Mortgage Company Tactics

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

Yesterday I got The Call, the call from the mortgage company when they switched from good cop to bad cop. The call was expected. The tone surprised me. My options are clearer now.

The call was expected because October’s payment was very short, and didn’t get to them within the grace period. I knew it was going to be short, but I thought I’d mailed it on time. Some of my backup plans for generating money are gaining traction: my consulting and art revenues are up; and the sum of “we’ll call you about work when we get a few things sorted out“s should add up to something significant soon. The primary plan, my stock portfolio, hasn’t been doing so well. Selling stocks has been the source of almost six years of living expenses, including mortgage payments. All of them are trading at less than $3/share, despite buying them at far higher prices and holding them through profitability (except in two cases). I continue to advocate for Long Term Buy and Hold (LTBH), but I’m running into personal Long Term limits. Plan D, the plan in place in case Plans A, B, and C don’t succeed, is selling the house. Even a price drop hasn’t generated any traffic.

What surprised me about the call wasn’t apparent until after I hung up. It was intense, ungracious, and accusatory. It wasn’t until the phone was parked in its station that I realized that we were trying to have two conversations. I was trying to discuss a financial arrangement, my circumstances, possibilities, contingencies, and intent. She accused me of playing hardball, of living in their house for free, basically trying to cheat them out of their due. Her half of the conversation was directed at the negative and emotional. The sneaky part that made me recoil in the moment was when they insisted I give them access to my checking account, as if they should have more control over my funds than I do.

This was a shock, especially the morning after a Happy Thanksgiving.

I learned a few surprising things.

  • One, I know that I don’t expect to live here for free either, and in good faith I paid what I could. It turns out that any partial payment is ignored, put into escrow and not counted for anything. (Yes, Stephen, you were right.)
  • Two, she was adamant that, while people have been living in houses for free recently, that no longer happens and that they will remove me. (Anyone have any evidence of that?)
  • Three, that they never referred to the terms of the mortgage agreement, specific clauses, paragraphs or legalese.

It’s that last one that strikes me now. It’s taken that long for the emotional turmoil to ease for me to see our different points of view. I see buying a house as a financial arrangement. We agree to terms. We each do our best to meet the contractual obligations. If for some reason those aren’t met, then the contract contains clauses, contingencies, and procedures to rectify any shortcomings. I plan to abide by those. They never mentioned them.

So, as I sit here typing, and my chest tightening a bit as I replay the event, I wonder what those terms are and whose paperwork applies.

I bought this house, the only house I’ve bought that I have truly called home, in January 2007. (Thank you, Kathryn Hawkes. It only took us a year to find this place.) So, in almost six years the mortgage has gone from my preferred local bank, Whidbey Island Bank, to Crossland Mortgage, to Bank of America, to Green Tree, who just UPS Expressed Enveloped a letter to transfer my mortgage to Quicken Loans (at a very nice interest rate). I’m pretty sure I only signed paperwork once, with my local bank. Do those terms and conditions apply? If I’d asked, would she have had the appropriate terms and conditions available to her? If the terms and conditions have changed, then what is the validity of the subsequent contract if I never signed off on the changes?

I suspect I’ll be finding answers to these questions, unless I make enough money from my stocks, my business, a job, a windfall, or by selling the house.

I’m glad that a logical part of me survived their emotional onslaught. The assault was successful enough that it ruined a day, and caused me to cancel a meeting with a friend who is rarely met except through facebook. I’m saddened when I consider the effect their tactics must have on people who emotionally respond to the threats. No wonder some people literally spend days under the covers after some of these encounters.

I never expected to witness such an event. I expected companies that succeeded to have stocks that succeeded based on the worth of the company. If that was the case the mortgage would be paid off by now. I expected fifteen months of applying for jobs to have resulted in a job that pays at least well enough to maintain my frugal lifestyle. And as an entrepreneur and artist, I am an optimist and know that what I do and what I create is worth more than enough – though that isn’t fully reflected in my bank account, yet. And I know that this house is worth what I am asking. The view alone is worth it. (The view within a short walk is even better.)

a short walk from my house

Once upon a time I was assured that I would succeed in unexpected ways. Well, the unexpected is happening. Next comes the success.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, a few hours after the call I was thankful that, even though I’ll take almost any job, I wouldn’t want hers. I felt sorry for her. Either she’s had that tough of a life, is required to act that tough, or uses it as anger therapy venting herself onto strangers. How many people like her have such jobs? I don’t want to know.

Stay tuned, because we’ll both find out how this plays out. And thanks for reading.

Now for a mental and emotional sorbet go look at some pretty pictures (they might as well be mine) and then read the upbeat post by reading Affordable Luxuries.

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Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

Here’s a Thanksgiving post written as my writing kept me company for the day. I could put this in a notebook. I could write this on paper and ritually offer it in some fire. I could leave it in my mind. But why not store it on the web where I can recall it and find it from anywhere?

Whether you read the rest or not, Happy Thanksgiving – of all the holidays celebrated in the US, this is the one I think the world should celebrate because it is amongst the heights of our cultural contributions. Maybe it makes up for our reality shows.

Thankful for, and in no order except chronological:

  • A full propane tank; well, 80%, but they always have to leave 20%; and 80% should get me through the winter and spring.
  • My skills, talents, experiences, the gifts that living has brought.
  • Health, of various types
  • Wine, How many grapes went into any bottle? Amazing.
  • Tea,  simple pleasures
  • Bacon, decadence
  • Thanks to all of the plants and animals that have sustained my life. I wouldn’t be here without you.
  • Good furniture bought to last that’s with me decades later, like this stout kitchen table patina-ed with past feasts.
  • Hardwood floors that are easy to clean and fun to dance on, ah, the memories and the expectations.
  • The power is on, not a given on the island.
  • Drewslist, and of course Drew Kampion.
  • My house, my home, good roof, walls, floor, heat, light, plumbing, shelter.
  • My view, the world, and specifically the Olympics, Puget Sound, and Cultus Bay.
  • Nature. Yep.
  • My ancestors, for their efforts and their struggles and their perseverance.
  • I’m glad I like to cook and I’m glad I like my cooking.
  • Friends and family, in thoughts, at least.
  • Patrons and readers, otherwise why do it; well, I guess I might do a bit for myself.
  • Customers and clients, glad and happy to help and a source of true joy.
  • Earth, Sun, Moon, ancestry at the galactic level.
  • Frugality, an appreciation for the value of all that surrounds me.
  • Clothes that last and are comfortable.
  • Self-esteem, self-made.
  • Dancing, I dance I smile, and my partners tend to smile too.
  • Books, those I read and those I write. Imagine all of the work that went into a library.
  • Movies, modern books because story is story.
  • My various communities: liberal and conservative, conventional and un-, young and old, men and women, right-brain and left-brain and ambi-brain.
  • Faith, hope, serendipity, synchronicity, and optimism and enthusiasm.
  • And this little space heater that’s taking the chill off now that the cooking is done.

