Archive for the 'Financial' Category

Dec 31

The Power of Less

Emotional, Financial, Mental, Physical Jason Mitchener 1 Comment »

Welcome back!

One of my favorite blogs to read is Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. Leo writes about many of the same subjects I do here on Forward Habit but in his own unique way. I don’t consider him a competitor, but another source that can help you attain your personal development goals.

Leo just released his book The Power of Less which teaches us how to simplify our lives so that we have more time (and money!) to focus on the things that are really important to us. In our ever-evolving world, it can be too easy to get caught up in the busy-ness and complexity of life. Leo’s book looks like a good aid to help declutter our lives both physically and emotionally.

I will post an in-depth review of Leo’s book the Power of Less in the coming weeks, but for now you can check it out on Amazon here:

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Oct 15

How to Help Fight Poverty

Emotional, Financial, Spiritual Jason Mitchener No Comments »

Poverty
(Photo by eren | thisvintagechica)

Today, as part of Blog Action Day, I’m contributing to the discussion on poverty.

I’ve never though of myself as a rich person, but according to the web site Global Rich List I’m in the top 14% of the richest people in the world. This number really changes my perspective and makes me want to do more to fight poverty. But here are two things I’m doing right now that you may also want to consider:

Sponsoring a Child

Through World Vision, I sponsor a six-year-old boy in the Dominican Republic named Marcos. Because Marcos lives in a community affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis, World Vision classifies him as a HopeChild. What this means is that I donate $35 per month instead of $30 and my extra donation helps Marcos’ community fight HIV/AIDS. Truthfully, $35 a month does not seem like much to me, but it does mean a lot to Marcos and his family. He will have a better chance at a healthy life and have opportunities for education.

My donation to World Vision is easy. At the beginning of every month, $35 is automatically withdrawn from my checking account via my debit card. I have it set so that the withdrawal happens right after my paycheck is deposited, meaning the money is guaranteed to be in my account for the donation.

Participating in Microloans

Through Kiva, I’m helping a man named Dilovar Bozorov in Tajikistan purchase a greater variety of food for his food stand. This will enable him to more easily provide for his wife and two children.

This is how microloans through Kiva work:

1) Lenders browse profiles of entrepreneurs in need, and choose someone to lend to. When they lend, using PayPal or their credit cards, Kiva collects the funds and then passes them along to one of our microfinance partners worldwide.

2) Kiva’s microfinance partners distribute the loan funds to the selected entrepreneur. Often, our partners also provide training and other assistance to maximize the entrepreneur’s chances of success.

3) Over time, the entrepreneur repays their loan. Repayment and other updates are posted on Kiva and emailed to lenders who wish to receive them.

4) When lenders get their money back, they can re-lend to someone else in need, donate their funds to Kiva (to cover operational expenses), or withdraw their funds.

I signed up for a Kiva account and browsed the profiles of entrepreneurs. I found Dilovar and noticed that he was close to his goal of $800 in loans. I loaned $25 through my Paypal account. When Dilovar repays the money, I will get credit in my Kiva account which I will re-lend to someone else. Each month, I’ll look for another entrepreneur and loan another $25 through Kiva. Because I’ll eventually be getting my money back from most of these entrepreneurs (the default rate for Kiva loans is very low), I’ll eventually be able to loan way more than $25 a month through re-lending.

What a great opportunity to help people help themselves!

How about you? How can you help fight poverty?

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Aug 02

Frugal Things To Do In Phoenix, Arizona

Financial Jason Mitchener 8 Comments »


(Photo by mixstar)

The Money Life Network has been running a series called “Frugal things To Do In …” that features frugal things to do in various cities. I thought I would contribute with frugal things to do in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States. I’ve lived here since 1972. There are many things to do in the Phoenix area. Most things I list are under $10.00 for an adult.

Main Attractions

The Phoenix Zoo, recently voted one of the top five zoos for kids, is over 125 acres with approximately 1200 animals on exhibit. Open every day except Christmas, the zoo’s admission is $14.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors (age 60+), and $6.00 for children (3-12). The zoo is currently running a summer season special (through September 30th) of one free child admission with one paid adult.

Near the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden is home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world. It’s open 362 days a year (it’s not open July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). Admission is $10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors, $5.00 for students (13-18 and college with ID), and $4.00 for children (3-12).

Museums

The Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix features Native American arts and crafts. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors (65+), $5.00 for students (with a valid student ID), and $3.00 for children (6-12). Native Americans are admitted free.

The Phoenix Art Museum has a collection of over 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. The museum is closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors and full-time students (with ID), and $4.00 for children (ages 6-17).

