Is your fixed income broken?

Many people my age are retired or are about to retire. It's time to begin living on a fixed income, although I find the term misleading...most of us have lived on a fixed, or nearly fixed, income all of our lives.

When we were kids, many of us got an allowance and in most cases it was fixed. And our parents decided when to pay us and how much. Then we got older and got a job and our employer decided when to pay us and how much. If we were lucky we got paid for OT and got a bonus, but for many of us we didn't get any of that. But there was a limit on how much we could get paid and it was usually fairly consistent from year to year...not enough! And then we retire and now the government or our former employer (if we're lucky enough to get a pension) decide when to pay us and how much. And again it's probably not enough.

There are a couple of ways that you can fix your broken fixed income. You can get a job but you're only getting a little more of the same. If you want a much better way to fix it, start your own home based business. Not only are you able to earn an additional income, maybe a few hundred dollars a month, if that's what you'd like...or much more if you'd rather have that. But it's up to you to decide. The only thing fixed about the income you make is how much work you want to put into it. There are many kinds of businesses you can start from your home but I highly recommend a network marketing business. They're inexpensive to start and the sky really is the limit because you are harnessing the power of other people doing the same thing.

Another way that a home based business can help is that it can also repair your expenses. What? With a home based business you can also write off at least part of your living expenses. I'm not a tax expert, but here are some of the tax deductions you may be eligible for: you may be able to deduct part of your rent or mortgage and your utilities if you have a permanent space for a home office. Part or all of your cell phone and internet access may be deductible even if you don't have a home office.This can add up to quite a few thousand dollars over a year. Do you enjoy eating out? With proper planning you may be able to deduct part of your meals by making them a business meal...you can also include events like concerts or ball games...or a round of golf. How about travel? Would you like the government to reimburse you for your trips to see the grandkids? Or friends? Or just a nice get away to the mountains or a tropical beach? With proper planning you can turn all of those into a business trip!

How about health insurance? Would you like to find out how to get free health insurance? Again, I'm not an expert but there are experts out there...just be sure to find one who understands network marketing.

I can help you get started with a home based network marketing business. Feel free to email me at rick.tompkins@yahoo.com or you can call or text me at (707)685-1382 at anytime...day or night!

And if you'd like to find out about a way to restructure your expenses and boost the effectiveness of your money, without changing the amount you spend...just how you spend it, contact my friend Dennis Beckman at dennis@backinpowerinc.com.

Interesting days

Today - Love Litigating Lawyers Day, We Love Memoirs Day and Trail Mix Day Who loves litigating lawyers, memoirs and/or trial mix? Let me know

Tomorrow - Emma M Nutt Day, Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day and Calendar Adjustment Day Where would we be without Emma M. Nutt, building and code staff, and an adjusted calendar?

Next Monday - Buy a Book Day and Salami Day I think I'll buy a book and some salami and have an awesome lunch! It's also Boss/Employee Exchange Day If you've got your own business, this one will be easy!

September 31 - You get a break since there isn't a September 31st

The Funday Sunnies

Interesting days

Today - International Whale Shark Day, Holistic Pet Day, Pony Express Day, Toasted Marshmallow Day and Slinky Day

Tomorrow  - Love Litigating Lawyers Day I guess someone's gotta do it (just glad it's not me!). It's also We Love Memoirs Day and Trail Mix Day I do like trail mix. I'll have to remember to grab a big bag for work

Next Sunday - Pet Rock Day How many of you remember these? How many of you actually had one? It's also Read a Book Day What are you reading? And it's Fight Procrastination Day I can always celebrate this tomorrow

September 30 - Ask A Stupid Question Day Limit: One per customer! It's also Mud Pack Day and International Translation Day (or international mughmeH jaj in Klingon)

Your weekend guide to interesting days

Today- More Herbs, Less Salt Day, Individual Rights Day and  Franchise Appreciation Day What's your favorite franchise?

