Making Home Affordable - Home

Making Home Affordable - Home

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Calculate Your Net Worth

·                             Get a clear understanding of your financial status; calculate your net worth by adding up your cash       assets, property, and personal belongings, and then subtract your debt, including home mortgage and credit cards. You’ll have an instant idea of your net worth. One general paradigm to use as a guide: a healthy net worth equals your age times 10 percent of your pretax income. What a wake-up call, eh?

·                             Manage and track your spending. You’ll soon see where you over-indulge.

·                             Start a savings account, and save as much as you can. You’ll need it, trust me.

·                             Reduce credit card spending. Duh.

·                             Ask for a raise. Duh.  

·                             Be reasonable with yourself; if you can only save a little, then save a little. Remember the old adage that “if you put a little on a little, soon you will have a lot.” 

·                             Protect yourself: maintain a marketable skill. Continue to learn – even when you must duck out of the job market periodically to have children, or attend to other family responsibilities, you want to be able to jump back in when you’re ready.

·                             Retain a financial advisor.

·                             Adhere to the basics of financial planning: spend less, save and invest more, and follow a plan.

·                             If you’re married, know what your personal financial liabilities are. If your husband or partner declares bankruptcy, you could be forced to claim bankruptcy too. What then?

·                             Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage.

·                             Help yourself. Take some responsibility for your own future. Open a retirement account, like a 401(k), or IRA, and invest as much as you can in it.

·                             Be honest and open about your feelings and expectations regarding financial arrangements.

·                             Communicate. Work out a harmonious budget that brings into balance all the contributions both of you make to your life together.

Foreclosure to a Renter

After my foreclosure of my property...becoming a renter again was inevitable.  The experiences that were encountered are as follows.

• no heat
• lack sufficient hot water
• faulty electrical
• rodents
• leaky roof
• walking into home
  
  

Reading the codes.ohio.gov.orc/5321
After much researching their really isn't any information on landlords.  Why???

Neglect is camouflage by many reasons;

• health
• financial
• other

Keeping notes, photos, etc...
consult an Attorney

Change Up Goals

Every year I try to make a list of things I want to accomplish.  This is the first year I will make a list of things I want.  Most recently listening to a LiveOutLoud tape on Ustream I found a new twist on things; pay bills off, marketing to a niche, figure what my net worth is, etc...

#30 Things I want this year (overlay #8 areas' of life)

1. Health
2. Friends & Fun
3. Family
4. Relationship
5. Physical improvement (environment; clean desk, files, clutter)
6. Money
7. Business/Personal development
8. Spiritual growth

If you had goals last year and you never accomplished one of them just change up goals.  eg.  loose weight - do 15 jumping jacks a day.  Then it's a new goal/want.  Try this on your own and don't take all day doing it. In the next 2 hours get it done and post me a note that you made a list.  

You will always get the same result if you do the same thing.  So, change up goals and succeed.

1. workout on scheduled
2. loose 20 lbs
3. bring fat count down 18%
4. workout on pole 20 min everyday 
5. foods that fuel, portions smaller ; Shakeology
6. connect w/ people online & off
7. put cost of my services
8. really listen w/ empathy
9. family-life lessons & money magnet
10. Ask God for; discretion is: discernment & balance between knowledge-common sense, insight-discernment
11. Clean clutter; desk, organize, & downsize
12. Save $20 put in envelope
13. Downsize bills; house hold
14. Sell patients
15. get back into Investor RE
16. Workshop host
17. Go Disney World
18. Zip-line &Beach
19. Science Centre
20. Cedar Point
21. Rock & Roll hall of fame/ Regee concert
22. Study religious health book
23. read bible every day
24. Sell, sell, sell everyday
25. blogs; write & renew old topic every Monday #3
26. continue to follow Wally B. and read more of his book list
27. Put self first
28. Negotiate everything till win, win situation is achieved
29. document & work Supervisory skills and work on them daily
30. resist pride and sexual immorality. Date men, find a suitable mate.

First Day on the Job

The first day at a new job is critical for making the right impression. After all, no office needs another toxic co-worker: the know-it-all, the gossip hound, the death breath guy and the "hey, look at my underwear" lady. Instead, you want to ooze dependability, preparedness, politeness, good grooming and above all, normality.

