I'm deleting #22, because I priced them, and really I don't need it right now.
1) Write a will
2) Compose household inventory
3) Clean out the garage - sort into keep, sell, donate, throw. Keep goes to where it needs to be, sell gets listed on craigslist, donate goes to the appropriate organization. Throw is two phases, the first during the cleaning out, the second is anything from the first three that hasn't been moved within a month.
4) Change oil in truck
5) Wash truck
6) Repair light on truck
7) Cut loose fabric off of dash in truck
8) Change oil in car
9) Get estimate to paint bumper on car and realign headlights
10) Get windshield replaced on car
11) Fix the spring on the couch
12) Inventory comic books (ensure all books on boards and in bags)
13) Inventory all books
14) Go through clothes/shoes and donate what I don't wear/can't fit into anymore
15) Make a list of clothes to buy based on Dress Smart book.
16) Upgrade Life Insurance policy on me and wife
17) Build book table for wife for bathtub reading
18) Replace radio in car (either with stock or aftermarket radio)
19) Schedule physical and eye doctor appointments - Eye doctor scheduled Tue., Mar 2, @ 11AM
20) Work on computer to see if it is salvagable
21) Host a dinner with RCIA'ers
23) Set up automatic payments with regular bills
24) Repair kitchen chair
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Update 2.24.10
Goals
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Started The Winds of War; forgot how addictive it was. Having trouble putting it down.
Plan: Finish The Winds of War and start War and Remembrance right after.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: None, see last Update post.
Plan: Begin reading March 1 (or earlier if finished with other books).
3) Read at least 12 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Finished One Year to an Organized Financial Life, well, kind of anyway. It is a library book, so I only have three weeks with it, and I was more concerned about the filing and bill paying aspects, so that's was good. I think my wife might like it for next year, since she is religious about her "one week at a time books".
Plan: I've checked out four books from the library, one of which is called God's Politics. Should be a good read.
4) Technically and accidentally, finished a video game this weeked. So one down, 11 more to go.
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Since we already went a on date this month, going to nix the b-ball game (huge growth for me) and plan something for March.
Plan: Buy tickets and arrange for sitter. May be a double date also.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Ok, so me and wagons, not such good friends apparently since I fell off again, if I ever really got back on.
Plan: Due to some things going on with the better half, we're going on the South Beach Diet (not that I couldn't use a diet).
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: Bought some writing magazines and checked out a writing book. Think I'm going to try to work on this project this weekend. We'll see.
Plan: Read the magazines tonight, and start reading the book Saturday. Hopefully get something done (a 1st chapter, a story board, something)
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Get paid tomorrow as well as bonus. Will definitley get this rolling.
Plan: Use bonus at end of the month to get caught up and clean up some out standing debts. Stay current on bills and build to $1k.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: With bonus, may be able to start sooner rather than later.
Plan: Start as soon as 8 will let us.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: Checked out a recommend study schedule. Basically, it is at least 100 studying days before the exam, studying 3-4 hours per day. I say studying days because some study, just on weekdays, others all 7, some every other, etc., but the 100 studying days are definitely a common theme.
Plan: Plan the schedule. Finish appliacation by end of March to submit. Find and budget for classes to submit to work for approval (along with books and calculators).
11) Become more organized.
Progress: Got the folders labeled, the papers filed, and every financial thing in order (except the actual paying which will happen tomorrow night). Garage has to happen this weekend. There's too much on the to do list that requires the garage to be in order. Plan: Clean out the garage Saturday/Sunday. I already have a layout for the garage to get to so it can be a) organized, b) let both of us park there, and c) be set up to use to work on the to do list.
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Started The Winds of War; forgot how addictive it was. Having trouble putting it down.
Plan: Finish The Winds of War and start War and Remembrance right after.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: None, see last Update post.
Plan: Begin reading March 1 (or earlier if finished with other books).
3) Read at least 12 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Finished One Year to an Organized Financial Life, well, kind of anyway. It is a library book, so I only have three weeks with it, and I was more concerned about the filing and bill paying aspects, so that's was good. I think my wife might like it for next year, since she is religious about her "one week at a time books".
Plan: I've checked out four books from the library, one of which is called God's Politics. Should be a good read.
4) Technically and accidentally, finished a video game this weeked. So one down, 11 more to go.
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Since we already went a on date this month, going to nix the b-ball game (huge growth for me) and plan something for March.
