Author Archives: scottsoapbox

PC Christmas

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For those of you that were offend by our “Merry CHRISTmas” yesterday… We’re sorry.

Not really, but for those of you that are overly sensitive here is a PC Holiday Greeting: Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. We also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee. PS: If you ARE offended by this whole Christmas thing, We — as a matter of personal social conscience — will thoughtfully take any and all Christmas presents off your hands. Simply contact us via our email or text the word “Gifts” to 101909 and we will send you information on how to ship them to us.Thanks Sarah

Merry Christmas

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Merry CHRISTmas everyone! Christmas time reminded me of another childhood story. The correct way to sing the classic tune Angels We Have on Heard High is as follows:

Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
(Chorus)
Glo—ria. In egg shells, cease day-O.
Glo—ria. In egg shells, cease day-O…

DIY Basement

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Whew… It's been hard to keep up with the site… what with the Christmas rush and trying to finish my basement. I figured I would turn this obstacle into an advantage and grab some content out of the experience. Here is the glorious BEFORE picture:

 

And the Phase 1 pics. On the left, notice the window is now a door and the electrical work is partially complete. On the right, the framing for the closet and bathroom is complete and the cinderblock walls have been prepped with waterproofing paint…

   

Credit Averages

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While reviewing my credit report, I found some interesting numbers on the national credit averages. I found some of them surprising. The average American consumer has 5 open credit accounts and 1 late payment on their credit report. The average mortgage balance is $106,782 with an average payment of $1,020. The average auto balance $12,141 with an average payment of $416. Meanwhile, the average total debt in America is $79,884. Uh, do that math… (yeah, I know)

Those numbers don’t seem too out of line to me. What struck me is that the average credit card debt is $1,006. A GRAND! A grand? I don’t know anyone that has a credit card balance of $1K. People I know either DON’T carry a balance on their cards or they owe ten, twenty, THIRTY thousand dollars to Mr. Visa. I guess that just shows how averages can be deceiving. Still these averages can give you a hint as to how enslaved you are to “the man” or your stuff at least.

Want To Be A Millionaire? Hurricanes Can Help

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So Katrina caused a huge amount of economic destruction… people just can’t seem to agree on how MUCH economic destruction. Louisiana asked for $250 BILLION! Mississppi was a little surprised to learn this, since they’ve only asked for $33 Billion. So here’s a little math based on Census data. Louisiana’s $250 Billion translates into

  • $533,012 for every person in that lived in New Orleans
  • $55,361 per person in Louisiana
  • Seven times the total retail sales for the entire state of LA in 1997 (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22000.html)Mississippi’s $33 Billion translates into
  • $86,118 per person in Mississippi
  • Twelve times the total retail sales for the entire state of MI in 1997 (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28000.html)It looks like both states are going to be disappointed since the current aid bill working it’s way through Washington has been moving between $25 and $30 billion. Total.
  • Louisiana’s funding request created shockwaves