A little family outing a few weeks ago. Visited the final exhibit at the old Aspen Art Museum: Ernesto Neto - Gratitude
Stroll by the river #old #bridge #aspen
from Instagram http://bit.ly/1xYQmRy
Things I am enjoying
Having two dogs, both pretty much puppies, has been challenging but also a lot of fun. Besides all the love and laughter they bring, they also provide me the opportunity to walk more. The multiple exercise sessions a day along with two young kids has forced me (in a good way) to get more efficient with my work and life. As a result, I have been listening to a lot of podcasts and playing with some cool software.
I am loving the following and thought they are worth sharing:
Hittal: Killer Keyword Suggestions (link)
HitTail tells you, in real-time, the most promising search terms you should target based on your existing traffic. We do this using a sophisticated algorithm tuned by analyzing over 1.2 billion keywords.
HitTail analyzes your visitor stream in real-time and provides you with a simple, actionable list of precisely which keywords you should be targeting to dramatically grow your organic search traffic.
Trello (link)
Whether you're planning a surprise birthday party for your best friend, writing an epic screenplay, tracking million-dollar sales leads, or just making a list of stuff to get done this weekend, Trello makes sure you're organized and on top of it all. Like a whiteboard with super powers, Trello is simple to use and infinitely flexible. You'll know exactly what needs to get done, who's going to do it, and what's coming up next. And, everything you do is synced and saved instantly to Trello.com. Use the web site to stay organized while you're at your desk, and the app to stay up to date while you're out and about.
Contactually (link)
an assistant that helps you automatically prioritize and stay in touch with your most important contacts, including potential business leads, colleagues, and friends. Regularly reconnecting with your network can improve your relationships and create opportunities in the future. It pulls in all of your email, social, and CRM contacts, so it always knows who you're talking to.
Bootstrapped With Kids Podcast (link)
Two dudes with kids talking about software, marketing, making money and other Sh!t.
Bigger Pockets Podcast (link)
Real Estate Investing & Wealth Building without the hype.
Start-ups for the Rest of Us (link)
Mike Taber and Rob Walling come together to share their insights and experience from the perspective of developers who built their respective companies without Angel or Venture Capital funding. Together, they share the things they've learned and are still learning as independent developers.
What are you enjoying?
This is Your Life; Do what You Love
"This is your life.
Do what you love and do it often."
via "The Holstee Manifesto"
via About | HOLSTEE.
How do you count your money?
In today's tech age people are using online banking, balance by text or mobile apps to check their balances or make payments.
Does anyone still use an actual calculator? I mostly use my iphone but when doing some serious math use my HP-10bii or spreadsheets.
A client and friend told me he has a simple system for counting his money. The guy is worth probably $80M and I expected a series of controls and systems to keep checks and balances. However, this is what he told me about knowing if he is running his business efficiently as well as "the secret to building wealth".
I have a simple thing I do each month. I check the bank statements. If the ending balance is higher than it was last month, then perfect. If the ending balance is lower than it was last month I know I have some hell to raise. In terms of building wealth, the best thing I think a person can do is watch their lifestyle and not let it grow with the amount of money they are making. I always kept my lifestyle pretty much the same. Sure, I splurged and have toys and cars and houses. But over the years, even when I had a big year, I kept our lifestyle the same and never got over extended. I also only pay cash and do not borrow. Banks are your friend when you don't need money and run the other way when you do need it.
I think that is some of the best advice I have ever received about money. What about you? Any good money tips to share?
When talking to another client the other day about writing up an LOI on a net leased property, I asked what he wanted to offer. He said "hang on a second" and all a sudden I heard an adding machine in the background. Seriously. You know the electric kind with the paper tape. He was doing a quick cap rate calculation to figure his offer price. After we got the serious details out of the way, I almost asked "Do you save or file the paper tapes?" But I didn't. It is his system and it works for him.
Here are a few photos of an antique Victor adding machine I bought at a rummage sale for $27. And, no, I don't save the tapes each day.
I was interested to see if I got a deal at $27. This is what I found:
Company History Victor Adding Machine Co. was a fledgling company in 1918 when the operator of a successful chain of meat markets gave a Victor salesman $100 for what he thought would buy an adding machine. Instead, he got 10 shares of the company’s stock. In an effort to protect his investment, that man – Carl Buehler – became a director of Victor in September 1918 and was elected president of the company three months later. The first Victor adding machine, Model 110, was introduced in 1919.
Usage his machine was widely used in offices for doing fast additions and calculations. The results were printed. Input from a ten digits keyboard in a 9x10 matrix. Extra function-keys to the right.