1. Get Two Weeks of Restful Sleep Before You Start     You will look better too.  Your mom was right when she told you to get a good night's sleep before your first day of work. You want to be sharp, clear-eyed and preferably awake while you meet dozens of new people, process loads of critical information, choose your network password and figure out the quickest route to the restroom.But what mom didn't know was that one good night of sleep won't make up for three months (or more) of late nights and afternoon naps. You need to re-train your body to keep regular "working" hours. Experts say this requires two weeks of going to sleep at a reasonable time and waking up unreasonably early [source:Vogt]. Stick to this regimen, and soon your internal clock will jibe with the alarm clock -- give or take three smacks of the snooze button.    
2. Test Drive Route Beforehand    Never had to use this because I came I when I got there, but this works.   Whether you drive, bike, bus or walk to your new job, it's smart to test drive the route before that first important day [source: Huhman]. Google Maps doesn't have a "rush hour" button that will automatically double the time of your daily commute. Plus, traffic is a lousy excuse for being late, since the rest of the office had to battle the same gridlock but still managed to make it in before 9:37. If you take public transportation, have your train/bus arrival and departure times, as well as any transfers you need to make, down pat well before your first day. Do you have to drive to the train or bus station? Master that route as well. Have a back-up plan handy, just in case.
3. Brown Bag it    The good lunch at the desk thing.  Every office has its own lunch culture. Only a lucky few cubicle slaves still get a leisurely lunch hour. The more common lunch ritual is of the e-mailing-with-one-hand-while-jamming-a-tuna-salad-sandwich-down-your-throat-with-the-other variety. If you're unsure of the lunch scene at the new job, better to brown bag it than get stuck with a vending machine lunch of peanut butter crackers and Mountain Dew. You may end up having lunch with the boss on your first day, but that's no guarantee -- and you may end your first day at work hungry.
   Either way, start your day with a hearty breakfast. You'll need more than your usual coffee and Cap'n Crunch to sustain you through hours of orientation and hand-shaking
4. Do your homework     An in depth look at the company.   A surefire way to impress your boss on the first day is to show up with a clear understanding of what the company does. Thanks to the Internet, this is a cinch. Read your company's Web site, its clients' Web sites and any recent news articles about them [source: Vogt]. You can even set up an e-mail alert through Google News to notify you when stories hit the press about your employer or your industry in general [source: Weiss]. You don't have to spout out all this info at will, but it will keep you from saying something stupid in front of the higher-ups
5. Hit the mall    Personally I have always gone for the fine material yet simple & professional.  Even at the most dressed-down workplaces, there is a line between office casual and college bum. It's time to put away your ironic T-shirts, hoodies and flip-flops and invest in some clothes that say, "I'm not the pizza guy."
   Every office has its own definition of appropriate dress. Pay attention to what other people are wearing when you go in for an interview. If you don't remember, you can call the human resources representative at your company and get his or her opinion. You certainly don't want to appear too casual, but you can overdo it the other way as well. You don't want to hear, "Hey, who's the guy in the tux?"
6. Take notes  Great time saver why people don't do this is beyond me.  The first day is a whirlwind of introductions and meetings. You'll meet four different people named Dan, receive a phonebook-sized packet of information about your healthcare plan and be walked through the simple 30-step process for clearing a paper jam in the copy machine.Take notes; you'll thank yourself later.  
7. Don't Be Yourself....Yet    Being the new guy can be easier if you read the book at the bottom of the page. The key word for your first day at work is restraint. If you're a naturally bubbly hyper-energetic type, tone it down a notch [source: Grobart]. You don't want to scare people. Likewise, if your default gear is low and slow, have an extra cup of coffee and practice your best fake smile
8. If You Don't Know...Ask       If your boss puts you on a task, try to get all of the details straight during that first meeting. You won't look stupid -- just attentive and thorough. If you're in the middle of the assignment and something still doesn't make sense, pop your head in the office and clear it up. Again, you look sincere, not slow. If you pop your head in every five minutes, though, you'll get annoying. Get it down as quickly as possible.Here's a question that's music to a manager's ears: "Can I help you with anything?"  Do more than what's asked of you make your self valuable.    
9. Shut up & Listen   Prevent hitting the glass ceiling. The best way to win people's trust is simply by listening to them [source: Vogt]. Show respect for their opinions and seek feedback on your ideas before presenting them as the new reality [source:CareerBuilder]. When in doubt, bring doughnuts.                   
10. Get On the Same Page     Learn about Others Personality and Character so that you know how each of your co-workers work.  What they expect without trial and error.  Read  Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types by David Keirsey, Marilyn Bates                                                            Here's what a professor of Purdue University is saying "Do you want to know yourself, and people around you including your rivals or enemies, then you must read it. You will see them as if without clothes, then you can deal with them very well for your merits. Know the person who sits in square table, so that you can deal with him very well. You will love this book. If you read without letting know them that you read it, and then you tell them, "Who you are, and what you want." They will be surprised and ask you, "How dare you know about me that much. I am wondering. blah blah... " 

