Mike's Treehouse

Prosperity Game Day 78 - I Just Want to Celebrate

2009-09-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Day 78 is a big day! I have done the deal and put aside ample funds for my three daughters to each attend a four year private University when their time comes. Now we can just sit back and watch that fund collect interest.

I only have to deposit $66K to meet our $1 Million goal, which leaves another $12K to play with today. How about a one week first class trip to Maui during the winter break? We'll bring in the New Year Hawaiian style at the Aston Kaanapali Shores resort!! Shaka Brah!!!!!

Prosperity Game Day 77 - A Place to Park It

2009-09-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

So where do we settle and park our new Airstream after a few weeks on the road? Today's $77K gets us 10 acres on Grizzly Gap Road in Naples, Idaho. Nice view surrounded by National Forest Service land.

Way up there on the pan handle.

Prosperity Game Day 76 - Pulling Our Weight

2009-09-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

On Day 74 we bought a sleek, timeless Airstream Trailer. Today I buy the rig to haul it around, a VW Toureg V8 FSI Clean Diesel for around $64K. We'll use the $12K balance to purchase fuel for our road trip to Alaska & Montana.

Prosperity Game Day 75 - Getting Very Warm

2009-09-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Day 75 = $75K into the college fund
Current college savings balance: $934K
Remainder towards goal: $66K

Prosperity Game Day 74 - On the Road

2009-09-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today's $74K cash will buy us a 2010 Airstream Classic Limited 27 - now I just need the right rig to pull it.

Prosperity Game Day 73 - New Set of Eyes

2009-09-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

There is something magical about looking into a magnifying lens, and today's news about the Hubble Space Telescope's recent upgrades inspired me to geek out on a new telescope. For $73K I can pick up a kick-ass observatory quality telescope and imaging system to view and photograph galaxies far, far away!

Can you imagine hanging out at home looking up close and personal at something like the Orion Nebula (aka NGC1976 or M42) that is actually 1,350 light years away.

Prosperity Game Day 72 - So Close I Can Taste It

2009-09-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Day 72 = $72K into the college fund
Current college savings balance: $859K
Remainder towards goal: $141K

Prosperity Game Day 71 - Glass with Class

2009-09-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today I start a collection of art glass. I am mezmerized by the work of Italian glass Maestro Lino Tagliapietra and Orrefors trained Sonja Blomdahl among others.

Prosperity Game Day 70 - Labor of Love

2009-09-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

About eight years ago I was flat broke and sold my art & architecture library to Powell's Books. I miss my books. Today I re-stock with a $70,000 shopping spree at all my favorite art & architecture book stores up and down the west coast: Hennesey & Ingals in Santa Monica, William Stout Books in San Francisco & Peter Miller Books in Seattle. I'll be sure to traipse back through Powell's art & architecture section right here in Portland as well.

I'll also be sure to design a substantial library space into my home renovation project!

Prosperity Game Day 69

2009-09-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

Day 69 = $69K into the college fund
Current college savings balance: $787K
Remainder towards goal: $213K

Prosperity Game Day 68 - Dig It

2009-09-04T22:06:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood has been waging battle against the English Ivy that has invaded our native woods, covers about 90% of the ground and is making its way up most of the trees. I don't want to see 80 foot tall Douglas Fir trees die & topple as they are strangled to death. I'd also like to see the native ground cover and undergrowth return.

Today I am donating my funds to hire an army of ivy pullers to clear the woods while re-planting native species which include sword ferns, mountain lilac, oregon grape, pacific rhododendron, wild azelias, huckleberry, various species of birch, ash, manzanita and trilliums to name only a few!

Prosperity Game Day 67 - The Ol' Switcheroo

2009-09-03T01:22:00.000-07:00

Oops! Based on my self imposed multiple of three rule, Day 66 was supposed to be a deposit into my daughters' college fund. Instead I bought myself a Porshe... uhhh... heh...

Suppose I could go biblical and give the eldest daughter (no sons in our house) a bit extra. We'll make it an extra buck as we close in on $1M ($333K x 3)+$1. Yeee haw!

Day 67 = $67K into the college fund

Current college savings balance: $718K

Remainder towards goal: $282K

Prosperity Game Day 66 - Get Your Kicks

2009-09-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

I think I could get into collecting cars and I really like convertibles. For just under $66K I can pick up this 2004 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet with less than 28K miles. Road trip!

Prosperity Game Day 65 - Yin Yang Bass/Nature Camp

2009-09-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Now this is a FUN way to spend some cake!

$10K for a new Victor Wooten Yin Yang 5 Bass guitar;
$25K for three sessions at Victor Wooten's Bass/Nature Camp in Only, TN with a few musician friends (includes air fare);
$30K donation to the camp.

