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.

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.

Magic Key

A man who worked his way up the corporate ladder had kept earning his way.  He used his time wisely, kept on schedual, and was always ready for more.  He was not a slacker at all, as he grew older he thought why don't I just relax.  I have had this job for such a time that I am as good as I am going to get.  So, he relaxed and became unorganized.  Orders were not filled and soon after a time someone made sure that the boss was informed of his missed order.  It was time for a meeting and he became nervous. He realized someone had their eye on his job.  He decided to take a vacation and to recap the events of his work nature.  The decision he came to was simple, he realized that he had let go his concentration.

Upon his return he decided that he would follow a daily schedule.  The morning he would take the inventory, then make the calls to fill new orders, just before closing of the day he would clean off his desk.  He would follow this schedule everyday until it became habit.  He had concentration of his task and that was his Magic Key.
Keep in sight of that schedule, push though the tough days until that schedule becomes habit.  Concentrate on a task until complete. 

Scents from nature, where do they take you

Scents are a welcome in any home as well as stimulation to an ordinary day. Walking through gardens with the smells of flowers is always so enjoyable. Going to festivals and entering some shops with potpourri is top notes experience. Finding new ways to make tokens of application for loved ones. Well here's another great topic from Twittermoms and SeventhGeneration to share with you some great facts.

Scents and where they take me;
• Fresh Citrus & Ginger takes me back to a clean I just love. I enjoy a top note and these two common scents put together take me back to the kitchen with loads of fresh fruits and spices. Cooking has been a passion of mine to learn each culture to enjoy some of their fine foods. Perfume is also something that triggers great memories sometimes its of a person. Another scent will remind me of a place like the beach. Here's a link for some great perfume on a forum to inspire, share or just talk.
• Lavender Floral & Mint back some years I use to plan for a huge field of lavender just rows and rows of this wonderful smelling plant. Back by my garden I would have mint growing and use this spice for my Mexican dishes as taco’s were always so, good.
• Lemongrass & Clementine Zest is a wonderful spice used in dishes also but, somewhat hard to find. So, I try to keep some on hand because it adds a unique taste. Clementine’s my mother would buy for holiday baskets and the smell was always a welcome guest with all the pines.
• Free & Clear I have always enjoyed original scents I'm one who buys the first product. I used for years Tide, Downy, Clorox, and Bounce because it is a clean like no other. I enjoy scents but I also enjoy time to just enjoy the air and the simplicity it brings with it. It is a quiet time for me of waiting for God while I study his word with my bible and meditate.
Lets Talk Period
No-Glow
90% post-consumer content recycled




I've been a Tide user for my whole life, my mom used it and now I use it but, after finding out more about bio-based products I'm changing not only for my family but to help save the environment.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Basic Tips for Adults Who Want to Make New Friends

Finding myself in a new area I found myself using Basic tips for making new friends. While figuring that going to a near by friends house was the easiest, I also learned that I was still alone and vulnerable. Being tested for how many insults about my cooking, parenting skills, decorating were very painful. Getting introduced to many new people at her house was great, but when the boyfriend thing arose...there was an conflict of interests, me being the new kid on the block didn't hold much weight. After, leaving a church that we attended for ten years we were with without family. So, after backing up and looking at my situation I've done some reasearch so, that I may get back into a positve position again. Here's Basic Tips for Adults who want to make new friends:

Making friends is something that we have been doing since we were little kids. Unfortunately, the older we get, the harder it can be to make new friends. This seems counter intuitive since most other things in life get easier with time. However, it makes sense because of the way that our lives change as we get older. When we are young, we have a lot more opportunity to meet new people than we do when we are older. And we also tend to be less judgmental and less set in our ways about what friendship means when we are young than when we grow up. These things combine to make it more difficult to make friends as we age. As a result, the real key to making new friends is to regain some of that openness, adventurousness and exposure to new people that we had when we were kids. The best ways of going about doing this as adults tend to depend on the reason that we are seeking new friends.
Let's take a look at some common reasons that adults are on the lookout for new friends and some great ways to make friends in those situations:

Moved to a new area:
Many people make a move to a new area as adults and leave their social circle behind. Although this can be difficult, it also presents the easiest opportunities for making new friends in the new environment. That's because you're going to be introduced to new sets of people just by virtue of living in a new place, shopping in new stores and working in a new location.
Here are some basic ideas for making new friends when you've moved to a new area:
•Chat up the people at your new job.
•Spend time in the neighborhood at local coffee shops or bars and open yourself to conversations there. •Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
•Meet the parents of the kids that your kids quickly become friends with.

