Every time I travel to Europe (especially outside of the big cities) I notice that the stress level tends to be much lower than what we have here in the US (regardless of city or town).  Yes, big city folks tend to always be on edge (think of the typical New Yorker), but I've found folks from New Hampshire to Michigan and from Florida to Missouri to posses as much stress, albeit at a different level, than the typical city dweller. 

The whole thing got me thinking, can one really live a practical and cost conscious life if stress is present?  I'm not talking about occasional stress that is associated with a job or family, rather I'm talking about the constant stress that keeps you up at night or prevents you from enjoying the weekends or a nice meal.  

I used to work a pretty stressful job in a competitive industry and after a day at the office I didn't want to handle any of the practical living things I've been blogging about on Scordo.com; in fact, at the end of day all I wanted was a glass of wine and some food (preferably the kind that I didn't have to make myself).  Now, removed from the hyper-competitive industry and working a more sane job, I find time to cook, read, work on the house, and be with my family (all at the level that I want).

Coffee, in moderation, has proven to have some health benefits including:

- Coffee seems to protect men from Parkinson's disease
- Coffee drinkers may be half as likely to develop Diabetes
- Coffee might have anti-cancer attributes
- Coffee may not increase blood pressure as previously thought

(Source: Harvard Health Letter)

Regardless of health benefits most folks enjoy coffee because of 1., caffeine energy jolt 2., taste and 3. ritual.

Do you know those people who need to spend money in order to have a good time?  You know, the folks who inevitably see a movie, go out for dinner, buy a new pair of pants, and buy a few books at Barnes and Noble every weekend.  Well, it's easy to fall into the trap of spending to put a smile on your face or occupy your weekends.  I, for example, was addicted to buying books for a period of time; I would often head to the nearest super-bookstore on a Saturday morning and spend a good 2-3 hours looking for a few books to purchase.  I would justify the $70-$90 expenditure as a good thing because it involved reading and learning new things, but I was still spending on something I could easily get for free (namely, books at my local library).  Here, then, are five "Instead Of X" scenarios that you can look at this weekend:

Let's face it, enjoying and collecting fine wine is an expensive hobby, especially in light of a tanking economy.  My Italian father has only bought a few bottles of "real" wine in a proper wine shop over the years, but yet he consumes two-three glasses of wine each night.  You're probably asking yourself at this point: well, how does he consume wine if he doesn't buy any bottles?  Well, my father makes home-made wine and has been doing so for the last 35 years (in the US).  My father's argument for making his own vino centers on: cost, taste, and ritual.  That is to say, he can't stand to spend money on anything he can do himself, enjoys the rustic/flavorful nature of home-made wine, and enjoys getting his hands dirty every September.

I generally tend to buy whatever is fresh at my local fish market and when I saw fresh, wild, Flounder the other night I picked up a few pieces!   Freshness is always number one from a fish buying perspective, but the wild factor is a close second (fish that is on sale is also nice!).

Flounder has a meaty and mild texture (and is native to the Atlantic here on the East Coast) and is best prepared in a simple manner, like most fish.  By simple I mean the following:

It's about 60 degrees here in the mid-Atlantic States and, if you ask me, the perfect time to get a good fire going in your fireplace!  The reason I like to make fires when it's between, say, 55 - 60 degrees is that, in most cases, you don't need your central heating system to be on and you can enjoy a fire without it sucking all of the warm air from your home.

 

Well, what wine should you buy? This is a big question, maybe even equivalent to other big questions such as, "Does God Exist?" , "Do we have free will?", and the classic, "What is Truth?"  Unlike big philosophical questions, however, figuring out which wine to buy for dinner, keeping in the cellar, or just for a nice night by the fireplace isn't too difficult.

Because my preferences for wine are informed by my pallate, the foods I consume, and background, the following list of perferred wine styles (all Reds this time around) is just a suggestion. Drink what you like based on what foods you eat and your own personal background, but don't be afraid to experiment and ask your local wine guy/gal for recommendations.  The best tip I ever got was to walk into a wine shop and ask the salesperson to "build a case of wine" (say, in the $15.00-$30.00 per bottle range) with varried styles and world regions in mind.

A college professor once told me that most adults finish all serious reading by the time they reach the age of 23.  He went on to say that most professions, even ones that require a four year degree, do not require the worker to engage in prolonged or critical reading.  And while I'm sure there are exceptions to the statement, I agree wholeheartedly with the professor's conclusion.  Ask yourself, for example, what was the last serious novel you read or the last time you read The Economist from cover to cover (that's Immanuel Kant on the left, by the way; he wrote a Critique of Pure Reason and should be on your reading list)?

