Every family has this problem, doesn’t matter if it is Monday morning for school and work, or Sunday morning for sport. The kids can not get organised.
Every weekday I have the same argument, This argument is no longer.
I fixed it, plain and simple. I started for a week telling them that the bus into town doesn’t wait for them, so why should I?
Then that progressed to me starting the car and waiting 2 minutes. The next stage is waiting 1 minute and driving 100 metres.
I think you get the message – the longer they take – the further away you are from the front door. I suppose I have the advantage in that I live on a farm and the nearest public bus is 7km away, the school bus only 800m (which I normally make the kids walk) and my sons school is something like 20km away.
But they are getting the message – 1 bus will not wait for 1 person, because that bus has a schedule to keep and so do I – so now my bus leaves on time, more often than not with all passengers on board and I no longer have a yelling match trying to hurry them along.
Once again – have fun – children and schedules and all that fun – are just part of growing up – the less you pander – the easier your life will be ;)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
House ownership – for and against
I’m not sure why there is an argument regarding this issue. I really don’t know.
I’ve owned property since I was 19yo – simply because the price was right, the area was right and bugger paying someone else for me to live there.
Consequently I now live in an area that I want to – I am not yet mortgage free, but I am certainly better off paying a mortgage than paying rent – thus lining someone’s else pockets.
The average rent for an average house in suburbia is $300-$400 per week.
Using the same suburb, the median houses prices are $300-$400k – let’s assume you have $10-$20k stashed away somewhere. The average mortgage repayment would be $430.00 per week at 5.64% per annum.
The difference being $30.00 per week MORE for something that will be yours sometime down the track.
Notice I have worked on a slightly higher figure than the current rate – you have to be realistic.
Alright – so you have the maintenance costs, the rates costs, all that sort of thing, perhaps add another $50.00 per week to cover this expenditure.
The difference is now $100.00 per week (rounded up for the sake of convenience) more than renting.
I understand that some people rent for convenience, ie, their job requires that they move, they are testing the area, they are trying to locate a property in the area. There are many reasons to rent.
The problem I have with people renting, especially those that have an established income stream is that they are throwing money away.
Refer to this post Mortgages, Ownership and Interest Rates http://itaintalwaysso.blogspot.com/2009/10/mortgages-ownership-and-interest-rates.htmlwhere I make reference to affordability and being realistic. You can’t always have the best house in the best street, but you can be realistic and buy something you can afford and get ahead that way.
By considering a mortgage it will save you money in the long term – just like money in the bank. It won’t be easy, but I know I would prefer my money be in my pocket and not a landlords pocket.
This is a PERSONAL view, please consult a person with a financial background before committing to anything that you may see written here.
I’ve owned property since I was 19yo – simply because the price was right, the area was right and bugger paying someone else for me to live there.
Consequently I now live in an area that I want to – I am not yet mortgage free, but I am certainly better off paying a mortgage than paying rent – thus lining someone’s else pockets.
The average rent for an average house in suburbia is $300-$400 per week.
Using the same suburb, the median houses prices are $300-$400k – let’s assume you have $10-$20k stashed away somewhere. The average mortgage repayment would be $430.00 per week at 5.64% per annum.
The difference being $30.00 per week MORE for something that will be yours sometime down the track.
Notice I have worked on a slightly higher figure than the current rate – you have to be realistic.
Alright – so you have the maintenance costs, the rates costs, all that sort of thing, perhaps add another $50.00 per week to cover this expenditure.
The difference is now $100.00 per week (rounded up for the sake of convenience) more than renting.
I understand that some people rent for convenience, ie, their job requires that they move, they are testing the area, they are trying to locate a property in the area. There are many reasons to rent.
The problem I have with people renting, especially those that have an established income stream is that they are throwing money away.
Refer to this post Mortgages, Ownership and Interest Rates http://itaintalwaysso.blogspot.com/2009/10/mortgages-ownership-and-interest-rates.htmlwhere I make reference to affordability and being realistic. You can’t always have the best house in the best street, but you can be realistic and buy something you can afford and get ahead that way.
By considering a mortgage it will save you money in the long term – just like money in the bank. It won’t be easy, but I know I would prefer my money be in my pocket and not a landlords pocket.
