Finance Archives - Blowing It

September 27, 2019September 28, 2019

Purchasing A Peloton Or It’s Stock #223.

For The Price Of A Used Vehicle You Can Own A Peloton Stationary Bicycle.

Never did I think I would see the day where someone would attach a tablet to a stationary bike then charge to watch Youtube bicycle training videos. But here we are. And the total cost for such an apparatus. Anywhere between $2200 and $4000. It’s $4000 if you want to walk in place on a treadmill while watching your tablet. Add in another $39 per month if you want access to your videos. Now this company has gone public and Peloton is worth over a billion dollars somehow.

This Is Ludicrous.

I’ll save about $2090 plus monthly membership fees right now. First, head down to your local thrift store and purchase one of the many discarded stationary bicycles they have on hand. Usually for around $10. Because nearly everyone that buys one of these things eventually just gives it away, or it sits collecting dust.

Then hop on the internet or go to an electronics store and buy a cheap $100 tablet. Lastly look up free Youtube videos of bike rides, walks, or workouts. Whatever you’re looking to accomplish.

And their you have it, you just saved a couple thousand on what would eventually end up as junk anyway. And here’s the beauty, you can take that tablet anywhere. It’s versatile, it’s not screwed to a bike that never moves forward.

Another Alternative

Is don’t buy any of it. If you already have a gym membership. Which is usually less than what Peloton charges to watch their videos. Than just use their equipment and never have to own any of it.

Lastly And This Might Be The Craziest Idea Of All.

Get yourself a real freaking bike and go outside and ride it. I know the thought of getting outside in nature and actually riding a bike that has two wheels and propels you towards a destination can be scary. But think of the alternative. You could be stuck at home, peddling your feet and watching a screen on a $2000 appliance that never goes anywhere.

Either way Peloton is doing something right, because I’m sitting here writing critiques. While they’re making millions and are valued in the billions. So if you want one and you have the money to throw at it. By all means do it. Just remember when it begins to collect dust, I gave you an alternative.

January 24, 2019July 19, 2019

Longest Government Shutdown In U.S. History #179.

Government Stagnation Over Two Fundamentally Opposed Views.

We get absolutely nowhere if we can’t find common ground. As the government shutdown enters its second month. Government employees continue to go unpaid. But only the small fish in the large ocean are struggling. Everyday government employees, the ones who provide security, process taxes, clean our parks. Those employees are getting screwed not the senators or the president or the congressmen and women. My question is when do we no longer have to pay taxes?

I’ve written before how compromise how it’s a lose-lose situation. Which it is. However I didn’t take into consideration the fact that if no one ever sees eye to eye. You stand to lose a much greater loss if both parties don’t give anything. Sometimes losing a little to gain more is the only option.

So each side of the equation needs to give a little in order to take a little. But when both sides want way more than the other is willing to offer, you get into a stalemate. And that’s where we are with the government shutdown. Hopefully the two parties can reconcile their differences and come to a peaceful resolution where all parties involved end up with a few of their concessions. It’s the only way we’re ever going to end this government shutdown.

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December 30, 2018July 22, 2019

Money As Your Sole Motivator #173.

It’s A Vapid And Vacant Equations. No Amount Of Money Will Ever Add Up To Fulfillment.

Money has no meaning, it’s not real. It’s purely an idea that we use as a value exchange. If I value what you have, I will in turn transfer you my numbers or paper that I have been collecting to you for that valued item.

My collection grows by providing value to others in exchange for their numbers. If I work harder for their numbers or give them more of my time numbers, they in turn will give me more of their numbers. If you create something of high value that millions of people want or need, they will give you some of their collection of these arbitrary numbers.

I just call them numbers here because I want to emphasize mundanity of money, it’s banal, not a true motivator of anything.

Focus On What’s Truly Important.

When we choose to focus on money rather than what’s important. We become money chasers. Leaching to anything we think will grow our collection. Neglecting that which is truly important.

Also when we chase something we sometimes frighten that which we want further away. Creating the gulf between more and more expansive. We lose track of the right reasons we were ever pursuing noble ambitions.

