Rocktimists, manic optimists, manops, bates

Hi all,

Shameless self promotion here.  I've decided to play a show in Hamden at The Space on Dec 2nd.  I need to bring a wrecking crew, so please consider buying a ticket and coming.  I'm hoping to resurrect the kind of situation we used to make happen for Waiting for Sully and the Manic Optimists . . . I promise that 20% of my profit from the door will go to charity (specifically the gr8fullyfeclub).

Thanks, and hope to see you there!

Mark

s'more (money at Amazon)

Hi all,

I just discovered this neat app that actually pays you to add ads to your lock screen on android.  I'm sure it's not much, but anything is better than nothing.  So.   Essentially, you install s'more, swipe up instead of sideways to enter your phone past an ad, then they send you amazon gift cards.  If you get annoyed, just uninstall the app.  Since I've got 2 phones going right now (one for school/nonprofit @gr8fullyfeclub and band Rocktimists, one for personal) I get twice the rewards.  Theoretically, this means some cash towards Amazon in exchange for my cell phone bill (which is hefty).  Anyhow, I like this and Cumberland smart pay - they give me free coffee and ten cents off per gallon, every fillup.  Sometimes they throw in chocolate or sodas too. 

Happy saving,

~Mark

Bottles and Cans (captain planet)

Hi all,

I wish everybody would just collect garbage.  I know, it's grotesque, it's demeaning, it's icky.  However, if all of us did it, we'd be just a bit richer.  And the countryside would be too.  Instead of making America Great Again, let's make America Clean Again.  That might get a bit of greatness too, but it will also get us closer to a few more bucks in our pockets.  Just think . . . $0.05 per can times 20 a day is a buck in our pocket.  It also leads to cleaner roadways.  Then, multiply by 365.  If every American who gave a damn had an extra $365 a year, we could contribute to charities or build our personal wealth.  It's an example of how one hand washes the other, washes the face.

Anyway, consider recycling.  Then consider how it might make our world just a bit better everyday, and your wallet a bit fatter.  I'm using it this year to fund my classroom supplies.  So far, we've collected about $0.30, but I've got kids collecting around the school, so we're going to keep building the funds until we can afford things that are nice for my classes (like fancy tissues, hand sanitizer, and lotion).

~Mark

#gr8fullyfeclub
@gr8fullyfeclub

Wood Heat

Hi all,

It's me again.  This one isn't necessarily about smart phones, but it does involve free.  I use Craigslist Free quite often to make sure I get as much free wood as I can.   I also pick up whatever I see on the side of the road next to state parks, land that isn't used etc.  Usually this makes the residents happy, but if I'm not sure I ask the property owners first.  The best are people who have already split and seasoned the wood, but don't like heating with wood anymore.  Anyhow, happy reading and I hope you all stay warm this winter!
~Mark

p.s. - @gr8fullyfeclub

Free things to do that are amazing

Hi all,

I've taken a break from this for a while, but I think it's a good time to get back to it.  I've been working on a nonprofit called the gr8fullyfeclub (@ and #) and though it's been fun and leads me to great life experiences, it isn't generating any money yet.  That's ok - I've figured out how to not have it cost a ton anymore. 

Here's an example.  I had a spare $200, so I went to McDonalds in Hartford, near Jennings Road.  I happen to know that lots of people go there who can't afford to eat much.  I got a rewards card, then put few bucks on it.  Then I linked it to a few other cards, so that everybody was earning rewards.   I could have eaten a really fancy dinner for 200, but instead I got lots of people some food.  Everybody hungry at that McDonalds got to eat that day, and I got a lot of positive feedback.  It felt a lot better than a fancy dinner.  Not free, but worth it.  I've spent $200 on much stupider things.

There are also lots of free things that are great fun.  Many hikes, walks and drives are nearly free (excluding gas).  You can also, for the price of groceries, have a bbq at a dam or on the Appalachian trail (or similar). 

Happy do-gooding!

Also, the McDonalds thing is an example of two economic theories I'm positing.  1) Spending money on others like this can make you happier and 2) Trickle up economics can work when people help other people in a directed manner.  It is the way we can make the middle class viable again.

Have a great day,

Mark