THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR, POST #4

Today I'm thankful for my job. It's not high pay or high status, but it suits me. I've had the same job for almost 3 years and I still love it. I am truly blessed. Thank you.


Now go take on the day.

Peace, out.

Check out Duane's Youtube channel.

21 LIFE LESSONS

(borrowed image from Sobernation.com)

I make these lists from time to time, both to share with others and also to remind myself of some valuable lessons I've learned on my journey. Feel free to save, copy, paste, share, whatever. Take what you like and toss what doesn't suit you. Enjoy.

-Be kind to children, animals, and everybody else.
-Drink lots of water.
-Eat fruits and veggies every day.
-Don’t take financial advice from people with no money.
-Stop buying things you don’t need.
-Save 10% of your take-home pay and never spend it.
-Find a job you love and do it as well as you can.
-Relationship advice: Find someone who is good to you and spend every day making each other happy.
-Cash makes an excellent gift.
-Read at least 3 books per year.
-Don’t judge people because you don’t know what they are going through.
-Help others when you can, the world needs more of that.
-Money is important but it’s not the most important thing.
-You don’t need a $50,000 truck or a huge house.
-Don’t take life so seriously.
-Laugh, play, and be thankful every day.
-Don’t take things that don’t belong to you.
-Don’t stay at a job you hate.
-Never leave home without a knife and a small flashlight.
-Be generous with your time, or your money, or both.
-If you think you have problems, volunteer at a homeless shelter. It will be an eye-opener.

I'm thankful to all my readers for your time and attention. You are my inspiration.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.



Check out Duane's Youtube Channel.

A BIT OF A RANT

PROBLEM:
Has anybody else noticed this? We are driving cars we can’t afford to jobs we don’t like to pay for houses that sit empty all day. We have become slaves and most people don’t even realize it. It’s not right! We work hard for our money, only to give it away freely to banks and corporations and the government. 

If you’re not happy with the way your life is going, this may be the key. The solution is simple! Get out of debt, live below your means, and stop working so hard just to make the payments every month. 

SOLUTION:
There is another way. Look up Minimalism, Simple Life, Tiny Houses. You might be amazed. You might be inspired.

Looking for a road map to lead you out of the debt trap? Look up Dave Ramsey. Yes, he sells products but you don’t need to buy any of that. What he shares for FREE on his website and on Youtube will lead you out of debt forever. No need to thank me. Just get yourself free. You can do it!

End of rant.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

ARE YOU HAPPY IN YOUR JOB?

(self-portrait)

I've had 10 jobs in the past 30 years-
Accountant
Pizza Cook
Dollar Store Manager
Convenience Store Clerk
Pet Store Lead Cashier
Laboratory Technician
Maintenance Man
Google Search Engine Evaluator
Scrap Metal Recycler
Janitor

In a previous blog post, I stated that "all jobs suck". I still believe that. All jobs have areas that don't make everybody happy. That's why they have to pay you to be there. 

With that being said, I want to talk about my current job vs. previous jobs. I am currently a janitor. I work for a small company. I work part time evenings. The money is not great but it's enough. And let me tell you something, I love this job! This job sucks far less than any job I've ever had. 

I have more freedom than I've ever had at any job. I can go to work when I choose (as long as it's after 5pm). I have keys that let me into the buildings I clean. My boss trusts and respects me. No micro-managing, no nit-picking. I call him if there is a problem (like a flood) or if I need cleaning supplies. That's it!

The point of this post is to let you know there are many, many job options available to you. If you're not happy at your current job, you are not stuck there. Find a different one. There is no harm in trying something new. You might be surprised at the results. 

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.



Check out Duane's Youtube channel

RISK A LITTLE TO WIN A LOT

I borrowed this pic from the Internet ;)

It might shock you to know that I play Keno when I go to the casinos. Most people know Keno has very poor odds. And it can be very boring sitting there, watching the ping pong balls bounce around as the Keno person draws the winning numbers one by one. But I know a secret. This is stress-free gambling. I will either WIN BIG, or lose very little.

THE GAME OF KENO
The game of Keno is similar to state lotteries. They draw the winning numbers from a hopper filled with numbered ping pong balls. The balls are numbered 1 through 80. Air is forced into the hopper which causes the balls to bounce around wildly, making the drawing completely random. In each game, they draw 20 numbers. 

Your task is to predict which numbers will be drawn in the next game. The top Keno prize in my local casino is $50,000. To win the top prize, you have to pick 8 numbers and hit all 8 of them. That doesn’t happen very often. You can also win smaller amounts for hitting 5, 6, or 7 out of 8 numbers. Can you imagine placing a $1 bet and winning $50,000? I can! That’s why I play this crazy game! LOL

There is a waiting period between games to give people time to turn in winning tickets and buy new tickets for the next game. Tickets are only $1. There are about 12 drawings per hour. So if you play every game and never hit any wins, you will lose $12 per hour. Not bad, considering you can easily lose $12 PER MINUTE in a slot machine. 

