Overseas internet spending is killing off Australian retail, but don't blame the GST.

Spending Overseas.

We all, particularly minimalists, want to save a buck or two when possible.  Much of what I believe to be minimalism pertains to freeing time and money and redirecting it towards more worthy endeavours.  So what about overseas shopping, I must admit I have done a lot of it in the past, simply because in some cases it has saved me more than 60% on what I would have paid here in Australia.  There is however another side to this coin, and that is the potential for job losses if our spending dollars end up overseas.  As a minimalist I believe I should have as little negative impact on others as possible, so what damage am I doing when I spend overseas ??

> Is overseas internet spending killing Aussie retail <

The linked article above looks at some of the dangers facing our retail industry when Aussie Dollars wander into the pockets of overseas suppliers.  Personally I try to buy Australian when I can, but if it means I save $600 on a sale then unfortunately I will be buying where the price is best.  I am not sure what the answer to this conundrum is, any comments on this one would be greatly appreciated.

Brett

What's for tea tonight - Slowcooker Monday.

Slowcooker Monday.



I mentioned in a previous post how slow cookers can be real money savers (see below).

  > Winter Money Savers <

Well today is Slow cooker Monday and I would like to share one of my favourite recipes with you.  Not only is this one very tasty, it will feed the troops and won't cost the earth.  If you don't own a slow cooker then a good old fashioned Crock Pot will do the same job.  The recipe was found on the Internet, I can't remember exactly where, sorry for that, but it is a complete cut and paste so can see the full article.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"A Ragu is a fancy word for a stew. Slow Cooker Beef Ragu is a delicious mince mix that goes perfectly with pasta. It is a little more hearty than our traditional bolognaise sauce – and freezes just beautifully!

Ingredients:
500 grams beef mince
4 rashers bacon
1 brown onion, chopped finely
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1 good sized carrot, peeled and chopped finely
1 stick celery, chopped finely
1 x 400 gram tin crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
splash of red wine
300ml beef stock
1 bay leaf
cooked pasta to serve

In a large pot or fry pan, heat the olive oil. Add the bacon, onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until starting to brown. Reduce the heat and add the carrot and celery and cook until soft. Pour mixture into the slow cooker.

Again heat the fry pan and brown the mince. Pour into the slow cooker. Stir in the stock, red wine, tin of tomatoes, tomato paste and spices to taste.

Cook on LOW for 6 – 8 hours stirring every so often.

Serve on hot buttered pasta with cheese on top.

Serves 8 people.

Recipe Hints and Tips:
Slow cooker Beef Ragu is suitable for freezing. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before 3/4 filling a ziplock bag. Freeze for up to six months.
For an ever richer Ragu, substitute half the beef mince for pork mince." - unknown

Brett Tulk

The company we keep - Marc and Angel Hack Life

Marc and Angel Hack Life - Warning signs that you are in bad company.

Marc and Angel have a great post on the warning signs that you may be in bad company.  Have a look at their article above and decide for yourself if bad company may be negatively impacting your life.

Choosing the company we keep can have a very profound impact on our lives.  I often hear the quote, "if you lay down with dogs, you wake up with fleas", and for the most part I have found this very true.

The people we choose to associate with have more impact on our mindset and values than you might realise.  Quite simply, they "rub" off on us.  Most of the bad mistakes I made in my late teens were a direct result of hanging with the wrong crowd.  While the choices I made were my own, I was very easily pushed into things I should not have been doing.  There is no real value discussing the reasons I was so easily influenced, but the main thing I now realise is my life may have been very different had I picked a better crowd of friends.  Ah, to put an old head on young shoulders, if only we could.

There were many reasons why I got mixed up with the wrong people, but the most significant and worrying thing was that I couldn't see how much my behaviours and personality were changing. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but in the "here and now" it only helps us to not make the same mistakes again, it does not help us making them in the first place.

Minimalism has made my decision making process much more simple.  If I had the same values, way back then, as I hold now I may have been more selective with the company I kept.  We are all however the sum of our experiences and I don't regret mine one little bit, not even the bad ones.  The list below are just some of the things that I personally identified when asking myself why did I mix with all the wrong people.  I won't explain each point as I am sure you understand what they mean. 

1.  Peer pressure.

2.  Low self esteem.

3.  A feeling of common interests.

4.  The need to feel part of something.

5.  Loneliness.

6.  Companionship.

7.  Support.

8.  Friendship.

Have a read of Marc and Angels post, mull over what I have written and see if any of the points mentioned strike a chord for you and your present situation.

  

Are you  ???

Brett Tulk.



Minimalism - Not for You??

 

Minimalism Not for you ??


What are your aspirations in life, what is important to you?  Everyone is different and everyone is entitled to their personal view.  Debate between peers can be interesting and healthy but attacking another for holding a particular view is closed minded and selfish.
The link above is to a site that disputes the worth of a minimalistic lifestyle.  For most this is actually true, they see no worth in it at all.  I believe that most of us actually have far more than we need, but as I said it is up to the individual to USE their time for whatever pursuits they see fit.  I am not saying their lifestyle is wrong, but I will say that I can see a far more fulfilling way to live (my opinion only).  Have a read of the article and see how your life rules align, or not, with the points made.  It is always best to research both sides of the fence.  Notice though how just about every point made revolves around having, winning, or gaining something...  Do you want more to have less, or do you want to live with less to have MORE?

More food for thought!!

~~ James Miller ~~



Today's Affirmation - Where do you keep your treasures?

 

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal."

 

The real treasures in life are not found at Wall Mark, K-Mart, or Harvey Norman.

You will find them inside your heart!!

Search your heart daily and remind yourself what is truly important !!

The picture above was a gift given to me by someone who is slowly changing the way I see the world one hug at a time.

Thank You

James Miller