Lights On or Off: 3 Reasons Why You Might Not Be Doing It Right

It isn't all about you. Let me say that again: it isn't all about you. I don't care how good of a driver you are but your headlights purpose is not solely for you to see where you are going at midnight. Your headlights help other people see YOU! So if it is not sunny and bright outside, turning your headlights on (and subsequently also your running lights) makes you visible. The people driving around you in the rain, snow, dust storm, whatever, can now see you coming from the other direction or merging like a moron (cough, Colorado drivers, cough).

Why do you not do it with the lights on!?

1. Because I'm Being Defensive
• Defensive driving means you are limiting your thinking to reactive. Sure, it is smart to be aware of the other drivers around you but where you are will change how they drive. If you are more visible to the offensive drivers right on your bumper then they may give you another extra few inches.
2. Because I'm Being Selfish
• Maybe when you got in your car you flipped your light on and off to see if it did anything. Or maybe your car is soo smart it is supposed to "take care of itself". Do you think you are the only one on the road? No... otherwise you wouldn't be sitting in traffic right now. Help the traffic help you and turn your lights on for others on the road with you.
3. Because I'm Oblivious
• The worst! You are so involved in what is going on inside the car (music, cell phone, heater, whatever) you just don't even realize that you should turn your wipers or headlights on. Why do you think that truck cut you off? They must want you to start your day off with the wrong foot forward. Uh, no... open your eyes and please just drive!

Maybe you read a different innuendo in the title of this article today, but honestly, go back and read the lessons again (with a few substitutions of drive/r = love/r) because they are kind of still true!

How to Manage Project Budgets: 3 Tips from Spending Project Reserves

Money is a tough conversation, no matter who with, how much, or what it is being spent on. I always feel like the moment a dollar figure comes into play, things turn serious. Money puts a value on things and whether that is your time, your effort, or someone else's effort and sometimes you may be surprised by the answer. This is beyond the usual make vs. buy (to DIY or not DIY) conversation into a whole other realm of is it worth it. Here are some trick questions that might help you get to the bottom of a money question.

1. Would you pay 10% more for the same thing?
• Sometimes simply putting the ball in the court of "more" is enough to tip the scale from a "need" to just a "nice to have". This is a great technique if going from a $0 to a not-$0 amount say in an all-encompassing contract. If the extra cost of quality on something specific is worth an added fee though, go for it.
2. If all of a sudden it was free (or highly discounted), would the value stay the same?
• Sometimes the price tag alone can be a status symbol. Take a new 2015 BMW 7 series for example. Would it means the same if everyone could pick one up tomorrow at the cost of a 3 series? Probably not. Even if you still enjoyed the car, the uniqueness would be lost along with the desire for the competitive speed.
3. Would you still need/want this in 6 months?
• Does the age of something increase or decrease its importance? A bottle of wine might be worth a few percentage points more but a computer game would be on the discount shelves as old news. Maybe you bought an alternative or the development time has doubled unexpectedly and now the sunk costs make you rethink your original decision. Technology moves quickly so assess the long term implication of the cost... or cost savings.

In any case with money, keep in mind that whomever is on the other sides wants to spend less and make more, just like you. So try to compromise where you can and know the limits in which you aren't willing to negotiate further. And never offer something and not deliver or flat out retract it. The trust you will lose it just not worth it in any deal.