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Projects: Getting Started! A Growing Mushrooms at Home Case Study

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

For background on The Mushroom Project, growing mushrooms at home, check this post.

The Mushroom Project:

OK, the Ayes have!  The Mushroom Project got the green light.  The bride (and editor-in-chief) was excited by the idea.

No rolling eyes,  no OK if you want to I’ll play along just ’cause I love you…..This was genuine “lit up eyes” excitement!  (Editor comment: I love working in the yard, stupid!)

Cool.

The Mushroom Project went from an idea to a goal.

The goal: grow mushrooms at home.

Secondary goal: Gourmet mushrooms at home at  a reasonable price.

Stretch goal: Grow gourmet mushrooms and save money over store prices/quality.

Now what?

Mushroom Project Steps

We’re going to buy fungi spawn and raise them.

Becoming ‘spore spawn diddys’ (SSD) entail no adoption fees and there are no legal battles to be fought.

No one is going to turn up at our neighbor’s doors questioning our past or run our fingerprints through databases.

Nope, we just have to figure out how to get this project going.

Growing stuff background

We’ve grown rare, not found in the wild trees named for Benjamin Franklin (native to our area, but not too happy in our yard), common sun loving, heart warming, hardy zinnias, finicky (‘stop the car, what is that?) clematis, and stunningly gorgeous camellias.

Fungi spawn?  SSD?  Not on purpose.  Though I used to make a pretty good ale years ago…

Project Starting Tips

Projects, large and small, come to fruition in the same way:

  • Research.  Even on tasks well-honed from years of experience, like growing those wonderful summer zinnias, we are open to new information.  On any new project, time spent reading, checking with the experts, ‘studying on it’, is time well spent.  A thorough and ongoing  Google search is a necessity.
  • Network-finding someone else that has ‘been there done that’ is a time and pain saver. They’ve made the mistakes.  Ask around for advice.  Luckily, a national audience here has already chimed in with helpful advice and contacts, and I’m sure more will come.
  • Lists are golden with a new project.

    Project spreadsheet, or pencil and paper-Your Call!

    For a tried and true task, the mental list may do the trick.  If time is a factor, say you have to get the toilet back together before guests arrive for the weekend, spend extra prep time making sure you have every item required before you begin. For our SSD project, a careful list with easy eraser access (pencil or computer document) is a must.

  • Cost Estimates.  This is where research and an accurate list of necessary items are funneled into a budget reality.   Bulk is better when your buying many things, small quantities is a better idea when you’re starting out.  Compromise (almost) always wins the day.  We will start small with this new adventure because we’re novices. Know what the cost will be.  Your cost estimate will be accurate only if you have done a good job with the first two items in this list.  If you’re pumped for a project, but the initial cost is too great-start small, or start slow.  Buying a few items as you can.  I know you’re excited, but remember the turtle usually wins.  Also, as we are well known to do (especially the editor), substitute for something you already have, reduce and reuse.
  • Timeline, with deadlines-Set a deadline to have the items amassed and to get started. SSD’s know there is a time lag from start to meal time.  Getting started is the first requirement of having an end.  With every project there will be parts you love and parts you hate.  To prevent procrastination, set deadlines and stick to them.   Don’t let a simple project become a disaster.  Like that rotten tree that is leaning towards your home?  The removal costs may seem ridiculous, but the physical danger to your family, and  potential home repair costs are far far far greater after it falls and slices your roof in half.
  • Get’er done.

We’re on our way.  Lists are underway and the timeline is coming together.  I won’t keep you in the dark-that’s for mushrooms, silly.

Reader Questions:

All you SSD’s (aka Mushroom Dads and Moms) out there there. Help us.  Comments/Advice?

{photo credit: ivanwalsh c.c.}

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New Years Resolutions: An Alternative!

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

New Years Resolutions!

Forget ‘em.

You’re not going to follow through!

You mean well, and this year is the year, you think you’ll do better but nahhhh, you know in your heart it’ll be no different from last year.

