TODAY's LESSON:

Yesterday a neighbor sought my advice regarding a yard problem. Being retired (and having more time on my hands) has evidently raise my status among my neighbors as a household seer.

I provided the necessary advice and offered to help him with some landscaping issues in his front yard which appeared as an eye sore. After several hours I had cut out all the problems shrubs, weeded, and mulched the area. Today, I visited another neighbor and told him of my project and if he would mind if I could have some pampus grass cuttings to landscape the project. The neighbor graciously offered whatever I wanted and in another hour I had completed 80% of the project.

My neighbor just left my front porch and handed me two bottles of 20 year old wine that he assured me I would enjoy.

So what did I learn?

I felt good doing a good deed without any promise of reward.
I met another neighbor (who gave me the grasses) and (100 lbs of walnuts from trees in his backyard to husk)
I improved the appearance of the neighborhood.
I learned that my neighbor whose lawn I improved was also a retired estate lawyer and has offered to help me with my trust.
And finally, I have two bottles of fine wine...that I am reluctant to open (but will :)

You just never know how good deeds will come back to you....

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THE UNEXPECTED:

Planning is an essential part to our survival and yet no amount of planning can take every possible "mishap" into account.

It is important to learn that "mishaps" and "disasters" will always be with us and we will need to "cope" and "respond" only after the event appears. Such occurances can be impacted by weather, disease, death, depression, finances, religious beliefs, etc.

Periodically ask yourself some of the "tough" questions and test your own responses.

"What would you do if you discovered you had a fatal disease?"
"What if your spouse could no longer have sex?"
"What would you do if the person(s) you love most died first?"

These are our life "exams" - our lessons for survival come from them. They test our religious and philosophical beliefs and come to reflect our character.

The value of keeping an eye on the horizon of life " can help you survive (emotionally and/or financially).

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CREDIT CARDS:

45% of Americans pay each month less than what they purchase on their credit cards. A half dozen companies (American Express, CitiCorp, etc) control 65% of this industry and MAKE over 30 billion dollars a year with ruthless fees, add-on charges, and penalties.

The average family credit card indebtedness is now over $12,000. Paying only the minimal payments means they can never pay the debts off because of the 18-30+% interest charges.

THE LESSON: Pay cash if you cannot control your spending habits. Devise a plan to pay off your debts while you can. Work to accumulate a savings account.

I only use credit cards for specific purposes: those items I want to track in my budget (e.g. groceries, gasoline, etc.) I have NEVER had a late fee or penalty in the 40+ years I have had credit cards - if I can't pay for it I do without.

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SAVINGS:

The traditional rule of thumb is that you should have 3 months income in your savings account. The sad fact of 21st century American families is that the majority have no savings nor a savings plan.

The average family today is spending more than it have earns.

Evidently the childhood story of the "Ant and the Grasshopper" has not been read by everyone.

Your goal should be to save/invest 5%+ of your takehome pay. If your not doing this you will not be ready for a financial diaster OR your retirement.

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VALUE OF LISTS:

I am a list maker. I found it an essential tool to IDENTIFY, PRIORITIZE, and ASSIGN RESOURCES to family issues.

I not only KNOW what issues I face but timeframes and resources for resolution.

It also saves gasoline by placing "travel" and "tasks" into a PLAN.

It saves TIME by preventing unscheduled repetitive trips.

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CREDIT CARD THEFT:

This is a growing concern due to internet transactions. I strongly recommend that you have ONE CREDIT CARD that you ONLY USE for internet transactions. In the event your card is compromised you would not loose your primary credit.

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JOB SECURITY:

Unless you are a public servant (of some variation) you are always potentially vunerable to "downsizing", "obsolescence", "Outsourcing", "age or sex discrimenation", or whatever.

It is always good to acquire new skills and keep an eye on your resume.

As soon as you learn one skill - acquire another.

What would you do if you were told this evening you have "two weeks notice"?

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STOCK BROKERS:

As a generalization you are better off being your own stock broker and not PAY for advise from expensive brokage companies.

Discount stock companies are realistic - if you are.

Be particularly beware of a broker who is always calling you to BUY something new.

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LEARNING HOW TO LEARN...

is one of the most important skills you can impart to others. Information changes and the average person will have 4-5 different jobs in their lifetime.

You can never be sure of the future and what skills you will need.

Invest 2% of your net income in your own training in order to guarantee your future.

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CAR ECONOMY:

Check the following sites to assist you in operating your car efficiently:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
http://www.stlouisgasprices.com/

Other Hints:

Taking some time to make a list of the things you'll use the car for will help determine the difference between your true needs and your wants. It's important to remember that each additional want you add above what you really need will cost you not only at the time of purchase, but in most cases well down the road with an increase in maintenance and operating costs.

Check the insurance rates of a car before you purchase it. A twenty-five dollar a month difference in rates can save you thousands over a period of years.

Maintence issues:

*** Take the time to check your car's tire pressure each month. Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. Under inflation also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter use life.

*** Drive at the speed limit. Cars use about 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.

*** Avoid using air conditioning whenever possible. Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20%.

*** Don't open windows when traveling at high speeds. Open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It is much better to use the ventilation system. Also remember to remove car racks and other items which make your car less aerodynamic when they're not being used. Use cruise control to maintain a steady pace on the highway to increase fuel economy.

*** Don't let your car idle. Even on cold mornings, there's no need to let your car idle for more than 30 seconds. Newer cars are designed to be driven almost immediately and letting your car idle longer is a waste of gas. In addition, it's more efficient to turn off your car and turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds while waiting.

*** Remove all excess weight from your car. Many people use their car trunk as a storage space adding unneeded pounds to the car's weight. This unnecessary weight reduces the car's fuel efficiency.

*** Try to accelerate gently, brake gradually and avoid stops when driving. Gunning engines, quickly accelerating, and abrupt stops all waste fuel. Try to avoid driving during rush hour periods when you know traffic will be stop and go. If you do find yourself in stop and go traffic, try to maintain a crawl. When approaching hills or steep slopes, accelerate before the hill. Accelerating once on the slope will consume much more gas.

*** Service your car regularly while paying special attention to oil and filters. Blocked air flow from clogged air filters will increase fuel waste. Also check your car's alignment since this can cause engine drag which will also increase gas waste.

