Four Reasons Brick And Mortar Stores Are Killing Themselves

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“You’re probably one of those people that complain about stores going out of business,” a friend said to me during a discussion about something I had ordered online. I do enjoy shopping online but I’m certainly not opposed to shopping at a brick and mortar store. In fact, many times I prefer it. Unfortunately, the fact is brick and mortar stores are killing themselves. I ran into four different scenarios just over the weekend that prove it. Item Online Only I need something to hold down the tents I’m using for an outdoor party. A well known big box home […] Read more »

Fist Pump Friday: I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 5/17/19

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My wife and I are again throwing our annual Memorial Weekend Summer Kick Off Party next weekend.  Therefore, this weekend is cleaning weekend, including some carpet cleaning and window washing. I’ll busting out a bucket of water and my carpet cleaner.  I could hire someone to do these tasks, but why would I do that when I can do them myself? Fist pump for DIY cleaning, AND my favorite posts of the week!   Post That Make Me Fist Pump Prevent Costs By Replacing Items Before They Fail from Money Beagle Things that make your life better for under $50 […] Read more »

More Inexpensive Father’s Day Gifts

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Now that Mother’s Day is behind us, it’s time to look forward to the next very important holiday on the calendar: Father’s Day. If you haven’t picked out the perfect gift yet, you still have a few weeks. If you need some inexpensive ideas, I’ve got you covered. Fantastic Father’s Day Gift Ideas Check out this post from last year for ideas to get you started, then check out the brand new list below. Hopefully you’ll either find an idea that will resonate, or it will spark an idea of your own: Grill Time: If the dad in your life […] Read more »

Fist Pump Friday: I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 05/9/19

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I found a package from Amazon on my front step when I got home from work today.  Inside was the five pound package of Pancho Villa taco seasoning I ordered a few days ago. My father-in-law has made tacos for decades and says this is the best taco seasoning around.  I was skeptical, but there’s always been something special about his tacos, so last year I ordered some. I’ll tell you this:  he’s right. I make five to ten pounds at a time and vacuum seal it in one pound packages so when Taco Tuesday rolls around each week, all […] Read more »

5 Essay Writing Skills You May Lack But Can Develop Quickly

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“I wish someone could help me write my essay”. This is what many frustrated and tired students think when they stare at the blank page and don’t know how to start an essay or are afraid that they can fail again. At school, you may have occasional essay assignments but at university, you have to face essay writing in practically all classes. And the truth is that no matter what your major is, the success of your academic career depends on how good you are at writing essays. Unfortunately, not all students cannot boast of being good writers. There are […] Read more »

4 Reasons A Photography Loving Friend Can Save You Big Money

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My daughter experienced her junior prom last weekend. She was excited to get dressed up and go dancing with her boyfriend and other friends from school. Since prom is a special event, she wanted pictures. Not the dad holding his cell phone and hopefully they don’t turn out fuzzy kind of pictures. The kind of pictures you put in a photo album and cherish forever. She asked if we knew anyone with a good camera that could take some pictures. I recommended she contact her brother, as he has a nice camera and is actually taking a college photography class. […] Read more »

Fist Pump Friday: I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 5/3/19

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My daughter’s junior prom is tomorrow, and getting ready for it has been an experience.  While we were able to get her dress very inexpensively, it seems the price of everything else has been jacked up.  From flowers to transportation to booking salon services for hair, prom weekend prices applies to everything.  Especially when two of the three schools in our city are holding prom on the same weekend.  I just keep telling myself, it’s a unique opportunity. But hey, fist pump for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 7 ways my kids actually […] Read more »

I Want My Daughter To Quit Her Job

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My daughter, a junior in high school, has a fantastic part-time job as a food runner blocks away from our house. They work with the students to ensure they get the time off they need for school activities and family functions. Many of her friends work there as well. She earns $10 an hour, but after tips are counted, it’s closer to $20. This all sounds great, but she wants to quit. I support her 100%. Learning Skills My daughter is taking a class in which she learns the skills preparing for the certified nursing assistant exam. She has almost […] Read more »

Fist Pump Friday: I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 4/27/19

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It’s my favorite time of year. Birds are chirping, the grass is turning green, the daylight hours are longer, and most importantly, utility bills are lower.  Oh, that’s right, I’m super excited about the Springtime “don’t need the air conditioner or furnace on” kind of utility bills.   It’s a monthly windfall of several hundred dollars that will last until June.  Open those windows and smell the freshly cut grass, what will you do with your extra cash? Fist pump for Spring, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 5 Easy Life Hacks That […] Read more »

Don’t Call A Professional, Fix That Ceiling Painting Oops Yourself!

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After my son moved to college, I promised my daughter we would paint and redecorate the upstairs bathroom to her liking. With new amenities, rain shower head and a fresh coat of paint, the “fish bathroom” we had created for our pre-teen kids had been transformed to be more suitable for a young adult. It was perfect, except for those paint marks on the ceiling where the brush or roller had gone temporarily off course. It happens to even the best do it yourself home improvement lovers. No matter how much painter’s tape used or care taken cutting in or […] Read more »

Fist Pump Friday: I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup 4/19/2019

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I’ve had two very different dining out experiences in the span of a week.  Earlier this week I wrote about a bad experience in which I overpaid for food that wasn’t that great. Last night, my wife and I paid $50 each for a special event beer paring dinner at a local restaurant. The total price of the meal was $100 for the two of us, but it was fantastic.  The event was a five course meal, each paired with a beer from a local microbrewery.  I expected the meal to be good as we’ve eaten at the restaurant before.  […] Read more »

Debt Consolidation Versus Bankruptcy: Which One Will You Choose?

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If you feel like you are drowning in personal debt, you are not alone. By late 2018, Americans owed more than $420 billion in credit card debt alone. Many get help through debt consolidation or bankruptcy. If you are considering either option, it is essential to understand how they work. Both have benefits and risks, so it is wise to weigh all factors before making a choice. At a minimum, you should understand the differences between the two and the qualifications for each. How a Bankruptcy Works Bankruptcy is a federal protection that is designed to help those who cannot […] Read more »

My New Strategy If I HAVE To Go Out To Eat

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My usual dining out methodology failed me. It failed me so badly that it left me with a significant bill, a lack of satisfaction, and wondering if I needed to alter my strategy. Dinner Failure I went out for dinner recently after an important event. I’m a great cook, so my usual dining out philosophy is to order either something I’ve never tried before, or  don’t normally make at home. After a quick scan of the menu, I decided on the twin lobster tails. I love seafood, and don’t have lobster often. My wife went with a ribeye steak, and […] Read more »

Fist Pump Friday: I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 4/12/2019

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On Monday temperatures soared into the 70’s here in Minnesota. Wednesday we got punched in the face with a major winter storm that dumped a foot of snow in some areas. Where I live in Southeastern Minnesota we got 5 inches of snow, sleet, rain, and a thunderstorm that shook my house early Thursday morning. We’re less than half an inch away of this being officially the snowiest winter ever recorded. I’m so ready for Spring. So. Ready. To try to get my mind off of things, let’s fist pump the best five articles I read this week! Posts That […] Read more »