Say you want to give your family a better life and you understand it takes an increase in financial status in order to do so. You believe you need to get your hands on more of those arbitrary numbers, so that becomes your sole focus. So you start looking for ways to obtain it. And in your pursuit you might begin to pull yourself further away. From the family you were once so eager to support grow and most importantly be a part of.

You might think money will set you free but the paradox of it all is, the pursuit of it is a new self imposed prison. Money is meaningless, the things it can buy do have purpose. Instead of chasing meaningless money, become purposeful, be a producer.

Other Alternatives.

Every time I think about making this site about money. I become disinterested and disillusioned with the process slightly neglectful. Of course I want it to be successful to the point I can devote more of my time to noble pursuit. It’s more about the allure of creating something people enjoy and want more of. Something of value to another.

I know that money is not a healthy motivator, it manipulates ambition in the wrong way. Make it about others instead. And if some how the money comes and those numbers begin to add up you can enjoy the fruits of your labor with those who are most important to you.

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November 27, 2018August 10, 2019

Hospitals Denying Treatment And Recommending Crowdsourcing To Fund Medical Bills #160.

So It’s A Big No To Socialized Medicine But The Medical Field And Insurance Industry Want You To Socialize Your Finances With Crowdsourcing. In Order To Pay Them Their Exorbitant Fees.

Just find the money elsewhere. A story recently came out of a women who was denied being placed on the heart transplant list. Because she didn’t have the $10,000 to cover her copay. In their denial. The hospital suggested that the lady start a gofundme (Crowdsourcing) page. In order to beg for the needed financial assistance from friends, family and the kindness of strangers. To achieve that amount for her to be placed upon the donor list.

And that is the world we live in. The poor are left to beg for their life. This lady even has insurance but the copay is too high that she is denied the lifesaving services. What is the point of insurance if can’t even cover expenses? Insurance sole purpose is to indemnify an individual in the case of catastrophic financial loss. That is specifically what it is intended for. This situation seems pretty catastrophic.

Do We Now Need Insurance For Our Insurance?

Most developed even under developed countries have healthcare built into the rights of all citizens. Paid for through there hard work and taxes. In America we pay high taxes that tend to not much benefit the individual payer. When health issues arise individuals are forced into bankruptcy in order to have a chance at life.

Beg, Borrow or Steal

Seems to be the only answer for survival to those who don’t have the money for a medical emergency. Or any emergency for that matter. If you’re poor and don’t run a massively tight budget in order to have savings. These three decisions seem to be the only three options available.

First she’ll look to begging through crowdsourcing or panhandling. If that doesn’t work she’ll ask for a loan. Clearly no bank would loan a dying poor woman money. So when that fails, the last option to survive would be to steal. Sadly that might be this lady best choice.

Stealing To Get Healthcare

She might be better off if she steals. That’s the catch in this system. If you steal and get caught. Then you go to jail. You will not be refused medical treatment in jail. It’s a completely backwards system. And we need do something about it. So good people don’t get taken advantage of and have to turn to alternative means in order to live.

Health care is a business, insurance is a business. Each one has the purpose to make money so it can stay in business and help others.

Crowdsourcing — Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

As frustrating as this story is, it does make sense and the hospital gave this woman valuable advice on how to potentially obtain the finances through crowdsourcing. In order to get the medical attention she so much needed. I don’t love the system but in order to stay ahead of it we have to look at the best answer, and it’s simple. Always save for a rainy day because you never know when your roof will cave in.

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October 3, 2018August 29, 2019

Believing Money Is The Root Of All Evil #150.

Believing Money Is The Root Of All Evil Is The Battle Cry Of The Misinformed And Often Less Fortunate.

This is one of the major lies we continue tell ourselves that has become so prevalent throughout society. We all know the phrase, many of us believe it to be some form of wise ancient wisdom. Knowledge handed down through the years to give comfort to those who chose not to pursue higher ambitions because they believe the words to be true. Its a reason to shun money from our existence. We are not evil people so why would we want to attract money. It’s a poor notion held by poor people. It’s also a completely misinterpreted saying.

