Save Water, Stop Pissing away Your Money!

Disclaimer: I've decided to direct this blog to self-examination and goal-setting. At least until I change my mind and direct it to something else! 

Introduction

Most people make small and unnecessary daily purchases without calculating the cost of the purchases. Meanwhile, they keep putting off a large purchase until "they have the money" as if this is ever going to happen if they are short each month. 

I'm going to use a personal example to illustrate the cost of small daily purchases and end with a commitment to eliminate something in exchange for an expensive item I want more.

The cost of small daily purchases

Each morning, I take a 5.1 mile walk. Near the end of the walk, I stop to buy coffee and donuts at the quick stop. I sit outside to eat them. What is the cost of these?

Each morning, I spend $3.39. If I stop 300 times a year, then I'll spend $1,017 a year. About $600 of that will be for the donuts! 

Well, as I go through my day, I can find another $15 a day that I don't NEED to spend. If I give up those things 300 days a year, I can save $6,102! 

I'm pissing away money and I need to stop now!

Decide what you want to buy and when

When people give up something, they like to get something in return. The item I'd like to get is an expensive down sleeping bag that will cost about $600. 

Since I'm pissing away $18 a day, I should be able to buy it in 33 days. But, I still want to piss away some money, so I think I'll save $10 a day. 

To put this in goal-setting terms, I want to save to buy a sleeping bag in 60 days. December 30th is my target date.

Decide what to give up

I can give up the donuts and coffee. I can also give up eating out so often. 

Pay yourself the cash each day

This seems hard to do. Where am I going to get the money to set aside $300 at the beginning of the next two months? On the surface, this is patently ridiculous because it's money I'm not going to spend. 

So, what I'll do at the beginning of the week is withdraw $70 from the bank and put $10 a day in my wallet. Each day, I'll get to keep what I don't spend on the things I'm giving up. 

Conclusion

Now that I've calculated the monthly cost of the little things I don't need, I have a plan to redirect that money towards something I want and kind of need. At least when I have it, it won't be consumable and gone at the end of the month.

What about the Layout?

Introduction

One thing you have to do is decide on the layout for the blog. There are many choices available. Pick one and make slow modifications to find what you like.

Many choices

Blogspot gives a zillion layouts for a blog, and I didn't know which one to choose. That's because I'm pretending not to know anything about blogging. Surely there is a "best" layout for the blog I want, but I don't even know why I want this blog. Oh, that's right, it is to prove I don't know how to write!

Pick one 

Every idea starts with a point of expansion and grows from there. Guess what?! It doesn't matter WHICH layout you choose because you will eventually change it! I picked the default layout which is a plain white screen. That suits me fine for now. Later, as I make more posts, I may change it. 

Make slow modifications

When I previewed this blog, I saw the type was that gray that is impossible for old eyes to read. So, I clicked the layout button and figured out where to globally change the default font color. I had a few stumbles, but eventually I solved the problem. When in doubt, Google how before asking how. Google is awake all the time. 

Conclusion

Start with any layout, but don't stress over the perfect layout. As you learn, you may find a better one or figure out the best way to work with the layout you chose! Either way, get to writing. 

I knew someone would check!

Friday, October 31, 2014

I can't write and I don't care. I made this blog to prove I can't write and maybe I'll do it daily. Write that is, not my morning constitutional.

Writing Format

All a person needs to write is an:

• Introduction
• main point
• main point
• main point
• conclusion

Well, don't give me names, give me examples! you say?

There are three parts to a blog post. The introduction where you tell the reader what you are going to say. Three main points where you elaborate on the introduction. And the conclusion, where you sum things up.

Each main point should be revealed in the introduction. Each main point should support the title of the topic. 

The conclusion summarizes the purpose of the post. That's all! Do not introduce anything new.

So, if you can't write start with a concept for the title. Then work from the "inside out" meaning find three main points. Write no more than 125 words on each main point. Then write the introduction and conclusion and, Voila! (it's always better to show off intelligence with a foreign word!) You have a blog post. Forget about proof reading. Nobody is going to read this blog anyway.

Introduction

main point

main point

main point

conclusion