Prosperity Game Day 64 - Breaks Like the Wind

2009-08-31T18:00:00.001-07:00

For about $30K I can purchase and install a Helix S594 wind turbine to curb my reliance on the local energy grid. The extra $34K will go towards hiring a land use attorney to get this sucker through the planning department and to buy off my neighbors.

"The Savonius turbine based design catches wind from all directions creating smooth powerful torque to spin the electric generator. Mounted up to 35 feet high, in winds as low as 10 mph the Helix system creates electricity to power your home or business.

How it works: As the wind blows the long helical blade scoops catch wind from all directions forcing it through the turbine. The turbine generator is connected directly to your home and as electricity is generated your home is powered. If the wind isn’t blowing your home is powered by the energy grid as usual. If the wind is blowing strongly then your energy produced can exceed your energy consumed and, depending on your local utility, your meter can spin backwards rolling back your energy bill."

Prosperity Game Day 63 - Back to School

2009-08-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Day 63 = $63K into the college fund
Current college savings balance: $651K
Remainder towards goal: $349K

Prosperity Game Day 62 - Let Them Truckers Roll!

2009-08-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

A fleet of Japanese 4x4 mini trucks is what I get for today's $62K. I only need one - a dump truck. I've always wanted a dump truck. For such a small truck I can carry around a lot of stuff and dump it (at a recycling depot) when I don't need it any more.

Considering the mountain of laurel clippings I have been in the process of disposing the past week or so, one of these would have really come in handy. I don't want to deal with a trailer and a hitch.

"Why do I need a fleet?" you ask... Good question. They only cost about $5-7K a pop, so I'll get a good one for my purposes and donate the rest to people and organizations who need a funky little truck like this. Perhaps the local school up the street needs one, or my friend who lives on 5 acres out in the country.

Prosperity Game Day 61 - Jack it up a Notch

2009-08-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Day 61 we deposit $61K towards the home renovation project which will make room for my new piano. I decided to increase the project budget from $250K to $350K.

Renovation savings balance: $212
Remainder towards goal: $138K

Prosperity Game Day 60

2009-08-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

Day 60 = $60K into the college fund
Current college savings balance: $588K
Remainder towards goal: $412K

Prosperity Game Day 59 - Happy Day

2009-08-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Its my birthday and to celebrate I decided to purchase and learn to play piano. $59K goes towards a Bosendorfer Model 200 Grand Piano.

Prosperity Game Day 58 - She Had Me at "Hello"

2009-08-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

I am so head over heals in love with my wife that not only do I send her off on a jewlery shopping spree on day 56, today for her birthday I fork over another $58K cold hard cash to do with as she pleases. Have fun Honey!! XXOO

Prosperity Game Day 57 - Pow!

2009-08-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

DEPOSIT! $57K!

BALANCE! $528K!

MORE THAN HALF WAY THERE! $472K!

Prosperity Game Day 56 - Girl's Best Friend

2009-08-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

Apparently it is a challenge to find a $56K women's luxury time piece, so I asked my wife to do her best and find one she likes along with a few other items that will spend today's funds. Like the trooper that she is, she rose to the challenge and purchased the four items shown above right down to the practical every day watch. I love her for that. XXOO

Cartier's Tank Americaine 18kt White Gold Watch - $33K
3ctw Princess Cut Diamond & Platinum Stud Earrings - $16K
18kt White Gold + 7.5 ctw Round Brilliant Diamond Bracelet -$6,300
Citizen Stainless Steel Watch - $150

With the extra $550 I'll buy her a gift card at one of the nice local spas, Rumi Simone. The girl came to play!!!

Prosperity Game Day 55 - Tickin' In My Head

2009-08-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

I have always marvelled at luxury time pieces and now is the time to own one. I found an A. Lange & Söhne Datograph for him that fits today's $55K budget and my taste. Tomorrow we'll get one for her.

Prosperity Game Day 54 - One Step Beyond

2009-08-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

Trudging the good road one step at a time. Another college savings deposit. $54K.

Current savings balance: $471K

Remainder towards goal: $529K

Prosperity Game Day 53 - Native Art

2009-08-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to one of my sisters I have had the good fortune to become friends with one of the top Native American artists in the Pacific Northwest, Marvin Oliver.

It is always a pleasure to meet someone like Marvin who I admire not only for their great talent but also for their warm/friendly spirit and beautiful family.

This game has given me the means to imagine comissioning him to create a piece to adorn the atrium space in our home renovation project. Today's $53K goes to Marvin to collaborate on that piece and the space in which it will reside to fuse art & architecture as integral to each other.

