Wake-Up America

America is facing a very interesting time. We have companies closing their doors left and right, Goodbye Circuit City, Farewell World Market. I'll miss your burgers Steak & Ale. Steve & Barry's - the $6.99 store was too good to be true. Foreclosures are on the rise devaluing my property daily. The Dow keeps falling lower and lower. Is it time? Can we wake up? To we even get the point yet? We Spend More than we make!!!

Alright folks it is time to break out the wood chipper, chainsaw, hedge trimmer or plan ol' scissors. It is time to stop living on credit.

Here are some alarming facts about credit cards (according to an article that I read, I did not do the research on this)

• The Average American has 4 credit cards
• 1 in 7 American have more than 10 Credit Cards
• Charge-off rate is up 40% from 1/2008 to 1/2009
• In 1990 Average American Credit Card debt was $2,966 in 2007 up to $9,840
• 40% of card holders do not pay of their bills monthly and of these 40% they paid the credit card companies a total of $18.1 Billion in Fees
• 72% of Americans believe debt is just a part of live in America
• 43% of College freshmen have at least 1 credit card, 74% of forth and fifth year students
• US Visa Cardholders conduct over $1 Trillion in annual volume
• Total Credit Card debt is roughly $880 Billion
• 40% of Americans spend more than they earn

If that isn't an indication of why America is seeing financial trouble now I don't know what is. Americans got caught up in this materialistic, egotistic, self-centered ideology where they expected to get whatever the media told them they had to have. Americans finance homes, cars, clothes, education, furniture, meals, electronics, toys, movies, and the list goes on.

The art of saving for something that you want has all but vanished in this "I gotta have it now" world. As radio host Dave Ramsey says "We buy things we can't afford, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like"

About a year ago my wife and I got on this no-debt kick. We realized the "life" we could have without debt is much better than the one we could have with debt. Sure my car isn't as nice as yours and my watch doesn't say Tag Heuer on it but I enjoy my simple life. Living below your means frees up a lot of stress and anxiety that are simply not needed. I read a story yesterday of a father that killed himself and family due to financial problems - How sad that our world view is wrapped up in the monetary substance that we place a value on. I am now convinced that Americans need a "wake-up" call. They need something to rattle their cages and make them realized that tomorrow's income is not guaranteed. Having a savings plan is smart, not being consumed with debt is smart, not allowing yourself to live paycheck to paycheck to accumulate junk is smart.

The bible is pretty clear on it's view of debt.

• Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave
• 1 Corinthians 7:23 - You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men
• Psalm 37:21 - The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives
• Proverbs 17:18 A man lacking in sense pledges, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbors

The bible points to debt as a point of slavery, it calls debtors foolish and even cursed. It is time America especially Christians to start acting your Wage! begin the road to becoming financially free,don't you think it is time?

Crazy Busy Life is just begining!

7 Months along- wow less than 3 to go. The nursery is done, the excitement is growing, and the "time" is fading. I don't' know what it is but our schedules just magically fill up.

Sunday: Church, Church is so important to Candace and I and we love the fact that we found a great Bible preaching Church - just wish it was not 45 minutes away. After Church we typically run errands, take care of things around the house, try to nap, but Sunday Nights Candace and I co-lead a Crown Financial Bible Study. It is an awesome study on how to manage your finances in a way that pleases the one who gives it to you.

Monday nights: are now consumed with Bradley Classes, this is some new aged, hippy, child-birth class that focuses on being all natural - My wife totally wants everything natural no drugs for her. Actually I admire her for that and am glad it will not be me. The class is a 12 week program that will tell us "everything" we need to know about child birth.

Tuesday Nights: Tuesday nights are our Small group bible study night. We have some pretty awesome people that come and Candace and I have been able to make friends with people that Love Jesus and want to learn more about what it is like to follow Christ.