And thanks to ritual.
Thanksgiving – a chronology of a ritual
Welcome to my ritual. I somewhat mimic a bit of what my mom and her sister prepared for the big Thanksgiving dinners of my childhood. I’ve enjoyed holidays at others’ houses, but since I moved away from home I’ve found that this ritual reminds me of home and family. It is a simple thing, yet valuable, and I’m always glad that I respect it.

  • Begin daily morning commiserations – skip that – think about the logistics of cooking – skip that – get up and go for a run and make some endorphins.
  • Run.
  • Stretch while watching Hannah Hart’s, “My Drunk Kitchen: Thanksgiving for Juan” (Juan = one, get it?).
  • Make tea.
  • Plug in an epic movie for background (LOTR) Cue up Fellowship of the Ring.
  • Remember, it is a feast; use the whole onion – without the skin of course.
  • Prepare for hours of dishwashing.
  • Carhartt bib overalls, better than any apron for a day of serious kitchen time.
  • Stuffing stuffed. Turkey in the oven.
  • Take a break to play a game. (Which crashed, maybe Civ III isn’t compatible with OSX 10.6.8)
  • Ok, time to grab a bottle from the collection so it can be properly chilled. A 2005 Trimbach (any relation?) Reisling, which I’ll leave outside because it is about 42 degrees and just about right.
  • Fill a main course cooking hiatus (turkey takes three hours, potatoes and stuffing take one) with making frosting for dessert. Hmm, frosting.
  • Lick beaters and bowl.
  • Wash dishes.
  • Play a game.
  • Put weeks of work away so I’m not distracted by my various projects.
  • Well, that uncovered a bill or two. I’ll look at them after the first, or second, glass of wine.
  • Back to my tea and a game.
  • Nearing noon. Potatoes must be peeled.
  • Two Towers time.
  • A peek in the oven and the bird is browning nicely.
  • Boil those potatoes.
  • Open that wine.
  • Potatoes mashed.
  • Veggies steamed (with herbs from the yard and some blue cheese.)
  • Stuffing out of the oven.
  • Turkey out of the oven (and an eleven pound turkey is heavy.)
  • Carving, er, chunking of the turkey
  • Lay it out, plate it up, eat, drink, enjoy.
  • Wine isn’t supposed to age in the bottle, but this is some strong wine.
  • Nap? Why, thank you, I think I will.
  • Hey, I forgot dessert! Hey, I remembered dessert!
  • Squeeged the steam from the windows so I could see outside.
  • OK, time to dive into a pile of pots, pans, and scrubbing.
  • Thanksgiving kitchen sculpture
  • More tea!
  • The stock is already simmering, and it isn’t even dinnertime.
  • Leftovers stored in the fridge.
  • Culinary plans in mind.
  • Make a salad with, surprise, fried chicken instead of turkey. The local and excellent grocery, The Star Store, has fried chicken half off after 5pm. I was there yesterday and took advantage of the excellent deal.
  • Yet a different surprise, a request for art as a gift, effectively a commission. I’m intrigued. Yes, I’ll see what I can do.

Is the chronology complete? No, but I’m not going to wait until I lay in bed before hitting the upload button. I hope you have things to be thankful for, and the chance to enjoy them.

And with that, I thank you.

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My Jobs Report Month 15

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

The good news: I was too good for the job. Welcome to month 15 of applying for jobs. This is a habit I want to break.

Within the last month everything changed, or at least that’s what the political dialogue suggested. Yes and no I suspect. Yes, I suspect the Republican party will undergo a revolution of sorts. Maybe some of the secession talk will act out internal to that party. No, the balance of power and the effectiveness of the government may not have changed much. I’ll stay tuned. The great debates have little effect on my life except to provide wonderful material for Stewart and Colbert.

I watched some of the coverage because I do care, and am interested; just not to the level of many others. I also enjoy good oratory, which is why I watched Rachel Maddow’s marvelous post-election synopsis and President Obama’s acceptance speech. One line from his speech resonates with me. “If you are willing to work hard you should be able to find a good job.” I agree. Friends are more likely to tell me that I am working too hard, not hard enough. Allow me to pair that quote and my circumstance with something I’ve heard more than once. “We decided to hire someone else because you’re too good for this job.” No, really, I can be as bad as you want.

My backup plans continue to progress at various rates. Of course, I’ve been busy applying for jobs, which is my Plan C. Really, the compliments are nice. Hopefully, the resume changes inspired by the resume consultant will help. Plan A, my investments, continues to languish. Plan D, selling my house, where dropping the price $15,000 has had no effect. But Plan B, my business, has been very busy.

In the last month, I’ve been – pause to catch breath before launching into this list – proofreading a client’s book, helping publish another client’s book, selling art to patrons who couldn’t get it off their minds after seeing it at the Studio Tour, helped a few clients with their businesses and social media platforms, met for several collaborations, gave a few talks about publishing and art, committed to a collaboration for a publishing workshop, installed art at a local venue, worked on my next book, edited a description of my consulting services for a specific audience by request, and taught yet another class in social media. Add it all up and the business checking account was able to reimburse my personal checking account. After over a decade and eleven months my business may actually turn a profit.

On a more basic level, I also had a carport sale, sold my class ring, sold my membership in a local club, and sold the last of my Pixar posters on eBay. Throw in a very nice gift and my checking account is healthier than it has been in months, maybe since I’ve been applying for jobs.

