For most of us who have flown since 9/11/01, there have been many changes in air travel. Taking our shoes off, longer lines, and the dreaded 3-1-1 “liquids/gels/aerosols in bags” requirement makes it that much more difficult to fly.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a SimpliFLY program to help you get through the airport more swiftly and easily on your next trip.

I recently did the “carry on” bit, carrying only what I needed for a short overnight trip, and I found I was able to put toiletries, makeup, and other 3-1-1 stuff all in one bag. I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to fit everything in one suitcase, but I was wrong. I flew on regional jets and found that I could “gate check” the bag and get it when I exited the airplane. I’d recommend this if you have a short trip. It’s astonishing what you can get into a carry-on.

Tags: 3-1-1, 9/11/01, airport security, baby boomers, travel, travel tips, TSA

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For most of us who have flown since 9/11/01, there have been many changes in air travel. Taking our shoes off, longer lines, and the dreaded 3-1-1 “liquids/gels/aerosols in bags” requirement makes it that much more difficult to fly.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a SimpliFLY program to help you get through the airport more swiftly and easily on your next trip.

I recently did the “carry on” bit, carrying only what I needed for a short overnight trip, and I found I was able to put toiletries, makeup, and other 3-1-1 stuff all in one bag. I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to fit everything in one suitcase, but I was wrong. I flew on regional jets and found that I could “gate check” the bag and get it when I exited the airplane. I’d advocate this if you’ve a short trip. It’s amazing what you can get into a carry-on.

Tags: 3-1-1, 9/11/01, airport security, baby boomers, travel, travel tips, TSA

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My husband and I’ve been thinking about turning our 401k/IRA money into annuities.  But we’re concerned about:

1. Outliving our money
2. Not having enough for “play money” for those cruises we want to take.

Our financial consultant suggested variable annuities.  Since we don’t know much about them, we’ve been doing some searching.  Miranda Marquit, over at Yielding Wealth,  recently answered my question about the difference between fixed and variable annuities.

There is still lots more to learn.  It’s my understanding that with a variable annuity you don’t have to “annuitize” (take out the money each month), but you can take out money when you want to.

We’re still exploring.  I’ll keep you posted.

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United States, up today, 20815. This zip code is in Chevy Chase, Maryland has a median price of $2,020,000 and an appreciation rate of 253% since 1990. This residential Maryland suburb offers simple access to Washington D.C. and is home to a variety of traditional homes.

Today’s home, Wirelawn was first purchased from the Chevy Chase Land Company in 1905. It’s full of political history, Harry Truman’s presidential inaugural ball was held here and the home, which is now a private residence, once served as an embassy. The ten-bedoom home has a grand foyer, formal living room, formal dining room, music room (with a beautiful Egyptian-themed mural), family room and ballroom. The first floor is also home to the sunroom, kitchen, butler’s pantry and mudroom. The upper levels are home to the bedrooms including the master suite with his and hers baths and dressing area, bedroom suites with sitting rooms, and staff quarters. There’s also a temperature-controlled wine cellar and a gentleman’s study. The 1.36 acre property includes a covered veranda off the ballroom, huge heated pool and spa, three-car garage, gazebo and pool house, tented terrace and deck, a circular drive, motor court and a lawn massive enough to accommodate football and soccer games, or a tennis court. This home is listed at $6.9 million.

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Continue reading Most Pricey Zip Codes: 20815, Estate of the Day

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I have a programmable thermostat in my home.  It’s just outside my bedroom door.  In the morning, when I get up I turn the temperature up (or down depending on the time of the year).  I do the opposite when I go to bed or leave the home.  It is more difficult to do that simple manual function on my automated thermostat than it is on an old analog style with a twisty knob.  Programmable things are overrated.  I know I’ve been in Information Technology for 32 years.

I had one of the first cell phones in the country.  It was bolted to the floor of the trunk of my automobile.  I used that more 25 years ago than I use the cell phone that fits in my pocket.  I generally keep it turned off.  Why?  Because I found I really don’t want to be on call all the time.  It’s a nuisance.  The requirement to stay in constant touch with someone or a group of people shows a certain level of insecurity.

Why do cell phones have so many functions? Because they can put them on a chip.  Not because they’re useful.

 GPS, where’s the fun in that.  I used to travel 50% of the time for various companies.  Half the fun of going to a new city was finding my way around.  Sure I got lost, but I found some great people and had some wonderful times.  A GPS would never have told me how to cut through parking lots at Marina Del Ray to avoid a yacht accident on the main road off the island.  A GPS would never have sent me though the vacant lots in New York to get from the Ritz to La Guardia in half an hour at 5 PM on a Tuesday.

