Pay It Forward for Lorenzo

Students, we have a student at OSU-Marion, Lorenzo, whose family is from the Philippines and has suffered great losses in Hurricane Haiyan this past month, including the deaths of two family members.

I always say knowledge without heart or understanding is not complete.  I also believe in an old OSU tradition in that yes, we are going to school for personal improvement and success, but we also believe in paying it forward and helping others.  We believe that we as Buckeyes are a community who have great opportunities to help each other, and others.

In this tradition, if you would like to sign a card for Lorenzo and his family, I will bring one to our last class on Monday and pass it around.  I will also take donations for his family to give to him, and you can give these to Travis on Monday if you have a few dollars you would like to contribute.

This is of course absolutely voluntary and you do not have to sign the card and donate money!  And there is no pressure or judgement if you do or don't.  This is simply an opportunity to help, if you wish.

Thank you for any consideration you will give for Lorenzo and his family.

Mike Lohre

It will be a long road back for communities in the Philippines after this historically destructive typhoon.

Mr.MoneyMustache " Obama care: Friend of the Entrepreneur and Early Retiree"

This topic I picked is very important to my family and to all of the families in America today. We seen in the election between Obama and Romney on who has a better idea for the American citizens about their health care program and that was a major factor to families across America. They both had two different ideas and their plans had a positive side and a negative side to it. So what Mr.Moneymustache was saying in this post of his was on how to have a good health insurance by saving and choosing the right plan for your family. Some plans works better for families that are larger then other families and others work as well too for smaller sized families. He was saying how you can double your amount of money you get by changing it to another plan if you make a certain amount then you can also choose to put a certain amount in your health care.
He is saying in this topic that the health care people trick you into getting a higher and expensive health insurance sometimes they say its better for you but in reality its the same thing basically. He is teaching us how to not get tricked by them and save more money by having a plan that's just as good as the expensive one. The health care plans that he should and their statements are mostly false but some could go either way depending on your family income and size too. Their is weaknesses in and strengths in all the plans.Obama care some people don't like it but its for people that can't afford to have a good living so it works out for them just great.

https://www.healthcare.gov/
This website shows more details about on what health care is good and bad for your families. I learned more from just looking through the site.

Getting Rich With... Bikes

The main idea of this article that MMM was trying to get across was that by riding a bike you can not only save money but can also get into shape and health. He was also trying to say that you will not only save money on gas but on maintenance as that bikes maintenance is cheaper and  easier to do. To me the idea is only workable if the person works in a city or can easily get to where they are going. I have a 45-50 min. drive by car to school with a backpack that ways a ton. Its strength is that you can save alot of money but its weaknesses is that weather can affect it to even where you are trying to go.

I like this source because it shows both the ups and downs of using a bike. It tells us how it can save us money and even keep in shape/
http://www.affordableschoolsonline.com/riding-my-bike-to-work-to-save-money-and-lose-weight/

Mr. Money Mustache. "Fear is just a chemical"

In the article, "Fear is just a chemical, Mr.Mustache lets us know just that. He explains to his audience that most of the fear in our lives is just absurd. He tells about the hormones that are released when we are afraid and how we snap back into reality soon after it goes away . the main idea that he is promoting is that there is a lot in life to be gained when we realize that most of our fear is nothing to be feared at all, in fact it is just chemical, and as soon as the hormones have been spent throughout our body we are back to normal. He then talks about some of the common fears that shouldn't be, things such as applying for a new job, or buying a new house. The most common is people having fear to try new things. He ends his article by challenging his audience to remember that we should not let this control our lives. I believe that all of his ideas are practical and conventional. It is a simple idea, but if we keep it in mind it can change the way we react to the little things that bother us. The biggest strength of this article would be in the simplicity of the main idea, but its weakness would be that it can't force people to change. that is something that we need to do on our own.

In this link below, there is additional research of the fact that fear is a chemical. It talks about the things that we fear and how most of them are just because of our brain.

http://www.scepticthomas.com/fear/fear.htm

Mr. Money Mustache: How to fix a car

In the blog post "How to Fix A Car" Mr. Money Mustache talks about how to handle car problems on a budget. He goes on a trip in his van, and it seems to be having some problems. there is a squeaking sound coming from on of the tires. So instead of taking it to the mechanic he does some research on the internet, and figures out what is wrong with it by him self. Then he buys the part and fixes it himself and it only cost him a fraction of what it would have if he would of taken it to the mechanic.