Plan: Buy tickets and arrange for sitter. May be a double date also.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Ok, so me and wagons, not such good friends apparently since I fell off again, if I ever really got back on.
Plan: Due to some things going on with the better half, we're going on the South Beach Diet (not that I couldn't use a diet).
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: Bought some writing magazines and checked out a writing book. Think I'm going to try to work on this project this weekend. We'll see.
Plan: Read the magazines tonight, and start reading the book Saturday. Hopefully get something done (a 1st chapter, a story board, something)
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Get paid tomorrow as well as bonus. Will definitley get this rolling.
Plan: Use bonus at end of the month to get caught up and clean up some out standing debts. Stay current on bills and build to $1k.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: With bonus, may be able to start sooner rather than later.
Plan: Start as soon as 8 will let us.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: Checked out a recommend study schedule. Basically, it is at least 100 studying days before the exam, studying 3-4 hours per day. I say studying days because some study, just on weekdays, others all 7, some every other, etc., but the 100 studying days are definitely a common theme.
Plan: Plan the schedule. Finish appliacation by end of March to submit. Find and budget for classes to submit to work for approval (along with books and calculators).
11) Become more organized.
Progress: Got the folders labeled, the papers filed, and every financial thing in order (except the actual paying which will happen tomorrow night). Garage has to happen this weekend. There's too much on the to do list that requires the garage to be in order. Plan: Clean out the garage Saturday/Sunday. I already have a layout for the garage to get to so it can be a) organized, b) let both of us park there, and c) be set up to use to work on the to do list.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Update 2.17.10
Goals
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Haven't started, but own both The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, so I'll start them, now that just finished a business book.
Plan: Start reading the above novels.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: For March, I'm going to read The E-Myth Revisited , since I already own it. Hopefully, since it is focused on small business, it'll give me a better understanding of our customer base, which is mainily small businesses.
Plan: Begin reading March 1 (or earlier if finished with other books).
3) Read at least 12 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Updated to 12 books instead of the original 6. Currently reading One Year to an Organized Financial Life (so far definitely want to buy this one for reference)
Plan: Finish current book and identify the next one.
4) Removed (see previous post)
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Still need to go to the box office.
Plan: Call box office, and buy tickets next payday. Arrange for a sitter.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Well, fell off that wagon quickly..., but for Lent, I am giving up sodas (huge for me), and fast food (i.e. mcdonalds, sonic, qdoba, etc.)
Plan: Let's see how Lent goes.
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: None. I have some ideas on characters and plot, but they are all in my head.
Plan: Put pen to paper and write an outline of characters, plot, and start to put a overall "story board" together by the end of February.
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans (which are still too large at this point to tackle in a year), and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Little hiccup with bills, but we are getting there. Was told how much my bonus was and that will definitely help.
Plan: Use bonus at end of the month to get caught up and clean up some out standing debts. Use rest to start emergency fund. Set up automatic payments. Stay current on bills and build to $1k.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: With bonus, may be able to start sooner rather than later.
Plan: Start as soon as 8 will let us.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: Definitely going to focus on the PE so I need to start figuring out a schedule and getting my applciation finished in time.
Plan: Research study plans and being to schedule start dates. Finish appliacation by end of March to submit. Find and budget for classes to submit to work for approval.
11) Become more organized.
Progress: So the book from NYR 3 has got me motivated. I bought all the necessary items to get the financial papers in order. Am going to do that this week. Also bought a few garage items (broom, extension cord) to get that done this weekend. With the finances in order, when the bonus check comes, we'll be set to get NYR 8 rolling and with the garage cleaned out, some of the to do list can get done.
Plan: Organize finances per the book by Friday. Clean out the garage Saturday/Sunday.
12) Post progress on each of these on the blog
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Haven't started, but own both The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, so I'll start them, now that just finished a business book.
Plan: Start reading the above novels.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: For March, I'm going to read The E-Myth Revisited , since I already own it. Hopefully, since it is focused on small business, it'll give me a better understanding of our customer base, which is mainily small businesses.
Plan: Begin reading March 1 (or earlier if finished with other books).
3) Read at least 12 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Updated to 12 books instead of the original 6. Currently reading One Year to an Organized Financial Life (so far definitely want to buy this one for reference)
Plan: Finish current book and identify the next one.
4) Removed (see previous post)
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Still need to go to the box office.