*** Periodically calculate your car's fuel efficiency. A loss in fuel efficiency is an indication of possible mechanical problems.

*** Credit cards that offer up to 10% in gas rebates can take the edge off soaring prices at the pump — as long as you don't dig yourself deeper into debt.
Discover has a credit card that gives up to 5% cash back on gas purchases and up to 1% on other purchases.

Taxpayers who use their cars for charitable purposes and itemize on tax returns are eligible for a tax deduction. The standard allowance for volunteers is 14 cents per mile.

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CARS and STATUS:

To me a car is FUNCTIONALITY - and not personal status. I drive a 9 year old (reliable) van and not because I can't afford a better vehicle.

My neighbor has a Rolls, BMW, and Mercedes in his garage. While these are very attractive vehicles they represent a "value" of over $90,000 and cost him over $8,000 in personal property taxes. I have no idea what the insurance costs on these vehicles might represent but I am sure it is over $5,000 a year. Assuming minimum depreciation of $3,000-$5,000+ per year this HOBBY costs him $18,000 a year.

Note: In fact, depreciation is the single biggest cost in the first five years of a car's life, far outpacing fuel and maintenance costs. The AVERAGE car depresciates over 65 percent in five years.

For the same kind of money he could buy a new car every year.

My neighbor is fortunate in that he can afford his HOBBY - most other people can't afford such practices yet they engage in "similar" practices.

Drive what you can afford - not what you think enhances your status.

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1ST LAW OF BENEVOLENT SELFISHNESS:

Recently a friend sought some advice about a problem at home. Her son was placing "demands" for "things" that placed her own financial and peace of mind at risk. She wanted to be the "good mother" but didn't know how to respond.

I told her that in my house I have always supported the "The 1st Law of Belevolent Selfishness."

This law does not mean that you value yourself over those you love - only that if you do not take care of yourself FIRST you will never be in shape to adequately care for others.

I do not know if this helped her - but it is a good reminder to myself.

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TEACHING VALUE TO YOUR CHILDREN:

When my daughter was deciding on a college she had no idea about the COST of a degree. After talking with her affluent friends she narrowed the field down to four schools. The most expensive was $15,000+ per year the last one on her list was a very credible state college at $5,000.

I sat down and showed her what we could financially contribute to her education - the rest I told her she would have to borrow.

I next created a spreadsheet and explained what $10,000 a year would cost her for the rest of her life making monthly payments.

Finally, I showed her some articles in MONEY MAGAZINE that choice number 4 had great credentials in her field and was deemed an outstanding value.

I told her we could pay for ALL of her education, provide an allowance, and even buy her a second-hand car at the end of her freshman year with choice number 4.

The next day she said she really like choice number 4 so we made a trip to the school and she was accepted.

I was a little concerned about her trying for scholarship money since we were footing the bill. So I made an additional offer - "For every dollar she came up with in scholarship funds I would give her twenty-five cents in CASH." Never have I seen such enthusiasm in filling out forms.

Eventually It cost us $750 - which was gratefully paid in cash.

(footnote: she graduated from the school and completed her M.ed several years later. She is now a very successful secondary school teacher - doing what she loves.)

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GET IT IN WRITING...

Verbal promises are worth only the air that surrounding them. If something is truly important you need it in writing (and credible witnesses help.)

Ever since e-mail has been invented I have kept "copies" of important document just as I have with paper documents. On more than one occasion they have resqued me from "forgetful" people who could not recall their promises.

OK - some things are NOT worth keeping: old girlfriends garments, letters, pictures, videos, etc.

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TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES:

Over my lifetime I have owned many new technologies. In general, the FIRST GENERATION of any technology is ofter fraught with problems. To really protect your "investment" it is often better to make X-1 purchases (i.e. the second revision). Second generations are also less expensive.

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EVERY MISFORTUNE IS A LESSON...

but not every lesson is correctly perceived or learned.

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WARRENTIES:

Generally I never purchase a product warrenty. Most products provide a year warrenty anyway and most people either loose or misplace the product warrenty information. Some products just are not worth getting repaired because are replaced with better technology.

Many warrenties require you to even have a "receipt" which people never keep.

I keep all my receipts (with warrenties) in a special box along with the product guides.

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SMALL ACTIONS....ARE IMPORTANT (In your daily finances)

I was talking with a friend the other day on a busy street corner when I bent over and picked up a quarter. My friend immediately remarked that given my resources it was not necessary to perform such a trival act.

I told him that I always picked up lost change and given my tax status that the quarter was really worth thirty cents (non-taxable income).

But it was not the trival change that I was redeeming - it was part of my lifelong training to recognize opportunities and benefit from it.

The change I give to charity - the opportunity I keep for myself.

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FREECYCLE.ORG

Recently I was assisting a relative dispose of a large quantity of trash - much of which was junk metal parts amounting to 500+ lbs.

Our local trash collector wanted to assess an "industrial charge" for the disposal of $75.

I went to the internet and found a "scrap metal" dealer at Freecycle.org who picked it all up for nothing.

I strongly suggest that you use this resource not only to "recycle" useable items but you can also place a WANT ad as well.

This is a valuable resource that can save both time and money. It is available in thousands of communities.

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IQ and I WILL

I was walking past a group of students the other day and overheard one student bragging "I am smarter than John." And while intelligence is a wonderful asset in your life it does not make up for ambition and "stick-to-itness".

The best plan without comittment will not succeed.

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DIFFICULT ISSUES:

The first step in problem solving is to define the problem - it is than half solved.

Recently a friend of mind was in a quandry over a difficult personal issue. Without going into specifics I found that the issue was quite complex. I could not offer advice, and she could not make a decision without identifying the issues.

I told her to take take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns - one labled "Positive" and the other "Negative." In each column she listed the possible "outcomes" of her decision.

She spent several days working on the list. She even shared it with several other people who would be affected by the decision (and who offered other insights and corrections.)

Finally, she made her decision. The decision was still difficult but she had the comfort of knowing that she had at least CONSIDERED all the important issues.

Good decision making (especially life altering) should be approached as a JOB requiring personal committement and hard work.