Tomorrow  -  International Whale Shark Day, Holistic Pet Day, Pony Express Day, Toasted Marshmallow Day and Slinky Day,

Next Saturday - Be Late For Something Day Some of us celebrate this every day! It's also Cheese Pizza Day This is about the only kind of pizza I don't really care for, but I'll make a sacrifice and have some. Let's not forget International Vulture Awareness Day nor International Day of Charity. But the day I'm waiting for is World Beard Day

September 29 - International Coffee Day and World Heart Day I'd celebrate if I had one. I may just have a cup of coffee instead

The Friday Fishwrap

All the news that fit to wrap around a dead fish

The week in review

Monday - "Are you between the ages of 55 and 65?" About the growth of entrepreneurship in that age group

Tuesday - "But I'll get Social Security" Why Social Security won't be enough to live on

Wednesday - "Attitude" Why attitude is so important

Thursday - "The Power of Habit" Habits and 30 day challenges 


This week's Periscope

Interesting days

This week

Saturday - Be An Angel Day and Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Sunday -  Valentino Day and Ride the Wind Day

Monday - Vesuvius Day, International Strange Music Day,  Pluto Demoted Day and Knife Day

Tuesday - Kiss And Make Up Day and Whisky Sour Day

Wednesday - Dog Day and Women's Equality Day

Thursday - "The Duchess" Who Wasn't Day and Burger Day

Today -  Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day, Radio Commercials Day and Bow Tie Day

Next week

Tomorrow - Franchise Appreciation Day, More Herbs, Less Salt Day and Individual Rights Day

Sunday  -  Slinky Day, International Whale Shark Day, Holistic Pet Day, Pony Express Day and Toasted Marshmallow Day

Monday  - We Love Memoirs Day, Trail Mix Day and Love Litigating Lawyers Day

Tuesday - Emma M Nutt Day, Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day and Calendar Adjustment Day

Wednesday - V-J Day

Thursday - Welsh Rarebit Day and Skyscraper Day

Friday - Bring Your Manners To Work Day Yes please! Speaking of bringing your manners to work, it would be very polite to hug your boss since it's also Hug Your Boss Day. And let's not forget Lazy Mom's Day How many moms would enjoy a day off? And lastly, it's also Newspaper Carrier Day Are newspaper carriers a vanishing breed?

Next month

September 22 - Hobbit Day. White Chocolate Day, Ice Cream Cone Day,  Business Women's Day, World Car Free Day, Dear Diary Day and Elephant Appreciation Day

September 23 - Checkers Day and Restless Legs Awareness Day

September 24 - Cherries Jubilee Day and Punctuation Day

September 25 - Hug a Vegetarian Day, Comic Book Day, One-Hit Wonder Day, Psychotherapy Day, World Pharmacists Day and World Dream Day

September 26 - Love Note Day, International Rabbit Day,  Johnny Appleseed Day and Lumberjack Day

September 27 - Ancestor Appreciation Day, Crush a Can Day and Tourism Day

September 28 - Good Neighbor Day and Drink Beer Day Invite your neighbors over for a beer...or invite yourself over to your neighbors for a beer. It's also Family Day Depending on how old your kids are you may be able to combine this with Drink Beer Day. Or just plan something fun with your family

The Power of Habit

That's the title of a book by Charles Duhigg. It's a very interesting book on how people create new habits or replace old ones. You really can't totally eliminate old habits, but you can replace existing ones.

Habits are based on a cue, activity, rewards system. Existing habits already have these defined. You receive some kind of cue, you do an activity without really thinking about it (the habit) and you receive some kind of reward. All three pieces are important. To change a habit you need to figure out what those three pieces are and to change the activity. There are several examples in the book and there are flowcharts on the website that show how to create or change habits.

Creating a new habit is similar, but you start with the activity, figure out what you will use as a trigger and what your reward will be.

There's a TED Talk that says basically that you can do anything for 30 days:

Conventional wisdom says it takes 21 days to create a habit but it's loosely based on an observation that it takes AT LEAST 21 days to create a habit. It may take 30 days to create a habit but it will probably take more. But try something for 30 days and you may be well on your way to creating a new habit...which is why 30 day challenges are so popular, whether it's my 30 day beard growing challenge:

Honestly, this one hasn't been too difficult. Or it may be this 30 day challenge that I'm starting on September 1st:

Now this one will require a bit more effort. To make it a habit I will need to add a cue and a reward. I think I will do mine first thing when I get up, but I won't use my alarm for a cue...I already have a habit of dragging my butt out of bed (I still haven't figured out what the reward is!). I will set another alarm 30 minutes later so I can read my email and check Facebook. This alarm will actually serve two purposes: to remind me to do the plank and to limit the amount of time I spend doing the other activities. What will my reward be? I don't know yet. It might just be the satisfaction of completing the challenge...after the 30 days is up I may need a new reward.