This is a PERSONAL view, please consult a person with a financial background before committing to anything that you may see written here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Muck up (Get Arrested Day) for Students
Yup – that is what it seems the celebration for finishing year 12 has come to.
I woke up this morning to the radio news telling me that an incident occurred on and near a railway station in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. That the same school students who were doing the assaulting (Which is what it is) were under attack 2 days prior and I believe 1 or 2 students still remain in hospital. Those attackers have not been located yet.
In the railway station attack a teacher was man-handled when they tried to intervene by removing 2 cartons of eggs from offending students.
Is this considered acceptable in today’s society? – I think not. But perhaps I am wrong.
On the way to taking my son to school – who I normally drop off approx 1km from school and let him walk, I decided to drop him off at the school gates as there were students in costume yelling and screaming, with air horns and sirens, I felt threatened – I can’t imagine what my 12yo son would have thought. But knowing him – he would likely join in – which is something I wanted to avoid!!
Has there been such a drop in moral standards – that today’s children think it is acceptable to threaten, bully and attack both other students and people in authority because ‘it is their right?’
My daughter who has just completed Year 12 – and her muck-up day was Tuesday, she said that they had no problems, that everything went smoothly. Only one concern, which she did mention but didn’t seem to think odd. One of the rabbits (there were two) did not speak and no-one was aware who it was. This didn’t raise an eyebrow with her, maybe I am too suspicious, but I thought perhaps an interloper? Don’t know, but all was okay in the end.
Today’s youth, from about the ages of 15 to about the age of 25, seem to think that they can do as they please, whenever they please, regardless of who they hurt/kill/maim and it doesn’t matter.
And here we go – when I was growing up – if I EVER spoke back to my parents or an adult in authority – there were consequences. God help us if we spoke back to a police officer. I understand that not every parent, every person in authority, every police officer is always right, but what about the majority? Do normal law-abiding citizens have to cower inside their homes and cars and hope that nothing happens.
Does the ordinary citizen have to walk away from helping people in distress because of the threat of attack?
Muck-Up-Day – is not only the responsibility of the school, it is the responsibility of the parents, to ensure that they know what their children are up, that those children know the boundaries, that these children know when enough is enough.
Life is not a video game – you can’t just press reset.
Muck-Up-Day as a celebration is fine – but get it off the streets, and back in to the school yard, away from the public eye and punish those students that do things off school ground IN school uniform and bring the school into disrepute.
God save the youth of today, because it would appear no-one else has the power.
I woke up this morning to the radio news telling me that an incident occurred on and near a railway station in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. That the same school students who were doing the assaulting (Which is what it is) were under attack 2 days prior and I believe 1 or 2 students still remain in hospital. Those attackers have not been located yet.
In the railway station attack a teacher was man-handled when they tried to intervene by removing 2 cartons of eggs from offending students.
Is this considered acceptable in today’s society? – I think not. But perhaps I am wrong.
On the way to taking my son to school – who I normally drop off approx 1km from school and let him walk, I decided to drop him off at the school gates as there were students in costume yelling and screaming, with air horns and sirens, I felt threatened – I can’t imagine what my 12yo son would have thought. But knowing him – he would likely join in – which is something I wanted to avoid!!
Has there been such a drop in moral standards – that today’s children think it is acceptable to threaten, bully and attack both other students and people in authority because ‘it is their right?’
My daughter who has just completed Year 12 – and her muck-up day was Tuesday, she said that they had no problems, that everything went smoothly. Only one concern, which she did mention but didn’t seem to think odd. One of the rabbits (there were two) did not speak and no-one was aware who it was. This didn’t raise an eyebrow with her, maybe I am too suspicious, but I thought perhaps an interloper? Don’t know, but all was okay in the end.
Today’s youth, from about the ages of 15 to about the age of 25, seem to think that they can do as they please, whenever they please, regardless of who they hurt/kill/maim and it doesn’t matter.
And here we go – when I was growing up – if I EVER spoke back to my parents or an adult in authority – there were consequences. God help us if we spoke back to a police officer. I understand that not every parent, every person in authority, every police officer is always right, but what about the majority? Do normal law-abiding citizens have to cower inside their homes and cars and hope that nothing happens.
