October 2008 Archives

With the Winter season fast approaching my metabolism has kicked into high gear and I'm consuming more and more of my favorite foods!  Here's Part 4 of my Foods I Live on series:

De Cecco Pasta - arguably the best bang for your buck dry pasta on the market.  While you can find cheaper dry, Italian, pasta on the market, De Cecco has a rich and hearty flavor, with a firm texture.  In the end, De Cecco uses better ingredients than competitor Barilla and it just tastes better (do a taste test for your self)!  I like to have about 3-4 different varieties of pasta in my pantry at all times (including capellini, rigatoni, linguine, and spaghetti).

Garlic - This one is a no-brainer.  Garlic can be used in everything from soups to pastas to dips and salads.  Never purchase the stuff that is pealed for you or minced in jars!  Try to keep only as much as you'll need for a given week and look for bulbs that have a very tight exterior skin.  The bulb should feel firm and there should be no discoloration or smell.  Here's a nice video on how to peel and chop garlic from the master chef, Jacques Pepin.

Clif Energy Bar - In a pinch there is no better energy bar on the market.  I don't like to consume energy bars very often, but I will grab one before a tennis match or other sporting event (especially if I haven't had time to prepare for an intense workout with a proper breakfast or lunch).  The Chocolate Chip flavor, which happens to be my favorite, packs 250 calories and 45 grams of carbohydrates.  Clif Bar's taste great, have organic ingredients, and really do provide quick energy and nourishment.

Goya Canned Chick Peas - I'm embarrassed to admit I purchase canned beans, as the dry type are superior in taste and, of course, are much more economical, but canned beans are so convenient and easy!  My favorite bean of all time is the chick pea.  Chick peas can be pureed and made into hummus (here's a quick recipe from Scordo.com), used in soups, or just served drizzled with olive oil and salt/pepper.  I also like to add chick peas to a Romaine lettuce salad with canned Italian tuna, boiled eggs, and olive oil and vinegar (it makes a super healthy lunch)!  Chick peas are also very high in protein and calcium.  Here's a list of chick pea recipes from the RecipeZaar.com.

Here's part One, Two, and Three of the series.

Thanks to Av for first preparing this dish and providing the recipe!  Kufta Kebab are Israeli-style grilled lamb/beef skewers. The kebab recipe has Arab roots and Kufta actually means pounded meat and comes from the Syrian term kooftah.  Here's the simple recipe beginning with the ingredients:

• 2 pounds of ground lamb
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 head of parsley, chopped
• Cumin to taste
• Paprika to taste
• Salt & Pepper to flavor meat
• Olive Oil

In a good size mixing bowl, combine ground lamb & ground beef with olive oil and mix with your hands until you have a smooth texture and even consistency.  Next, add salt, pepper, cumin and paprika and mix again with your hands.  Add chopped red onion and parsley and mix with your hands. 

The fun part is next: grab a small to medium sized portion of meat and roll into a oblong circle.  Next prepare your outdoor barbecue (they taste best grilled outdoors) and grill one-two minutes on each side (you want the kufta cooked well, not raw or medium rare, but at the same time you do not wan to dry out the meat).

According to Av, in the Middle East they like to make a yogurt/cucumber sauce to go along with it like a tzatziki sauce.  However, good old fashioned American (Heinz) ketchup also goes well with the kebab!  Enjoy!

The winter season is just around the corner and if you haven't already done so now is the time to start preparing your home for the winter elements.  Winterizing your home will not only make your home more cost efficient and save you money, but you'll also be more comfortable in January and February when snow and wind are outside your front door! 

The key to making your home ready for the winter is to find all the areas where heat may escape to the outside environment. Here's a quick list of things to do:

Insulation

Insulate your attic and basement.  Warm air rises so your attic should be your first priority in terms of insulation.  If you're attic is unfinished then insulating it should be no problem; run to your local home center and pick up some Batt-type insulation which comes in large roles and is installed in between 2x4 studs/rafters (look for material with a high R-Value).  Depending on the size of your attic you can most likely take a Saturday and complete the job.

Caulk

Caulk around doors, windows, and exterior cracks.  Caulk is cheap and the savings can be decent if you have older type double hung windows, for example.  Here's a nice how to caulk video and look for caulk than can withstand low temperatures.