Often changing one habit or adding one new one has a cascading effect...many other habits are added or changed. The one habit is called a keystone habit.

So, let's kick September off with a 30 Day Plank Challenge and see if we can turn that into a new habit...maybe even a keystone habit! Who's with me?

Interesting days

Today -  "The Duchess" Who Wasn't Day and Burger Day Still not sure where I'm going...I'm hungry now so that may influence my decision!

Tomorrow -  Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day, Radio Commercials Day and Bow Tie Day

Next Thursday - Welsh Rarebit Day and Skyscraper Day Maybe you can find a restaurant in a skyscraper that serves Welsh Rarebit

September 27 - Ancestor Appreciation Day and Tourism Day Maybe you can plan a trip to your ancestral homeland. Where are your ancestors from? It's also Crush a Can Day which has gotten a lot easier since the introduction of the aluminum can

To those of you who follow me on Facebook, I told you that you'd be seeing this photo in a blog post soon:

I talked about knowledge not being power a couple of weeks ago. And as I've also said a couple of times, Success = Strategy x Execution, where strategy starts with knowledge and execution is the hard work portion of this equation. But without the right attitude, nothing will happen!

But how do you get the right attitude? And what is it?

From dictionary.com

attitude

[at-i-tood, -tyood]  

noun

1.

manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind:

a negative attitude; group attitudes.

But is that really helpful? OK, you can have a positive or negative attitude, but what does that mean? Here's a definition of positive attitude:

Optimism, as defined by Dictionary.com, means "a tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation".

Take now the following definition of positive attitude: "a person's disposition towards life in a manner that shows optimism" (as opposed to a pessimistic point of view). Does this sound like you?

So, attitude is a tendency to act a particular way and is generally broadly categorized as positive or negative.

But how can you change your attitude? Check out this article on "5 Simple Things That Can Help Change Your Attitude".  Do you need to change your attitude right away? Try these 6 Ways to Change Your Attitude Right Now. Or maybe finding something to celebrate can help

Interesting days

Today - Dog Day and Women's Equality Day Women have always made great contributions to society, but I don't understand why they aren't treated as equals. It's been pointed out to me that my calendar is missing an important day for today:

Tomorrow - "The Duchess" Who Wasn't Day and Burger Day You know I'll be celebrating this one!

Next Wednesday - V-J Day Some of my younger readers may equate this with MTV's video jockeys but it marks the occasion of Japan's surrender marking the end of World War II. This photo captures the spirit perfectly:

September 26 - Love Note Day, International Rabbit Day,  Johnny Appleseed Day and Lumberjack Day

But I'll get Social Security

Social Security was created in 1934 during the Great Depression by President Theodore Roosevelt to provide a safety net primarily for the elderly. Per the Social Security Administration:

The significance of the new social insurance program was that it sought to address the long-range problem of economic security for the aged through a contributory system in which the workers themselves contributed to their own future retirement benefit by making regular payments into a joint fund. It was thus distinct from the welfare benefits provided under Title I of the Act and from the various state "old-age pensions." As President Roosevelt conceived of the Act, Title I was to be a temporary "relief" program that would eventually disappear as more people were able to obtain retirement income through the contributory system. The new social insurance system was also a very moderate alternative to the radical calls to action that were so common in the America of the 1930s.

Social Security is a supplemental payment. It was never designed to supply a person with 100% of their retirement income needs...in fact Social Security provides about 40% of the income a person received while working, with the remainder to come from pensions, savings, investments and possibly working while retired.

As many of us know, there are few pensions out there and getting fewer all the time. We also know that we're poor at saving and as our 401k's show...the market, even if we knew what we were doing, is not a friendly place. 

"Experts" say that we'll need 70% of our working income to survive in our retirement. So, where will the remaining 30% come from? It looks like all that's left is to continue working. 

In yesterday's post I talked about the 4 types of retirees and the difference about having to work and wanting to work after retirement. And as I also said yesterday, I'm building a business now so I can do something that I want to do when I retire. 

My full Social Security retirement age is 66 years and 4 months which is almost exactly 7 years from now, although I could retire as early as age 62 but I would receive a permanent 26.7% reduction in my benefits...so I will actually only receive 73.3% of the 40% that Social Security provides or about 29.3% of what I'm currently making. So, early retirement may not be such a good idea if I'm expecting Social Security to provide a significant amount of my retirement income.