The key to making new friends in this situation is really just to put yourself out there. As long as you are open to meeting new people and you are outgoing in your approach, you'll be able to meet new people fairly easy throughout the course of your daily activities.

Shrunken social circle
There are many reasons that our social circles shrink as adults. We drift apart from high school and college friends. People get busy with their spouses and new families. Friends move away. And soon we find ourselves with a few great friends but not enough of them.
Here are some basic ideas for meeting new people to add to your existing social circle:
•Start hosting Sunday dinners at your place. Invite the friends you do have. Also invite acquaintances that you'd like to know better. Encourage each of them to bring others. A group will develop.
•Take a class or join a local group that engages in an activity you enjoy. Even if you don't become friends with people outside of the group, you'll have a set weekly activity where those friends are based.
•Meet people online who live in your neighborhood. Use the "strictly platonic" section of Craigslist, the forums of a local website or sites that get people together for events in order to start meeting new people.

The key to making new friends when your social circle shrinks is to remember that you have a foundation of friends already and just need to add people here and there. This reduces the pressure of finding a "best friend" and lets you just focus on finding people to do things with now and then.

Major life change
Life changes can unfortunately cause us to lose friends. Your relationship ends and the couples you were friends with don't spend much time with you anymore. You get married have a baby and your single friends are doing things that don't interest you much anymore. You go through therapy and make some serious adjustments to your life who cause you to leave behind people who were dragging you down.
Ideas for finding new friends after a major life change include:
•Join a support group for people in your situation.
•Start a weekly social event in your area around an event you enjoy. A weekly theater performance group or a weekly wine tasting will bring new people around you have similar interests to you.
•Look to your acquaintances.

We often already know people who would've made great friends if things had been a little different. Maybe they're different enough now. For example, perhaps there was a great gal in your office that always wanted to hang out but you were too busy doing things with your boyfriend and the couples you knew. Now that you've split, give her a ring and see if she still wants to hang out.

Other general thoughts on making new friends: No matter what your situation, there are some basic things that you can do that will help you to make new friends.
These include:
•Get to know yourself better. When you know what you want from a friendship, it's likely that it will materialize.
•Say "yes" to invitations and activities more often than you say "no".
•Actively tell the people in your life that you're on the lookout for new friends. They'll start setting you up with others before you know it.
•Be a joiner. It doesn't matter what it is as long as you join something that interests you. That's where people you'll like will be.
•Let go of your ideas about friendship. Let things develop without a lot of expectations about them.
•Identify people in your life who interest you but who aren't yet friends.

The lady at the post office who always has a kind word, the friend of your mother's that you haven't seen in years, the guy at the office who always talks about his weekend hiking trips ... these are people who have the potential to be your friend if you start getting more proactive in talking to them.

Ultimately, making new friends boils down to a few basic things. You need to be willing to put yourself out there. If you aren't comfortable introducing yourself to people in person then you might want to do it online. You also need to be open to meeting all kinds of different people and not putting a lot of pressure on the relationship to be anything specific; just let it be. Try to get back some of the feelings that you had about friendship as a kid and you'll start to find yourself rapidly developing new friends as an adult.

 Artice writen By Kathryn Vercillo

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

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

Getting Through the Dark Days of Winter

Gloomy Days Do Not Equal Gloomy Thoughts. Finding your self in a sad state of mind change your thoughts to change your gloomy feelings. Thinking your days will not get better until spring will only hinder the chances for happiness.


Don’t Wish It Away - just wishing that the sun would come out and then you would feel better is just impractical. Use this time to make a better you get some reading done. Find your self a better person when spring hits.

Learn From Your Moods - if your feeling blue then your body is telling you something and you need to pay attention. Give in to your needs its a warning light that is going off. Read about a famous author, someone who has a love for learning and that passion gets them through those difficult days with the willingness for survival.