Back Burner = Procrastination

When was the last time you turned to the things you put on the back burner? Well, it's about time to get those ( to do's) out in front. For the past few weeks I've been getting some important things back into the works of daily moving forward.

How about some earlier methods that you've out grown/used? Maybe using them again with the new knowledge you have obtained will change the out come. Rereading some of the books that got put on the shelf is a great place to start.
Problogger


Research methods that have become old or just forgotten. Bring some of them back to the front and see what you come with. I have recently gone back to some basic sites that I have stored useful information on and reread the news feeds. Found out how I have lacked and improved.

Focus back on a very narrow road of organized effort so, so much of that useless information just seems to clutter time, energy, and effort. Maybe you want to check how your positive energy is in your home, office, or self (spiritual).

Computer Maintence Time - Spring & Fall Cleaning

Staying up to date with the latest computer tools for cleaning can be trying and sometimes expensive. Like you I feel that I've bought the best for my computer and then to talk with others find out different, or still more information. The best way I've found in getting the rest of the story is to talk to someone who really knows and fixes computers, tablets, and phones that's up to government standards.

Let me share with you what I learned;
Malwarebytes.com is free and does a great job in cleaning your computer. It's quarantined infectious threats to my computer, cleaned it, and now it's now faster. It found 22 threats I'm impressed..see what it can do for yours.

Viper.com has a three year purchase period but is very inexpensive in addition to that it also takes up very little space. And that's a huge plus in my book. It's is also very fast running at cleaning your system it's the fastest I've seen. Try it you'll be amazed.

lspfix.com is a site for all your malware, virus ware shopping needs. I wasn't impressed with this.

tdsskiller.com by kaspersky is another top of my list for getting and removing codes off my computer that would be threatening. This removes all the entries and goes to such paths deep inside while it removes, it also takes and makes codes all zero's and then goes back and changes them to all one's and still goes back once more and makes them all zero's again.

HijackThis.com has a free tool as well as a few others to purchase. This is a another great tool that I was told about that does a super job in keeping your computer, tablet and phone clean.

NOTE: make sure you don't over protect your computer you could do more damage than good. One for every kind of threats and then alternate once in a while just to make extra sure your computer is running at it's best.

Simplifying your life by downsizing your possessions!

While moving to our new/century farm house I found myself downsizing. This was one way I didn't have to take so much to the new place. While unpacking I found that I could still down size on my wardrobe. I felt so much better after wards that it was a great lift off my shoulders. I still have so more down sizing to do but, here's a list of benefits I found on line;

There are many small ways to reduce costs in our every day lives, so to help do just that each week I post the money saving “Tip of the Week”.

“And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17

This week’s tip involves…simplifying your life by downsizing your possessions!

A Common Problem
A lot of people are experiencing a steadily increasing amount of stress & discontent related to unquenchable desires and/or a paycheck-to-paycheck type existence. Many of us have been following the ever-so-common path of college, career, & consumerism – like so many others – only to wind up with a big house, a bunch of debt, and a restless state of mind! Many times we end up feeling that our lives would be better if we could just get that raise at work!