Pixar shareholder movie poster

Add it all up, subtract what it takes to live, and my net worth has dropped enough that I found it necessary and prudent to only send in a partial mortgage payment. The mortgage company got the check this week. Last night, UPS drove to my house far later than I’ve seen them on the island, and delivered an Express Envelope. Inside was a one page letter from the company my mortgage company wants me to refinance through. Stay tuned. I’ve done the math. My expenses aren’t the issue. The issue is my income. I’m a fan of living on less than I make, but making zero makes it hard to live on a negative number.

Aside from the consultants and coaches, I’ve received some wonderful insights from people who’ve quietly approached me with their stories. They were quieter amidst their challenging times, and support me telling my story here. They also passed along anecdotes that speak to a non-denominational faith. As one friend put it, “You step off the cliff and hope to grow your wings before you hit the ground.” One friend told me how she didn’t have the money to drive to an interview, looked down, and saw $26 on the sidewalk. Another found the best technique, networking, working for her. One of her friends talked to another and she had an offer for a nearly six-figure job by the end of the week. I’ve heard some enticing possibilities from my network. Now’s the time to move from enticement to commitment.

Some find money on the sidewalk. I am feeling good about my business. Potential clients are becoming paying clients, and we both enjoy the experience. (Paraphrased: “I thought working through this was going to create an ulcer, but you kept that from happening.”) Emphasizing the balancing of life and money, what I’ve been encouraged to call “Consulting For Life in Transition“, fits well with my passion for helping people. People who have complimented me on my art are calling back to buy it. Helping people polish and publish their manuscripts and books feels good too; and, is good practice for the release of my next book. (One man’s walk across Scotland – due out on Kindle by Christmas, really.) I wonder if my years of effort have finally satisfied The 10,000 Hour Rule, which historically has been an accomplishment that has marked the celebration of the overnight success.

I’m writing this a few days ahead of the monthly anniversary. That’s partly to work through so much of what’s going on in my head. My various Plans take up so much time that I’m working until 8 or 9 each evening. There hasn’t been much time for reflection and I suspect a part of me wants to get this out and off my mind so I can relax and enjoy on Thanksgiving.

Those friends who’ve been through similar circumstances tell a common story that I’ve witnessed too. Amidst turmoil and anxiety is an appreciation for joy in the moment. There may be less time for reflection, but as moments of joy pass by they stand out in such contrast that they are much more noticeable. I now recognize that they are always there. Want to know why I’m really writing the book about walking across Scotland? That’s the theme. Joy’s the theme. The beer and whisky were fine, but I found the awareness of the every-presence of joy there, and here now too.

Today I have a few other things to do. The gift to my checking account was delivered with a requirement that I get a haircut and beard trim. Sure! I’ve got to visit the bank and make deposits. Ah. And I get to bake dessert tonight for tomorrow’s feast. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by people who understood basics: one group that was recently re-educated by another group that understood them for generations. I celebrate the day by replicating a bit of what my mom and her sister cooked when I lived at home: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and more. Of course, the stuffing will be gluten-free cornbread and bacon, I won’t have to sit at the kids’ table, and there will be a nice bottle of wine; but, you get the idea.

Happy Thanksgiving, and I give thanks to you who are helping me see this through. (Let’s make sure the Christmas post isn’t a report from Month 16.)

Here are some links to my books and my photos for those who want to shop online. The photos are prints, of course, but they are also available as gift items like mugs and such. Call if you need help with the sites.

My non-fiction books on amazon  (Just Keep Pedaling, Twelve Months at Barclay Lake, Twelve Months at Lake Valhalla, Twelve Months at Merritt Lake, Dream. Invest. Live.)

My photos of Whidbey Island and the Washington Cascades

My books of Whidbey Island photos

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Waiting For PicoP

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

I’ve been seduced – by technology. So goes the accusation, and I admit there is evidence that it’s true. This week, forced obsolescence and a failing memory meant that I had to get a new cell phone. The good news was that the failing memory wasn’t mine; it was my old cell phone’s SIM card. Even without that failure, my phone had become so old that the cell phone company called to tell me that they were dismantling the hardware that would listen for my calls. I had to get a new phone. I’ve waited this long because I was waiting for a particular phone I’ve heard about and seen, but that hasn’t been released yet. It’s a cell phone that includes a projection TV in basically the same package as a smartphone. I’ve waited for years, not seduced into thinking I needed one, but seduced by the prospect of the disruptive technology and the potential for my investment in the responsible company, MicroVision. Alas, their PicoP phone has yet to reach the market. Alas, MVIS has yet to get me out of debt.

Somewhere among these posts I’ve chronicled my history of anticipation with MicroVision and MVIS. Maybe I’ll remember which post by the time I upload this post. I’ve held MVIS stock since 2000, back when I first learned about this amazing technology that would eliminate the majority of monitors in the world. Put on a pair of glasses or look at your cell phone and the image would be painted directly on your retina, a true retinal display. Because the light didn’t have to fight past ambient sunshine the image was viewable in daylight, except for maybe in the Arabian Desert or on a glaring ice sheet. So, no, while I was seduced by the technology, I wasn’t blinded by science. I used a demo of the device and was impressed without any damage to my eye. No more need for bulky monitors, their toxic chemicals, chassis of plastic, enormous packing boxes, warehouses and shelves to store it all, and ships, trucks, and trains burning oil to transport them. I bought more.

The idea is simple. Resurrect the idea of old television sets. Take three light sources, red, green, and blue, turn them on and off rapidly, and then move the light in a pattern that covers the screen. Except, in MicroVision’s technology the light came from either LEDs or lasers, and the light was moved by oscillating a mirror on a chip. The entire device was about the size of my thumbnail. It was small enough to fit in almost any device, used very little power because the lights were only on when needed, and the laser version was always in focus. Prototypes of cell phones, camera viewfinders, automobile displays, and game controllers proliferated throughout the last several years.

