Two To One
Tonight I'm at yoga after work... My usual after work thing these days. And there's this one girl, about my age, who had mentioned last week that she was selling her house in Florida and using that money to buy a house here.
Tonight we were sitting beside one another on our mats waiting for class to start and I asked, curiously, of her if she was from Florida. She said, that she's from near here, and she was moving back up here after 8 years as a Floridian.
Then another girl sitting near us asked what part of Florida.
The one girl said, "I lived in Fort Lauderdale". Then the other said... "Oh my God! That's where I just moved back from!"
I was pretty much out of the convo at that point now that the two of them had instantly bonded over having lived in the same place and having moved back.
The one selling her house actually moved back in 2013 (although she's finally closing on her house next week), while the other just moved back in February. Although the one who just moved back has things to wrap up with so apparently she'll be flying back and forth a few times over the next few months.
We all ended up talking after the class. They discussed Fort Lauderdale things, all the hip hangout joints... Some place called a Riverwalk, or a Riverview... Or something with a river, apparently there's good food there, and shops... And I just kind of hung out, mostly standing there. Every now and then I'd say something pertinent to the conversation. The one girl selling her house said she used to go to a yoga studio in Plantation.
In my mind I'm just like... Yeah, this is mega weird.
Anyways... None of them know my past history with Fort Lauderdale and a certain someone. I kept it under wraps the whole time and didn't mention that I might have some previous knowledge of that area because of a certain someone.
So both of them moved back to Philadelphia after many years in South Florida... I did inquire as to why they decided to move back... Out of curiosity.
They cited family as the number one reason.
And traffic.
Home is where the heart is I guess, or the family is. And where the traffic isn't.
I can't imagine the traffic being THAT bad, that was about when they both sided against me and said... "Oh, it's terrible."
I'm just like... "Okay... I've never lived in South Florida so... I'll take your word for it".
Anyways, the two of them are all sorts of best friends now.
Tonight just reminds me of that one song. What's that one song though? You know the one... "There's always something there to remind me".
That certain someone... You still manage to stick around on my mind. I don't know how you do it and have done it all these years... But you're still there... Especially when I get stuck in the middle of a conversation about Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Just one of those funny/mysterious things in life that I've still yet to understand or figure out. That certain someone and the things that remind me of her. Makes me think about her from time to time.
Well... Anyways... I'm going to go do a few things before bed.
Making More Than I’m Really Making
This is an old article... But I've often thought about it since reading it initially way back in the day.
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/a-cost-comparison-of-home-laundry-and-laundromats/
Basically it's a comparison of owning your own laundry washing equipment versus a Laundromat. I initially stumbled upon it when I was doing some research to see if my landlord had been bilking me for the cost of laundry machines. We had pay washer and dryers on each floor, no in apartment washing units.
Now, I live at this house that I've ended up with and there's a washer and dryer in the laundry room just off the kitchen.
They are definitely in need of being replaced so it's up there on my list. What am I waiting for? Well, I'm trying to build up my investments and then let the investments start buying stuff for me. My next purchase is actually a new phone. Then I'll do the brickwork, then the appliances.
I'm also helping this all along by doing my stay in more thing. Which is VERY effective. I came in under budget last month... my budget of 1000 dollars on the credit card.
My goal is to do that again this month. I mean, it's not a big deal if I don't come in under or on budget since I make way more than a thousand dollars a month. But it's just kind of my challenge to see how much I can really clamp down on spending.
So what about this article?
It got me thinking...
You can either make more money, or you can spend less. But the two are kind of... Similar.
Here's an example. If you live down the street from your work. Like I live 2 miles from work. My cost to commute is very little.
It's 4 miles a day. That means my gas is very little, my time is very little, and my car maintenance is very little.
If you live 60 miles from your job... That's a crazy commute. Also, your gas cost increases, your time to commute increases, and your car maintenance and repairs increases.
That's a big one a lot of people don't consider. That means you need more oil changes and tire rotations. And eventually a new car more often.
Maybe that adds as much as a couple thousand dollars a year?
So that means that because I live close to my job, and I have a very short commute, I'm effectively spending less money than someone who lives far away. So, even if two people were being paid the same salary... But one lives 2 miles and the other lives 32 miles... The person who lives 2 miles is making more money in the long run... By spending less money.
What about brewing coffee at home? Maybe the person who lives close by now has extra time to make coffee at home in the morning. That's cheaper. All those morning coffees at your favorite coffee stop spot before work add up.
What about renting versus owning, or laundromat versus having your own washer and dryer.
What about financing a car, or your home, versus paying cash.
Mortgages have origination fees.
Financing cars have additional costs too.
There's interest.
People who need to borrow money end up paying more for everything in the long run. Especially if they put things on credit and don't pay them off right away.
I actually get cash back on my card, so instead of paying any interest at all, I always get cash back.