As an alternative to dwelling on the absence of desired salary increases – over which we have no control – we’re better served to focus on reducing our possessions and lowering our expenses. It stands to reason that taking charge of what we can change and forgetting about what we cannot are necessary predicates to the increased financial well-being we seek.

Thinning out & streamlining your “stuff” is a great way to start taking charge of your own financial destiny, and will likely yield any or all of the following benefits:

Reduced clutter
Reduced stress
Reduces expenses
A smile on your face
A little extra money on the side
A jump start to your very own Debt Free Adventure!
When is the last time you took an inventory of the items in & around your home to decide whether or not you actually need, use, or even want them? Chances are, if you did take a home inventory, the amount of unnecessary stuff you have would blow your mind!

Normally an overabundance of useless possessions exists in direct correlation to an empty savings account & financial instability.

So What’s The Answer?
Go through every room of your home with a pen & pad of paper and ask yourself these questions:

Do you need it? Need…not want.
Do you use it? If you have not use the item with the last year or two, you can safely rid yourself of its burden.
Do you believe in it? Your belief system may have changed since you originally saddled yourself with it.
Does it do more harm than good? Making positive choices can be awesome turning points in our lives, be it financial, physical, or spiritual.
Do you even want it anymore? Past purchases made in haste often lose their luster after just a short while. This is a common reality and just one example of the empty promises of rampant consumerism.
Make sure you do not limit this philosophy to your possessions alone; you can also successfully apply these questions toward your habits & services used. You may decide to sell your DVD collection, quit a bad habit, cancel your TV service, install a rain barrel or may decide to do all four!

Remember that you do not need to do everything all at once. This exercise can be something you do over the course of one week, or something you do over the course of one year! My wife & have been actively taking inventory of our behaviors & belongings since the beginning of 2009, and intend to do so continually for the rest of our lives. Slowly but surely this practice of downsizing and simplifying our lives is yielding great results, both expected and unexpected. This weekend we found several items that we either never use, no longer enjoy, and/or no longer believe to be beneficial to our lives…so we’re selling them on eBay!

What about you??

Click here to see all our past DFA Tips of the Week.

DFA is passionately dedicated to helping others break the bondage of debt using biblical principles.

by Debt Free Adventure

Fat Belly Solutions

After finding out my son has high blood sugar I went looking for a better diet. While doing so, I learned that many foods that make high blood sugar also, make fat. My son has gained some pounds and is very hungry sometimes. While learning this I want to take a moment to share with you some tips. Here's what I use for an exercise and diet regime. Click Here!

Sugar = Enemy

• Juices
• Wheat breads, noodles
• Dressings
• Artificial sweeteners
• High fructose
• Corn syrup
• Hydrogenated oils
• Processed soy products – ex. Yogurt
These are bad for your liver too

CArbs

• Sprouted brain bread
• Rice
• Spelt
• Millet
• Quinoa
• Sweet potato
• ALL fruits & Veggies

FAT baD vs GOOD fat

BAD
• Hydro Oils
• Canola
• Margarine
• Substitute Butter
• Processed foods

Things you must eat to lose fat:
• Real butter
• Whole eggs
• Bacon
• Coconut oil
• Trail mix
• Olive Oil
• Avocados
• Real Nuts
• Steak

Click Here for Video

Most people do not eat right and are not getting enough of the right foods

Mentor

How often in a day do you take the time to mentor someone. Maybe your a mentor and don't even know it. What are some of the strongest influences in your life? As a child many choose their teachers, or a character which we know not. Did you know that 40% of our kids spend their time alone, unattended without a mentor. My point is where do you get most of your mentoring? Boss, Books, TV, or Olympic...thier are many sources for you to become a better mentor if your not one already.

In Greek mythology, Mentor (Greek: Μέντωρ / Méntōr; gen.: Μέντορος)
The first recorded modern usage of the term can be traced to a 1699 book entitled "Les Aventures de Telemaque", by the French writer François Fénelon[3] In the book the lead character is that of Mentor. This book was very popular during the 18th century and the modern application of the term can be traced to this publication.[3]

This is the source of the modern use of the word mentor: a trusted friend, counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person. Some professions have "mentoring programs" in which newcomers are paired with more experienced people, who advise them and serve as examples as they advance. Schools sometimes offer mentoring programs to new students, or students having difficulties.

Today mentors provide expertise to less experienced individuals to help them advance their careers, enhance their education, and build their networks. In many different arenas people have benefited from being part of a mentoring relationship, including:

Authors — H.P. Lovecraft mentored Robert Bloch, Clark Ashton Smith, and Robert E. Howard
Business people — Freddie Laker mentored Richard Branson
Politicians — Aristotle mentored Alexander the Great

Delegation of Authority

While reading this week I found a topic I feel should be elaborated on. Decision making skills and how do we guide leaders, or for that much mentor good leaders? So I decided to do some research on the topic.
1. Work to each person's strengths.
2. Avoid bad relationship assignments
3. Make sure the person you are tapping on the shoulder can handle their new assignments.
4. Avoid favoritism or singling out individuals
5. Delegate with care.

Differences between Authority and Responsibility
Authority Responsibility
a. It is the legal right of a person or a superior to command his subordinates.
b.It is the obligation of subordinate to perform the work assigned to him.
a. Authority is attached to the position of a superior in concern.
b. Responsibility arises out of superior-subordinate relationship in which subordinate agrees to carry out duty given to him.
a. Authority can be delegated by a superior to a subordinate
b. Responsibility cannot be shifted and is absolute
a. It flows from top to bottom.
b. It flows from bottom to top.



Why delegate authority?

It is impossible for a manager in a huge company to deal with everything. So, if you delegate authority, you break your work into several peaces hire people and let them manage instead of you. You are still responsible for your work but let others somehow help you. For example, you are a top manager and are responsible for several departments (marketing, R&D, HR, etc) you hire Marketing manager for example and you delegate authority.

Do you have the Type A Personality?

While filling out a profile like so, many sites require of us to do. I decided to ask some close friends; how would you describe me? like what type of person
smart, funny???? and what did you notice about me when you meet me? One told me that I was a Type A and intelligent. OK, I googled it and saw many errors in my life such as; impatient, workaholics, and Social Isolation.

Here's a fun 5 minute test to check yourself Click Here

Here's what it said about me;
You have many of the characteristics of a Type A Personality. Type A Personality is characterized by two main factors, Achievement Striving and Impatience-Irritability. Type A persons tend to measure their success in terms of how many or how much of everything they acquire. They are generally dissatisfied with the world, including themselves. They are quite rigid in thought and conduct and tend to distrust others. In addition, they experience difficulty expressing their emotions, are generally very critical of themselves and others, and are of increased vulnerability to the physical and emotional effects of stress. Persons displaying Type A behaviors do not know how and when to relax. They feel impatient with the pace of most events. They strive to do too much at once and others often get tense and feel threatened in their presence.

In short Type A has; Competitiveness and Strong Achievement-Orientation

Want to discover more? Click Here

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Have you started your spring cleaning? Gosh yea, I've helped out a friend wash her walls, clear clutter, and sweep. Then went to another friends and helped her go threw a closet and some boxes. And another friends to clean up clutter, boxes and pool table off. I've been slowly cleaning my house of clutter and throwing stuff out, cloths, toys, junk. Here's the topper I cleaned our back yard for when the ice was gone it will be pretty. First nice day, I'm letting the animals off chains and reading with them all day. Maybe I'll get a bag of grapes to feed them.


Your spring cleaning may never become effortless, but you can make the project more manageable -- and even enjoyable. This printable checklist offers an overview of everything you need to know -- including information on cleansers, stain removal, fabric care, and storage -- to zip through the process and arrive at a happy end.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Spring-Cleaning Checklist - Martha Stewart Home and Garden


I love having my home smell like the outdoors this way the experience walking into my home is like non other. I tried to replicate the experience that I enjoyed walking into a herbalist home where she sold many different items. Now that twittermoms and Mrsmeyers have joined together to help others in on having a cleaner, greener home. I can share with you some of the things I've been using in my home.