All prototype and nothing for pay makes a company a fun place to play – and a lousy investment. But, Ta da!; rather than wait forever they produced a standalone projector in 2010: the ShowWX. It didn’t paint the image on my retina. They decided to skip that for a while and instead made a normal projector, but one that was only the size of an iPhone.  I put my money where my money was and bought one. My experience unwrapping it is chronicled in my old blog. For a while I used it to watch DVDs and as a side monitor for my laptop. It was handy. It had enough resolution to fully display DVDs, and was always in focus. I could watch a movie on a pleated curtain if I wanted.  A cell phone that would let me show my art portfolio to prospective galleries? Excellent! A camera with a daylight viewable display of what the camera’s chip saw? Marvelous. I’d seen both possibilities since before I bought my ShowWX. I’m patient. I’d replace my equipment with wonderful upgrades paid for by a profitable stock price.

But what I wanted was for the company to get past the prototype phase and into major production – which was going to happen any quarter. The investing community wanted that too. The problem was that the technology wasn’t ready. I’ll skip the technical details except to say that making enough affordable quantities of one component, the green laser, meant the ShowWX wasn’t profitable; which meant the company wouldn’t be profitable until the production issues were resolved. Allow me to restate a bit of that last sentence in the correct tense. The company won’t be profitable until the production issues are resolved. Sadly and unfortunately, the expected profitability of the company has been delayed so long that it has undergone massive dilution and an unsuccessful stock split.

The camera isn’t discussed anymore. The cell phone that was supposed to reach the market a couple of Christmases ago is at least a Christmas away. The standalone unit that was described as an introductory product that would be eclipsed by embedded products has been described as more practical than an all-in-one device. The primary claim to product fame is to be a Head Up Display (HUD) for cars, correctly on sale in Japan for thousands of dollars the last I checked. The stock continues to pop around Apple product announcements because there are many Apple patents that accommodate embedded projectors that have specs that only MicroVision’s technology could meet. Then it retreats when MicroVision isn’t included. My iPad has two cameras. My new cell phone has a camera. Neither has an embedded projector.

Disruptive technologies travel rough roads with many detours. Remember the Apple I? How about Windows 2.0? I actually have one of the earliest tablet PDAs: a Newton MessagePad. Nice idea. Immature tech. A few generations later iPads are marvels and ubiquitous.

Many miraculous lives include hard journeys through tortuous times. There’s a good chance that I’m on such a path. I think that’s true of our society as well. Maybe it is true of MicroVision. A friend and I were using facebook to trade quotes from Shakespeare’s Henry V.
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more . . .”
I’ll skip the exact quote about the English dead. Ick. But the message is that persistent prevails.
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
               For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
               Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile
               This day shall gentle his condition:
               And gentlemen in England, now a-bed
               Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,”
Whether King Henry ever said that or not, that day the English won at the Battle of Agincourt despite being outnumbered as much as three to one by the French. I suspect the play is correct enough in showing that there was so much confusion that the English didn’t know they’d won until the French told them so.
“I know not if the day be ours or no.”

I sit here, cell phone beside me, iPad resting in its dock, MVIS at $2.28 (effectively $0.285 pre-split). Over the last twelve years I’ve invested about three years living expenses in MVIS, and currently my holdings are worth about a month’s living expenses. My total portfolio is worth less than a few months living expenses, though I am stretching that by only making partial payments to my mortgage. But, supposedly within the next few months or a quarter or so the green laser production issues will be fully resolved and very large shipments will potentially make MicroVision a success, which is hopefully quickly reflected in the price of MVIS.  Despite MicroVision’s rough road, the potential persists. Once upon a time, there was an estimate of MVIS for about $128. That was before the split. Call it $125 and do the math to end up with a current price for MVIS of $1000. Skip the emotion. Look at the math. That’s a potential that would appease me and my mortgage company.

Some things sound too good to be true, and so far MicroVision has sounded good. But good things can come true. That’s the holiday spirit.

I’m not solely relying on MVIS to recover and attain those heights. My investment in MVIS is one part of one plan, and I have at least four major plans (investments, entrepreneurship, employment, real estate + collaborations.) Diversification is important, eh? Even if only half succeed half as well as they can my finances will be more than enough.

In the meantime, there is art to market, distribute, and sell. There are a couple of books to finish. There are clients to consult with. There are jobs to apply for. I work because I can’t just wait.

Addendum

Ah ha! I found the chronology. I’ll repost it here.

A personal MVIS chronology – abridged

1/6/00
Bought shares of MVIS

2000 Attended Annual Stockholder’s Meeting (ASM)
Monochrome available. Color soon.
“I wonder if there aren’t some shareholders that are losing patience and are therefore anxious, but who also recognize potential and are therefore hanging in there with the company.” my commentary

2000 news article
Seattle Times Business section suggests that Microvision will attain profitability in 2003-2004

2002 ASM
Microdisplay should be packaged later this year with production in late 2003.
The goals are to be profitable in mid-2004.

2004 ASM
Some analysts have projected cash flow breakeven for 2H05.

2006 ASM
New CEO.
The PicoP – mini-projector was there.
The first high volume product (hundreds of thousands or more) will be available late 2008 or early 2009.

2007 ASM
The embedded devices will reach commercialization in early 2009, but sample may be available in early 2008.

2008 ASM
A customer survey largely confirmed price point of $300 for the standalone unit.

2009 February – First VIP Club communique
“The current shipping schedule is planned to begin with initial quantities in mid-2009.
As VIP Club Members, you’ll be among the first to get dibs at the commercial product when it becomes available.
For non-VIP Club Members well, those individuals might just have to wait in line.”

2009 ASM
Embedded in 6-9 months after standalone is more like, “probably in time for Christmas 2010.”
Competitors are selling at $300-$600. Microvision will sell at a premium and with better margins outside the US.
The VIP customers (8,000) are competing with large corporations that may be willing to buy the entire inventory. Details to come.
AAPL news? Be patient.
ShowWX officially Launched

2010
March 8 Show WX goes on sale – Limited Edition $999
March 22 Show WX goes on sale – VIP members $549
I order one ShowWX with dock. ~ $700
(Seven day delivery plus next day air)
March 24 Show WX goes on sale – general public $549
March 30 email
Your order has been shipped and your credit card has been charged.
March 31
Show WX delivered. See above.

2013
?

