YOU ARE ENOUGH

(borrowed from Google Images)

OK, so I've been listening to Zen Buddhist monks on Youtube. I love their simple, practical philosophy. They seem to have wisdom not normally found in other religions. I find myself being pulled in an unexpected direction. For many years I have made delayed gratification part of my life. I have felt the need to stretch and learn and grow in order to "realize my full potential". And in fact, I have shown tremendous growth over the past 20+ years. 

But lately I've started to suspect I've been on the wrong path. Perhaps, but maybe not. Maybe it was necessary for me to study and learn and grow as I did so that I am now ready for the next phase. 

Zen Buddhism teaches us that "all is exactly as it should be". There are no mistakes and there are no wrong paths. We are each on our own path and each step, each decision is necessary to bring us to exactly the point where we are now. 

OK, so now what? Setting and achieving goals was so much a part of my life for so long. Now I understand that I am enough already. I do enough already. I have enough already. In fact, I have more than enough. I could give away half of everything I own and I will still have way more than I need. What a freeing thought! This fits so perfectly with my love of minimalism. It's funny how things seem to fall into place when we don't try so hard.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

Check out Duane's Youtube channel.

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

THE HAPPY DOG

(borrowed from Google images)

Time for another story-

This is a story about two dogs, but it's much more than that. Check it out.

There are two dogs. At separate times, each walks into the same room. 

One comes out wagging his tail while the other comes out growling.

A woman watching this goes into the room to see what could possibly make one dog so happy and the other so mad.

To her surprise, she finds a room filled with mirrors.

The happy dog found a thousand happy dogs looking back at him while the angry dog saw only angry dogs growling back at him.

Moral of the story: What you see in the world around you is a reflection of who you are.


Thanks for reading.  Now go take on the day.

Peace, out.



Check out Duane's Youtube Channel.

A TALE OF TWO WOLVES

borrowed pic from Google images

Story time-

ONE EVENING, AN ELDERLY CHEROKEE BRAVE TOLD HIS GRANDSON ABOUT A BATTLE THAT GOES ON INSIDE PEOPLE.

HE SAID "MY SON, THERE IS A BATTLE INSIDE ALL OF US. IT IS A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO WOLVES.

ONE IS EVIL. IT IS ANGER, ENVY, JEALOUSY, GREED, ARROGANCE, GUILT, RESENTMENT, LIES, AND EGO.

THE OTHER IS GOOD. IT IS PEACE, LOVE, HAPPINESS, HOPE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, TRUTH, AND COMPASSION."

THE GRANDSON THOUGH ABOUT THIS FOR AWHILE THEN ASKED HIS GRANDFATHER, "WHICH WOLF WINS?"

THE OLD CHEROKEE REPLIED, "THE ONE YOU FEED."

End of story.

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.

ACT LIKE YOU'RE BLESSED

(this is my 12 year old cat, Joey)

Act like you’re blessed, talk like you’re blessed, and think like you’re blessed. Put actions behind your faith, and one day you’ll see it become a reality.

-Joel Osteen Ministries 

I found this quote on Facebook this morning. This is the best life advice I've read lately. It could be a powerful, life-changing mantra for anybody who wants to see positive change around them. Try this: Write this quote on a piece of paper, carry it with you, read it every day. Watch what happens.
   

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

Check out Duane's Youtube Channel

WHAT WOULD 10 YEAR OLD DUANE THINK?

(royalty free image from clipartoday.com)

A Facebook friend recently posted a drawing he did. It was of a little boy looking at a man watching TV. What really caught my attention was the caption he added: “What would 10 year old me think if he saw me now?”

That really got me thinking. What was I doing when I was 10 years old? What did I enjoy doing the most? What were my hopes and dreams? How did I want my life to turn out? And the big question: What would 10 year old me think if he saw me now? 

Honestly, I think he would be impressed. I’m not saying my life is perfect and exactly how I hoped it would turn out. But on the plus side, I have a comfortable home, a reliable car, and no debt. I’m not currently working but I don’t feel guilty about it because I worked hard for many years. I know I will find a job when I’m ready to go back to work. 

Also on the plus side, I’ve had a lot of different jobs, done some traveling, and tried a lot of different things. It’s not as if I’ve been stuck in a rut, doing the same thing forever. 

I’m a positive, happy person. Mean and negative people are deleted from my life as quickly as possible. I used to want to save them all, but I learned that if people don’t ask for help, it’s usually because they don’t want to change. Some people are literally happy being miserable. I don’t get it, but it’s true. Since adopting a “live and let live” philosophy, I feel a huge burden has been lifted off me. Who put that burden there in the first place? I did. 

Something else I finally let go of is the need to make everything around me perfect. I used to drive myself crazy trying to make everything exactly how I wanted it to be. I usually came up short of perfection, which added stress to my life. I finally asked myself, “Who says it has to be perfect?” Only me. Not anymore.

