February 10, 2012

I Finally Beat Tales of Vesperia

Tales of Vesperia Yuri and Estelle

A few weeks ago, I beat Tales of Vesperia but got busy so I didn't get it up here on the site.  It is one of my favorite games since Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Trigger. That says something, given that it's been almost 15 years since those two titles were released.  I didn't realize that the Tales of Vesperia game had smashed the release date unit sales record in Japan so, yeah, over here in the United States I was a bit behind the times in grasping how huge of a deal this game was. I … [Read more...]

An Example of Real Life Opportunity Cost Analysis Using Creed Green Irish Tweed Bar Soap

Creed Green Irish Tweed Bar Soap

Here is a fantastic example of how we manage our money around here that will help you understand our approach to capital when it comes to our personal balance sheets and income statements. By now, you all know about my Creed fragrance addiction.  I've taken four showers thus far with the Creed Green Irish Tweed bar soap from the other day and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. It lathers really, really well. The retail price is $35 per bar plus tax, so in Kansas City that works out to … [Read more...]

The Maserati Quattro Is a Thing of Beauty

Green Maserati

I am not a car guy. In fact, I'm a stern believer that people shouldn't spend more than 10% of their net worth on a car when they are first starting out (and much lower later in life as their balance sheet equity expands). Thus, if you have $150,000 in savings, you shouldn't spend more than $15,000 on a car. Even that is so high it bothers me because they almost all invariably end up worthless, or at least costing you 90% of your total investment. I'd be thrilled if people wouldn't spend … [Read more...]

A Brief Flirtation with a Cinnabon Franchise

Joshua Kennon reading the Cinnabon franchise disclosure document

I mentioned yesterday in the article on Dairy Queen franchise owners that after graduating from college, Aaron and I had looked into putting capital to work by opening several franchises in the town where we grew up.  We thought it would be a good place to invest the money we were earning from our other businesses without having to be involved on a day-to-day basis.  In other cases, we thought it might be a good way to structure companies so that our immediate family members could make an … [Read more...]

The Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano – A Real Life Lesson in the Time Value of Money

Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano

The Opportunity Cost of a Bosendorfer Strauss Grand Piano I'm going to teach you a financial technique that can help empower you to make informed choices about your own life and keep more cash in your pocket.  I've been using it since college and it's done wonders from my bank balance and investments. From the time I was a kid and had only a few thousand dollars in the bank, I have wanted either a Steinway & Sons Model B grand piano and / or a Bosendorfer Strauss model grand piano, … [Read more...]