Heating System

Your heating system should be checked every year prior to turning it on for the season.  If you have filters and ducts they should be cleaned or replaced every year.  If you're running a steam or gas powered boiler with radiators, then be sure to bleed your water based radiators and vacuum the inside of your boiler/furnace (especially the aluminum parts that light when the unit is in use).  A programmable thermostat is also a good idea! 

Insulating your boiler/furnace's pipes can also provide savings.  There are plenty of pipe insulating materials on the market and installing the material is very straightforward.  While you're at it, you should also purchase an insulated "blanket" for your hot water tank (your tank is insulated but extra insulation will keep the water in the tank warmer and require the unit to work less to bring up the temperature); also, if you have plenty of hot water dial down the tank temperate to120 degrees.

Not related to saving energy, I also liked to prepare the yard and exterior portion of the house for the winter, as well:

• Seal the deck with a high-quality stain and wood preserver.  You don't need to power wash your deck every year, but you should scrub it down with some outdoor safe bleach and let it dry for 2-3 days.
• If you have decorative concrete pavers then sealing the walkway is a good idea and will extend the life of the material.
• Make any repair to an asphalt based driveway - patching up holes and cracks is critical because water will get underneath the material and tend to lift your driveway (during freezing / thawing periods).
• Install glass on your screen doors.
• Bring in any plants for the season that will not survive the winter months outdoors as well as any deck/lawn furniture.
• Place snow shovels and ice melters in an easily accessible spot so that when the first snow hits you'll have your equipment ready  Unless you have a huge property, a snow blower is a royal waste of money, plus you're missing out on the exercise regardless of your age (not to mention the extra maintenance on a gas powered unit).

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

NOW is the time to start preparing for the worsening economy (that's right, you've read the preceding sentence correctly, the economy will get worse).  Sure, we've seen some pretty abysmal days on Wall Street and some radical actions taken by the US government, but beyond a deflated 401K account most Americans have yet to feel the roar of the current Recession.  As a who's who of corporate America begins announcing job cuts (e.g., Coca-Cola, Whirlpool, Merck, Yahoo, GE, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, etc.) "Main Street" is going to really begin feeling the downturn over the next 6-18 months.  So, how can you prepare for bad economic times?   Here's a quick list:

Paycheck and Savings

Begin saving more of your current paycheck.  The average savings rate in the US is less than one percent (compared to 20 percent as far back as 1982), so saving more of your cash should be a no brainer.  Set up a savings account at your local bank or search for the best rates online for a Money Market Fund (most of the large funds are now FDIC insured) and begin making regular deposits.  If you're a two income family, see if you can save half of your incoming cash and use the other half/salary to pay your mortgage, buy food, and run your utilities.  Regardless of how you do it, it's time to get extreme and save between 20-40 percent of your income!

Eliminate Some Metal

If you're a two car family and can run your household and get to work with one vehicle, then loose the second car.  Eliminating a second vehicle will save $$$ on fuel, maintenance, and car payment.  Using a single vehicle may not seem as difficult as you think; in fact the two-car family is a recent phenoomenon so see if you can arrange a car pool for work and after school pick ups and consolidate your weekend trips so you can stick to a single car.

Don't Spend Just to Spend

Cut the extras.  That is to say, for the time being, eliminate going to the movies, eating out, random entertainment, large gifts, random and spontaneous shopping (including online shopping), and large vacations.  You don't want to live like a miser, so continue to spend on what brings you pleasure and fulfillment (possibly nice foods to cook at home and a nice pair of pants or shoes for work) but be very conscious about every dollar that leaves your wallet.

Not Another Bill

Examine your bills.  Look at your monthly bills and target those auto-renewing costs first.  Do you really need your Netflix subscription, home delivery of your local paper, unlimited text messaging from your cell phone provider, 200+ cable channels, Tivo, and other programs/products that automatically charge your credit card every month or year?

I don't want to convey an overall sense of doom and gloom, but everyone should be prepared with adequate cash reserves by making the above sacrifices.  And if you're looking for inspiration or feel as though you need to spend to feel happy, just 'spend' some time with your family (as the above photo shows - note, it does help if there's plenty of homemade wine available). 

It's time to raid the fridge again and tell you about my favorite foods (that's Nonno Vincenzo on the right with one of his milk and cheese cows):

Old Fashioned Quaker Oats Oat Meal - I usually change from cold cereal to hot oat meal around this time of the year because there's something nice about a warm breakfast in the morning (call me old fashion).  I add a combo of 1% milk and soy (the Silk brand is nice) milk (one cup in total) to a full cup of Oats and microwave on high in a large bowl for about three minutes (watch the bowl so it doesn't overflow).  I usually add a bit of maple syrup or honey and then throw in some raisins or a roughly chopped banana.

Upton Tea - Again, because of the cooler season I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning and then as opposed to a second cup of Joe I reach for a nice cup of tea.  Now, tea should be consumed in a fresh manor (that is to say it should never be bought from a supermarket, what you're basically getting at the Shoprite or A&P is ground up tea dust that has been sitting on the shelf for weeks).  Loose tea is the way to go and there's no finer online tea shop than UptonTea.com.  UptonTea customer service is excellent and they offer a tremendous amount of loose teas for purchase, including my personal favorites: Bond Street English Breakfast, River Shannon Irish Breakfast. and Russian Caravan.  Also, don't be intimidated by brewing loose tea (here's a primer on how to do it ) and the only additional piece of equipment you will need to purchase is a strainer.  Try a freshly brewed cup of tea and you'll never go back to Lipton bags!

Cheese - One could devote an entire blog to cheese, but I'll just give you a taste of the types of cheeses I always like to have in my refrigerator: Sharp Italian Provolone (from Italy, not made in the US), Goat cheese (from a small domestic producer), Parmigano Reggiano (the king of cheeses and if you're only going to keep one cheese this is the one to have), and French Feta (unless you're Greek you probably won't like all the salt in Greek Feta and the French style is a bit creamier as well).  I've missed a ton of excellent cheeses, but the aforementioned basics can help with sandwhiches, salads, pastas, sauces, and for presenting at a dinner party.

Part One and Two of the series!

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

In the immortal words of the FoodTV personality Alton Brown you shouldn't own any kitchen gadget that doesn't have more than one use.  So, for example, you're not allowed to purchase a pizza stone, filled pancake pan from William Sonoma, fondue pot, stainless steel cream whipper, or a classic fish filet knife.  
As you can imagine, then, I couldn't agree more with Alton on his kitchen gadget philosophy.  First off, one doesn't need fancy kitchen gadgets to excel at preparing great meals. A fancy crepe pan will not yield better results than a standard non stick fry pan and a $250.00 copper sauce pan will not make better risotto than a restaurant supply stainless steel pot.  However, there are some basic tools that any good home chef should possess in his or her own home kitchen:

8 inch Chef's Knife
A good knife is essential in any kitchen and it will quickly turn into your go-to tool when preparing any meal.  A decent knife will be easy to handle, feel good after both short term and long term use, and have nice balance in terms of weight.  A good chef's knife will dice and mince and also be able to slice through butternut squash and carve a freshly roasted chicken.  There are tons of brands on the market from Wusthof, Senelli, and Kershaw.  Personally, I've owned a Henckel's Four Star 8 inch Chef's knife for well over 7 years and it's performed beautifully (with constant sharpening of course, my preferred sharpener is the Chef's Choice 110)

Pots and Pans
When it comes to a set of pots and pans you should not skimp.  All-Clad makes some wonderful 3 ply bonded stainless steel equipment and every home cook would benefit from owning a:

• 12 inch fry pan for frying chicken cutlets, making a quick stir fry, etc.
• 6 quart sauté' pan for cooking swiss chard, steaming beans, etc.
• 4 quart sauce pan for making risotto, tomato sauce, boiling water, etc.
• 12 inch round grill pan for grilling chicken, pork chops, eggplant, etc.
• 4 quart casserole for making soups, braises, etc.

You can find All-Cald sets at Bed Bath and Beyond and with one of their standard 20 percent coupons you can often purchase a set with the some of above items at a decent price.  I can tell you that All-Clad equipment will last a lifetime and you'll be seriously impressed by the construction and performance.   You'll also want at least one non stick pan but you don't need to purchase an All-Clad pan, simply look for a restaurant quality pan (with non stick coating) that has a metal handle so you can pop the pan in the oven for finishing off a veal chop or a frittata.

Cutting boards
Unless you're a 70 year old Italian grandmother who can mince, cut meat, and pulverize garlic in one hand with a little plastic handle knife, you'll want to get two sturdy/large cutting boards.  One should be dedicated to cutting fish, poultry, and meat (I use a standard plastic, anti-bacteria board) and one should be reserved for everything else (I don't own a Boos Board ,which looks to be made of good material, but you could look for something similar - and make sure the board have anti-slip legs which prevent the board from moving around on the countertop).  Oh, if you don't have stone countertops then you may want to find a third board for rolling out dough (preferably one made out of marble).