I am one of the lucky ones, I do have a pension with AT&T and I do have a little in my 401k. Unfortunately, my ex will get half of all of that,  so I will have to either continue working until I die or come up with a Plan B. And I have come up with a Plan B that I absolutely love!

Interesting days

Today - Kiss And Make Up Day and Whisky Sour Day Maybe I'll get a whiskey sour this weekend

Tomorrow - Dog Day and Women's Equality Day We still have a long way to go

September - Chicken Month and Piano Month Maybe it's time to dig my keyboard out of storage

Next Tuesday - Emma M Nutt Day Emma was the first female telephone operator. Operators were originally men, but that didn't work out too well. It's also Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day and Calendar Adjustment Day

September 25 - Hug a Vegetarian Day I may hug one, but it's very unlikely that I'll become one. It's also Comic Book Day and One-Hit Wonder Day One of my favorites! Let's not forget Psychotherapy Day nor World Pharmacists Day. Or how about World Dream Day?

Are you between the ages of 55 and 65?

I know I am. Per Ken Dychtwald, an expert on baby boomers and aging:

The highest amount of entrepreneurialism in the last 10 years in America has gone on for people between the ages of 55 and 65. 

And why is that? It's because retirement doesn't mean the same today as it did when our parents and grandparents retired. Retirement is now a time to reinvent yourself.

Again from Ken Dychtwald:

I’m going to oversimplify. We found there were four different types of retirees. The first group we call the ageless explorers. They were youthful, empowered, and optimistic. By the way, they loved the stage of their life. They called it energetic, powerful, exciting, vibrant, like that. They love the freedom they have. They want to keep learning. They want to keep growing. Get this. Seventy percent of them are working. I know this is going to sound really like Dychtwald is twisting the truth here, but the happiest retirees are working. They may not be working full time. They may not be burning themselves out. They still have their hands in the game. 

There’s another group. My mom and dad would be in this category. We call them the comfortably contents. They refer to them as seniors. The first group doesn’t. They’re living their golden years. They think of themselves as being on a vacation. They’ve earned it. This is their time. We say to them, “Would you like to volunteer at the church, synagogue, or mosque?” “Nah.” “Would you like to go back to school?” “I don’t know. Maybe. I’m having so much fun playing cards, and traveling. It’s great.” They want to be free of responsibilities. They’re on a vacation. 

Let me keep going. The third group is called the live-for-todays. They’re a pretty interesting bunch. They’re bright. They’re fun. They’re adventuresome. They’ve had active lives. Well educated. What’s the problem? They were living in the today, in the here and now, so they don’t have any money, and they don’t have any idea what they ought to be doing with their lives. 

It’s one thing for the ageless explorers to work because they like to. These people are working because they have to. That’s not as much fun. It’s a total difference. “I’m going to get up and do some things this week because I love it,” versus, “I have to go bag groceries at Kroger’s.”

The largest group are the sick and tireds. There are people who reach their later years and are done, but their bodies keep going. “Do you want to play with the grandchildren?” “No, I don’t feel like I’ve got the energy.” “Would you like to learn how to use the computer?” “No. That new-fangled technology is not for me.” “ Do you want to go exercise? Come on. You’ll feel better.” “ No, I don’t feel like it.” 

Which group are you? I've kind of been stuck in the third and fourth group, but I'm working my way to the first group, although a little comfortably content might be nice from time to time.

I think the growing number of entrepreneurs in this age group are because of the ageless explorers and the live-for-todays...either because they want to work or they need to work.

Which is why I've started my own business, so I can work because I want to and not because I have to. And the reason I started a network marketing business is that my business can still grow even if I take a break from it and relax for a while.

Interesting days

Today - Vesuvius Day, International Strange Music Day, Pluto Demoted Day and Knife Day What is considered strange music?

Tomorrow - Kiss And Make Up Day and Whisky Sour Day Let's have a fight so we can kiss and make up. A whiskey sour sounds good (I think...I've never had one), but I have to work tonight

Next Monday  - We Love Memoirs Day and Love Litigating Lawyers Day I can honestly say that I love them both equally. And it's Trail Mix Day I can also honestly say that I love trail mix more than the other two

September 24 - Cherries Jubilee Day I've never had cherries jubilee, although I was in England for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1976...does that count? It's also Punctuation Day

I'm glad I'm not related to her!

The Funday Sunnies

interesting days

Today - Valentino Day He was only 31 when he died on this day in 1926. He was one of the first film leading men. And it's Ride the Wind Day

Tomorrow - Vesuvius Day, International Strange Music Day,  Pluto Demoted Day and Knife Day I was at the airport in Naples when I was deployed back in 2005 (at least I think it was 2005...somewhere around then), when the sun rose while waiting to start the next leg of my journey I saw Mt. Vesuvius right outside the window

Next Sunday  - Several today, including Slinky Day and Toasted Marshmallow Day There's nothing like roasting wienies and toasting marshmallows over an open fire!

September 23 - Checkers Day No, not the board game but President Nixon's dog, Checkers. It's also Restless Legs Awareness Day Do you suffer from RLS?

Your guide to interesting days this weekend

Interesting days

Today - Be An Angel Day and Take Your Cat to the Vet Day Your cat will thank you, if digging its claws into your body can be considered thanking

Tomorrow -  Valentino Day and Ride the Wind Day Hang gliding, parasailing, windsurfing, sailing

Next Saturday - Franchise Appreciation Day There was a time when people thought that franchises were a scam...now it's a very well established business model. It's also More Herbs, Less Salt Day and Individual Rights Day John Locke's work influenced the founding fathers immensely.

September 22 - Quite a few, including Hobbit Day. White Chocolate Day (it's alright, but is it really chocolate?) and one of my personal favorites, Ice Cream Cone Day Maybe a white chocolate cone? Plus it's Business Women's Day

The Friday Fishwrap

All the news that's fit to wrap around a dead fish

The week in review

Monday - "Extending the life of a greeting card" A reprint from my SendOutCards blog

Tuesday - "The Golden Rule" Is it really the best way to treat others?

Wednesday - "S.W.O.T." Using the SWOT analysis tool

Thursday - "A bunch of SOC stuff"

Here is the the Periscope for this week:

And to @dreab17 Fri 5th Jun, 2015 was Doughnut Day and I did celebrate it at Dunkin' Donuts in Modesto, CA.

Interesting days

This week

Saturday - World Honey Bee Day, Relaxation Day, International Homeless Animals Day.and Corn On The Cob Day. I went to KFC...Hometown Buffet didn't have corn on the cob

Sunday - Tell A Joke Day and Airborne Day. I didn't celebrate Rollercoaster Day since I'm going to Disneyland in 3 weeks. I'll celebrate it then

Monday - Black Cat Appreciation Day and Thrift Shop Day.

Tuesday - Mail Order Catalog Day and Bad Poetry Day

Wednesday - Photography Day, Aviation Day and World Humanitarian Day

Thursday - Chocolate Pecan Pie Day, World Mosquito Day and Lemonade Day 

Today - Spumoni Day,  Men's Grooming Day and Poet's Day

Next week

Tomorrow - Be An Angel Day and Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Sunday -  Ride the Wind Day and Valentino Day

Monday - Vesuvius Day, International Strange Music Day,  Pluto Demoted Day and Knife Day

Tuesday - Kiss And Make Up Day and Whisky Sour Day

Wednesday - Dog Day and Women's Equality Day

Thursday - Burger Day and "The Duchess" Who Wasn't Day

Friday - Bow Tie Day Bow ties are quite interesting. They are the epitome of formalwear for men, as well as the epitome of dweebiness. I do have a black bow tie somewhere in one of my two storage units. It's also Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day and Radio Commercials Day

Next month

September 15 - International Dot Day,  Make A Hat Day,  Felt Hat Day,  Get Ready Day and Greenpeace Day

September 16 - Collect Rocks Day,  Working Parents Day,  Guacamole Day,  Play Doh Day and Stepfamily Day

September 17 - Apple Dumpling Day, International Country Music Day and Constitution Day

September 18 - Hug A Greeting Card Writer Day,  Cheeseburger Day, Water Monitoring Day and Respect Day

September 19 - Coastal Cleanup Day, Gymnastics Day, Talk Like A Pirate Day, International Eat An Apple Day and Butterscotch Pudding Day

September 20 - Punch Day and Wife Appreciation Day

September 21 - World Gratitude Day Who are you grateful for in your life? This will be a great day to show them how grateful you are! It's also International Day of Peace and Miniature Golf Day What could be more peaceful than a round of miniature golf?