Does the ordinary citizen have to walk away from helping people in distress because of the threat of attack?
Muck-Up-Day – is not only the responsibility of the school, it is the responsibility of the parents, to ensure that they know what their children are up, that those children know the boundaries, that these children know when enough is enough.
Life is not a video game – you can’t just press reset.
Muck-Up-Day as a celebration is fine – but get it off the streets, and back in to the school yard, away from the public eye and punish those students that do things off school ground IN school uniform and bring the school into disrepute.
God save the youth of today, because it would appear no-one else has the power.
The Peanuts and the Elephants
I like analogies; they tell a lot about the situation, they tell a lot about the person.
They can convey a message without it seeming harsh, they can convey a very important message without losing the meaning.
I work in the financial field and often have to remind business owners that the elephants are not the bread and butter of business, they are the cream.
The peanuts are the small business owners – who more often than not pay their bills on time – who rarely screw you for price. Who are friendly and certainly less demanding than the big multi-national or even the national company.
How many times have you read in the news that company A has failed and with it company B and C are dragged down?
This is due to the fact that Company B and C failed to look after the peanuts, the smaller companies, the companies that pay their bills on time and are less demanding.
If company B & C had looked after the peanuts, the small fry, the small business, they would have these companies to fall back on – but often companies B & C are enticed by the lure of money, of the next big job, of the next big payment waiting to come in next week and they overlook the bread and butter.
Peanuts might be smaller, but they are far more numerous and certainly taste better than an elephant.
I would rather have 10 small companies owing me $10,000 in total, than one big company owing me $10,000. I know for a fact that 9 of those small companies can’t fail, whereas that one big one might just do that that.
If you are in business, regardless of the size, make sure you look after the peanuts, you can eat them, but elephants, they require much care and hard work before they are edible.
They can convey a message without it seeming harsh, they can convey a very important message without losing the meaning.
I work in the financial field and often have to remind business owners that the elephants are not the bread and butter of business, they are the cream.
The peanuts are the small business owners – who more often than not pay their bills on time – who rarely screw you for price. Who are friendly and certainly less demanding than the big multi-national or even the national company.
How many times have you read in the news that company A has failed and with it company B and C are dragged down?
This is due to the fact that Company B and C failed to look after the peanuts, the smaller companies, the companies that pay their bills on time and are less demanding.
If company B & C had looked after the peanuts, the small fry, the small business, they would have these companies to fall back on – but often companies B & C are enticed by the lure of money, of the next big job, of the next big payment waiting to come in next week and they overlook the bread and butter.
Peanuts might be smaller, but they are far more numerous and certainly taste better than an elephant.
I would rather have 10 small companies owing me $10,000 in total, than one big company owing me $10,000. I know for a fact that 9 of those small companies can’t fail, whereas that one big one might just do that that.
If you are in business, regardless of the size, make sure you look after the peanuts, you can eat them, but elephants, they require much care and hard work before they are edible.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Liar Liar Pants on Fire
I don’t like liars, I don’t like people who lie for personal advancement, I don’t like people who lie to get something over someone else, or lie for money.
I have experienced all the above and it is rare for these people not to get caught out in the long run.
Some people call it justice, some people call it truth. I call it karma.
I have come to believe in karma in a big way.
I believe in a life that let’s me lie straight in bed. If the decision you make is from the heart – then you have made the right decision.
I’ve seen people cornered by their lies and I have no sympathy. Perhaps I am too hard on them – but they lied they can deal with the consequences.
I’ve seen people who try to buy their way into the good books, by involving themselves in charity donations and similar – but this doesn’t satisfy karma.
Karma demands honesty, karma demands clarity, karma demands a clean heart and conscience.
If you lie and think it is okay. Think again. You have to live your life and the older you get, the harder it gets.
Although Karma is central to the Buddhism and Hinduism religions, that doesn’t make it exclusive to those religions. It is something that can be followed by anyone, without participating in religion itself.
Stay true to yourself and you will be surprised at the peace of mind that follows.
I have experienced all the above and it is rare for these people not to get caught out in the long run.
Some people call it justice, some people call it truth. I call it karma.
I have come to believe in karma in a big way.