So, back to “What would 10 year old me think if he saw me now?” When I was 10 years old, I loved to ride my bike and play outside. I still ride my bike often. I keep it inside the house. I do regular maintenance on it and keep it tuned up and ready to go anytime I want to ride it. I still play outside, but it looks a little different than it did when I was 10. Now it looks like going for walks, mowing and watering the lawn, and gardening. 

Is my life exactly what 10 year old Duane expected? No. Am I happy? Yes. Would 10 year old Duane be proud? Absolutely.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.


Check out Duane’s Youtube channel 

JUST FOR FUN

I've seen this done on Facebook so I wanted to try it. Just go to Cartoonize.net, upload any photo you want, choose the effects you want, and TA-DA! You become a cartoon character! LOL  I put rock star hair on Cartoon Duane. What do ya think? :) You can share your cartoon self on Facebook, or email it to people, or whatever you want. And the best part--It's all FREE! 

Have fun!

Peace, out.

Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel

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　

I'M A HANDYMAN!

(free clipart from Google Images)

This post is long overdue. I was out of work for about 16 months. I thoroughly enjoyed my time off but it was about time to get back to work. No prob. I landed a job doing something I enjoy doing. 

I'm a maintenance man at a large apartment complex here in Washington state. For the last 7 months, I've spent 5 days a week fixing, repairing and improving apartment homes. I have done this type of work around my own home for most of my adult life but I've never done it as a profession. I have to say, most days are a lot of fun and I do look forward to going to work. Not many people can say that about their job so I consider myself fortunate.

OK, so some of you who are currently looking for work want to know how I did it. Here's the truth--

I sent out more than 200 resumes to companies who were advertising job openings that I was either very qualified for or at least sort of qualified for (I honestly felt I could do the job with very little training). That was all a giant waste of time. 

So, how did I land my new job? NETWORKING!

I like to stay in touch with friends, family and former co-workers. When it was time to get serious about finding a job, I let everybody know I wanted to go back to work. I was ready and willing to do just about any type of job. My only requirements were a short commute and no night shifts. 

One day I was talking to a long time friend (of 30+ years). His wife manages an apartment complex and she was having trouble finding an honest, reliable maintenance man. Long story short--I got a great job and they got a great employee. Everybody wins! That's the power of NETWORKING. 

If you are looking for your next job, spend 80-90% of your time on networking. Chances are, somebody you know knows of a job that would be perfect for you.

Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.


Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel　

UPDATE

I’ve been jobless for more than 10 months. Thanks to the US Unemployment Insurance program, which I have paid into since I was 15 (36 years!), I have been receiving weekly paychecks this whole time. It’s a good thing, because jobs are hard to find. Never-the-less, I have faith I will find a good job before the money runs out. That’s my goal and as you know, setting and reaching goals is kind of “my thing”.

So what have I been up to since my last blog post?

I feel a little guilty because I haven’t written in six months. There are two reasons for my absence. First, I strive to keep my posts interesting, intriguing, positive, and thought-provoking. If I don’t have something to say that meets all those requirements I will usually say nothing. Second, I have been spending a lot of time outside and less time on my computer.

I read somewhere, years ago, that you should spend at least an hour every day outside. Something about nutrients you get from the sun and spiritual health that comes from the earth. I dunno about all that, but it does feel good to spend time outside, especially when the weather is nice.

Bicycling is still my favorite hobby. So far this year, I bought a used mountain bike on Craigslist, cleaned it, tuned it, adjusted it, and made several upgrades with new parts. Fun and easy stuff if you have any mechanical interest and a good assortment of metric tools. 

I rode this bike for about 3 months, then I donated it to a friend who wanted to buy her son a bike for his birthday but was having trouble finding a good used bike. It felt wonderful to help others and to know the bike I had cared for would be loved and ridden and enjoyed. Time to acquire another bike from Craigslist. I found a Schwinn I really liked at a good price and brought it home. I will probably keep this one forever. It just feels perfect for me.

At the beginning of this year, I couldn’t imagine riding my bike 10+ miles in one day. I mapped out some routes of 1 mile, 2 miles, and 4 miles. I really thought riding 4 miles one direction then back home would be the farthest I would travel on a bicycle. Wrong. As summer came and the weather warmed up, I found myself staying out longer and going farther and father on my bike.

To date, I have ridden more than 20 miles in a single trip and I now feel that 10 miles is a SHORT RIDE. Isn’t that interesting? Is there a lesson here? You tell me.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.

　
Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel　

RE-DISCOVERING A FAVORITE HOBBY

JOBLESS, 122 DAYS

I’ve had a lot of time to think and do what I want to do without the pressure of working at a job for 4 solid months. I have to tell you, I am loving the freedom I have now!

