in Miami…and they’re where THEY need to be.  I’m in love with Las Vegas and Pittsburgh…and I’m EXACTLY where I want to be.

I wish you peace and a wonderful Saturday.

Dan

Stay tuned for my episode on Tools of the Trade: Levels.

   Send article as PDF   

From the Desk of Engineer Ray

The following is a message from Engineer Ray, my dad:

Gardening is coming back to the US.  I still remember the “old” days when most families had a home garden and a few fruit trees (I was born in 1930). 

There is NOTHING like going down to the garden with a salt shaker, picking a tomato off of the vine, and eating it on the spot…or in September or October walking through my orchard, picking an apple off of the tree, and enjoying it rigth then and there.

It seems like the last 50-60 years they have genetically altered fruits and vegetables…genetically removed the flavor from store-bought fruits and vegetables.  You go into the supermarket and you see the tomatoes and apples…they’re picture perfect, but you bite into them and they taste like pulp…I don’t buy them.  Why?  Because I have flavorful, fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in my yard.  The stuff I buy from supermarkets, I don’t really enjoy.  So what’s the point of buying them?

Also, I know that they (especially strawberries and celery) are pumped with pesticides and insecticides…that means your food is COVERED in POISON.  Yes, you CAN go to the Farmer’s Market, but most of them use chemicals, too!

So do what a lot of people have been doing; GROW YOUR OWN!

Spring will be coming upon us soon.  NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY SEEDS AND ORDER FRUIT TREES.  But where do you start?  My suggestion: For most areas, I’d start with two apple trees and two pear trees (substitute trees to suit your tastes) and start a garden with tomatoes and peppers.

You say you don’t have room?  I had thirty tomato plants on my patio in pots that were made of plastic and were thrown away by others. I also planted 250 tomato plants in my garden.  What do you do with 250 tomato plants?  You give them away as gifts to friends, neighbors, and folks at church…I had a waiting list for these.

There is one particular tomato I have every year and recommend the most; the Burpee “Long Keeper”.  When the frost comes in, you bring them into the house, shed or barn.  In the house, they get placed on a cool window sill.  They ripen gradually.  I had them for Christmas (and this is in Pennsylvania).

Have you ever seen the prices of fruits and vegetables the last few years? That’s another very good reason to start a vegetable garden and orchard.

Keep listening to my son and visiting his website.

Engineer Ray

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 056: Flashlights 202

Ep 056_Flashlights 202

Today we’re going to talk a little but about the importance of flashlights.

Notice this episode is entitled Flashlights 202 and not 101…because this is not some basic, generic discussion…I’m giving you specific, relevant information.

But before we do, I need to spend a minute and talk about my experience last night.  So I flew my dad in from Pittsburgh last night.  I heard Obama was flying into town, so I gave myself an extra half hour to get to the airport to anticipate roadblocks, etc.  Can I just SAY how hacked off I am?

First, Las Vegas has an Air Force military airport/base…Nellis…one of our country’s biggest and best.

Why, oh why, couldn’t the president land his plane on the base, instead of shutting down one of our nation’s busiest airports when the Air Force base is just a few miles away and as secure as secure can be?  The reason, of course is stupidity.  Never assign to malice what could otherwise be attributed to stupidity or  incompetence.

So what’s the big deal?  My dad’s plane had to go into a holding pattern while the spender-in-chief landed and all of the before and after time (more than an hour)

My dad’s plane ran out of fuel and had to land in Ontario, CA.  The airport did NOT announce what had happened.  I SPENT AN HOUR frantically looking for an 81 year-old man who the arrival board said had landed.  Finally, I ask at Southwest and they tell me the story.  I’m relieved he’s okay, but furious.

Before this happened I was sitting on the highway at a dead stop with police blockades up for over a half of an hour.  This wouldn’t have happened if he landed at Nellis and flew in to whatever hotel he was going to.

