The Micro and Macro of Spending

The day after my birthday was my afternoon off.  Mary and I were together, enjoying each other’s company and trying to make responsible spending decisions.

They Aren’t Your Friends

Oh, how I despise uninvited attempts to sell me things!  If I decide for myself that I need an item or a service, I go shopping for it either in person or online.  Under that circumstance, if I come to your store I’m glad for your help in clarifying my choice of purchase.  If you try to create a fake friendship out of our transaction it won’t work.

Buh-Bye Motel 2 1/2

We get the keys to our new home today.  Important truths have been re-emphasized in this arduous process, but the lessons are old ones.  I did develop some new skills from living for three weeks in a cabin with no air conditioning and no ordinary source of hot water.

Money & Values

The Ethics Test Answers + Reflections on the Comments

This tree has roots in my neighborhood.

First off, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who participated in the Ethics Test exercise immediately preceding this post, including those who just read it.  It’s gratifying to see that people think about these things and care about them, as I do.  One day when I got dressed I put my cash in the same back pocket as my wallet, which I don’t do usually.

More is Not Better

The lives of ordinary workers in the U.S. are full of pressure, anxiety and isolation.  People are told they should live in big homes and drive big cars and own big televisions.  We need big garages to park in and big closets for all those shoes and clothes.  The cost of all this excess is much bigger than the amount of money needed to pay for it.