You’re  reading the best personal finance info on the whole darn planet,  so I know you mean well; your heart’s in the right place.

Revolution, not Resolution!

That’s why I’m saying screw the resolutions. This year we’re doing The Mighty Mantra Mumbles.

Mighty Mantra Mumbles!

What are the Mighty Mantra Mumbles (MMM)?

Glad you asked!

You’ve done MMM’s before.  I know you have…

When you were a kid, you used ‘em to get through all kinds of stuff.  Remember when you were pee in your pants afraid?

You said to yourself over and over:  “It’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real, orrr maybe you said  “I can ride this bike, I can ride this bike, I can ride this bike ……”

Of course you were afraid,  but you focused on your ‘mantra’ and believed in yourself enough to ‘do it.’ (Mostly you just didn’t want to pee your pants in public.)

Mantras can still work

You’re all grown up now.  Life is serious.  You hardly ever wet your pants (right?).

You’ve made some grand resolutions year after year. I know….lose weight, pay off your credit cards, get a handle on your finances, go to the gym 3 times a week.  I know ‘em all ’cause I’ve used ‘em all!

You never have a serious plan to do any of that stuff, so of course, it doesn’t get done.

Not this year.  No.  We’re a team and we’ve got the the 3M’s -remember the Mighty Mantra Mumble. 

Here’s how it works.

Read carefully and repeat after me.

You are going to say “I can do it.” Every time you start to fall back into your old habits.  That’s right, every time:

  • You want to buy that new pair of shoes you don’t need.
  • You want to just buy something disgustingly expensive for lunch instead of eating that brown bag.
  • You plan to spend your savings on something stupid.
  • You want to eat something unhealthy.
  • You open your mouth instead of closing it.  (If you know what I mean, you know what I mean).
  • You think about skipping exercise.
  • You think about going out for dinner instead of throwing something together.
  • You start to tell yourself ‘but I deserve this-woe is me!’.

“I can do it!” means “I can be successful at whatever I want to accomplish.”  You have to vocalize it, not loud enough for everyone to think you’re crazy, but say it where you can hear it.  It means more that way, trust me!

Have I made my point?  Don’t bother to make the stupid resolutions (OK, the resolutions are not stupid, they are noble just as you are).

You know what you want from your life.

  • You want to be fiscally sound, have margin in your finances and in your life, be able to give and help others when you see the need!
  • You want to be nicer (sometimes).
  • You want to be healthy and fit.
  • You want to be a good example for your family.
  • Your bullet point here!

Of course, if you don’t want these things for yourself….Quit lying, you wouldn’t be here otherwise. You’d be watching Snooki, or Snoopy or whatever her name is, drinking a beer, and farting.

This year is different, go for it!

In fact, instead of ‘I can do it’,  how about “Just do the damn thing’.  Sounds more forceful!

Come on, let’s get started.  Say it after me:  “Just do the damn thing.”  “Just do the damn thing.” That can be your Mighty Mantra Mumble!

You just have to decide what the damn thing is!

You can use my Mighty Mantra Mumble, but it’s better to come up with your own.  And you will fail from time to time, but much less than last year with your Mighty Mantra Mumble.

What motivates you?

It works best if it comes from your heart.   Decide what motivates you.

What moves you?  What makes you so happy you want to cry? or piss your pants?

Put that sentiment into a few words you can mumble at just the right time, then practice.  Nothing works till you practice. Say it out loud in front of the mirror.  See how it makes you smile?  You can’t help it!

You can go back to doing what you always do, write your resolutions, then forget about them by sayyy mid-January… and get the same results as last year….

Or you can try the MMM technique.  what have you got to lose?

If you’ve already written your resolutions, the Mighty Mantra Mumble will help you actually keep them this year.

I can already tell.

This year is going to be different.

Go get ‘em champ!

{photo credit: reddirtrose c.c.}

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Decisions: How YOU Can Improve!