The real quote is “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” First off it refers to the love of money, not money itself. Than it mentions it as a root, not the root. Lastly its saying this can lead to forms of evil. If you love money deeply and covet it immensely you may go to nefarious lengths in order to obtain it. And that may be a kind of evil deed. If you cheat steal lie or hurt others to acquire it, you are the evil this quote speaks of. But this has a completely different meaning then generalizing all money to be the root of all evil and those who have it are evil doers.

As Mark Twain Said Lack Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil.

Money has helped far more people than poverty ever could. Many who have it, made it by creating a better world for all of us to enjoy.

Money Is Simply A Thank You For Product Or Service.

When we pay for something we’re saying thank you with our money to the producers of products and services. They may have created something for us to enjoy or a necessity we must have. And these producers profit from our need. It’s a symbiotic relationship that is not only healthy it’s a good deed towards humanity.

Money is not evil, people who go after it with the cruelest intentions are evil. People and there misguided evil choices are what give money an evil name. But it’s also people who do amazing good with the money they acquire by helping the masses.

Help Millions, You Will Make Millions

We should all be in pursuit to help others and when we help enough, the money will follow. Never believe this new income makes you evil. Continue to do more, to help more and you’ll obtain more. And when you achieve more always remember that financial growth is simply a thank you.

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September 8, 2018July 2, 2019

Undervaluing Ourselves (Blowing It Scenario #145).

It’s High Time We All Come Together And Each And Everyone One Of Us Find Our True Worth And Charge The Correct Value Of That Worth.

Two articles came out this week that brought about just how disconnected we are with our proper value of our work. One of which was about the gig economy and it’s race to zero. How everyone around the world who uses the internet to sell their professional skills and services, skills most acquired through many years of hard work and dedication. All these freelancers and entrepreneurs are all now in a race to the bottom, speeding steadily toward giving away all their hard work for free. When we don’t control the paradigm the value is skewed. There is a story I once heard that Picasso was sitting at a café sketching on a cheap napkin when a lady witnessed he crumpled the napkin and shoved it into his pocket she than asked if she could have it. He replied, “Absolutely you can have it, for $20,000 dollars.” She says back to him, “but it only took you a few seconds to create.” His final response to the women is a telling symbol of knowing your value. He tells her, “No this took me a lifetime to create.” This is a one of the biggest lesson we can ever take about our value. We put so much hard work and effort into being able to create that work of art, some put their bodies through so much, why diminish its value?

Value is not only tied to the moment we create something new, that is simply the event. Most people don’t see the work that goes into creating, the education and learning of the process, the practice, and the many failures. All most people see is the final results and that is just the tip of the iceberg. When we get to a point of such mastery, we should not simply be relegated to charging five dollars for that work on a website that in turn takes 20 percent profits on your effort. We should only charge five dollars if we are complete novices and are using it as practice to get better. We should be creating our own domain where we control the paradigm. Where the perceived value we create is translated into intrinsic value to others. And when we all pay the correct price we all rise the tide together.

The second article that came out was about one of the best NFL running backs in the game holding out for a better long term contract from the team. He wants to protect is body for a better long term deal. And he should do that. Currently his company is putting a high short term price tag on him and trying to squeeze very last drop out of him before they release him and that is not fair. So he has exercised his right to put a higher value and in his eyes investing in his future is more important than the short term. This is a man who knows his value and is not backing down from it. Take a lesson from this. A great player on defense recently did this and another team saw his value and paid him his worth. The running backs team is controlling his paradigm and not allowing him to shop his skills on the open market and this lack of control is hurtful to true value. Just know your worth and except nothing less even if it requires you lose in the short term. Just be cognizant of the fact that others won’t always see that same value.

August 31, 2018July 2, 2019

Corporate Panhandling (Blowing It Scenario #142).

Supporting Charities Is A Noble And Worthy Gesture. However, Do You Ever Question Why Corporations Panhandle For Your Money When You Go To Purchase Your Items At Checkout?

