Investment can be defined in a few ways. In medical terminology it refers to the envelope that literally in-vests or surrounds an organism. In accounting, financial or economic terminology, an investment refers to the outlay of capital for a profit. The money that is used to start or maintain a business is a capital investment. In classical economics, capital is one of three factors of production, capital, land, and labor.

Products that are convenient, enjoyable, and desirable, may be something you want to invest in, that is purchase stock in the company that produces them, and in medical terminology, surround yourself in the benefits of the product. Often we hear salespeople say that the purchase of an item is an investment, this makes warning bells sound in my head, as they often misrepresent the financial aspect of the purchase. A product wrapped up in a high price may be enjoyable but with no financial gain. Beware of salespeople who use the term investment to allure you to a sense of well-being both in medical and financial terms. When they are quick to take your credit card or offer financing, it is likely that the transaction will be listed as a liability on your financial statement. Will the long term wrapper primarily in-vest you in debt? Before we make an investment in anything, we need to be clear on what it produces for us, will it produce more than it costs? Or is the purchase simply for pleasure? Pleasure can be good, but lets be clear, it is a pleasure purchase and not likely an investment.

AirBnB is one way people who need a place to stay can connect to people who enjoy hosting them. It is an amazingly successful guest and host connection platform.

My wife and I have been hosts and have had a wonderful experience having guests from all around the world stay with us. 

This week, after a 10 month debate, the Hurricane City Council approved an ordinance that allows "Residential Hosting" as a permitted land use in many single-family residential areas of Hurricane City where it was previously band. 

On one hand this is strange, due to the fact that we host so many people in our homes with no local government involvement, like foreign exchange students, friends, foster children, or extended family.  On the other hand local government has a responsibility to help foster our communities health safety and welfare. The popularity, newness, and scale of this type of residential activity has many city and town governments at a loss and they often ban or restricted the activity due to fear, lack of understanding or land use regulation that has no place currently designed for this seemingly new activity. 
Largely Residential Hosting has been a zoning issue, zoning which for the last 60 years has developed neighborhoods and street patterns that have both unintentionally and intentionally isolated us from each other and community.  

Enough of my description, It is time to celebrate! AirBnB is now permitted by license in more areas of the City of Hurricane.  If you think you may like to host people in your home and have questions about where it is allowed, insurance, taxes, financial risk, the potential for additional income, or financial benefits and the experience, I can help and hope you will share your experience and concerns with me.   

I have seen many of my friends, family and acquaintances who have decided to stop ignoring some facet of their life and take control of it. Change can be hard, it takes us out of our comfort zone, which may not actually be very healthy or comfortable, to find greater fulfillment, health and success. If you have ignored something concerning your health, now is the time to change. The affordable care act made health care accessible to any with pre-existing conditions, and affordable to some. HealthTap has made doctor consultation affordable to all, and can place a doctor on your no co-pay, no deductible, speed dial. If you find the annual account cost to be still out of reach, share your story with us, we can find a way to connect you if you act soon. Give your worries away this year, take control.