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Decisions!

How do you make a decision?

Are you a worrier or do you make quick decisions?

Examples requiring a decision:

“I can’t decide about taking that new job.  The pay is better, but it’s a start-up, how do I know if they’ ll be in business next year?”

“I can’t make up my mind whether to rent or buy a home?  The prices are great, but it’s such a big decision!”

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

“Do I buy an LED or Plasma TV?  Every  time I buy something, it’s outdated by the next month!”

How we make a decision tells a lot about us as people.

  • Procrastinators-either can’t make or put off any decision-making.
  • Failures-people who seem to always make poor decisions.
  • Lucky-people who seem to always make good decisions.

Then there are the rest of us who’ve won some and lost some.  We just do the best we can.

 Are you impulsive?

“Let’s go to Vegas tonight and get married!”  (is being drunk impulsive???)

“Where do you want to go on our vacation honey, you know we leave tomorrow?”

Or are you a perfectionist?

The other extreme, the planner from hell who never does anything unless it’s perfect, therefore frequently is not doing anything?

“I decided what I want my wedding to look like when I was 14 and have been working on it ever since….”

“When are you getting married?”

“Ohh I have to get a boyfriend first!”

Or “I’ve been planning my trip to Europe for 2 years.  I will be spending 6 hrs at the Louvre on day 5 after doing the Chunnel  the evening of day 4!”

“Sounds great, when are you leaving?”

“Well, I’m not sure it’s the right time-you know, with the exchange rate and stuff….”

Improve your decision making:

We can spend hours researching social science literature trying to find a better way to make decisions, but I’d rather just tell you what has worked for me (or not).

First, though, we need to lay out the background. I’m not a type A detail guy. And I’ve made my share of bad decisions.

I’m a big picture person.  Science has shown us that too many choices get in the way. So, narrow your choices quickly to the top two or three.  Too many details  get in your way.

How do you do that?  Perform mental triage.  In medicine, triage is the winnowing process of treating the worst first.  The chest pain is evaluated before the headache.

That doesn’t mean you will always be right!  What happens if the headache patient has a seizure in the waiting room, and his brain tumor kills him before it’s identified? The chest pain patient you rushed into the exam room turns out just had indigestion from eating 3 hot dogs at the stadium and is fine with a little Maalox.

Yep, you screwed that one up, but over time, the odds favor the triage process for saving lives and you’ll make better decisions.

How do you improve your decision making skills?

Do a self-analysis and practice. Think about your “easy” decisions. What makes them easy?  What is your usual default method of decision making and how have the results been?

If you have been married 4 times, and the new guy you are lusting after looks just like the four you’ve dumped, maybe, just maybe, you need to slow down and try to figure out what makes YOU tick? What makes you chase losers?  There is a reason and maybe you need to figure it out before you get married again.

The same can be said if you make a decent living but are always broke.  Face up to the fact that your financial decision making is poor.  Quit blaming others, and look in the mirror.

Try these decision making tips:

  • Lists-Lists can be a big help.  Make a list of the benefits and risks of your top choices.
  • Sleep on it.  Give yourself a little time to allow your sub-conscious to have a say.  Don’t let this drag into procrastination.  Just don’t make “spur of the moment”  “knee-jerk” “snap judgments”.  There is a reason there are so many cliches here, ’cause this is such a common problem.  Walk by the shoe store, see a pair of little darlin’s, slap down the credit card, then regret it for the next 6 months paying minimum payments.
  • Mentors-Have a sounding board  on your team.  Make sure these are people successful in the area of concern.  Don’t ask your broke uncle for investment advice.  Don’t ask the parents of the juvenile delinquent for child-raising tips.  The process of talking through your problem and your choices with your mentor will help you see holes in your own logic.  If you are laughing at yourself halfway through your presentation….Can you say “breakthrough”?

Make sure your decision making process includes all  stakeholders. Get them on board early.  Marriages often fail because one spouse makes big decisions without the others input.

