Archive for the ‘TILE Cool’ Category

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Who said this?

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

“A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart.”

Who said it?

Jonathan-Swift.jpeg

Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels.

We couldn’t agree more, Mr. Swift. But what about putting a little heart into your money? There are all kinds of ways to use what you’ve got to make your values known. And today, while wacky hairdos will get you attention, your money is really what talks.

  • Support an organization that’s fighting for a cause you believe in
  • Help your friends do good by organizing a fundraiser (um, party?) where everyone can combine their donations to make an even bigger impact
  • Spend wisely – if you don’t believe in sweatshop labor, you definitely don’t have to give your money to companies that use it
  • Make sure your investments are in line with your values. If you don’t know what stocks you actually own, there’s probably someone you can ask. So ask.

(via moneyisnotimportant)

This one’s for the geeks: Debtris

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

From our heroes at Information Is Beautiful, a Tetris-inspired re-imagining of the Billion-Dollar-o-Gram.

Sneaky Tricks Debit Card Companies Play – And How To Play Them Back

Friday, January 7th, 2011

The man behind the Your Money column in the NYTimes gives a fast-moving and really useful explanation of debit and credit cards. Understanding the difference and some features of each can potentially save you a few hundred bucks a month – money you can surely put to much better use.

Feed your head, not your bank’s overdraft fee collectors.

Sweater Weather

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

The Wall Street bull gets a handmade sweater.

Because it’s got to be an especially cold January if you’re in Manhattan and made of metal.

Billionaires as far as the eye can see

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

billionaires-of-the-world.jpg
click to see the full-size version

Woah! There sure are a lot of billionaires in America. And at least one of them has been doing a great job of living within his means… Bill Gates tops the list of American billionaires for the 13th year in a row.

Maybe it’s time to start that software company you’ve always dreamed of…

ilovecharts:

via Kurt White

Astro-Billionaire Richard Branson Gets Down to Earth

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

Check out this Newsweek article about Branson’s new hobby.

Watch out, climate change. The businessmen are coming for you.

half-shadow-earth.jpg
photo credit: FlyingSinger

“Let’s assume the odds [of climate disaster] were only 50/50. If you have a 50 percent chance of getting knocked over by a car crossing the road, you’re going to take out insurance, or you’re not going to cross the road.”

and:

“I think the world is moving much more to a world where the business community has to work closely with governments in helping them get a lot of problems resolved. And I’m a strong believer that business should be a force for good, not just a money-making machine for its shareholders.”

Sounds like socially-responsible investing to us.

An impressive life, or an authentic one?

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

“You’re probably not doing things right unless the other people in your world are at least slightly uncomfortable with some way in which you’re challenging its assumptions.” – Conor Friedersdorf

hadley-nagel.png

Did you see this Style profile of 19-year-old New York debutante Hadley Marie Nagel? She’s kind of amazing, with skills (skeet shooting?) and interests (like lobbying for a James Madison monument on the National Mall) all over the map. Being wealthy allows her to pursue these activities, and apparently to throw awesome dinner parties.

But according to Mr. Friedersdorf (who unfortunately gets Hadley’s name wrong in his opinion piece), having a lot of skills and interests won’t necessarily win you a good life. Important decisions about career and family are more complicated than having a sparkling resume, he says.

Having wealth and connections can score you all kinds of opportunities, and we think you’d be crazy not to take advantage of them. But those advantages can also lead you down a path that’s just not “you.” So before you start making the big decisions, do a gut check. Do you really want this, or do you think someone else wants it for you? (Or for themselves, for that matter.)

College grad or auto mechanic? Is one more important than the other?

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

“Another perspective on the “american education is better than you think” is that many countries test young and track kids into special schools and into specific skill sets. For say, in Germany, one kid may go into a trade skill job and the other may go to school to prep for college. The USA treats every. single. kid. like he or she is college track, and we’re actually KILLING OFF vocational/trade programs. It’s senseless.”

- girlwithalessonplan

What do you think? Should we be preparing every child in America for college instead of investing in vocational schools for students that are interested in them?

A surprisingly insightful quote from a man who throws himself into other men for a living

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”

(allegedly coined by Brian O’Driscoll, captain of the Ireland Rugby team)

TILE’s take: It’s important to know your financial facts, but it’s even more important to figure out how apply them to your own life.

The Working Women of Pakistan

Monday, December 27th, 2010

In Pakistan, women are beginning to leave the confines of their homes to enter the labor force for the first time. You can meet some of them and hear their stories by clicking play.

Unfortunately, it’s not all progress and economic prosperity – Pakistan has an entrenched culture of male dominance that says women shouldn’t be seen OR heard. Women who work in public are routinely harassed and even beaten up by their male family members and strangers.

But how awesome would it be if Pakistan opened up its economy to the other half of the population? Talk about doubling your productivity and improving millions of lives.

How can you help? Try donating to organizations that promote education for girls, or get involved in microfinance projects that focus on giving female entrepreneurs a chance.

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