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Living On Debt

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

 

Tough choices must be made. Amidst the cloud of abstractions and advice wrapped around people in economic hard times, this post is about a bit of reality. Yesterday is the first time I’ve sent in a bare fraction of my mortgage payment. I’m sure the mortgage company won’t be pleased. I’m not either. But I made sure to send in something, and I made sure to put it in perspective. I’m going to let one large, slow peril snarl at me while I fend off a faster, nearer hazard. The mortgage may not be fully paid, but I do so to tear into credit card debt. Not an easy choice, and too common in America.

I’m an optimist. Optimism, and an appreciation for the present, keep me going. I like to base my optimism on the past. This worked before, so there’s a good chance it will work again, whatever “this” may be. That’s why I was reasonably confident about Plan A, my investing strategy that had succeeded for thirty years. But I had backup plans. Plan B was and is my business in consulting and teaching, as well as my writing and photography. The income is nice, but barely keeps the business alive. The compliments are much more numerous, but compliments don’t pay the bills. So, Plan C was initiated to go find a job. I’ve enjoyed engineering in the past, time to return and be well enough paid to carry me into the future. Not yet. I’m in month 15 of looking. Nice compliments, but overqualified still means no job. Welcome to Plan D, I’m optimistic someone will buy my home. The view alone is worth the price. I’m waiting.

My optimism is like the compliments. Neither pays my bills.

My optimism is also why I let the credit card debt accumulate for a while. As my stocks dropped, I knew the company fundamentals continued to provide enough value that the stocks would recover. That will probably be the case, but not yet. I thought it would only take a quarter or two, in which case the credit card debt could be eliminated within a year. My optimism also encouraged me to delay the end-of-month payments because my main stock, DNDN, moved with monthly earning announcements that came on in the first week of the month. I’d wait for the news, hope for a recovery, then sell no matter what because I had to raise the money for the mortgage and leave time for transfers. The 12th (credit card due date) and the 15th (end of the mortgage payment grace period) became prime dates in my monthly calendar. Until this month I never missed a payment, though one or two were a day late when I got the timing wrong.

My optimism continues, but reality isn’t as patient.

The credit card has an interesting feature. For basics like food and gas I can charge without interest as long as I pay off that food and gas total every month. But those interest payments on that large balance continue. I’m about halfway to my limit and that remaining half is my emergency cushion. I could maintain that balancing act, but if I slip, those interest charges ramp quickly and the cushion deflates.

My mortgage has a much lower interest rate and a much higher balance. I love this house, but the payments for it are much larger than the payments on my card. The risk with my home is that the property is the collateral for the loan. It is hard to put that at risk.

My credit card and my mortgage represent two basic needs for life: food and shelter. Ironically, and unfortunately, those are the two sources of my debt. Of course, many other things could be sources of debt, but I live so frugally that if I can’t afford them I don’t buy them. Effectively, I am living on credit.

Every ping of an email, every ring of a phone call, every hello on the street can be the moment when my business turns the corner to profitability, or someone is contacting me to offer me a marvelous job, or someone has offered to buy my house. My money problems can disappear in a moment, and that thought is kept fresh every hour. (Though I must admit that the mantra is becoming a bit rote.)

Those pings and rings and hellos aside, I had to make a choice, so I decided to start paying down my credit card debt, reducing those payments and reinflating that cushion. I don’t expect a Thank You from the credit card company. I do expect a string of phone calls and letters from my mortgage company. I sent along a letter apologizing for the dramatically reduced payment, not because I think it will make a difference, but because I continue to think the Golden Rule is a good idea. When someone delays payment on a session or some art I appreciate their effort at making the call. And everyone has eventually paid – I think.

My choice can sound like a numbers decision, logically initiated and acted upon; but, it wasn’t totally. There was a physical catch in my throat as I wrote the check and the letter, and as I sealed and mailed the envelope. I take my commitments seriously, and each bill represents an commitment for me to pay for the goods and services I’ve received. As long as we have a currency-based economy that act will include money. Emotionally, I am committed to repayment, but they want finances not accumulated good will.

There are synchronicities in life. The same day I mailed the check I also received a phone call from a neighbor. They saw my artwork months ago and couldn’t stop talking about it. They wanted to come by and buy. And they did. They spent the same amount on my art as I had sent in to the mortgage company. I wonder what they would’ve bought if I’d sent in the full amount.

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Fresh Idea Living Picnic Table

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

Fresh ideas, inventions that I pass along to the world. Maybe they’re useful. Maybe they’re fun.

Skip tablecloths and being careful with the tabletop. Make a picnic table that has a garden of groundcover for a top. Living roofs are used for houses and buildings. Why not for furniture? Check out Matthew Swett’s architectural portfolio (Clinton Beach) for an example of a living roof.

Most picnic tables are made so stout that they should be able to hold up a layer of dirt and groundcover, especially something like creeping thyme or moss. In wetter regions, like around Seattle, there’d be no need to water the plants. Spills might even help. The table wouldn’t have to be cleaned off to use. Scraps and crumbs are already in the right place for composting. And it would definitely be a conversation piece. Instead of shading some patch of plants, the table, which is rarely used, would be a home and a source of oxygen.

Just an idea. Just having fun. Tell me if you do it.

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Washingtons Gift Of Marijuana

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

Washington State has re-legalized marijuana. Prohibition retreats. It’s taken less than a hundred years since the re-legalization of alcohol. See? Society progresses. But progress doesn’t happen all at once, though it may seem that way in retrospect. Sitting here, typing this post from within the state where the voters have spoken, I still can’t indulge my curiosity, legally. I hear things have changed since my college days. What’s it like now? It will take some time to find out. A friend on facebook asked; “Are you considering a new business opportunity?” My response, “Always.“; mostly as a way to witness the subsequent trends.  And there are a lot of trends beginning.

The discussion about legalizing marijuana makes it sound as if it was illegal forever and we’re breaching ancient walls. Back when the country was started marijuana, alcohol, and even opium were legal. I wonder if, what, and how much the founding fathers imbibed. I guess we are returning to traditional values. (That’s a joke folks. There will be more.)

Of the three, marijuana, alcohol, and opium, marijuana is the most natural. Let’s put aside opium because I see no way that it will be legalized unless the nation becomes unanimously Libertarian. Alcohol requires significant processing. Marijuana is a natural plant. Fires happen. Smoke happens. People breath. It probably didn’t take much for people to discover the effects. It is far more accessible than coffee and chocolate.