KENO ADVANTAGES
Keno has several advantages over other casino games. 
1.) Very small risk for a huge possible payoff. 
2.) The Keno lounge has very comfortable seats. 
3.) The drink girl will come around and bring you free drinks. 
4.) You can get up and move around freely.
5.) You don’t have to play every single game. 
6.) You can text or play games on your phone while you are sitting there. 

HOW I PLAY
When I enter the casino, I walk around, do some people watching, use the restroom, get a free cup of coffee from the self-serve drink station, and then find a seat in the Keno lounge. I watch two complete games without making a bet. Instead, I record the numbers that come up (20 numbers each game). Then I am ready to play. I pick my 8 numbers from the winning numbers of the two games I just recorded. My theory: These numbers are hitting now, so I will GO WITH THE FLOW. 

I pay for 5 consecutive games. If you only play 1 game, you must collect any winnings before the start of the next game. That’s less than 5 minutes! No exceptions! But where I play, and in most casinos I’ve been to, you have 24 hours to claim your prize if you pay for 2 or more consecutive games. When you play this way, you can get up and walk around as much as you like since you have 24 hours to claim your prizes. Just take your ticket back to the Keno desk before you go home and they will scan it and pay you if you have won. 

I will sit in the Keno lounge and watch the 5 drawings I’m playing. After that, I will get up and go for a walk. If I'm there with other people, I will find them and see how they are doing. If I’m spending a few hours in the casino, I will repeat this routine; play 5 games, then go for a walk, etc.

MY RESULTS
I haven’t won any big prizes yet. However, I lose less than anybody I know. In a normal 4 hour casino visit, I will lose $20 or less. But I have the prospect of winning $50,000! What a rush! 

SUMMARY
You won’t kick Keno’s butt very often. Honestly, most days you will lose, but it will be very little, much less than the average gambler. And one day, when everything lines up perfectly and all your numbers come up, you’ll be a BIG WINNER!

REMEMBER: RISK A LITTLE TO WIN A LOT

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.



Check out 
Duane’s YouTube Channel

GOOGLE FIRED ME

I did the Google Rating gig I talked about in my last post for 9 months. Each month my work was evaluated for accuracy. Some of my reviews were good, some were bad. In the end, they let me go. I don’t blame them, I’m sure there are people who are much better at that sort of thing than I am. 

I feel kinda sad and I feel like their guidelines are a little too strict, but it’s their business and they have the right to run it their way. I am grateful for the experience.

No worries, I will find something more suited to my skills and personality. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure.

Have a blessed day!

Peace, out.



Check out Duane’s Youtube Channel

GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE EVALUATOR JOB

I didn’t want to get your hopes up by sharing this until I was absolutely certain it’s legit and a real money maker. Now I’m sure. This book was written from experience, not just theory. The author of this book actually makes money as a Google Rater. And so do I.

I’m not going to go into all the details of this business, partly because of the non-disclosure agreement I signed, and partly because everything you need to know is in this $2.99 ebook from Amazon Kindle. 

You may enjoy this kind of work--
If you are out of work
If you hate your job
If you are tired of driving to work in traffic
If you are tired of wearing a uniform or a tie
If you are tired of micro-managing control freak bosses
If you are ready to be your own boss
If you love the Internet
If you are good with computers
If you are good at time management
If you are self-directed and self-motivated
If you want to earn more than minimum wage

What you need--
A good computer
A fast Internet connection
High quality anti-virus software
A quiet place at home where you can work for a few hours a day
A high tolerance for boredom
Some college--Could be business or tech school, any degree, or even “in progress”

I can’t tell you how much I make but I can tell you it’s enough to pay all my monthly expenses. I can also tell you it’s more than I was making at my last full-time job. It’s also a lot easier. Plus, working from home is a dream-come-true for me! 

Here is what you can expect--
1.25.2014 I bought the book
1.25.2014 I read the book
1.25.2014 I filled out the online application
1.28.2014 I took and passed the online exam
2.03.2014 I started working
3.21.2014 I received my first paycheck
4.16.2014 I received my second paycheck

If you’re interested, buy the book. It’s cheaper than a cappuccino and it can change your life forever. 

Here’s the link: Make Money from Home as a Google Rater

In case you’re wondering, I get nothing from recommending this book. I’m merely sharing something I found that I think could benefit you, my readers.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.


Check out Duane’s Youtube channel

=============================================

Follow-up note on Google Rater job--Don't quit your day job yet! 

