I trade Foreign Currency in the early morning and I follow the US dollar pairs. 

That said, just to start the thread off, I thought I'd provide some general feedback...My observation has been that drywall costs -- labor and materials -- are tremendously consistent around much of the country (unlike a lot of trades). 

One stickler is your business and trade has to be more than half of your income.

Projects which build homes from the ground up are a magnificent co op effort from the trades, stores, media and the actual community.  

. -- Don’t just be a “jack-of-all-trades" 3.

The bank "fixing" their mistakes has "positive" consequences for you.

A) A tradesmen with expert knowledge in different aspects of trade work (plumbing, electrical HVAC)B) Accountant Please explain.

I spent 5 years there with the Australian Trade Commission back in 70's.Because of the bad weather, pigeons & the ongoing IRA fireworks, we found it cheaper/safer to leave for 3 day weekends (flextime was great) for various Med destinations.

I traded my new car for a down payment on a house.

Even if you strip out all the soft benefits, it's obvious that if you can trade something ( like your time), for something of much greater value (community goodwill, great PR, marketing photos, etc.) its a beneficial transaction!