Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Samsung HM1100

Samsung HM1100 by shainelee
Samsung HM1100, a photo by shainelee on Flickr.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Struggle Between Productivity and Being

There is a certain mindset that comes with being productive. You are focused. You are in the zone. This is a different experience than just being. The two are in constant flux throughout the day.

We somewhat worship productivity. There is good reason for this. At the end of the day, you can look back and see the trail of everything you have accomplished. For some of us, there is a physical manifestation of our work; for some of us it could be a checklist of things.

The down side of productivity is that it requires discipline. You must harden yourself against the extraneous distractions the day throws your way. Stopping to smell the roses is all you need to throw you off your groove.

And, so productivity can preclude any opportunity to simply be, to exist. While you can live very well without smelling roses, along with that are other pleasant experiences, such as spending time with your loved ones and truly being present in mind, not just body.

The productivity mindset can cause you to be physically present, but mentally distant. Spending time with those for whom you strive becomes another item on the list.

But this is not all one-sided. We need to be productive. We need to create, to accomplish. We need to express what we are meant to do with our lives through our work. It is what gives us satisfaction and meaning.

Yet, we must be careful to keep that drive in check. Not everything in our lives must be controlled. Not everything can be controlled. Some things can only be enjoyed as they are. Some things we can only enjoy simply by being, rather than doing.

We must learn to be able to switch between both mindsets and be aware of the choice. Be deliberate in when we drive and when we simply are.

Friday, March 08, 2013

What Are You Willing to Give For Your iPhone?

You can find stories on the Internet about people who have sold their kidney for an iPhone or an iPad. To you and me that seems a little bit crazy. I can visualize you shaking your head in disapproval at the folly of giving up body parts for a mobile device.

Just stop for a moment and think. The idea of selling body parts for an iPhone is not unique to young people abroad. Many of you are already giving an arm and a leg in payments to your mobile service providers for the honor of having an iPhone with full Internet access.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Together, we can stop this madness.

Let me introduce you to Solavei, which provides Unlimited Voice, Text, and Data for only $49/month. Don’t be one of the millions of Americans losing their ass to pay for iPhone service to the major carriers.

Bring your unlocked iPhone to Solavei to start on the road to recovery. We can make your life whole again.

Friday, March 01, 2013

Solavei: Winner of the Prepaid Mobile Market in 2013


I've written a few posts in the past where I review prepaid mobile services. Over the years, the top contenders have been Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile. Recently, T-Mobile has stepped up their game in the prepaid market. It is only slightly surprising, therefore, that an MVNO using the T-Mobile network, Solavei, is now the best value in the prepaid market.

Before going further, let me just clarify that Solavei does not position itself as a prepaid mobile service. However, given that you pay for service in advance, have no contract, and do not have subsidized handsets...you know what they say about looking and quacking like a duck.

But, that's where the similarities end.

If you have an unlocked GSM phone at your disposal, Solavei does not sell handsets, then you can subscribe for unlimited talk, text, and data for only $49/month. At the outset, you do have to buy a SIM card for $10, making your startup cost, sans the handset, around $68 or so.

Boost offers unlimited service for $50/month. Cricket offers a similar plan. So, you could say that Solavei offers a competitive rate plan.

However, where Solavei distinguishes itself is that they offer residual incentives for subscribers.

What does that mean?

Well, suppose you refer Mom to Solavei and sign her up. And you do the same for a couple of acquaintances. After subscribing 3 people, you get $20 off your rate plan. So, for every trio, you get $20 off your bill.

It doesn't stop there. After 9 referred subscribers, you get free mobile service. Yes, FREE.

Even better than that, if you refer more subscribers, you get paid every month, $20 per trio. On top of that there are bonuses and such. Let's forget all that for the moment.

Can you see how Solavei changes the game? On top of offering a path to savings, they offer a way to earn income from your prepaid mobile service.

In terms of value, I have vacillated back and forth between Virgin and Boost. Today, Solavei come out ahead of the pack. I subscribed and am looking forward to switching people over. I never thought I'd be so excited over prepaid mobile service. Check them out at http://www.solavei.com/shaine.