They used their small savings to buy a plot of land in Virginia in 2011. There, they built a home that’s smaller than 200 square feet. And they couldn’t be happier. During 2008, Hari and Karl Berzins lost their home and restaurant business. The recession hit them hard, but they didn’t let their misfortunes stop them from moving forward. They learned their lesson and vowed never to use credit again. So when they rebuilt, they did so on a small scale. (Literally.) They are the Tiny House Family.*****Update 1/28/2014: Question: Why is it so hard to build affordable housing, or new housing in general? Answer: fees, red tape, regulations, and NIMBY ("Not In My Back Yard") opposition. Read this article on how difficult it is to build new housing in San Francisco by clicking here.
Monday, December 16, 2013
SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part I
*****Update 3/23/2014: I just came across this story about the "Tiny House Family" that you can read about by clicking here. Here's a brief description from the article:
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
SLO: "Tommy Benjamin" Film to be shown at SLO-IFF on 3/9/2014 at 1pm
3/9/2014: After seeing Tommy Benjamin in Paso at the SLO International Film Festival, we sojourned at Norm and Connie's beautiful home in Atascadero to have a wonderful Italian buffet dinner. Johnee and Co. put together these 2 wonderful photos of the group. In the meantime, 5 adults (including me) were asked to come forward and perform an improv skit for the crowd - yeah, I can do that. Johnee says he videoed it, so maybe it'll see the light of day sometime. Until then, I can hope that it won't!
SLO: Mountain Biking, Backpacking and Hiking with Meetup.com
Meetup.com: I'm doing all my mountain biking rides through meetup.com, so I encourage you to sign-up for the SLO Mountain Biking meetup group. I am also in the Central Coast Hiking meetup group. Finally, I am also in the SLO and Central Coast Backpacking meetup group. I encourage you SLO types to join all 3 and go on some great outings.
If you don't know what meetup is, read bout it by clicking here. Meetup is an online social networking portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various localities around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest. For me, I joined the Mountain Biking, Backpacking, and Hiking meetup groups in San Luis Obispo - you should try it. We had a great ride yesterday (Saturday 12/14/2013) out at Montana de Oro.
Willow Springs Trail Work Day Friday 12/13 and Saturday 12/14/2013: Things are going well on this project. BUT we will definitely be working this Saturday. We've had a pretty good volunteer turnout so far but for sure need folks this Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th, 2013. I think we are set for tomorrow (Thursday 12/12/2013) with some A.G. hikers and Forest Service folks.
Above: Manzanita tree next to a trail work tool (photo from Sunday 12/8/2013 CCCMB.org trail work day at Santa Margarita Lake in SLO County. See trail tools for more information on the tools we use for building trails, including the McLeod tool above.
If you don't know what meetup is, read bout it by clicking here. Meetup is an online social networking portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various localities around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest. For me, I joined the Mountain Biking, Backpacking, and Hiking meetup groups in San Luis Obispo - you should try it. We had a great ride yesterday (Saturday 12/14/2013) out at Montana de Oro.
Willow Springs Trail Work Day Friday 12/13 and Saturday 12/14/2013: Things are going well on this project. BUT we will definitely be working this Saturday. We've had a pretty good volunteer turnout so far but for sure need folks this Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th, 2013. I think we are set for tomorrow (Thursday 12/12/2013) with some A.G. hikers and Forest Service folks.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
OBAMACARE PART II: ObamaCare is Coming 1/1/2014 - Get Ready!
*****12/10/2013: Another quick update. Just got word from our Health Insurance Broker that since continuing our 2013 policy was not an option (killed by ObamaCare, according to Blue Shield of Calif.), the premium for the next closest thing available will cost nearly double our current rate, plus another $500 increase in our 4-figure deductible. As much as I hate to put the information out there publicly (because its nobodies business but ours), I will do it because the Obama administration claims folks like us don't exist (i.e., small group plans getting cancelled due to ObamaCare).
Here we go: we currently have Blue Shield's 2013 "PPO 1500" plan (named assumedly because it has a $1,500 per person deductible), which costs us $954 per month, which we consider a ton of money - basically, a good size mortgage payment in most parts of the country (but not California). The replacement plan for 2014 from Blue Shield will cost us approximately $1,780 per month with a $2,000 per person deductible - a good size mortgage even in California. This sucks!
Note that even at this late date, we are still awaiting other possible options from our Health Insurance Broker at Morris & Garritano, as there may be other options available. Stay tuned.
Here we go: we currently have Blue Shield's 2013 "PPO 1500" plan (named assumedly because it has a $1,500 per person deductible), which costs us $954 per month, which we consider a ton of money - basically, a good size mortgage payment in most parts of the country (but not California). The replacement plan for 2014 from Blue Shield will cost us approximately $1,780 per month with a $2,000 per person deductible - a good size mortgage even in California. This sucks!
Note that even at this late date, we are still awaiting other possible options from our Health Insurance Broker at Morris & Garritano, as there may be other options available. Stay tuned.
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