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GOOD WILL ACCOMPLISHES ALOT:

I recently needed the services of a roofing/siding agency. When I called a company I had done business with before (for a fair price) I was told they only did whole house repairs and not smaller repairs (in the wake of enormous storm damage.)

I took the time to thank him and asked for people he would recommend. After a few minutes of polite conversation I reminded him that I valued his work and that he had repaired other property for me in the past.

Eventually he told me he was in the neighborhood and would drop by and provide me with an estimate that I could use for comparison purposes with other contractors.

Finally, when he called me, he told me that he really valued my business and politenss and would try to work it in next week.

I was both grateful to obtain the timely service at a reasonable price.

I told him to post a sign in the property yard advertising his services - as another means of thanking him.

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FOLLOWING INTEREST RATES:

It is extremely important to keep an idea on the prevailing interest rates especially if you have mortgages or credit card/payment debts.

Generally you can save money if the rates decline more than one-half percent or more. This is especially important for mortgage rates.

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IQ and I WILL

Intelligence alone will not make a person successful in life. An old teacher of mine used to have a quote on the wall - "There is IQ and 'I Will'."

Many AVERAGE people have made extraordinary achievements simply because they did not let the sigma of an IQ score deter their ambitions.

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CONTRACTING FOR SERVICES:

Recently I was reluctantly forced to contract with a tree trimmer to remove some trees which fell on my house. Even though I had satisfactory work with this contractor before it seems that this time GREED was on his plate.

I am making this statement to remind MYSELF and others to always obtain a WRITTEN BID for services before contracting for services.

FOOTNOTE: The contractor removed one tree (but omitted to tell me that the County Streets Dept. had removed the greatest bulk of the damage.) Some kind neighbors alerted me to this fact and after the BILL was send to me for $4500 I called him and asked for a detail listing of services. After I had the BILL in hand I called him and told him of my conversation with the neighbors. I explained that the BILL was fraudulent and I had a real problem paying him anything. I told him to send me another BILL with a detailed explaination as to why his first BILL was not correctly assessed.

It has been three months since our last communication. Matter is closed as far as I am concerned.

Attention to detail and perserverence pays.

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MARRIAGE CONTRACT:

Marriage is a lifelong contract between two people. Unfortunately the chances of fulfilling that "lifelong" relationship is currently only about 50%.

If you went to the airport and were told only half of the flights would achieve their destination - would you make the journey?

Marriage is most often prompted by endorphins and not logic. In fact, no amount of logic will generally assist a couple in "heat."

So what can you do to make a marriage work?

While many "promises" are made at the wedding ceremony - circumstances and priorities change over time.

It is said that you either "grow together" or "grow apart." Learning to communicate, share, and arbitrate your differences is absolutely essential.

If you find that "communication" is difficult you might try sitting down and writing out a YEARLY CONTRACT (or even shorter periods) with compromises. Every topic is "negotiable" with some compromise by both parties. If this is not possible - the marriage probably does not have much chance of survival.

Finally, your ability to make a meaningful commitment, demonstrate affection and courtesy, and realizing that change is inevitable - all require WORK on both of your parts.

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WINTER PREPARATION:

Given the fact that the price of energy will be going through your wallet this year it is exceedingly important that you make every effort at this time to check your home insulation. Insulation is a very inexpensive solution to most peoples heating solutions. The time to do it is now.

It also pays to check caulking around your windows.

Windows and door trim are also important.

News commentators just announced that energy bills will increase 30-50% this year.

Note: Always keep electric space heaters in your "gas heat" house to localize heating issues.

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LESSON OF NEW ORLEANS:

The tragedy of New Orleans demonstrates how ill prepared governmental resources (local/state/federal) are ready for a national emergency. While we have spent billions to protect AIR PORTS from terrorists we have absolutely no plans to deal with prospective national tragedies.

It did not take a rocket scientist to know that Katrina was headed for New Orleans and that the city was NOT PREPARED for a flood/storm. The storm was classified as a level 5 and the levee system was only designed for a level 3.

This same event could have been a wind storm, ice storm or blizzard, tornado, meteor, earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, or terrorist chemical attack.

What should we personally learn from this?

Every household needs to have the following:
- A realistic FAMILY PLAN to deal with various types of crisises (where should we meet? a Church, home, ) (what should we bring?) Everyone should be able to review the plan on a periodic basis. The plan needs to be adjusted for changes in the seasons. If you look on-line there are countless FREE downloadable booklets with valuable information.
- Transportation: If you must leave your home not only where would you go and HOW would you get there? Car? Bike? Cart? This affects what you can take with you, your security, and shelter issues.
- A survival kit LIST including: (bandages, perscription medicines, general medicines, sissors, knife, blankets, matches, paper, no battery radio and flashlight, string, rope, wire, spare clothes, personal sanitation articles, cash, flairs, plastic trash bag,duct tape and tarps, plastic closeable containers, POTs or PAN, some books or other amusements, pet supplies if you have a pet, hats, batteries for cell phone?, clean rags, swiss army knife, and canned (self-contained) food, energy bars, and water for at least 5 days.) Other adds on could include: inflatable mattress, copies of important papers: insurance papers, contacts number; local maps, bug spray, family treasures (pictures only). Having a bike would be a plus. What you can take will largely depend on the event, transportation options, and condition of your family members.
- Children may have special needs and you should judge accordingly. (diapers, medicines, etc.)
- A hand generator would be a real benefit.
- Warning! If your told to LEAVE - LEAVE. Things are only things, your life and health can never be replaced. You can't take it with you! Having an EXIT plan is also reasonable: Do you need to turn off the water, gas, electric?

- Each of your support groups should have similar plans.

A last thought: If you have something - someone with nothing will try to take it away from you. I am not advocating a "shoot-out" but you need to give some realistic preparation to deal with such possible unpleasant situations - they will occur.

MAINTENANCE:

A house, car, or many of your other worldly possessions require periodic review and maintenance.

Some years ago a neighbor paid over $10,000 for a backyard wood deck. For the want of a bi-yearly powerwashing and sealant the deck is now an unsafe rotting structure ready for take down.

My own deck is about 25 years old and looks like 5 years. It is amazing what difference a little routine maintenace can make.

The same can be said about changing your oil in your car, etc.