Worse, wasn’t this the same clown who reprimanded companies for having junkets in Las Vegas?  Why’s HE here?  Oh, because he looking for votes…

So, what does this tell me?  Not much.  Politicians and governments do everything the wrong way.  Further, take whatever they say, turn it 180 degrees, and you’ve got the truth.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

You know, the flashlight is the #1 obvious thing to have in every emergency situation.  It’s so obvious that it’s rarely, if ever, covered in detail.  Sure, everyone knows you need a flashlight, but do you have a flashlight plan? or a flashlight management plan?

There are MANY different kinds of flashlights that fall into many different categories.  I wanted to share a few of the most important ones with you, and help you come up with your own flashlight program.

1. Big ones for tactical situations.  Those giant D-cell lights that take 3-4 Ds and are encased in metal or ballistic plastic…they work well for a club and throw a lot of candle power on the situation.
2. The standard under-the-kitchen-sink model.  This is the standard two C-battery model. It’s usually made of plastic and they go everywhere.
3. The miniature ones fall into many different categories and are used in many different applications

• mini standard-same design as traditional flashlight, but compact and can use a single C, several AAA or even a single AA.
• the head lantern–one of, if not my FAVORITE models.  They sit on your head while attached to an adjustable headband.  The allow for hands-free use and maximum dexterity. They are ideal for construction, camping or when the lights go out.  I keep two next to my bed and my wife keeps one on her nightstand as well.  We each use them for reading when the other is sleeping.  I also use them for my nightly security walk around the house before I turn-in.
• micro-mini flashlights can fit on a keychain and can be no bigger than a coin.  They are ideal when stumbling around a car outside in the dark.
• some flashlights plug into the cigarette lighter in your car.
• another “cool” flashlight is the light ‘app’ for your i-phone or android phone.  The LED screen provides a large surface area to emit a large light.

4. The Program

• Every bedroom should have a standard flashlight.  I also recommend headlamps for all adults to be stored in their nightstands.
• Two or more in every car.
• One in a purse, attached on a ring to a can of mace.
• Place several in your camping box/supplies.  One by every door in the house. One on every level of your home.  Several in the garage and/or shed.  One should be in your briefcase or on your person.
• One belongs in a drawer or storage area at work.
• Store batteries in one area in the house.  Store several flashlights here, as well.
• When all else fails, you know you have flashlights and batteries in the Home Base area.
• Use the or lose them:  All batteries decay over time.  Use them and rotate them out regularly.  It is foolish to keep flashlights in drawers and forget about them until an emergency comes up.  Many batteries corrode and damage the flashlight itself.  It’s better to use them up and rotate them regularly.
• Keep a large stash of batteries on-hand and and use them.  Buy in bulk in discout retailers or wholesale stores.
• Don’t forget the dollar store option for frugal preppers.  $20 will buy a lot of flashlights and batteries.
• Buy flashlight packs.  You can buy a 5-10 pack of flashlights for next to nothing.  Buy them.
• When you think you have enough flashlights…wait a year (or two) and buy another family pack. Flashlights are like socks in the dryer…one always goes missing.  I used to think there was a black hole that ate socks and flashlights…there is.  They’re called the unprepared.  We have all given flashlights, tools, food, clothes and money to the less fortunate of the less-prepared.  I call non-preppers “black holes” because they will take a portion of your supplies and materials with them.  Our goal, of course, is to turn these black holes into brightly-shining suns….suffice it to say you NEVER have enough flashlights.  Never.
• Lastly, treat yourself to a really nice, heavy nightwatchman’s ballistic or metal D-cell flashlight.  It’s butt, when swung at an attacker is as good as a club.
• If you have any ideas or feedback, please add it to the show notes.
• Put an address label on your flashlights.  Borrowed ones tend to make their way home more easily, and if an emergency happens, your identity is on that flashlight, identifies you to authorities and provides an evidence trail in a missing person’s case.

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 055: A Mother Earth Oops, Plus Listener Email and a Follow-up.