You will start out at 1-2 hours per day. Each month your work will be evaluated for accuracy (yes, there are strict guidelines you must follow). If your evaluations are good, you will be given more hours. If your evaluations are sub-par, they will tell you what you did wrong and how to do the job better. At that point, you may be placed on probation till your next review. If this happens, re-read the guidelines and make sure you understand them. You may ask questions via email. The people you work for are very nice and very helpful. They want you to succeed because everybody makes money as a result of the work you do.

If you decide to do this, drop me a note and let me know how it's going.

Peace, out.

BEING A HANDYMAN WAS FUN FOR AWHILE

I know, I know, in my last couple posts I said I enjoyed my job. So what happened? 

Here's the thing: I very much enjoyed the hands-on work. I enjoyed the carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting. It was a lot of fun. The problem was, it was a very stressful job. It didn't have to be, but it was. After 7 months, I decided the paycheck was no longer worth the stress. 

So what's the next step? 

In my November 18 blog post, I mentioned 3 Alternate Sources of Income (ASI). 
Here they are (plus a new one):

ASI #1-- SCRAP METAL RECYCLING. You would be surprised how easily you can make money by collecting and selling scrap metal that you can get for free! I use a Dodge minivan and I earn $50-$100 per load.. If you are interested in starting a scrap metal recycling business, all you need is a truck or van and some free information. You can learn everything you need to know right here on your computer, via Google and Youtube.  

ASI #2-- YOUTUBE VIDEOS and THIS BLOG. I'm not setting the world on fire with my commission checks but they are becoming more frequent, which is a very good sign. It's taken 6 years to get to this point, but I'm doing something I enjoy, I'm my own boss, and I'm getting paid. Gotta love the Internet!

ASI #3-- BUILDING CUSTOM ELECTRIC BIKES. This is the idea I haven't put into action yet but I'm close. Worldwide, electric bikes are growing in popularity. The electric motors and lithium batteries are becoming cheaper and more reliable. I think this will be a nice little business. Nobody in my area is doing this. I will start off slowly--build a bike, sell it, repeat. We'll see where it goes from there.
                        
                                  (E-Moto 24 Volt Electric Commuter Bike)

ASI #4-- VIDEO KNIFE REVIEWS FOR MANUFACTURERS. I'm currently negotiating with a large knife manufacturer to make review videos for them for cash. They enjoyed the first one I did and they paid me promptly. Hopefully we will have a deal some time next week.

If you have any money making ideas, I'd love to hear about them. 

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel　

$ WHAT'S NEXT? $

   

(free clipart from Google Images)

Now that I've accomplished my goal of finding a job I enjoy, its time to set some new goals.

I love my job but I'm not going to lie to you, being a handyman does not pay very well. I really miss my paychecks from the laboratory work I used to do. That was the best paying job I've ever had. One of my current goals is to match or exceed that income. I have a long way to go, but I have a few ideas. 

Most of my ideas do not involve changing jobs. I'm trying to think outside the box, and come up with alternate sources of income. I have three ideas that seem very promising. Two of them are already showing small profits. The third hasn't been put into action yet. 

More to come later. Sorry for the teaser. :)

If you have any money making ideas, I'd love to hear about them. 

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.


Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel　

PLACES I DON’T GO

One day I was driving to work and I realized there are a lot of businesses that would not exist if everybody was like me. Here are a few of the businesses that I drive by but I almost never go into.

Bars, taverns, pubs, dance clubs—When I was younger and trying to go along with the crowd, I did. Not now.

Safeway, Albertsons, Yokes, Fred Meyer—These are over-priced grocery stores. I don’t care how nice the store is, I will not shop where prices are sky high.

Giant shopping malls—I may go inside to look around, people watch, or eat, but I won’t buy $200 jeans, $75 shirts, or any of the other over-priced stuff these places are famous for.

Any big bank that charges fees to bank there--I bank at my local Credit Union where everything is FREE and they pay me interest on my checking and savings accounts.

Casinos—I used to like to go to casinos and I went often. Now I rarely gamble. When I do gamble, I win a little or lose a little (less than $20). No stress, no regrets, and no worries.

1-Star hotels/motels—Back in the day I would stay at a $30 motel, but no longer. I don’t mind paying a premium for first class accommodations, but I always ask for a discount.

Just an observation I wanted to share with you.

Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

　
Check out
Duane’s YouTube Channel

Learning the Hard Way

I’ve always had to learn things the hard way. When I was little my mother told me "Don’t touch the stove, it’s hot." So naturally, I had to touch it to see if she was right. She was.

As I got older, I continued to use this learning method.

When I was in high school, I learned the hard way that a car never wins a fight with a tree.