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SECURITY HEALTH BLANKET:

Yesterday my handyman told me he was looking for more work since his daughter fell down and had an $800 visit to the emergency room (all for 4 stitches.) It seem he did not have any health insurance for himself or his family.

Health Insurance is NOT an option in your family financial plan - it is a necessity. In the last two years I have had a cancerous kidney removed ($60,000+) and two veterbrae pads replaced in my neck ($25,000+).

My son-in-law last year was hit head on by a drunk driver resulting in a broken arm, broken leg, fractured hand, fractured sternum, etc. At last count his medical bills were over $145,000 of which the majority was paid for by his insurance. (And yes, the drunk walked away.)

Half of those declaring bankruptcy do so because of health problems or medical bills, according to research by Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren. Even scarier: Three quarters of those bankrupted by medical bills actually had health insurance. It just wasn't enough, especially for those whose illness cost them their job.

Several friends have retired early and lost their company paid health insurance. Now they are struggling to pay the $6,000+ premiums for themselves and their spouse.
Make sure this is included in your preretirement family plan.

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GIFTS:

The greatest gifts you can offer others are most often phrase, hugs, and other expressions of your love. These gifts return the greatest reward to all concerned.

Have you made your "gifts" today?

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DISCOUNT COUPONS:

Prior to going out for dinner this evening I did a SEARCH for "discount coupons" (St. Louis) and "Restaurants." I discovered that one of our favorite local restaurants offered a $5.00 discount for over $20.00 purchase. I printed out 10 coupons since there was no expiration date.

The point is - you can save some serious money by searching the internet.

I also discovered a slew of coupons for local attractions.

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YOUR TIME:

Your time is the most precious resource you have. The average person only lives about 27,000 days (365x74 years).

When you give someone your TIME for any task you are giving them your LIFE. What a wonderful gift when freely given.

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UNKNOWN FEELINGS....

One day I came into the bedroom and my wife was making the bed. Her face was written with unhappiness as I asked her what the matter was. She responded "I have been making the bed for over 30 years now and you NEVER help."

I guess I could have said " I mow the grass, paint the house, as my share" but instead I replied: "Your right, let me make the bed for the next 30 years."

Since that time we make the bed together - and peacefully.

It is not always what is said - but how it is stated - that creates lasting impressions and changes in behavior. In this case, both of us made positive changes in our behavior and feelings.

There is no value in winning battles and loosing the war.

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INHERITANCES:

There is absolutely no better way to decide a family at the time of death than to have no definite plan in the division of your estate (no matter how small it is.)

Over my life time I have watched various families decend into “family feuds” bickering over the family silver, jewelry, pictures, and even lamps - simply because it was not in writing. In fact, even in writing does not always hold up.

One of the simplest and most worthy suggestions that I have ever heard of in a will was:

“I commend my children to mutually agree to the divison of my household into even shares. In the event that they cannot agree to the division of the shares than I request the executor of this estate to sell all the estate contents at public auction and divide the monetary proceeds. I likewise would be very disappointed should it come to such a decision.”

Another interesting solution was to PASTE the names of the spoils on the back of items.

This reminds me of the wise parent who had one candy bar and two children. She handed the candy bar to the first child and asked the one child to divide the bar into two pieces. The second child was then given first choice of the pieces.

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BURIAL EXPENSES:

Sooner or later all of us are going to die. The expense of a funeral in 2005 is over $6,000. For many people this expense comes at at time of undue stress where logic does not take hold.

A friend of mind told me how she was still paying for her brother's funeral two years later when no one else in the family had any money to contribute. (And sadly, it is on a CREDIT CARD paying 18%+ interest.)

Unless there is a special religious reason you can obtain a cremation and a dignified funeral for under a $1,000 in most communities. See if there is a locat CREMATION SOCIETY if you live in a large urban region.

If you can pre-plan but don't PRE-PAY for such inevitable events.

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CHECKING ACCOUNTS VS MONEY MARKETS

If your like many people you allow a disproportionate of your money to lie dormant in a checking account. Most checking accounts pay virtually no interest (e.g. .02 tenth of a percent). Spend some time searching your local newspapers and locate a money market account paying (8/16/05) 3.25-3.50% interest. This should make you some spare change.

Note: some savings account/credit unions will pay more competitve rates than banks. My Credit union will even MATCH CD rates with any competing financial institution - saving me the trouble of moving funds.

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CREATIVITY:

Creativity is an important ingredient in your financial and career satisfaction. One of my most favorite definitions comes from a 1970's pop film called "Why Man Creates." The film is itself an example of creativity but one of the great lines is "What is creativity? Why it is looking at one thing and seeing another."

Creativity will conquer many of your problems if you "look" for solutions outside the "box."

Recently a young friend of mine said he wanted to save more money but did not have the income.

I suggested making a spreadsheet showing both his income and expenses and to decide where HE could see possible savings.

He told me that he had found a way to save a $105 a month ($1260 a year)
- Replacing soft drinks at lunch each day with lemon water = $40.00+
- Bringing his lunch 1 day a week = $25 a month
- Eliminating morning snacks 2 days a week = $15
- Eliminate eating out for a fancy dinner once a month = $30

What creative ways can you find to finance your life goals?

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FRIENDSHIP:

Which would you rather have? A good friend or $5000 in cash?

Why?

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THEY DREW A CIRCLE AND DREW ME OUT - I DREW A CIRCLE AND DREW THEM IN...

The other day a friend of mind for many years had a discussion of our extended families. He lamented to me that his wife was very disappointed in his new daughter-in-law because she never called her.

I shared with him the childhood song of Marlo Thomas "They drew a circle and drew me out - I drew a cirle and drew them in."

Sometimes you have to do the reaching and you can't let go until you succeed. Picking up the phone and sharing your concern, sending a card, or an invitation for lunch can have marvelouis returns.

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GOOD DEEDS AND ACTIONS ALWAYS EXCEED PROMISES....

Take time each day to do something good for the people who make up your circle of life. It can be nothing more than kind words or just a reminder that you care. Do this twice over for your children and never fail to tell them that you love them! Find some time to talk with your family members one-on-one and LISTEN to what they have to say.

These actions pay the greater return for everyone.

And remember, you can't take it with you!

