"expect the unexpected"
How much do we value quality food? I keep hearing that food costs much less these days, as a total share of the family budget. I also read about formal studies that show the nutritional value of staple crops has decreased markedly from 40, 50 or 60 years ago. Contrast a typical North American diet with a European diet, and even though Europeans may pay more, I’m not sure they’re not getting a better nutritional bargain. I started reading the “Slow Food Revolution” a history of the slow food movement a few weeks ago (but I forgot to take it with me over the holidays), and quality of food is certainly “the” overriding theme.
Expecting the unexpected. Squirrelers wrote a post a while ago on this topic. It kept coming back to me as I sat down to review plans from 2010 and adjusting for 2011. There’s no way to properly plan for every eventuality, but there is a way to set a frame of mind that is ready to deal with unplanned situations (the guy in the kayak probably needs to keep his cool, huh?) Looking at our financial reserves, which have been depleted somewhat by our recent property acquisition, the visible way forward is clear enough. Build cash back up, and stay the course with planned investments. Don’t panic.
This blog’s Alexa ranking was 862,882 on December 17th. It’s now 396,190. Making progress.
I can’t remember if I wrote about this or not, it’s noted in my blog journal though as a topic, and not crossed off yet. We had dinner with some friends at a German restaurant a while back in December, and I was immediately impressed by the incredible energy with which the busboy was clearing tables. The whole time we were there he was going a mile a minute, running rings around the other much younger staff. This guy appeared to be in his mid to late thirties, and given his dark complexion and Slavic features, I assumed him to be of either Kurd or Turkish background. (I know, it’s a leap, but the restaurant’s owner is German, given the immigration ties between Turkey and Germany, I thought it made sense. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him and find out, though…. next time). Looking at this, and seeing at what speed the other staff moved (or didn’t), gets me to thinking about all the silly xenophobic talk about controlling immigration. All countries need more people like this busboy.
Here’s a round up of interesting articles from the blogosphere:
Suba @ Wealth Informatics does a great job suggesting a financial check up.
Everyday Tips and Thoughts takes Kiplinger’s to task, deservedly so, for dispensing financial advice only for the well-to-do. And if you’ve never heard of Drag Queen Bingo (huh?), read that too.
Mrs. Accountability shares her homemade pizza recipe. Making Pizza at home is a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, and save a few bucks.
The Financial Blogger has some advice for young college graduates. Live a little, you might get another chance.
First Generation American’s blogging challenge (“Coffee Talk – Gaining Time + Income”) was fun. Head over there and read the entries.
My Own Advisor asks what’s your magic number for retirement.
Debt reduction is a constant theme in the the Financial Blogosphere. Would that the knuckleheads in Washington act the same way. Darwin’s Money provides an update on Congress raising the National Debt ceiling.
Beating the Index provides a summary on his porfolio’s performance in 2010, and then sets out goals for 2011.
Invest It Wisely book reviews Early Retirement Extreme. Could you, would you retire early? Can you “become a Renaissance Man (or Gal)?”
Get some sleep if you want to get wealthy, Squirrelers advises. After you wake up, read his post on Job Search Strategies.
Joe @ Retire By 40 shares their successful real estate investment strategy.
Along the lines of the first paragraph, Financial Samurai has a very good perspective on being overweight.
Andrew Hallam and the Mrs. are back from their vacation, and post an investment club performance review for 2010.
Biz of Life reviews progress and setbacks at the Biz household in 2010.
Money Reasons gets a large credit card bill for December, but being one of the few who are mortgage-free and plans ahead, it’s all good.
MoneyCone asks if you’re a deadbeat.
Shawn @ Watson Inc. writes a great inspirational post about goal-setting. Shawn doesn’t post as often as other PF bloggers, but it’s worth a read every single time.
Jennifer @ Live Richly gives a few tips on being a little more sustainable in your locomotion “Be Green, Save Green by Cutting Fuel Use”
I apologize if I’ve left anyone out. As always, thank you for reading and for posting comments on each article.
Nice roundup 101! And thanks for the mention!
Moneycone recently posted..How To Be A Deadbeat
Great Round up! Thanks for including my post. Yes, I know my posting frequency has been rather bad, especially as of late
Roshawn @ Watson Inc recently posted..Is Money Your God Round Up
Thanks for the mention 101!
There’s only so much one can do to expect the unexpected, the importance is to be very flexible when the unexpected happens in order to counter back!