Tongs, Wooden and Metal Spoons (slotted and solid), Thin Spatula, Mixing Bowls (glass and metal)
A good stainless steel tong is essential for tossing salad, mixing and turning foods while sautéing or frying, etc.  The rest of items are no brainers, but make sure you buy enough of each so you're prepared for large dinner parties and multi-course meals. 

See Part II of this series, "More Essential Kitchen Tools"

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

Continuing on the theme (see Part 1 here) of what every new homeowner should posses in terms of home improvement tools, equipment, and supplies, here's Part 2 of "A Practical Tool Guide for First-Time Homeowners:"

Basic Painting Kit
Painting is a very easy home improvement task and after a few trials even you can be an expert.  Painting is all about surface prep, so make sure you have a quality scraper, sander (as mentioned in Part I) and sandpaper (Woodzone.com has a nice primer on sanding).  

You'll also need good quality paint brushes and rollers; Purdy makes some of the best brushes on the market and I like the XL Brush Series (in 1 inch, 2 1/2 inch, and 4 inch variants).  You can also wash and re-use Purdy paintbrushes provided you do so right after use (don't let the brushes sit over night with paint). 

I've been using Benjamin Moore paint for years and I like the consistency and quality of their paint (remember to use eggshell for walls, semi gloss for trim, and flat for ceiling).  If you're painting new wood, bare metal, or doing exterior painting, then you'll need to apply a good primer and at least two coats of paint (I like Zinsser's Bull's Eye 1-2-3 Primer-Sealer). 

You'll also need a paint tray if you're using a roller (which I recommend for wall and ceilings).  Your basic hardware store tray is just fine (can be plastic and you don't need to spend extra on metal but you'll want to make sure the tray is stable).  Spare rags are also a necessity given the inevitable spill or errant paint stroke.

Oils, Cleaners, Caulk, and Tape
Let's start with a good caulk gun (The NewBorn Brothers 250 is a solid choice) which is essential for running new silicone in the bathroom for tile or sealing the exterior of windows to prevent cold air from entering your home.  I like to have three basic tubes of caulks/glue on hand at all times, including tub/tile caulk, latex caulk (for painting jobs), and Acrylic (DAP) for weatherproofing. 

Liquid Nails is a nice overall bonding agent that you can use for tons of things around the house.  WD-40 is essential for lubricating metal, et. al. 

On the cleaning side, start with a couple of bars of Lava Soap for cleaning hands and some all purpose white vinegar (diluted with water) for general cleaning of walls, windows, etc.  Mineral spirits are good for cleaning metals, oils, and greases. 

In terms of good household tapes to have handy, I always try to keep multiple roles of duct tape, electrical tape, masking tape, clear plastic tape,and blue painter's tape.

Wheelbarrow, Air Compressor, and Generator
You never know when you'll have to transport something heavy or extra dirt around you backyard, so it's nice to have a wheelbarrow handy if you have the space in your garage or basement, the Jackson WheelBarrow is a fine choice (opt for a metal bucket and a heavy-duty tire and handles). 

A generator can come in handy in case of a power outage, but it will most likely hang around collecting dust (get one if you have spare cash hanging around, but in my view it's not a priority unless you live in a remote area, in a Hurricane zone, etc.). 

I don't personally own an air compressor kit, but there have been plenty of times I wished I had an air compressor to inflate my car's tire or use as a nailer during a carpentry project.  Lowes' carries an extensive lineup of air compressors and tools.

Workbench and Vice
It's nice to have a dedicated workshop if possible, including a large vice (TooledUp.com has many bench vices for sale) and workbench (CompMark makes a solid bench) for working with tools and storage purposes.

