Welcome ERE Readers.

Since the guest post was published by Jacob on Early Retirement Extreme I have been amazed at the number of readers that have stopped by to check out In The Trenches.

Welcome! Thank you for stopping in.

Just wanted to let you know that I normally post between 3 and 5 times a week.  I attempt to find a balance between the day to day living thoughts and ideas and the broader picture of what is going on in the American Economy.  The media is doing an excellent job of trying to tell us what to think and I often feel the need to challenge those ideas that can get into our heads almost subliminally.  I have a section called Soapbox that I use when I am especially agitated by something I have heard.  Some readers may want to avoid that one. :) As I find useful articles or posts from other blogs I try to bring them to our readers attention.

An American Opportunity - Community Gardens

If you have never tasted a home grown tomato or fresh picked corn now is your chance for an amazing treat.  Community gardens are in full swing and the more volunteers they have the more they are able to produce.  You don't need experience, just a willingness to get your hands dirty. If you don't want to do that garden gloves are very affordable.  Wear your sunscreen and you can get a nice tan in the process.

3 Free copies of In The Trenches

Note:  the books have been spoken for but if you are interested and missed out this time I will be offering three more sometime in August.  Watch for upcoming posts and thank you again.  If you are interested on behalf of a group I would be happy to work with you for discounts for multiple copies.  Carol


If you think that you or someone you know would benefit from having a copy of In The Trenches and feel you cannot afford one now is your chance.  This could be for yourself, a friend or family member, or a group or church. 

I will be giving away copies to the first three people that email me their name and address and let me know whether you heard about this offer through the blog or facebook.  No strings attached.   

Hope you all have a great week.

JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON

Each of us as bloggers has our unique perspective that we attempt to convey to our readers. The current buzz phrase for this is niche. It is no different in the personal finance blog world and is why I am always encouraging readers to check out multiple blogs, books, and resources before coming to conclusions. This is the best way to reach your own personalized solutions.

It’s like walking through the whole buffet line before filling your plate. When you know what’s available it is easier to pick and choose the best. Contrary to this is the person who starts filling their plate with salad not knowing that there is prime rib down the line. (Excuse me vegetarians out there.) In terms of blogs one might focus on coupon clipping, another on expense reduction ideas, and another on retirement planning and investment. All are good and worthwhile.

Reading the signs - Detour

Detour signs are so annoying! Don’t you agree? When you have traveled a road many times and all of a sudden a detour sign pops up it is very disconcerting. A detour sign can even make a person late for work which is a double insult to those of us who time everything to the last minute and are already lucky just to make it to work on time. It doesn’t seem to bother the early birds as much because they take the alternate route and are still early! What’s that about? Seems kind of like showing off. I can’t tell you how many times I have taken a detour only to find that the alternate route is not marked clearly and I either end up getting lost or taking a detour from the detour. Annoying.

Despite whatever emotional response and inconvenience we may have to a detour sign they are usually there for our protection. Even if we can’t see it there is work being done and if we do not heed the detour sign we can get ourselves or others in trouble. Some reasons I have known for detours are: