For a few years I've despised corporate America. I do what I can not to support them but it today's world it's hard to do. I spend cash and still write checks whenever possible. I support local business when possible. For groceries I shop locally at Nielsens Market in Solvang, still locally owned. We also do quite a bit of shopping at Trader Joes but this requires a 30 mile drive to Santa Maria or Santa Barbara.
Back to the banks...I missed the boat on Bank Transfer Day but am looking for a locally owned bank. So far the only one I have found is Montecito Bank & Trust but I saw Los Padres Bank is now something else so I will have to look into this. I recently spoke with Solvang Investment Advisor Ben Courtney about Bank Transfer Day, he stated many credit unions invest in large corporate banks so my quest may be somewhat moot. I believe what he says is true but I must continue on my quest regardless.
My quest to keep as much money as I can away from corporate America is my way of voting. I still vote in the elections but have realized this does not seem to affect any change. Politicians will support their biggest donors, corporations, regardless of their platform and promises. I have chosen to vote with my money by shopping local, finding family or non corporate owned businesses, and by using my credit card as little as possible.
I'll keep you posted...
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Living in the Country - Life in Santa Ynez
Ok, so I'm a city boy, I'll admit that. I grew up in Santa Barbara where if you had problems getting water to the house we called the City and they came and fixed it. If the problem was my side of the meter we called a plumber.
Up here in Santa Ynez we have an acre and a half. Nice yes but a lot of work. We can't get cable or DSL cause it's a bit rural. Being rural we have a septic tank and a well. The septic is pretty simple, everything flows downhill and eventually it seeps back into the ground. The well is another matter entirely.
We have a two pump system, a booster pump that pumps water to the house, the well itself 180 feet underground. When we have problems we call A&A Pump & Well service, which I have to do now and again. Over the years I have called them for many silly reasons, mainly because I'm a city boy and just didn't know how the thing works. I've learned sometimes when both pumps come on at the same time it trips the booster. I've also learned ants will nest in the electrical parts and gum up the works.
So now when something is amiss with the water I check all the simple things A&A Pump & Well has come out to fix. After hours and weekends the owner will drive out from Lompoc (about 30 miles) when I call and I always feel bad when the problem was something simple, so I learned from watching them to check the simple things before calling.
The point of this story is learn what you can when you can, it's cheaper that way. But if you need to call for help call the best pump and well service in the Santa Ynez Valley, A & A Pump and Well!
Up here in Santa Ynez we have an acre and a half. Nice yes but a lot of work. We can't get cable or DSL cause it's a bit rural. Being rural we have a septic tank and a well. The septic is pretty simple, everything flows downhill and eventually it seeps back into the ground. The well is another matter entirely.
We have a two pump system, a booster pump that pumps water to the house, the well itself 180 feet underground. When we have problems we call A&A Pump & Well service, which I have to do now and again. Over the years I have called them for many silly reasons, mainly because I'm a city boy and just didn't know how the thing works. I've learned sometimes when both pumps come on at the same time it trips the booster. I've also learned ants will nest in the electrical parts and gum up the works.
So now when something is amiss with the water I check all the simple things A&A Pump & Well has come out to fix. After hours and weekends the owner will drive out from Lompoc (about 30 miles) when I call and I always feel bad when the problem was something simple, so I learned from watching them to check the simple things before calling.
The point of this story is learn what you can when you can, it's cheaper that way. But if you need to call for help call the best pump and well service in the Santa Ynez Valley, A & A Pump and Well!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Smart Investing - Solvang Style
A year or so ago I took a chance with a Solvang investment company Courtney Capitol Management. This company has been great! We moved our account we saw positive results in just a few months. October 2011 the market dropped 4%, our accounts gained more than 5%. Since we opened our account our investments grown by more than 12%! If you are looking for a great financial services company and live in the Santa Ynez Valley then Courtney Capitol Management deserves consideration. Give them a call, we did and we have been very happy with the results.
Check out their website and give them a call, you won't be disappointed.
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