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

My parents emigrated from Italy in the early to mid 1970's.  My father has the equivalent of a technical high school education and my mother finished her formal education in the 7th grade.  Yet my parents are one of the most financially savvy couples I know, often making smarter economic decisions then their US-born Boomer peers (with BAs and Master's Degrees in hand).  How do they do it, here's a quick list:

• My parents spend much less then they make and live below their means. 
• My parents do not eat out regularly, go to the movies, or buy fancy cars.
• My parents are incredibly crafty and skilled: they can make their own home repairs, make their own food (including food from scratch and canned tomato sauce, pickled vegetables, homemade pasta, homemade wine, etc.), iron and repair their clothes, grow their own fruits and vegetables, landscape, etc.
• My parents are always saving
• My parents are not slaves to their paycheck, they have other forms of income.
• My parents own a two-family home and are landlords
• My parents do not panic and are level-headed about financial decisions and the economy, in general.
• My parents own a single car
• My parents live in a solid, blue collar, middle class neighborhood, in a comfortable but mid-sized home.
• My parents do not feel a sense of entitlement from a material perspective. 

Mom and Dad also have their financial house in order because they realize that life is about being fulfilled and fulfillment doesn't come via a big screen TV or a fancy vacation home, it comes by way of:

• Being with family and friends (my parents social network is very larger and they're always out visiting people or having folks over for dinner or espresso).
• Traveling and vacationing in smart ways (my parents visit their families in Italy every summer and they don't pay for restaurants, hotel, or souvenirs).
• Helping their immediate family (kids, brothers, fathers, etc.) with home renovation, home health care, decision making, etc.

So, if you're looking for your own personal finance bail out program just look at the habits of folks who didn't start with much and had to build wealth on their own terms.

As I've stated in an earlier post, please don't skimp when it comes to purchasing food and shoes.  Specifically, on the latter item, I believe the well dressed man should own about six pair of high-quality footwear including:

Classic Brown and Black Dress Shoes

Dress shoes are the bedrock of any nice wardrobe (female or male).  For the sharp dressed man a pair of classic oxford dress shoes is essential.  The shoes should have both a leather lining and sole (Nappa leather is ideal and if they're hand made in Italy then you've found yourself a winner).  A well constructed dress shoe will technically last forever provided you:

• Use cedar shoe trees when not wearing shoes (this will ensure shape and remove moisture from the sole).
• Clean shoes regularly with quality products like Kiwi (you should have leather shoe polish and a brush for polishing).
• Quickly dry exterior of shoe if it's exposed to water for a long period of time.
• Once the exterior leather sole has worn, replace it at your local shoe repair shop.

Your classic dress shoes can be worn with a suit, at the office, or at a fancy restaurant.  Having both brown and black leather shoes gives you more flexibility with pant, shirt, and belt colors.  In terms of quality brands, Bruno Magli makes excellent hand-made shoes, I particularly like the Bruno Magli Rale.   

Black Loafers

The same rules mentioned for dress shoes apply for loafers.  Look for high-quality materials and construction and, again, clean often and store properly.  I like wearing loafers with jeans or for casual Fridays at the office.  The Bruno Magli Ruler is a classic black loafer.

Leather Sandals

Sandals are a must for the summer season.  Sandals go well with casual shorts, a linen shirt, or jeans.  I like the Tommy Bahama Augusta as it's lightweight and well constructed. 

Waterproof Hiking Boots

A pair of leather, Gore-Tex lined, boots are critical for the winter months and for working around the house on serious projects.  My absolute favorite boot of all time is the Vasque Sundowner GTX, as it's light weight, supportive, and very versatile.  I purchased my last pair in 1994 and I'd say the boot probably has another year before needing replacing (15 years isn't a bad run).

Classic White Sneakers

I like to have a pair of very casual sneaker to wear to a friend's house or with jeans on crisp Fall day.  I've been buying Adidas Men's Ct Classic STR Leather Tennis Shoes for a long time and they're a nice value.

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

 

There's something about a freshly vacuumed carpet or newly washed windows that gets me excited - call me boring and dull, but I really do love cleaning stuff!  The fascination started when I was a young chap, often vacuuming and sweeping for my mother and grandmother.  As a college student, I would secretly curse my roommate for not making his bed or coming into our room with muddy boots.  And when my wife and I rented our first apartment, she certainly saw the "clean freak" in all his glory!

With the above said, however, I don't enjoy every domestic task (for example, I despise ironing, making large beds, and cleaning bathrooms).  Nevertheless, here are some of my favorite cleaning/domestic chores and how I go about getting them done:

Washing Tile Floors

Start with a good sweep and thereafter vacuum the dirt pile; a dustess floor is key to a good mop job.  Next, mix 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts hot water and get your mop nice and wet (I like this Italian Floor Mop but you don't have to get fancy as your local supermarket mop will do just as well).  Mop the floor in sections and ring out your mop often.  Let the floor air dry and enjoy the clean floor!  NOTE: some folks do not use white vinegar on porcelain or ceramic tile because they claim the grout will discolor; I personally have not seen this, but you could use Spic and Span or any pine oil based cleaner as a substitute for white vinegar.