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BACKUPS OF IMPORTANT DATA:

It is importants to keep multiple backups of essential DATA (financial, family, instructions, etc.)

I strongly suggest that you keep information in a SAFE and in at least one other location other than home.

If DATA is encypted make sure that at least two people have the passwords but not access to the DATA.

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ON COLLECTING:

If you are a collector of THINGS - collect only those things which give you personal satisfacton. Do not CONFUSE collections with INVESTMENTS. Collector THINGS are often hard to liquadate in a moment of need or call fall to the disposition of others who MAY or MAY NOT know the value or means of adequate disposal.

At a certain point in your life you need to concentrate more on the conversion of your life hobbies into more negotiable securities that anyone can use (i.e. cash or securities).

Also note that collections come and go in popularity. Remember Beanie Babies selling for hundreds of dollars each that now sell at garage sales for .25. (I recently purchased an entire collection of 100 mint beanie babies for $20 which still had the $5-8.00 price tags on them.)

You can however speculate with purchases that you think will become popular in the future is often better than trying to purchase a current trend. Remember Beanie Babies selling for hundreds of dollars each that now sell at garage sales for .25.

I recently purchased an entire collection of 100 mint beanie babies for $20 which still had the $5-8.00 price tags on them. for $20.00 I can give these to my grandchildren as "toys".

Several years ago I sold a collection of 75 metal lunchboxes from the 1960's-80's purchased as garage sales for $1200. I had purchased all of these prior to their popularity for perhaps $50 tops.

Not every speculation will make money but when they do.... it is fun!

And remember "The best things in life are not things."

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DISCOUNTS

ALWAYS ask for available discounts/coupons, etc. when investigating a substancial purchase.

Use the Internet to search for discounts prior to purchases.

Obtain organizational discount cards (e.g. AARP, professional groups, etc.) You can start AARP at age 50!

Even local services (e.g. tree trimmers offer a senior discount)

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PROPERTY ASSESSMENT:

While a house is one of your largest financial investments often people pay excessive property tax simply because they to not check their assessment bill and/or do not protest the assessment.

Property assessment are generally based on the value of your house "compared" to similar houses that have recently sold of comparable value. Unfortunately that comparison is often made based on a computer program, a two minute drive assessment by a frustrated tax assessor, and comparison to TOTAL REHAB property in your neighborhood.

If your property is NOT the same as the local TOTAL REHABs used for comparison - then fight the assessment.

Take pictures of your property, collect the sales brochures of local COMP houses, and check-out on-line the sales of other houses in your neighborhood. Make sure you PROTEST and APPEAL the assessment.

This last year I was able to demonstrate in a logical presentation (with a spreadsheet) that my property was not worth the 39% increase but only 12%. I won the appeal, but my neighbor who did not appeal is paying 40% more than his previous assessment.

DO SOMETHING!

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GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES increase the length and quality of your life.

Only 3 percent of lung cancers occur in people under 45, regardless of smoking status.

This year in the United States, an estimated 93,010 men and 79,560 women will be diagnosed with lung cancer and almost an equal number -- 90,490 men and 73,020 women -- will die of it.

Only about 10 percent of men and 20 percent of women with lung cancer have never smoked. (They are probably victims of second-hand smoke or genetic propensity.)

About 1 in 5 people are current smokers.”

-------------------

"CASH FOR THE MERCHANDISE,
Cash for the Hard Goods,
Cash for the Soft Goods..."
or The Economic Law of Grandpa Forrest

"If you can't pay cash for it - you can't have it."
(The only exceptions are for a very basic car or house.)

I have lived up to this law my entire life with great success.

----------------------------

The average American Family in 2005 has over $10,000+
in credit card debts.

Even if you pay $319 per month interest for the rest of your life
you will never reduce the $10,000 principle.

Credit cards purchases are for most people just another
form of addiction.

I watched a child cry in the store today until his mother
bought him what he wanted. That is just the beginning
of a life long set of "addiction" values.

And yes, the use of credit cards which are payed off monthly
provide YOU the FREE use other peoples money.

Credit cards can be useful tools to track
HOW you spend your resources. Likewise, if you use a
card with "rebate" dollars you can actually make money!
(e.g. Discover Card)

There are a number of credit card calculators that can assist you in understanding the severity of your situation. One example:
http://www.savingadvice.com/calculators/creditcard.php

-----------------------------

HAVING A FAMILY:

The second most important emotional and financial decision in your life is the raising of a family (children.)

This can be the most rewarding point in your life (or the most depressing). In either event it only begins at the point of conception and will end only at death.

Visit:
http://www.babycenter.com/costofchild/

to determine the financial consequences.

(And yes I love my children with all my heart and would not trade them for a billion dollars.)

------------------

YOUR LIFE MATE:

A MOST important decision.....

The selection of your life mate is one of THE most important emotional and financial decisions you will ever make in your life.

There are no magic formulas in selecting a complementary mate. Sometimes a mate needs to be the YEN and for others the YANG.

Unfortunately, mate selection often has more to do with hormones than with logic.

Choose wisely.....and make it work!

PS - Look at your potential mate's family carefully. Remember that the prejudices and attitudes, financial habits, spiritual and work ethics were engrained on your potential mate for a lifetime. These trait do not mean your potential mate will be a CARBON COPY but it does reflect what they and you will have to aspire to (or overcome). KLF

------------------------------

AESOP'S LIFE LESSONS:

Some AESOP favorites:

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about,
chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by,
bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the
nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper,
"instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant,
"and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got
plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and
continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no
food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants
distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had
collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:


It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
AESOP FABLES

----------------------


The Dancing Monkeys

A PRINCE had some Monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally
great mimics of men's actions, they showed themselves most apt
pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they
danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often
repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier,
bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and
threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts
forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys
instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their
robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing
spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of
the audience.

-"Not everything you see is what it appears to be."-

AESOP

---------------------------------------

The Frogs and the Well


Two Frogs lived together in a marsh. But one hot summer the marsh
dried up, and they left it to look for another place to live in: for
frogs like damp places if they can get them. By and by they came to
a deep well, and one of them looked down into it, and said to the
other, "This looks a nice cool place. Let us jump in and settle here."
But the other, who had a wiser head on his shoulders, replied, "Not so
fast, my friend. Supposing this well dried up like the marsh, how
should we get out again?"

