The 401k Fallout

This is a very interesting video

Intake Films Presents - John Allred (Coffee)

This is one of our latest “LIVE” videos. We shot it in our studio in Sandy Utah. Check it out. Also, check out our new website at http://www.intakefilms.com

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

I love this idea. I can’t wait to get one!

Just incase you are wondering, this is a joke!

The Power of “You”

This is a great post about the power of giving a presentation focused on “You” instead of “Me.” Check it out.

Read the Post Here

The “True Spirit of Christmas”

Ok, before you read on, make sure to watch the video.

WOW… now that is what I call the “True Spirit of Christmas”…NOT!

Christmas is an interesting time and every person has their own definition of the “True Spirit of Christmas.” For some, the Christmas Spirit is the rush of black Friday. For others is setting aside differences with family for a short time. Unfortunately, for some, the Christmas season is a time of great sadness and depression.

For me, the Christmas season is about focusing on the things in my life that are important to me. Things like: family, friends, spirituality, love, giving, and peace.

How can we focus on the the things that aqre important to us, when the world around us is running around like the video on the left. Here are 5 ways that I believe can help:

1. Get your shopping done early. If you are a black Friday shopper, this might not be all bad. By getting your Christmas shopping done early, you can start to forget the commercial aspects of Christmas sooner. We get most of our shopping done within the first few weeks following thanksgiving.
2. Read or listen to “A Christmas Carol.” Personally I suggest the audiobook narrated by Patrick Stewart. It is abridged and is just over 2 hours. This is a great story that can really help put things in perspective.
3. Service.  Take cookies to your neighbors, babysit for a friend or shovel an elderly neighbor’s walk.
4. Don’t overspend. Spending more than you have will only cause anxiety and stress.
5. Read the original Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. What better way to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas than to focus some time on Christ.

If you have other ideas or suggestions on how to keep a happy positive attitude and feel the joys of the Christmas season, please leave a comment.

How to Make Money with Social Media

There is a lot of buzz about making money using social media. I came across this video that shows how it “should” work. Don’t focus on the money, focus on the relationships. Check it out:

http://drivingtraffic.com/make-money-with-social-media/

Speaking of social media, follow me on twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/ryanbradshaw

The BIG Clean Out

Some time ago I read this post on the zenhabits.com website. It was about decluttering your home to create a more favorable environment. I have always enjoyed a clean home (although I havn’t always enjoyed the cleaning).

We, like so many others have moved several times over the course of our marriage, and it seems like every time we move, we get more stuff that we don’t use.

I cam across the zenhabits.com article again, and we decided to try it out on one room! (The Storage Room). I wish that I had taken some before photos, but you will just have to take my word for it. IT WAS BAD!

We started at about 10:00AM and just pulled EVERYTHING out of the room and filled up our living room with all of it.

It took over an hour just to get it all out. We then got two garbage bags, one for everything we were throwing out, and one for everything to donate or give away.

We ended up filling up 4 or 5 garbage bags full of stuff to through in the trash, and we filled up the back of our van with stuff to donate.

The room is much cleaner and it it gave our home a peaceful feeling. We will slowly be going through everything we own, and getting rid of whatever is unnecessary or unused. If you try this out, you will notice how much stuff you have that you have been holding onto that you just don’t use anymore.

Have fun with this and let me know your experiences.

MacBreak Weekly

Ok, this is one of my favorite podcasts. I am a mac user and love listeneing to these guys. They all come from different backgrounds and have different insights into the world of mac.

They talk about new mac news, new applications, and much more. My favorite part of the show is the “Application Pick.” Each person on the show takes a few seconds and talks about their favorite applications for the mac.

Be sure to check them out. http://twit.tv/mbw

Killing Sacred Cows

For the past several months, we have been working really hard on the release of Garrett B. Gunderson’s new book Killing Sacred Cows. It has been quite a project. I have been incharge of building the website (http://www.killingsacredcows.com) and other technical aspects of the book release.

We have run into many issues and challenges along the way, but the book has finally been released and we are on our way to making it a best seller.

The book covers 9 Financial Myths that Garrett says are destroying our prosperity. The book has received great reviews and endorsements and has caused some controversy.

Garrett’s ideas are not the run of the mill, status quo ideas, and he really gets you questioning many assumptions you have made, and asking many good questions. I am sure that there are many people out there who will think this book is over the top, but I found it enlightening and very helpful.

Even if you don’t implement the things Garrett teaches in the book, it is a great way to open your eyes and mind to a new way of thinking about your finances.

If you want to know more about Garrett B. Gunderson or his business, his site is http://www.garrettbgunderson.com

Rock Climbing in Big Cottonwood Canyon

We spent a few hours rock climbing today in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is a beautiful canyon here in Utah. My kids, Jordan (7) and Ashley (5) had a blast. Jordan climbed forever, and even over quite an overhang. He wouldn’t let anything stop him until he got to the top.

It was a great fmaily activity. To see the other photos of the day, click here.