But marijuana is not legally accessible in my neighborhood yet. My layman’s understanding is that the law doesn’t take effect until December 6th. On Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th, it will be legal for me to possess a small amount of marijuana because I am a Washington State resident more than 21 years old. From what I can discern, the legality ends there.

Possession of marijuana continues to be a Federal offense. But maybe the Feds are busy enough, and their incentives are small enough, that they won’t investigate, arrest, prosecute, charge, and incarcerate individual consumers. They’ve got enough to do.

It is also not legal yet to buy marijuana. The legal supplier will be the state government. It may take them a year or so to draft the proper regulations and set up the state-owned shops. This is ironic because we voters just privatized the state-owned liquor stores. If we’d left them in place, the state would have an existing infrastructure in place. But who expected the referendum to pass?

So, if it isn’t legal to buy it, is it legal to grow it? Nope. But it’s a naturally occurring plant. Like so many non-native species, maybe it just happened to take root and propagate some seeds. Nature happens. If it grows itself, is nature breaking the law?

Even if Washington State made every aspect legal, there’s a tricky situation with the money. The banks are federally controlled. Could non-Washington State banks legally accept deposits that were the proceeds of marijuana sales? Maybe this is an opportunity for local banks, currencies, and alternative economies.

The holidays approach, and those thoughts carried along some possibilities. Maybe marijuana isn’t legal to buy or sell or grow, but maybe it can be given as a gift. If it happens to grow naturally, and the plants become larger than the legal amount, is a landowner required to cut them back and distribute the excess? Happy Holidays! Imagine the wreaths, oh, but there’s a one ounce limit. That’s a tiny wreath.

Gardening businesses are probably already supplying the illegal growers, so maybe they won’t see much extra business. Though it would be fun to see pot sales go up. Buy a pot that just happens to have dirt and fertilizer and oh so sorry but it may have some non-native seeds in there. There may be a new set of gardening classes to tend your Pot In A Pot. (Maybe I should register that trademark and domain name. Rats. It’s taken.)

There will probably also be new sets of culinary classes. Brownies are iconic carriers, but I’ve seen marijuana added as an herb in omelets, cakes, and even tea. One of the few times I was surreptitiously seduced was by wonderful woman who served me an herbal tea that had amazingly relaxing properties. Pardon me as I take a sip of my very legal, personally blended, mint tea and reminisce.

Ah. Okay. What was I writing about? Oh yeah, trends, marijuana, and my neighborhood. Let’s get expansive.

The bigger trends are the ones that will have the greater, and equally welcome, effect. One of the reasons I’ve been in favor of marijuana legalization is that the cost and benefit of legalizing marijuana is much more compelling than criminalizing marijuana. Criminalize it and the prices go up, which draws in the dangerously illegal organizations, which requires more money spent on enforcement and less effort directed to more damaging crimes, while disenfranchising the citizenry. Abuse is possible. I’ve seen it. I’ve also seen people abuse alcohol. Neither should be driving, and those laws remain in effect. Given the choice between being around someone who used too much marijuana or too much alcohol, I know that it is the drinker that makes me worry. Whether it is from becoming an angry drunk or possible blood poisoning, alcohol is much more dangerous.

Whether it is new businesses to support the legal growth, distribution, or consumption of marijuana, or old illegal businesses becoming legal, Washington State can greatly benefit from this legalization of marijuana. Those same benefits can extend to the federal level. Before there was an income tax, and yes, there was such a time, a great portion of the nation’s revenues came from taxing alcohol. As a revenue generator and a cost reducer, marijuana is a marvelous growth industry (pardon the pun but wordsmithing around that would take too much time.)

Amidst all of those considerations, I asked myself that question my friend asked me on facebook, “Are you considering a new business opportunity?” The answer is still “Yes.“, but I realize that I’ve already established a business that works in that regard. I consult with creative individuals and small businesses. Now that marijuana is legal, my best contribution may be to help folks with that transition and expansion. I’d enjoy that.

“Quick! You grab the kayak. I’ll get the skis. We’re out of here!”
“Ah, dude, I think we might have a few problems with your plan.”

Another thought came to mind amidst all of the possibilities. As a landscaping feature, is marijuana deer tolerant? Will bunnies and slugs devour the plants? If not, great. If they do, will they get the munchies to such an extent that they’ll eat my lawn and save me time mowing? That would be a major benefit right there – and probably the source of a stream of YouTube videos.

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Help Find A Friend A Job – Jeff Kurtti

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

Resumes don’t tell the tale, especially now that resumes are read by bots. Networking still works and stories are powerful. Welcome to another installment of my interviews with friends seeking jobs . I provide an opportunity for their story to reach people who know of jobs for my friends.

I met Jeff Kurtti at various art venues. There were definitely some lively conversations. He impressed me with his passion for his job. Watching him talk about the Disney Museum project was witnessing someone who didn’t just show up for work and a paycheck.

Here are his answers to a few questions.

> Who are you? No, really, not the job titles, but who are you?
A child of the 1960s, deeply ingrained with all of the attendant pop culture touchstones; a voracious reader who became a writer, a cinephile who became a filmmaker. Husband, father, thinker, doer. Efficient communicator and grateful teacher.

> What are your dreams? Not necessarily your dream job, but your dreams. Maybe someone will create a new position for you.
To wake up every day excited by the work that needs doing, to work in ego-free collaboration and mutual respect, to go home at night without the work as a ponderous baggage, and mostly to feed my family and my soul and the future of my children.

> How long have you been looking?
Since March, 2012.

> How are you getting by?
A fortunate chain of free-lance and temporary consulting jobs, and occasional project-based work.

> What title fits you that would never be picked up by a resume robot?
Practical dreamer.

> What job jazzed you the most?
The Walt Disney Family Museum, as it brought together all of my skills and taught some new ones in a venue in which I had never worked. Unfortunately encumbered by disrespect and politics which sullied the experience, but I am proud of the results and grateful to have been a guiding force.

There are lots of dreamers out there. But being a practical one is rarer, and therefore more valuable. That sounds like a great title to have on a business card. I hope he gets to live that life.