"Look before you leap."

AESOP

-----------------------------------------

Hercules and the Waggoner


A Waggoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy
way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank
half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper
sank the wheels. So the Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt
down and prayed to Hercules the Strong. "O Hercules, help me in
this my hour of distress," quoth he. But Hercules appeared to
him, and said:

"Tut, man, don't sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder
to the wheel."


The gods help them that help themselves.

AESOP

-----------------------------------------

The Goose With the Golden Eggs


One day a countryman going to the nest of his Goose found
there an egg all yellow and glittering. When he took it up it was
as heavy as lead and he was going to throw it away, because he
thought a trick had been played upon him. But he took it home on
second thoughts, and soon found to his delight that it was an egg
of pure gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and he soon
became rich by selling his eggs. As he grew rich he grew greedy;
and thinking to get at once all the gold the Goose could give, he
killed it and opened it only to find nothing.

Greed oft o'er reaches itself.

AESOP

--------------------------------------

The Monkeys and Their Mother


THE MONKEY, it is said, has two young ones at each birth. The
Mother fondles one and nurtures it with the greatest affection
and care, but hates and neglects the other. It happened once
that the young one which was caressed and loved was smothered by
the too great affection of the Mother, while the despised one was
nurtured and reared in spite of the neglect to which it was
exposed.

The best intentions will not always ensure success.

AESOP

----------------------------------------

APPEARANCES:

If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody. (Anon)

and

All the people who smile at you - are not your friend. (Overby)

---------------------

PROTECTING WHAT YOU HAVE...

Financial Advice - "The first rule of finance is to protect what you have - the second is to make it grow." Mary Erdoes-managing director at J.P. Morgan

-----------

It may be fun to watch and dream as players at the last table of Poker.com make single bets of average peoples life income. But you have about the same chance to win the lottery as to sit at that table.

Your best chance of financial success to carefully manage "what you have." No matter what your income you can do better with your resources with a "consistent" and carefully reviewed plan.

Success does not happen in a day but it does require attention every day of your life. KLF

--------------------------------

YEARLY FINANCIAL REVIEW:

Financial: Once a year you need to make a serious financial review of all your utility costs. This past year I was able to renegotiate rates on my CELL PHONE (different program saving $35 per month) , CABLE FEES (Saving $30 per month), SBC CABLE feels (from $45 per month to $14.95), Trash collection fees (saving $5.00 per month), etc.

Likewise I changed my insurance agent (and agency) to double my coverage at approximately the same money.

SENIOR DISCOUNTS:

Discounts: At age 55 you need to purchase an AARP membership. It is good for numerous discounts at virtually all hotels and travel offers.

It is exceedingly important to always ask for "Senior" discounts when making large purchases.

SEX:

My girlfriend always laughs during sex - no matter what she's reading.
—Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers

FACTS OF LIFE:

"Suffer what there is to suffer. Enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue..."
Buddist quotation

LIFE QUOTES:

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.
-- Josh Billings

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."
Author:The Dalai Lama

"Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. "
Author:Confucius

"It is difficult to give away kindness. It keeps coming back to you."
Author:Cort Flint

"A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle."
Author:Unknown

"If someone were to pay you ten cents for every kind word you ever spoke and collect five cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor?"
Author:Nonpareil

"The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention."
Author:Duguet

"So many gods, so many creeds,
So many paths that wind and wind,
While just the art of being kind
Is all the sad world needs."
Author:Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."
Author:Aesop

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
Author:Helen Keller

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again."
Author:Stephen Grellet, Quaker missionary

FAMILY PEACE:

"And He who Troubles his own house
Shall inherit the wind."
(Old Testament)
--------------------------------

APPEARANCES: GROUCHO MARX

One day while Groucho Marx was working in his garden (dressed in well-worn gardening attire), a wealthy woman pulled up in a Cadillac and endeavored to persuade the gardener to come and work for her. How much does the lady of the house pay you? she asked. Oh, I don't get paid in dollars, Groucho replied, glancing up. The lady of the house just a lets me sleep with her.
--Groucho Marx (1895-1977 )US comedian, member of the Marx Brothers

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

You only get one chance to make a good FIRST IMPRESSION.
(many)

--------------------------

LIFE QUOTES: (Many)

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.
-Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)

The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.
-Robert Heinlein (1907 - 1988), "Job", 1984

Life is just a bowl of pits.
-Rodney Dangerfield (1921 - 2004)

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
-Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact than a drunken man is happier than a sober one.
-George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.
-Gerry Spence, 'How to Argue and Win Every Time'

Men willingly believe what they wish.
-Julius Caesar (100 BC - 44 BC), De Bello Gallico

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to believe.
-Laurence J. Peter (1919 - 1988), paraphrasing Sir Walter Scott

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
-Japanese Proverb

Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self respect springs.
-Joan Didion (1934 - ), "Slouching Towards Bethlehem"

You can tell the character of every man when you see how he receives praise.
-Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD), Epistles

Put more trust in nobility of character than in an oath.
-Solon (638 BC - 559 BC)

Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.
-Sophia Loren (1934 -

A man should not leave this earth with unfinished business. He should live each day as if it was a pre-flight check. He should ask each morning, am I prepared to lift-off?
-Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, All is Vanity, 1991

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.
-Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

This only is denied to God: the power to undo the past.
Agathon (448 BC - 400 BC), from Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics

Everyone ought to worship God according to his own inclinations, and not to be constrained by force.
-Flavius Josephus (37 AD - 100 AD), Life

Pray as if everything depended upon God and work as if everything depended upon man.
-Francis Cardinal Spellman (1889 - 1967)

A LIFE PLAN:

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
-Ben Stein

LIFE QUOTES: (many)

Everyone ought to worship God according to his own inclinations, and not to be constrained by force.
-Flavius Josephus

God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.
-Voltaire (1694 - 1778)

If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank.
-Woody Allen (1935 - )

If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
-Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), (attributed)

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
-Aldous Huxley (1894 - 1963), "Proper Studies", 1927

If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is "thank you," that would suffice.
-Meister Eckhart

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.
-Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion.
-Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865), (attributed)

CERTAINTY OF LIFE CYCLE (Bhagavd Gita)

For certain is death for the born
And certain is birth for the dead;
Therefore over the inevitable
Thou shouldst not grieve.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2
(250 BC - 250 AD)

IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER:

Ambitition may take you to the top of any organization
but only character will keep you there.

