nice rundown!
It's hard to make money with these home base businesses, I guess that's why people have day job. :)
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Our housing cost is high... :(
It is about 20% of our monthly income, but if one of us quit working it'll be tough to get by.

I don't spend much on drinks either, but a nice glass of wine on special occasion really enhance the experience. I think that's worth $10-15.
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Hmm... That's really an interesting way to look at intelligence (being malleable.) I don't know if I agree completely with this view. There are two components - potential and hard work. I don't know which one make more of a difference, I can't believe hard work trumps potential. Obviously, it would be best if you work hard at your best potential, whether piano or basketball or being a genius. No point working hard at basketball if I'm 5'4 right?

Ahh... I see now. The Mrs. does shop like a man. She never follow any fads and just buy her classic clothes. I always want her to buy more colorful clothes, but she likes her blacks.
She spend $$$ on shoes though and are collecting high heel boots at the moment.
Those sh'boots are fugly, they remind me of mountain goats or something like that. silly.
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The only thing I disagree with you on is student loans. It would be great if you can get an education and did not incur any debt, but how many people can do that? My brother owe 6 figures in student loan, but he is now a doctor and is working to pay it back. If he didn't get the loan, he wouldn't be a doctor today.
On the other hand, every student need to do a cost/benefit analysis. A kid probably shouldn't borrow 100k to get a sociology degree for example...

The positive cash flow from day one rule is excellent and I will follow that with my next real estate investment.
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My parent moved in with us for about a year when they lost their home. We lived in a 2,000 sq feet house back then. My dad drove us nuts. My mom adapted pretty well. I don't think dad can ever move in with us again, he is just a huge disruptive present and he is so restless. I'm not oppose to have mom or dad living in a home, but it must be local so I can drop by very often. That's only if they need serious help with health care.
I'm making plan for my mom to move in with us again. But this time, we are getting her a condo in the same building that we currently live. That would be a lot easier on everyone. Dad probably visit once in a while, but I doubt he would move.
My recent post January 2011 Credit Card Bill

Whenever he see someone chopping down trees, he would stop and ask for free fire wood.
We took furnitures from the free pile and trash bins.
He emptied out McDonold's napkins to use at home.
more like that... I think it's fine and I don't get embarrassed anymore.

My dad fits your definition of being shameless. I can't remember everything he does now, but the kids used to be so embarrassed about what all the discounts and freebies he asked for. Now I know those extra efforts are a great way to save a bit of cash. I'll try to remember some stories and come back later.

I'm pretty shameless these days. If work is giving away free tea and coffee, I'll grab a few extra tea bags to stick in my drawer and they migrate to my home over time. The Mrs. still don't know how to ask for extras. :)
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Yeah, that would suck if you can't even waste a penny....
:(
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