How to make lots of money in this economic recession.

The apparent downturn of the economy has everyone worried about their finances. However, this is an excellent time to rethink your economic situation and begin to take control of your life and your income.
This economic recession is a time to reevaluate what is important in your life. Are the things you spend money on really important to you? Take a moment to consider some of the non essential items that consume your monthly budget. I remember getting by just fine without cell phones and faxes twenty years ago. I am sure I could go back to living with out them if I chose to. I sure would miss the internet however.

Making money used to be all about getting a good job and doing what someone else tells you to do for twenty years or more. Then you can retire and enjoy life.

In our modern economy however, there is no certainty that a job will take care of you. Look at all the big businesses that are going under and laying off workers. It does not matter how good a worker is, if their store or plant is closed, they loose their job.

In my case, our plant was profitable and I was getting good reviews, but because my division had minimal growth potential the company I worked for closed my plant and put me and 175 other talented workers out of a job.

So I am now in the process of learning how to really make money. I am studying the methods of people who are making money in any kind of economy. I am studying the people who made money during the great depression. I am studying the people who built great empires and financial institutions out of nothing but a vision.

Come and join me on this journey of learning the smart approach to making money. Learn the secrets to having wealth during any and all economic conditions. Learn how to create and deliver value to people so that they will want your services or products. Learn how to make a positive difference in people’s lives and be well rewarded for your efforts.

I am preparing a series of classes where we will study the classic works of Napoleon Hill, Wallace Waddles and others who studied the secrets of making money from some of the greatest empire builders of the early twentieth century. Next we will study modern methods of applying these theories and look at examples of people who are successfully implementing these strategies.

We will study various systems for distributing value to people who will appreciate what you have to offer. We will study the various tools available to learn what your unique gifts are and how you can create value to share with others.

Making money can be a truly win win proposition. If you create and deliver value to others, they will happily exchange things of value with you. This secret is the foundation of making money in any economy.

If you are interested in learning more and joining me on my journey of exploration into this realm of study, join my upcoming classes.

Send an email to contact@mikestarwbridge.com to learn more about how to join my classes. Classes will be held in Cleveland, TN. If people from other areas are interested in participating, I will arrange for the classes to be recorded or look for ways for you to participate via telephone. Just let me know your preferences in a short email.

Replacing the Harmonic Balancer on a Jeep Cherokee

To change: Remove the belt. Consider removing the front bumper as you will be working through the access hole behind the front bumper.

Auto Zone has both the removal and installation tools in their loan a tool program. Often they won’t know about the installer tool but they have it if you insist.

Run a screwdriver through one of the slots in the balancer and use that to hold it while removing the bolt.

Attach the puller and use to remove the balancer.

Pay attention to the key in the crank.

Install a new seal while you are here.

If possible, heat the new damper slightly. Don’t use a torch just a hot air gun. carefully align the key with the slot in the pulley and press the damper in place. Make absolutely sure the key is lined up. If not it will be pressed out the back damaging the front cover. Ask me how I know.

Assemble the installation tool and use the 1/2 20 adapter for the crank threads. Do not attempt to use the regular bolt to press the damper on. You will damage the crank snout.

Press the damper in place using the installation tool. remove the toll and replace the bolt. Again us a screwdriver to hold the damper while you torque the bolt to specs.

Jeep XJ Brakes

Saturday I was helping Scott change wheels and tires on his XJ Wagoneer.

While it was on the lift, he decided to take a look at his brakes. He found his front pads worn nearly to the backing plate. We searched the barn for a set of pads that I know I have. I had a set of pads that I carried around when we rally raced my Jeep Cherokee. Since his Jeep uses the same pads as mine I was sure we had spares. After a thorough search turned up no pads for an 88 XJ, he used my Jeep to go to the parts store.

While he was gone, I took was going to tighten up his rear drum brakes. As I turned the adjuster, I noticed that it did into click like it is supposed to. I loosened them back up and took the drum off. I found that the cable to works the adjuster was broken.

I dug through my spare parts and found a complete brake setup. When Scott returned, we pulled the cable out and replaced his with it.
We decided to check the other side and found that the cable was intact but simply not attached to the adjuster. After hooking it back up that side adjusted fine also.

We then proceeded to replace the pads on the front. The wear pattern on the pads showed that the calipers were binding on the locater pins. We pulled the pins out and greased them thoroughly. We found the Teflon sleeves to be worn but not really worth an hour’s drive back to the parts store for new ones.

We cleaned it all up and made sure the calipers moved properly. We cleaned and lubricated all the sliding surfaces to make sure the brakes would work properly.

One all the brake work was done we continued with mounting the tires that had started this adventure.

After a quick test drive Scott decided that he may not need to modify his brake booster after all. He can now stop as well as go.

Jeep Repairs

This weekend I helped Jenny change the transmission mount on her XJ. While we had the cross member out we decided to remove the transfer case lowering blocks. This drop was put in to match the tapered lift blocks that came with her lift kit.

We removed the spacers and replaced the tapered blocks with flat blocks.

A test drive showed that the drive shaft vibes were back. I guess the drop is necessary for the 92. I have the same lift on my 88 with no transfer case drop and no drive line vibes.

We spent Sunday afternoon putting the transfer case spacers back in and replacing the flat blocks with the tapered blocks.

The drive line is now smooth again.

My Dog Smash

My dog Smash is funny dog.  Sometimes he wants to have lots of petting and attention and other times he is aloof and independent. 

For the past few nights he has wanted to come in the house for a while and get petted.  Then he will go back  outside to sleep.  It has been very cold, but he still prefers to sleep outside.

He does expect me to walk with him to the creek each morning.  It does not matter if it is cold or raining or whatever, when I walk out the door, he runs toward the creek.  If I don’t follow, he turns around and pouts.

Lately, since it has been so cold, I have begin cranking my Jeep first and letting it warm up while we walk to the creek.  This confuses Smash.

When I go to the Jeep, he gets that sad look and then when I turn around to go to the creek, he hesitates a moment as if questioning whether I am serious or not.

For more stories about Smash see his Dog Behavior Blog.