Your Tip of the Day

by Bob Osgoodby

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- 10/14

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In this Issue

** Tip Of The Day –  Version Numbers

** Something to Think About by Jan Tincher - Do you know when problems occur?

** Food For Thought by Dr. Kevin Nunley –  Work For Yourself

** Quote of the Day

** A Little Levity –  Two Interesting Years

** The Dollar Stretcher by Gary Foreman – Is My Grocery Bill Too High?

** Publications of Interest

** Stress Matters

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Welcome

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Tip of the Day

Version Numbers

Have you ever wondered what version of some of the programs you have on your computer are? Maybe someone asked you what version you have or maybe you need to look it up for something else you're working on. Well, to check this out, it's very simple.

Most programs have either an About menu or a Help menu. Most newer programs just have the Help menu. It will normally be located at the top of the program's page, to the right of File, Edit, View, etc. menus. Just click on the appropriate menu that a specific program has and you'll see an About... choice. Click on that and all the information about that particular program will pop up.

For example, if you were wondering which version of Internet Explorer you have, go to Help, About Internet Explorer and then just read away! It will tell you which version you have, the product ID number, the update versions you have and much more. You can take a look through all the information if you'd like to know more about it.

You can do this for pretty much every program you have on your computer!

Bob

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Publish your ad in the Tip of the Day Newsletter and get your
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Something to Think About by Jan Tincher

Do you know when problems occur?

Problems usually occur when there is a gap between where you are and where you want to be.

In other words, as soon as you define a goal, you've made a problem because you don't yet have your goal.

Problems are lessened when goals are stated as projects and a map of sorts is made to get to the goal.

That being the case, the minute you make a goal, make plans on how you can achieve it. You bypass the *problem* area Instantly.

An article that may help is: 6 Steps To A Big Change
You can find it here:
[Http://www.tameyourbrain.com/6steps.htm]
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 happened -- and that may not happen. Have faith. Share that faith.

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Stupid Quotes

"Democracy used to be good thing, but it has gotten into the wrong hands."

- Senator Jesse Helms (R - North Carolina)

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Food for Thought
by Dr. Kevin Nunley

Work For Yourself

There is a HUGE trend going on in North America right now. The media is starting to pick up on it, but don't expect them to give this story the banner headlines it deserves.

Millions of people are starting and successfully working their own businesses from home. Granted, solo operators have been a part of the American scene forever, but their numbers have shot way past 60 million during the past two years.

Income ranges from a good part-time salary to six figures or more. On average, home workers make more than they ever did in a regular job.

Back when I started my business in a spare bedroom, my neighbors couldn't figure out how on earth I was making a living. Now just about everyone in the neighborhood has their own home business. Many (myself included) have grown and expanded to an outside office or work place.

The Internet, fax, and cheap phone rates have made all this far more do-able than it used to be. Attitudes have also changed. People no longer tell you to give up your business and get a "real job."

There is every indication that small self-owned businesses are not only the wave of the future, but the best thing you can do in the present. Start small. Do something you like and know, probably something you learned in jobs you had. Go the library and read up on everything relating to your new business. Talk with others who have similar businesses. Try to learn about and avoid common problems that can hold you back.

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"See Kevin's 10,000 free marketing tips at http://drnunley.com"

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Trivia

Martin Van Buren's first language wasn't English.
Ronald Reagan worked as a lifeguard.
Jimmy Carter was the first president born in a hospital.
Richard Nixon was portrayed in an opera.
Custer was the youngest General in US history.

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Quote of the Day

"He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything. Life is made up of little things.
True greatness consists in being great in little things."

 - Samuel Johnson, Writer, complier of an early English Dictionary
 
 

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- 11/22

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Grins

Two Interesting Years
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Interesting Year 1981

1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament.
4. Pope Died

Interesting Year 2005

1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament
4. Pope Died

Lesson Learned:

The next time Charles gets married..someone warn the Pope.........

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A man called 911 and spoke frantically into the phone,

"My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"

"Is this her first child?" the dispatcher asked.

"No, you idiot!" the man shouted, "This is her husband!"

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A man told the ringmaster that he was interested in joining the circus as a lion tamer. The ringmaster asked if he had any experience

The man said, "Why, yes. My father was one of the most famous lion tamers in the world, and he taught me everything he knew."

"Really?" said the ringmaster. "Did he teach you how to make a lion jump through a flaming hoop?"

"Yes he did," the man replied.

"And did he teach you how to have six lions form a pyramid?"

"Yes he did," the man replied.

"And have you ever stuck your head in a lion's mouth?"

"Just once," the man replied.

The ringmaster asked, "Why only once?"