Gosh I’m glad I decided to write this, are you?

Reader questions:

What have been your big problems with your decision making processes?

What mistakes have you made and what did you learn from it?

How have you improved your decision making prowess as you’ve gotten older?

{photo credit: InaFrenzy c.c.}

Don’t forget to:

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Newsletter, for special people, with my special mini-e-course on personal finance and my special  free e-book, at no extra charge-cause that’s the kinda guy I am! Don’t you want to be special?

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Posted in goal setting, Personal Finance 101, Quality of Life | 11 Comments »

Parents, How Are You Screwing Up Your Kids?

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Helicopter Parents:

B. and J. are a couple.  They have two kids, and a dog.  They both worked outside the home early in their marriage.

When they had the first kid, J. decided that she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.  Great idea, thought B.  He was brought up in a traditional home.

He asked for extra hours, sold the beloved Camaro and bought a beater-all bondo and duct tape.  B. and J. made all the sacrifices  needed so their kids could have a full time mom.

Then:

J. decided the kids needed to be close.  So close they were either in bed with ‘em or in the walk in closet with the door open.

J. decided baby sitters couldn’t be trusted, even the in-laws, with her precious charges.

J. decided that if they went  out to eat the kids should go-she couldn’t bear the thought that they may cry and miss her.

J. decided that if there was a trip, it was to be a family affair.

J. decided they wouldn’t visit their friends if the kids weren’t invited-they soon got few invitations.

B. decided after a coupla’ years of this, to get a divorce lawyer.

While I have taken bloggers’ license with this story, it’s an all too common event.  Many times, both partners agree  this way of parenting is best,  and are proud of their self-sacrifice.

Helicopter parents-as they are now known- are a nuisance  to teachers, college administrators, and unfortunately, too often to law enforcement.

Helicopter Parents-ready to swoop!

Parents who hover over their child, placing them in an imaginary dome to keep out all evil…who think whatever their kid may think, say, or do, it’s perfect.

How did this happen?

What turned the current generation of parents into smothering parasites?

  • Television crime shows making one fearful of a baby sitter turned serial killer?
  • Two working parents being blamed for children who are unsupervised and gone wild?

I’ll leave speculation to the armchair psychologists of the world….

How to make mature adults of your kids

What can you do to prevent your kids from becoming the center of your life to the point that it’s harmful to them and your marriage?

Mature adults have an advanced ability to make wise decisions-and your job as a parent should be to produce mature adults. Not child prodigies, professional athletes, or the next Donald Trump.

Treating your child as if the world rotates around him/her will not raise a mature adult-it may make a spectacular Bridezilla episode- but not a successful man or women.

How do you expect your children to be successful in life if they never have to deal with stress or new situations?  Children raised on a pedestal have a long way to fall, but fall they will.

The great thing about this cure  is it can be fun.

  • Having an evening out with your spouse-alone.
  • Having a weekend-alone.
  • Your own bed and bedroom-alone.
  • Having friends over with the kids being entertained elsewhere, or going out with your friends-sans kids…

Being a parent, not a friend

Saying no to your kids when they want (blank).  Teaching them about budgets, setting limits and sticking to them.  Being a parent and not a friend.  It’s not easy…

All of these activities will help your marriage, and help your kids become a self-sufficient well balanced teen.  A teen who will then become a successful mature adult.  Metamorphosis extraordinaire!

This does not give you permission to be the parent  featured in handcuffs on the 6:00 news. The one who went  drinking with her boyfriend  leaving the 6 month old in the hands of a 6 year old.

But it does give you permission- maybe even a requirement- to remember your sole job as a parent:  Raise a child who can successfully go out on his own and make it.  Feed himself, clothe himself, interact with his peers, and provide for himself…..

Speakin’ of Google + I’m there as  Dean Burke….they wouldn’t let me use Dr Dean…  Put me in one of your circles, I’ll feel so special….

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @DrDeanBurke- quick links on the side of the blog!  And let’s not miss a post-sign up for email special delivery or the RSS feed!

