Breaking Even, Inc.

DNTO and Freakonomics Tackle Money Vs. Time

The old money/time adage goes if you have one, you don't have the other. The money vs. time issue is one felt strongly about by many and can be debated for hours. I've seen a couple interesting and fresh takes on this seemingly-tired arguement recently, both on the New York Times Freakonomics blog and at DNTO, the CDC radio show.

At the Freaknomics blog, Daniel Hamermesh summarizes a paper that recently came out about money and well-being. (It's clever title: "Stressed Out On Four Continents: TIme Crunch Or Yuppie Kvetch?" The title is really all the creativity academics can have with a paper so might as well make it fun!) The major findings of the paper include that while American salaries have tripled since the 1950s, life expectancy has only increased by 10%. The reason is that higher wage workers are spending more time working and that additional wealth means taking more time to spend it (those goods don't acquire themselves!). If you want to read the whole paper, there is a link at the bottom of the post to it.

In related news, DNTO recently did an episode about outsorcing. Mostly, it was writers and contributors to the show experimenting with outsourcing everything from traditional chores like childcare and housework to non-traditional ones like arguing with their spouses and managing their love lives. I was surprised to find that the host of the show Sook-Yin was able to have a piece written that roughly takes up 3 minutes of the show for $20. As someone looking to make an eventual income from writing, I've calculated that I have to make roughly $50 an hour during my billable hours to maintain my standard living, meaning pay all my bills and buy myself health insurance. And those who know me know my lifestyle is far from extravagant. Yikes.

While it was sobering to know I couldn't compete in the global market, it was nice to see in the end the contributors realizing what they were missing in their lives by outsourcing things like reading to their kids. It made me realize how valuable my time is, even whan I am at the grocery store or paying bills.

While I've sometimes felt like a slacker for not climbing some kind of corporate ladder by now, these findings from Freakonomics and DNTO are encouraging. Maybe I've been subconciously avoiding doing the corporate thing for the very reasons of not wanting to be stressed out or lose my leisure time. And even if I was able to outsource the time I spend doing the dishes or answering my email, I know I'd be missing out on some subtlties that really do enrich my life.

In the time or money debate, now more than ever, I'm picking time. What about you?

Photo: I'd pick relaxing over an extra few bucks any day of the week. Photo taken by my friend Brad.

Independence Day

You know when you spend an hour wriitng something really good (in my case a blog post) and then your computer freezes and you lose everything?

Yeah, that just happened to me.

I can't bear to recreate it now; it's time to barbeque and remember the terms under which the country was founded, which were much more difficult then having to rewrite a blog post. Much more significant then my little blog.

If you want to read something cool today, check out The Declaration of Independence, and then think of having to come up with those ideas with a group of people (and having to write it all out neatly by hand).

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Ten Uses For Your Local Newspaper

As usual, I brought home two newspapers from work. I get a copy of The Ellsworth American and MDIslander as part of my job. In addition, on Thursdays I get a copy of my hometown paper, the Saint John Valley Times.

So three newspapers every week adds up. I've got more newsprint then I know what to do with. I've come up with some uses for newspapers. And because being practical and saving money involves reuse, I thought I'd put them on the blog:

1. In the fall, putting wet newspapers on the ground around your plants will inhibit weed growth. (This works! I've done it!)

2. Washing your windows with newspaper makes them streak free.

3. Keep a pile to start fires, especially in bonfire season.

4. Spread out newspapers on your table for a non-messy seafood picnic. (Dump the mussels of clams on the table and have everyone dig in!)

5. Shred it with your compost.

6. Make your own recycled paper. (instead of pantyhose, you can use an old screen to make things a little easier)

7. Use it to line cages, dog crates, your produce bin in your refrigerator. (Not only does it create a surface it also has some odor absorbing qualities.)

8. Giftwrapping! If you are charming enough (and buy cool enough gifts), you can get away with this.

9. Crumble in your shoes to dry them overnight. (Great for running shoes.)

10. Read it. Read it for the articles, or for coupons and sales, or just for a local calendar of free or cheap goings-on.

And here's a much more exhastive list, some of which are a little far-fetched. Point is, there are plenty of ways to reuse newspapers, and lots of other things in life. Happy Thursday!