The Arizona Science Center has over 40,000 square-feet of gallery space with over 300 hands-on exhibits. Admission is $9.00 for adults and $7.00 for everyone else.

The Pioneer Living History Village recreates Arizona’s territorial days on this 85-acre piece of land north of Phoenix. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (60+), and $5.00 for students (6-18).

The Phoenix Museum of History traces the city’s history from 1860 to 1940. Admission is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors, $4.00 for students, $4.00 for military, and $3.00 for children (7-12).

Hiking and Backpacking

Piestewa Peak features a 1.2 mile trail with a gain of over 1200 feet. Piestewa Peak is named after Lori Piestewa, the first American Indian woman soldier killed in an American war. Free.

Camelback Mountain features trails that range from easy to strenuous. Free.

At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the nation’s largest municipal park. The park features 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. Free.

Sports

The Phoenix area is home to five major league sports teams. Tickets to sporting events can be expensive, but I’ll try to highlight the more frugal options.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the local major league baseball team. The 2001 Diamondbacks were the fastest expansion franchise ever to win both a pennant and a World Series (4th season), after being founded in 1998. You can purchase Outfield Reserve tickets in the upper level for $5.00. Ticket info and schedule.

The Arizona Cardinals are the local national football league team. Single game tickets are not cheap with the lowest price being $50.00. Ticket info and schedule.

The Phoenix Suns are the local national basketball association team. Western Conference champs in 1976 and 1993, the Suns continue their winning ways. Cheaper tickets run from $10.00 to $25.00. Ticket info and schedule.

The Phoenix Mercury are the local women’s national basketball association team. The Mercury are the 2007 WNBA champions. Single game tickets are as low as $10.00. Ticket info and schedule.

The Phoenix Coyotes are the local national hockey league team. The Coyotes are coached by hockey star Wayne Gretzky. Tickets start as low as $9.00. Ticket info and schedule.

Come visit us in Phoenix!

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Jul 31

Pick Your Own Berries, Fruits, and Vegetables

Financial, Food, Physical Jason Mitchener 2 Comments »


(Photo by bisquit)

When I was a teenager, I visited my grandma in Indiana. One day, she took me out to a local farm to pick blueberries. It was a lot of fun and somehow the blueberries tasted better, perhaps because I picked them.

A lot of farms and orchards allow you to pick your own fruits and vegetables. It can be a great family activity. Parents can burn some calories. Kids can get worn out for an afternoon nap (a parent’s dream). City kids can learn where fruits and vegetables actually come from. And everyone can get some of the nutrients that can be lost in transportation and processing.

This site lists farms and orchards across the country that allow you to pick your own:
http://www.pickyourown.org/statelist.htm#statelist

And for our international friends, farms and orchards in Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand are also included. The listings on the site can be sparse or very detailed.

Some picking tips:

  • Call ahead to make sure the berries, fruits, or vegetables you want to pick are available
  • Bring your own containers
  • Wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Bring water and snacks

So do you have any berry picking stories? If so, please share them in the comments.

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Jul 27

How to Save Money on Gas and Lose Weight at the Same Time

Financial, Physical Jason Mitchener 1 Comment »


(Photo by daviddesign)

Gas prices have gone down a little recently, but here in Phoenix gas is still near $4.00 per gallon. That’s a lot of money, especially considering a year ago gas cost around $2.75 per gallon here. With gas prices still high, it pays to look into alternatives to driving.

One alternative to driving is obviously walking. Not only will walking help you save on gas, but it will also help you lose weight. But is your neighborhood “walkable”? Are there enough stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. nearby enough to walk?

WalkScore.com

The web site Walk Score is a great way to find out if your neighborhood is “walkable.” Input your address and Walk Score uses Google Maps data to determine what amenities are within walking distance. Not only does the web site list these amenities, their distances, and their addresses, but it also gives you an overall Walk Score. If an amenity is within .25 miles, the maximum number of points is given. If an amenity is over 1 mile, no points are given. The amenity categories are totaled and your address receives a score from 0 (stick to your car) to 100 (totally walkable).

What amenity categories are included?

  • Grocery Stores
  • Restaurants
  • Coffee Shops
  • Bars
  • Movie Theaters
  • Schools
  • Parks
  • Libraries
  • Bookstores
  • Fitness
  • Drugstores
  • Hardware Stores
  • Clothing & Music

When I input my own address, I get a Walk Score of 68 or Somewhat Walkable. It turns out I have quite a few amenities within walking distance. The categories that I don’t have nearby are movie theaters, fitness, and clothing & music.