Be Active - with winter days finding more activities to do outside is great. Go sled riding and take that walk outside it's beautiful. Shovel the side walk or join indoor exercise classes like yoga. Exercising at home is also good for you, this way you will carry less weight around and feel better when spring hits.

Be Careful What You Eat! While in the winter we tend to eat more. Your cloths tend to get tighter and feelings of over weight bring on depression. Stresses are also an issue with less to do, watch what you put into your diet.

Be Careful What You Drink! Watch what you drink such as alcohol tends to be an uplift or a sensation of numb. Watch our for bidge drinking this really increase the depression that its hiding. So, have an occasional drink.

Seek Support! Spending more time with friends is a good way to keeping the blues away. Conversations do wonders while keeping our minds busy with friends. Cozy warmth of friendships can keep your emotions up.

Seek the Light! Many people suffer from lack of sunlight during the darker days of winter. Take time to go out on sunny days and enjoy the sunlight. Providing your body with the vitamin D from the natural light. Just bundle up and keep warm while you enjoy the light.

FitYummyMummy

A give away to kick start the New Year! I have been jumping up and standing when I start worrying how to not get a twitter butt so, for me this fits right into my busy schedule. Now with WHAMresoursesite.com I can share this great give away with you. As I'm sure motivation is a key factor in getting a good workout.

With this Fit Yummy Mommy fitness plan I'm not only going to work out with the holiday work plan that can easily fit into a busy days. Listening to the workout and being able to relate to the trainer is very benefit cal. This is not only motivational but, helps with the technical understanding too. Having support is the key to a successful workout. The step by step is very easy to follow and I recommend this product.



This 12 Week Total Body Transformation Kit Includes:

■Follow Along Workout Videos
12 weeks of brand new, never before released 15 minute workout videos - actually 24 weeks for I have created a Phase 1 and Phase 2 series so anyone of any fitness level can follow along with these workouts with fat burning intensity that matches their needs.

Downloadable Fat Loss Tools

■Meal Planning Guide
12 weeks of body shaping meal plans and recipes making supportive eating simple! This guide actually has over 100 pages of the top fat burning foods, step by step meal plans and dozens of recipes to make meal planning simple!

■Success Handbook
A step by step transformation handbook to guide not only outline the must have fat loss strategies, but also guide you week by week through your body shaping experience

■12 Weeks of Coaching Calls
Each week receive a new motivation/accountability coaching call right to your inbox that you can listen to on your computer or download as an MP3 file and listen on your favorite player at your convenience.

And More!

■MP3 Intervals Soundtrack
■Printable Workout Logs

Win it!
Here's the rules:

1. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this give away.
2. Follow me on Google Friend Connect on side bar.
3. Post a comment below of how you found this site.
4. Share your link to boast your networking


I am writing this post for an entry for a Giveaway Value for Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Kit (valued at $247)click here

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

10 tips for stylish layering techniques for all occasions

I live in Ohio and the weather here is warm one minute and then the next it could be 90 + or snowing so, I have learned that layering to keep warm or cool for all changes. I also want to share with you some of my inexpensive tips here on keeping in style. While not being quite sure what the day will turn out to be and not to sure of what your going to do being prepared for anything and everything with style.



1. Turtle neck body suit is not too bulky but great for added warmth this is usually a good first layer. I like the bodysuit for the reason that it stays in place while involved in all activates. Plus it is easy to change the entire look with one or two added articles.
2. Cotton is a great absorbent for when we might be out skiing or sled riding. Long underwear comes in all kinds of cute prints or plain colors. Adding this gives my look some texture as well as being able to take it off.
3. Wool is the best at keeping a body warm with this high price of this I buy some new and look for slightly used articles at goodwill. This can be worn alone outside with a scarf or under a jacket.
4. Scarfs add a look and feel that is just a lot of fun for a girl. Tie them, wrap them or just let them hang over your shoulders for an elegant look in the evening. I have a dozen of these in prints, plain and textures.