I believe in a life that let’s me lie straight in bed. If the decision you make is from the heart – then you have made the right decision.
I’ve seen people cornered by their lies and I have no sympathy. Perhaps I am too hard on them – but they lied they can deal with the consequences.
I’ve seen people who try to buy their way into the good books, by involving themselves in charity donations and similar – but this doesn’t satisfy karma.
Karma demands honesty, karma demands clarity, karma demands a clean heart and conscience.
If you lie and think it is okay. Think again. You have to live your life and the older you get, the harder it gets.
Although Karma is central to the Buddhism and Hinduism religions, that doesn’t make it exclusive to those religions. It is something that can be followed by anyone, without participating in religion itself.
Stay true to yourself and you will be surprised at the peace of mind that follows.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Old friends in a new world
Was talking to someone the other night. Someone who I never met before. We had ‘talked’ online but nothing more. This meeting came about because we both had cancelled commitments and figured waste not want not! We organized a meeting place and enjoyed several coffees. We discussed many things from book likes and dislikes to attitudes of society to employment records and likes and dislikes relating to our areas of employment.
We covered almost everything in a very short amount of time.
We had both worked contract work. We both enjoyed learning, we both disliked forced leave, we both enjoy learning new things and doing new things, or projects. We both enjoy computers, the hardware and the software and enjoy learning as technology advances.
One thing we both found hard to believe is that there are people out there who dislike change, who refuse to use upgraded programs and hardware, simply because they don’t want/can’t be bothered learning.
We realized that we were both ‘outsiders’ in a mundane world. We both enjoyed learning, we both enjoying challenges, we are unable to sit at home and veg in front of the TV.
Some people who are not computer literate, can’t understand why people, strangers want to meet and talk. It is not only networking for business purposes, but meeting like this enables people of like mindedness to discuss openly without judgement, topics that can be considered taboo within ‘normal’ friendships.
This is not the first time I have gone out on a limb and decided what have I got to lose. I have met people in outback NSW, cafes in shopping centres, bistros of hotels (where EVERYONE except me turned up late!). Some interesting people, some interesting times and you know what? I enjoyed every single meeting and maintain contact with everyone.
We all lead busy lives, perhaps it’s time to get out from behind the computer screen and meet real people in the real world and discuss real topics and find people of similar ideas and ideals and smell the roses a little more.
There are often groups that meet up, once a month or similar – but the very busy people will often find these times don’t suit family or work commitments.
Often a one on one meeting in a public place is more comfortable AND more enjoyable, simply because you are not vying for attention with others.
Try it – It can’t hurt, a public place, a place comfortable and local to both parties.
I enjoyed my second ‘offline’ meeting of an ‘online’ friend – Try it – you might actually like it!
Good luck.
We covered almost everything in a very short amount of time.
We had both worked contract work. We both enjoyed learning, we both disliked forced leave, we both enjoy learning new things and doing new things, or projects. We both enjoy computers, the hardware and the software and enjoy learning as technology advances.
One thing we both found hard to believe is that there are people out there who dislike change, who refuse to use upgraded programs and hardware, simply because they don’t want/can’t be bothered learning.
We realized that we were both ‘outsiders’ in a mundane world. We both enjoyed learning, we both enjoying challenges, we are unable to sit at home and veg in front of the TV.
Some people who are not computer literate, can’t understand why people, strangers want to meet and talk. It is not only networking for business purposes, but meeting like this enables people of like mindedness to discuss openly without judgement, topics that can be considered taboo within ‘normal’ friendships.
This is not the first time I have gone out on a limb and decided what have I got to lose. I have met people in outback NSW, cafes in shopping centres, bistros of hotels (where EVERYONE except me turned up late!). Some interesting people, some interesting times and you know what? I enjoyed every single meeting and maintain contact with everyone.
We all lead busy lives, perhaps it’s time to get out from behind the computer screen and meet real people in the real world and discuss real topics and find people of similar ideas and ideals and smell the roses a little more.
There are often groups that meet up, once a month or similar – but the very busy people will often find these times don’t suit family or work commitments.
Often a one on one meeting in a public place is more comfortable AND more enjoyable, simply because you are not vying for attention with others.
Try it – It can’t hurt, a public place, a place comfortable and local to both parties.