One cool thing about Walk Score is I discovered some amenities that I didn’t know existed. I ran Walk Score last night and it listed an El Pollo Loco restaurant (great Mexican-grilled chicken) only .16 miles away from me. Looking at the address, I realized it was where the old Del Taco had been. I also discovered some Mexican grocery stores I didn’t know about.

Some Drawbacks to WalkScore.com

First, Walk Score currently only works for addresses in the United States, Canada, and the UK (with Canada and the UK being less accurate). Second, there are certain factors that Walk Score’s algorithm doesn’t take into account that also help determine if your neighborhood is really “walkable.”

  • How much crime is there?
  • Are streets well-lit?
  • Is the street design safe?
  • Do freeways or bodies of water block your access?
  • Are there too many hills?
  • What’s the weather like?

For me, Phoenix is extremely hot in the summer, so Fry’s Marketplace may only be half a mile away but few people are going to walk there in July.

Other Alternatives

Besides walking, you may consider riding a bicycle. Check craigslist for some good deals on used bicycles. My friend Steven uses a skateboard to get to many places.

So is your neighborhood “walkable”?

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Jul 26

10 Basic Spices and Herbs That Will Enliven Your Food, Save You Money, and Keep You Healthy

Financial, Food, Physical Jason Mitchener 1 Comment »


(Photo by theatricalAL 03)

Because the care center where I live has to cater to the varied tastes (and dietary restrictions) of over a hundred residents, the food they serve here is often bland. Quite often, I found myself looking at what was on my tray and then immediately getting on the Papa John’s web site to order hot wings. Each month, I was spending between $50 and $100 on takeout and that was just for me.

Finally, I decided something needed to be done to curb my takeout food spending but still be able to enjoy food that wasn’t so bland. My solution was to buy a handful of spices and herbs that I could add to the food I got on my care center tray. Now that my food is tastier, I “eat in” more often and save money.

By adding spices and herbs to your meals, you can also save money because “eating in” will taste so much better. Spices and herbs can also keep you healthy.

Below are ten basic spices and herbs that will enliven your food …

1. Peppercorns

Technically, peppercorns are the fruit of a flowering vine. Besides the common black variety, they are also available in white, red/pink, and green. Although ground black pepper does come on my tray in a small packet, I much prefer grinding my own peppercorns with a pepper mill. Pepper mills come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, but a basic one can usually be purchased for under $20. This may seem like a lot, but pepper mills can be used for years and the taste difference between pre-ground pepper and grinding your own peppercorns is significant.

I use peppercorns on just about everything … meat, fish, salads, potatoes, vegetables. With most pepper mills, you can also vary the coarseness of the ground pepper. I prefer mine fairly coarse.

2. Garlic Powder

For most people, I would suggest using fresh garlic, but garlic powder suits my particular needs. I mostly use the garlic powder by sprinkling it on my bread. Those that cook can also use it in Italian dishes. Not only does garlic taste great, but it is also a fantastic part of a heart-healthy diet. Of course, to maintain good friendships, please brush your teeth after a garlic-flavored meal.

3. Cayenne (or Red) Pepper

I live in the Southwest, so I have been using cayenne pepper for years. I sprinkle it on my Mexican food and in my chili. I also sprinkle a little cayenne pepper on my vegetables. Yes you read that correctly … my vegetables. I have to admit I’m not a big vegetable person, but with a little bit of heat from the cayenne pepper, I’m willing to eat my vegetables. Cayenne also helps with circulation and is a powerful antioxidant.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice cultivated from the bark of cinnamon trees. Interestingly, the powdered cinnamon most common in the United States actually comes from a similar plant called cassia. I am most likely to use cinnamon in my oatmeal or on toast. Others would also use it to bake desserts or in hot cocoa or tea. Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and studies show it may be beneficial to people with type II diabetes.

5. Oregano

Oregano is an herb used in many Italian and Greek dishes. In fact, with basil, it is often what characterizes the uniquely Italian flavor. Like many of the spices and herbs, oregano is high in antioxidant activity.

6. Basil

Like oregano, basil is often used in Italian dishes and is high in antioxidant activity. Basil is best used fresh and is often not added to cooking until the last moment because cooking quickly destroys the flavor.

7. Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb used in Mediterranean cuisine. Using Rosemary for chicken is also popular. Rosemary is high in iron, calcium, and Vitamin B6.

8. Paprika

Paprika is a peppery spice without the heat. It can be used to flavor goulash, chicken, or fish. Paprika is very high in Vitamin C.

9. Thyme

Thyme is an herb often found in French, Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Persian, Spanish, and Turkish cuisines. It can be used for meats, soups, and stews. Thyme is high in iron.

10. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a spice mostly used in desserts and breads. It can be a flavorful addition to French toast.

What’s in your spice rack?

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