Everywhere you shop now, as you pay for your groceries or whatever you’re currently shopping for, the checkout clerk will always asks you if you would like to donate your change or some other dollar denomination to this cause or that cause. It’s usually a very good charity that you’d want to support. And you are either forced to feel very uncomfortable, bordering on horrible for saying no or you give them money every single time you have to purchase something. They’ll use a just cause, like helping children or muscular dystrophy, to get your support. They’ll say, “Hey, would you to support children’s hospitals this afternoon.” And you’ll think absolutely, what a great thing you guys are doing collecting money for them. But are we so lazy or neglectful that we can’t choose charities on our own to support? Or is there a reason behind the scenes that these companies now panhandle for extra money? Could it be that they take your kind gesture of donation bundle it with all other helpful soul’s money and then donate it on behalf of the corporation? Offsetting cost and creating a massive tax write-off for the corporation. Could that possibly be why they ask for this money in the first place? Even your favorite websites do it now. Social media has set up a really easy way to donate and let individuals choose the cause and use social influence to ask for donations.

I love to believe in altruism. That everyone that supports those in need of help, or individuals who volunteer, or donate to charity do it for completely selflessness reasons. Knowing your contribution is helping another is a wonderful feeling. And we should never balk at the idea of lending a helping hand. This is not an article to say don’t give to charity, and if you find the easiest way to do so is at your grocery store when buying your groceries or while checking friends post your favorite social media, than by all means continue to do so.

What I’m advocating is we should all do our research when supporting any cause to see where that money is going and that it’s getting to the right people, those who you are actively trying to support. And you’re not just padding the pockets of wealthy corporations and their rich executives who are giving themselves inflated salaries in the name of nonprofit, and then in turn writing off taxes as charitable donations made on behalf of them. Also is it too much to ask to shop without feeling obligated to hand out more money at the end of your shopping experience? When we want to donate, we will donate we shouldn’t need the local checkout person to tell us to do so.

July 19, 2018July 2, 2019

Real Estate Paradox (Blowing It Scenario #127)

A Shelter For Your Family Should Not Be Purchased As An Investment. Nor Should An Investment Property Be Purchased As A Family Dwelling.

Home values before 1986 we’re reasonably priced. They rose with inflation which had some what of a gradual predictable climb. You could take care of your family and live in one home for life and expect your taxes to stay near the same year after year. Than in 1986 some genius on Wall Street thought better of that model and decided to detach it from the safety of reasonability and to bundle mortgages together and sell them on the open market. Skyrocketing the value of homes year over year still to this day. But who does this really benefit? What’s really happening to these homes to cause such an increase in value? It wasn’t like these homes were improved upon so much so to warrant such assessed values.

In actuality, banks and the government dictate these values and they are the ones to benefit from it. The more the value increases the more taxes you pay. The more you think your home has increased in price, the more you’re inclined to sell and again you pay more taxes in the form of capitol gains tax. With that higher value the more you will have to pay to your mortgage lender monthly. As well as having to put a larger amount of money down. Money that is loaned to you for home your purchase. Is money your lender gets to create out of nearly nothing with the help of fractional reserve banking. Which gives the bank power to loan money it doesn’t actually have. All the while you essentially rent your home from your bank, hoping to eventually own it. Paying double the value over the life of the mortgage. Here’s the kicker, when its finally paid off and you “own” your home, you still don’t own jack. You continue to lease your property from the government for life or long as you “own” your property. Miss a tax payment and they can confiscate that land and house you “own” at anytime. This is all if you can even pay it off in 30 years without refinancing. If you go the refinancing route, guess what? You get to start that 30 year mortgage all over again. To cap it off all the money you pay into this global mortgage fund gets placed back into the market by the banks, for the banks to profit off your hard earned income. Meanwhile when your house poor and can barely afford the groceries. Banks use your mortgage money to inflate the cost of other goods, all the while continuing to make the collector that much wealthier.

I’m not against investing I’m against pricing people out of reasonably priced shelter. The fictitious market called wall street supported by investment banking should not be able to dictate how much our shelter should cost. If there must be incursions from investors on the value of homes we should create new classifications of homes. Make investment grade homes for the investors playing in the market to invest in and hope to gain returns. And make a classification of life dwellings for those who just want to live in the home for life. Lifelong classified homes should than be removed from market speculation. And the home, as long as maintenance is maintained, should very slightly increase in value over the lifetime. No more than two percent a year.

