12-12-12

The Mayan Calendar says the world will end 12-21-12

I’m guessing the numerologists are having a field day with 12-12-12.  I read where it’s a great day for weddings in Las Vegas.  How could you forget your wedding date if it was 12-12-12?  But then if you’re into those kind of things, you probably also aren’t worried about remembering anniversaries since the Mayan Calender says we’re toast in another 9 days…  Oooooo… more 1’s and 2’s…For those of you thinking that we have a little more time on this planet, you might want to participate in the Marshall County Community Foundation‘s 12-12-12 event today.  Any contribution of $120 or more to one of the foundation’s permanent funds will receive a match of 12%.

The community foundation has just completed a nearly year long evaluation of financial advisers and has chosen to make a change.  I think this is a positive move.  As the community foundation moves forward, the returns and reporting should improve.  Now is a good time to give!

I often feel like the community foundation misses an opportunity in not marketing the tax benefits as well.  The Marshall County Community Foundation is a 501c(3) so donations to the community foundation and the underlying funds are tax deductible.  A donation of $100 may actually only cost you $75 in after tax dollars!  (Depending on your tax status.)  Nothing like a 25% return!

Check out the event below if you’re interested.  There will be food and fun throughout the day from noon to midnight!

Happy Indiana Day!

Image borrowed from zazzle.comIn 1925, the Indiana General Assembly provided for the designation of December 11 as Indiana Day. By law (Indiana Code 1-1-10) “The governor shall issue a proclamation annually designating the eleventh day of December as Indiana Day” and citizens are urged to celebrate “in appropriate and patriotic observance of the anniversary of the admission of the state of Indiana into the Union.”  Reference here.

Energy Saving ROI’s

Nest Thermostat
$249 at Amazon

A couple of weeks ago I discussed the Nest Thermostat.  (See that article here.)  One of the questions I have when I see something like this is whether there is return on investment (ROI) or in the case of green technology, is it Green That Saves Green?

According to Remodeling Magazine a programmable thermostat has a payoff in 1-10 years depending on the thermostat installed and the situation in which it will be used.  I’ve included some bare bones excerpts here, but for the complete article, check out page 40 in the November 2012 issue of Remodeling Magazine here.

Programmable Thermostat – Materials: $50-$350, Labor: 1-3 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 10yr

Low Flow Faucets & Fixtures – Materials: $1-$500+, Labor: 15 min – 4 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 5yr

Tankless Water Heater – Materials: $1,500-$3.500, Labor: 4-8 hr, Estimated ROI: 5yr – 15yr

Air Sealing – Materials: $50-$6,000, Labor: 4-40 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 8yr

Insulation – Materials: $200-$10,000, Labor: 4-100 hrs, Estmated ROI: 5yr – 15yr

On Demand Circulation Pump – Materials: $50-$150, Labor: 4-6hrs, Estimated ROI: 1yr – 2yr+

* The labor estimates above do not include travel time.