"Marvin Oliver is one of the Northwest Coast’s foremost contemporary sculptors and printmakers, who has made strides in the art world for the development and recognition of Native American Contemporary Fine Art." - from his Bio

Prosperity Game Day 52 - A Tad Low On Creativity

2009-08-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

So I'll just dump today's $52K into the renovation fund.

Current savings balance: $151K

Remainder towards goal: $99K

I may want to consider raising my budget over $250K...

Prosperity Game Day 51 - Acting School

2009-08-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

My oldest daughter who will soon be 13 years old is very focused on the theatre arts at this point and I have great confidence in her success as she pursues acting in Middle School & beyond. It is most fitting to her effusive, charming spirit and a joy to observe. I trust her 1/3 of the funds that I am putting aside will pay for a top notch acting school when she heads off to college (or sooner).

Status Update:
College Savings $51K deposit
Current savings balance: $417K
Remainder towards goal: $583K

Prosperity Game Day 50 - Power Plant

2009-08-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

Today I put another $50K to the home renovation fund. Another savings fund to track:

Current savings balance: $99K
Remainder towards goal: $151K

As I save I am researching options for generating energy here on the property. Photovoltaic solar panels are an option for producing electricity and Evacuated Tube Solar Thermal heating systems are especially effective way to harvest the power of the sun here in the Pacific NW - 500% more effective than their PV counterparts.

I am also looking into a system of Micro-Hydro Electric Turbines to be incorporated into my rain water harvesting system. Along with designing super energy efficient insulation and appliances into the house, these power generating systems are critical to meeting the Living Building Challenge.

Prosperity Game Day 49 - Living Building Challenge

2009-08-16T16:32:00.001-07:00

Time to gear up for the major home renovation. The new deck and master bath are working great but the entire house needs to be gutted and modernized. We're talking a total exterior facelift, interior renovation and master suite addition to bring the house into the 20th century.

The goal is to recycle/re-use most of the existing structure and upgrade the home to go beyond energy efficiency and meet the Living Building Challenge.

First I pay $3K for a detailed boundary and topographic survey of the existing property and all significant landscape features. The remaining $46K goes into savings for the job. I'd like to put $250K into the house on top of the work we already did. Another savings goal to work toward.

Once I have the survey I'll measure the existing house in detail and build a BIM (Building Information Model) aka Virtual Building Model. Then I start on every architect's favorite project, designing my own house. Hopefully I'll be a good client...

Prosperity Game Day 48 - Rainy Day Dream Away

2009-08-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

College Savings $48K deposit

Current savings balance: $366K

Remainder towards goal: $634K

Prosperity Game Day 47 - Getaway...

2009-08-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

...for the wife and I - $47K gets us to The Oberoi Mauritius winner of "The Best Spa of the World" award by the European Spa Academy. Okay, I'm sold.

We'll take seven nights in one of the Luxury Pavillions ($9K) and be sure to get in some snorkling, paddling & motoring around on the Indian Ocean, hiking on the island with plenty of general relaxation, good food and togetherness. Ahhhhh - recharge.

The big ticket item is First Class round trip travel with minimal stops = $36K. I still have $3,200 in game savings to throw into the mix which gives us $4,200 to play with that week. That'll have to do and I'm sure it will do just fine.

"Luxury Pavilions include a spacious bedroom, sitting area and a walk-in closet. The bathroom is appointed with a sunken marble bath and a separate shower. Each Pavilion has a terrace for private dining and overlooks the gardens and the Indian Ocean."

Prosperity Game Day 46 - Ma Nouvelle Voiture

2009-08-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

With today's $46K I am pre-ordering my new 2010 Citroen DS3 which I will have to sneak into the US via the UK next spring. Zip zip zip!

Prosperity Game Day 45 - Savings

2009-08-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

College Savings $45K deposit
Current savings balance: $318K
Remainder towards goal: $682K

Prosperity Game Day 44 - Little Readers

2009-08-11T21:22:00.001-07:00

Still on a philanthropic bent with the game this week. We have been the grateful recipients of books from the PJ Library for our two year old daughter thanks to the generosity of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

Today I would like to give something back to the OJCF - $44K to be exact - as a sign of our gratitude to allow families like ours to enjoy benefits like a free subscription to the PJ Library.

Prosperity Game Day 43 - Action

2009-08-10T22:19:00.000-07:00

activist (active: 1. In action, moving. 2. Causing or initiating change. 3. Engaging, contributing, participating).

Studs Terkel was among many things an activist. He was a champion of the underdog, the “non-celebrated” and last night I finished his book The Good War which was a series of interviews he conducted with such people on the broad ranging subject of WWII and the dawn of the atomic age.