A bunch of SOC stuff

I really have no idea of what I'm going to write about today, except that my SendOutCards Opportunity Meeting will be this afternoon from 4:30 - 6:30 at Buffalo Wild Wings in San Ramon. Here is the link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/765224913603403/

Also, 3 weeks from today I'll be in Disneyland! The SOC (SendOutCards) annual convention will be there September 9th (Wednesday) and the 11th and 12th (Friday and Saturday). The main convention is on Friday and Saturday, with a special SOC Bootcamp training on Wednesday, which I won't be able to make since I'm driving down on Wednesday. But Thursday the 10th is a free day, so I'll be spending it in the park. Here is the Eventbrite link to the convention information: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/sendoutcards-2015-the-magic-begins-with-you-annual-convention-registration-11199501009?aff=es2

And here's an interesting article about offline relationship building that specifically talks about SendOutCards: http://relevance.com/how-to-bring-your-relationship-building-strategy-offline/

The only other thing I guess is if you want to learn more about SendOutCards check out my website at www.sendoutcards.com/144087

Interesting days

Today -  Chocolate Pecan Pie Day I don't think I've ever had chocolate pecan pie...I don't even know where I can go to get some. It's also World Mosquito Day which doesn't celebrate mosquitos but raises awareness of their link to malaria and ways to combat it. And last but not least, it's Lemonade Day which actually encourages children to setup lemonade stands to learn about business and earning money

Tomorrow - Spumoni Day I won't be celebrating this day. And I won't be celebrating Men's Grooming Day either, since I got my haircut on Sunday and I'm growing my beard for World Beard Day. But how about Poet's Day? Not to be confused with P.O.E.T.S. Day (Piss On Everything, Tomorrow's Saturday...which is appropriate this year), but instead how about reading some poetry by your favorite poet...whoever that may be

Next Thursday - I will definitely be celebrating Burger Day! It's also "The Duchess" Who Wasn't Day

September 20 - Punch Day How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?

And it's Wife Appreciation Day Take some time to appreciate yours!

S.W.O.T.

No, this isn't about the 70's cop show but it is about some Special Weapons and Tactics you can use in your life, career or business.

S.W.O.T. Analysis

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Obstacles and Threats and refers to a method of analyzing the viability of a project or even a personal goal. From Wikipedia:

It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieve that objective. 

Also from Wikipedia:

SWOT analysis aims to identify the key internal and external factors seen as important to achieving an objective. SWOT analysis groups key pieces of information into two main categories:

1. internal factors – the strengths and weaknesses internal to the organization
2. external factors – the opportunities and threats presented by the environment external to the organization

SWOT analysis is normally used in business situations but it can be a helpful tool for your career or personal goals. Here's an example of a completed SWOT analysis for Starbucks (which is where I am as I type this):

I don't know what they were trying to analyze, but you can see what kind of information goes into the grid.

And here's an example of a personal SWOT analysis:

So, the next time that you're considering a project, goal or a change in your life, business or career take the time to do a SWOT analysis.

Interesting days

Today - Photography Day, Aviation Day and World Humanitarian Day I think I'll take my digital camera out for a spin today. Maybe I'll hangout at the Livermore airport and get some pictures of planes taking off and landing

Tomorrow - Chocolate Pecan Pie Day I don't think I've ever had chocolate pecan pie...I don't even know where I can go to get some. It's also World Mosquito Day which doesn't celebrate mosquitos but raises awareness of their link to malaria and ways to combat it. And last but not least, it's Lemonade Day which actually encourages children to setup lemonade stands to learn about business and earning money

Next Wednesday - Dog Day The dog days of summer are the perfect time to remember our canine friends. It's also Women's Equality Day We've made progress but we've got a long way to go

September 19 - Coastal Cleanup Day, Gymnastics Day and let's not forget the food...International Eat An Apple Day and Butterscotch Pudding Day. Arrrr mateys me favorite day be Talk Like A Pirate Day

The Golden Rule

I know we've all been brought up to obey the Golden Rule but that may be part of the problem with society!

It sounds good in theory, but it falls apart in practice. It assumes that everyone wants to be treated the same as you but with so many cultures in the world we see that's not the case. The Platinum Rule states:

See how much more sense this makes? Treat people the way they want to be treated. But even that can be improved upon. While researching this blog post I came across the Platinum Plus Rule!