Cost The first Victor adding machine, the Model 110 , was introduced in 1919 and proved to be an extremely successful device. The Victor 110 was a full-keyboard non-printing machine with a front-mounted register, with only repeat and zeroing keys. The company sold 100000 of its Model 110 by 1926. The early nonprinting model cost $85, the model without carriage cost $100, the model with carriage $125. In 1921 the machine was extended at the rear to include a printing mechanism and was released as the 200 series. At a retail price of $100, 2000 units sell in the first year.
Current Value
- Antique Victor Adding Machine Brown Bakelite with Green keys circa 1940 It WORKS (Price: $75)
- A 1920s Victor Adding Machine. Fair condition. (Price: $100)
Source: ebay
So yes, it looks like I did OK. If I sold it, which I'm not, I would stand to make a few bucks.
Do you think the Victor can calculate the IRR?
I'm giving away my iPad to your good cause
UPDATE 5/30/12: Thanks for all the responses. The winner is Linda Summerer who just retired from teaching school and will be using the ipad "to do free tutoring with kids in the community whose parents are unable to pay for it." Congrats Linda and nice work. Make sure to try out Evernote's Peek app for studying. ORINGINAL POST:
Yes, my iPad is yours; I'll even pay shipping.
Is there a catch?
Of course.
It's yours if you tell me (and the world) what your good cause is and why an iPad would help you achieve that goal.
When I say "good cause" I mean like tutoring kids or helping the homeless or saving whales or being an exceptional parent or something altruistic.
Not something like "to win FarmVille" or "friend more people on Facebook" or "watch more cat videos on youtube" or because you are family etc.
Simply comment below, Facebook me (personal OR work) or tweet me with the reason I should mail you my old iPad. 
I know a lot of you are up to good things. Just let me know what good you are up to and I'll gladly send it to the Samaritan of my choice.
Specs: iPad is in above average condition. First generation model. Will send with charger and most recent iOS installed.
Offer void where prohibited. Ha ha.
Relax..... Luxury Surf Yoga Retreat
Needing to take things down a notch but want to do it in style? Check out this Luxury Surf and Yoga Retreat by Three Jewels. (my bro/sis in-law's company)
Three Jewels Yoga and Surf Retreats from Three Jewels Retreats on Vimeo.
Three Jewels Retreats, A day in paradise at a Yoga and Surf Retreat
Music: Xavier Rudd "Come Let Go"
What do you do?
Often times people ask me what I do. I also ask people "what do you do?". We Americans are so obsessed with labels and identification. In most cases the responses to "what do you do?" are job related.... I am a lawyer, nurse, executive, broker etc. but really that is just our job and is not really us. We are also fathers, friends, gardeners, weavers, collectors, daughters, travelers, lovers.
We all have deep inside of us passion and reasons for what we do and why we do it. The surface only tells a part of the story.
Here is a list I jotted on one of my inner explorations a few weeks ago. This one is titled "Love to....". (I have typed it further below in case you can't read my chicken scratch.) So... "What do you do?" Would love your comments and emails or tweets
Here it is typed...
Love to...
-see potential -make change -be creative -resourceful -make money -involve team members -joint success -contribute -help -understand and be understood -give back -provide for my family -be passionate -involved, intrigued, excited -feel good -see opportunity and act on it
Yes, I will take a second home here
Wish everyday was paradise like this..... Fortunate enough to return again after seven months of CO winter. Wailea, Maui
How to make work-life balance work | Video
"If you don' t design your life someone else may design it for you and you may not like their idea of balance"
via Nigel Marsh: How to make work-life balance work | Video on TED.com.
Whitewater - African Style
This video has been on my computer(s) since 2002 and finally got around to posting it a few weeks ago. This is from our trip to paddle the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe below Victoria Falls. My friends Simon and Doug shot most of the footage. Hope you enjoy (rated PG for music lyrics):
Two Creeks Snowmass World Class
"If you are lucky enough to be in the mountains, then you are lucky enough" my friend says.
Yes, I am lucky, not only to be in the mountains but also be there with my beautiful wife and daughters (4 & 2).
This week we had the opportunity to ski Two Creeks in Snowmass on an awesome 40 degree day (in February, yikes!). Skiing through the old growth aspen trees on the top of West Fork, reminded me of floating through the grand canyon. Skiing through the beautiful forest with my family on a bluebird day reminded me of how good life can be and is.
As we skied by the amazing ski in ski out Two Creeks Homes, in total opposites, I recalled our wonderful trip to Wailea, Maui this past fall. There is no feeling on earth like being with people you love in amazing natural places complimented by man-made works of art like the homes of Wailea and Two Creeks Snowmass.
Life is good!
Customize your Two Creeks Snowmass Real Estate search here.
See all Snowmass real estate here.