All posts by Nathan Ruffing

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The Big Five

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I recently heard these five companies referred to as “The Big Five.” You have heard of each of these companies. You have done business with at least one of them (or you are in a coma of course).

If you are a person who considers single entities that are too powerful to be a threat, then these collectors of our information would be a threat. How do they compare in size to the US government?

Apple

$220.46 billion = annual revenue

Amazon

$142.57 billion = annual revenue

Google (Alphabet, Inc.)

$94.76 billion = annual revenue

Microsoft

$87.25 billion = annual revenue

Facebook

$30.29 billion = annual revenue

US Government

$3,200 billion = annual tax revenue

Comparison

The total revenue of the five companies combined equals just under 18% of the US government’s tax revenue. Apple’s revenue by itself is 6.9% of the US government’s revenue. They have not passed the government, but they are starting to be in the ballpark.

What They Know, Snapshot

Apple and Microsoft’s operating systems account for most of our computers. Google controls our internet searches, and Android, and YouTube, and many of our e-mails. Amazon knows what we buy. Facebook knows the rest.

What They Don’t Control

ICANN

Others

All, Real Estate

Upcoming Open Houses

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Delaware County Open Houses Upcoming

Franklin County Open Houses Upcoming

Columbus Near East and German Village Open Houses

Dublin Open Houses Upcoming

Grove City Open Houses Upcoming

Lewis Center Open Houses Upcoming

Powell Open Houses Upcoming

Open Houses MLS All

I have been asked how to filter by date of the open house. There doesn’t appear to be a way to do that. Currently you have to click on the listing to see the date. I put in a request to the site operator to include the open house date in the gallery view.

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Ecclesiastes

I recently spent about 3 hours contributing my opinion to a political site. I have always been politically opinionated. However, now when I participate in such an activity, in the end I think of the book of Ecclesiastes in The Bible, especially chapter 1, verses 1-11.

Read it.

We can “solve the world’s problems” 1,000 times within our lives, but we might as well enjoy the experience, because our life is short and the next generation will solve the same problems 1,000 times over again.

In other words, if you’re going to “solve the world’s problems,” do so over a beer with people you like. I like the guys on the site and I think we’ll have beers one day, maybe in some cool places, so I didn’t do so badly today.

All, Real Estate

What is East PACT Columbus?

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PACT stands for Partners Achieving Community Transformation. Columbus East PACT affects the target area on the map below.

Columbus East PACT affects the Near East Side of Columbus.

More information from the following links to Columbus East PACT’s website:

PACT Blueprint for Community Investment

PACT Home Ownership Incentive Program (for OSU Faculty and Staff)

PACT East Side Buckeye Initiative

PACT Health Sciences Academies

All, Real Estate

Furniture Consignment Shops, Let’s Pop Some Tags, Columbus!

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Consignment shops are a great place to buy and sell used furniture. Here’s how they work: somebody has a piece of furniture they want to sell, they bring it to the consignment shop and agree to allow it to be sold there for a commission to the consignment shop. The furniture sits on display at the shop until it sells and then the shop sends a check to the seller minus the commission. As time goes by and the furniture doesn’t sell, the shop lowers the price until it sells. This is usually done on an agreed-upon schedule.

It’s kind of like a full-time garage sale, or Craigslist with physical building.

So where should you go to “pop some tags” on furniture in Columbus? I have to defer to my mom on this one. My mom the expert says that the best consignment shops are:

Consignment Shops

  1. Grandview Mercantile Company in Grandview (no longer Short North)
  2. Experienced Possessions in Shawnee Hills
  3. Trading Places in Dublin
  4. One More Time, Etc. on 5th Ave. in Columbus

Government Surplus

During the pandemic OSU started selling through this site, and many other government entities dump valuable stuff here especially office furniture:

https://www.govdeals.com/

OSU Surplus

Of note also, Ohio State releases their surplus furniture once per month, click here for more info. There are some massive deals here and they also sell electronics.

The Goodwill

The Goodwill. You may not choose to buy a couch here, but you cannot rule out the Goodwill. I bought a floor lamp at the Goodwill yesterday and if I told you I paid $100, you’d believe me. Stainless steel, all three switches work, and I saved enough to put LED bulbs in it. Don’t feel bad either. Pay cash. You are creating jobs, and also helping people get rid of their old stuff. Win-win. Don’t believe me? Believe Wikipedia.

General Re-Use Stores

New Uses in Columbus is like Craigslist in person, or like an on-going garage sale with quality items. I highly recommend them. There are currently three locations near Columbus.

  • New Uses, Sawmill Rd. and three other locations.

More Consignment Shops

Craigslist, Etc.

I love craigslist and now offerup is similar.

How to Sell
  1. Take several pictures of each piece of furniture.
  2. Put all in one folder, and reduce the pictures to <1MB each.
  3. Write a short description with everything you know including manufacturer, age, original purchase price, condition.
  4. Each consignment shop’s site has a submission form or e-mail. They respond within a few days with a recommended price.
  5. They take a commission, usually 50%. With most you have to deliver the furniture, but some do pick-up.