Plan: Call box office, and buy tickets next payday. Arrange for a sitter.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Well, fell off that wagon quickly..., but for Lent, I am giving up sodas (huge for me), and fast food (i.e. mcdonalds, sonic, qdoba, etc.)
Plan: Let's see how Lent goes.
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: None. I have some ideas on characters and plot, but they are all in my head.
Plan: Put pen to paper and write an outline of characters, plot, and start to put a overall "story board" together by the end of February.
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans (which are still too large at this point to tackle in a year), and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Little hiccup with bills, but we are getting there. Was told how much my bonus was and that will definitely help.
Plan: Use bonus at end of the month to get caught up and clean up some out standing debts. Use rest to start emergency fund. Set up automatic payments. Stay current on bills and build to $1k.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: With bonus, may be able to start sooner rather than later.
Plan: Start as soon as 8 will let us.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: Definitely going to focus on the PE so I need to start figuring out a schedule and getting my applciation finished in time.
Plan: Research study plans and being to schedule start dates. Finish appliacation by end of March to submit. Find and budget for classes to submit to work for approval.
11) Become more organized.
Progress: So the book from NYR 3 has got me motivated. I bought all the necessary items to get the financial papers in order. Am going to do that this week. Also bought a few garage items (broom, extension cord) to get that done this weekend. With the finances in order, when the bonus check comes, we'll be set to get NYR 8 rolling and with the garage cleaned out, some of the to do list can get done.
Plan: Organize finances per the book by Friday. Clean out the garage Saturday/Sunday.
12) Post progress on each of these on the blog
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, & Live Prosperously Review (S/PG) (NYR3)
Another volume that I've had for a while but never got around to, I finally finished How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, & Live Prosperously by Jerrold Mundis yesterday. First, I'll start by saying that the copyright of my copy is 1990, so the book could use a bit of an update. For example, it talks about VCR's and long distance phone service as a luxury (which is hard to appreciate in this day of DVD/On Demand and cell phones). Also, none of the groups mentioned has a website listed in the book. While any search engine should get you there, it is just a pet peeve of mine.
As for what is right with the book, I think it has a very calm, "it's not the end of the world" approach that some would appreciate, in contrast to the "gazelle intensity" of Dave Ramsey. It definitely focuses on the one day at a time, it is only money/debt (which I have to think is a direct take from the Debtors Anonymous techniques it is based on). Since the author has walked in these shoes, it definitely has the creditibility that the system can work. It's focus on the person and their feelings, moods, etc. are great signs that the approach is more about the personal part of personal finance.
Now, I'm a self professed nerd/geeky/numbers/intensity type person. I think that's why the Dave Ramsey approach is so appealling to me. When the author of this book gives examples of people talking about how they took a trip to Europe and paid cash while they still had thousands of dollars of debt to still pay off, my skin just crawled. But as I read the book more and more, I realized that maybe I need to take some bits and pieces of this method and apply it. I personally could do the "rent a substandard place for 400/month, live off of hamburger helper, and have three channels" for a year, but I'm not single anymore, and my spouse isn't wired that way. So I have to make the effort to talk with her, and make sure the budget has some "life" in it (i.e. movie money, pedicure money-strictly for her, restaurant money, etc.) so that she has something to look forward to, and I'm comforted that it was budgeted for and we are still making dents into our debt load.
Rating: I give it a 7 out of 10 for me because again, I'm a "gazelle person", not a I still have to have my Starbucks every morning type person (which I label as a luxury where as others would not). If you don't want to fully slash your lifestyle, but still have a process/plan/method, then this would probably be a 8.5 out of 10 for you (I still think the outdated references make it a harder read than it should be).
As for what is right with the book, I think it has a very calm, "it's not the end of the world" approach that some would appreciate, in contrast to the "gazelle intensity" of Dave Ramsey. It definitely focuses on the one day at a time, it is only money/debt (which I have to think is a direct take from the Debtors Anonymous techniques it is based on). Since the author has walked in these shoes, it definitely has the creditibility that the system can work. It's focus on the person and their feelings, moods, etc. are great signs that the approach is more about the personal part of personal finance.
