The Federal Government is, for once, saving us money! It has announced a new plan to phase out all standard light globes in homes within the new few years. This move is not only amazing for the enviornment but it will also keep money in your pocket. (more…)
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The Simple Living series is evolving! It is not just about smart economics and saving money.. this week it is all about sustainability.
Sustainability is the concept of trying to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments, now and in the future.
And comes in many different modes, here are but a few:
Sustainable Building and Construction
1. Benefits to owners:
(i) Save on construction materials - because housing is more efficient by design, smaller, and more compact
(ii) Reduce potential risks and liability - by avoiding environmental accidents, and improving relationships with regulators (conditions)
(iii) Reduce energy expenses - designs are energy saving
(iv) Reduced costs of managing change - designs are more flexible and adaptable to change because that is a component of the design. It is factored in.
2. Benefits to users
(i) Increased comfort and healthiness - cleaner air, better use of natural light (maybe)
(ii) Increased productivity, reduced absenteeism
(iii) Lower energy costs
3. Benefits to community
(i) Positive effect on surrounding ecosystems
(ii) Potentially reduce municipal operating expenses - because of reduced waste management, and lower energy supply costs.
Sustainable Living
1. Definition
A lifestyle that could, hypothetically, by sustained without exhausting any natural resources.
Which is to say, not taking more than you give. Or “breaking even”.
Environmental analyst Lester Brown summarizes the situation as “sustaining progress depends on shifting from a fossil fuel-based, automobile-centered, economy to a renewable energy-based, diversified transport, reuse/recycle economy”.
2. Permaculture
(not even a word according to Wordpress! But, hey, neither is “wordpress” according to Wordpress)
An important concept in sustainability and covers landscaping, architecture and economics.
It uses a systems thinking approach to design sustainable human habitats by analyzing and duplicating natures patterns.
It has three core values:
(i) Earth care - recognizing our most important resource.
(ii) People care - understanding the sustainability of cooperation
(iii) Fairshare - tied to ideas like “fair trade”
Sustainable Business
Business improving its practices around the use of renewable resources, and its environmental and human rights impact. It extends to business that is motivated to operate in a socially responsible way, aswell.
Triple Net Investing
A method of investing highly recommended to our zen minded, society conscious, simple living readers is the idea of triple net investing. Which uses as its bases for analysis of the suitability of a particular investment three criteria: the company’s responsibility in these areas: bottom line, social and environmental.
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]]>1. Top seven credit score secrets
2. 8 Things you must do if your identity is stolen
3. 10 ways to know you are an entrepreneur
]]>How does Text Links Ads work?
If you are sick of earning money on your Blog through Pay Per Click programs where you have to sit around and wait for people to click your ads then Text Link Ads is the solution for you. (more…)
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No it is not “the secret”.
But, something entirely more pragmatic.
The only sure-fire investment, no matter the market trend or the economic situation, is yourself. If you want to achieve financial freedom and independence, then you need to start relating to yourself as a business.
You need to invest in yourself. You need to market yourself. You need to differentiate yourself from your competitors. And you need to “grow”.
You are your number one, biggest, factor in achieving financial freedom.
But, very few will achieve it before they retire, from work alone.
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Imagine you’re Jane Doe, Inc. Whether you’re self-employed or work for a giant corporation—or even if you’re not in employment at present—this business is your basis for financial survival. If Jane Doe. Inc. is a sound business—meaning it offers real value to its customers (your employer, your boss and your colleagues)—it will prosper and provide you with a lifetime’s return. And that’s the case whether your “business” is selling your time and effort in a physical sense, your expertise, your creativity, or your willingness to do what the company asks of you. Whatever it is you do in return for payment is your “product.” Your “business” sells that “product” for wages, salary, commission or tips.
The world is extremely competitive. There are thousands, millions of people offering “products” that compete directly with yours. They could be John Doe, Inc., based in the next door house to yours. Or Jacques Doe, S.A. in Paris; Jonathan Doe, PLC in London; Helga van Doe, Gmbh. in Dusseldorf; or Do Lin Ji in Beijing. Everyone is part of a global market. For your “business” to prosper, you have to offer some kind of value that gives you an edge. If you don’t, you’ll be treated as a commodity.
Read the full article here.
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]]>But, here we present the popular Simple Living series for another week, and this week take a look at how to save big, long term, dollars through huge savings on your food bill.
How?
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If you are still using your old land line to make international phone calls then you’re bound to be losing money. There is a revolution taking place at the moment, get on board now while the prices are still right.
What is Internet Telephone?
The idea behind the Internet Telephone is quite simple. It is basically a phone connection that is set up and run through your Internet as opposed to a line that is owned by a telephone company. For this reason the rates are much lower and the savings are much higher. (more…)
Here is a list of 7 questions from Kipling to ask you prospective tax pro, before you hire them:
1. How Long have you been in practise?
Kiplinger suggests this is good because they can anticipate problems with your return and with be able to deal with IRS changes, because the will have experienced them in the past. He suggests several years is a good guide.
2. What are your credentials?
Kiplinger jokes here that anyone can hang out a sign and claiming to be a tax preparer, because their are no licensing requirements. So, he suggests you need to look for an enrolled agent, accredited tax adviser (ATA), certified public accountant (CPA or CPA/PFS). Only CPA can hold the personal financial specialist designation/specialty. (It is also good to check if they are a member in good standing of an appropriate professional association)
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1. Cancer Insurance
Because most cancer care is provided on an outpatient basis and also given that most cancer insurance only pays for the hospital care, you are just throwing your money away on this one.
2. Mortgage Life Insurance
Although there is peace of mind in knowing that if you are not around family are not going to be left with the mortgage to pay, these policies are generally 3-4 times more expensive than Term Life insurance. Which can be used to pay out a mortgage. (The average amount that is usually suggested covers all debts and 5-10 years income)
3. ID Theft Insurance
The ID theft resource center has never heard of a claim being paid out for ID theft. Usually people do not incur any out of pocket expenses. While they may lose on average $750. (That is no additional fees like legal, which is what the insurance sells as one of the benefits of taking it out)
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