Mr. Money Mustache is telling us that with a little bit of research and work you can fix car troubles by your self and save a lot of money. This was a very conventional method of thinking; he didnt want to pay some one else so he did it him self. this was a very practical idea, and it worked out very well in the end for him because it was just a minor problem and he was able to do it himself.



 autorepair.about.com/od/fixityoursel this is another website that can help you fix a car.

luxury is just another weakness

he is describing sitting around his house all day doing nothing kinda like living the high life. but its actually bad for your bones and organs to do that. it also talks about taking out and borrowing money to buy a car at which 90% of americans do that today. He is wanting you to understand the concept of luxury is a drug! having luxury is a good thing from time to time in a way but to live the high life every single day like someone addicted to drugs is something you cant afford.

 the idea he is trying to get across is very workable and doable. it makes perfect sense you don't need to live the high life to be happy. you can live in luxurary every now and then but not every single day. the strengths is that it saves you lots of money in the long run if you were to do that along with it they have weaknesses like people felling low on the pole not rich if they are. but what they don't know is if they live the crazy lifestyle like that they wont be rich for long.

From Mike Lohre: Retrain the Brain

RETRAIN THE BRAIN: Technology links to read and contemplate.

Dear English 1110.01 students:

Please read or view/read at least three of these links, and write a comment on this post where you respond to one of the links.  Use a quote from the material in the link somewhere in your response, but give me your ideas and interpretations on this subject, please.  Make it your own.

Reading and surfing is not just about finding and regurgitating information.  It's about interpreting it and giving it meaning and application in our own existence and in our own communities.  Yes, information is everywhere and knowledge is at our fingertips.  Yet there are no shortcuts to wisdom.  You have to put in the work, the time, and the thought.  I truly hope you understand this notion deeply, and strive to take your work and yourself seriously.

Your thoughts and ideas matter.  Your creative actions matter, and every chance to write is a chance to write well.

I look forward to your responses.  Remember, just respond in the Comments section of this post so all our responses are in one place and we can see what everyone is thinking.

Sincerely,

Mike Lohre

8 Links to follow, and our food for thought:

Lavabits is an e-mail service that offered privacy, but is now in a fight with our government.
http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000002488802/a-conversation-with-lavabits-founder.html

This is a classic irony.  James Clapper, the Director of National Intellegence at the NSA, will lead the inquiry into his own agency's abuses and lies.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/james-clapper_n_3748431.html

And here's an editorial calling for Clapper to be fired.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2013/06/fire_dni_james_clapper_he_lied_to_congress_about_nsa_surveillance.html

Comedian Louis C.K. on cell phones.  Warning: there is some crass language in this.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbYScltf1c

This one got over 25 million hits on You Tube and was made by a young woman just trying to illustrate the distractions in tech life.  It's called "I Forget My Phone"
http://youtu.be/OINa46HeWg8

This video is from Rap News, out of Australia.  The same guy plays all the characters and two guys compose the lyrics, which take on a lot of alternative ideas on the internet and politics.  Some of the language and gestures are crass, so be warned.
http://youtu.be/o66FUc61MvU

Finally, from OSU's student newspaper The Lantern.
http://thelantern.com/2013/10/commentary-kindness-human-interaction-lost-technology/

One of the above links is from a source (Rap News with Robert Foster) that tries to use You Tube, music, and clever, pop-culture-based writing to promote both critical thinking and their point of view, of course.

As mentioned in the James Fallows essay, "Tinfoil Underwear".  They are an advocacy group for privacy and technology rights.

https://www.eff.org/

P.S.
Notice the style of this content.  This the New York Times, and is a pretty remarkable example of the way composition is being changed by the internet.

http://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2013/10/13/russia/?ref=global-home

Exploration 8

1. To me the ending was sad because of what Rose of Sharon. The Joads have faced many obstacles while on their travel to find a better life. The Joads had to face family break ups to death within the family and traveling with what little money they have.