Because my car was paid for in full I have no financing fees or interest.
And because there's no mortgage on my house, I'm actually saving any sort of mortgage interest...
All of these things add up!
Work more, or save more.
I could easily argue that all of the things I do to save, could easily add to beyond 10 thousand dollars a year in savings. That means that someone out there who lives far from their work, has car payments, puts a lot of miles on their car... Either rents, or makes mortgage payments... Puts things on their credit card but doesn't pay it off...
They could easily be making 10 or even 15 grand more a year in salary than I do.
But because of all that, we basically have the same effective salary.
How crazy is that?
As well I have investments that actually pay me each month. So that means... That for doing very little work other than paying taxes on the income and doing a little research here and there, just because I have a surplus of cash, instead of living paycheck to paycheck...
My bottom line salary increases even more.
No matter what it always pays to own, and to pay in full. But the thing is most people can't do that.
It's kind of nuts, that our entire system has been built to make it hard to get ahead, and not only that, we make it easier for those who do pay in full, or pay early to get ahead.
Even with owning... For example, I just paid my property taxes. There are 4 ways to pay.
- Pay in full early. Get a 2 percent discount. (This is me)
- Pay on time, pay face value. This is if you pay at the end of next month. Maybe some people?
- Pay late. Pay 10 percent above face value. Maybe more people?
- Pay quarterly. Pay face value, but add an additional fee for paying quarterly payments. Probably most people?
So, basically... Let's go back to that person who commutes far to work. Let's say they also bought a house but are having a hard time just keeping up with the mortgage payments. Now let's say on top of that... They have this tax bill... Actually taxes are usually rolled into mortgages. I'm going to guess though, that it's not face value. Or maybe it is face... But there's no way you get that 2 percent pay early discount that I got.
You're thinking... 2 percent... Big deal. It adds up. Because it's not just 2 percent for your taxes. It's 2 percent cash back on my credit card. It's mortgage origination fees avoided, and car loan fees and interest avoided.
Basically, because I have the means to pay for everything in cash... I get everything cheaper than someone who doesn't have those means.
This inverts the other way too... Because let's say you don't have debt. Let's say you zero out and you have no savings but no debt.
Now, as you accumulate money... And turn that into wealth, or a nest egg. The fees you get charged for someone to manage your money go down as you have more of it.
So, if you have like half a million, you get charged one rate, but if you have 10 million... You get charged LESS.
It's a seriously crazy system.
So, even though I make less of a salary than many of my peers. I'm actually more on par with a lot of them because I pay so much less in fees and interest. And I in fact accumulate interest, instead of paying it.
While I do have to spend money maintaining my house, if you do the rent versus own argument...
The average rent for this area to rent a house the size of the one I live in, is about 2500 a month.
1 year of paying that rent, and you move out. You can't sell. You just move. All that money is gone.
Let's say I put even a fraction of that money into this house for maintenance and such. The day I move, I sell it.
That means, I get value back in my pocket from the work I put into the house. Plus, generally real estate properties go up in the long run.
Do you rent? Think about through all the rent checks you've written your landlord. Add it all up. And think about that number.
I bet it's a really big number, especially if you've been renting for many years. Is it enough for a downpayment, or maybe more than a downpayment for a house? A downpayment plus many mortgage payments? My guess is, it probably is.
And we're not even going to discuss the security deposits you've lost every time you moved. Or the pet fees you were charged every month just to have a cute and cuddly pet allowed in the apartment.
So, just be mindful of where all your money is going. Maybe there's a way to avoid paying some of that money out. Which effectively is the same as giving yourself a raise.
Go Fish
Okay, so tonight I was at the gym, and I was working out... And I'm just thinking how I need to come up with a game plan to end up somewhere new.
I've definitely decided that, not even talking about the love of my life, or getting married... Just talking about dating a girl in general...
She doesn't live in this area. Whoever she is... She just doesn't. Because if she did live in this area, I would have met her by now and we'd already be dating, or more... Married... Who knows.
SO... My game plan is to try a new area. Which area? I'm not sure. Maybe Seattle, or Phoenix... Or somewhere in between.
What's my game plan then? Okay, I've been brainstorming a little since the gym.
Here's what I've got so far.
I'm ditching 99 percent of the "fun" events I was going to. They cost money, and take time. And wouldn't help me in moving somewhere new. I need all the resources I can get to move.
It's not just moving though, it's about finding an "excuse" to move. SO, that excuse is a new job.
But, since my work place is significantly different than most workplaces are... I need to get used to what it will be like out there in the workplace world.
It's a bit like go fish. You draw a card and have no idea what it's going to be. But you have to figure out how to use it.
I have no idea how things will be in a new city, or a new job, or a new living space.
It's all a gamble. But, what I do know is... She doesn't live in the Philly area. I know that hands down.
