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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-13

Misc

  • Getting ready to go build a rain gauge at home depot with the kids. #
  • RT @hughdeburgh: "Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist." ~ Michael Levine #
  • RT @wisebread: Wow! Major food recall that touches so many pantry items. Check your cupboards NOW! http://bit.ly/c5wJh6 #
  • Baby just said "coffin" for the first time. #feelingaddams #
  • @TheLeanTimes I have an awesome recipe for pizza dough…at home. We make it once per week. I'll share later. in reply to TheLeanTimes #
  • RT @bargainr: 9 minute, well-reasoned video on why we should repeal marijuana prohibition by Judge Jim Gray http://bit.ly/cKNYkQ plz watch #
  • RT @jdroth: Brilliant post from Trent at The Simple Dollar: http://bit.ly/c6BWMs — All about dreams and why we don't pursue them. #
  • Pizza dough: add garlic powder and Ital. Seasoning http://tweetphoto.com/13861829 #
  • @TheLeanTimes: Pizza dough: add lots of garlic powder and Ital. Seasoning to this: http://tweetphoto.com/13861829 #
  • RT @flexo: "Genesis. Exorcist. Leviathan. Deu… The Right Thing…" #
  • @TheLeanTimes Once, for at least 3 hours. Knead it hard and use more garlic powder tha you think you need. 🙂 in reply to TheLeanTimes #
  • Google is now hosting Popular Science archives. http://su.pr/1bMs77 #
  • RT @wisebread 6 Slick Tools to Save Money on Car Repairs http://bit.ly/cUbjZG #
  • @BudgetsAreSexy I filed federal last week, haven't bothered filing state, yet. Guess which one is paying me and which one wants more money. in reply to BudgetsAreSexy #
  • RT @ChristianPF is giving away a Lifetime Membership to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University! RT to enter to win… http://su.pr/2lEXIT #
  • RT @MoneyCrashers: 4 Reasons To Choose Community College Out Of High School. http://ow.ly/16MoNX #
  • RT @hughdeburgh:"When it comes to a happy marriage,sex is cornerstone content.Its what separates spouses from friends." SimpleMarriage.net #
  • RT @tferriss: So true. "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." – Abraham Lincoln #
  • RT @hughdeburgh: "The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them." ~ Frank A. Clark #

Payday Loans Suck

Finance

shark boy poster
Image by vonglee via Flickr

A few weeks ago, I was approached about placing ads on this site.  I was excited when I read the email.  It came from a real domain, didn’t involve any Nigerian princes or wire transfers for overpayments.

Over the course of the email conversation, it was determined that, for a fee, I would place some links in a few archived posts.  It would just be links to improve search engine ranking, without being an eyesore for my current readers.  I don’t have a problem with that.  The intrusiveness is similar to Chitika ads, which are only visible to search traffic.  It’s a nice way to advertise: monetization without alienation.

Then I saw the links.  I was being offered money to promote payday loans.

Payday loans offer to loan you–for example–$100 for the low(snort) price of just $25.  That’s not bad.  Only 25%.  I know some credit cards that aren’t that good.  The catch is that the loan is due in full in 2 weeks.  That gives it an APR(Annual Percentage Rate) of 650%.  That’s not so good.

When you payback the loan, your paycheck is pre-spent by whatever you borrowed, plus the pound of flesh fee and you are that much more likely to need their services again, digging you even deeper.

It’s not like the target demographic is terribly affluent.  These are people who not only can’t make ends meet, but also can’t acquire traditional credit.  They are left paying this insulting fee.

I consider payday lending companies to be immoral, unethical and generally, more than a bit dishonest.  These are the people who give decent, hardworking capitalists a bad name.  I’d rather go to a mob loan shark.  He’s at least honest about what he is.

They got shot down.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy making money.  I also enjoy the money I make here.

But not at the expense of my soul or my integrity.

Hunting Trip Stress

Life, Relationships

Vegans and hippies won’t enjoy this post.

On safari in Phinda
Image via Wikipedia

Friday, I went to a cabin in the woods for a weekend hunting trip with my dad, my brother, and a few other people.

My wife didn’t think it’s a good idea.   In fact, she was terrified that I’d  walk into the woods and come out in a body bag.

Statistically, it’s safe.  Out of 12.5 million hunters, there are only around 100 fatal hunting accidents every year.   I think I went hunting for the first time when I was 12, and continued to do so until I was 17, then life started interfering.

That doesn’t matter.  By definition phobias aren’t rational.  She’s worried and stressing hard.

If she’s had such a hard time with it, why did I go?

First, I asked her six months ago if she’d be all right with the trip.  I knew she had some phobias, and have–in fact–tried to make the trip before.   Six months ago, she said yes.  It was a bit late to back out after I’ve committed to a share of the cabin, bought the bright orange gear, and agreed to drive my brother.

The second reason was more important.

This is one of the few things my dad and I both enjoy.    I’m a geek, he’s not.    I dig horror and sci-fi, he’s into westerns.

But we both enjoy hunting.  The first time he treated me like an adult was the first year we went hunting together, 15 years ago.

My dad taught me to be the man I am.   Without him, I have no idea who I’d be or what I’d be doing.   My integrity, my work ethic, and my moral code can all be traced to the things he taught me.

This is my chance to spend time with him and have a good time with no TV or whiny kids interfering.

Trading this for a few days of stress at home is something I’m willing to do.

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Sunday Roundup: Workaholics Anonymous

Misc

I’ve had a rough couple of weeks at work.  Starting on July 5th, I worked 10 days in a row and put in 97 hours to finish a major project.   I’m not an hourly employee.   I totally got screwed out of my paid holiday with that schedule.   The worst part?  When I told my boss I needed the 11th day off because the major project was done and I was feeling burnt out, he tried to talk me out of it.

Carnivals I’ve Rocked

Family Bed: How to Make It Stop one the Best of Money Carnival.   Crystal rocks, and I’m totally jealous that she transitioned to a self-employed pro-blogger this weekend.

Make Extra Money Part 1: Introduction was included in the Carnival of Wealth.  I’m really happy with this series and I can’t wait to finish it and hear about how everyone is using it to make money for themselves.

Annual Fees: Scam or Service? was included in the Carnival of Financial Planning.

Getting Back on Track was included in the Carnival of Personal Finance.

Thank you! If I missed anyone, please let me know.

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Have a great week!

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-29

Misc

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-22

Misc