Sunless 101

Winter is a bland time...no tan, no color, clouds everywhere...blah blah blah...if you long for a sun-kissed look without harmful UV rays, using a self-tanner is right option. If you long for the perfect tan but know you can't soak up the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, using a self-tanner is the way to go!

Here is how to get a perfect basic "at-home" tan:

1. Exfoliate. always exfoliate your skin before applying any self tanner. a nice salt scrub or simple homemade sugar scrub will do the trick. if you don't exfoliate, you may end up with patches on your skin. pay special attention to the elbow, knee, ankle and wrist areas.

2. Dry. skin should be clean, exfoliate, and air dry the skin before any application takes place. if skin is dry or oily, the application may turn out uneven.

3. Apply self-tanner. to avoid having orange hands, you should was the palms of your hands immediately after. remember to use sparingly around elbows and knees. you may even want to dilute the self-tanner with your favorite body lotion to avoid orange streaks. try to use downward even strokes. begin with the legs, then work your way up. for the face, mix the tanner with your favorite face moisturizer. blend it into your hairline, neck and decollete.

4. Let it dry. allow a 5-10 minutes to dry before getting dressed etc...you don't want to stain your clothing. a trick i always do to make sure i don't have orange palms is to rinse the palms of my hands only and dab with a towel. your tan should last a little less than a week. keep your skin moisturized to keep the color fresh:)

My picks:

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Sunless tanner

California Tan Sunless tanner

Jergen's Natural Glow Daily moisturizer

Re-Gift 101

If a present doesn't quite tickle your fancy, do not feel guilty by passing it on. If you choose to "re-gift" there is a certain procedure to follow...try these tips and ideas:

• try to wrap a re-gifted item with a new purchase. Buy nice bath bubbles to go with a nail polish set that you received.


• try to organize all re-gift items in one place. you can even organize the items by writing the name of the person who gave it TO you so you don't GIVE back to the original person who gave it to you--A BIG no-no!


• try to re-gift items with in a 6-12 month period. if you wait too long, you may be giving something that has either expired (lotions, makeup, etc.) or something from last season (a tank top, summer hats, etc.)




always re-give gifts to those who do NOT know the original owner.


do not give used gifts as a re-gift. the item should be new, never opened.


• always re-wrap the present. it keeps it fresh and you will feel like you are giving something new:)


• always remove old "to" tags, cards, and/or gift receipts that may be enclosed.


• remember--it is the thought that counts!

Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving afternoon... you have had your turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and all the fixings. You have had pie (apple and pumpkin). Right about now you are thankful your pants still fit:)

Isn't there something more to this Holiday. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to slow down and take stock of what is really important in your life. So before the meal, or right after, while everyone is still seated, invite each guest to state something that they are thankful for. Pay special attention to the responses of the very young--their honesty may prove to be very enlightening. Gratitude can help us stop taking our life for granted. It can free us from petty annoyances and inspire us to think of other people. So why just limit ourselves to Thanksgiving? Here are a couple of suggestions to keep the good thoughts flowing throughout all the holidays and into the new year:

1) Accept, acknowledge, appreciate--try to remember the 3 A's. They should replace the 3 C's. Complaining, Condemning, and Criticizing. The 3 A's will get us much farther in developing positive relationships with co-workers, friends and family:)

2) Do something for someone else--Yes, it truly is one of the best feelings. Volunteer your services, help someone in need, give advice when you've been through it...the rewards will be immeasurable.

3) Put it all in perspective--It is often easy to lose perspective on exactly how much we DO have. It is easy to feel LESS than satisfied with your lot in life as you watch your neighbors drive up in a new car, go on an exotic vacation, and get a new remodeled kitchen...These expenses do not always equate to happiness. Remember that what you "have" is always greater than what you "need". Don't worry about "keeping up with the Jones' "...and try not to compare yourself to others...You are where you are for a reason! Strive to keep up with yourself:)

4) Focus on the positive--Keeping a positive outlook on life WILL change your entire perspective, as people have a tendency to remember the bad things as vividly as the good. One way to solve this problem is to keep a gratitude journal that differs from a traditional journal by only containing positive entries. Also, try to remember what good things came out of a seemingly bad event, such as a difficult experience that brought you and a friend closer. You are where you need to be for right now...stay positive and your next good thing will come:)

Turkey 101

follow these tips and hints for a tasty bird during the holidays.

