Category Archives: Weekly Review

MR Cache: Lessons From Coaching

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Weekly Thoughts:

I thought I was going to be different, in that I had it all figured out with an idea on how I was going to rotate the 7-year-old girl’s soccer team that I’m a coach of.  Reality didn’t match the logic in my head though!

The plan thumping variables were:

  • Not all of the girls came to the game on time, and one came after halftime
  • Some girls said they were tired and didn’t want to go out.
  • The girls are too young to do two 15 minutes sessions.
  • The field conditions where too wet and it was like running in sand.

So we started out the game stomping the other team, but after halftime, the tables reversed and we lost more points that we gained in the first half.

This was my first game though, and I was even struggling memorizing all of the girl’s names (I got them now though).

Moneyreasons.com Worthy Second Read Links of the Week:

Like Minded Bloggers:

Much like the results of the test that Everyday Tips and Thoughts posted about a while back, many of us are very similar in thought!  I’ve noticed some very similar articles at different points in time and it’s kind of refreshing really.  After all, personal finance is a narrow niche so overlap and similar conclusions are only natural.  The only true scorecards is net worth and memories of money well spent.

Hope your weekend was rewarding!

MR

MR Cache 2011 Feb 6, Ice Storm Edition

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West Winds Blow

While I’ve been through some freezing rain storms before, never have I experienced something like this before (at least as an adult).  Quite literally, my driveway was (and currently is) a 3 to 4 inch slab of ice!

I had to use both salt and sand on my driveway so my kids wouldn’t slip and bonk their heads!

My car was so badly frozen, that I had to get a wrench and chip away the ice on the door seams of my car just to open the passenger side (this side was less thick.  I then started the engine and let it run for 10 minutes, just so I could have a chance to get the ice off of my windshield.

I’m constantly amazed at how I think I know my surroundings well, and boom, something blows me away…

My Favorite Reads of the Week:

Conclusion:

Another busy weekend, even though it was challenging, I’ve decided to focus on the great times I had with my son, it really made me glad that I’m a lucky dad with a great son (and daughter too).

-MR

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MR Review 2011, Jan 30 – Tips On Avoiding Malware

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This past week, two pop-ups happened while I was browsing on my laptop.  Since last year I got some nasty malware, I decided to write about ways we can avoid getting malware in the first place!

Avoiding Malware Tip #1:

Don’t open up cute little attachments that people send you in email.

Many times these cute little applications work, but they are really trojan horses in that fact that they show and run something cute, but at the same time they install a real trojan virus (that’s why they call it a trojan or trojan horse) on your computer allowing hackers to access your system without you knowing it.

Avoiding Malware Tip #2:

Have you ever visited a web site, then go to leave and a pop up occurs stating that you have a virus and to click here to remedy the problem, or a pop up that says anything…  For example, “Are you sure you want to navigate from this page” or any pop up really…?

The following is what I do when the above happens:

  • Press “Ctrl-Alt-Delete’, select the Application (Internet Explorer or Firefox in this case)
  • Click the “End Task” button at bottom of the pop-up window.
  • When you go back into your browser, select go to home page instead of restoring the last session.

My Top 7 Favorite Reads of the Week:

Watson Inc: Do Rich Parents Matter Round Up? – Shawn discover and post about an intriguing study about the mental abilities in young kids and different socioeconomic environments.  I think poorer kids get less attention and therefore less exposure to mental developmental games and tools.

MoneySmartLife: Best Tax Breaks 2011 – This guest post by Miranda reminds us of the tax changes that go in effect this year (2011).  I’m sad to see the child tax credit is being reduced to $500 this year, down from $1,000.

First Gen American: Bad Tenant Incidents and Lessons Learned – Horror stories about being a landlord!  These stories are very entertaining and scary at the same time!

Financial Samurai: Most People Make A Lot More Money Than You Think – At one time, I wouldn’t entertain this article by Sam, but now I’m a convert.  Check it out and see if he convinces you too!

Everyday Tips and Thoughts: More Great Financial Advice From the Media “Don’t Rush To Pay Off Your Mortgage” – This post all comes down to the old saying “Don’t believe everything that you read”.  The article also reflects that just because an article gets published in a bigger, more well know website, doesn’t mean that quality.

Consumerism Commentary: Jeremy Siegel’s Economic Outlook for 2011 – Flexo pointed out this great article that has a video of Professor Siegel voicing why he thinks that 2011 will be a good year for the stock market.  I admit, the video changed my views on the stock market and I bought some more dividend stocks.

Budgeting in the Fun Stuff: Our Stock Portfolio – Crystal has a great dividend portfolio, but I read between the lines and realize what a great spousal relationship Crystal has with her husband!  It even inspired me to write an article that include her relationship in it.

My Favorite Post from Money Reasons:

My favorite post of the week was Sometimes Free Is Better.  I especially like this one because often we overlook great opportunities and free stuff just because were are let to believe that there is no free lunch.  But there is and it’s good!

-MR

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MR Review 2011, Jan 16 – Overwhelmed

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Overwhelmed:

It seems like in the process of re-inventing myself, I’m constantly running ragged.  Everything is new, both in a good and bad ways.  A big accomplishment is I got my haircut!  After my barber died, I created a mental block where I just kept pushing off the task until later and later.

Working out has already had benefit in my health.  My strength has come back quickly and I feel a bit better already.  I still need to start my new diet though.

Overall, I’m a bit overwhelmed but also excited…

 

My Favorite Reads of the Week:

101 Centavos:  HSE: Health, Safety and Environmental – Safe Work Practices in The Home  – Info on proper safety practices, and really cool pictures of ingenious workers from poorer countries and their methods to be safe on the job.

My Journey To Millions:  What Does it Mean When an ETF Jumps the Track – The Fonz would be proud if you check this article out!  I know I learn what “Jumps the Track” means, not to mention “Jumping the Shark”…

Budgeting In The Fun Stuff: The Best Financial Advice I Ever Received  – Sounds like BIFS’s dad knows what he is talking about!!!  I wish my family had given the same advice to me!  Luckily, I didn’t want to pass up that free money so I started out jumping into my company 401k’s plan too!

Everyday Tips and Thoughts:  The Snowball of Savings and Health Benefits From Eliminating Pop/Soda – Kris is giving up pop/soda entirely!  I’ve don’t drink pop at work anymore, but I still drink diet pop on the weekends.  So kudos to Kris for cutting the sugar juice out entirely.

First Gen American:  6 Month Blogaversery – Congratulations to Sandy on her 1st 6 months of blogging!!!  She has a truly wonderful site!

Momvesting:  True Savings – I agree with Jessica, why buy stuff just because it’s on sale!  If you’ve never thought about buy something at normal prices, why buy it now?

Financial Samurai:  Should I Have Closed My Credit Cards? – Sam brings out concerns to closing out a credit card account.

Watson Inc.:  The Fall Of The American Democracy! – Shawn point out a great reason why I promote asset diversification, possible buying precious metals in my post: “Does Money Have Value?“.  Maybe even buy some foreign currency…  It couldn’t hurt to have diversified assets.  Check out Shawn’s article, he brings up some great points!

Hope everbody has had a great 1st two weeks of the year, other than the flat I got yesterday…  It’s been a good start.

-MR