Kay Iscah's Blog, page 19
January 30, 2012
Gold and the Zombie Apocolypse...
(I know, two posts in one day, but it's almost tomorrow.)
So I watched Suze's Orman's Money Class on OWN tonight. Mostly a good show, but either she missed a few key points about gold or I missed a few moments of the show (quite possible).
1. Why do people (who know what they're doing) invest in physical gold? (Suze advised gold/silver ETFs instead)
People who invest in physical gold aside from the shiny factor, are generally doing it as a back up plan in case the country's currency goes bad. If the American dollar loses it's value, the ETFs may not be worth the digital paper trail they're coded on. (I tried looking these up...only slightly made sense.) Now, for the average person in America, this sort of Zombie Apocolypse planning (see, I pulled it in...anyone else catch the History Channel special?) may be a bit over the top....but not completely.
There's a lot of wisdom to diversifying your assets, even when they're modest. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend buying gold while prices are high (I don't see collapse in our near future), I wouldn't be in a huge rush to sell either. There is some wisdom to having more than just liquid assets. Personally, my gold amounts to one 14K necklace....scary thing is I'm not sure how I got it.
The downside of physical gold is that it's more easily stolen, and honestly if the Zombies attack and currency collapses we may have bigger problems than a few gold ounces can get us out of...(cigarettes may be the easiest currency for barter at that point...seriously, I hate the vile things, but probably true.)
While most assets depreciate (food will rot, your Blu Rays will someday go the way of the Beta), gold tends to hold some value across centuries.
2. Gold jewelry/coins may be worth more for their historic and artistic value than their melted value.
I think she touched on this. Advising one couple to save the gold coins for their kids, while selling the rest of their stash. I don't remember her spending much time on the reasons. But they're pretty straight forward. Coins in particular tend to gain value with age and rarity. Jewelry is a little more tricky, since it tends to depend on whether the designer or style is considered particularly artistic or valuable. So while the fact the gold is shaped into a ring may not make it more valuable, it might be worth a little extra research.
3. To sell or not to sell?
Really depends on whether you're in greater need of liquid assets or like having a physical asset. If it's a largish physical asset, you may need to consider having it insured. However to sell or not to sell is more a question of personal readiness than trying to time the market. It's not always just a numbers question. If it makes you nervous to have the gold around or if it's just in the way (excess jewelry you'll never wear), then go ahead and sell. But if you'd kind of like to hold onto it for a while, that's okay too. Sentiment isn't the only reason.
I really have no idea if ETFs are a good investment or if gold should be 10-15% of your portfolio. Suze knows more about that sort of thing than I do.
Some other interesting things that popped up on the show: www.missingmoney.com is a database intended to help reunite people with unclaimed property (which could include cash, stocks, inheritance...etc.) There was a second website, but I forgot to write it down. Suze recommended this book: The Little Book of Missing Money I'd be pretty shocked if I had missing money, but my life has always been pretty simple...if you're older, have moved around a bit, lost track of relatives....or if you're just curious, it may be worth a look. I wouldn't get too excited, finding $60,000 is unusual, but there are worse ways to kill some time.
They've tried to set up Suze Orman's Money Class class style on the Oprah website . They said something about a free newsletter and a contest for $50,000....but I'm having trouble finding it. And now I'm tired of looking, so happy hunting.
So I watched Suze's Orman's Money Class on OWN tonight. Mostly a good show, but either she missed a few key points about gold or I missed a few moments of the show (quite possible).
1. Why do people (who know what they're doing) invest in physical gold? (Suze advised gold/silver ETFs instead)
People who invest in physical gold aside from the shiny factor, are generally doing it as a back up plan in case the country's currency goes bad. If the American dollar loses it's value, the ETFs may not be worth the digital paper trail they're coded on. (I tried looking these up...only slightly made sense.) Now, for the average person in America, this sort of Zombie Apocolypse planning (see, I pulled it in...anyone else catch the History Channel special?) may be a bit over the top....but not completely.
There's a lot of wisdom to diversifying your assets, even when they're modest. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend buying gold while prices are high (I don't see collapse in our near future), I wouldn't be in a huge rush to sell either. There is some wisdom to having more than just liquid assets. Personally, my gold amounts to one 14K necklace....scary thing is I'm not sure how I got it.