Hardwood Floors

Again, start by removing dust from the floors.  I like to use Swiffer (they are great products!) and aim to dust our hardwood floors at least once a week (and more often if we have heavy traffic).  Thereafter, and only if floors appear dull or have marks on them, use two clean terry cloth towels and Bona X Hardwood Floor Cleaner to spot clean any marked up/soiled areas.  You should spray the area gently and thereafter rub the area with one towel and use a second towel to dry (do not let the solution air dry).  It's also important not to use Murphy's Oil or Orange Glow for Hardwood floors as these products will create a hazy film and dull your floors.

Stovetop

Never let grease or oil dry overnight on your black or stainless steel stovetop.  The key is to first wipe down the top with paper towels and thereafter use ordinary dish soap and a clean sponge or cloth to clean the messy areas.  The soap should be cleaned up with a second cloth or sponge and then dried thoroughly.

Granite

Wipe down your granite countertops nightly and make sure they are sealed properly, I like to use StoneTech products  every six months or so.  On every 2nd or 3rd night (depending on how much cooking you do) your countertops should be wiped down with a wet cloth and thereafter a solution of simple dish soap and hot water should be used (being careful not to make the solution to watery).  Finally, wipe down the counters with a clean wet cloth and dry with a third cloth.  I've also used a solution of white vinegar and water and I've found it to work very well for granite.

Windows

Do not use Windex!!   Buy a plastic bucket, a squeegee, terry cloth towels, large sponge, and ordinary dish soap.  Start by washing down the windows with soap and water via a sponge.  Next, use a second wet sponge to go over the glass removing the excess soap and water.  Thereafter, use your squeegee to remove all water from the glass (this should be the last time you touch the glass).  Your windows should be spotless and have no residue or haze, as you would normally get with a Windex type product.

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

People often by a home or rent an apartment and the only private room in their home turns out to be the bedroom.  This shouldn't be the case as every woman and man deserves a home office or library.  You could use your bedroom to do work, read, make phone calls, email, etc., but I think a bedroom should only be about relaxation and, yes, sleep!

So, why on Earth would anyone need a home office?   Well, here are some quick benefits:

• A home office is a quiet place that you can escape to (away from kids and family) that allows you to: do work, read, think, plan, make telephone calls, write email, and research.
• Your productivity will increase if you have no distractions and are able to focus.
• You will read and think more (face it, we do less of this in the modern world).  Think about your college days and how nice it was to take a seminar in western philosophy or European literature.  You can re-create that deep submersion into a particular field or subject via the home office.
• Your stress level will decrease (provided you don't spend all your time locked up in your home office doing only work related tasks like answering email and putting together Excel documents).  Stress decreases because you are in a quiet place that allows you to focus.

Now, a home office doesn't need to be fancy with a huge mahogany desk and cognac at the ready.  The simple office can be as little as a nice large desk, plenty of light, and a door (of course this should be a separate space in your home or apartment: the attic, basement, or extra bedroom).  The super deluxe office can include wall to wall bookshelves, lots of windows or skylight for natural light, internet access and workstation with a large monitor, a plush reading chair, modern task chair, ability to listen to music, etc.

Whatever your situation, I'd argue that setting up an office is just as important as getting your 401K up and running, as it will provide a great foundation for a productive life (i.e., thinking, reading, and just getting tasks and goals accomplished).

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a short article entitled, "Making of a Miser: Nature versus Nurture"  The article highlights a few important points in terms of what makes people cheap:

• If you have two thrifty parents, you're likely to be thrifty as well.
  
• People who lived through the Great Depression were thrifty their entire lives.
  
• People have innate tendencies to be tightwads or cheapskates.

So, is being cheap a bad thing?  I would argue that if your quality of life is poor because you don't want to spend money in order to acquire, say, quality food, clothing, shelter, etc. then there may be a problem.  For example, some folks head to the supermarket with the idea that they need to find the cheapest price in every food category, but as a self described Foodie I often reach for the organic whole chicken versus the on-sale Perdue roaster.  The better tasting (and better for you) organic chicken provides a higher quality of life for me and I'm not willing to opt for the cheaper chicken.