And if I stay here, I'll just end up old and alone.
Maybe I'll try somewhere in Colorado... Or, who knows! I don't know.
But I need to get used to working more. SO, I'm going to work more. I'm sure my employer will like it a lot. What they don't know is that it's going to be relatively short lived. But it' s a win win, I get used to how things are out there in corporate America... And they get extra work out of me.
Next up, I'm staying in a lot. I need to cut down my budget and gear resources and money towards an eventual move.
Right now, I'm stuck in this house until Feb of 2018. There's no mortgage on this house, so when I sell it... I have capital gains tax. My mom's estate sold me the house for a dollar. So, basically, I'm paying capital gains on the entire value of the house. Apparently the short term rate is like 40 percent. 40 percent of this house is... a lot. I'm not willing to lose that money to taxes.
Now, this house does need some work... I need to get my HGTV on and really gear my resources towards fixing things up. That way when I hit next year, I can sell it for a pretty penny, instead of just a penny.
That way, wherever I move to, I have enough money to just buy another house in cash. It will be easier not having to deal with a mortgage. And when I go to make an offer, I can just say... I want this house at this price... it's an all cash deal. As is. Take it or leave it. You let me know and I write the check.
A cash deal is easier because you don't have to wait to find out if the buyer will be approved for a mortgage.
I just walk up to the door and say... Are you in? Or are you out? If not, I'm going to the next house.
They know the deal can close whenever I want it to close. I don't have to wait for "settlement" or whatever.
It's my terms and that's how it goes. Either I buy your house right now as is, for the price I want... Cash... Or I walk away.
Okay, so it's not THAT easy. But, it does make it easier to cut out dealing with financing.
So, I get used to corporate america hours... Which is like a 60 to 80 hour work week, with possible 100 hour work weeks.
I stay in and stop spending money on anything that might be frivolous. Or might have been a potential way to meet someone... Because as we know, she doesn't live in this area.
I really get ready to sell this house, find a job in a new city, and then... Go fish.
I make the move. It's a gamble... And I might end up hating the job, or hating the area...
But it sure beats just knowing that I'll be single forever and end up old and alone... Never having a family or kids.
Because one thing I can tell you for sure without a doubt... She doesn't live in this area. Because if she did, I would have met her by now.
Plus... I'm willing to bet as soon as I move, I'll at least meet a girl to date. Like, my friend Jess moved to Jacksonville, Florida and she had a boyfriend within a few months! She had been single for YEARS before she moved. SO... Moving... Will... 100 percent... Solve my dating problem.
Because I can tell you 1000 percent without a doubt, without any hesitation in my mind... the future love of my life, does not live in the Philadelphia area. Where she lives is anyone's guess... But I know for sure she doesn't live here.
You Better Organize (Dot Com)
Okay, so the phrase is "You better recognize". But, say organize, as if you're saying recognize.
That's the title of this post.
So, we've been doing some organizing at work a little. Spring cleaning, and just moving things around in the office. Really, it's the intern student doing it.
He's chompin' at the bit to do things, so thats his current task.
So, far things are already a little better. And he's been cleaning out some things and such.
One of the ideas that we discussed while the cleaning out and reorganizing was occurring...
Oh, wait, really quick... So our office at work, just to give a better idea, is just one room. It's the "tech room". So, there's about 5 desk spaces in that room. There's my desk, my bosses desk, and my coworker's desk. Then there's two table workspaces where the work study and intern student's sit.
That means, there's a lot of cross room chatter and banter. I noticed, personally at least, that when there's a full staff abroad the ship... I do significantly less work. Why? Because we talk a lot.
This is why I've been doing more remote work in the evenings and on the weekends. That way, people can come to the door, my coworkers can talk.... The intern and work-study students can talk too. I can basically just do whatever during the day...
And then I can make up the work I don't get done in the evening remotely when I'm at home surrounded by cats.
I'd totally never get any work done at all if I had a roommate.
So glad my roommates are cats.
Plus I live in the burbs, on my own plot of land, with no neighbor being close enough for me to hear them even if they made noise.
Which is exactly how I like it. Don't get me wrong, having an apartment is okay too... But, to be honest? I'll never have an apartment ever again.
I'm always going to own a house, and not one of those houses that touches my neighbor so you can still hear them beside you, or you have a little tiny bit of concrete separating the two of you.
Screw that.
I want lawn between us. Lots of lawn.
I won't live in this house forever, but when I buy my next house, it will be equally as burbsy, or even possibly rurally or small towny.
Am I sounding like an obnoxious brat who inherited enough money that I have a choice to own property like that instead of being confined to only renting or buying some run down row home? Absolutely. And I'll own it. But you know what, my grandparents and mom left me this money so I could do that. I know people who were left money and spent a good amount of it traveling, or I know people who know people who spent their inheritance on drugs. Okay, traveling... That's not too bad because you get the worldly culture experience and what not. But drugs? That's a waste.
