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Your Survival Guy Breaks Down Boxes, Do You?

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By Ilja @ Adobe Stock

Your Survival Guy’s family does its best to live a green life. We recycle. But apparently, when it comes to breaking down cardboard boxes, that’s a one-man job—mine.

I don’t remember signing up for this job. The boxes just pile up in the foyer. Then, when I trip over one and ask if “I” can take them out to the garage, I’m answered as if it is “my” job: “No leave that I need to return it.”

Then there’s the humiliation of the blue recycling bin. Yes, I know how to recycle. But that doesn’t stop the city from slapping a “how to recycle” sticker on my blue bin. It’s embarrassing. And it’s seen by the entire neighborhood. You wouldn’t believe my relief when the garbage truck drives away without hauling me off with it.

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Now, not to talk out of school, but there’s two kinds of people in my house. Those who don’t break down boxes and those who don’t really break down boxes. Both types hope it doesn’t get too full. You and I know hope is not a strategy.

Breaking down boxes or “Hey, let’s see if I can try not to slip while holding a box cutter” isn’t for everyone. At my house, it’s just for me.

Action Line: Ahhh, families. It’s doing what others won’t that keeps them together. I’m here when you want to talk about your family.

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E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy

E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zildjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West (RIP JB) and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com To sign up for my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter, click here.
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