Great laptop, happy wife, no debt

Yesterday was my last day at my old job, and a simply outstanding day for me. . . . → Read More: Great laptop, happy wife, no debt

Open a college savings account anyway

I changed my mind and opened college accounts for each of my three kids. Up to now, I’ve been thinking that I shouldn’t do that until I was already maximizing my contributions to every tax advantaged retirement account. . . . → Read More: Open a college savings account anyway

Paid myself first

Last year was the first year I’ve ever managed to pay myself first! Almost every book tells you to do that, to take a certain percent of your income and sock it away before you pay the rest of your billsI spent much of this lovely Portland day doing my books. . . . → Read More: Paid myself first

Accepted a job at Dotster

Yay! I’ve accepted a new job at Dotster.com. This means I won’t have any period of unemployment at all.

In fact, with severance and PTO payout, this is turning into a windfall month. There goes another chunk of debt for me.

This was the most interesting jobsearch in ages, since I’m a lot more . . . → Read More: Accepted a job at Dotster

Interactive Hourly Rate Calculator

Reading the comments on BlinkSale’s Weblog article on how to set your hourly rate, I found a great resource. It is a Rate Calculator with interactive knobs and sliders. Really quite slick.

For what it’s worth, it says that if my target is $200K, and I want 36 days a year off (vacation, sick . . . → Read More: Interactive Hourly Rate Calculator

Deciding between job offers

A quick and happy update to my lay-off status. . . . → Read More: Deciding between job offers

E-Myth lies with statistics

AHA! I found the main source of the discouraging lie so many repeat without thinking. . . . → Read More: E-Myth lies with statistics

Virtual Coffee Table – April

Continuing a fun idea I first explored back in February, here’s a glimpse at my "Virtual Coffee Table."These are the things I am reading at the moment, with no editing. My goal is to finish a book a week. I think I usually do hit that mark these days. . . . → Read More: Virtual Coffee Table – April

Great First Impression – A Bank of the West Review

I’m pleased to say that the people at my new bank are really impressing me. A few weeks ago, I was looking around for a local small-business-friendly bank to start the account for Zefamily LLC. . . . → Read More: Great First Impression – A Bank of the West Review

Fascinating comparison of state business taxes

The Tax Foundation releases an annual report comparing the various U.S. states’ business tax climates. This year’s report is out, and I think it is well worth a read.

The Rankings The top 5 “Good Climate” states are: Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Florida and Nevada. My home state, Oregon, is number 10. California, just . . . → Read More: Fascinating comparison of state business taxes