In the past, I have fantasized about how wonderful it would be to retire from my job and spend my time doing what I want to do. This first taste of what retirement will be like is as wonderful as I had imagined. I still get up early, 6am at the latest. But it is because I want to, because I love mornings. The world is quiet and the coffee tastes best first thing in the morning.

How about a hobby?
I got my first bike when I was 10 years old. The drawing above is from memory of that bike, drawn in 2008. My bike was my transportation, my freedom, and my independence. I rode it all over town. I rode every chance I got. I loved my bike more than all my other toys combined. Once I started working, I bought a car and sadly, my bike was forgotten and eventually given away. Now that I have no job and lots of free time, guess what? I bought a new bike! :)

I have re-discovered my love of bicycling. I am not a pro-bicycler. I don’t wear the Spandex bike clothing and I don’t push myself to the point of exhaustion. I wear comfortable clothes and I ride at my own pace. I usually take a snack and a bottle of water with me. I stop and take frequent breaks in beautiful city parks. It is the most fun I’ve had in years!

Bottom line:
At this point in my life, my time is my own and I’m enjoying every minute.

Now go take on the day.

Peace, out.


Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel

EXERCISE, WHAT A RUSH!

Factoid:
Exercise is good for the body and mind. There are hundreds of studies that show physical activity reduces stress, depression, and makes you feel more energized and confident throughout the day. Exercise helps stimulate the production of serotonin in the brain. The effect of this mood elevating chemical makes you feel good for hours afterward.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’ve been unemployed for 33 days. The job search is going about as expected. No interviews yet. Of course my recent experience in a research laboratory is not a high demand field. In fact, the field is shrinking. If you can score such a job, it’s great. Otherwise, you feel the curse of being far too specialized.

So what else have I been doing to keep myself busy? One thing I am committed to is keeping active. I have implemented an exercise routine that is easy, fun, and free. I know myself, and if it weren’t easy, fun, and free there is no way I would stick to it. So here it is:

Every day I will do one or more of the following--
INSIDE--
Stretching, at least 3 minutes
Push-ups, at least 10
Work out with nunchucks, at least 3 minutes
OUTSIDE--
Walk at least 1 mile
Bicycle at least 2 miles

So far in the last 33 days, I’ve only skipped 3 days. Not 100% but better than I have ever done with any exercise routine, ever! That’s a win in my book! I know it’s not much of a workout to do only one thing on the list. But I usually do more than the “required minimum”. Besides, even the minimum is much better than doing none at all.

This is the starting point of my do-it-yourself home fitness program. I would love to hear about your exercise/fitness success stories. What do you do for exercise and what do you do to stay motivated?

Your comments are always welcome!

No go take on the day!

Peace, out.


Check out Duane’s YouTube Channel

ONE GOAL

I normally have 5 or more current goals written down where I will see them every day, and I eventually reach every goal that is truly important to me. However, some of the goals I set for myself are eventually dropped from my list because I realize they aren’t really important to me after all.

Buying a motorhome was one of those goals. When the idea came to me, I was all gung-ho to get one and start traveling. But after a few months I realized I didn’t really want a motorhome and all the work and expenses that go along with it, so I dropped it from my list.

Anyway, I’m telling you this as a precursor to a different approach to goals. I know from experience that anybody with normal mental capacity can have different goals in different areas of life and achieve each one, such as:

A PROMOTION AT WORK
BUY A NEW CAR
HELP YOUR CHILD IMPROVE AT READING
TAKE YOUR FAMILY ON A CRUISE

But think about this-- What would happen if you only had ONE GOAL at a time. You would put the others on a separate list to deal with later. Then you would be free to focus all of your energy and attention on that ONE GOAL. Success would be an absolute certainty! Not only would you be focusing on ONE GOAL like a laser beam, but there would be no question that this is truly something you want.

Try it and let me know your results.

Now go take on the day!

Peace, out.
　
Check out
　Duane’s YouTube Channel

FISH OUT OF WATER

Yesterday was my last day working at the laboratory. Today is my first day of unemployment. As the title suggests, I feel a bit like a fish out or water. I’m not saying the lab job was my ideal job, not by a long shot. But it was part of me and I was part of it for nearly 8 years.

“Now what?”

It’s not hard to find the silver lining in this current chapter of my life, but I do feel the need to remind myself that there are positives to being jobless. At the top of that list is: “Free Time”. So what will I do with all my new-found free time? Part of it will be spent searching for a new job, but certainly not the 10 hours a day I previously spent working and commuting to my job.

I will invest more time posting YouTube videos and writing in this blog. I hope you, my viewers and readers will continue to find them both interesting and entertaining. As I have said many times, it wouldn’t be any fun without you.

Other plans include more minimizing of my stuff, and more exercise. This is my favorite time of year and I intend to take full advantage of the enthusiasm I feel right now. 2012 BRING IT ON!!

Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.

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