5. Basic color such as black will go along way such a pair of slacks. This can go for meeting, lunch, dinner or with friends. I like black because it goes with everything and I can dress it up or down.
6. White T-shirt or a white blouse and I’m ready to go. This goes to work, lunch or a meeting. Dress it up or down with a scarf or a simple long necklace.
7. Jacket choosing a good quality jacket is very important. This can really make or break your outfit. While choosing a jacket go for something that will be versatile or fits your agenda. Remember simplistically is very tasteful.
8. Accessories is a great part of your wardrobe this is one part you want to make personable and unique. Finding things at yard sales, crafts stores and even your kid’s craft items are great. Make sure they fit the occasion or can do it all.
9. While going out I sometimes bring a spare pair of shoes. If I’m going hiking, horseback riding I’ll have boots on. The other pair of shoes is for if there is another destination. I’ll be comfortable, confident and that I’m prepared for anything.
10. Mixing and matching I put all my want items on the bed and try to make 10 out fits with four items of cloths. It’s all done with layering its fun and challenging. Finding that you might have more looks that what you thought in your closet is great bag for you buck.

Have fun look great and celebrate your femininity. We all want to look our best and be our best and dressing in layers really gives us an opportunity to do this frugally. Try trading some clothes with a friend and go from there. I know I have traded with my sister, brother, and mother and grandmother. Some of those out dated items are still very fashionable you just have to be daring and creative to pull it off.


I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Cuddl Duds blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

10 Holiday Survival Tips

The season is changing and we have had our first snow of the season. Waiting for Santa and his helpers we’ve decided to simplify our holiday traditions. With twittermoms and Tiny Prints I’ll share my tips for surving this holiday season.

1. Gathering your list of people who sent cards to you last year and using a great system by Tiny Prints christmas cards share a photo with family, friends and others. If there are many photo’s you would like to share then choose their web site.


2. Buy gifts in bulk is one way of getting a little something for that unexpected gift that may be presented to you. It’s always nice to have a back up plan just in case. These gifts never go to waste.
3. If traveling make sure you send the gift to the nearest store for pick up. Then there’s less packing and carrying on board with you. This is great for all those gifts that would be to costly to send UPS or mail.
4. For someone who has everything instead of sending the gift cards go spend some time with them. This will give you time out enjoying yourself as well as providing some memorable time with someone.
5. Having a cookie day party is one of the best ways to enjoy time with friends and make an array of cookies. Have everyone bring ingredients and hostess for the day will have the least to give as the electric bill will be their contribution.
6. Need help keeping the kids busy? This will be my first year at this but, my hopes are high. Having scavenger hunts throughout the month. Some activities such as reading, singing, making gifts, building snowmen. A prize for each day will help build the anticipation for the big day.
7. Trying new ideas from last year making each year count by doing something a little different. Changes happen with us and our family so making everyone’s needs get accommodated might be challenging but, oh so worth it when you find plans that everyone’s looking forward too.
8. Use your to-do-list on your phone it’s a time saver and maybe a life saver. Sometimes with all the hustle and bustle we either loss track of time & / or things that need to get done. Relax there’s time still, and pace your self so you can breath.
9. Make sure there’s time for YOU so you’re up to par then anything you do is going to be. Most of us do things to perfection so, take time to give your self some of that energy and effort too. Spend the day at the salon or make a sign that says spa day hang it on the door of the bathroom.
10. Take time to enjoy all the little things, the smell of fresh cookies, the look on someone’s face, and some old stories from past years. You’ll never past this way again.

I love this time of season maybe because I’m a snow baby. To keep the holidays going even with tighter finances I keep the holiday sprit going through decorating and spending time with loved ones doing what makes us happy. This year I’m adding volunteering as an Elf with my son for a reward he’ll learn what it is for making others happy. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?


Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique stationery from photo cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards and business cards. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side the Holidays will be a cinch! They offer adorable Thanksgiving Cards, Christmas Cards, Hanukkah Cards, and even New Years Cards. All fully customizable and personalizable

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program, making me eligible to get a $75 Tiny Prints gift certificate! For more information on how you can participate, click here

ten tips for new moms who are bringing a baby home

While it has been some years since I came home with my new baby. I have learned some easy but, necessary ways to make this transition as smooth as possible. With Twittermoms and Lysol I can give these tips to help ensure an easy but, informative way to make your trip home from the hospital.
1. Sending home all flowers, gifts and cards the night before you leave will make the trip home easier with less to take home. While packing have someone write out thank you cards as well and send them signed then they will be received in a timely manner.
2. Have the home in which you will be returning to up to 72 degrees. The home will be the same temperature as the hospital and after you get home you can turn it down a little bit each day back to the home regular temperature. This will ensure that you will be comfortable and so, will your baby.
3. Having the baby's room disinfected before arrival will ensure healthy and safety. Soaps with no perfumes for washing all babies items. Remember some cleaners will be unsafe with the fumes so, please read labels. Remind all who want to handle new born to wash hands every time they want to hold baby. Keeping pet away from baby and room is an absolute for health safety of germs and possible other hazards.
4. Having a nice outfit for you and your new baby you will want something that fits loosely and that you can get your babies first photo in. So if you don’t know what your having just have someone pick one up the day after delivery. With today’s mobile phones this is easy to find something and then check it by phone.
5. If you’re unfamiliar with car seats you or someone will need to read the installation of the car seat and proper way of buckling the infant into the seat. No one leaves the hospital without one so, if getting a seat is a problem just ask. There are many programs out there that will assist it getting a proper seat.

6. Having formula, bottles, bags or breast pump home and ready for you will help keep your new baby comfortable. Having been a breast feeder this was great for going back to work or when I just had a sitter. If you’re an Eco friendly person such as am I. I used a home made cloth for laying down my baby for changing. Using baby wash cloths are so much easier and clean bottoms better with baby soap. For going out the occasional wipes are just fine for such tips as the mall. I usually pack a small can of Lysol to spray area then lay cloth down for warmth.
7. Getting out of the house. A definite thing this must be done either in the winter or summer. Going for a walk with a stroller is really very enjoyable and good for you and your new baby. Winters just go to the mall get a stroller most places have them for free or a small fee with drivers licenses. Also, check when mom’s movie day is playing that's when new moms get out for a super savings day out.
8. A must have is a good monitor. There is just no other way of knowing what’s going on in that little room. Baby can nap while you visit on the porch or next door. Just check the reception first when they wake you’ll want to be close by.
9. Having a body hugger is a genital way to keep baby in the same position as they were in your womb. Also, this is a great way to carry your baby. As your baby grows there's halters that put your baby in front of you while shopping, mopping or just going for a walk. As baby grows other models that the baby sits on your back very cool for hiking. I used to take mine hiking lots of times we love the outdoors.
10. Get the education going this is a critical for brain development as many mothers know relearning your nursery rhymes, getting some soft music to play for bed time. Having a boppie and a short video of learning language, arts, shapes, numbers and etc. Make sure you’re very expressive in facial features and tones in your voice to show expressiveness to your little one. You’re their role model and their first teacher.

While these are many of the tips I used with my little one there’s only two things I wished I had done in addition and those are teach my little on baby sign language. The other is giving him muzzy for multiple language development. One other important consideration is Co-Sleeping the advantages and disadvantages. Two truly great gifts to a child for development in communications and understanding.

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

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.”

Sharing ten helpful tips for a cleaner, greener home

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.



Here's my list of cleaner, greener home tips:

1. Oils-
For replacing a dull shine on your furniture, try using some of your favorite essential oils and make sure their pure. Such as peppermint in your living room for a pleasant scent.
2. Disinfectant –
For replacing the chemical smell with a pleasing smell of lemon, grapefruit, cinnamon, or rosemary. Most disinfectants have violable organic compounds (VOC) found in disinfectants.
3. Woods –
Use wood that is sustainably harvested wood by the Harvest Stewardship Council or old barn flooring. Composite wood products, prolonged and chronic to VOCs can lead to cancer, liver and/or kidney damage, and central nervous system. Short term exposure can bring on dizziness, vomiting, breathing problems and irritations of mucus membranes in eyes, mouth, and nose.
4. Paints –
When buying paints buy low – zero VOC water based paints there comparable in price as well as durability. Clean with a mild cleaner and a scent that is comparable to the rooms atmosphere. Eg. Office chose rosemary, basil for concentration.
5. Carpets –
If you prefer carpeting choose natural fibers. Carpets are usually treated with soil resistance, fire proofing and moth treatments. These are toxins while adhesives are also toxic.
6. Dusting-
Using an ostrich feathers to pick up the dust. Learn to sweep this duster correctly as to not push the dust in the air. Dust carries toxins and we just don’t need to breath them in. Just knock the dust off on your shoe and then vacuum as normal.
7. Vacuums –
Finding a vacuums that uses water to filter with is a good choice. Most newer ones use the HEPA filter system that is also a very good. Usually choosing a upright is not the best choice as these don’t not clean under beds and dressers. Try choosing one that you can pull behind or use an smaller vac for these jobs.
8. Air fresher’s –
For replacing a bad smell with a good one, try simmering a pot of your favorite herbs and seasonings such as cinnamon sticks with cloves. Or, for a sweet smell, stick with the all natural oils and use an oil burner. Vanilla or lavender oils are fantastically soothing fragrances for you and your pet, and lemon or orange oils can help perk your home up.


9. Rule #1
If its not dirty don’t clean it. Why use more cleaning products to clean something if it’s not needing it. The end result is more build up and less time doing the things you would rather be doing.
10. Alkaline water -
Alkaline water used with cleaning has an attraction rate much stronger. Dirt is loosened and easily taken away from surfaces. I love the idea that it takes less than 1/3 of the normal amount of cleaning product to get better results. I have cleaned things that I have failed for many years with just this water. Imagine what you could clean.

I have really taken some time to learn some new and interesting things about cleaning I hope that you'll have a cleaner safer home. While spending more time doing the things you love most. Thanks for reading.

All of our cleaning supplies are earth friendly -- biodegradable, phosphate-free, and not tested on animals. Cleaning is something we all have to do. So why not make it just a little more enjoyable?
More info: http://www.mrsmeyers.com

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

Sharing 10 ways of making your favorite foods healthier

Enjoying the foods I per pair for my family has always been a passion. With twittermoms and Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® I can share some my tips with you. Benefiting most from our daily choices and not saying "Supper size it" at the counter.

Here's my tips so, they won't go to your hips:

1. Natural foods –
While process food saves time (seemingly) they don’t give you family the nutrition that they need for emotional balance and energy. Fresh fruit and veggies in their natural state offer the vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Go grass feed animals too this ensures that the animals are getting the nutrients they need and so will you.
2. Wash foods –
With today’s mass market on produce there’s presides in the natural foods and our bodies don’t need the extra chemicals. Using an alkaline ionizing water system takes out the unwanted chemicals while soaking them in water for 20 minutes. The taste is pure, fresh and natural your body will thank you.

3. Nutritionist –
Make sure your on stepping up on the new fade food diets asks someone who has a PHD on nutrient. They have studied this subject and are looking for the best way to help your body stay fit. Fad diets are quick fixes and do more harm than good in the end.
4. Recipe books –
Look over what’s in the recipe to find foods that will benefit your families needs most. Try Brain foods for kids, the truth about the six pack abs, pregnancy miracle and juicing and detoxification. These all have great recipes and I use them very often.
5. Learn how to read the label of foods –
Take a class on how to read the labels of foods and find out what you’re really eating. These classes are offered at your local hospital and usually run for a period of six weeks or so. You’ll meet others and have a support team in your corner.
6. Water –
Drink lots of water did you know that our bodies are made up of a (70%) of water. Most times when we are hungry (think we’re) our bodies are crying out for more water. The body looses two and one half to three liters of water daily. Our bodies don’t tell us that there thirsty it’s mostly a sign of hunger. So, next time your hungry get a glass of water instead.
I drink alkaline water:
Antioxidants
Super Hydrating
Oxygenated
Ph Fortified
7. Cleanse –
Wastes that remains in the body eventually turns into acid and starts attacking our organs. That’s when diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, acid reflux, gout, uric acid and heartburn start. Buy a colon cleanse every six months to keep the body clean. I like Blessed Herbs they have the best I‘ve seen on the market.