Ep 055_ Mother Earth Oops, Listener

I dig Mother Earth News and I will be singing the magazine’s praises in the near future.  In fact, I just received an issue and was as giddy as a schoolboy when it came.  It REALLY IS filled with valuable information. But even the BEST of magazines has an occasional bad article.  I recently read about a $300 D-I-Y hot tub.  I have to say that it reminded me of something you see on one of those shows about bad ideas that rednecks do and somebody ends up hurt, naked, or covered in mud.  This was one of THOSE kind of articles.

The author talks about how to create a hot tub with a 300 gal (or so) galvanized livestock trough…now wait for the tipoff that this has gotta be a redneck story:  In addition to the galvanized watering trough for livestock…(no, not the punch line, but could be)…was the need for…(wait for it)…75 CONCRETE BLOCKS…yep…but there’s more…(wait for it)…an old 55 gallon drum for a fire ring.  I am not sure how a fire-driven hot tub qualifies as solar, but whatever.  I have to say, this thing looks hideous and as tacky as all getout.  Now if you had all these things lying around and were bored…maybe…but if you go to the article, it just looks awful…this is Larry the Cable Guy worthy.

___________________________________________________________________________-

I also got a letter from a guy in Chicago with a problem who is considering moving.  I add my two cents and reference Hillary Clinton…OMG!  Hillary’s one piece of wisdom I actually remember, is a quote she once used she picked-up along the way,” Bloom Where You’re Planted.”  I never recommend people moving FOR a lifestyle without serious planning and a lot of practice.  Wanna move to the sticks and garden?  How’s your gardening skills now?  Have you EVER gardened, etc?.  If you have a place you love or this is a decision that is based on a real plan that involves gainful employment and avoids debt…YES!  But I never recommend just picking up and moving.  With the right plan and a pragmatic approach, by all means become a TRANSPLANT and move.

Norw there’s a LOT more to the story than this, so you’ll have to tune-in and hear the whole response.  You’ll probably be surprised by my answer.  I was.

_______________________________________________________________

Re-visiting the “Don’t Be That Guy” Guy

I did a little research on case study #1 the tradesman who can spend about $650 a month on a toy but is flat broke and could be evicted from his apartment.

Scenario #1: 100k loan @5% w/ 5k down on 30 yr mortgage= $646.20/month–Less than the toy payment=$600+ in savings (his rent payment)

Scenario #2: 100k @5% for 15 years=$ 900.17= monthly payment on the toy plus LESS than half of his rent payment

Scenario #3: 105k @4% for 30 yrs= $586.79= savings of over $663 in rent and monthly payment on his toy.

All cases assume: 1.25 property tax and .5% private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

So, I find some people CHOOSE to make bad decisions when they don’t have to.  The RIGHT decision is there in front of him…I even explained it to him…he said he’d never sell his toy. So there it is…he’s choosing to be dumb.  Can’t feel sorry for a guy who puts his toy before his family.  There’s no excuse for this kind of irresponsibility.  That’s just being stupid.  I feel sorry for his wife and son.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————

When Not Enough is Plenty:

Maybe you’ll never be self-sufficient with your garden.  We cretainly aren’t right now.  But just HAVING food on-hand can be awesome.

Take tonight’s example.  The wife was going to go to the store to buy some onions for the chili she was making.  Instead, I took two (okay, maybe three) steps outside by back door with some scissors and cut some green onions down to the ground (so they’ll regrow).  Voila!  Instant fresh onion for chili.  That’s just a regular, everyday example of why having a garden (and preps) on-hand is so wonderful.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

An interesting article on reverse mortgages:

Should I do a reverse mortgage? (Fox News)

Let me give you the short answer:  No!  Frickin NO!!!!

And NO!  I’m not giving you the link…because you don’t even need to think about it.  NO.

Oh, did you know they have closing costs? and OTHER fees?  Think you’re gonna get TOP dollar?

If you want to sell your house…sell it.

The article mentions the CEO of a reverse mortgage company thinks there a good idea..Duh!  I bet he frickin’ does.

Now move on…nothing to see here…move along….