The Fall is the best time to both purchase and plant shrubs or trees.   On the purchasing side, most home centers and landscape shops are looking to clear inventory so you should be able to find nice deals (Home Depot, for example, has a 75% percent off shrubs sale currently).

In terms of planting, the cool days and nights are perfect for shrubs and trees to establish a strong root system and acclimate to the soil and a new location.

Barack Obama's recent victory and political campaign got me thinking, what does it take to be a successful leader or manager?  More specifically, I wondered about what specific, practical, traits a person needs in order to motivate and change people's behavior?  Afterall, effective communications is all about influencing someone so their behavior matches what you're trying to get across.  Here are some practical traits all good leaders and managers must possess:

Perseverance

Becoming financially independent is about setting goals and staying on track in order to achieve those goals.  In my view, most Americans are in poor financial shape (i.e., living on credit, spending more than they earn,  not saving enough or at all, etc.) because they have not set financial goals, partly due to not knowing how to do so (that's my great grandmother to the left, she knew how to set financial goals!).

In order to put your money to work you need to first prepare and set up your financial foundation and this includes:

Nothing says the Fall like slowly simmering meats in a big pot!  My personal favorite braising meat is the short rib.  According to Chow.com, "Short ribs are cut from different sections of the 12 ribs that start at the chuck (shoulder) and continue to the loin. Relatively square, short ribs have full-bodied flavor and luscious tenderness that develop when they are slow-cooked"

For some people, going to the market for food is a weekly chore and for others it's an opportunity to purchase wonderful meats, vegetables, cheeses, fish, and fruits.  It's probably no surprise that I fall into the later group and that I actually look forward to food shopping!  However, it wasn't until I learned how to shop for food that I began enjoying looking for the ripest tomatoes, freshest cod, or just-roasted coffee beans.

 

Learning how to shop is not rocket science, but there are some basic rules to follow (specifically in terms of produce and fish):

 

Fruit

In terms of fruit, buy what's in season and local, if you have the option.  This means not buying peaches, cherries, and Fava beans in the Winter, for example.  You also don't always have to buy organic, but there are some fruits and vegetables that yield less pesticides when purchased in organic form, for example: grapes, apples, berries, pears, cherries, lettuce, tomatoes, and beans.  Organic produce usually tastes better as well, but I'll often buy non-organic fruits and vegetables if the items appear fresher and are local.  In terms of picking specific fruits at the market, look for ripe, but not too soft tomatoes and peaches that smell like peaches though not soft to the touch (buy them a bit hard and they will ripen nicely at home).  You can apply the same technique to picking pears as you do to peaches, though you won't get any pear scent if you hold a pear to your nose at the market.  Fortunately, there are fruits that you can just sample at the market and buy on the spot if they taste good (for example, grapes, cherries, strawberries, apples, and plums)!

 

Vegetables

When it comes to selecting vegetables things are a bit easier as you basically want to look for crisp green colors in vegetables like arugula, romaine lettuce, string beans, collard greens, escarole, dandelions, and Swis chard (brown or yellow is not good and leaves should not be wilted).  A little dirt and a garden bug or two is ok (if bugs can live, then the pesticides aren't the kind that kills everything).  If you're looking for onions or garlic make sure the outer skin is tight and shiny.  Potatoes should be hard and not contain too many blemishes. 

 

Fish

My wife and I eat fish 2-3 per week and we only consume the wild variety including salmon, mackerel, cod, sole, flounder, scallops, trout, snapper, and trout as often as possible.  Tuna and swordfish are delicious but we try not to have it more than 2-3 per month given mercury concerns (the general rule is the older the fish the more mercury it may contain).  Good fish, as you probably know, is all about freshness and freshness can be measured if you focus on smell, texture, and physical appearance (fish should not smell fishy or have a slimy appearance and the texture should be firm and shiny).  When it comes to fish the best thing you can do is to make friends with your local fish guy (ask around and folks will tell you where to get the freshest fish in your neighborhood). 

 

Purchasing the finest foods is not about parking your car outside some random supermarket on Saturday morning and coming out with a week's worth of groceries.   Getting the best fish may require a trip to the fish guy 20 minutes away from home (on Monday) and the best tomatoes and greens may be located at the farmers market a few towns north of your house (which is only open on Thursdays), for example.  The bottom line is that if you have the time, food shopping should be done at local shops that have a particular expertise. You should also do your shopping as close to the day you will consume the food.

 

Happy eating!

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. 

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 the product Spic and Span 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.

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.