A note to my friends: If you’re having a tough time finding a job and want to participate, send me an email. You are welcome to nominate other people too.

A note to bloggers: You’re welcome to do the same thing on your blogs. Crowdsourcing works. Why not use it for finding jobs? Maybe using the same title, Help Find A Friend A Job or the hashtag #FAFAJ will help spread the idea. The more people hear the stories, the less likely they’ll see unemployment as a statistic or the unemployed as a stereotype. Decreased unemployment sounds like a reason to stop, except for those of us that are still unemployed. We might as well try. It would feel good to succeed.

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Changing Odds

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

All hail the secret ballot. All hail the power of We The People. We don’t know how a person voted, unless they let us peek, but we do know how the people voted. That’s the secret behind our nation. Watching the results was probably more fascinating than anything on TV. I wouldn’t know because I got rid of my TV, but some of my friends stayed up past midnight making sure the right people won. What fascinates me more are the breakthroughs and larger trends underlying the details of individual races. The nation is changing because the people are changing, and the changes are real, not academic. Within the next 30 years, the life of a typical mortgage, the way we live, deal with money, and interact will change. Our votes make that happen.

I’m an extreme independent moderate. Guessing which way I’ll vote is so hard I can’t remember which boxes I checked. I don’t need to dwell on irrevocable decisions. I vote for the best candidate, regardless of party, because that’s what I see is the job of a voter. Trying to pick the winner is more popular. Picking winners is the role of bookies, which is one reason why I regularly posted on facebook the odds from British bookie firm Ladbrokes. As I type this, the Democrats are 5 to 4 and the Republicans are 4 to 5 for winning the 2016 election. Yes, the race has already begun. The Independents are 25 to 1, and I’m glad they continue to try. Someday, someday, they will succeed. Bookies and pollsters have different incentives. Pollsters make money running polls. The closer the race, the more polls are conducted. Bookies make money by guessing the winner.

Every electoral race seemed to be accompanied by a map. Reds and Blues. Where are the Greens? We’ve become accustomed to the coasts being mostly Blue, except in the South; and the middle being mostly Red, except in the upper Midwest. There is a bifurcation in the nation. We’ve had it before. There’s an excellent Red and Blue political map produced by ace web comic xkcd that shows the ebb and flow since Washington. At one point the differences became so extreme that our nation temporarily became two, from at least one point of view. Will it happen again? Joel Garreau in the book, The Nine Nations of North America, drew boundaries based on economics and culture that roughly match the divide between red and blue. One scenario that could precipitate such a division would be for the Parti Québécois to successfully secede from the rest of Canada at the same time that some place like Texas secedes because it is tired of federal management of border issues. North America could rapidly become as divided as Europe. I haven’t found the odds on that.

My address provided me with a fractal view to the Blue/Red divide. The national map is familiar. Washington State divides along the Cascade Mountains. Whidbey Island divides north versus south. I’m not sure if this extends to my neighborhood or my street, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Hmm, take it one level internally and maybe that’s why I’m a moderate.

Washington State just passed two referenda: Yes to same sex marriage, and Yes to legalizing marijuana. Yep. The maps split along the same geographical lines. Regardless of the closeness of the vote, someone will now find a way to host a LGBT wedding and serve a powerfully mellow wedding cake. Let’s just make sure everyone is of age and no one has to drive. And the lovely couple may just be recent immigrants to the state. As some states become more open, they attract people who appreciate that. As other states become more protective of a different set of values, they too attract people who appreciate a different that. Bluer becomes bluer. Redder becomes redder.

The Constitution of the United States, something Barack Obama will swear an oath to soon, does an admirable job of giving the states the rights to be unique, while maintaining an overall structure. The strength of that document, those words, and those ideas will probably be enough to maintain the integrity of the nation – as long as we follow it instead of merely using it for an oath.

Thirty years is a reasonable time for a mortgage and probably my remaining life expectancy without a digital singularity sneaking in. Within those decades we will sort out marijuana legalization, same sex marriage, and a swarm of other political platform planks. We will either sort them out by making the decisions more general, or by allowing the divisions to become more distinct.

As a Washington resident, I am glad we made the choices we made. Simply based on economics and balancing risks, rewards, costs and benefits I believe Washington State’s economy will be healthier within a few years. The state will be making more and spending less. And the people on the west side of the mountains may be happier and mellower. Sounds good to me. As I type this I wonder what opportunities such changes make that help me lead a thriving life. I’m sure I’m not the only one pondering that issue.

As an American, I worry about our country. Even though it is doubtful that a dissolution would occur, we could effectively produce the same result. By the Constitution, contracts that are valid in one state are to be effectively respected by the other states. But ideologies aren’t protected. I think we already see a lack of unity that impacts our collective health. Radically different approaches to science education are enough to make me wonder if some states are going to become dependent on others for technology. I’m impressed with the Amish, but how would it affect the nation if a breadbasket state left behind evolution, genetics, and ecology?

Our economic crisis is becoming easier to accept. Jobs are increasing. Inflation remains low. Interest rates are ridiculously low. Yet our nation’s debt, deficits, and delayed repairs are unresolved. They don’t impact our daily lives, yet. I don’t see the trend that suggests that we’ll all agree to a set of solutions.

Despite a clear electoral college victory, the legalization of marijuana, and the approval of same sex marriage we lack clear majorities. Each race was decided by a few percent. Even a clear win of 75% would mean 25% were on the other side. Imagine a dinner party of twelve where nine decided what the other three had to eat. Three people allergic to shellfish would more than mildly disapprove of nine people telling them to eat clams.

Thirty year mortgages assume the world doesn’t change within that time. I look at these trends, throw in the minorities such that there is no such thing as a majority, throw in a disaster or two, and I wonder. And I know that the best thing to do is plan for things to continue, and expect things and the plans to change.

Sunset on election night produced an amazing collection of colors. Red and blue swirled within contentious winds as another cycle sets. They produced purples. Maybe that should be a new color for our map.