When I was in my 30’s, I read an investment book that said, "95% of all commodity traders lose money, a lot of money." So I decided to trade commodities. I did well in the beginning. I actually made a few hundred dollars before I crashed and burned. I learned the hard way that the book I had read was right. I lost what was to me, a huge amount of money.

There were many other examples of me learning things the hard way but that’s enough for now. Why am I telling you all of this? I wanted you to know that I’m not perfect and I don’t always do everything right. I have done some really stupid things in the past. The thing is, every lesson I have learned the hard way has stuck with me. I thank God for these lessons. They have made me who I am today. I have learned to take risks, and I have learned that it’s OK to fail once in awhile. It’s all part of growing and learning, and gaining wisdom.

How about you? Do you usually play it safe? Or do you sometimes have to touch the stove to see if it really is hot?

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

　
Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel

When Procrastination is a Good Thing

I’ve realized something over the past few years that I’ve never put into words before. I don’t believe I’m unique in this area, I believe there are others who have the same habit. Perhaps reading about it from your side of the computer screen will cause you to have one of those “Ah-ha!” moments and could possibly save you thousands of dollars and much wasted time. For me, putting this into words will help me to cement in my mind something I already know to be true.

My brother once said to me, “I have saved thousands of dollars by procrastinating.” He then explained, “When I see something I want, I don’t buy it right away. I wait, put it off, sleep on it, think about it for a few days, and in most cases, I decide I don’t really want it after all.

At the time, I thought he was crazy. I was more of a “seize the moment” type of person. I would buy whatever I wanted, whenever I felt like it. I would buy all sorts of things because I believed that having them would make me happy. Maybe you do the same thing.

What I eventually learned was that in many cases (70% or more), once I bought something, I no longer wanted it. This isn’t a big deal with little things, but lately I’ve been thinking about getting a new vehicle. I made a list of the types of vehicles I thought would make me happy, then I started looking for those vehicles in the newspaper, on Craigslist, on EBay Motors, etc, etc.

Now here is the strange part--
Since I didn’t buy right away, I eventually got bored with the search and realized that I don’t really want a new car any more. Isn’t that interesting? I saved thousands of dollars and I learned that I’m already happy with what I already have.

Something to think about, isn’t it? Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.
　
Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel

Budgeting 101--Pay Yourself First

You’ve probably heard the phrase “pay yourself first” before. Maybe you’ve heard it dozens of times. There is a reason for that-- It’s sound financial advice.

First, I will tell you why it’s one of the smartest money moves on Earth, then I will tell you how to do it and where to keep it.

Why pay yourself first?  Money is a means to an end. In other words, we use money to get what we really need and want. Things like, a place to live, food to eat, clothes to wear, electricity, transportation, entertainment, collectables, camping gear, LCD televisions, and on, and on the list goes. We will call these items “the bills”. 

We also need money for all sorts of emergencies. That’s why we need to put money aside for later use, when our checking accounts are running low but we still need money to handle an emergency.

How to pay yourself first? Unfortunately, most of us have to work for our money. Also, unfortunately, when we get our paycheck, a big chunk of it is already owed to somebody to pay for the wants and needs that we have already committed to (the bills). In some cases, all of our paycheck (and more) is already committed. That makes it impossible to pay yourself first, right?

Not necessarily. Not if you use a clever little tool called a “Budget”. A budget is basically a list you create that shows how you will spend your money. You can create it either on paper or on your computer and it should look something like this:

NOVEMBER BUDGET
500.00 Rent
200.00 Food
100.00 Savings
100.00 Electric
80.00 Fuel
50.00 Cable TV
30.00 Phone
-----------------------------
1060.00 Total

OK, that is just a very quick example of a budget. You can play around with this and put your own amounts into it. What I really wanted to show you with this example is the third line down, “100.00 Savings”. That is how your pay yourself first. You have put yourself into your budget. You have made YOU a “bill”. So when you pay your bills, you will also pay yourself. Clever, eh? ;-)

There are all sorts of tricks for saving money, but this is one of the best I know of. If you can’t pay yourself $100 every month, no problem. Make it $50 or $20 or $10. Just get started and keep adding to your savings. You will be amazed at how fast it grows, with no effort at all.

Where to keep your savings?  Well, that depends on many factors, including your own self-control. For instance, if you would be too tempted to spend $325 cash you have stashed in a fireproof box on the top shelf of your closet, then it should probably be in a savings account at a bank. I’m just saying.

However, if you believe that one day Obama will declare Martial Law and lock up everybody’s bank accounts for our own good, then maybe you should start shopping for a fireproof box or even a good fireproof safe. HINT: Gun safes have room inside for guns and money.

As I said, there are many factors involved in the decision of where to keep your savings, so take an honest look at yourself and your needs, then make the best decision for you.

Bottom line: Start paying yourself first, because it’s your money.

Peace out.
　
Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel