Quality of Life

10 Billionaire School Dropouts

Billionaire
August 27, 2009
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by Roberta Murphy Most of us grew up believing that education and earning power were irrevocably shackled to each other, and where one went, the other inevitably followed. These days, we’re not so sure. Especially with the number of billionaire dropouts. Below, a partial list of billionaires who dropped out of school and went on to become outrageous successes in the technology, entertainment and fashion fields. 1.  Sir Richard Branson dropped out…

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Luxury Hotels and Timeshares Struggling?

by Roberta Murphy We are seeing luxury scaled down on many fronts, and luxury hotels and timeshare resorts are taking it on the chin as well. For the first five months of this year, according the the Wall Street Journal, U.S. hotel occupancy has declined 53 percent. This is the lowest drop in occupancy since 1987, when Smith Travel Research began tracking these numbers. While both luxury and budget hotels…

June 25, 2009
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No Luxury in Loss

In the blogging world, an absence of six weeks is almost unforgivable. But had I draped a black cloth over it on April 24, 2009 you might have understood. That’s the day my Dad and best friend, Bob Michelson, died in Encinitas, CA after a lengthy illness. It’s really tough to become an orphan when the last parent exits–especially if the relationship has been a close one. I shared this…

June 9, 2009
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Top 10 Things to Buy Before Economy Recovers

by Roberta Murphy According to Forbes.com, now may be the best time to make some of those major purchases wise shoppers have been putting off for so long, particularly if one has the luxury of capital.  The Forbes list: 1. Homes. Low prices fueled by foreclosures and short sales, coupled with low interest rates and possible income tax credits, make this an opportune time to shop real estate. 2. Cars….

April 22, 2009
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10 Money Saving Tips–for even the Gucci Wallet

March 30, 2009
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by Roberta Murphy Magic must be in the air. Even our middle son Eric — who has never, ever cottoned to bagged lunches — packed one the other day and probably saved at least $5. This college student works part time, but last week discovered the agony of having to pay $1,800 or so for a new bumper and rear quarter panel that met a brick wall when he was…

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Sometimes a Dog’s Best Friend–is Another Dog

by Roberta Murphy This video really has nothing to do with luxury, luxury homes or anything of the sort. But, it has a lot to do with a big, big heart, quick action and enormous courage–and the compelling story of how one dog bravely saves the life of another. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qSakxWt54[/youtube]

February 13, 2009
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Bailout for the Wealthy?

by Roberta Murphy I am still chuckling over the wit and common sense of Wanda Sykes as she rants at Jay Leno over a Government bailout plan that has most eyebrows raised: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXznKV7rw7k[/youtube]

February 1, 2009
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The Luxury of the Zolo Torrontes

Zolo Torrontes
September 7, 2008
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by Eve Sieminski As summer hurls to a close, I had to review one of the best white wines I have ever sipped. I stumbled upon the Zolo Torrontes one day at our local Costco. What caught my eye was the markdown. The week prior this wine was $8.99 a bottle–and now was only $4.97! Even at that price I was skeptical, because I am not a fan of South…

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Trash Journalism: US Weekly

by Roberta Murphy Luxury Home Digest is neutral politically and generally focuses on luxury homes and real estate issues. But with a journalism background, there are several things I abhor–including mean-spirited personal attacks, hackers, shoddy reporting, and abuse of publishing power. Not that we expect great things from grocery store rags like US Weekly, National Enquirer and Star Magazines, but I think we expect more from the glossy mags than the cheapie newsrags. …

September 4, 2008
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A Radical Proposition for Real Estate and Gas Prices

deadwood gas prices
June 8, 2008
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by Roberta Murphy I really want to talk about the effect gas prices will have on real estate, but first wish to tell a little story: My grandgather, Adolph Michelson emigrated at the age of 7 with his family from Norway to Deadwood, South Dakota. It required a long, hard journey by steamship. train and wagon to arrive at their eventual home in the steep hills above Deadwood. It was…

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