Now, I'm a self professed nerd/geeky/numbers/intensity type person. I think that's why the Dave Ramsey approach is so appealling to me. When the author of this book gives examples of people talking about how they took a trip to Europe and paid cash while they still had thousands of dollars of debt to still pay off, my skin just crawled. But as I read the book more and more, I realized that maybe I need to take some bits and pieces of this method and apply it. I personally could do the "rent a substandard place for 400/month, live off of hamburger helper, and have three channels" for a year, but I'm not single anymore, and my spouse isn't wired that way. So I have to make the effort to talk with her, and make sure the budget has some "life" in it (i.e. movie money, pedicure money-strictly for her, restaurant money, etc.) so that she has something to look forward to, and I'm comforted that it was budgeted for and we are still making dents into our debt load.
Rating: I give it a 7 out of 10 for me because again, I'm a "gazelle person", not a I still have to have my Starbucks every morning type person (which I label as a luxury where as others would not). If you don't want to fully slash your lifestyle, but still have a process/plan/method, then this would probably be a 8.5 out of 10 for you (I still think the outdated references make it a harder read than it should be).
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
To Do List (Organization) (NYR 11)
1) Write a will
2) Compose household inventory
3) Clean out the garage - sort into keep, sell, donate, throw. Keep goes to where it needs to be, sell gets listed on craigslist, donate goes to the appropriate organization. Throw is two phases, the first during the cleaning out, the second is anything from the first three that hasn't been moved within a month.
4) Change oil in truck
5) Wash truck
6) Repair light on truck
7) Cut loose fabric off of dash in truck
8) Change oil in car
9) Get estimate to paint bumper on car and realign headlights
10) Get windshield replaced on car
11) Fix the spring on the couch
12) Inventory comic books (ensure all books on boards and in bags)
13) Inventory all books
14) Go through clothes/shoes and donate what I don't wear/can't fit into anymore
15) Make a list of clothes to buy based on Dress Smart book.
16) Upgrade Life Insurance policy on me and wife
17) Build book table for wife for bathtub reading
18) Replace radio in car (either with stock or aftermarket radio)
19) Schedule physical and eye doctor appointments
20) Work on computer to see if it is salvagable
21) Host a dinner with RCIA'ers
22) Buy an "At-a-Glance" calendar and use the portfolio I have that works with it
23) Set up automatic payments with regular bills
24) Repair kitchen chair
2) Compose household inventory
3) Clean out the garage - sort into keep, sell, donate, throw. Keep goes to where it needs to be, sell gets listed on craigslist, donate goes to the appropriate organization. Throw is two phases, the first during the cleaning out, the second is anything from the first three that hasn't been moved within a month.
4) Change oil in truck
5) Wash truck
6) Repair light on truck
7) Cut loose fabric off of dash in truck
8) Change oil in car
9) Get estimate to paint bumper on car and realign headlights
10) Get windshield replaced on car
11) Fix the spring on the couch
12) Inventory comic books (ensure all books on boards and in bags)
13) Inventory all books
14) Go through clothes/shoes and donate what I don't wear/can't fit into anymore
15) Make a list of clothes to buy based on Dress Smart book.
16) Upgrade Life Insurance policy on me and wife
17) Build book table for wife for bathtub reading
18) Replace radio in car (either with stock or aftermarket radio)
19) Schedule physical and eye doctor appointments
20) Work on computer to see if it is salvagable
21) Host a dinner with RCIA'ers
22) Buy an "At-a-Glance" calendar and use the portfolio I have that works with it
23) Set up automatic payments with regular bills
24) Repair kitchen chair
Update
Goals
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Haven't started, but own both The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, so I'll start them, now that just finished a business book.
Plan: Start reading the above novels.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: Finsihed Business By the Book (review is posted). I've read 2 books and it is only Feb. 10th. Identify March's book by next week
Plan: Identify March's book by next week's update.
3) Read at least 6 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Started How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously by Jerrold Mundis. I've read 3 books already (How to Win Friends and Influence People, Boundaries, and Captivating)
Plan: Expand this goal to 12 books this year.
4) Complete one video game
Progress: None
Plan: Remove this from the list
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Ticket guy called, he's going to use those, so I'll have to go to the box office now, oh well.
Plan: Call box office, and buy tickets next payday. Arrange for a sitter.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Stopped drinking soft drinks two days ago, mainly becuase we are out, but it is a start right?
Plan: Going to see if I can just make small changes, rather a whole big process (i.e. no sodas, less fast food, etc.)
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: None. I have some ideas on characters and plot, but they are all in my head.
Plan: Put pen to paper and write an outline of characters, plot, and start to put a overall "story board" together by the end of February.