People may have a negative self-image and not think that they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Plus we may not always be at our nicest.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree with the Golden Rule? The Platinum Rule? The Platinum Plus Rule? Or maybe something else?

Interesting days

Today - Mail Order Catalog Day and Bad Poetry Day "I sent a letter to a mail-order store, concerning some merchandise I bought before" That's the first line to a song I wrote in college called "Damaged Merchandise"

Tomorrow - Photography Day and Aviation Day. This would be a good day to hang out at the airport and take pictures of planes. Just make sure you don't look too suspicious while doing it! It's also World Humanitarian Day

Next Tuesday - It may be almost worth starting a fight just so you can celebrate Kiss And Make Up Day. It's also Whisky Sour Day After too many of these you may need to kiss and make up. Or maybe giving her a couple of these will make it easier for her to forgive you!

September 18 - Hug A Greeting Card Writer Day And with SendOutCards everyone can be a greeting card writer! It's also Cheeseburger Day You know I'm there! And it's Water Monitoring Day and Respect Day

Extending the life of a greeting card

Since I'm giving platelets today, I'm re-purposing one of my SendOutCards blog posts. Please sign up for my email list there and you'll receive an email when a new monthly blog is posted.

August 07, 2015

by r_tompkins

Many people love greeting cards because they are physical reminders of thoughtfulness. A simple piece of card stock can tell someone you love them, you wish them well and that you are thinking of them. It’s really amazing what a card can do.

But for most people, keeping cards may not always be practical, so here are a few ways to extend the life of both the cards you send and the cards you receive.

1. Personalize it: The best part about using Sendcere is the ability to personalize your card. You can add your own pictures, create your own design and put in your own words. When a personalized card arrives, it’s not just another greeting card – it’s a handcrafted, individualized greeting for the one you love. When someone receives a personalized card, they will know that it was created for them, and them alone, which makes it extra special.
2. Save your cards to display: Saving your cards in an old box is great for when you remember to pull the box out and look at them. But then you have to remember where you put the box. Use your cards to create fun, meaningful crafts and decorations for your home. The wonderful messages you received will be immortalized, and you’ll have created a unique decoration that reminds you of the love that has been shown to you. Here are a few great crafts you can try with your greeting cards!
3. Scrapbook it: There is no better way to preserve a memory than to scrapbook it. Not only will you preserve the card, but you will also create a document that reminds you of how you felt when you received it and what it means to you. Years from now when you look over that scrapbook, those feelings can be recaptured, and you will feel an even stronger connection to the person who sent you such a sweet message.

No matter how long you keep your cards, or how you preserve them, remember that choosing to send a card is choosing to send love and affection. It’s a simple way to remind those around you that you care and you want them to have proof of that. So make your cards last, and the feelings they bring will last, too.

Interesting days

Today - Black Cat Appreciation Day and Thrift Shop Day Take your black cat for a trip to the thrift shop...just don't leave it there!

Tomorrow - Mail Order Catalog Day and Bad Poetry Day Do you still get mail order catalogs? Or do you do all of your shopping online now?

Next Monday - Vesuvius Day, International Strange Music Day and Pluto Demoted Day But you can't keep a good planet down. Pluto is back to being a full planet again but this whole thing reminds me of the New Coke fiasco! It's also Knife Day I never go anywhere without my Super Tinker

September 17 - This is a very All-American day with Apple Dumpling Day, International Country Music Day and Constitution Day!

The Funday Sunnies

Interesting days

Today - Tell A Joke Day and Airborne Day.. Nick cancelled our early dinner...his best friend from school is back in town! I'm still not going to celebrate Rollercoaster Day. I'll wait until next month when I'm in Disneyland! 

Tomorrow - Black Cat Appreciation Day and Thrift Shop Day. Shinji's only mostly black but sometimes he's lucky to still be alive!

Next Sunday - Ride the Wind Day and Valentino Day

September 16 - Collect Rocks Day I had a rock collection when I was a kid. It's also Working Parents Day. Holy guacamole it's Guacamole Day. It's Play Doh Day and I'm sure some of you creative types can make play doh from guacamole! Let's not forget Stepfamily Day And you can celebrate by watching a marathon of America's favorite stepfamily