Money Saving Tips: A/C

Introducing a new segment called Money Saving Tips. A quick tip followed by a true to life re-enactment based on executing these tips.

Turn off your a/c and let your body adjust to the heat.

-"It's hot as hell in here! Why is the A/C off?"

"I'm fine. I've adjusted to it." -

- "You're NAKED!"

"Yup." -

Before Irene: photos of Sunset Beach, NC before the hurricane struck.

Aflaack! Wait, that's not right...
Wild deer from the dunes.
Shellhenge. Perhaps an ancient structure built by crabs to track the tides.
Waterspout.
Damn I'm good.
These birds crack me up with their bald 'do.
seaweed salad.

Motorcycle Lust: Part II

When we last left the motorcycle discussion, I was stuck with a problem. The issue of carrying gear and pets if I owned a motorcycle as my only motorized transportation.

Behold! The Ural Gear Up! An American run Russian factory that produces motorcycles with sidecars! My favorite version is the GEAR UP. It comes with your choice of two camo paint schemes, a sidecar with bumpers, a spare tire, luggage rack, shovel, spare gas tank, and spot light. Oh and 2wd. You can engage the sidecar wheel for extra traction offroad and in snow. This bikes were apparently Russian copies of BMW motorcycles in the old days. With the sidecar and rack, this motorcycle can haul a lot of gear!

So, the sidecar solves many problems. Grocery runs, taking animals to the vet, and foul weather safety. Due to a seating more similar to a car, the sidecar may encourage people who are normally afraid of motorcycles.

At about $14K, I can't say this is the ideal solution yet. Typically running a motorcycle should have a mpg and insurance advantage over cars. Since it is based on an older motorcycle design, it's not that gas efficient (around 33mpg). A brand new base Nissan Versa (around 38mpg highway) starts at $11K and seats four with gear and covers you in foul weather. But I think I'm getting closer. This option has a very very high cool factor. Maybe I should just try it for the experience...

Current Motorcycle Lust: Part III rejected ideas; Can Am Spyder three wheeled motorcycle - expensive, low cargo capacity. Harley Davidson trike - very expensive, dorky looking, low cargo capacity. Scooter with sidecar - may be even cheaper to run than motorcycle, some highways maybe off limits, dork factor, low cargo capacity.

Lightning Quick Movie Review: Limitless

...in which Bradley Cooper takes a smart pill and realizes he needs a haircut...

...i feeling smart pill wear off, but i gotta write this lightning quick movie review...

Money is tight and more than ever, people need advice on how to spend (and save) that money. Well if you have a dollar, forget buying a lottery ticket on the very miniscule chance that you would win and instead go rent Limitless from Redbox. It's a better execution than any lottery fantasy you could come up with anyway.

Bradley Cooper is "writer" (he actually has a contract with a publisher - how's that for a Hollywood fantasy?) who is living off his girlfriend while he struggles to start writing his book. He is going nowhere. He gets his big break when he takes a smart pill that curiously resembles a clear silicone nub you put on your home decor knicknacks so they don't scratch your wood furniture. Bradley then proceeds to obtain and enjoy all the stereotypical trappings of success - fame and fortune, but first he cuts off his baby ponytail and gets a more successful looking haircut.

As smart as that pill supposedly makes him, it takes Bradley awhile to figure out the first thing you do when you are granted a wish...you ask for more wishes, or in this case you figure out how to get more smart pills! For those expecting a "Flowers for Algernon" ending you will be disappointed. Otherwise this is a fun film and certainly worth a dollar*.

*Pro tip: watch it with someone else and it will only cost $0.50 each. I figured that out even without a smart pill.

New Sticker Tuesday

New stickers are out! $4.00 each! Click on image in my blog or follow link to the Cafepress.com store!



Bird Island, NC oval sticker. http://www.cafepress.com/BirdIslandNorthCarolina
Based on initial testing of this sticker I think it will be a great success! I'm getting a lot of cars honking, thumbs up, middle fingers, and phone numbers stuck under my windshield. I guess people wanting to know where they can buy a sticker. Whether good or bad, apparently everyone has an opinion about Bird Island, NC!


High Point, NC oval sticker http://www.cafepress.com/HighPointNorthCarolina
What can I say about this sticker. If you're from High Point, show your local pride and get a sticker! Convenient 3x5" size allows you to stick it to any surface with a minimum size of 3x5"!


TOFU oval sticker http://www.cafepress.com/_TOFU
Be the envy of Vegetarians and Chinese everywhere! But not Chinese vegetarians. Are there any? Maybe Buddhist Monks, but I don't really picture them buying my stickers. So...Namaste.

FUGU oval sticker. http://www.cafepress.com/_FUGU
Heck, if you are going to indulge in a potentially poisonous or deadly food like the pufferfish, aka blowfish, aka fugu, you absolutely need to brag about it with one of these stickers. Or maybe you really don't like GU energy supplements. Either way, I have you covered.

Time to take action

It is time to take action!

If you are worrying about something you have two choices.
1) Do something about what you are concerned about
2) Stop worrying about it if you cannot do anything about it

WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?
If you feel overwhelmed by your worry you need to ask yourself - What are you really worried about? Be very specific and get to the root of the issue. Break it down to the specific, concrete problem.
Write down your problem and be as specific as possible. Don't cheat and just think about it, write it down!

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
It is time to get creative and think of solutions for your problem. Multiple solutions, not just one. At this point it's fine if some solutions are outlandish and unrealistic because it may inspire an answer that IS possible. Then narrow it down to a few possible solutions.
Write down your possible solutions. Sketch it, scribble, flow chart it, just get your ideas on paper.

MAKE A DECISION AND TAKE ACTION! AND DON'T STOP!
Worry without action is not productive. You must make a decision. You cannot be paralyzed by fear. You cannot be paralyzed by thought. You cannot be paralyzed with indecision. There is no 100% perfect solution. You cannot worry about making a wrong decision. Give it some thought and when the time for thought is over make a decision and take action.

When you do act, you must act decisively and with determination. Do not act tentatively. You have made a commitment to yourself. Do not stop until it is done.

I say this to myself. I say this to everyone who is worrying about something and not taking action.