It was the first book of his I have read, and I think the next one on my list is Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Faith in Difficult Times which seems like a good way to follow up with an optimistic message of change for the new millenium. Change takes willingness, and willingness requires action. Today I would like to fund a cause that prompts positive change and gives us hope for humanity.

I donate $43K to the American Humanist Association . Two more of my favorite authors have been awarded the title of Honorary President of the AHA, Kurt Vonnegut (past) & Gore Vidal (current).

Prosperity Game Day 42 - Chipping Away...

2009-08-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

...at the college fund:

$42K deposit
Current savings balance: $273K
Remainder towards goal: $727K

Prosperity Game Day 41 - Time Out For Fun!

2009-08-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Today was one of my niece's 7th birthday and we were all camping at the coast with a big group that included over half a dozen different familes. The kids had a blast, and bonded with some great people from our city plus another kid who was here on an exchange program from France. Priceless!

It was a wonderful little microcosm of life filled with fun, a little responsibility, great food cooked in the open air, comraderie and the kind of togetherness that to me defines spirituality.

Today I will divy up the $41K to fund another outing like this pulling together a few long lost friends from around the country and around the world with their children plus gather more of the locals, my siblings, their kids and who knows...?

Prosperity Game Day 40 - Helllllllp!

2009-08-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

I need to hire an intern architect for my practice. The kind of eager, enthusiastic wide eyed kid I was when I landed my first employment gig while still in Architecture School. So today's $40K is to pay a year's salary for this person. Whew! Thanks for the help kid!

Prosperity Game Day 39 - Another Day Another K.

2009-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

$39K in the girls' college fund:
Current savings balance: $231K
Remainder towards goal: $769K

Prosperity Game Day 38 - Responsibility

2009-08-05T22:30:00.001-07:00

Today I invest my $38K to contribute a bit of capital towards my sister's new venture to create a sustainable lifestyle design and learning center. An intimate neighborhood scale agora for people to gather socially, trade, celebrate, learn, debate, perform, seek and create is a void needing to be filled in so many communities and neighborhoods.

A place where we can learn about, promote and purchase the wares that allow us to live responsibly in our homes, our cities, the environment and our community is a win for everyone. See you there!

Prosperity Game Day 37 - Now That's a Fire!

2009-08-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

On Day 31 we re-did the master bath. Today its $37K for a new deck, outdoor dining terrace and fire pit. This pic isn't quite what I'm envisioning, although I wouldn't mind the view...

Prosperity Game Day 36 - Busy Busy Busy

2009-08-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Pretty busy today (dang - just got quesadilla on my keyboard)... so I'm grateful that every three days I can do something a little less creative albeit extremely important!

We deposit $36K in the girls' college fund:

Current savings balance: $192K

Remainder towards goal: $808K

Prosperity Game Day 35 - New Digs

2009-08-02T18:57:00.001-07:00

Its time to move my office out of the man cave at our house and hang my shingle in a real office. I found 1,278 Square Feet of prime lake front office space in downtown Lake Oswego. Its an easy bike ride to work and although not the funky artist studio I ultimately envision for my business, I am only taking a one year commitment. The rent for a year is $28,200 which leaves me $6,800 to play around with for furniture and finishes.

Now I have somewhere to put my kick-ass printer/copier & coffee/espresso bar!

Prosperity Game Day 34 - What's Going On

2009-08-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Marvin Gaye just popped into my head as I asked myself, "what's going on today?" The day started with picking up my daughters from summer camp on the Sandy River, and turned into a fairly lazy Saturday which included laundry and a nap. Running over my day played against the backdrop of that "soulful, introspective" groove all I can think is, "I am blessed."

Even though my reality is on a relatively tight budget with my current work situation, our life is filled with an abundance of love, family, good friends, food, shelter and the incredibly high quality of life we enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest.

And as I continue to seek more joy in life with a playful spirit, today I donate my $34K to Amnesty International in an effort "to bring some lovin' here today."

Prosperity Game Day 33 - 33-1/3

2009-07-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

Although this has nothing to do with today's funds, I think 33-1/3 may be my favorite solo album by a former Beatle. I have always loved George Harrison's Beatles songs (i.e. Tax Man, Savoy Truffel, Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes the Sun, I Me Mine, etc) and have found great inspiration not only in his music but his quiet humility and spiritual seeking while living in what must have been an excessive, blinding spot light.

Let's re-focus - today is another three way deposit into my daughters' college funds:

Current savings balance: $156K
Remainder towards goal: $844K

Prosperity Game Day 32 - What did one Tomato say to the other Tomato?

2009-07-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

I love my garden! I love the creativity involved not only in designing the plot, but the actual act of planting and nurturing a life sustaining harvest.