2.I think that the future of the Joads will be a tough road ahead of them but if they stick together I am sure that they will be able to overcome it. They have taken many blows and faced many hardships that would have crippled many people but through thick and thin the Joads have always been able to stick together and make it through. The Joads are tough and they have the will to survive and it is because of that that i know they will be ok.

Get Rich with the "ChaChing" Instinct

What separate Mr. Money Mustache from other people is even at a young age he had "just in case money"You have two types of people when dealing with money and purchases. You have the savers and you have the big spenders. An article on NBC news came up with a study that showed the brain activity in peoples minds. The ones who are able to image the future in detail are better able to make smarter purchases. This happens to fit Mr. Mustache perfectly because he is a "compulsive future immaginator". In order to save money it is key that you be a compulsive saver instead of a compulsive spender. You have to think wisely of your spending choices. A saver will say “I just avoided a purchase, and I am richer because of it. Cha-CHING!!” A spender will say  “Hey! I wanted this thing and I don’t get to have it! Waaaaah, Waaah!!” Mr. Money Mustache suggest that budgets are for beginners. With budgets and saving techniques you learn how to cut it off before you do too much spending damage. Saving up is a game of becoming stronger and  creating a ChaChing Instinct.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/06/04/get-rich-with-the-chaching-instinct/

Mr. Money Mustache: Top 10 Cars for Smart People

This blog post was helping to decide what cars give you the best return on your money.  The point of the article was to suggest the best options for a small sized car that would be fuel efficient and practical.  The whole point of getting a smaller car is to save money initially on the price of the car and also save money on the fuel economy.

Some of the cars that are suggested on the blog are not appealing visually but that's the main sacrifice when trying to cut cost. The conventional way of buying a car is to buy the most flashy and slick car you can buy for the amount of cash you have saved for it.  The idea is definitely practical and would increase efficiency in our own personal choices for automobiles. Buying a car that is efficient in multiple aspects is great for the wallet. Paying for a 15,000 dollar car that has a MPG of 30+ is probably the most effective use of your money.  Not only are you saving on your initial purchase of the actual car but you are also saving on the variable cost of fuel. Cars that were suggested also had good cargo space and hatchbacks to make them more versatile tools. The weakness of this articles suggestions is the actuality of the consumer's choice. It is most likely that a twenty year old bachelor will not buy a Prius or Honda hatchback willingly. However, the style and functionality of affordable cars are becoming better and better as the market for these cars grow.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/most-affordable-fuel-efficient-cars#slide-4

This link is a alternate list to the one posted on Mr. Money Mustache. This source has additional automobiles that are also good choices for efficiency.  

Mr. Money Mustache: New Cars and Auto Financing: Stupid, or Sensible?

In this blog, Mr. Money Mustache describes buying a new car and whether or not it is reasonable.  He says that there is no point in wasting all of your money, let alone more than all of your money.  He says that the key to optimizing your automotive expenses is in thinking about total cost per year and cost per mile rather than cash outlay per month.  That is ONLY if  you have enough money saved up for one.  He says that it is necessary to live close to work and walk or ride your bike when possible.  He says these things are the most important.  Nobody should depend on their car.  Think of it as a luxury instead of a needed appliance.  Mr. Mustache stongly advises buying a new car, but if you must you should make sure you're much more than financially stable. 

Mr Mustache thinks that buying a new car is not financially smart, but if you must buy a new car, look at the long-term costs.  I agree with Mr Mustache, but it is hard to follow.  The idea is both workable and practical.  Having a new car would be helpful in a few ways, but also bad in a couple ways.  A new car could be great in many ways.  First off, cars are normally good for 200,000 miles.  If you keep a car its entire life it will last you a very long time.  A new car is also a cool thing to show off to your friends.  The cons about having a new car is mostly just the expenses.  Cars are obviously expensive.  They can financially wreck a person.  On top of the expected monthly car payment and insurance and other things like that, there are unexpected expenses.  What if something goes wrong with your car? A tire can blow or maybe you just want to make it look nicer.

the surprising effect of small effort over time

Mr. Money Mustache recounts his experiences building a house addition for his friend over four and a half months. He explains that he only worked on the addition in his free time during hours his son was in school. When it was finished he realized that all his small efforts over time accumulated and built something great. MMM says that small good things in life over time lead to a good life. He even says doing things that may seem scary like trying something new, like cutting off your cable and getting a library card. Little things add up and amount to things we could have never imagined. Which certainly can apply to our life. Working out thirty minutes a day over the span of a year can lead to someone being healthy. Saving up a little money every day or every week can lead to a surplus of saving. Its shocking what little effort can do to change your life.

www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/08/13/the-surprising-effect-of-small-efforts-over-time/

Fasting: a Fast Way to Greater Badassity?

