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| My Browser |
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| My Camera |
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| My Mic |
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| My ScreenCast Software |
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| My Editing Software |
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| Tuesday, October 31, 2006 |
| Happy Halloween ! |
Halloween holds a special place in my heart, and not because I get to dress up and eat tiny candy bars, but because afterwards I can safely begin growing my winter goatee. Winters in Chicago can be pretty brutal, but for some reason having a goatee makes me feel a little bit warmer. Plus I cut my shaving expenses in half !
So why don’t I just grow a goatee before Halloween? Because it totally ruins whatever costume I wear, that’s why. I’m no longer a vampire, I’m a vampire with a goatee. I’m no longer a clown, I’m a clown with a goatee. You get the picture. Halloween just isn’t goatee friendly.
Well tomorrow that all changes. I’ve already issued a cease shave on the area surrounding my mouth and have started boning up on the latest goatee websites. If anyone knows of any Halloween costumes that are goatee friendly, shoot me a comment with your ideas. Again, Happy Halloween and remember (insert Halloween safety tip here).
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 Labels: Life Stuff |
posted by Matt @ 11:25 AM   |
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| Monday, October 30, 2006 |
| Google Budget? |
When I decided to create a budget the first thing I asked myself was, “what can I buy to make this easier?” If it takes money to make money, it probably takes money to save money as well. Luckily I was wrong (don’t worry, I’m used to it). Instead of buying some crazy software or an overly expensive PDA phone (One day, Matt. One day), I put Google’s free Documents & Spreadsheets software to the task.
For those who aren’t in the know, Google Docs & Spreadsheets is the awkwardly long name for Google’s version of Microsoft Office. (Google doesn’t claim to have all the features of Microsoft Office, but it’s free so don’t even start!) I decided to create a Google spreadsheet to keep track of my monthly budget, and daily spending. I then immediately took the money I saved and bought something stupid . My Google spreadsheet has been working out perfectly so far. I can access it from work, home, or a friend’s house without downloading the file first, or carrying around a USB flash drive.
I always get excited when I find a practical use for new software or technology, so I thought I’d share with the rest of the internet. If you’d like a copy of the file I use, just let me know via the comment board, and I'll send you the file. You technically could open it with Microsoft Excel, but why would you want to? The comment board is open (and painfully empty).
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Labels: Life Stuff |
| posted by Matt @ 5:25 PM |
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| Friday, October 27, 2006 |
| My workout plan is a mess. |
I've never been able to stick to a workout schedule for an extended period of time. I either stop seeing results or get sick and forget about exercise while I nurse myself back to health. Once I stop going to the gym it's very easy to continue that trend.
I've had my most success working out when I was keeping a workout journal. I had a gift certificate for Borders, and so I bought The Ultimate Workout Log by Suzanne Schlosberg. I found this to be a great way to keep track of my daily exercises and other health related information. I could see which workouts I did a week ago, and how much weight I lifted, or I could take notes on my daily nutrition. The only downfall to this book is trying not to look like a Project Manager when you use it.
After looking at a month's worth of exercises I realize that I pretty much do the same thing. I do typical dude exercises (bench press, curls, etc.), and maybe do a little bit of cardio here and there. I'd like to incorporate more exercises, cardio, and even some yoga (to help clean my aura). I'm not to sure what order or frequency I should follow, but I'm going to begin my research right after I finish typing this post.
Any useful websites and articles I find will be added to my custom Fitness search bar below. Know of any helpful websites yourself? Let me know and I will add them to the list for everyone to search through.
Bookmarkz
Labels: Life Stuff |
| posted by Matt @ 2:22 PM |
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| Wednesday, October 25, 2006 |
| Budgeting sounds great, but... |
For the past year or so, going to the ATM has been like using a slot machine (minus the lever). I push a few buttons, cross my fingers, and anxiously await to see if the machine will pay out. Going to the ATM would be much less stressful if I actually had a clue as to what my bank balance is, but I tend to avoid that out of financial fear.
When the ATM prints out my receipt I usually crumple it up quickly and throw it into the trash so I don't catch a glimpse of my meager balance. I'd rather think I have money than know for sure that I'm poor. Pretty foolish I know, but I thought ignorance was bliss.
I have most all of my bills set up to be paid electronically, so money is constantly showing up and then leaving my account unannounced. I think I know why my finances are so off track. I don't pay enough attention to my money, or its needs. This would explain why it always leaves me (I never even ask my money how its day was!). Perhaps if I start treating money the way it deserves to be treated (with care and respect) it'll start inviting its friends over for crazy money orgies!
In order to make these money orgies a reality I need to boner up and create a budget for myself. I recently bought a copy of Quicken Deluxe for my home computer, and it can link up with my bank account online . This gives me a glorified version of a check book registrar on my computer, but I wouldn't call that a budget exactly. It's more of a trail of sadness.
I was planning on listing out when and how much I get paid a month, and how much I owe for bills each month (complete with dates). From there I guess I'll see what I have left and distribute that money into categories such as groceries, entertainment, comic books, etc. Am I on the right track? I've done this before but my frequent trips to the ATM make it difficult to tell what I spend my money on (did I give it to charity, or did I go to a bar?).
If anyone knows of any budgeting resources (websites, articles, etc.) please let me know and I will add them to my custom finance search bar below. If you have questions on your finances, please feel free to you use my custom search below to help find your own answers.
Bookmarkz
Labels: Life Stuff |
| posted by Matt @ 5:31 PM |
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| Welcome |
Hello, this is Matt and, Welcome to my Project.
It's nothing huge, so don't get too excited.
I just thought I'd share some of my thoughts on various facets of my life in the hopes of improving it. Some of my thoughts may have some merit, while others are in need of correcting (see any of my thoughts on budgeting and finance). I welcome any helpful insights, websites, or advice, from any experts that would help put me on the right path. Share the knowledge, and you might help make the world a better place! See, I told you it was nothing huge.
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| posted by Matt @ 5:23 PM |
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