The downside of physical gold is that it's more easily stolen, and honestly if the Zombies attack and currency collapses we may have bigger problems than a few gold ounces can get us out of...(cigarettes may be the easiest currency for barter at that point...seriously, I hate the vile things, but probably true.)
While most assets depreciate (food will rot, your Blu Rays will someday go the way of the Beta), gold tends to hold some value across centuries.
2. Gold jewelry/coins may be worth more for their historic and artistic value than their melted value.
I think she touched on this. Advising one couple to save the gold coins for their kids, while selling the rest of their stash. I don't remember her spending much time on the reasons. But they're pretty straight forward. Coins in particular tend to gain value with age and rarity. Jewelry is a little more tricky, since it tends to depend on whether the designer or style is considered particularly artistic or valuable. So while the fact the gold is shaped into a ring may not make it more valuable, it might be worth a little extra research.
3. To sell or not to sell?
Really depends on whether you're in greater need of liquid assets or like having a physical asset. If it's a largish physical asset, you may need to consider having it insured. However to sell or not to sell is more a question of personal readiness than trying to time the market. It's not always just a numbers question. If it makes you nervous to have the gold around or if it's just in the way (excess jewelry you'll never wear), then go ahead and sell. But if you'd kind of like to hold onto it for a while, that's okay too. Sentiment isn't the only reason.
I really have no idea if ETFs are a good investment or if gold should be 10-15% of your portfolio. Suze knows more about that sort of thing than I do.
Some other interesting things that popped up on the show: www.missingmoney.com is a database intended to help reunite people with unclaimed property (which could include cash, stocks, inheritance...etc.) There was a second website, but I forgot to write it down. Suze recommended this book: The Little Book of Missing Money I'd be pretty shocked if I had missing money, but my life has always been pretty simple...if you're older, have moved around a bit, lost track of relatives....or if you're just curious, it may be worth a look. I wouldn't get too excited, finding $60,000 is unusual, but there are worse ways to kill some time.
They've tried to set up Suze Orman's Money Class class style on the Oprah website . They said something about a free newsletter and a contest for $50,000....but I'm having trouble finding it. And now I'm tired of looking, so happy hunting.
You may see a change in your paycheck this year...maybe
Yahoo Market Watch Article: Big Tax Mines That Could Blow Up Your Return
"The payroll tax cut" is the thing on this list I'm guessing will effect the most of us.
Here's how the IRS explains it: Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended into 2012
If your paycheck mysteriously shrunk a bit earlier this month, then pops back with a little extra, this could be the culprit. This continuation of the 2% tax cut from last year will only extend until Febuary (unless they decide to extend it further). If you make over $18,350 in January/Febuary, you'll be paying some additional taxes for this two month period, but since that means you're making over $110,000 per year, I think you'll be okay.
Same advice as previously, this 2% is coming out of your social security payment....you know that fund they're already predicting will be exhausted by 2037. So I'd take that 2% and put it in some form of retirement savings.
(Dave Ramsey suggests 15% would be ideal, but doing what you can is definitely better than doing nothing.)
"The payroll tax cut" is the thing on this list I'm guessing will effect the most of us.
Here's how the IRS explains it: Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended into 2012
If your paycheck mysteriously shrunk a bit earlier this month, then pops back with a little extra, this could be the culprit. This continuation of the 2% tax cut from last year will only extend until Febuary (unless they decide to extend it further). If you make over $18,350 in January/Febuary, you'll be paying some additional taxes for this two month period, but since that means you're making over $110,000 per year, I think you'll be okay.
Same advice as previously, this 2% is coming out of your social security payment....you know that fund they're already predicting will be exhausted by 2037. So I'd take that 2% and put it in some form of retirement savings.
(Dave Ramsey suggests 15% would be ideal, but doing what you can is definitely better than doing nothing.)
January 27, 2012
Online presence effecting your job search?
Earlier this week I talked about how the job market is something that changes. One of the things that's changing is the increasing importance of online communication for hiring and maintaining employment.
Wall Street Journal Article: No More Résumés, Say Some Firms
While the specific firm they're referring to has more valid interest in web presence than most, new employers are more and more likely to google you before they consider hiring. The interenet also creates new job opportunities; the Code Foo approach was particularly interesting...train gamers to build better games.