Buy the right amount.

• try to buy at least one pound per person.

Thaw carefully.

• thaw in the refrigerator 24-48 hours. this is the easiest method. you can also try to thaw in cold water, but must change the water every thirty minutes or so.

Pre-heat your oven.

• make sure your oven is working properly. pre-heat it and if you can, test your oven temperature with an oven thermometer.

Prep Appropriately

• always remove bags, or insides to turkey. always wash the turkey and pat dry.


• massage with butter, margarine, or olive oil--especially under the skin.


• season the meat with whatever seasons you choose. season liberally.


• cut veggies, onion, and garlic and put in roasting pan--these will make delicious drippings for gravy.


• if you want, put some garlic cloves under the skin for a nice flavor!

Roast right.

• Roast the turkey until its internal temperature reaches 165°F. insert a thermometer in the thickest part of the breast away from the bone.

Be careful with leftovers.

• try to pack turkey away in airtight containers or bags within 2 hours. refrigerate it, covered, and use it within three to four days (two days for stuffing and gravy).

BtoB 101: 5 Min. Face

Less is More:)
I have seen it all. Crusty old items in the makeup collection, items you don't use anymore, 5 million colors of eyeshadow. Keep it basic...Please!
Working women and mothers of the world...hope is not lost and your face does not have to go bare because of the lack of time in a day to look our best.


Remember the 5 items of makeup you should get and hold on to for a 5 min. fresh face everyday:)
makeup
-->concealer
-->pressed power
-->bronzer/blush
-->lipstick/lipgloss
-->mascara (optional)

tools
-->eyelash curler
-->blush brush

1. Always prep your skin (see post on 7/19/07) properly for makeup to look its best
2. Apply concealer (1 shade lighter than your skin) to cover dark circles under the eye
3. Apply from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye--extending past the corners of the eye
4. Press the pressed powder (should be a translucent color that matches the skin one shade darker) under the eyes where you just applied the concealer
5. Apply pressed powder to the rest of the face--all over
6. Apply bronzer or blush to the apples of the cheeks and on the eyelides (to take the place of eyeshadow--which is only necessary for special occasions:)
7. Curl your eyelashes
8. Apply a quick coat of mascara
9. Apply some lip gloss and /or lipstick

YOUR done--and your 5 min. face is in full effect!

Diapers, Basically...

I f you haven't heard yet...This info is a golden nugget! I found a new and yes, basic way to diaper my son. After suffering a terrible diaper rash, I investigated other diapering options--CLOTH! Hmm, sounds old and out of date. I know, you are thinking, Grandma! NO! Cloth diapering is not what it used to be. Many people imagine that cloth diapering takes the form of a big piece of cloth that you have to fold and pin and pull on plastic pants. While those items are still available, modern cloth diapering takes on a new form.

There are all-in-one diapers, pocket diapers, fitted diapers, and more! All-in-one diapers go on and off easily like a disposable and usually fasten with velcro type closures. Some popular brands are Bumkins and Kushies. However, my life changed when I heard of the "Pocket" cloth diapers are my favorite and are easy to use.

Pocket/Envelope diapers are probably the most popular cloth diaper today. They feature a stay dry layer that is against the baby's skin so the baby feels dry when the diaper is wet. On the outside of the diaper there is a waterproof layer. After washing the diaper an absorbent insert is placed into the pocket or envelope type opening. Then the pocket diaper is fastened onto the baby with snaps or a velcro closure.

While pocket/envelope diapers typically have a higher price tag, they do have a high resale value. Because the pocket diapers and the inserts come apart they dry much quicker than all-in-ones. Some popular versions of pocket/envelope diapers are Fuzzi Bunz and Bumgenius...in the photo.

Cloth diapers have come a long way in the past 100 years. While many people do cloth diaper for finanacial or environmental reasons there is a growing group of people who choose cloth diapers because it is best for the baby or for the cuteness factor. You can cloth diaper a baby until potty training for as little as a few hundred dollars or you could spend thousands.