Today I pony up $32K to start a community garden here in our little corner of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Its just some seed money (so to speak) to get the ball rolling on a little neighborhood plot. Many of our neighbors have incredible, bountiful gardens but why not have a little more breathing room to really grow some food without having to drive to one of the other great community gardens in our area like Luscher Farm or the 47th Avenue Farm.

The inspiration behind a bad joke and giving something back to the neighbors is the fact that I am playing a little catch up after cooling off at the Oregon coast for a couple days while so many others sweltered in Portland during this hot hot last week of July '09. Blogger helps me fake it by changing the post date.

Prosperity Game Day 31 - Zen Time

2009-07-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

Probably my #1 favorite way to relax is in a soaking tub with candles, lavender bath salts and a good book. Today we throw our $31K towards a new master bathroom. We'll need a two sided fireplace, one side opens to the bath and the other opens to the bedroom. Earth, Fire, Water. Got it covered.

Prosperity Game Day 30 - $10K per Kid

2009-07-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

I like easy math! Today = $30K towards the college funds.

Current savings balance: $123K

Remainder towards goal: $877K

Prosperity Game Day 29 - Phuket, We're Going Diving!

2009-07-27T23:45:00.000-07:00

Today we do something for the whole family. Fly to Thailand and learn to scuba dive! Something I have always wanted to learn and something I know we can all get into. Thailand is a destination about which I have heard so many great things for so many reasons.

Most of the tsunami damage has been repaired. The Thai people are famous for their friendliness and hospitality. Buddhist shrines and architecture invite us along with some of our favorite cuisine.

We can all fly there and stay three weeks with most of our time at The Chava Resort for around $15K which leaves $14K for diving lessons, certifications, dives, dining, travel around Thailand,

etc.

We picked out a nice suite for my wife, the baby and the two older girls: "One king bed and two single beds. 160 square metres (1722 square feet). Furnished patio with garden view and private plunge pool. Located on the first floor. Premium bedding. Fully-equipped kitchen. HD flat-screen TV. DVD player. Wireless Internet connection. Ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers."

I am learning so much about how to imagine these wonderful, exotic adventures in our life and as I dream I feel the dreams becoming more and more tangible!

Prosperity Game Day 28 - Where Else?

2009-07-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today I transfer $28K into my wife's discretionary spending account with only one stipulation, that she travel to Milan and buy herself something nice.

She said she's okay with that.

Prosperity Game Day 27 - Dare to Dream

2009-07-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Even if it's only a game, it sure feels good to be growing my daughters' college savings accounts at a rate exponentially faster than in reality.

Another $27K deposit.
Current savings balance: $93K
Remainder towards goal: $907K

Prosperity Game Day 26 - A Return to my Roots

2009-07-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

I had the good fortune of growing up in a family with parents who allowed us to choose our own spiritual path while passing on our family's Jewish heritage and traditions. It was a very liberal Jewish upbringing, and prior the past couple years I had drifted away from my roots. Like many secular Jewish men, the last meaningful experience was my Bar Mitzvah which I celebrated in 1977.

My wife and I had been seeking a common spiritual practice for our family since we were married. We explored various congregations and practices including the Episcopal Church, Unitarianism and Judaism. It was not until my father's passing just over a year ago and the realization for me (with some encouragement from my loving wife) that I am Jewish and nothing else. We made the decision to become an active, participatory Jewish household.

We now participate regularly with many of the local congregations & organizations, have made a commitement to one of those congregations, observe some of the the Sabbath laws & rituals, and continue to study, practice and participate in the Jewish way of life. It is a life long journey that is providing structure, serenity, unity, rituals and practices that serve to assist our wandering human hearts & minds stay in contact with a spirit of life that is a power greater than ourselves.

Today's $26K goes to the American Jewish Committee.

Prosperity Game Day 25 - Patience

2009-07-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

I was all set to book a trip for the family to Australia today, and found an economy package that would work within today's budget. Then I thought since this is the Prosperity Game why not pull out all the stops and book a First Class Five Star month long trip from Portland to Sydney to Melbourne & back. Without spending a lot of time trying to find the best deal, the flight alone on Quantas is $108K for five travellers during peak season - arriving in Sydney in time to celebrate the new year 2010 and staying through the end of January. I decided to wait until I have the funds - possibly around day 150 or even 200 to pull out all the stops for what is sure to be the trip of a life time for our family.

So what does a patient man like myself do with $25K today?

A new wardrobe! I think I'll jet to NYC this weekend and hit Bergdorfs, Brooks Bros, all the designer stores and boutiques I can find in SoHo, the Village & Brooklyn wrapping it up with a final sweep through consignment shops. And I won't forget to hit Ferragamo for some new shoes. I can walk for days in a pair of Ferragamos, especially a $420 pair of sneakers.