Why Is Tinted Moisturizer The Same Price As Foundation?

I was perusing the Clinique website (that's the foundation I wear; my exact skin shade is apparently "Healthy"). I remembered that the last time I ordered makeup that tinted moisturizer was the same price as foundation. Is this still the case? Here are my results:

That's right, for less tint, you pay more. And it's only SPF 15. (I'm pround to claim I've been wearing SPF 45 since I was 16 years old.)

So here's what I do. In the morning, I take my Clinique foundation and mix it with equal parts SPF 45 face sunscreen (like Neutrogena) in the palm of my hand before applying.

The benefits:

At $8, Neutrogena makes a good moisturizer with a high SPF. Clinique makes a great makeup. I benefit from both by combining the best of both worlds.

My beauty routine is cheaper.

I get to use foundation in the winter and tinted moisturizer in the summer. No changing products. No products expiring on me.

Has anyone else been doing this? Is it me or does it not make the most sense to mix it yourself?

Too Cute Tuesday: Fashion Icon Earrings

My friend Jessica got this idea from seeing a pair of earrings her friend got in New York. Her friend's earrings cost $30, hers about $3. They also look cool and are easy to customize (because if what you want isn't in stock, why not make it?). The hardest thing about these fabulous accessories is picking your fashion icon (Jessica's is Bridget Bardot, mine Audrey Hepburn).

Materials:
Two identical copies of the star of your earrings (think of how big you can pull off)
An index card, cardstock, or other thick paper
Modge Podge
Sharpie marker or nail polish (the color that'll back your earrings)
Small paintbrush
Earring hooks
Heavy book (a new use for those encyclopedias!)
Scissors
Pin
Gin and tonic (optional)

1. Copy and paste the photo you want to work with in Microsoft Word. This way, you can use the rulers on the top and sides of the screen to figure out the size your earring will be. (To get a hint of what you subconsiously like, measure three or four pairs of your favorite earrings and a pattern of size should emerge.) Once the photo is cropped and resized, copy and paste nearby to create an identical image. Press print.

2. While your photo is printing, mix yourself a gin and tonic. Put in a lime, because why not?

3. Cut your images out of the paper. Spread a thin uniform layer of Modge Podge on the back and stick the images to the index card. Take your time so it doesn't bubble. Let dry, perhaps under an old book you never read to keep things flat. Peruse a magazine while sipping your tonic. Ah.

4. Once dry, cut around the image again. You should have a fairly well-enforced earring. If you feel it is still too flimsy, spread another layer of Modge Podge and adhere to another layer of index card. Let dry again. Peruse. Sip. Ah.

5. Color the back of the earring. Jessica likes nail polish because it gives it a paint-like coat with the precision of a small brush. A dark colored Sharpie (I didn't have nail polish at the time of crafting!) also works in a pinch. After letting the back of the earring dry, color the edges of the earring. Gives the whole thing a nice clean look, don't you think?

6. Now the fun part! Stab with a pin where you want the earring hook to go through. Put the earring hook through the hole and pinched closed. Do the same with the other earring.

7. Put on your earrings and finish that cool, crisp beverage. Appreciate your coolness. You now have a one of a kind accessory.

Now aren't you crafty!

Ladies: Spend $50 And Double Your Wardrobe

A few months ago, you may remember I bought some Danskin leggings as part of my first Ebates experiment. I had worn out my first pair (from Target costing $10) and I wanted something more durable. I bought a brown and black pair... and was floored to realize that I spent $50 on leggings. Yikes. 

Since I've got them, I've worn them at least once a week. And guess what? They're still holding up! And I've found that my $50 investment has helped maximize my wardrobe. Here's why I love my Danskin leggings:

• In the winter, I wear them with skirts and dressses and tucked them into boots for a warmer, more comfortable experience than tights.
• Speaking of winter, I could wear them under my ski clothes as a cheaper alternative to my silk long underwear.
• In summer, I wear them with skirts or dresses with ballet flats.
• On the weekends, I wear my leggings with a longer shirt or tunic. Comfier than jeans, and great for traveling!
• Adding a long top and some great pumps, I am good to go out.
• They take almost no room in a weekend bag.
• If I've gained a little weight, I know I have at least some nice clothes I can wear anyway.
• A light spin in the dryer after they've air dried helps keep their elasticity.
• I can wear them to work out. Cheaper than yoga pants!
• Unlike the cheap pair I had before, I don't have to worry about them falling down from a stretched-out elastic. Always a bonus!