Wednesday Nights: Hump day, half way to the breaking point but on Wednesday nights I host a trivia show at TGI Friday's in Southaven, MS. This show starts at 8 ends around 10. It is actually pretty fun, easy to host, and brings in a little extra cash.

Thursday is a repeat of Wednesday night but instead of TGIF it is at the Southaven Buffalo Wild Wings and starts at 7:30

Friday: We are making up our first few Baby Classes that we missed.

Saturday: finally the day to ourselves. Actually this day is spent running errands, taking care of the house, and finishing construction on our 4th bedroom and office

All this to say that our lives fill up rather quickly, too quickly most of the time. It is important to not let life pass us by in the hustle. This pregnancy is an awesome time for Candace and I and as much as we anticipate meeting the new lil one growing in her belly we also want to enjoy this time. There is something to Simplicity, I have been learning contentment and simplicity over the last few months. I have to say that there is something to that. We in America tend to spend our lives striving for the next thing, the better life, the bigger house, that we too often loose focus of the here and now. We need to enjoy our lives for what we have and where we are in life. Find beauty in the ups and downs and imperfections along the way.

...did you miss me? it's been awhile.

I don't know if it is a lack of excitement or the busy-ness of the Holiday seasons that has left me neglecting to post to you my very few readers. This is often a crazy time a year from the strategic shopping efforts that often ends up feeling like a combat mission to the increasingly filling calendar that reminds you that 31 days in December is barely enough.

When we step back and look at what this time of year is meant for it gives things a different perspective.

We first start with Thanksgiving. Umm Food and Football right! Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, thankful for all the many blessings that God has given us. A time to relax with friends and/or family. Thanksgiving was originally a time to be thankful for the fruit of the Harvest and a time to honor the original pilgrims that left England. To many people it becomes a time of juggling different dinners and if we are not careful we can become so busy that we forget to stop and give Thanks.

Before the left overs are finished the next holiday is here. Shoppers head out early the day after Thanksgiving to save a buck or two. (side note: after working retail for several "Black Fridays" I do think any money is worth facing that mob) Before we know it the meaning of Christmas is swept away and filled with a consumer, materialistic, and secular focus.

This year for my wife's family we did a "stocking exchange" we each drew names and are responsible to fill the stocking of the name that we drew. Now this is going to be challenging, I cannot revel my name as no one is to know until Christmas, but I am excited about this. IT adds to what Christmas is about....I have to go out on my own and shop for something that I think will make this person feel really special.

CHRIST-mas is a time to remember the awesome gift that God gave to us, we were not deserving but because of God's love for us he gave us the gift of eternal life in Heaven with him by means of his son Jesus.

This love, this free gift was not what we deserved, however God offers it freely. I hope I can show a little of God's love this Christmas season.

20 Pounds and Falling!!!

well six weeks in and I hit the big 20 lbs mark, now I did shave my beard which was getting quit bushy but I do not think that added much to the scale. The diet plan that I embarked on was 400 calories 4x a day every 4 hours. Now this is no scientific diet it is simply about the calories. I have found that this works well for me and makes me exhibit some self control. Eating now goes from being a time to gorge out to a careful selection of what will be the most filling 400 calories that I can consume. Eating this way over the last 6 weeks have put things into perspective also. We eat to live not live to eat. Now I am not a health nut but it is amazing how much better a person feels by only loosing 20 lbs. I have another 10 lbs that I would like to shed by the end of the year, that will get me below the 200 mark something I haven't seen in a long time. As I get closer to that mark I will ease up a little, take more cheat meals but I like the smaller, lighter me!

Thank you Mr. Soldier Man!

..ah Veterans Day... sadly probably the most over looked and under appreciated days on the Calendar. What does it mean? Do you stop to think about it? We live in a country that allows us the freedom to Worship as we choose, go do and say what we want, own guns, assemble at will, vote leaders into office. All the freedoms that we enjoy are because Men and Women bravely fought for our freedom. This tradition started in 1919 with President Wilson however I do not think it does justice for soldiers.