   Send article as PDF   

Global Elites Meet In Davos, Switzerland Call Capitalism “Outdated” Nervous Of Future

Ahead of the World Economic Forum hosting the world’s economic elites, forum founder believes current capitalism model obsolete and “crumbling”.  He cites lack of moral and political leadership.  What does this mean?

What it means for us couldn’t be clearer:

When even the elites have lost their way, it’s time to prep and prep HARD.  If the future is befuddling to the economic elites, we, the regular people, need to be prepared for the uncertainty.

But what does THAT mean?  Why the same things it always does: food, clothing, shelter, protection.

I have no idea what tomorrow holds (aside from my faith-based beliefs). But I know what the answer is even if I don’t know what question will challenge us.

Yes, the things that make preppers who we are is the answer.  Continue to fight debt, gain autonomy,and  procure long-term food, clothing, and shelter solutions.

If we do these things, we are as well-positioned as we can be.  (I personally would add a rock-solid faith to the equation, but I know some of you don’t share my beliefs…and I respect your right of freedom to express your beliefs, or lack thereof).

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 044: Clarification and a De-cluttering Insight

Ep 044_ Clarification and a de-cluttering insight

I spend just a minute clarifying my position on an article on our leaving Iraq that was posted recently on CNN.

In essence, I just can’t understand people who think that if we only occupied a country in the Middle East a little bit longer, everything would be okay.  I just don’t see the logic in that philosophy.  Just know that I support our troops.  I just don’t support the philosophy of nation building…especially in THAT part of the world.

Then, I discuss how little things that clutter our lives get in the way of us maximizing our lives, etc.  I use the example of a couple of sheets of plywood in our garage and  boxes of toy train stuff to make the point that we all have small things that clutter our lives physically, mentally and emotionally.  AND if we only dealt with the clutter, we’d be so much happier.  In 2012, I want you to focus on de-cluttering your life in any way you feel cluttered.  I want you to live an uncluttered, clean, crisp 2012, with you owning your life (and your possessions) not them owning you.

Now throw out that old junk, emotion, memory,  or whatever it is that’s holding you back and start living.

   Send article as PDF   

Ep 040: What a Riot Over Tennis Shoes Can Teach Us.

Ep 040_ What a Riot Over Tennis Shoes Can Teach Us

So, Nike Came out with a new $190 pair of tennis shoes. They made them limited edition.  They released them two days before Christmas.  Then riots broke out.  No surprise here.

This story is SO WRONG on so many different levels, it makes me sick.  One, SHAME on these morons sleeping over outside malls to grab these shoes.  There was a report of a woman who left her child in the car to wait in line for the shoes  in freezing weather.  Disgusting.  Two, Shame on Nike for causing this riot.  They KNEW what would happen. And they are partly to blame.  But this is part of a bigger problem.  This happens every Thanksgiving all around the country as shoppers fight for “bait” items to lure them into the store.

Now for the big picture:

• This happened over a pair of shoes.  What happens when there is a shortage of food or other essential supplies?
• Most of us just shake our heads at the stupidity of the shoes story.  But when it’s food or medicine, who will be laughing?
• If ever there is a case for being a prepper and keeping a cache of supplies, this is it.
• Tennis shoes are nothing compared to a hungry crowd.
• That is why stockpiling food, medicine, and supplies is so VERY essential.
• That is why gardening and food production is so important
• That is why developing a defensible homestead is so important.
• That is why getting out of overpopulated areas, (in my opinion) is important.

Black Eye Friday: Shoppers throw punches over new Air Jordans

Race for New Air Jordan Sneakers Turns Ugly at a Metro Atlanta Mall

Rowdy shoppers eager to get the latest Air Jordans clash with police

New Air Jordans still incite shopper violence 9 years after player’s retirement

   Send article as PDF   

End-of-the-Year Episode Podcast

Dec 2011This episode will be short and sweet.

It’s the end of 2011 and we’re at the beginning of 2012.  Where are you?

Where are you financially?

Where are you career-wise?

Where are you with regard to your family?

Where are you spiritually?

Where are you preparedness-wise? ( i’m including here house, garden, preps, and plan-wise)

Remember that nobody plans to fail, but many fail to plan.