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans (which are still too large at this point to tackle in a year), and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Cutting some things a little tight to payday (gas for the car)
Plan: Learn lesson. Budget last half of month better than first half. Keep the focus and don't let our budget killers (going out to eat, impulse buys) derail our goal.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: Didn't start because we were able to budget to fully take care of some of our outstanding debts
Plan: Suspend for Feb., Mar., Apr. If we can continue in Mar. & Apr. with our budget like we are in Feb., then we can breathe a little easier when we do this.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: So I talk to a few of the people here who have their MBA and got some awesome feedback.
Plan: So here is the plan I'm thinking. This year, take the PE exam in October, and make sure I'm focused on it to pass the first time. This way, next year, I can take the GMAT in the spring and hopefully get a scholarship to enroll in a MBA program in the fall of 2010.
11) Become more organized.
Progress: Budget needs some tweaks, but can't give up on it. My wife has done a awesome job about chores and what day they are done, as well as the day to day, so I need to support that fully.
Plan: Ok, so instead of saying I'm gonig to work on this or that. I'm just going to make a new "To Do List" post and update it on one off type of projects. My goal is to update this so that my wife and I can discuss which ones to tackle and fitting them into our schedules.
Mini-Goal - Set up any automatic payments possible to make sure stuff is paid on time.
12) Post progress on each of these on the blog
Progress: I think I'm meeting this and won't update again unless I've stumbled.
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Haven't started, but own both The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, so I'll start them, now that just finished a business book.
Plan: Start reading the above novels.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: Finsihed Business By the Book (review is posted). I've read 2 books and it is only Feb. 10th. Identify March's book by next week
Plan: Identify March's book by next week's update.
3) Read at least 6 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Started How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously by Jerrold Mundis. I've read 3 books already (How to Win Friends and Influence People, Boundaries, and Captivating)
Plan: Expand this goal to 12 books this year.
4) Complete one video game
Progress: None
Plan: Remove this from the list
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Ticket guy called, he's going to use those, so I'll have to go to the box office now, oh well.
Plan: Call box office, and buy tickets next payday. Arrange for a sitter.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Stopped drinking soft drinks two days ago, mainly becuase we are out, but it is a start right?
Plan: Going to see if I can just make small changes, rather a whole big process (i.e. no sodas, less fast food, etc.)
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: None. I have some ideas on characters and plot, but they are all in my head.
Plan: Put pen to paper and write an outline of characters, plot, and start to put a overall "story board" together by the end of February.
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans (which are still too large at this point to tackle in a year), and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Cutting some things a little tight to payday (gas for the car)
Plan: Learn lesson. Budget last half of month better than first half. Keep the focus and don't let our budget killers (going out to eat, impulse buys) derail our goal.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: Didn't start because we were able to budget to fully take care of some of our outstanding debts
Plan: Suspend for Feb., Mar., Apr. If we can continue in Mar. & Apr. with our budget like we are in Feb., then we can breathe a little easier when we do this.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: So I talk to a few of the people here who have their MBA and got some awesome feedback.
Plan: So here is the plan I'm thinking. This year, take the PE exam in October, and make sure I'm focused on it to pass the first time. This way, next year, I can take the GMAT in the spring and hopefully get a scholarship to enroll in a MBA program in the fall of 2010.
11) Become more organized.
Progress: Budget needs some tweaks, but can't give up on it. My wife has done a awesome job about chores and what day they are done, as well as the day to day, so I need to support that fully.
Plan: Ok, so instead of saying I'm gonig to work on this or that. I'm just going to make a new "To Do List" post and update it on one off type of projects. My goal is to update this so that my wife and I can discuss which ones to tackle and fitting them into our schedules.
Mini-Goal - Set up any automatic payments possible to make sure stuff is paid on time.
12) Post progress on each of these on the blog
Progress: I think I'm meeting this and won't update again unless I've stumbled.
Business By the Book Review (Business) (NYR 2)
Business By the Book by Larry Burkett is a hard read. Not becuase of how it is written, but becuase of the points made in the book. The book does not mislead the reader on what its intent is, to show business principles supported by biblical verses, as well as pointing out where the Bible and "standard business practice" disagree. While the book has several anecdotes that showcase where people followed and succeeded and the inverse of where they violated the bilbical principles and failed, I can see difficulty in finding the conviction to follow these, becuase there will be numerous people who cannot understand your reasoning.
While it does offer insight on running your company and talks to some extent your personal finance side of life, it offers very little on being an employee (not to say there is none, but it is far more focused on the employer perspective, rather than the employee).