This post was mainly about fasting and Mr. Money Mustache and one of his blog reader's experiences while fasting. It starts off with MMM saying claiming he is a wimp when it comes to eating so he would like to try to fast for three days. It later talks about the benefits of fasting and how it can prevent cancer. The last big portion of the article is one of MMM readers experiences while fasting for three days.

Starting off, MMM makes the topic of fasting seem like an impossibility. I guess that is what most people think when they hear no food for a certain amount of time. After some research, it is easy to see the practicality and usefulness of fasting as it makes you a healthier person and helps to prevent cancer cells from growing. Those could be the strengths that relate to fasting while negatives could be the constant thinking of food.

This link will help describe the benefits of fasting a little better.http://voices.yahoo.com/10-incredible-health-benefits-fasting-11621130.html

It's Beer 'o' Clock

     In Mr. Money Moustache's blog post It's Beer 'o' Clock, the writer suggests that by developing a beer/wine budget and managing you money wisely, you can still have a good time enjoying life while not going broke.

     This topic struck me as unusual, from a conventional standpoint.  It's not typical for an article to be written such as this, where the use of alcohol (and other not-so-legal drugs) are talked about in such an open and acceptable manner.  Usually when dealing with a budget, one would tend to eliminate vices, such as alcohol, in order to save money.  Mr. Money Mustache does not do this.  He allows for a certain amount of drinking, and goes a step further by suggesting better ways to acquire the beverages in question. 

     I can see how this method of budgeting your actual drinking, and not cutting it out completely, would be beneficial and very practical.  He suggests that 6 drinks per week is enough for the average person.  At first I thought that this may not be enough for some, and too much for others.  I know it can be tailored per individual, but if you do decide on a limit of 6 drinks per week, another important factor is the cost of each drink you are buying.  This is, after all, a blog about saving money.  So he suggests drinking at home, where the beer costs less than if you buy it at a bar.  Another high point, in my opinion, is the allowance of "roll over beers", which let you carry over unused quantities of beer from one week into the following week.  This won't take away from your overall budget, and can allow for one heck of a weekend. 

    

     The following link takes you to a website entitled "Ballers on Budgets.com":

     http://www.ballersonbudgets.com/drinking-alcohol-on-a-budget-13-tips-you-cant-forget/2009/11/

     I found this article on drinking on a budget to be helpful to anyone looking for a quick and easy way to save some money while drinking, without needing to know the science behind it.  It is a simple list of ideas to get you on track to drinking without breaking the bank. 

How to Prosper in an Economic Boom

This blog post main idea is all about what are the smartest decisions to make in both an economic boom and an economic downturn. The best things to do in an economic boom are to try to move up in your job, save your money instead of spending, and continue your regular investing. In an economic downturn you should keep working hard at your job and you will be ahead of everyone else because of the little spending you did in the boom. You would also want to think about buying a bigger house and using your house as a rental property. Finally you should invest more into the stock market and buy up on shares.

The most conventional, usual or habit that is thought about this topic is that you should try to spend less during an economic downturn but during an economic boom you should spend money while you can. Mr. Money Mustache on the other hand believes that you shouldn't spend money during an economic boom rather you should spend money during an economic downturn. His idea is a good idea, I think, but I don't necessarily agree with the idea that you should move to a bigger house in a downturn. I do like his ideas about saving money in a boom then being able to spend money in a downturn and not struggling as much.





http://www.usa.gov/topics/money/investing/tips.shtml
 This is a good site to show you the best way to invest your money and the wisest decisions to make when deciding where to put it.

How To Ride Your Bike All Winter - And Love It

This post is all about riding your bike during the winter and how enjoyable it is. He tells you what to wear based on how cold it is and how much it truly is to ride your bike during the winter. He also tells you that most people don't think they can ride their bike during the winter because they think they will just skid and fall, but in reality it all depends on your traction and tires. If you have good tires that can grip the snow you will be perfectly fine.