When it comes to speed, I love speed.  Speed is relative.  Nothing beats takeoffs and landings.  I hate watching auto racing, because I want to drive.  But, right now Milwaukee is digging out from 14 inches of new snow and nothing is moving terribly fast.  I watching the sun come up on the frosted trees in my backyard while I drink coffee and type this.  Right now this is a good speed.

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For most of us who have flown since 9/11/01, there have been many changes in air travel. Taking our shoes off, longer lines, and the dreaded 3-1-1 “liquids/gels/aerosols in bags” stipulation makes it that much more difficult to fly.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a SimpliFLY program to help you get through the airport more quickly and easily on your next trip.

I recently did the “carry on” bit, carrying only what I needed for a short overnight trip, and I found I was able to put toiletries, makeup, and other 3-1-1 stuff all in one bag. I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to fit everything in one suitcase, but I was wrong. I flew on regional jets and found that I could “gate check” the bag and get it when I exited the airplane. I’d recommend this if you’ve a short trip. It’s astounding what you can get into a carry-on.

Tags: 3-1-1, 9/11/01, airport security, baby boomers, travel, travel tips, TSA

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My husband and I’ve been thinking about turning our 401k/IRA money into annuities.  But we’re concerned about:

1. Outliving our money
2. Not having enough for “play money” for those cruises we want to take.

Our financial consultant recommended variable annuities.  Since we don’t know much about them, we’ve been doing some searching.  Miranda Marquit, over at Yielding Wealth,  recently answered my question about the difference between fixed and variable annuities.

There’s still lots more to learn.  It’s my understanding that with a variable annuity you don’t have to “annuitize” (take out the money each month), but you can take out money when you want to.

We’re still exploring.  I’ll keep you posted.

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I’ve a programmable thermostat in my house.  It’s just outside my bedroom door.  In the morning, when I get up I turn the temperature up (or down depending on the time of the year).  I do the opposite when I go to bed or leave the house.  It is more difficult to do that simple manual function on my automated thermostat than it is on an old analog style with a twisty knob.  Programmable things are overrated.  I know I’ve been in Information Technology for 32 years.

I had one of the first cell phones in the country.  It was bolted to the floor of the trunk of my automobile.  I used that more 25 years ago than I use the cell phone that fits in my pocket.  I generally keep it turned off.  Why?  Because I found I really don’t want to be on call all the time.  It’s a nuisance.  The stipulation to stay in constant touch with someone or a group of people shows a certain level of insecurity.

Why do cell phones have so many functions? Because they have the ability to put them on a chip.  Not because they’re useful.

 GPS, where’s the fun in that.  I used to travel 50% of the time for various companies.  Half the fun of going to a new city was finding my way around.  Sure I got lost, but I found some great people and had some wonderful times.  A GPS would never have told me how to cut through parking lots at Marina Del Ray to avoid a yacht accident on the main road off the island.  A GPS would never have sent me though the vacant lots in New York to get from the Ritz to La Guardia in half an hour at 5 PM on a Tuesday.

When it comes to speed, I love speed.  Speed is relative.  Nothing beats takeoffs and landings.  I hate watching auto racing, because I want to drive.  But, right now Milwaukee is digging out from 14 inches of new snow and nothing is moving terribly fast.  I watching the sun come up on the frosted trees in my backyard while I drink coffee and type this.  Right now this is a good speed.

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Filed under: Estates

The Nautilus Home is a cartoon-like combination of bright vibrant colors and a gigantic shell-shaped design. It’s a real home, located in Mexico City and occupied by a young couple and their two small kids. Not only does the Nautilus Home look like a giant work of art, but because it’s built from a mix of chicken wire and concrete (among other things) and takes cues from a Nautilus shell (hence the name) it’s also an earthquake-proof and maintenance-free structure. And that’s always handy.

The inside decor is all about smooth rounded surfaces, rich colors, and greenery all over the place. And even though the home is surrounded by Mexico City on 3 sides, the West side has most of the windows and faces out to a beautiful view of the mountains.

I really care about it, but for anything other than a vacation home it might get old — living in this home must make a person feel like they’re in a tropical version of Whoville.

Via DVICE

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Darlene McDaniel over at Interview Chatter has found a great video about how to hire the ideal people for your small business.

I’ve talked to many small business owners, and they all state the same thing: Finding and keeping the best people is the most difficult part of their jobs. Good employees know how to treat customers and they know how to do their jobs; they have the optimum combination of “people skills” and “productivity skills.”

I will say that it gets easier over time. Here’s an article I wrote for a chiropractic journal (Chiropractic Economics) that explains this principle in more detail.

Tags: Chiropractic Economics, employees, hiring, Interview Chatter, people skills, productivity

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