While in the past I think I've linked a few articles about being careful what you post on facebook (since people have lost their jobs over FB posts), there is a positive side to this attention. You can use websites like LinkedIn, Twitter, even LiveJournal, to show that you have more to you than will fit on an 8 1/2" by 11" sheet of paper. This can work on a client as well as a full time employer level. For instance if you wanted to earn more money giving piano lessons, it might not hurt to write a regular blog on the subject, dabbling with music theory and/or finger exercises. If you wanted to get hired as a teacher, you might make sure your web presence displays a desire to connect with parents and students or shows more than passing interest in your subject matter.
Personally, I keep all my fandom activity under pseudonyms, because I don't want my interest in Star Wars or Harry Potter to overshadow my original work. (Though I must say, my fanfic is pretty solid, and I'm well out of the geek closet.)
If you send e-mails to contact a potential employer or do anything professional, make sure you monitor what's in your signature. You may be a die-hard fan of slash or Jersey Shore or a particular political candidate, but that's not necessarily the first thing you want a potential employer to know about you.
Wall Street Journal Article: No More Résumés, Say Some Firms
While the specific firm they're referring to has more valid interest in web presence than most, new employers are more and more likely to google you before they consider hiring. The interenet also creates new job opportunities; the Code Foo approach was particularly interesting...train gamers to build better games.
While in the past I think I've linked a few articles about being careful what you post on facebook (since people have lost their jobs over FB posts), there is a positive side to this attention. You can use websites like LinkedIn, Twitter, even LiveJournal, to show that you have more to you than will fit on an 8 1/2" by 11" sheet of paper. This can work on a client as well as a full time employer level. For instance if you wanted to earn more money giving piano lessons, it might not hurt to write a regular blog on the subject, dabbling with music theory and/or finger exercises. If you wanted to get hired as a teacher, you might make sure your web presence displays a desire to connect with parents and students or shows more than passing interest in your subject matter.
Personally, I keep all my fandom activity under pseudonyms, because I don't want my interest in Star Wars or Harry Potter to overshadow my original work. (Though I must say, my fanfic is pretty solid, and I'm well out of the geek closet.)
If you send e-mails to contact a potential employer or do anything professional, make sure you monitor what's in your signature. You may be a die-hard fan of slash or Jersey Shore or a particular political candidate, but that's not necessarily the first thing you want a potential employer to know about you.
January 25, 2012
Book Talk tomorrow in Mount Juliet!
Article: J.C. Penney Says 'No Sale': Cuts All Prices, All the Time to Simplify Bargain Hunting Not major news, but I find this change rather appealing.
My co-author, P.J., and I will be at the Mount Juliet Public Library tomorrow at 6:30pm. If you're nearby, come to the meeting room, have a cookie, talk about money with us. It'll be fun.
If you can't make tomorrow, we'll be giving another talk in at the Madison Branch Library on Saturday at 2p.m.
P.S. I'm not going to turn this into a political blog. But I do want to go on record to say I'm supporting Ron Paul for 2012 regardless of whether he gets the Republican nomination. I don't agree 100% with Paul, but I do think he'd make a fine president and stop a lot of nonsense. I'm only making this announcement, because the bizarre way the media is passing him over in election coverage despite his strong standing in the polls.
My co-author, P.J., and I will be at the Mount Juliet Public Library tomorrow at 6:30pm. If you're nearby, come to the meeting room, have a cookie, talk about money with us. It'll be fun.
If you can't make tomorrow, we'll be giving another talk in at the Madison Branch Library on Saturday at 2p.m.
P.S. I'm not going to turn this into a political blog. But I do want to go on record to say I'm supporting Ron Paul for 2012 regardless of whether he gets the Republican nomination. I don't agree 100% with Paul, but I do think he'd make a fine president and stop a lot of nonsense. I'm only making this announcement, because the bizarre way the media is passing him over in election coverage despite his strong standing in the polls.
January 22, 2012
You Must Apply to be Employed
AOL Article: Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week
There are certain big companies that are almost always hiring, but that can mean they have a lot of turn over. So during your job hunt try not to let yourself get tunnel vision. Consider smaller and midsized businesses, particularly if they seem to do steady business and have a long term outlook. Consider government jobs (around here that generally means lower pay but better benefits & job security.)