You may have to do a little more laundry, but the pros will definitely outweigh the cons...Trust this! This is definitely a Back to Basics, but it is such a great ide--it makes sense financially, health wise and is environmentally friendly.

how did i get in this mess?

When I was younger and had more money problems, I used to say this all the time…This is a serious problem for many people; they find themselves in a financial situation and say…How did I get into this mess? I observed my parents go through such agonizing financial stress and ultimate devastation that I promised it would never happen to me…and I have done everything in my power to prevent it. It can be one of the most helpless and frustrating situations most of us can find ourselves in. To make matters worse, it seems the harder we try to get a handle on our finances the deeper in debt we become.
There isn't an answer that covers everybody, naturally, but I believe that in most cases we simply weren't paying close enough attention to the details of our finances. We figure that an extra payment here or there won't make a difference, until it's too late. Over the years I found that it wasn't until I took a good look at how we GET ourselves INTO debt, that we can figure a way OUT. It's not so that we place blame, but rather to determine what changes we need to make in order to prevent it from happening again. I have found that very few people, including myself, have ever been taught even the basics of proper money management, either at home or at school. This hit home when I had to self-teach myself how to balance checkbooks and do my mothers taxes after my father's death when I was only 16 years old. If the parents aren't teaching it, shouldn't we at least hold the educational system responsible?
A money basics class isn't too far fetched in a world of I-phones and Windows vista is it??? Come on! If you are just starting out in the work force or going to college, it is time for you to learn that you have to work at managing your money, everyday. It is essential that you learn as much as you can about setting up a budget and using every expense cutting method you can think of. Even if you are making good money you need to know exactly what you have coming in and what you have going out. There are a lot of people making $70,000 or more a year that are having money problems.
There usually isn't just one thing that causes us to accumulate debt. It can be anything from buying more house than we can afford to running our credit card balances to the hilt. It almost always happens a step at a time. Let me give you an example: You buy a house with payments that are more than you wanted to pay, but it is exactly what you were looking for, so you decide you can cut back in other areas. Now you've used all of your cash for the down payment on the house, but you still need furniture. It's time to break out the credit cards. You don't realize just how much the furniture, curtains, pictures, rugs, etc. will cost. Now your credit cards are reaching their limit Then the electric bill comes in and it is double what you were expecting. This can all happen within just a couple of months. The above example may not fit your situation, however, chances are no one purchase caused the problem. This is why it is absolutely necessary to pay close attention to your finances and plan every purchase.
The only way to know if you can afford something is to have a budget in place. For most people, there are too many expenses for the average individual or family to keep track of in their head. You have to take what ever time you need to put this information down on paper after considering all of your possible expenses. You can do this on a piece of notebook paper or find a simple budget form. Which ever way you choose, make sure that you review it before you make any purchases. As I stated before, it is necessary to know what events led to your money problems so that you will know what actions to avoid in the future. This will be vitally important on the road to your financial recovery.

DIY (do it yourself: sugar scrub)

Using a sugar scrub can be invigorating and indulging. Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious homemade sugar scrub.

(use on hands, feet, legs, but not on broken skin)

Ingredients:

• lemon juice (one lemon)


• 2 tbs. olive oil


• 1 c. sugar


• 1/4 c. milk/cream


• 4 drops of any of your favoite essential oil (bergamont, lavendar, peppermint, etc.)

whatever mood your in, you can change the oil/fragrance.

lather up and enjoy!

A Basic 101 Flawless Face...

Dry Skin
For dry skin, use a pink-toned concealer under the eyes and a foundation-shade concealer on trouble spots.
Next, apply a liquid or cream shimmer in a highlighting shade like pale pink, bronze or pale gold on top of the cheekbones. With more mature skin, be sure to avoid putting shimmer near lines around the eyes. If you choose a bronzer shade, try a little on the temples, forehead and chin for a sun-kissed look. Stay away from shimmer powders.
Dust a sheer translucent powder only on the t-zone. This will leave your cheeks looking dewy fresh. You can dust a little powder under the lower eyelid using an eye shadow brush; too much powder under the eye area looks cakey. A light touch will just prevent eye makeup from running.