The man said, "I was looking for my father."

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One of my third-graders came to school crying. "Jonathan's upset because he couldn't complete his math homework," his mother explained.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Apparently," she said, "our computer doesn't have Roman numerals."

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Filthy, Stinking Rich
Well, two out of three ain't bad

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The Dollar Stretcher
by Gary Foreman

Hello Gary,
We are a family of four (me, my wife, and two daughters, ages 13 & 16). We live in Orange County, CA. Our average weekly cost for groceries runs approximately $375, or $1500 monthly. That does not include eating out. I'm trying to convince my wife that our grocery bill is excessively high for a family of four even with California's high cost of living. She feels it's a bit high, but matches up with most families here. What are your thoughts on this? Is there a site where we can find statistics on grocery spending for families living in California?
Bob

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Good question. And, an important one, too. Because food is the third biggest item in most family's budgets (right behind home and auto). So overspending on groceries can ruin your financial plans quickly.

The U.S. Statistical Abstract contains the type of info that Bob's looking for. He'll find it at <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>. To get the detailed reports go to the section called "income, expenditures and wealth". You'll find a tab for "consumer expenditures". The information is generally about three years old. But, current enough to be useful.

According to the Statistical Abstract, families with incomes less than $70,000 per year averaged spending $4,562 per year on food. Those with incomes between $70,000 and $79,999 averaged spending $7,337.

The average spent on food for all families in 2004 was $5,781. Of that $3,347 or 58% was food prepared at home. The balance ($2,434) was for food prepared outside the home (i.e. restaurants, take out food).

What about family size? Those figures were for an average family of 2.5 members. And the average family included 6/10ths of a child under 18.

Bob's wife is partially correct. The average Los Angeles/Long Beach area family spent $7,194 on food. $4,064 at home and $3,131 for food prepared away from home. Of all the major metropolitan areas listed, it was the highest.

One reason it was more expensive was that people eat out more. Only 56% of the food expenses were prepared at home. By comparison in Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater (with the lowest total expense) over 63% was for food made at home.

Family size also made a difference. For families with incomes between $43,200 and $72,600, a child less than 2 years old added $1,200 to the grocery bill. The older the child the more expensive they were. A 15 to 17 year old added $2,330.

Given all the data, it would seem that Bob has a point. Spending $1,500 a month plus restaurant bills is significantly above average.

But, I would caution Bob about being rigid in comparing his family to the average. The things that make our family unique (number and age of children, number of parents working outside the home, health and special dietary needs, etc) can drastically affect grocery spending.

Rather than look at statistics, there are some other indicators that will let you know if you have a problem. None of them are scientific measurements. But, if there are some savings to be had, you'll recognize it. Plus, you'll have some idea where to find the money.

The first sign is the 'what are we eating tonight' trap. You should know what's for dinner before noon. If you wait you'll be more likely to eat fast food or prepackaged meals. In other words, you'll spend more.

The second test is to check your grocery cart to see how much packaging and preparation has been done to your food. Every time someone slices, dices or wraps plastic around food it costs you. Sure, those snack packs are handy for school lunches. But, you'll pay dearly to save a few minutes a day. Do the math. You could be spending over $20 per hour to have someone cut and wrap cheese!

Next let's take a look in your freezer. Is it stocked with meals that you've precooked for future dinners? What about leftovers? Are they organized so they can be used? Or, is your freezer full of boxed meals from your grocer?

Speaking of leftovers, do you have an organized way to use them? Studies show that many families throw out 25% of the food they buy. Uneaten leftovers and food purchased but never served are a waste of your grocery dollar.

There are other signs that you're spending more than necessary for food. But these four will give you a quick and easy way to see if you have some work to do.

The good news for Bob's family is that it's fairly easy to save on groceries. You have many opportunities to save since you're buying food continually. And there are many tools to help you cut spending. Everything from pricebooks to menus and coupons. So Bob's family can solve the problem without moving away from Southern California!

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Gary Foreman has worked as a Certified Financial Planner and currently edits The Dollar Stretcher website http:www.stretcher.com You'll find hundreds of free articles to help you save time and money. Visit Today!

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Stress Matters

You will find this "Stress Tip Message" helpful to stay focused and on purpose with less stress by reading it often throughout the day.

Find your purpose.  Stay focused and in the moment.

- Dr. Rae

~ Need help with this "Weekly StressTip"? Invest in yourself, contact The Baum Group at www.YourStressMatters.com/contactus.htm ~

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If a man has enough "horse sense" to treat his wife
like a thoroughbred, she will never be an old nag.

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Best Wishes
Bob
Copyright - 2004

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