The main idea he is promoting is its very easy to ride your bike in the winter, but most people choose not to do it. I think his idea of riding your bike during the winter is very workable and practical. My uncle is person no matter the weather will be riding his bike to work everyday no matter what. Everything just depends on how much you want to do it. Most people have the resources to stay warm and get to where they are going no matter the conditions on their bike but choose not to do it because they are most likely lazy and using their car is easier. Its strengths were definately giving the perks and benefits of riding your bike in the winter. It could have improved if he showed how driving your car is way more costly and not just calling the people who drive their car wussies.

Your Money Can Work Harder Than You

This post is centered around the idea that money can get you more money pretty easily if you do a couple of key thins. By investing money instead of spending or saving it you can make a good amount of money.

The conventional or usual thinking or habit is to spend a lot of the money that we earn and save the rest into a bank account with almost no interest. Mr Money Mustache is very knowledgeable. He says that if we live more frugally, restrict spending, and invest the money into index funds and property, we can make a lot of money twenty years down the road thanks to compound interest. The money that we receive from our property/stocks should be reinvested.

index funds:stocks tracking the whole market that have an average year return of 10% and pay dividends.

The Idea that he promotes is very easy to put to use. All we have to do is spend less and put that money into index funds, keep adding money to the index fund, and watch it grow thanks to compounding.


http://www.investopedia.com/university/stocks/

This is a GREAT place to learn more about stocks. It is helpful because stocks can make people money  but it is very important to be informed.

Weekend Edition: Health = Wealth

This blog talks about whether some people would choose being fat and rich over being healthy and have a comfortable amount of income. This blog tells you why you should get exercise and be healthy. In addition, it tells you how and what to do to be healthy. Mr. Money Mustache really encourages to eat lots of healthy proteins and fats but to avoid processed food. This blog tells you easy way to get exercise. He assures that it will bring happiness just as wealth does. He also thinks everyone should always "accept exercise when it stares you in the face" by taking the stairs or riding your bike. He asks the question, if you're not at your maximum health then what's holding you back? besides dumb excuses, of course.

The idea that this man is promoting is the idea that health brings happiness and even wealth. This idea is completely workable and practical. It's not hard at all to go to the grocery and avoid foods that are processed. Taking your bike saves you money rather than taking your car. Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator is not that big of a task-- you just have to make a habit of it. Your body will thank you in the long run. I think this blog is full of strengths that I can't list all of them. A couple strengths would be that all ideas are actually possible and don't take a lot of time or money to achieve. It's weaknesses may be that he didn't take into consideration for people who live in a rural area and that we can't just ride our bike to work because it's too far. All in all, it was a great post and I really enjoyed reading it.

        
http://wholefamilyhealth.ca/blog/2011/health-over-wealth/

This website is helpful in many ways. Not only does it talk about why you should be healthy, it also gives links to other blogs about men's health, women's health, nutrition, and different services to get healthy.

How Big is Your Circle of Control?

     Basically, this article describes that there are countless things in the world that any man can be concerned with; however, 99% of these things are uncontrollable. So the main focus of this article is that people should not worry about events or situations that they cannot control. The weather, wars, and disease are all examples of what he is talking about. The weather does its own thing, wars have existed as long as humans have, and diseases will always be here. If you spend any time worrying about them, you are wasting valuable time that could be spent learning, exercising, or bettering the world in ways you can control. For example, you can start a business, create a blog, or help others. When you worry about things you cannot control, you are also risking your sanity, because it makes you feel helpless.
     I completely agree with this article. When people watch the news, it fills their head with horrible things that they have no control over. Some people spend so much time worrying about what's happening in another country, that they forget about bettering their own country. Also, I have seen a few people that do worry about things out of their control, and they are constantly stressed out because they can't do anything. It sounds like a horrible way to think, to me. I would hate being trapped with thoughts that are out of my control.
     Another source says that this is easier said than done. Even with the thought in your mind that you shouldn't be concerned with everything, there are still out of control things that you are going to worry about. Stresses at work that prevent your work from getting a project done are an example that he gives. One example that I can think of is traffic. Being late is horrible to me. I do my best to influence me getting to my destination on time, or early. Sometimes traffic gets in the way, though. While I know I can't control the traffic, it is frustrating.