However, I would describe myself as being frugal.  For example, I could never:

• Spend more than 25,000 on a new or used vehicle
  
• Not haggle with an contractor or at an independent shop  
  
• Hire someone to do a home repair that I (or my super craftsman father) could handle
  
• Pay someone to cut my grass
  
• Purchase designer clothing
  
• Not save for what I want (or use credit for high ticket items as opposed to cash)
  
• Use my assets to over leverage (in order to afford a vacation home or make improvements to my existing home)

But, I often:

• Enjoy having dinner parties and cooking great food for my guests
  
• Buy high quality material and products for our home
  
• Purchase quality dress shoes
  
• Go to a men's salon for a quarterly haircut
  
• Go on vacation

In the end, living a good consumer life is about balance, so skip the generic, super market meat and opt for a good pair of leather shoes.  Your life (and feet) will be better served!

  

There's nothing like the feeling of owning your own home, provided that your ownership experience came without a complicated adjustable rate mortgage and with a nice sizeable down payment to off-set your monthly payments.  With that said, what does the first time homeowner truly need to run his or her own property/house?  And by run I mean basic maintenance and upkeep tasks (I see too many of my close friends paying other people to do stuff they should be capable of handling themselves, provided the end product is done with skill). 

Let's start with some basic equipment that can help with general maintenance; in my view, it's best to live in your new home for 1-2 years before making any major changes (unless of course you have an extreme circumstance):

• Basic Step Ladder (Werner 8 Foot Fiberglass from Lowes) for reaching lower levels of your exterior (for cleaning windows for example or touching up a loose cedar shake).
  
  
• Alumni Extension (Werner 24 Foot from Lowes) Ladder for getting to higher spots.  Extension ladders are nice for cleaning gutters and getting on your roof, if needed.
  
  
• Wet/Dry Vacuum for cleaning up saw dust or any messy project (can also pick up water in an emergency but I've never used the vacuum for this purpose)
  
  
• Basic tool kit: hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, wrench, tape (electric, masking, duck), 2-3 high quality flashlights, hack saw, wood saw, chisel, scraper, utility knife, industrial staple gun.
  
  
• Basic electrical tools: 18V cordless drill, circular saw (Rigid is good value/performance brand), reciprocating saw (My Milwaukee is a beast and I use it more often then I thought!), random orbital sander (Ryobi - another little beast that is a go to tool), and 2-3 extension cords.
  
  
• Basic lawn and garden tools: rake (metal and plastic), shovel (spade and flat head), hand prunes, extension hand saw/pruner (for cutting low branches), high quality push broom, pick ax, wheelbarrow.
  
  
• Good quality Mulching Lawn Mower which if properly maintained (spark plug, oil, sharpening, filter, etc.) can last a good 15-20 years.
  
  
• 5-10 gallon pressurized hand sprayer for applying stains, lawn care chemicals, etc..
  

Finally, if you're lucky enough to have a high quality hardware store located in town (not just a Home Depot or Lowes), get to know the owner and you'll be surprised how much you can learn from him/her, plus they will always get you what you need without a long wait or an attitude (even if it's a little more expensive then the big box stores).

Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.

"There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives. It's true we'll make a better day just you and me"

I think it's time Wall Street gets together and records its own version of We Are the World, maybe something along the lines of "We Are the Capitalists".

Seriously, folks, have a listen to the original 1985 recording and it will make you feel warm and tingly all over, regardless of your bank's share price.

OK, I've gone through my cupboard again and here's Part 2 of the "Foods I Live On" series:

• Whole Foods Organic Coffee - the dark roast variant is flavorful and full bodied and plus it's organic!  Also, for the quality of the roast versus price and amount, it aint a bad deal!
  
• Lindt Dark 70 Percent Dark Chocolate - dark choclate has many health benefits and it's also a nice pick me up during the day.  I like to have a very small piece of good dark chocolate after dinner!
  
• Green Mountain Gringo White Corn Tortilla Chips - these tortilla chips have the right amount of salt and crunch and they're also organic!  The "strip" shape is also nice a sturdy so you can dip without breaking the chip.  I think these are the best chips on the market!
  
• Laughing Cow Spreadable Cheese - I use this type of cheese as a base for sandwiches or have some with my morning coffee on whole wheat toast.  The flavor is mild but tasty enough to feel as though you're having real cheese!

Part 1 is here!