I enjoyed my second ‘offline’ meeting of an ‘online’ friend – Try it – you might actually like it!
Good luck.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tattoos, piercings, and ‘other’ body art
You know what? – I must be a square peg in a round hole. But looking back over my years, I have never once been tempted to get pierced, branded, tattooed, or cut in the name of art.
I realize that ‘body art’ is a form of individualism, a form of rebellion – but when you are 50yo, 60yo, 70yo – how do you explain to your grandchildren the ear lobes which have holes in them, the size of a small family car? That the lovely piece of art that was on your breast is now somewhere near your belly button and twice the size it used to be.
What about piercings which are common these days, once upon a time it was fashionable but somewhat risqué to have your ears pierced once. Now it is uncommon. The more holes the merrier it seems.
Another thing I have trouble with is skin carving(I won’t publish pictures as they are quite graphic, but google “Skin Carving” and you’ll see what I mean) Why would you wish to go through the pain and risk the infection for something that is considered ‘art’, will disfigure you for life and can never ever be removed.
When you are 20 and drunk, getting your boyfriends/girlfriends name emblazoned on your chest in indelible ink might seem cool and smart. But what about when you are 30 or 40 and yet to find a soul mate? – Would it be considered cool then?
The funniest story that I recall occurred in 2007, a young man while overseas, decided to get a tattoo. Should be no problems we all say –he wanted a matched pair on each bicep. He drew a picture of what he wanted, he labeled each with left and right. No problems. He sits in the chair, during the procedures manages to down 15 beers. 5 ½ hours later goes back to the motel and to bed. His brother in law walks in the next morning and has a giggle – under each tattoo is left on the left arm and right on the right arm and both tattoos had the word 'gay' rather than 'day'. Imagine living with that for the rest of your life!
Then there is the child and at 16yo she is still a child who had 56 stars tattooed across her face – what can you say?
I might be square, I might be backwards, I’m sorry – but an unadorned body I find prettier than one scarred with all sorts of garbage, that some call art-work.
Maybe I don’t appreciate art, maybe I don’t understand the tribalism behind these things, maybe I am old fashioned – but stuff the lot of you – You were born the way you were for a reason and it wasn’t to join some imaginary cult – that does nothing other than harm your employability.
I realize that ‘body art’ is a form of individualism, a form of rebellion – but when you are 50yo, 60yo, 70yo – how do you explain to your grandchildren the ear lobes which have holes in them, the size of a small family car? That the lovely piece of art that was on your breast is now somewhere near your belly button and twice the size it used to be.
What about piercings which are common these days, once upon a time it was fashionable but somewhat risqué to have your ears pierced once. Now it is uncommon. The more holes the merrier it seems.
Another thing I have trouble with is skin carving(I won’t publish pictures as they are quite graphic, but google “Skin Carving” and you’ll see what I mean) Why would you wish to go through the pain and risk the infection for something that is considered ‘art’, will disfigure you for life and can never ever be removed.
When you are 20 and drunk, getting your boyfriends/girlfriends name emblazoned on your chest in indelible ink might seem cool and smart. But what about when you are 30 or 40 and yet to find a soul mate? – Would it be considered cool then?
The funniest story that I recall occurred in 2007, a young man while overseas, decided to get a tattoo. Should be no problems we all say –he wanted a matched pair on each bicep. He drew a picture of what he wanted, he labeled each with left and right. No problems. He sits in the chair, during the procedures manages to down 15 beers. 5 ½ hours later goes back to the motel and to bed. His brother in law walks in the next morning and has a giggle – under each tattoo is left on the left arm and right on the right arm and both tattoos had the word 'gay' rather than 'day'. Imagine living with that for the rest of your life!
Then there is the child and at 16yo she is still a child who had 56 stars tattooed across her face – what can you say?
I might be square, I might be backwards, I’m sorry – but an unadorned body I find prettier than one scarred with all sorts of garbage, that some call art-work.
Maybe I don’t appreciate art, maybe I don’t understand the tribalism behind these things, maybe I am old fashioned – but stuff the lot of you – You were born the way you were for a reason and it wasn’t to join some imaginary cult – that does nothing other than harm your employability.
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