So for me to put my money into property or homeownership? I feel that in the subset of citizens on planet earth who inherit money... I'm one of the more responsible ones.
Plus it's not like I'm being some grinch. Just two weeks ago I donated 100 bucks to a charity event. SO... I don't want to hear it.
And I plan to write another 100 dollar check in the near future for a fund that helps disadvantaged youths attend summer camps.
So what if I LIKE living where I live?
I'm going to own it. I'm just saying that city living, apartment life, and roommates, and confined spaces with close neighbors, like row homes... Just aren't for me.
Some people love it. I know people who have willingly sold spacious houses in the burbs to move to the city to some crap little run down row home and fix it up. I believe they're called hipsters. Although my one friend hates that term... She just wanted to live in the city and wanted to buy something at a lower price than she would eventually sell it for by buying a house that needed work, then renovating it as she lived in it, and then selling it later on.
Fair enough.
She complains all the time about her parking situation and neighbors being loud.
Just saying, if you'd never left the burbs...
Okay, so anyways... So, we were chatting at work in this room... and one of the things we came up with is a website that gives you organization options.
It probably already exists because everything already exists.
But we were saying there should be an organization site. You put in the room type...
- Office
- Room in a house
- Apartment
- Residence Hall
Etc. etc.
Then you drag and drop items to where they currently are.
Desks, chairs, tables, lamps, dressers, whatever...
Then you click, optimize and re-organize.
It tells you where the best place to move things is to get the most optimal use out of the space.
Obviously, it wouldn't be perfect. Because each space it really up to your own personal preference and likes.
But It might give you some ideas for where to move things around!
So, whether you like a little itty bitty living space, like The Genie in Aladdin. Or you're like me and you want a sprawling suburban home with lots of lawn and a driveway to park in... It will help give you ideas as to where to put your crap to get more out of the space.
And obviously monetizing it would be easy-peasy because you could just link to specials or furniture sites or whatever. You could even do a thing where when someone does a reorganization, they can drag and drop new things into the room, and those items would be actual things they could buy...
And if they click the link NOW and buy NOW, they get a special discount pricing. Now being at the time they did the organize your space mapping.
Or you can save rooms and we'll send you special items and special pricing or let you know when things go on sale that you've saved to put in that room, but you just don't quite want to spend the money yet.
Like, we'll optimize your room, then you can fit more stuff, and we'll let you know when things go on sale. Or just link you to things that might work better. Maybe replace instead of add. Or maybe if there's things you want to sell from the room, like upgrade your couch, or dresser, we'll even connect you to possible buyers who might be good matches for things to fit in their own room!
Actually, I just thought of that, and that's an awesome idea.
Like, if people map out their spaces and then they don't want something, they can click "I don't want this" and then it will go out and find other rooms where that might fit perfectly and then it will notify that person that a match has been found.
It's like matching/dating site but for organizing your living/working spaces.
Actually, if that doesn't exist. I'm seriously considering trying to start that.
That's a pretty cool idea. It probably already exists though.
It's kind of like Craigslist, or eBay or that "let go" site... Except it matches and organizes the space for you and connects you with people who it thinks might have something that might fit, or connects you to someone who might have something that might fit. Or connects you to store sales, or specials. Or just connects you to shopping sites to optimize your space on an optimized budget.
Pretty neat, right? I thought so.
Get it? I used "neat" because it's a room organizer site. Aren't I witty? You know it!
The Inspiralizer
http://inspiralized.com/the-inspiralizer/
So... Today I found out that was a thing.
I can't say I've ever heard of that before. But, it's a thing. Apparently.
I'm not so sure I'd ever buy one. It seems cool though. I only found out about that because a couple days ago I bought beet noodles at the store and was curious how they were made.
There's your answer.
So, let's see... Well tonight I made asparagus as my vegetable with my dinner. That was in addition to my salad that had beet noodles on it.
I made a salmon filet for the main meal.
The asparagus was pretty good though! I cooked it in some butter, garlic, and then some onions.
I sautéed it.
Then I put that next to my salmon filet. And then I had the salad in another bowl. I then finished off that pre-made potato salad I still had from the other night.
Tonight I watched the final episode for season 4 of Orange Is The New Black. So good. But, also super emotional too!
Hmmm... Well... The other stuff I did was start gathering tax stuff. I need to start that this weekend.
For now though? I'm just super tired. Work as sooo busy this week. So, I'm just about to call it a night and head to bed.
Hopefully tonight I don't wake up with my leg all pins and needles. I totally fell asleep on it last night in the middle of the night! I woke up and then the whole pins and needle thing started. That's just the worst! I hate that feeling.
Well I'm just worn out... So, I'm going to head to sleep. So glad it's Friday.