Also, here's my latest on green cleaning click here

Art of Command

Two things are most important in becoming a great leader; one is character the second is integrity. Why do most of our leaders fail to obtain these? While many believe that loyalty is based on ... the most fundamental is that one is honest at all times.

Making decisions is also being a good decision maker, this is better than no decision at all. If you don't make any decision it's like a person who will not share their wisdom with others. The type of person whom just stays quiet all the time. What a waste even a bad decision is a decision and everyone can gain from either gaining from the decsion or simply gaining not to do things in that manner.

I have found myself in a position of wanting to be a better person at giving commands and what it takes to become a person of such.

here's my list thus far;


Read on
Managers - Effective Management is a Learned Skill
From Ordinary to Extraordinary – Leaders at Work
Sample Performance Review Phrases
Good Leaders are Present and Approachable
Good managers know that in order to keep a strong dialogue happening with team members they need to be around and remain approachable. A leader that encourages honesty from staff ensures that they don't surprise them with overdue problems. An open door policy or at least regularly scheduled meetings with staff are critical elements of strong leadership techniques.

Good Leaders are Strong During Tough Times
When the going gets tough, good managers demonstrate strong leadership skills. Strong managers are supportive and fair when change happens; for example, during periods of downturn or crisis. Good leaders advocate for the needs of the team. Good leaders are assertive with difficult people including team members who are not pulling their weight.

Good Leaders Listen to Their Team
Good leaders ask their team members for ideas and feedback and act on the suggestions. Strong managers can disagree with team players and peers and are able to listen to and accept disagreement from others (including subordinates) by respecting different points of view.

Good Leaders Believe in Their Team
Good supervising managers delegate to staff based on knowledge of team member strengths. They aren’t threatened by team members that are stronger than them on certain aspects. Micro managers they are not; good managers know how to delegate without strings attached, share the power and empower staff to make decisions.

Good supervising managers understand that they have to be more than just experts in technical skills and be experts in managing people. Strong leaders are part visionary, performance manager, role model, parent, rock, counselor and cheerleader.



Read more at Suite101: How to Be a Good Supervising Manager: Leading a Team Effectively by Demonstrating Strong Leadership Skills http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-be-a-good-supervising-manager-a166481#ixzz1DOkWvXlU

My suggested reading is 19 Stars by Edgar F. Puryear Jr.

Disclosure; I am not affilated with the author nor do I recived any moneies for the organization listed above.

Count Your Blessings #2

We all have many blessings and sometimes need to slow down and just count them one by one. Just the other day I was saying "to learn to take the good with the bad". Yesterday seemed like everything was going to go wrong and I sat there waiting for the storm to pass. I was also blessed that day with enlightenment that I would have never imagined. I am truly blessed by God.

When we do things are not so heavy laden when others are there to share the good, the bad and the indifferent. Yesterday I also talked with my son about reaching out for help when things are not going so well. Describe what's wrong to someone and get the support you need to over come the bad things in life. We all have to learn coping skills so that we can bring back balance in our life.

I am blessed with the friends I have made on the social media sites. Also, for the information that they share to improve my posts. Blessing from above cover things from; the air I breath, each moment, to who I am, and what I have on this earth.


Here's the Rules

1. Make a comment and list the things your blessed with.
2. Leave your address to your post so that others may follow you.
3. Follow me in one of three ways to follow GCF, Networkedblogs, or blogger. (look in side bar further down on right.)
4. Follow me on Twitter.com/justinenupp
5. Or Follow me on Rjstnclrk@googlewave.com

10 tips for weaving the hottest runway trends

With the trends of cloths always on an ever changing pace I like to stay fresh and unto date with my looks. So with Twittermoms and Kenmore Elite blogging contest I have a chance to share with you 10 tips for weaving the hottest runway trends into your day-to-day looks.

