CEO of the Day

March 31, 2005... Terri Schiavo has died.

I've received several emails, and many questions from friends, about my feelings surrounding Terri Schiavo. I think people perceive that someone with a life threatening disability, who still has a positive attitude, should spew pearls of wisdom.

>>Read my full article on Terri Schiavo.

March 25, 2005... Friday Funnies - Sick Jokes about Being Sick

This week's newsletter newsletter starts with the transcript of a speech from a 13-year-old kid with cancer.  It's good to find humor when you have to look harder.

Thanks this week go to Kameron, Harold, Mike, and Lisa! Keep sending those jokes, cartoons and funny photos.

>>Read Sick Jokes about Being Sick

Our Sponsor - Ford Motors

In the market for a new Mustang?

It costs me about $35 a month just for this newsletter. The first 10 issues of Friday Funnies were completely free of advertising. With our 11th issue, we will be accepting sponsors, starting with Ford Direct.

Our "No CRAP Policy" simply means that we check out every sponsor before we advertise to our readers. You can trust that each sponsor delivers quality products or services.

Here's how it works. You choose a model of your vehicle, then all the special options available. You can examine the models online, then request a quote. To request a quote you'll have to provide name, address, and telephone number along with your email.

I tried it, and was pleasantly surprised. The day after I submitted the request, a woman from our local Ford dealership sent me an email, then called later that day. I had put on the request form that I'm interested in a car in about 12 months. She simply told me that the 2006 cars will be out by then, so she gave me her number and asked me to call her back when I started looking.

That was four months ago. I haven't received phone calls or any email since. They don't harass you, just offer price quote once, and invite you to stop by the dealership.

Friday Funnies earns $4.00 for every reader who fills out the form, and accepts a call from a dealer. There truly is no obligation. If only 9 of my readers try it out, the bills for this month will be paid!

Thanks for reading!

>>Get a Free Quote from FordDirect

March 23, 2005... Mytwinn.com - Custom Doll Maker Website

You may have noticed I've started accepting advertising on SunFyre.  Most of the ads are pay-for-performance links.  Basically, if my readers click a link, then buy something, I get a percentage.

I only use reputable companies.  Notice the Target ad at the right this month.  Click it, go ahead, I dare you!  Seriously, everyone knows Target, and many of you shop there online.

Some of my sponsors, however, are lesser known.  Some are just plain weird.  I've decided to periodically highlight one of these websites, and give you my personal review.  Many of them I've actually used; I'm a web shop-a-holic.  I'll stand behind any company that appears on my site.  If you see something you like, please click and buy.  It helps pay my bills.

So, here goes the first, of many I hope, reviews of web shopping and services.

I first saw My Twinn about three years ago, shortly after my twins were born.  One of our relatives had a paper catalog, and were convinced Kristen and I should order another set of twins, this time of the plastic variety.  I thought it was a really cute idea, but my kids were too little, and we were pretty broke.  Look-a-like dolls starting at $120.00 weren't high on my priority list.

>>Read my full Review of Mytwinn.com, Custom Doll Maker Website

March 22, 2005... Bored at Work?

My friend, Miranda, emailed me today with a very short "I'm bored."  We started thinking of ways she could get out of work early and come over to play.  This list is the result.  I hope it helps all of you.

>>10 Excuses to Go Home Early from Work

March 20, 2005... Recycling Before Moving Day

We've been clearing out our house before the big move.  Buying a new home is a very cleansing experience.  Our rule of thumb became "if we haven't touched it in a year, we won't miss it if we don't move it."  This only became a serious issue when Kristen tried to get rid of my old baseball cards.

Trash day arrived.  Normally we have one large can and a small recycling bin.  That weekend, trash and recycling was in two large piles.  Together the piles were roughly the size of a compact car.  Our house isn't that big, I can't believe one home could produce that much refuge.

Beyond the trash, we also have a section of our basement dedicated to yard sale inventory.  (By the way, our yard sale is scheduled for April 2nd.  Come by and purchase some high quality, ultra-rare  uber-crap!)

That weekend inspired me to write the following article:

>>10 Tips to Improve Recycling without Turning into a Radical Flaming Environmentalist

March 19, 2005... House for Sale by Owner

You could own your own home!  Actually, you could own my home.  Just imagine the value of owning the birthplace of SunFyre!

This adorable Cape Cod style home is for sale.  As you probably read a few days ago, Kristen and I bought a new home closer to her family.  We are moving the last week in April.

It occurred to me that I better sell the old house pretty soon.  It's hard, I love this house, but who couldn't use an extra $117,500.

See pictures and read more about this House for Sale.

See the official Realtor.com listing.

March 18, 2005... Friday Funnies - Jokes of Biblical Proportion

Here's what happens when you get just a little religion at a young age! Thanks, this issue, go to Daniel, Glenn and Mitchell! Keep sending those jokes, cartoons and funny photos.

>>Bible Story Jokes from Sunday School

Mar. 15, 2005... It's been a while...

Sorry, I've been busy with a new project.  Kristen and I had been seriously considering buying a new home.  We've been house hunting on and off for about a year, then got real serious in January.  We weren't finding any houses that met our criteria, at least not that we could afford.

We needed four bedrooms.  My father visits from Kentucky several times each year, and we needed a guest room or guest house.

I need an office.  I'm finding it increasingly difficult to work at home with two three-year-olds, and no door on my office.

It had to be a wheelchair accessible home, either a very large ranch-style, or two floors with an elevator.  We considered building a nice two story until we found out that good elevators add $20,000 to construction without increasing the value of a new house.

Finally, a realtor pointed out a huge ranch home.  It had four bedrooms, an office space, a large yard, and a swimming pool.  We made an appointment for the next Friday.

Thursday night at 9:30 the realtor called to say another couple made an offer.  They were holding the offer until the next day, so we could see it.

We went to the showing, and knew it was ideal.  In seven hours we toured the home, secured financing and a pre-approval letter, and made an offer.  Twelve hours later, our offer was accepted... then mild panic set in.

If you ever make a quick decision to spend a quarter of a million dollars, mild panic is natural.  Major panic is natural.  But, life is good.

Over the next couple days, I'll fill you in on details, with complete tutorials including:

• How to buy a house in seven hours

• How to secure financing with no income and no assets

• How to fire your realtor

• How to get mortgage companies competing for your business

• How to go hopelessly in debt and still have an excellent credit score

Meanwhile... here's photos of our new home.

Last month's issue>>>

Web www.sunfyre.com

Send this page to a friend

Copyright 2003-2005 Sunfyre.com and Jason Tweed except where otherwise noted -- for permissions, contact Sunfyre