Friends, I love friends-check out my Facebook page, and I’m definitely Linked-In-use the shortcuts on the side-that’s why I paid my Web Master of the Universe-Ben-the big bucks to put ‘em there-saves you time!

 

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Obesity: The New Epidemic and Ten Steps To Help!

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Lose Weight and Get Rich

“Lose 15 pounds in one week!” The headline reads….  Work at home <10 hours a week, and double your income!  Another ad proclaims…

And the funny thing is, even I, who knows better, stop and listen to these ads.  No, I don’t go out and buy the newest herbal remedy, work from home DVD or get rich quick manual.  They  get my attention, however.  I listen and so do you.

That’s why millions or more likely billions of hard to come by dollars are spent to snare another poor sap who desperately wants to be a skinny rich guy or gal: without having to work for it.

Gosh, the first person who comes up with a “Weight Loss Lottery” ticket will  get richer than George Soros.  If you could scratch off 50 lbs with your scratch off ticket, the lines at the local C-store would go round the block.

Obesity

Obesity (BMI >30) is the new buzz word for the 2010′s. (Click for your BMI tool.)

Source: Adapted from Yale University Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

And no wonder.

  • More than 40% of adults are obese.
  • Between 2007 and 2009 an additional 2+million people were diagnosed as obese.
  • Obese adults and children have a higher rate of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the US, not cancer, as many suspect.

In addition to health effects there is a financial cost to being obese.

Financial Costs of obesity:

  • Higher life insurance costs.
  • Higher amount of time on sick leave.
  • Higher direct medical costs.
  • Higher costs of disability insurance.
  • Shorter working life, resulting in lower lifetime earnings.

We know there is an obesity epidemic, we know there is a health and financial cost both to us as individuals, and to society as a whole.

What can we do?

A recent study by George Washington University says those of us Docs who are in primary care aren’t dealing with the obesity issue.

Most cities and towns make exercising difficult by not having bike trails and walking trails. City layouts promote auto use by having subdivisions and work areas separated usually by major highways and interstates that are not pedestrian friendly.

Steps we can take to lose weight:

  • Don’t get suckered by weight loss scams, but make losing weight a priority.
  • Make snacks and and meals more healthy.
  • Make physical activity part of your day.  .

Ok that sounds good but how?

  • Make a family decision to cut off the TV and take a walk right before or after dinner.
  • Skip the elevator, park away from the entrance when shopping, bike or walk to work or play if at all possible
  • Shop with low fat, low carb foods and more vegetables and fruits as the priority.
  • Make your kids give up soda and sweet drinks. (you need to be a good example!)
  • Set a reasonable weight loss goal-5-10% of body weight in 3-6 months is a good target for most.
  • Use healthy weight loss aids-Weight Watchers or Low Carb diets all can work well for some-pick what works for you and your lifestyle.
  • Get rid of the “Ideal Body Image” sold on TV.  Six pack abs and models should NOT be your role model or ideal. They are unreasonable and lead to frustration and eating disorders.
  • Talk to your doctor and get their support and advice.

Group activities, contests with friends and family members usually fail as they don’t address the problem.  We eat the way our parents eat.  We eat to feel better not to fuel our bodies.

Those psychological issues must be addressed but it can be done. Millions have been successful losing and keeping weight off.  Just like millions have quit one of the most addictive habits on earth-cigarette smoking.

Share:

What has worked for you?  What are your problems with weight loss, and what can you do today, this week, this month to address it?

Remember, there are millions to be made with your secret.  You can tell me, I can keep a secret….

Speakin’ of Google + I’m there as  Dean Burke….they wouldn’t let me use Dr Dean…  Put me in one of your circles, I’ll feel so special….

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @DrDeanBurke- quick links on the side of the blog!  And let’s not miss a post-sign up for email special delivery or the RSS feed!