8. Reduce Stress –
Stress brings on toxins in our body which brings disease. Find a good exercise that will reduce stress to remove these toxins. Walk in the rain, good game of Frisbee or word search is just the fix. Go for a bike ride, walk though the park and take in some relaxation. Our children experience stress as well so, when this happens let them play an easy to win game to relieve this. Winning always makes us feel better.
9. Check ups –
Regular check ups helps to maintain an awareness of our physical health. Finding things out in the early stages gives us that much more of a chance in fighting back. So, talk to your doctor and keep them informed of your activities. As you might need to ask your physician to participate in some diet changes or exercise. So, ask your doctor first.
10. Maintence –
Get a planner and plan out our goals short term and long term, make these feasible too. A goal to high may bring defeat. Get a buddy to do some extra work outs at best you’ll have some great conversations. This way if you’re missing someone will notice. Bring new ideas to changes or add to your daily maintence so, things don’t get dull.

In conclusion love the body your in, love your age, we all have something to offer in this world so give what you can. And be glad of that there’s nobody just like you.

About Heinz WeightWatchers SmartOnes:
From breakfast to lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® has a variety of great tasting, good-for-you meal options to help you manage your weight. So start eating smart, today.


Coupon Offer and Savings: http://www.eatyourbest.com/coupon


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

Do you love daily deal sites?

I love to see all of the wonderful Daily Deal Sites popping up! Daily deal sites send out a new deal email each day with a deal that lasts 24 hours. These deals
save you 50%-90% on anything and everything from carpet cleaning to the
GAP to massage. Here is a list of the top 10 that I have found:


1. Groupon
2. WeeklyPlus
3. Social Living
4. Mamapedia *
5. Yolo Deals -Please mention referral code: 9596829
6. Daily
Deals for Denver Moms
7. Plum District
8. KGB Deals
9. Zulily
10. Redeemio**

*"5% of your purchase will be donated to the school or preschool of
your choice through the Mamapedia Savings for Schoolssm
Program. Simply search for and enter your school's unique referral
code at the bottom of the purchase page. This is a great way to raise
money for your school, while getting a Sweet Deal on something in
your city at the same time. But the deal has to tip. To raise the
most money for your school, be sure to share the Sweet Deal with
friends, family, and above all - other parents at your school!"

**Coming to Denver soon but available in many cities already. After
signing up, Denver residents will get an email asking for ideas on what
businesses Reedemio should feature. If they take your idea or don't
have it on the list they will give you that deal for FREE when they land
it. Super easy entry and kind of a fun idea if you ask me.


I would love for you to comment with other daily deal sites that you use!
This is a great collection of sites to use from - Sybil Hall I just love redeemable.

Flavorful Low-Sodium Family Meals

High-Energy Bean Burgers
Cheap meat-based burgers offer little in the way of nourishment and are high in fat and additives. These veggie versions take a little more effort but provide numerous health benefits.

Makes 4 burgers
scant 2/3 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 onion, grated
1 small carrot, grated
2/3 fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tbsp smooth peanut butter (low-sodium/natural)
1 egg, beaten
Mrs. Dash® Tomato Basil Seasoning Blend
four for coating
sunflower oil, for frying
4 whole wheat hamburger buns or seeded bagels, to
shredded lettuce, tomato, and cucumber slices, to serve

1. Put the kidney beans in a food processor or blender with the onion, carrot, bread crumbs, peanut butter, and egg. Blend until the moisture forms a coarse puree. Season, then chill for 1 hour to allow the moisture to firm up.
2. Form the moisture into four burgers using floured hands, then dip each burger into four to coat.
3. Heat enough oil to just cover bottom of a large, heavy-based frying pan. Cook the burgers, two at a time for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden crisp. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining burgers. (To broil the burgers, brush with oil and broil for about 4 minutes on each side.)
4. To serve, split each hamburger fun or bagel in half. Add the burgers and lettuce, tomato, and cucumber as desired. Serve with a spoonful of hummus, guacamole, or tomato ketchup.

Brain Box
B-complex vitamins found in eggs are essential for optimum brain function, particularly clarity of thought.
The vitamin C in the adsorption of the iron also found in this green vegetable. Iron helps boost energy levels.
For more brain food

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