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

DMV app

Hi everyone,
I'm in DMV Hell, for the 2nd time in a week.  AND I HAVE TO COME BACK AGAIN.  Wouldn't it be great if there was some sort of app so that you could tell if it was busy?  You know, BEFORE you took your free period from school and drove 20 minutes?  This couldn't be too hard to program, could it?  I hate wasting my time.  So at least with my keyboard I get to write this blog while I wait.  Stiiiiiiill though, I could be doing actually productive things like correcting or lesson planning or sipping coffee listening to music.  Instead, surrounded by strangers, I'm trying to be patient and nice to everyone while every fiber of my being is screaminggggggggggggggg obscenities.  I think this is how Tourette's syndrome starts.  Repeated exposure to the DM effing V.  Seriously though, I      challenge all you smartypants readers out there, make a DMV app that will tell people the line length.  Do it.
Sorry for ranting.
~Mark

SMF 10/8/12 Limitations of cell phone data plans

So, I was in an office waiting for an appointment.  I was minding my own business and typing on my bluetooth keyboard, and actually getting some good work done instead of wasting the time.  The lady next to me asks whether she can do a cell phone data plan and get rid of her dsl.  Now, I really dislike DSL, but I'm pretty sure if the lady ever wants to download a movie or watch streaming video she's still going to want a data plan for her house instead of sharing her cell phone data plan.  Even if she has 4g LTE with full bars at her house, it wouldn't be much of an advantage.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/broadband-grudge-match-cable-vs-dsl-vs-4g/

This has a decent review of all of the options.  I don't think 4glte's there yet . . . I'm still hanging on to my cable (though i am way too cheap to afford $330 a month for business class).  Oh, ahem, not cheap, FRUGAL.

Speaking of that, unless you have unlimited data, 4gLTE does have that major drawback; if you have to worry about what you download, you shouldn't use this to replace your home service.  See my earlier blog about throttling bandwidth to convince customers to get rid of their unlimited plans.  In my current estimation, the best way to go is Verizon 4gLTE unlimited if you can still get it, plus a phone that can attach to your wifi at home for blazing fast cable internet.  If you're trying to cost cut, get rid of cable tv/satellite/homephone service and replace it with Netflix, Amazon VOD (Video on Demand), hulu, etc.  The only disadvantage to this is that you don't get live tv as quickly as somebody with cable, but I bet this will be changing sometime soon as well.

Have a good one,

~Mark