If you do nothing else over the Christmas break, assess where you are and PLAN for 2012 in every facet of your life.

Then, I want you to focus on your family and share a love and enjoy a warmth you haven’t felt in years.  Reach out to estranged family members.  Re-connect with friends and loved ones you haven’t talked to in years…and be a kid again.  Have fun and enjoy life.  You do NOT know whether 2012 or even the end of 2011 will be the last year you spend on earth.

With that, I bid you Peace, Happiness, and Prosperity.

Dan

   Send article as PDF   

Episode 037: Some Ways to Fix Our Country

Episode 037_ Some Ways to Fix This Country

My “US First” initiative. Everybody wants to play,”If I was in charge…” Today, I tell you what I’d do.

They include:

•  No foreign nationals from countries that hate us allowed in:esp in colleges studying engineering, chemistry and nuclear physics
• Profiling foreign nationals from countries that hate us = ok
• Prohibit lobbying
• Make all legislators volubteer/part-time
• Default on all US debt owned by China as a penalty for their continued piracy and copyright infringement
• All wars we fight in get a bill for whomever we help
• No children of illegal immigrants can become us citizens through birth
• Illegal aliens who are sick have their health issues stabilized, and are returned to their country for further treatment–enough abusing our health care system
• No illegals in schools.  all students must provide documentation for enrollment
• Make losers of lawsuits pay the legal fees of the winner–to discourage frivolous lawsuits
• Get rid or lawsuits against doctors (where only the lawyers benefit) and set up a system for victim compensation where only victims benefit.

   Send article as PDF   

Episode 036: 5 Home Improvements That Pay Off The Best

Today, I talk about some good renovation projects that pay you back.  Also, I am BLOWN AWAY with the response from my interview with Bob Mayne.  THANKS to all who listened and to all of of my new visitors.  Thanks for visiting and give me a try.

Remodeling Magazine published a list of the top Five Renovations that Pay off the Most are:

Improvement                 Cost                 Value            ROI (Return on Investment in %)

1. Steel Door                        1218             1243                 102

2. Garage Door                     1291             1083                 84

3. Minor Kitchen Remodel     21,695          15790               73

4. New Deck                          10,973           7986                73

5. Vinyl Siding                         11,357          8223                72

Episode 036_Five Renovations That Pay Off

   Send article as PDF   

Episode 038: Land, Corruption and Remodeling

Episode 038_Land, Corruption, and RemodelingI discuss the boom in farm land prices, next I make the connection to MF Global, and finally,I continue my previous talk on home improvement projects and the expected return on investment (ROI)

Insight: In Iowa, farmland boom means end of an era for many

A tractor is silhouetted on a hillside in Prairie City, Iowa, November 16, 2007.

Credit: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

IOWA FALLS, Iowa (Reuters) – It took just 31 minutes for Donald Ellingson’s family to end an agrarian tradition that had survived more than a half-century, by auctioning off 153 acres of rich Iowa farmland.

Five years after their father’s death, Ellingson’s three children had grown weary of the demands of running a farm. Their tenant farmer had retired, and finding a new one was tough. The youngest of them was 60 — too old, they agreed, to return to a life of risky finances and long work days.

Combines and corn were not part of the lives of Donald’s eight grandchildren or his 14 great-grandchildren. They live far from here. And given land prices these days, the family agreed it was the right time to let the past go.

“I think dad would be fine with us selling the land,” said Diane Guerrttman, 60, who lives in Wyoming and works with at-risk children.

Across the Midwest, the dizzying surge in rural land prices is accelerating a fundamental reshaping of the farm sector in the world’s biggest food exporter. Instead of digging in to benefit from the boom in grain prices, the next generation is opting to cash out of the small, family-owned farms that harbor centuries of rural wisdom and deep tradition.