We all have things we're more comfortable with but try to think past the first few obvious categories that might come to mind (ie. waitress, cashier, stock). There are other jobs that only require a highschool education. Bankteller, for one, surprised me. I found some receptionist/clerk type hospital jobs this week that required no special medical billing or paperwork training, just highschool diploma or GED. (1-3 year experience was prefered but not required). Maybe you'd like mushroom harvesting (seemed to be steadier work than other harvesting jobs) or scanning microfiche into a computer (I have a friend who had/has a job doing this).
Sometimes companies and governments change up job requirements/classifications to create less strict entry level positions. (I think this is what happened at the hospital. They limited responsibilities, so they could create a new job class.) Ironically I went to college in part because at the time 2 years of college was required to work the desk at the public library. By the time I got out, they had changed the qualifications and the desk job title so no college was required. (*sigh*)
My point is that the job market is always shifting. New types of jobs that you would normally never think to look for might be popping up. Some things that you might assume require certificates don't always. I spent a month as a full time webdesigner (left to focus on my writing). All I knew was basic HTML, that I had learned on my own and a few basic sites I maintained, but that was enough to help this small company. It wasn't a job that would make me rich, but it was a decent entry level job that gave me opportunities to learn to more about webdesign and could have lead to higher paying jobs in that field. (I just decided I didn't want to be a webdesigner.)
There are certain big companies that are almost always hiring, but that can mean they have a lot of turn over. So during your job hunt try not to let yourself get tunnel vision. Consider smaller and midsized businesses, particularly if they seem to do steady business and have a long term outlook. Consider government jobs (around here that generally means lower pay but better benefits & job security.)
We all have things we're more comfortable with but try to think past the first few obvious categories that might come to mind (ie. waitress, cashier, stock). There are other jobs that only require a highschool education. Bankteller, for one, surprised me. I found some receptionist/clerk type hospital jobs this week that required no special medical billing or paperwork training, just highschool diploma or GED. (1-3 year experience was prefered but not required). Maybe you'd like mushroom harvesting (seemed to be steadier work than other harvesting jobs) or scanning microfiche into a computer (I have a friend who had/has a job doing this).
Sometimes companies and governments change up job requirements/classifications to create less strict entry level positions. (I think this is what happened at the hospital. They limited responsibilities, so they could create a new job class.) Ironically I went to college in part because at the time 2 years of college was required to work the desk at the public library. By the time I got out, they had changed the qualifications and the desk job title so no college was required. (*sigh*)
My point is that the job market is always shifting. New types of jobs that you would normally never think to look for might be popping up. Some things that you might assume require certificates don't always. I spent a month as a full time webdesigner (left to focus on my writing). All I knew was basic HTML, that I had learned on my own and a few basic sites I maintained, but that was enough to help this small company. It wasn't a job that would make me rich, but it was a decent entry level job that gave me opportunities to learn to more about webdesign and could have lead to higher paying jobs in that field. (I just decided I didn't want to be a webdesigner.)
January 14, 2012
You Must Try to Win
Been kind of an exciting week. My nephew was chosen through lottery for a public Montessori school. This means better education for him, and government provided childcare two years earlier for my sis. (Montessori Kindergarten starts at age 3 rather than age 5.) Today, I won 4 tickets for the Circus through a radio station drawing as part of the Kroger Grand Reopening. I'm not saying this to brag. I've certainly filled out my share of contest forms that resulted in absolutely nothing. HGTV has yet to award me a dream home. But I think it's an important lesson that to win something, you first have to try for it. It's wise to check out the legitimacy of a contest before handing over your contact information, but if you're comfortable with the sponsor, go for it.
I turned in my application for graduate school today. I have a very slim chance of getting into my chosen program. There are only three slots at any given time. But I definitely won't get in if I don't submit anything. I don't expect to get in, but many of the best things I've "won" were completely unexpected.
Trying for something isn't a guarantee, but it is does create a chance where none existed before. So give it a try.
I turned in my application for graduate school today. I have a very slim chance of getting into my chosen program. There are only three slots at any given time. But I definitely won't get in if I don't submit anything. I don't expect to get in, but many of the best things I've "won" were completely unexpected.
Trying for something isn't a guarantee, but it is does create a chance where none existed before. So give it a try.