1. Rule – Simple & unobtrusive as to seem unimportant. Simplicity of line, relived from plainness by richness of fabric and elegance of detail. Is my golden rule.
2. Poise and demur is a quality that many put into play. We make our sleeves as significant as we want. Our cloths are just that an expression of our moods, opinions, and daily lives through cloths.
3. Catalogs are a necessity to keeping up on new trends. With the Internet there’s just about everything from accessories, new designers, and great looks for the season. Get your dose of inspiration of creative and darning looks to pull off this season.
4. YouTube has great resources of how to’s for learning how to tie scarf’s to making a great jacket into a vest. Ripping some of the sleeves off and adding some long necklaces will not only change the look but, add comfort.
5. Shopping take in mind what you have at home and put together outfits before purchasing. I usually stack up a pile of wants’, likes, and great deals. I pick though them and then take the must have’s to the check out.
6. Wearing some cloths are just not comfortable but, look great on the hanger. Figure where it’s not fitting right and decide if you can alter it to fit more comfortably. If not, does it make as a great gift for someone else?
7. Sales many sales go on all year around you just have to have be at the right place at the right time. 80% off items is a great deal and usually are at the end of a season. Exclusive stores many times there will be no signs on items because their higher clientele stores. Ask sales representative you might be eligible for a credit card which would take off from sales price.
8. Washing instruction read the label many items will have washing instructions. Dry clean only…well with new washers and dryers many Kenmore’s machines have a cycle just for your dry cleaning articles. Otherwise wash and wear is easy to clean and ready to wear.


9. Accessories are the add touch to your trendy look. A change in this being shoes, necklace or handbag will greatly change the look of an outfit. Celebrate your felinity.
10. Old vs. New many times I can mix some old items of clothing with some new. Adding a new jacket updates my 50 yr old jeans. Bring in a new shoes and purse with great grandma’s old Coco Chanel dress and I’m ready for my 10 year school reunion.

I love keeping trendy with my hottest tips from Elle or Vogue. I use these ideas to create day to day looks for my life. Keeping a fresh new look with out breaking my budget helps me feel good. Goodwill, garages sales, and trading cloths will keep you creating fun, great looks that just make them call you a diva.

Enter the Kenmore Runway to Washer Sweepstakes
Grand prize includes a Kenmore washer and dryer, a year’s supply of Tide®, and a trip for two to NYC with seats at Thakoon’s show where you’ll meet the designer, and receive items from his collection.


More About Kenmore Washers and Dryers
Introducing the Kenmore Elite Top-Load High Efficiency Washer. With Smart Motion™ Technology, it custom-blends six different wash motions to ensure the right cleaning and care for your clothes. Even designer styles from Thakoon’s collections have been washed in this machine.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
With its nationwide network of Sears stores, including 848 full-line stores, Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading U.S. retailer of apparel, automotive and home products and services for families across the country. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through its Web sites, sears.com and landsend.com, a variety of specialty stores and catalogs.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Kenmore blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Blog Hop

Here's a great new tool I want to share with you. Many times while reading many blogs I found that just following and adding a link in the comments section is one way of generating traffic. With this linky tool you get a button to put on others blogs. How easy it that to get more traffic.

Just follow the instructions below and start building.

Be Smart About Your Health: Benefits Planning Made Simple

Health Benefits in 60 minutes or Less
This fall is Open Enrollment it's the opportunity to take a look at your spending for the up coming year. To live a frugal life one must get through the paper work of their health care provider. With Twittermoms and Aetna gives people the tools and “know-how” to save time and money while making the best health decisions during Open Enrollment and throughout the year.




Here's five things to do;
1. Prioritize - what are your families needs for future health care. The Health Benefits Priorities tool will direct you to a plan that meets your needs. Kids are every changing and so is our health care.
Have you thought about putting pre-tax dollars into a flexible spending account. FSA gives you money to spend on some health expenses and can save you money.
2. Calculate - take last years expenses and find an online service where all doctors visits and prescriptions can be seen as total expenses. Expert advice from the Financial Planning Association® on how to best manage health care spending. Could you change to online visits? Do you use generic prescription drugs?
3. Predict - What types of visits do you see forthcoming in the next year. Are you pregnant, what will it cost to deliver and then child care expenses. For respectable and credible information Aetna InteliHealth®
4. Compare - A Personal Health Record(PHR) stores health-related information in a password-protected online record. The at-a-glance record helps you play a more active role in your health care — and may even save you time and money. A Physicians network is where you can check online list of physicians who have a set negotiated services for a health care provider.
5. Power hour essentials -don’t put it off
• Save receipts. File FSA expenses right away!
• Use in-network resources like doctor finders and preferred drug lists.
• Use online tools like treatment cost estimators and personal health records.