http://www.engineeringandleadership.com/influence-and-concern-a-tale-of-two-circles/

                                            Wealth Advice that Should be Obvious:
      To summarize Mr Money Mustache's article, it hypothesized ideas for saving.  These ideas included eight key points to saving.  They are as follows.  1.  You don't try to gamble your way to wealth.  2.  Windfalls are for buying freedom, not jet skis.  3.  You don't buy shit you can't afford.  4.  You don't buy shit you don't need.  5.  You don't pay to have shit stored.  6.  You don't think of restaurants as a source of food.  7.  You put the good shit on automatic.  8.  You stock up on things when they're on sale.
    Taken as a whole the points are simple, usually small lifestyle changes that can drastically improve wealth.  I believe Mr. Money Mustache is helpful and holds good advice.    The conventional thinking Mr. Money is trying to promote is to cut back on standard opulence and stop inflating your lifestyle when debt is prevalent.  Mr. Money's idea is very workable and practical - although I think giving up a few believed standards of living would be difficult at first, such as shorter showers on somewhat cooler temperatures.  I think the main strength in the article is the satirical and anecdotal sense of humor - it portrays the financial advice in a desirable setting.  Fortunately I didn't see any blaring faults in the article, so that's a plus.
                                                 
This is a link to another frugal article I think will be beneficial particularly to College students who happen to be living on main campus next year - as most students take the bike route for their daily commutes.  http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/11/03/how-to-ride-your-bike-all-winter-and-love-it/

How to Get From Middle-Class to Kickass

Basically he went out to lunch with people he used to work with and was amazed at how many were still working and spending. He proceeds to make a table of middle class which represent realistic numbers from his own middle/high class friends and former coworkers vs kickass which is him and his family/other people that are "trained in the art of more efficient living". In the end he saves 74.07% compared to what the middle class saves at 15.16%. Pretty amazing how he has an answer for all saving.


The idea that he is promoting is that we cut back on things we don't really need such as Ivy league child care, he says don't need to send your child to an Ivy league day care or a house keeper, clean your own house. I think what he is saying is workable and practical but some people can't do that, they can't cut back on buying clothes or their golf membership. It is practical but most people in the United States like having some of these things and do not want to give them up. That would also be the weakness of it, the weakness of the people. They could do this and cut back but they don't want to, why would someone want to cut back on clothes and shoes? Why would someone spend $150 for one pair of shoes? Those are two of the opposite questions which is a weakness and a strength.









    VS

                   Middle Class                                                               Kickass



http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/stop-spending-budgeting-tool

   This link gives you tips on how to save your money and how to not over spend what you don't have. It says that most people spend more than what they have. It shows some pictures and gives good examples.

Save 100 dollars this week

This post is about cutting out uneccasary expenses like gas, eating out and coffee.  If you cut these out or at least cut back on them it allows you extra cash every week which builds up and adds to your retirement.  He also talks about not making unneeded trips to stores which saves you alot on cash and unneeded purchases.  His main thinking is just cutting waste out of our lives.  If we quit wasting money we can begin to save it.  This idea is great and very practical.  It can be done for some people it could be hard.  But it is completely possible.  I am going to start doing this myself.  By stopping eating out when I have plenty of food at home.  I can eat out of my pantry for months and not spend a dime.  The only weakness I see in it is people cheating and using the what the hell effect.  This is the thinking that if I am going to break budget, what the hell let us go all out. 

By riding your bike to places you need to go, such as work he says you can save a ton of money.  Along with putting unwanted miles on your car. 

 

  http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/05/03/mmm-save-100-this-week-challenge-update/

 

This is another blog he posted around the same topic.  He does the challenge himself and records his spending for five days.  He practices what he preaches by saving 91 dollars in five days.  He says that he makes about 40k a year and his usaul spending per week is above 500 dollars this savings is just incredible.  It really shows how much waste we really have in our lives.  If we cut the unneeded imagine the money we could save.   