Prosperity Game Day 24 - Keep it Simple

2009-07-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

$24K for the three girls' college fund.
Current savings balance: $66K
Remainder towards goal: $934K

Prosperity Game Day 23 - Heaven on Wheels

2009-07-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

$23,000 to outfit the family with new bicycles!?!? Yes - it can be done especially with the average cost of a world class hand crafted bicycle with all the goodies hovering around $7K. My sister and brother-in-law fell in love while cycling and their enthusiasm for this healthy form of recreation is contagious.

What's cool is some of the world's best custom hand crafted bike makers are right here in Portland and I like to support the local folks. Today we're shopping at Vanilla Bicycles and I think the Randonee is the one for me.

"Randonnee bikes are what happen when you make a dependable and well equipped touring bike as fast as the fastest road bike, with zero compromises. From Paris-Brest-Paris, any of thousands of citizen rides to your local 300K brevet, a Vanilla randonnee bike offers the perfect blend of self sufficiency and speed.

"Make it fast and light like race bike but with generators, fenders and a handlebar bag, and really quick and nimble even with an extra 35 pounds......I'm taking as little as possible, maybe a jacket, some food, a cell phone, a plastic sheet, some tools, I think that's it - like a race bike that won't break."

We'll need four more for the wife and kids, even the baby since its a five year wait list! In the mean time I still have my old faithful Rockhopper frame customized into a commuter plus a garage full of mountain bikes. May need to pick up a baby trailer on Craigslist...

Prosperity Game Day 22 - Winning!

2009-07-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Q. "What's a beautiful girl like you doing in a place like this?"
A. "Winning."

Group: L7 Album: Hungry for Stink Track: #11 Shirley

The way this game works is incredible! My brother-in-law and I are bantering on Facebook about some of our favorite music, he mentions NAMM, I go to the web site and think "I want to find a music project for kids where I can donate today's funds."

And its right here in Portland. And its for girls (I got a few of 'em in my life - see Day 21). Girls who like to rock! Today I donate $22K to Rock-n-Roll Camp for Girls - "We put the 'amp' in camp" LOVE IT!

Day 21 - multiple of 3 = saving for my kids' futures

2009-07-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

I have three daughters, so it makes sense to me that for now I am going to put all daily amounts that are a multiple of 3 into their college savings. With a little help from AARP's College Savings Calculator I learned I need to save close to ONE MILLION DOLLARS to put each of them through four years of private higher ed.

I'll keep doing the multiple of three thing until their account reaches the $1M goal. Any interest earned in their savings accounts over the next 6-16 years can be put aside to buy them fuel efficient hovercraft for zipping around town with their college buddies. Child One is now 12 years old, Two is 11 and Three is 2 which explains the differences in how much I need to save on the following chart.

Today's $21,000 is for the future of these three lovely little ladies which puts their current college savings balance at $42K. Only $958,000 to go!

Day 20 - Get Organized

2009-07-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Mom's house is beautiful, designed by one of Portland's pioneers of regional modernism, our family's good friend Saul Zaik. The home was built in 1963, published in 1966 and has been well lived in by our family for over 46 years.
http://www.portlandmodern.com/features/zaik/zaik.html

Mom, a child of the depression era is yet another of the great pack rats who emerged from that time in history. As a counterpoint to the clean modern lines of the house are the yards of clutter and museum quality relics (including a sweet collection of 78 rpm vinyl) that pervade the upstairs and pack the basement.

Today's funds go towards hiring a professional to work with mom for what is sure to be a slow, arduous, emotional process of organizing all that wonderful stuff (and recycling the rest) to restore the interior to its original spartan condition as featured in Better Homes & Gardens 40 years ago.

http://www.solutionsforyou.com/html/residential_family.html

Day 19 - A Token of My Love

2009-07-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Lets start with a little background.

I proposed to my wife about five years ago (right honey?) at Fryer Tuck Chicken http://www.fryertuckchicken.com/.fryertuckchicken.com/. Good chicken, great spuds, nice outdoor patio. We sat far enough from the sliding glass door of the Cider Mill bar to avoid most of the beer/bleach bouqet wafting from the interior. It was a perfect spring day and a perfect moment. The engagement ring I presented was one of five or six rings tied to a string that my grandfather (a tailor) had recieved as payment from a customer - a simple occasion with about .25 carat rock. It was the perfect ring for the moment, but not for a lifetime. My wife had the good sense to at least get a bit larger stone.