I'm glad I read it, and should the "be your own boss" bug should bite me, I will revisit this while working through my thought process, but for now, I can only really apply the few nuggets I found that referenced employees.
I'll say this is a 7 out of 10, which I'm doing as an average. It is a 5 out of 10 for employees wanting to find out how to be better Christian employees, but it is definitely a 9 out of 10 for business owners, managers, etc. who want to do business the right way.
While it does offer insight on running your company and talks to some extent your personal finance side of life, it offers very little on being an employee (not to say there is none, but it is far more focused on the employer perspective, rather than the employee).
I'm glad I read it, and should the "be your own boss" bug should bite me, I will revisit this while working through my thought process, but for now, I can only really apply the few nuggets I found that referenced employees.
I'll say this is a 7 out of 10, which I'm doing as an average. It is a 5 out of 10 for employees wanting to find out how to be better Christian employees, but it is definitely a 9 out of 10 for business owners, managers, etc. who want to do business the right way.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Resolution No. 3 Update
So, I've finished Captivating. Now my next title for S/P G books will be How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt & Live Prosperously by Jerrold Mundis. I do like the progression this resolution has taken. How to Win Friends.. focused on friendships and relationship building. Boundaries reinforced how to make sure they are good healthy relationships. Captivating focused on bettering on my most valuable relationships, my marriage, by having a better understanding of my wife. And now How to Get Out of Debt... will focus on the money aspect of my life, with hopefully a better understanding of money so that it does not negatively impact the relationships I have developed.
Also, after How to Get Out of Debt..., I think I want to read Boys Should Be Boys by Meg Meeker, which will focus on the next important relationship, between me and Ethan (and any future brothers he may have)
After that, there will only be one more to meet the goal of 6 this year. Fantastic.
Also, after How to Get Out of Debt..., I think I want to read Boys Should Be Boys by Meg Meeker, which will focus on the next important relationship, between me and Ethan (and any future brothers he may have)
After that, there will only be one more to meet the goal of 6 this year. Fantastic.
Captivating Review (S/P G) (NYR 3)
So I finished Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge this morning. Wow. I had read John's Wild at Heart which is for men what Captivating is for women. All I can say is that I truly had no idea. And at times in this book, I just felt so unaware. I mean to read the biblical references, to read the anecdotes, to read the whole book really, was just a vision changing experience.
With both Captivating and Wild at Heart, the authors encourage that the spouse reads the counterparts book, and I could not agree more. When I finished reading Wild, I wanted to be the man described in the book. A warrior, an adventurer, a hero. But after Captivating, I know why I want to be. Because that is what my wife needs. That's what she wants. And I think women would get the same effect from reading their book and then his. A want to be the woman described and then the why behind the want.
I've talked with Stacy (my wife) while I've been reading this, asking her questions about things brought up in the book. I was so jarred at one point, I was compelled to write her the first "love letter" that I can recall ever writing her. If one reads these with an open mind and heart, I think you can be truly better once finished. But not finished being better.
In closing, I have so much more reverence, respect, and am just in awe of the women in my life now. My wife, my mother, my grandmothers, friends & relatives. I am truly luck to have had this book put into my life.
Rating 9 out of 10 - I know I rank books high consistantly, but if it isn't any good, I don't finish it and thus don't review it. With that being said, this book is awesome. I only dock it a point because while they encourage men to read this, it is a little difficult to read when they are addressing the reader directly with the thought the reader is female. Personally, I am going to recommend this book to everyone I can, man and woman alike. Women need it to know how truly awesome each one of them are. Men need it to reinforce their role in a woman's life, to better understand how their actions (or inactions) can effect not just the relationship, but the woman themself.
With both Captivating and Wild at Heart, the authors encourage that the spouse reads the counterparts book, and I could not agree more. When I finished reading Wild, I wanted to be the man described in the book. A warrior, an adventurer, a hero. But after Captivating, I know why I want to be. Because that is what my wife needs. That's what she wants. And I think women would get the same effect from reading their book and then his. A want to be the woman described and then the why behind the want.
I've talked with Stacy (my wife) while I've been reading this, asking her questions about things brought up in the book. I was so jarred at one point, I was compelled to write her the first "love letter" that I can recall ever writing her. If one reads these with an open mind and heart, I think you can be truly better once finished. But not finished being better.
