I read this today: Bill Gates alone has as much wealth as the bottom 40% of all U.S. households combined. That means that if 40% (the bottom 40%) yes that is almost half of the entire U.S population put all their money into a single bucket that amount would be equal to Bill Gates’ net worth. That is insane. Also: The top 10% own 71% of all private wealth. The … [Read more...] about Wealth

PRESS PLAY TO READ THIS BLOG POST This is from last weeks episode of This American Life, it is truly radio journalism at it’s best. I listened to it on my way to work and just couldn’t believe my ears. The Episode is about a hedge fund by the name of Magnetar who created CDO’s with hand picked destined to fail home mortgages and then bet against them using a credit default … [Read more...] about Inside Job

So about 9 months ago, I came across the idea of minimalism. I guess this is not really a new idea, well, obviously since minimalism would come before consumerism, but the idea that less is more became not just an idea but part of my identity.  Maybe it was the economic downturn that really put things into perspective for me, having saved judiciously for our entire life to … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts

I was reading an interesting blog the other day by Sean Ogle who writes location 180.  For some reason I have been reading all these blogs lately by interesting people who have taken their lives and their businesses all around the world. They have left the mainstream to pursue an “unorthodox” existence. Maybe it is the unorthodoxy that excites me, maybe it is the travel, … [Read more...] about My Bucket List

I was on my way to bed last night when I noticed my batteries needed a bit of a charge.  I opened my bedroom drapes to open the door to turn on the charger and what should I see but snow.  I came home expecting warmer weather and sun, but I get snow, which means using more propane at a time when I need to do wash and heat the house.  Normally, I love snow.  … [Read more...] about Miscellaneous