Friends, I love friends-check out my Facebook page, and I’m definitely Linked-In-use the shortcuts on the side-that’s why I paid my Web Master of the Universe-Ben-the big bucks to put ‘em there-saves you time!

 

 

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50 Something and Unemployed? 9 Tips To Succeed!

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

Older and Unemployed

Hyster Drivers…. What the hell is a hyster anyway, and how do you drive one?

Color Techs, Assembly Techs, Lab Techs….These are a few  common job descriptions filled in by patients for themselves or their spouse 25 years ago when I first started my medical practice.

Our region had several factories making light fixtures, carpet, carpet backing, windows, and television tubes.  These factories employed thousands of people.  Now only one of those factories is still alive, a division of Shaw Inc., employing a couple hundred folks. And our community is happy to have ‘em.

Hyster....Looking for driver!

A recent article in Smart Money describes the challenges facing the over 50 crowd going back to school.  The article asks the question: is it worth it?

My question would be, for those unemployed folks over 50, “What else are you going to do?”

Many of the folks working locally in those jobs I described have no hope of finding similar work.  Even if there were new factories with openings, the chance that their skill set would match the needs of new technologies is doubtful.

What can those folks do to find gainful employment and more importantly, a fulfilling life?  Losing a job is a body blow to your self-esteem.

Being long-term unemployed is like throwing gas a bonfire.   Even with generous unemployment benefits lasting a couple of years, that money will run out!

Many this age have raised their families, but they aren’t ready to be put out to pasture and can’t afford to not work at all.

What should you or your family member do to increase the chance of second career success?

Second Career Advice:

  • Find your passion.  Check out the local college’s career center. Take those tests that judge your interests and skill set.
  • Get a fix on the pay and benefits of that career. Can you find a job locally? If not, are you prepared to move? Can you sell your home or are you upside down?  Becoming the world’s best jet engine mechanic would result in lifetime unemployment, in our part of the world.  Boeing may get run out of South Carolina and drop in here instead, but…
  • Make sure you plan your spending for your new degree. How much will it cost? What will it take to pay the money back?  Getting a $75,000 degree in social work so you can make $25,000/year at a local non-profit may not be smart…
  • Can you work part-time to pay for your degree over time?
  • Make sure you check out all the back to school grants for displaced workers.
  • How much work life does your body have left?  If you’re 62 and are looking at 6 years to get your degree, do you have work life left that would allow you to get your monies worth?
  • Can you open a business yourself that you would enjoy without any additional training?  The lawn service business, home or office cleaning businesses or tutoring services can all be financially sustaining and allow freedom not possible working in a factory.  Going back to school just doesn’t suit some folks.
  • Don’t spend years getting a degree in something cause there are “jobs available” in that field.  You may HATE it.  Make sure you do volunteer work in that area-see if it fits….  You can work as an orderly or aid in a hospital before going to nursing school.  You can work as a gopher in a auto repair shop before getting that 2 year mechanics certificate.   Unlike a 20 year old who has his life in front of him if he makes a career mistake, you may not have that luxury to go find yourself a second or third time!

I know many successful folks in the medical field who were once Hyster Drivers or Line Techs. They have found a career they love and financial security.

Everyone of them had to face fears and their insecurities when making those  tough decisions.  Going back to school with the teens and twenty-somethings is tough!

But YOU can do it.  All you gotta have is enough “want to…”

I wonder if I could find a Hyster to drive, they look kinda fun!

Speakin of Google + I’m there as  Dean Burke….they wouldn’t let me use Dr Dean…  Put me in one of your circles, I’ll feel so special….

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @DrDeanBurke- quick links on the side of the blog!  And let’s not miss a post-sign up for email special delivery or the RSS feed!

Friends, I love friends-check out my Facebook page, and I’m definitely Linked-In-use the shortcuts on the side-that’s why I paid my Web Master of the Universe-Ben-the big bucks to put ‘em there-saves you time!

 

 

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Posted in goal setting, personal finance, student loans | 3 Comments »

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