In closing, I have so much more reverence, respect, and am just in awe of the women in my life now. My wife, my mother, my grandmothers, friends & relatives. I am truly luck to have had this book put into my life.
Rating 9 out of 10 - I know I rank books high consistantly, but if it isn't any good, I don't finish it and thus don't review it. With that being said, this book is awesome. I only dock it a point because while they encourage men to read this, it is a little difficult to read when they are addressing the reader directly with the thought the reader is female. Personally, I am going to recommend this book to everyone I can, man and woman alike. Women need it to know how truly awesome each one of them are. Men need it to reinforce their role in a woman's life, to better understand how their actions (or inactions) can effect not just the relationship, but the woman themself.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Update
Goals
Blog Goal: Post once a week
Progress: Back on track
Plan: Keep doing what I'm doing
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Ok, I like the Star Trek:Titan paperbacks, but found out no new ones are coming out until October. So I'm going to revisit some I read in high school/college and see how they look to me now.
Plan: First two are The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, both by Herman Wouk. They are set in WWII. I read these as a quick way to get Accelerated Reader point in HS, but I got so much more out of them then. Be interested to see how they speak to me now.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: Reading Business by the Book by Larry Burkett
Plan: Read and Review
3) Read at least 6 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Finished Boundaries by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend (see S/PG Reviews). Reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
Plan: Already identified the next book.
4) Complete one video game (there are video games that do have an end, I've just never actually finished one before. I got two for Christmas that are that way, so I am going to finish one of them)
Progress: Only played NCAA BB 2010 by EA. Not really an end to that one, but I'm a huge college BB fan (insert Stacy groan here).
Plan: Play one level and save, or just remove this and let it be fun that it should be.
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Called my ticket guy, he still hasn't gotten back. Not going to get the sitter unless there is a definite date.
Plan: Call about tickets again.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Going to look at the gym at work today.
Plan: Begin to look starting a regiment next week.
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: I have some ideas on characters and plot, but they are all in my head.
Plan: Put pen to paper and write an outline of characters, plot, and start to put a overall "story board" together by the end of February.
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans (which are still too large at this point to tackle in a year), and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Feb. budget looks like we are going to knock out some big chunks. A couple more months like this and number 9 can really get going.
Plan: Keep the focus and don't let our budget killers (going out to eat, impulse buys) derail our goal.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: Didn't start because we were able to budget to fully take care of some of our outstanding debts
Plan: Suspend for Feb., Mar., Apr. If we can continue in Mar. & Apr. with our budget like we are in Feb., then we can breathe a little easier when we do this.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: None
Plan: Still discussing and thinking.
11) Become more organized.
Progress: We have a budget that I think we can actually meet this time. There are still some bills out there, but we didn't create them all in one pay period, we're not going to get them all paid in one pay period.
Plan: Work on the garage this weekend (and maybe the truck too)
Mini-Goal - Set up any automatic payments possible to make sure stuff is paid on time.
12) Post progress on each of these on the blog
Progress: Well this is an update
Plan: Keep up the good work (nice to end on a high note)
Blog Goal: Post once a week
Progress: Back on track
Plan: Keep doing what I'm doing
1) Read at least 6 books for fun (i.e. no business books)
Progress: Ok, I like the Star Trek:Titan paperbacks, but found out no new ones are coming out until October. So I'm going to revisit some I read in high school/college and see how they look to me now.
Plan: First two are The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, both by Herman Wouk. They are set in WWII. I read these as a quick way to get Accelerated Reader point in HS, but I got so much more out of them then. Be interested to see how they speak to me now.
2) Read one business related book a month
Progress: Reading Business by the Book by Larry Burkett
Plan: Read and Review
3) Read at least 6 spiritual/personal growth books
Progress: Finished Boundaries by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend (see S/PG Reviews). Reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
Plan: Already identified the next book.
4) Complete one video game (there are video games that do have an end, I've just never actually finished one before. I got two for Christmas that are that way, so I am going to finish one of them)
Progress: Only played NCAA BB 2010 by EA. Not really an end to that one, but I'm a huge college BB fan (insert Stacy groan here).
Plan: Play one level and save, or just remove this and let it be fun that it should be.
5) Plan 6 dates with my wife (one every other month - she has the other six)
Progress: Called my ticket guy, he still hasn't gotten back. Not going to get the sitter unless there is a definite date.
Plan: Call about tickets again.
6) Becoming healthier
Progress: Going to look at the gym at work today.
Plan: Begin to look starting a regiment next week.