In short, while I felt ridiculous spending $25 on a small part of stretch fabric, I understand the importance of buying quality. Leggings are a "foundation garmet" on which aspects of my wardrobe are now based. I may buy a couple more pairs at the end of the summer for fall and winter wear, though my current pairs show no signs of wearing out.

So if you're going to buy leggings, try Danskin. They are really worth the price, and will extend your wardrobe greatly!

An All-Business Approach To Blogging- Part 2 of 2

This peice was originally published in the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

The first post in this series outlined blogging as a general trend and discussed examples of how a blog could be used on a business web site. Blogs increase web traffic by adding the content customers are searching for to your site (mainly solutions to their problems). Blogs also increase web traffic by giving a reason for customers to visit your web site more often. More importantly than increasing traffic to your web site, blogs can enhance relationships with customers for minimal effort on the blogger’s part. 

A blog allows for commenting, which gives a customer a chance to ask questions and give feedback to a business. By being honest with customers, listening to their concerns, and responding timely in a public forum, bloggers can not only reach the one customer who commented but hundreds of potential customers as well. For example, if your blog discussed your business’s current renovations and apologized for order delays, a customer is more likely to be understanding. A blog puts a human face on your business in a way that’s hard to do online or even at a storefront. Customer comments also allow you to understand what the public likes and doesn’t like about your business, giving you a chance to improve.

Besides learning more from customers, blogs can help you promote what is going on in your business. You can use your business blog to talk about upcoming special events and promotions. A guest author coming to visit your bookstore, for example, may give the opportunity to not only talk about the upcoming visit but to review the author’s books or to talk about other recommended authors that you carry in your store.

The best thing about a blog is that whether you are techno savvy or not, you can maintain it. You don’t have to know about web design to have a blog; there are many free blogging services like Blogger and Wordpress or you can have your webmaster design a blog to go with your business site. A blog is as easy as writing an email and you can add pictures and links like with email. The difference is you only have to write a blog once for many people to see it.

So consider blogging as a way to personalize your online presence and build relationships with customers. Check out the web sites of other businesses and see how they are using blogging. Talk to your webmaster about setting up a blog. If you decide to try one, commit to setting aside time at least once or twice a week to update it and do so religiously. The content you post should be easy to skim and free of grammar and spelling errors. Bold important words for easy skimming, include helpful links or ideas in bulleted lists, and write in an honest and polite manner. Take time to respond to comments personally. Tell everyone about your new blog. Over the course of six months, did your blog increase overall traffic to your web site? Did your sales increase? Have people been talking about it? These are all signs that blogging is working. You’ll only know if blogging is effective for your business if you try it. Whether you decide to continue it after the trial period or not, you’ll have learned a lot about the internet, your customers, and your business.

An All-Business Approach To Blogging- Part 1 of 2

This piece was originally published in the Ellsworth Chamber Of Commerce newsletter.

Blogging has come a long way from computer savvy types writing their personal lives for all to read online. In the past few years, blogging has become a force itself, gaining credibility as it becomes mainstream and breaks some major news stories before traditional media. Some bloggers are now considered experts, intellectuals, and even celebrities.

A blog, which is short for “weblog” is a type of web site where entries are listed in order of date. Entries are used to share ideas, thoughts, and web site links. All entries (called posts) are archived and searchable by date and keyword, making information easy to find. They can be categorized by type of weblog (a photo blog is a photolog for example) or by genre (such as political, personal, or business). Blogs can be found through a search engine like Google or blog directories like Technorati. Between 27-45 % of Americans currently read blogs and this number continues to grow. Worldwide, bloggers (people who write blogs) number over 112 million. More information about blogs and how they work can be seen in this short video: http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs. The best way to understand the purpose of blogs, however, is to read a few; many of your favorite authors or journalists as well as larger companies have their own blogs.