(White Castle - box flap)

FIRST RULE OF HOLES....

When your in one...stop digging!
(Anonymous)

-------------

SURGURY ADVICE: (Practical experience)

Before you have a major surgery it is highly recommended that you do a "check" on the surgeon record from a major service like "healthrecords.net".

TO MY CHILDREN:

To Jenny and Nathan,

I can't tell you enough how happy your mother
and I have been with your growth into adulthood.

You have both given us the pleasure of watching
two kind, and generous people mature and
grow as unique individuals.

We love you both with all our hearts.

(I write to for my children prior to a life threatening surgury.)

--------------------------

TO MY WIFE

I love you Jo-Ellen. I say those words everyday of my life
behind your back and to your face.

You have been my BEST FRIEND on this fragile and short journey together.

We have experienced a wide variety of feelings together - all of
which remind me of the adage - "if you don't grow together
you grow apart."

Thank you - for your life long support.

I love you....forever - Kent

-------------------------

LIFE QUOTES: Perspective


"I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change."

Jim Rohn - Author and Speaker

------------------------

When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers allthought, "He's so big we can never kill him." But David looked at the same giant and thought, "He's so big, I can't miss.”


Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will
being in the right place at the right time, unless you
are ready. The most important question is: "Are you ready?"

Johnny Carson

---------------------

Do not wait; the time will never be "just right."
Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools
you may have at your command, and better tools will
be found as you go along.

Napoleon Hill

"Remember that your goal is not to be the richest person in the cemetery. Make the most of today!" - Hugh Tassey

---------------------

Things may come to those who wait, but only
those things left by those who hustle.

Abraham Lincoln

---------------------

In the Tao Te Ching it reads:

Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are,
When you realize there is nothing lacking
the whole world belongs to you.

The Tao says,

"We join spokes together in a wheel
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move."

---------------------

You can't lead a parade if you think you look "funny" sitting on a horse.

Gremmel...

---------------------

My father worked with Profanity
like other artists worked in Oil or clay.

Alfee - The Christmas Story

---------------------

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.

Will Rogers

---------------------

I'm desperately trying to figure out why kamikaze pilots wore helmets. - Dave Edison

"Remember that your goal is not to be the richest person in the cemetery. Make the most of today!" - Hugh Tassey

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
- Will Rogers

Life1

LIFE QUOTES: (various)

There are two ways to become rich, make more, or desire less. (Anonymous)

No rain, no rainbows. (Anonymous)

If everything is going well, you don't know what the heck is going on. (Anonymous)

There is no job so simple that it cannot be done wrong. (Anonymous)

You can be young only once, but immature forever. (Anonymous)

The loudest voice in the room is not necessarily the clearest. (Anonymous)

LIFE QUOTES: (various)

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." ~Thomas Edison

"Hitch your wagon to a star." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If you knew how much work went into it, you wouldn't call it genius." ~Michelangelo

"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves." ~Thomas Edison

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr.Seuss

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." ~Eddie Rickenbacker

INSTRUCTIONS:

"If you can't describe what you are doing as a process, you don't know
what you're doing." (W. Edwards Deming)

Money is a poor way of keeping score....

No piece of paper will make anyone a decent human being.

Just because you care, does not mean others will.

Learning to forgive takes practice.

Never lend your car to anyone you have given birth.

Erma Bombeck

It is easier
to get forgiveness
than permission.

STUART'S LAW OF RETROACTION

Life 101 Peter McWilliams

Guilt is anger directed at ourseleves--at what we did or did not do. Resentment is anger directed at others -- at what they did or did not do.

Life 101 - Peter McWilliams

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

African quote.

One of the best examples of how strong the taboo is against making a mistake has become is the use of the word sin. In ancient Rome, sin was a word used in archery. It simply meant to "miss the mark. At target practice, each shot was a hit or a sin. If you made a sin you made corrections and tried again.

Life 101 - Peter McWilliams

There is a story of Edison, who made, say, 1000 unsuccessful attempts in the invention of the lightbulb. "How did it fail to fail 1000 times?, a reporter asked. "I didn't fail 1000 times Edison replied. "The lightbulb was an invention that 1001 steps."

Life 101 - Peter McWilliams

Experience is the name
that everyone gives to
their mistakes.

- Oscar Wilde

A problem is a chance
for you to do your best.

-Duke Ellington

I was thrown out of college
for cheating
on the metaphysic exam.
I looked into the soul
of the boy next to me.

-Woody Allen

In life, you choose what you learn from the many lessons presented to you, and your choice is fundamental to what you learn.

-Peter McWilliams

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

- Helen Keller

Life is a play.
It's not its length,
but its performance that counts.

Seneca...

The authors of The Millionaire Next Door argue that this rough rule of thumb (Your yearly income X your age / 10) can be used to describe how well people are doing at building toward financial independence.1

They noticed that over half of the 3.5 million U.S. millionaires in 1996 had household incomes less than 131,000 USD a year--even though over 7 million households reported income in excess of 100,000 USD. So, they argue that the distinguishing traits of people who become financially independent are those relating to frugality--the ability to control expenses, stick to a budget, and generally not worry about keeping up with the Joneses. Millionaires tend to save at least 15% of their income, and focus very seriously on planning on how to build their wealth--rather than on how to maintain a fancy lifestyle. The result? A high ratio of net worth--the value of all assets, after subtracting liabilities--to income.

Act without doing;
work without effort.

Think of the small as large
and the few as many.

Confront the difficult
while it is still easy.

Accomplish the great task
by a series of small acts.

Lao-Tze
(Translated by S. Mitchell)
------------------------

Author John Bogle points out that the Rule of 72 is more flexible than is commonly thought.

The Rule of 72 is most commonly used to estimate the length of time it would take a beginning amount of principal to double, if it compounds at a given interest rate (typically, one less than say, 20%, as higher numbers tend to work less well). For example, principal at 6% will double in 72 / 6 = 12 years.