7) Start drafting a book (yes, I want to write a book)
Progress: I have some ideas on characters and plot, but they are all in my head.
Plan: Put pen to paper and write an outline of characters, plot, and start to put a overall "story board" together by the end of February.
8) Payoff all debt with the exception of my student loans (which are still too large at this point to tackle in a year), and our largest two credit cards.
Progress: Feb. budget looks like we are going to knock out some big chunks. A couple more months like this and number 9 can really get going.
Plan: Keep the focus and don't let our budget killers (going out to eat, impulse buys) derail our goal.
9) Start a christmas club account for christmas 2010 so that it isn't a financial burden this year.
Progress: Didn't start because we were able to budget to fully take care of some of our outstanding debts
Plan: Suspend for Feb., Mar., Apr. If we can continue in Mar. & Apr. with our budget like we are in Feb., then we can breathe a little easier when we do this.
10) Apply for (and hopefully take) the Professional Engineers exam in October.
Progress: None
Plan: Still discussing and thinking.
11) Become more organized.
Progress: We have a budget that I think we can actually meet this time. There are still some bills out there, but we didn't create them all in one pay period, we're not going to get them all paid in one pay period.
Plan: Work on the garage this weekend (and maybe the truck too)
Mini-Goal - Set up any automatic payments possible to make sure stuff is paid on time.
12) Post progress on each of these on the blog
Progress: Well this is an update
Plan: Keep up the good work (nice to end on a high note)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Resolution No. 3 Update
I have already selected my next title for S/PG, Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge. I read John's book, Wild at Heart late last year. What it was for the man's heart and soul, Captivating is said to be for the woman's.
Boundaries Book Review (S/P G) (NYR 3)
Finished Boundaries by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend yesterday on the train. As I said, I've been trying to start and finish this title for a while (4 years), but that has had nothing to do with the content of the book. I was always interested in the book, but I think I just wasn't in the right place to need to read it. That being said, definitely glad I finished this time. To know these ideas and thoughts were on my shelf instead of in my head is really frustrating. While I read a lot of books that are "self-help", this one might be the first I consider to have truly helped me. While I read most of those books for insight and viewpoint, I read the last half of this book truly looking at my relationships and analyzing my own boundary behavior (both on setting my boundaries and how I react to others). Needless to say, I would not give myself a passing grade. One of the big things the book talks about is a support group. Do not know if I'm quite there yet, but I do look forward to suggesting this to friends to read. If they do, perhaps I have a group in the making.
Regardless, I would highly recommend this for young 20 somethings/pre-marriage. While I think it can be read at any time and be effective (and probably should be re-read on a regular basis to reinforce the ideals for new situations), I think this age group/time frame would allow the reader to be proactive in evaluating their boundaries as they set off into the realms that really need effective boundaries for success (adulthood/live on you own, marriage, career, etc.). I cannot help but think how more satisfying it would be to have had been working toward proper boundaries for ten years at this point.
Ranking - I would give this a 8.5 out of 10. I'm reading one of the earlier editions, and there is a workbook that I did not use, so that may add to it. Also the authors have written more specific editions (Boundaries for Marriage, Boundaries for Dating, etc.) that I think may be more effective depending on what one it looking for. It is also very rigorous in Bible references, which for me is a positive since it helps reinforce that spiritual aspect of my life, but for others, may not add a lot of value or take away from it (but I think most people would know this since I only see it in the spiritual inspiration section of the bookstores).
Regardless, I would highly recommend this for young 20 somethings/pre-marriage. While I think it can be read at any time and be effective (and probably should be re-read on a regular basis to reinforce the ideals for new situations), I think this age group/time frame would allow the reader to be proactive in evaluating their boundaries as they set off into the realms that really need effective boundaries for success (adulthood/live on you own, marriage, career, etc.). I cannot help but think how more satisfying it would be to have had been working toward proper boundaries for ten years at this point.
Ranking - I would give this a 8.5 out of 10. I'm reading one of the earlier editions, and there is a workbook that I did not use, so that may add to it. Also the authors have written more specific editions (Boundaries for Marriage, Boundaries for Dating, etc.) that I think may be more effective depending on what one it looking for. It is also very rigorous in Bible references, which for me is a positive since it helps reinforce that spiritual aspect of my life, but for others, may not add a lot of value or take away from it (but I think most people would know this since I only see it in the spiritual inspiration section of the bookstores).
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