Blogging may seem to be a frivolous way to spend precious business resources of time and personnel. There are ways, however, that your business can benefit from a blog. The first part of this series will discuss how blogging increases your web presence. The second part of the series will explain how blogging can enhance relationships with your customers as well as ways to start a blog for your business.

It may not be news for you to think of your business web site as a publication. To move your web site beyond general information, however, you must consider how you use the internet. You probably don’t use the internet to search for new businesses or ways to spend money but instead, you search for answers to questions. If your business web site provides this information, your web site is more likely to come up in a web search and people are more likely to visit it. Also, updating your web site regularly with information will keep customers coming back to your site to see what else is new. According to some studies, blog readers spend longer on a web page and often have more disposable income than other web users, making them exactly who you want to attract to your site.

Blogs can help with the age-old questions small businesses struggle with: how to get people to their web site and how to keep people coming back. Your business blog could be used answer some frequently asked questions, highlight new products and upcoming events, or instruct people on how to do something with a product you sell. These strategies will no doubt increase your web presence and, more importantly, your web traffic. 

Next Post: How blogging can enhance customer relations and how to get started blogging for your business.

Shameless Promotion

Due to the serendipitous nature of subscribing to lots of feeds, I ran across a blog discussing the fineness of Madeline Peyroux, an musical artist I happen to love. I commented and then ensued a discussion with a woman who likes the exact kinds of music I like. Her blog is The Laundry Is Never Finished, her name is Jennifer, and she and her blog are fabulous. We are exchanging mix CDs in the mail this week. Horray internet friends!

I participated in this week's Carnival of Personal Finance this week hosted by Mrs. Micah. I credit the title Ten Things You Need In Your Kitchen (Besides A Good Cook) for actually driving traffic my way this week.

Madison at My Dollar Plan listed one of my posts on her blog a few weeks back. Her doing so doubled my traffic so I wrote her to thank her. She not only wrote back but offered to link me again and did so yesterday. Another big traffic spike. It's people like this in the blogging community (and more specifically the personal finance blogging community) that make me proud to be a part of it. So help me return the favor and check our her blog. There's a reason it gets so much traffic.

I'd also like to give a shout out to one of my current favorite blogs, Cheap Healthy Good. Except for the dislike of mayonnaise, I agree with everything she says and laugh at least once every post. Do subscribe to this blog if you like food, fun, and good healthy recipes.

And the Blood Drive Contest is almost over, folks. People have written with compelling reasons why they can't participate (which is fine, not everyone is able to give blood and shouldn't put themselves in a bad medical situation by trying to do so) but come on! If no one participates, I guess I'm keeping the book from the giveaway all for myself. So comment on this post if you want to participate. Still a couple more days to give if you're thinking about it. I did mention the free book, right?

A Moment of Zen In The Breakroom

Most days, I need a little afternoon pick-me-up. I don't mean necessarily caffeine so much as an excuse to leave the cubicle for a few moments. It gives me a chance to soak in some natural light and give my eyes a break from the computer screen, not to mention a moment to center myself...

Because I am now forgoing my coffee shop coffee, I have brought the experience to the breakroom. Since I now don't have to go anywhere to get my gourmet cup of happiness, that means I have more time to go for a quick walk down the street or even just peruse Better Homes And Gardens (I'm not sure who stocks the breakroom with magazines but I'm grateful!)

The french press that an old employee has left behind is nice though don't worry if you don't have such luck as to stumble upon one. The small Bodum three cup French press we have in there costs only about $20 (three European cups means one big 12 oz in America, land of the supersize).

My bag of coffee that I buy once every three months is $10. I know I've previously endorsed Rock City Coffee Jet blend and I'll keep endorsing it! I keep the coffee, Coffeemate powder, some cocoa powder, and some sugar safely in my cube (probably about $10 of coffee accessories total).

So for about $40, I have coffee for three months and more time in my afternoon break to enjoy the things I truly love: sitting in the quiet of the afternoon and perusing a magazine with pretty pictures. Not sure how Zen it really is but it sure relaxes me!

Anything tricks you have to make that work stress just fade in the middle of the day?