tightening your belt?

How’s this economy affecting you?  I didn’t think it was, until I took a closer look at our finances.  I started using Mint (www.mint.com) to track all of our accounts.

It’s not pretty.  I’m relying on God as always, but it’s time to start living below our income.  We’re cutting expenses.  We’re going to give up cable TV.  We’ll reduce our driving if we can.  I sold a vehicle I didn’t need.  My wife is considering working (she’s been a stay-at-home-mom).  We may even decide to sell our house.

The odd thing is I have a great job.  My pay hasn’t kept pace with inflation though – especially the inflation in food and gas costs.  Health insurance has also eaten up more of my salary.

What about you?

trade the noise

A few of you may have received an email from me inviting you to try a new music site I just stumbled on:

The idea is to let music fans legally download whole albums, in exchange for either:

• a donation, you decide the amount, or

• for telling five friends about the music you’re downloading.

So far I’ve downloaded two new albums for free: Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell and Waterdeep’s Heart Attack Time Machine.

a new law

From Derek Webb‘s album Mockingbird, in full sarcasm mode:

A New Law

(vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for

don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice

don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus/chorus)

(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid

prosper

Have you heard of micro-lending?  I’m trying it out on prosper.com.  I’ve loaned somebody $100 , along with a bunch of other lenders for a total loan of $13,000 at 24% APY.  That works out to $140 for me if they take the maximum three years to pay it back.

That’s if they pay it back.  But I have to believe that a majority of the borrowers looking for micro-loans are honest.  With the credit crisis, it’s getting difficult to get traditional loans, so I’m all for helping each other out, one person to another.  If this first one goes well, I’ll put more money out there.  Either way, I’ll post here to let you know what happens.

the divine conspiracy

Okay, so this is at least the third time I’ve started reading this book: The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard.  It’s deep stuff, and I don’t know if I’m ready yet (still).  But I’ll try…