BeatingTheIndex recently posted..Portfolio Objectives for 2011
BTI,That’s right, the unexpected by definition comes w/ no warning, but at least we can evaluate likely scenarios, and be somewhat prepared w/ the response. Being flexible and adaptive are key. (I’m answering comments via blackberry – big hate on the small screen)
Thanks for the link! I’m totally with you on the quality of food idea. I try to buy food with minimal processing and as close to the farmer as possible. Studies have found that conventional produce is bigger, but has much fewer nutrients per ounce. That may be part of the reason people tend to overeat, as their bodies are craving nutrients that weren’t sufficient in their food.
Jennifer Barry recently posted..Stranger in His Own Land- Part 10
Agreed – serving food in gigantinormous plates probably doesn’t help either.
Thanks for the link!
And congrats on such a rapidly improving Alexa ranking. I really like the way your blog is laid out like a newspaper.
Andrew Hallam recently posted..2010 Investment Club Calendar Year Return
Hi Andrew, welcome back. I used to have the same layout as yours, but for the life of me I coulnd’t get the darn menus to work right when I shifted to paid hosting.
Thanks for the link!
Geez, impressive list of articles. I need to check some of these out
Have a great weekend!
Mark
Financial Cents recently posted..What’s Your Magic Number
BTW – I mean to comment on your blog layout as well. Very crisp! Damn I need to move to WordPress!
My Own Advisor recently posted..What’s Your Magic Number
Thanks MOA, that’s surprising as well as nice to hear, as there are some things I don’t like about it. I’m frankly scared to change anything about it, given my level of web ineptitude.
Great list 101! Thanks for including me. Now off to check the two I missed. Have a great weekend!
PS: I am sending you an email regarding a new carnival I am starting. Hope you don’t mind my cold calling
Suba @ Wealth Informatics recently posted..Financial Goal – Getting out of Debt
Hi Suba, you can email me anytime at all!
Hey, thanks for 2 links, it is a bonus week!
Isn’t it wonderful when you see someone working hard like the busboy your saw? It seems to be the exception more than the rule anymore.
Your site has made great strides in the Alexa ranking, great job. You really do have a fantastic site, and I look forward to more to come!
Everyday Tips recently posted..Dumb Things People Do Volume IV- Packaging Items Poorly
There is a dignity and beauty seeing a person do a job well, no matter what that job may be. My wife and I were just talking about this today.
Thanks for the link!
Money Reasons recently posted..My Stealth Emergency Fund
Hey Andrew,
I also believe that all immigrants should be welcomed with open arms, and I believe that anyone willing to work should be allowed to work and enjoy the same legal protections as any other employee. A dual-caste society just leads to more hardship and abuses; there should be better ways of preventing abuses of taxpayer-funded services.
Congrats on the great Alexa progress, and thanks for the mention!
Invest It Wisely recently posted..Weekend Reading- The New Year Begins
You’ve made a good point, Kevin. Use of public services by what are perceived to be non-taxpaying illegal immigrants is one factor that leads to resentment.
If you’ve ever seen the movie “Gangs of NY”, the nativist faction led by Bill the Butcher didn’t much care about public services (there weren’t any), they just didn’t like the Irish.
Now that would be interesting if seed catalogs started posting which strains of veggies were the healthiest. Don’t you think that’s odd that they talk about disease resistance and cold tolerance, but not nutritional value?
Of course, I’m biased on the immigration issue as my mom is an immigrant and worked her butt off like your busboy in the story. I think America is great because of the immigrants who go above and beyond to keep the country humming. Aside from the social service issue, there takes a certain kind of risk taking individual who can just leave their whole lives behind and start from scratch.
Interesting comment about nutritional value. I have a couple smaller catalogs that include recipes, but none that go into the nutritional content. I’m also little biased on the immigration issue, since I was born in Italy. Actually come to think of it, we were all born abroad. Mrs 101 was born in Italy also (military brat), one son born in Saudi Arabia, and the other in Dubai (yes, we’ve moved a bit). Anyways, you said it right, the *risk-taking* personal entrepreneurs is the type of immigrant that infuse drive and vitality into their new adopted country. They become *citizens*, not simply consumers.
Thank you for the mentions! Much appreciated.
Thanks for including me. And congrats on your Alexa improvement – that’s great!
Darwin’s Money recently posted..Value of Tax Shield Explained – MBA Mondays
Thanks for the mention.
The Biz of Life recently posted..Sunday Verse- Phillip Levin