I believe that any US Vet should have a paid day off on Veterans Day, I believe more education and information should be given within the workplace. Today I didn't realize it was Veterans day until 9 a.m.

We owe our veterans more than 1 day, more than a nod of gratitude. These people sacrifice time away from their family and their country. They have seen horrible things that will taint them forever..why? All to keep our freedoms in place that we so often take for granted.

Take time today to thank a Veteran, express to them the gratitude that you have for what they have done for our great country.

Hogtastic: my amature review of my HD test ride:

This weekend the local HD Dealership Southern Thunder had their Demo Days. Demo Days is where the new HD models are transported down from Milwaukee for potential riders to take out and "demo" the rides. This was an awesome experience and I was like a kid in the candy store. I anxiously looked around and picked out what I was going to ride. I could've spent the entire day there riding all 11 models but I constrained myself to only two. The ride was about 20 minutes long with a combination of Interstate, Highway, and Local roads. This was a well planned route that gave the rider a sense of different riding environments.

The Rocker:

The first bike I took out was the Rocker, the new Softtail "Chopperistic" in style. The Rocker has the 96 cb in engine and six speed tranny that gets it done on the highway. I was excited about this bike as I like the look a lot, the fat rear tire and stretched front fork looks tasty. Upon sitting on the bike I realized that it is a stretch to reach the pedals for a vertically challenged guy like myself (5'8 with boots) Once out on the road the bike was very rough, the front end is so stretched and so light that it has a tendency to bounce around a bit more than normal. Cornering was nothing spectacular and the overall ride was a disappointment. This bike has plenty of power but the clumsiness of the control makes one hesitant to use. This bike bears a $20,000 price tag and unfortunately looks way smoother than it rides.

The Fat Bob:

Disappointed but not discouraged I decided to pick another. This time my pick came from the Dyna family, Fat Bob. As soon as my buttock hit the saddle I knew I was in trouble. From the comfortable seat to the sound of the 96 ci engine this bike was nice. I found myself more comfortable on this bike than any other I have ridden. This Fat Bob handled great, had excellent power and good ridding position. The only negatives that I can say about this bike is 1) the mid controls make it awkward to find your footing from a stop. This would not take long to get use to but I prefer more forward controls. 2) The ride was too short. I wanted to keep riding the same bike all day long, however, they wouldn't let me. This bike has a starting price tag of $15,000.

Well it was fun while it lasted, Someday I will own a Harley, however I have a feeling it will not be for another 20 years. My Honda is still in good condition and gets me to and fro. I like what Harley is about, i like the comrodery amongst the owners, the American Made muscle, and after riding I can see what the fuss is all about. Some day, but not until I have the ability to pay cash for the bike.

...a throw back to yesteryears!

Wow, this picture doesn't seem to long ago in my mind but you can tell it is as the hair has since escaped my head. This picture looks back just over 10 years now....wow how time flies. This was one of my core group of friends throughout college "The Bond Squad" as we called ourselves ..a tribute to the what started this friendship.. Golden Eye 007 - this N64 game brought a new dimension to first person shooters and deathmatches.. this also was the focal point of our friendship. This group grew over the years as new members would have to beat one of the "BS Originals" to earn his ranks amoungst the best.

I guess this morning I am fealing a bit nestalgic, or maybe it is that I miss the close friendship we once had. College is a great time in a persons life, the people you meet, the connections you make change your life forever...if you are currently in the place in your life cherish these times, and the friendships that you make. Now nearly 7 years after graduation day I don't get the opportuntiy to hang out with the ol' pals. We all have families, careers, and live from California to Mississippi to Chicago to Ohio. Eventhough I do not get to see these guys as often as I would like they will always mean the world to me. (Joel, Brandon, Josh, Marc, Jayson, Brad, Akira, and not pictured Chad C, and Chad P you guys are the coolest guys I have ever known!)