January 12, 2012
Stockpiling Responsibly
Stockpiling is buying more than you immediately need of an item. Normally people do this when the price has dropped, and they anticipate it going back up. Or when they think the item is going to become hard or impossible to get. Or they're trying to save on transportation costs by reducing the need for trips to the store.
To a degree, it's very smart and thrifty to do a little stockpiling. How much is determined by a few factors. The first is space. The more space you have, the more you can comfortably store. Watch an episode of Hoarders or Clean House, for a good picture of what excessive stockpiling can do to your life and home.
Rate of consumption is another factor. The longer it takes you to use up a product, the less need you have to stockpile it. For instance, I'm finally getting close to finishing off that tube of 3D White toothpaste I bought in May of 2010. (I've been switching out with free mini tubes from the dentist.) Toothpaste has a good shelf life, but it will expire eventually, so for me to stockpile more than one additional tube would be excessive, regardless of how good the sale may be. On the other hand, my family probably consumes a box of Cheerios every 1 to 3 weeks. So if we found a really good bargain and bought 5 boxes, this would not be excessive.
For some items, it doesn't make sense to stockpile at all. For instance I bought a large bookshelf from Ikea for my room. While it's entirely possible that it will get broken at some point, it's also entirely possible it will out live me. I could have spent another $300 dollars to buy a second one and keep it stored down in my parents' basement just in case, but I think most of us would agree there are better ways to invest that money.
While I'm sure some of you are thinking "that obvious", I'm not sure it is. Stockpiling is a very natural reaction. Particularly for anyone who's been through periods of want, it's a deeply held survival instinct. But we often have to step back and temper instinct with reason. Eating is good for you. Excessive eating isn't. Stockpiling is good for you. Excessive stockpiling isn't.
This is on my mind because they've had a lot of markdown and free items due to a Grand Reopening at the local Krogers this week. So I have stocked up on some items like conditioner and chocolate chips. But in the same week, I watched my sister throw out a lot of food that she had bought at great prices but never took the time to eat. I myself realized I'd forgotten about some cereal I'd bought on markdown. It's still good, but I need to learn the lesson before I waste what I found.
To a degree, it's very smart and thrifty to do a little stockpiling. How much is determined by a few factors. The first is space. The more space you have, the more you can comfortably store. Watch an episode of Hoarders or Clean House, for a good picture of what excessive stockpiling can do to your life and home.
Rate of consumption is another factor. The longer it takes you to use up a product, the less need you have to stockpile it. For instance, I'm finally getting close to finishing off that tube of 3D White toothpaste I bought in May of 2010. (I've been switching out with free mini tubes from the dentist.) Toothpaste has a good shelf life, but it will expire eventually, so for me to stockpile more than one additional tube would be excessive, regardless of how good the sale may be. On the other hand, my family probably consumes a box of Cheerios every 1 to 3 weeks. So if we found a really good bargain and bought 5 boxes, this would not be excessive.
For some items, it doesn't make sense to stockpile at all. For instance I bought a large bookshelf from Ikea for my room. While it's entirely possible that it will get broken at some point, it's also entirely possible it will out live me. I could have spent another $300 dollars to buy a second one and keep it stored down in my parents' basement just in case, but I think most of us would agree there are better ways to invest that money.
While I'm sure some of you are thinking "that obvious", I'm not sure it is. Stockpiling is a very natural reaction. Particularly for anyone who's been through periods of want, it's a deeply held survival instinct. But we often have to step back and temper instinct with reason. Eating is good for you. Excessive eating isn't. Stockpiling is good for you. Excessive stockpiling isn't.
This is on my mind because they've had a lot of markdown and free items due to a Grand Reopening at the local Krogers this week. So I have stocked up on some items like conditioner and chocolate chips. But in the same week, I watched my sister throw out a lot of food that she had bought at great prices but never took the time to eat. I myself realized I'd forgotten about some cereal I'd bought on markdown. It's still good, but I need to learn the lesson before I waste what I found.
January 9, 2012
Kindle and Event updates
The good news is I finished 5 out of 7 2011 tax forms (business related). And we've been invited to speak at the Hermitage Branch Library on March 10th at 2pm. So that's very cool.
Bad news is I still haven't had a chance to fix the issues with the Kindle file. After about a week of trying (grumbles), I was able to change the price and description on the Kindle. I was going to make it free until it was fixed, but that wasn't an option (sigh). So I've dropped the Kindle Version down to 99 cents until the updates are done.