What's less well known is that the Rule of 72 is also a way for estimating retirement income. It shows, for a given rate of return, how long you must regularly invest a given sum in order to begin withdrawing that sum without dipping into principal. For example, if you invest 1000 USD per month at a 6% annual rate of return, then in 72 / 6 = 12 years, you could begin withdrawing 1000 USD per month from your portfolio without depleting your principal. In effect, so long as your funds continued to earn a straight 6% annual return, that 1000 USD per month could be your retirement income.1

The average American lives approximately 27,000 days. So what has made your life meaningful today? (Anon.)

A galaxy is a group of billions of stars held together by gravity. Galaxies also contain interstallar gas and sust. The universe may have about 50 billion galaxies. The one we live in is called the Milky Way. The sun and stars we see at night are just a few of the 200 billion stars in the Milky Way. Light from a star along one edge of the galaxy would take about 100,000 years to reach the other edge. Astonomers measure the distance bettween stars and between galaxies in light-years. One light-year is the distance light travels in one year - about 5.9 trillion miles. ---- Put your problems into prospective!

The journey is the reward....Chinese proverb

When our memories outweight our dreams, we have grown old.
(William Clinton)

An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
(Friedrich Engels)

Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.
(Henry Ford)

Great works are performed, not by strength but by perserverance.
(Samuel Johnson)

The needs of the one outweighed the needs of the many.
(Kirk - Star Trek III)

It is important to review your RETIREMENT OPTIONS every 5 years. You may become amazed that benefits change, options and grandfather clauses lapse. You cannot reply on a single source for your retirement. Be prepared to SAVE at least 5% of your income and INVEST another 5% in other investments. "If things can go wrong - they will."

-----------------------------------

Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Gandhi

I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think - Socrates

There is IQ and I Will. -Beatrice Skinner

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough we must do. - Goethe

You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself. - Galileo Galilei

Learning is not a spectator sport. - D. Blocher

For learning to take place with any kind of efficiency students must be motivated. To be motivated, they must become interested. And they become interested when they are actively working on projects which they can relate to their values and goals in life. - Gus Tuberville, President, William Penn College

The only kind of learning which significantly influences behavior is self-discovered or self-appropriated learning - truth that has been assimilated in experience. - Carl Rogers

It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained. - Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (b. 1926). Television documentary, BBC1, 6 Feb. 1992.

I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn. - Albert Einstein

It takes two to speak the truth,--one to speak, and another to hear. - Henry David Thoreau

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires - William Arthur Ward

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten. - B. F. Skinner

Some, for renown, on scraps of learning dote,
And think they grow immortal as they quote.
- Edward Young

The road to wisdom?-Well, it's plain
and simple to express:
Err
and err
and err again
but less
and less
and less.
- Piet Hein, Danish inventor and poet.

To know yet to think that one does not know is best;
Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.
- Lao-Tzu (6th century B.C.), Legendary Chinese philosopher.

Some are born with knowledge, some derive it from study, and some acquire it only after a painful realization of their ignorance. But the knowledge being possessed, it comes to the same thing. Some study with a natural ease, some from a desire for advantages, and some by strenuous effort. But the achievement being made, it comes to the same thing. - Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius)

When you know something, say what you know. When you don't know something, say that you don't know. That is knowledge." - Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius)

What I hear, I forget.
What I see, I remember.
What I do, I understand.
- Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius)

Learning without thought is labor lost. Thought without learning is intellectual death. - Confucius (551-479 B.C.)

Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all. - Arthur C. Clarke

I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me. - Dudley Field Malone

I think, therefore I am (Cogito, ergo sum.) - Descartes

Teaching Quotes , Teaching Quotations, Teaching Sayings - Famous Quotes and Famous Sayings Network: "You can pay people to teach, But you can't pay them to care.
--Marva Collins "

What we think, we become.
--Buddha
--------------------

Consider This.... Chicken Soup for the Soul
From: Chicken Soup for the Soul™ © 1993
by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Health Communications, Inc. P 228-230
• After Fred Astaire’s first screen test, the memo from the testing director of MGM, dated 1933 said, “Can’t act! Slight balk! Can dance a little!” Astaire kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hill Home.
• Louisa May Alcott, the author of “Little Women”],” was encouraged to find work as a servant or semstree by her family.
• Beethoven handled the violin awkwqardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer.
• The parents of the famous opera singer Enrico Caruso wanted him to be an engineer. His teacher said he had no voice at all and could not sing.
• Charles Darwin, father of the Theory of Evolution, gave up a medical career and was told by his father, “You care for nothing but shooting, dogs, and rat catching.” In his autobiography, Darwin wrote, “I was considered by all my masters and by my father, a very odinary boy, rather below the common standard in intellect.”
• Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for a lack of ideas. Walt Disney also went bankrupct several times before he built Disneyland.
• Thomas Edison’ts teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
• Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and didn’t read until he was seven. His teacher described him as “mentally slow, unsocialable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.” He was expelled and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School.
• Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15th out of 22 in chemistry.
• Isacc Newton did very poorly in grade school.
• The sculptor Rodin’s father said, “I have an idiot for a son.” Described as the worst pupil in the school. Rodin failed three times to secure admittance to the school of art. His uncle called him uneducable.
• Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, flunked out of college. He was described as “both unable and unwilling to learn.”
• Henry Ford failed and went brok five times before he finally succeeded.
• Babe Ruth, considered by sports historians to be the greatest athlete of all time and famous for the setting the home run record, also hold the record for strikeouts.
• Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until was 62, and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a “senior citizen.”
• Richard Hooker worked for seven years on his humorous war novel, M*A*S*H, only to have it reject by 21 publishers before Morrow decided to publish it. It became a runaway bestseller, spawning ablockbusting movie and a highly successful television series.
• R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on.
From: Chicken Soup for the Soul™ © 1993
by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Health Communications, Inc.

We are all going to die
it is question of when
so enjoy life today
before it starts over again.

You are going to die
Let me say it again
Your are going to die
It is only a question of when.

You are going to die
And all your stuff will rot.
You are going to die
And your dreams will stop.

You are going to die
Perhap even today.
Your going to die
So remember to play.

Your going to die
As everyone else.

Kent Forrest

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