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Balancing Frugality

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Tom Trimbath

“You shouldn’t tell people that!” “But, it’s the truth.” “Yes, but while telling them the sad truth you obscure the other more important truth.” Ain’t that the truth.
“I’m impressed with how you’re able to stay upbeat with everything you’re going through. How do you do it?” “What else can I do?” Really, being upbeat is as good an option as any.
Those are the paraphrased versions of a pair of conversations that happened after Wednesday’s post. They weren’t the only ones. I’m in the midst of a balancing act, and my friends help by pointing out my pessimisms and optimisms. I’m also in a balancing act because I’m chronicling my journey publicly via this blog, while also running a consultancy and applying for jobs. As if balancing a finances with a declining net worth wasn’t enough, I have to balance emotions and be aware of perceptions.

Wednesday’s blog was about how many folks are crossing their fingers, toes, arms, and legs (but not eyes and not while driving) for me as I pursue Plans A, B, C, D, et al. Friends and family are sweet. One friend even made that literal by buying some of my art and then tipping me with an entire flourless (gluten-free) chocolate (good anti-oxidants) cake (dessert!). It took me two weeks to finish it. Going through my financial turmoil would be much tougher without everyone’s help.

Many of my friends are coaches, counselors, consultants, advisors, or independently successful. Many of them are also active in social service charities supplying help to those who need food, shelter, health care, clothing, child care, or emotional support. And of course there is overlap.

Conventional wisdom is that to be successful I must act successful. One of favorite authors, Sun Tzu, in his book, The Art Of War says, “When you are small, appear large.” I believe a variation on that is “Fake it until you make it.” Success breeds success. If I am putting myself out there as a consultant who helps others towards success, then I should emphasize my successes. That makes a lot of sense. In terms of the nine-step program championed by New Road Map, and in the book Your Money Or Your Life, my financial turmoil is largely restricted to step nine. I understand all of the steps well enough to help others through them. (I was Board Secretary of New Road Map, am a case study in Your Money Or Your Life, and wrote my own book that is the basis of this blog, Dream. Invest. Live.) I sincerely think that my step nine hiccup is largely monstrous bad luck. To emphasize my success I should be writing about the earlier steps. I should also spend more time on this blog passing along the testimonials of this first wave of clients. I’ll work on that. It goes against upbringing, but I understand the power of public positivism.

My passion is for people and ideas. Writing, photography, teaching, speaking, and consulting are the tools for following my passion. I am also an extreme independent moderate because I enjoy being in the middle. It’s easier to see each extreme that way instead of just one. It also means I know many people who are apparently successful, and people who aren’t meeting basic needs. Despite grand programs and strategies, it is too easy to underestimate the power of luck. The successes become public anecdotes and can readily take credit for their situation. The unlucky become statistics and are more likely to withdraw from sight and sound.

From what I hear, it turns out that I am helping give voice to some of the unlucky. None are going through exactly what I am going through because none of us lead identical lives. That’s amazing considering 7,000,000,000 people. But many are glad I am providing at least one example. It is too easy for misfortune to convince someone that it’s their fault. They must have done something wrong with career, family, health, attitude, emotion, or even spirit in this or previous lives. If nothing is going right, then are they doing everything wrong? Others with the same job, family, diet, social skills, philosophy or religion are successful, so what did they do wrong? Mistakes do happen, and introspection and retrospection are worthwhile. Bad luck happens too. Someone who wins the lottery and writes a book about how they did it will sell copies. Someone who loses the lottery and writes a book about it better make the book a comedy.

I’ve chronicled my financial life by blogging for almost four years now (anniversary next November 5th). I’ve gone from a net worth that was rising dramatically with the possibility of rising further, which prompted the comment, “I didn’t want to read that you’ve made more money.” In the last eighteen months that net worth has declined over 95% from historically poor portfolio performance and attrition. Now I hear the opposite. Well, this blog is about balancing life and money, so money will be a topic. Being honest about the fall has been painful to read for some of my friends, both because they are empathic and because they feel it isn’t a good business tactic.

My life is a balancing act. Whose life isn’t? This blog is a balancing act. I can see why most writers stick to the “strong declarative statement”. An unequivocal declaration or emotional expression is easier to present and can be much more concise. It works for politicians and pundits and sound bites. Businesses and organizations use it for branding. I am more familiar with balancing. My job at Boeing was essentially understanding how to balance the forces acting on the airplane. My studies in karate require intuitive and continual awareness of balance. My financial lifestyle has been a continual effort to balance risk and reward. Yet, airplanes, bodies, and money can fall out of balance.

I live frugally. Frugality isn’t living cheap, though that may be a consequence. Frugality is living my life according to my values while respecting my resources. Money, time, energy, emotion, community, and the universe are all resources. I stay upbeat because I am frugal. I’ve been able to persist through an over 14 month job search because of my frugality. Frugality has meant that I live my life according to my values. I’ve done so for years. As the money tightened I’ve cut back on many things, but fundamentally every day is spent living a life similar to the one I led when I was a millionaire. Frugality is also why I believe I can re-attain a thriving, sustainable lifestyle yet again. It doesn’t take much money to dramatically improve my life. This weekend’s clients have had an enormous effect. (I particularly liked that two of my recent clients have insisted on paying more than I charged. I guess they like what I did for them.)


My frugality, my respect for people, including myself, is why I chronicle the good days and the bad days. We all have good times and bad times. From what I can tell, many who have had similar financial downdrafts like mine don’t tell anyone about the details until after they are successful again. It is hard to be honest when things are going poorly. I write throughout to guard against selective amnesia.

I look forward to reinvigorated finances for the obvious reasons. The writer in me looks forward to writing about the upside that follows the downside. There’s a lot of good material there. And as another friend put it (paraphrased of course),
“The best person to ask about relationships is someone that’s had heartbreaks and found love. The best person to ask about recovering health is someone who got sick and got well. Maybe the best person to listen to about money is someone who’s lost a lot and got it back. The priest, the perpetually fit, and the heir may have useful things to say but they can only talk about half of life. Someone who’s seen more can also talk about more of life. Maybe you’ll be that person.”

Balance is hard to achieve from only one side or from out at an extreme. Frugality taught me that. Money isn’t everything, but it also isn’t nothing. Time is everything, but it can’t be spent only doing one thing. Every day my life exercises that balance. Stay tuned. It’s the only way to know if I’ve balanced it well enough.

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