The bidding wars that are now common at farm auctions and inside attorney offices, resulting in a 25 percent jump in land values last quarter, are bittersweet for heirs and aging farmers alike, whose children have fled to the city, leaving them unable or unwilling to shoulder the rising financial risk of a farm…

(Reporting by PJ Huffstutter; editing by Jonathan Leff and Marguerita Choy)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oops! MF Global loses 1.2 billion of customer money: 

Translation: Golly, we’re really rich and we’re really sorry, but you’ll NEVER see a cent of your stolen money.  We’re Wall Street and we’re criminals.

MF Global missing funds may hit $1.2 billion

By James O’Toole@CNNMoneyNovember 21, 2011: 7:18 PM ET

Former New Jersey governor and MF Global CEO Jon Corzine.

MF Global (MFGLQ) was forced to file for bankruptcy last month after it disclosed $6.3 billion in exposure to troubled sovereign debt from weak European countries, sparking panic among investors.

Government regulators later said that roughly $633 million out of the $5.4 billion in customer funds at the firm were unaccounted for.

On Monday, however, that figure was revised significantly higher.

“[T]he apparent shortfall in what MF Global management should have segregated at U.S. depositories may be as much as $1.2 billion or more,” the office of trustee James Giddens said in a statement…

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Remodeling Magazine has a great article on ROI on 50 Projects:

        2011-12        National Averages

Project	Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped	Change vs.                            2010-11
Attic Bedroom	$50,148	$36,346	72.5%
Backup Power Generator	$14,760	$7,009	47.5%
Basement Remodel	$63,378	$42,338	66.8%
Bathroom Addition	$40,096	$20,455	51.0%
Bathroom Remodel	$16,552	$10,293	62.2%
Deck Addition (composite)	$15,579	$9,780	62.8%
Deck Addition (wood)	$10,350	$7,259	70.1%
Entry Door Replacement (fiberglass)	$3,536	$1,990	56.3%
Entry Door Replacement (steel)	$1,238	$903	73.0%
Family Room Addition	$83,118	$50,004	60.2%
Garage Addition	$57,824	$33,089	57.2%
Garage Door Replacement	$1,512	$1,087	71.9%
Home Office Remodel	$27,963	$11,983	42.9%
Major Kitchen Remodel	$57,494	$37,785	65.7%
Master Suite Addition	$106,196	$62,874	59.2%
Minor Kitchen Remodel	$19,588	$14,120	72.1%
Roofing Replacement	$21,204	$12,257	57.8%
Siding Replacement (vinyl)	$11,729	$8,155	69.5%
Sunroom Addition	$74,310	$34,133	45.9%
Two-Story Addition	$165,796	$103,391	62.4%
Window Replacement (vinyl)	$11,319	$7,692	68.0%
Window Replacement (wood)	$12,229	$8,258	67.5%

Project	Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped	Change vs.                            2010-11
Bathroom Addition	$76,209	$40,061	52.6%
Bathroom Remodel	$52,249	$28,972	55.5%
Deck Addition (composite)	$37,829	$20,637	54.6%
Garage Addition	$86,347	$44,987	52.1%
Garage Door Replacement	$2,994	$2,129	71.1%
Grand Entrance (fiberglass)	$7,488	$4,554	60.8%
Major Kitchen Remodel	$110,938	$63,731	57.4%
Master Suite Addition	$227,178	$114,822	50.5%
Roofing Replacement	$37,481	$20,435	54.5%
Siding Replacement (fiber-cement)	$13,461	$10,493	78.0%
Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl)	$14,274	$9,937	69.6%
Window Replacement (vinyl)	$14,328	$9,898	69.1%
Window Replacement (wood)	$18,999	$12,175	64.1%

   Send article as PDF   

Episode 034: When Stuff Changes

Whatever your goals are, they will change. Life is what happens in between the plans you make.

You need to re-evaluate your short and long-term plans and be flexible for what tomorrow holds.

Things that affect life for both the good and bad:

• Crop suitability
• job changes/demands
• move
• health issues
• change in direction/motivations/goals
• New dreams, new horizon

Episode 034_ When Stuff Changes

   Send article as PDF   

Episode 032: The Thanksgiving Special

   Send article as PDF