Has everyone paid their mortgage on time? I certainly didn't and it cost me! Who knew having a house, or in my case, a plot of land, could be such a responsibility? I barely had enough money to begin with!

But it's certainly worth it. Just thinking of all the possibilities and fun things you can do with a house is awesome. I'm still in the planning phase for what I want my house to look like. By the end of this month, my goal is finish my cabin retreat in Olympic Valley so I can decorate it to my heart's content and start hosting fun parties! I hope I can make everyone proud by building something nice that everyone can enjoy. I've said it once and I'll say it again, mi casa es su casa. LOL!

Also, to alleviate some of my money woes, I've decided to get a job. You're now looking at a brand new Island Stylist! So if you need some fashion and styling help, look no further, because CousinVinny is here to save the day. Just to let you know, my special talent is finding the perfect outfit for any budget and occasion. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or your styling consultation is free! How's that for service?

And what about y'all? What job did you choose for a little more cash each month? Comment back and share! I'm sure everyone else is interested in knowing too.

Well, I'm off...see ya in world!

     

Have you seen all the new building that's happening in Olympic Valley? The neighborhood is just booming with new stuff!

With the help of PollyPocket, RandyLH has been working hard on his log cabin retreat. Inside you'll find all the cozy comforts you'd expect from a nice, warm cabin — and just yesterday he installed a hot tub! The neat thing about his place is the big barn with windmills and all he's built right next to his cabin! Who would've thought...check it out!

Annaliese, on the other hand, went with a more contemporary motif. Her place has all sorts of luxuries — huge bay windows, high ceilings and an indoor pool. Word has it that Matt built it and Angelfaith, Annaliese's roommate, just moved in. Hmm...do I see a house-warming party in the future? I sure hope so, because I'm always down for a kickin' party!

 

Annagirl's in the middle of her own construction, and from the looks of it, she may include her very own bobsled team! How awesome is that? I can't wait to see it when it's finished. Also, be sure to swing by and check out the new skating rink at 14S 22W, which I heard was built by Lostpoet. Don't be surprised if you find me there practicing my figure eights!

Last but not least, a small update from my cuz Cassie! She's having a great time and got to ride on the Shinkansen , or Japanese bullet train. Cassie also got to visit the biggest temple in Japan  and Nijo-jo , otherwise known as Kyoto castle. If anyone has any messages for Cassie, let me know and I'll pass them along the next time I talk to her.

See ya in-world!

 

 

     

I'm not sure if anyone has fallen into the credit card trap yet, but I sure did this past weekend! I was so excited after I passed my credit card test that I went on a $1000 shopping spree. After all, I gotta look good if I'm going to be filling in for my cuz Cassie while she's away on her vacay.

Anyways, before I even realized it, I was $1000 shells in the hole and couldn't afford the $5000 down payment  for a mortgage to get a plot in Olympic Valley!

Luckily, a friendly islander took pity on me and gave me just enough so I could get back on track. And I learned the valuable lesson that you really should only buy what you can afford to pay off. I'm just relieved I didn't have to go through it in real life, or I'd be in some big money troubles. I guess looking good in really nice threads doesn't make the bills go away!

On another note, I heard back from Cassie and she's touring around Japan as we speak. A funny thing happened to her when she arrived in Japan: Her friends went to the wrong airport to pick her up and she was stranded for about 3 hours before she finally got picked up! But all is well now, and so far, Cassie has been to Osaka  and Kyoto . Her next stop is anyone's guess. She says that she misses everyone and wishes we all could be there to enjoy the sites and sounds of Japan.

Well, more updates to come about Cassie's trip and life on the island. There have been some great things happening in Olympic Valley, so I know I'll have a ton to write about. Send me a telegram if you have news to share with the community.

See ya in world!

     

Since this is my first official post while my cousin Cassie is away on her vacation, I just wanted to thank all you islanders for such a warm welcome! I've met so many people this past week, and it's just great to see all the wonderful things that are happening in-world. It’s so cool to see that everyone is always willing to lend me a helping hand. After all, it's no secret I’m still a little bit wet behind the ears — if you know what I mean.

On another note, I've taken all my Stagecoach Island Virtual Banking tests and passed with flying colors! I went ahead and got myself a plot of land in Olympic Valley at 9N 65W. I started building, but don't laugh because it's not much of anything yet. Hopefully, with some help, I'll have a spectacular house with a view before long. So keep an eye out for an invite to my house warming when I'm done. It'll be like they say: mi casa, su casa!

If I haven't met you yet, come look for me in-world and say hi! Don't be shy because everyone knows I'm not!   See you soon!

     

When I found out the SI$ was changing to shells, I thought, "Sweet! I like shells." I used to collect shells way back in the day until my brother found my shell collection and decided it would be funny to crush them with his hammer just to make me cry.

Funny, that is, until he found that I had dumped all the shell scrapple into the gas tank of his new motorbike.

But enough about scrapple. What I like best about the new SI economy is that it's different from the real world. I'm really interested in money (that's why they call me "gmoney") and how other economies function with their unique currency. For instance, in Europe there's the Euro , in Mexico they have the Peso , in Japan it's the Yen  — and on Stagecoach Island, we rock the shell!

If you buy a hamburger  at your local burger joint for a US dollar, that same hold-the-pickles hamburger would cost 3.06 Euro, 29 Pesos, and 280 Yen. Wow — I find that fascinating! And the extra cool thing about this is that tomorrow the hamburger could cost 30 Pesos...it's always changing!

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the shell economy and new changes coming to SI. Find me in-world and maybe I'll buy you a burger (no pickles, of course).