Goodreads.com has a giveaway option that's kind of nifty. I've been hesitant to do any sort of contest, because everytime I've looked into it, it sounds like a liability nightmare. But they've sort of streamlined the process, so I may give away a few books in the not too distant future. If you're already on the site, feel free to friend me...or whatever they call it on that site. I have an Author Profile up. Been using it to try to keep better track of what I've read.
Bad news is I still haven't had a chance to fix the issues with the Kindle file. After about a week of trying (grumbles), I was able to change the price and description on the Kindle. I was going to make it free until it was fixed, but that wasn't an option (sigh). So I've dropped the Kindle Version down to 99 cents until the updates are done.
Goodreads.com has a giveaway option that's kind of nifty. I've been hesitant to do any sort of contest, because everytime I've looked into it, it sounds like a liability nightmare. But they've sort of streamlined the process, so I may give away a few books in the not too distant future. If you're already on the site, feel free to friend me...or whatever they call it on that site. I have an Author Profile up. Been using it to try to keep better track of what I've read.
January 7, 2012
Quality over Quantity
This article was interesting for several reasons: Can 'The All American Store' Reverse Our Nation's Walmartization?
One thing the article didn't mention was how rising fuel costs may effect the price of imports. I think there might be a business opportunity for supplying certain smaller items the AAS is looking for onshore...granted that takes investment and know how...still might be something to investigate if you have the business bug.
I'm not quite patriotic enough to say American Made automatically equals Better Quality...but I do think quality is something to consider. Using the example from the article. A well made shovel can last a life time. Wouldn't it be better to spend $22 on that than $8 on one that breaks easily and needs to be replaced every few years?
Granted anything can be broken if enough stress is applied, but material goods are an investment of sorts. Unlike a stock their value isn't measured in dividends or cash equivalent but in their usefulness and reliability.
Just something to ponder....
One thing the article didn't mention was how rising fuel costs may effect the price of imports. I think there might be a business opportunity for supplying certain smaller items the AAS is looking for onshore...granted that takes investment and know how...still might be something to investigate if you have the business bug.
I'm not quite patriotic enough to say American Made automatically equals Better Quality...but I do think quality is something to consider. Using the example from the article. A well made shovel can last a life time. Wouldn't it be better to spend $22 on that than $8 on one that breaks easily and needs to be replaced every few years?
Granted anything can be broken if enough stress is applied, but material goods are an investment of sorts. Unlike a stock their value isn't measured in dividends or cash equivalent but in their usefulness and reliability.
Just something to ponder....
January 5, 2012
Hope to see you at 5
We're giving a book talk today, 5pm at the Donelson Library. We'll cover the basics of budgeting and follow the interests of the audience. If time permits, I'd really like to discuss the connection between saving money and eating healthy, but only because it's been on my mind lately.
So far, I'm doing okay with my 2012 plans. I got organized on Monday, finished reading "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" on Tuesday, and got 3 tax forms filled out on Wednesday. Couldn't print them because my printer ink ran out, but I picked some up on the way to meet my friends to see "The Muppets" (fun movie). I did eat out, but I got the kids meal instead of adult meal (cheaper and fewer calories). Got free popcorn for using my Regal loyalty card. I'm camped out at Starbucks today, doing working on the cafepress and zazzle shops from my latop. It saves gas if I don't drive all the way home after taking my nephew to school (using sis's car). Used a Christmas gift card to get green tea (cheaper and better for me than a half & half based drink).
The point of that list was not TMI but to illustrate that any positive change involves lots of little steps and decisions.
So far, I'm doing okay with my 2012 plans. I got organized on Monday, finished reading "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" on Tuesday, and got 3 tax forms filled out on Wednesday. Couldn't print them because my printer ink ran out, but I picked some up on the way to meet my friends to see "The Muppets" (fun movie). I did eat out, but I got the kids meal instead of adult meal (cheaper and fewer calories). Got free popcorn for using my Regal loyalty card. I'm camped out at Starbucks today, doing working on the cafepress and zazzle shops from my latop. It saves gas if I don't drive all the way home after taking my nephew to school (using sis's car). Used a Christmas gift card to get green tea (cheaper and better for me than a half & half based drink).
The point of that list was not TMI but to illustrate that any positive change involves lots of little steps and decisions.