50 jobs over $50,000 without a college degree

In this post from Mr. Moneymustache he talked about how many people do go to college and get a degree, but they can't find a well paying job in their job field. These people are unable to get out of their debt that they spent on their college education, because the field they went into does not pay enough. He provided several jobs that most people don't think pay well, but actually do. They also don't require a college degree! He also suggested to start your own business because the wage differential is about 300%! Some of the jobs he listed were plumber, mechanic,electrician, and welder. Some of the more interesting ones were blogger, techno music composer, and youtube channel owner!

I was not very surprised about the jobs like electrician and welder because my step dad actually is an electrician and i knew someone who was going into welding. A lot of the other jobs were also "hard labor" like house builder and tile setter. The ones like youtube channel owner and blogger were a little more surprising. I don't really think that this idea is that practical. My step dad went to a two year college to be an electrician and the welder I knew went to a high school that offered training in that area. Many of the jobs he listed do require some specialized training, special skills, or some type of education. So, the "without a college degree" is not entirely truthful. A lot of them also had to do with luck. To make millions off a youtube video is not very likely and would require something very special to make money. In order to be a successful blogger or writer you have to be very interesting, knowledgable, or know a lot of people. Not just anyone can do that and be successful. I definitely think that these ideas could work for some people. Maybe if they are naturally gifted and very driven. That article just isn't realistic for many people.

http://www.careerpath.com/career-advice/15-jobs-pay-well-no-degree/ This is a link to another site that talks about many high paying jobs you can get without a college degree. It had a few of the same jobs listed on the blog. They listed more realistic jobs on this site, though that would be easier to obtain rather than suggesting that people make big bucks off of being a blogger or owning a youtube channel.

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Mr. Money Mustache: "How to come out way ahead when buying a used car"

In this blog he is strongly against and completely rejects the idea of buying a new car.  He gives plenty of reasons as to why he is against it and I completely agree with his reasoning.  He explains how a used car at a much lower price will last you just as long as a new car.  He help calculates your savings from buying a used car at 40 or 60 thousand miles.  I was astonished at the difference in a new car vs. a car with 40k or 60k miles on it.  Most people will go out and say oh look I can get a new car with a lot less money down on it and just put it on credit.  He instantly rejects this idea of car buying. 



    COOL

VS                                                                      OR

RICH

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car
I feel this link has all of the things you should look for in buying a good used car and walking away from a car dealership with all limbs attached.
 

Exploration 8

1. I interpret the ending of book not only as sad but it can also be seen as upliftiing. I see it in some ways as uplifting because look how far they have come as a group. Not many people can say they've done what they have. They made it all the way from Oklahoma to California on little to no money and pretty by the hair on their backs. Thats toughness thats grit and thats being able to do anything survive. Everyone stayed together for the most part dispite some mental break downs because those are bound to happen, the Joad family stuck together and made it through. They had to leave the Wilson family behind but that was the Wilsons choice not the Joad's. I also think that what Rose of Sharon did is very commendable becuase thats just her being selfless and helping out someone in need even though she may not have wanted to do it. This is a good group of people that usually do the right thing even if its not what see wants to do.

2. In the future I see the Joad's moving forward as a family and anything that comes in their way they will beat it. They will beat just as they always have, they are a very impressive family because almost anything thrown at them they say so what and move on. Thats toughness you just dont see today and so i'm pretty confident that anything that is thrown at them they will get through and continue to survive.

Exploration 8

2. As the book ends, I see things looking up for the Joads.  Things are already bad so I do not see how they could get worse.  I think that the part where Rose of Sharon feeds the dad is a great scene.  I think that it is more than it seems.  I think that it is a symbol that things are going to get better for them.  No matter what life hand them, they always give to others whom are less fortunate.  Rose of Sharon was selfish all throughout the story but she proves otherwise at the end.  Change is a huge theme in The Grapes of Wrath.  The reader has to guess on the ending but I assume that they will eventually find a house and get steady jobs, with the help of Tom and his new dreams.

3.  The Grapes of Wrath can teach us a lot about our future and our country.  We can learn that no matter how bad things are going for us, we will survive.  We also learn the importance of family.  With your family, so many things are possible.  With your family you can accomplish things that you could not accomplish by yourself.  You must always push through the tough times that life decided to give you.  Something good will eventually come out of it.