Today, being somewhat of an oaf (ya think?), I ask my wife, "how am I going to spend $19K today?" So here it is. I personally like the classic Tiffany band with a couple carats of highly compressed coal on top. I suppose I should ask her what she likes...

Day Eighteen - Horsepower

2009-07-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

For a CAD geek like myself this is one of the fastest, quietest systems available - the Xi® MTower™ 2P64X Workstation fully configured with all the bells and whistles and a 30 inch monitor will set me back about $13K.

http://www.amanresorts.com/amangani/home.aspx

That leaves $5K for my wife and I to celebrate the launch of my business with a Spa/Resort getaway in Jackson, Wyoming.

I think two nights in the Grand Teton Suite should do the trick. Get in some hiking, spa time, soaking tub and great food.

Day Seventeen - Ramping Up

2009-07-15T23:19:00.001-07:00

As I dig in to actual training on educational versions of AutoDesk architectural, design, visualization and construction software packages, for the game I'll purchace them outright along with a few other goodies. Today!

As follows:

AutoCAD® Revit® Architecture Visualization Suite 2010: $8,995
Autodesk® Navisworks® Manage 2010: $9,995
AutoCAD® Revit® Structure Suite 2010: $5,995
AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite 2010: $5,995
AutoCAD® Inventor® Suite 2010: $6,390
Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Master Collection: $2,499
Informatix Piranesi 5.1 Bundle with Training Book: $735
Piranesi is really cool - http://www.piranesi.co.uk/products/product_information.asp
Cebas finalRender Stage-1 R2.0: $995
Another really cool tool for design visualization that includes this toon shader that I love: http://www.finalrender.com/products/products.php?UD=10-7888-35-788&PID=37

All said it comes to a whopping total of $41,599. Now how the heck do I pay for that with only $17K? Easy - I've already put away $28K+ in my biz savings account so I can transfer the $24,599 over ands still have money to spare.

It's all coming together. Tomorrow I'll buy a computer that can run all that software!

Day Sixteen - Sloth in Five Syllables

2009-07-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

I am truly talented at the art of procrastination which is exhibited in the number of pre-dated posts on here. Its a habit on which I am keeping close tabs. Having this game on my daily to do list is a good exercise in committing to a project and sticking with it every day. It doesn't take that much time once the ball is rolling and I've taken the time to figure out all of this Bloggyness and Tweets, etc...

Onward!

So today we'll make another good size deposit for the girl's college fund. $15K or $5K for each kid. That leaves $1K to play with, so I'll put that towards a nice coffee maker for the office. I'll have to kick in another $199 from savings to cover the difference for this bella macchina!

The Jura-Capresso ENA-5 Cherry Red Automatic Coffee Center - 13420C $1199

Day Fifteen - Money in the Bank

2009-07-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

An easy $15K into the business savings account.

Day Fourteen – Geek Out!

2009-07-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to throw the biz plan to the wind and pick up one of these bad boys since I can, the Canon Color imageRUNNER C4080i Multi-purpose large format high speed printer/scanner/copier. I can pick one up online for $14,161.61 so I’ll have to throw in the extra $161.61 from savings.

http ://www.amatteroffax.com/itempagey_invid_1459041_d_canon-imagerunner-c4080i.html

Day Thirteen - The Original Originals

2009-07-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated what would have been my parents' 55th wedding anniversary by participating in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/ and donated a few bucks to honor the memory of my father (May 3, 1928 - June 20, 1998) along with supporting other friends and family members affected by the disease.

That said today's $13K goes to ACS.

Day Twelve - Shabbat Shalom

2009-07-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

The wife has kicked me out of the kitchen and is cookin’ up our second South Beach Shabbos dinner where we get to cheat and have Challa since it’s Shabbos for God’s sake. With Phase One just about wrapped up my sweet wife and I are lookin’ pretty svelte.

Nothing too imaginitive today: $6K to the biz and another $6 K($2K per kid) to open 529 College Savings Accounts for my three daughters.

Day Eleven - Another book

2009-07-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

The main reason I went to the library the other day was to pick up “Ask and It is Given.” It had me thinking about dreams and desires in the non-fiction section so it was a short stroll to small business books where I grabbed the one I mentioned on “yesterday’s” post on biz planning.
Before I even start with a biz plan, I am going to pick up a couple toys of the trade I have been eyeing for a long time:

1. The ModBook Pro by Axiom Computing . It is a MacBook Pro modified to tablet format. Now I can sketch and paint right on the screen. I picked the top of the selections:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Customized_Pages/modbook/modbook_customize.cfm?system=5638A34C-71A0-4429-A525-FA60EEFDDF34 $7,321

2. Since I have to wait until February 2010 for delivery of the Modbook in the mean time I will also pick up a 21″ Wacom Cintique which will hook right up to my PC and give me a bit more precision but less portability than the ModBook. Plus its available now!

http://www.wacom.com/cintiq/cintiq-21ux.php $1,999

That leaves $1680 to transfer to the biz savings account.