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May 30, 2018June 3, 2018

Blowing It Scenario #106-Buying Into Diamond Marketing.

Diamonds Are Abundant And Artificially Kept Scarce By One Company Who Maintains A Monopoly On The Industry.

Can we finally get passed this idea that diamonds are anything more than a simple polished rock. We’re near given a complex when buying fancy jewelry or engagement rings. The prices are exorbitant and the marketing has been done so well that nearly everyone from the opposite sex requires diamonds to be “happy” with there proposals and subsequent nuptials. But Diamonds are not only abundant in nature they can now be grown in labs. Yet they cost nearly five hundred times that of the value of gold. Which is actually scarce and can’t be easily manufactured or reproduced like that of diamonds.

Companies have since began manufacturing these artificial diamonds that are indistinguishable from the real thing but at slightly lessor cost. And we are still required to show our love through these over priced rocks. Now the company that maintains the monopoly on the diamond market is crashing the price of the artificial diamonds (again I should mention are indistinguishable from the real thing without high tech equipment, yet still far over priced for a man-made rock) in the hopes of creating a sense that these new diamonds are such a lower value. But they didn’t price it so low that it could be construed as play jewelry. But listen to those words, “they didn’t price it.” Meaning the price is purely controlled by one company, with hardly any competition.

They literally can set the price at anything they want. As a matter of fact, they probably made the lab made diamonds so low that it will keep every competitor out of the market, as well as attach a sense of high devaluation to the artificial diamonds. So in turn their is now that much more perceived value in the real, highly abundant, diamonds. It’s more genius marketing and the vicious cycle will continue on. Until we the people who are being marketed to wise up to the scam and put our hard earned money elsewhere.

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May 5, 2018June 1, 2018

Blowing It Scenario #90-Carbon Dioxide Levels At Their Highest In 800,000 Years.

Congratulations Everyone, We Did It, Que The Bells And Whistles.

We reached the highest levels of CO2 in 800,000 years. It’s a cause for celebration right? Now our ever diminishing forest and acidifying oceans can get more of that sweet odorless colorless gas they breathe in so well. It’s time to really work towards solutions. We all probably be long gone before we have to face any true adversity. But this planet is a gift that we received we need to take care of it and be stewards of it for generations to come.

I’ll admit I’m very much part of the problem I’m working on this computer right now that needed to be charged before us, energy consumption. I’m doing my laundry water and high energy consumption. I drive a vehicle that averages around 20 miles to the gallon more burning of fossil fuels. I think most people would love to do their part.

It just seems that in order to do so most would have to go into debt servitude in order to afford the right things to repair the planet. We would all love to go completely clean energy. Solar panels on the house will probably set you back $40,000 a new electric car let’s be generous and say $30,000. Grow as much of your own produce which requires a lot of time and energy. Valuable time and energy. when all is said and done you could spend upwards of a hundred grand just to get squared a way. And how did you come by that income. You probably worked for it or have a business that created the profit, maybe you drove your car everyday to a massive consumption hungry business park or office. Or you relied on others, those who ran the factories and built all the things we have to make our lives a bit more easy. So much goes into that little paper towel we just threw out. I guess one of the alternatives is we could all live in tiny homes and use composting toilets and ride our bikes everywhere. But that might be a tough sell for most.

Look I’m not saying change can’t be done. I’m saying it currently cost less and is far easier to stay the course we’re presently on. Meaning we’ll most likely continue to increase our appetite for consumption. And next year we’ll have even more carbon in the atmosphere. And with that the hunger only grows stronger. The people could demand it but when power is consolidated to such a rare few. Those in power must step up and say enough is enough and do it with out getting ostracized from the power community. It’s time we work towards new solutions even if those don’t contribute to an entity making massive profits.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read our post. If you like what you read, or even if you don’t, we would love to hear from you. Please join our email list here. Or if you want to comment on this article, or write your own in our Forum. Please sign in here and if you are new to the site you can register here. This website is not intended to be a blog. We want it to be a place to help others grow and learn from mistakes and the Forum is where that begins. Please tell us your stories.