Many providers are also going green and taking into the consideration that consumers are now looking for ways to save time and money. Over 70% of Americans are now looking at their health care where as making a healthy meal. Going to the dentist for a cleaning. Taking a yoga class was all they needed to do to boast their health care program.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Aetna blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Walls of Limitation Built Through Habit

Millions of people go through poverty and want because they have made destructive use of Habit. Not understanding the laws of habit and attraction through which "like attracts like," those who remain in poverty seldom realize that they are where they are as the result of their own acts.

Formation of Habit of Saving does not mean that you shall limit your earning capacity and you'll never earn more than that. It means the opposite - that it places you in greater means of opportunity, vision, and self-confidence. The imagination, the enthusiasm, the initiative and leadership actually to increase your earning capacity.

Understanding this great law of Definite Chief Aim you set up, in your mind to set up practical plans for attaining the object or purpose. Through the law of habit you keep this fixated in your mind.



You will actually demand prosperity.
14 ways to get back on track

Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence. Let’s face it together.

Domestic violence touches millions – more than seven out of 10 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim – but somehow it still remains a taboo subject.

The Allstate Foundation is asking everyone to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence so we can face the issue together during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month – and beyond.

Just the other day I was subjected to more abuse from my ex-husband. While we constantly are healing our; thoughts, emotions and breaking patterns so, we may get to being at peace with ourselves and to a better place in our lives.

While dating if I only knew all the warring signs that I now posses my decision would have been stronger, different and walking away sooner. What I learned on my own was that God gave divorce to women so, we don't have to be abused. Then I got my divorce. I have looked back at such a terrible man he was and ask myself how could I have brought such a person into my home? I ask my child to forgive me.

The impact on children is harsh because they are just so impressionable. With the knowledge I received I can know help us in getting the negative thoughts or poor opinions out of our life,Thank you for not letting the cycle happen again.

Having support from others is the utmost important, because most friends, family leave the victim not out of hatred but, suffering. Giving your friend, or family member time, education, and money is a gift. It not only helps saves life's but, the future of those around who also have the impact of the violence.

Pledge to Tell a Gal Pal and Help Raise Money to Support Domestic Violence Survivors
We also ask that you get involved by joining the Tell a Gal Pal movement on Facebook and encouraging your readers and followers to do the same to help raise money to support domestic violence survivors. Tell a Gal Pal and share this information with your blog readers and Twitter followers!
For each person who “likes” the Click To Empower! Facebook page, The Allstate Foundation will donate $1 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (up to $20,000). Click here to go to the Facebook page.
The Allstate Foundation will donate another $1 if you take the pledge to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence. As part of the pledge, your photo will be added to the “Faces of Support” gallery to show survivors that they aren’t facing domestic violence alone.
Help us reach our goal of raising $20,000. Tell a Gal Pal to join the movement on Facebook.

Let’s face domestic violence together – Tell a Gal Pal to:
Talk openly about domestic violence. Tell your Gal Pals – whether it’s your best friend, sister, mother, daughter, niece, cousin or neighbor – to face domestic violence, share their opinions and experiences and show support for survivors.
Speak out against domestic violence when you see it. Call the police or National Domestic Violence Hotline to report domestic violence in your community – you could help save a life.
Visit Click ToEmpower.org for easy ways start the conversation, check out resources for survivors or read inspirational survivor stories.
You can also show your support for domestic violence survivors by volunteering at or donating items to your local domestic violence shelter. Contact your state domestic violence coalition for more information. Click here for a complete list of state coalitions.



Financial Independence for Survivors
Domestic violence impacts the lives of women and their families. The Allstate Foundation supports survivors through resources targeted to build financial independence and educates the public on how hard it is for people to leave an abusive relationship without economic resources.


I wrote this blog post while participating in The Allstate Foundation’s Tell a Gal Pal blogging program with TwitterMoms, making me eligible to get an interview with Cheryl Burke. For more information on how you can participate, click here