Day Ten - Livin’ in the past

2009-07-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

One of the many Hendrix live recordings has him taunting the men in blue where he says something like, “watch out for those cats in the bee bop hats, they’re livin in the past… livin in the past…” Well here I am livin in the past again back dating another post.
During “Hey Joe” on “Hendrix Live at Berkeley” there is all this feedback and he’s picking up RF interference from the police radios. Pure raw Hendrix flying to his own orbit. Another favorite JH quote is, “I hate it when my fingers slip off the strings, so lets just pretend there are no fingers and there are no strings so that way there’s nothin to slip off…” Whooaaaaa - yeah man - dig it!

But I digress - so for today, we are officially out of debt!

$6813 to the credit union to clean up that situation.$3187 remaining for today toward starting my architecture firm.

I realized I need to put energy towards that before I think about remodeling my home. I also need to spend a bit of time tallying up my operational needs in regard to a business plan. Randomly grabbed a simple book from the library the other day “Leading Edge Business Planning for Entrepreneurs” which is now 10 years old so not so leading edge, but it has a simple step by step structure. I’ll see if it helps before I dig too far in to the SBA documents which are daunting.

Any suggestions for a good book on how to create an architecture firm biz plan?

Day Nine - My Austin Mini ‘as gone down the plug’ole…

2009-07-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

…my debt ‘as gone down the drain. yaaahooooooo!
$9K to the credit union and all caught up after not playing for a couple days (again).
I don’t own an original Mini - just a reference to the original flic when they drove them through the storm drains of Torino. I wonder how the folks at Fiat felt about them running british cars on the test track at the roof of the Lingotto factory?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0nXDOr1r6A&feature=related

Day Eight - Space cadet riding the debt reduction coat tails.

2009-07-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Wow - I am seriously challenged in the accounting arena even when using an electronic check register. Its a simple game with simple rules but I managed to only spend $5K on day Six and $6K on day Seven which leaves me a $2K surplus today. Luxury problems indeed!

So that means another $10K towards debt today. That leaves $15,803 balance on all our debt at the credit union. We’ll be home free by Day Ten. Then I can invest in some good infrastructure for my little Architecture firm. Wheeeee!

Day Seven - Amen Michael T!

2009-07-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

Taking more cues, time to get out of debt!
$6K towards that - hah!

Day Six - so many tools, so little room

2009-07-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

Powermatic - 10-in. Cabinet Saw PM2000 $2,200DeWalt - Scroll Saw DW788 $600
And the remaining $2200 to Woodworkers for Children Charity http://www.woodentoy.org/
Feeling the draw to create my own blog - this is fun fun fun!

Day Five - Learning as I go

2009-07-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Being one of few original ideas I love finding inspiration from others. That Kiva fund is wonderful, so I’ll pitch $1K that way. Here’s today’s break down:
$1000 Kiva dot com
$4000 Family trip to Hawaii - I was stuck so I asked my wife. Great idea honey!

Its interesting - as much as I like the idea of promoting this game I am reluctant to share my posts on facebook. Boils down to a serious character flaw that I am so self concious I am worried what people will think about me for playing. Or will they think I’m just showing off what I am doing with my riches if they didn’t realize it is a game. I guess that’s what makes it so fun! I can get past this.

Off to the July 4th Pancake Breakfast at George Roger’s Park - I’ll finish Day Six later today and be all caught up.

Day Four - Slippin' & a Grinnin'

2009-07-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Man, how did I let a couple days slip by without depositing and spending? Its already Day Six and I am playing a bit of catch up.
Its been a great couple days with family and productivity around the house.
So today I will finish paying off the credit card: $1,624.60 and take a cue from our moderator by putting the rest away into savings for doing a major rennovation of our home here in lovely Lake Oswego, Oregon. Or perhaps to finance my business.

Day Three - Great idea Nancy!

2009-07-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

I’ll do the same! Current credit card balance is $4,624.60 - $3k leaves only $1600 and change. Man that feels good.

Day Two - More for the Shop

2009-06-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

Delta Model 33-895XR, 12″ Radial Arm Saw, 2 HP, 1 PH, 230 V $1,869.95 at Redmond Machinery http://www.redmondmachinery.com/browse.cfm/4,1205.html the remaining $130.05 goes to my daughter’s MercyCorps fund drive.

Day One - Not too sure what I'm doing

2009-06-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

$1K for a Netbook for my wife and decorate my oldest daughter’s new bedroom.