Oily Skin
If your complexion is oily, start with your concealer under the eyes and on trouble spots. Apply sparingly to face and follow with a translucent powder. (Colored powders will streak on oily skin.) If you want to create a natural glow, don't powder the tops of the cheekbones. Stay away from cream to powder foundations as they tend to smudge and discolor during the day when mixed with your skin’s natural oils.
If you want to apply a powder shimmer after your foundation, sweep a light dusting on top of your cheekbone with a fan brush. Skip the shiny nose, forehead and chin areas.
Finish by applying translucent powder with a puff all over the face. Carry blotting papers with you for touch ups throughout the day.

Combination or Problem Skin
For combination or problem skin, stick with the concealers with a silicone base. These look great and stay put all day. For blemishes, I like to spot conceal rather than cover the entire face with suffocating foundation. For spot concealing use a small-tipped concealer brush and dip it into a bit of foundation mixed with a little oil-free concealer. Dab on the spot and lightly blend with the brush.
For combination skin, find the shimmer formula that works best for you and apply to tops of cheekbones. If you have problem skin, use the powder version only on unblemished areas. Shimmer highlights; so avoid putting a light-catching spotlight on pimples.
Use a light translucent powder. Heavy powders are no good. Let your skin glow and breathe. For a quick oil-free fix, use blotting papers. They work better than powder on problem skin because they remove the oil without smothering the skin.

Show off your Flawless Face!

Less Is More!

When it comes to makeup; less is more. A fresh face is all the rage. It begins with proper skin care. Washing at LEAST twice a day (see more in the health section for tips on this:). I was always a makeup lover, hoarter, diva--whatever! As I got older (and no I am not OLD) I realized that too much makeup was not the business. I enjoyed wearing a full face of makeup, which ultimately made me look older. Now as a grown woman and a new mom I realize that I not only do not have the desire to mess with a full "caboodle case" of makeup, but I simply do not have the time. A few essentials are all you need. I have gone Back to the Basics on this one.
Start with these essentials and I will give some tips to come on how to get the 5 min. face with only 5 items:)
makeup
-->concealer
-->pressed power
-->bronzer/blush
-->lipstick/lipgloss
-->mascara (optional)
tools
-->eyelash curler
-->blush brush

If ANYTHING it is HOW you apply the makeup, not what you use; so don't get caught up on brands. Invest in some good tools; a great powder brush and a wonderful eyelash curler will get you to look your best in less time. I recommend the Sheseido eyelash curler (@ Sephora). See my posting in a few weeks on how to accomplish a fabulous BtoB 5 min. face!

Organize Your World

LESS IS MORE. It's more important to have a few nice things that you truly enjoy, than to just have lots of stuff. Say goodbye to things that don't fit, are out of style or are unflattering. This goes for clothing, furniture, knick knacks, and other possessions you're not happy with.

CONSOLIDATE CREDIT CARDS. Most stores take Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Pay off your other credit cards, and in the future use only one or two of these major credit cards. Don't cancel them. Keep them open with a zero balance...If you cancel them, you can hurt your FICO score...If possible, use cash, an ATM card, or one card that you pay off each month for important everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and other necessities.

DON'T BUY DRY CLEAN ONLY CLOTHES. There are plenty of nice, washable clothes available for both business and pleasure. You'll spend less time and money at the dry cleaners. The same goes for bedspreads, curtains, etc.

SCREEN YOUR CALLS. Let your voicemail take all your phone calls, and return calls on your time--use your FREE minutes on your cell phone to return calls.

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. Don't allow trivial matters to aggravate you. If the milk spills, wipe it up and move on to more important things.

GET HELP. Don't try to do everything yourself. Split up household responsibilities among family members. Delegate to your staff. Outsource projects, repairs and so on.

DON'T TRY TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING. There's no need to store it in your memory. Write it down, and write it in one place so that you can find it easily--use a planner.

WATCH TV ON YOUR TERMS. If your favorite program isn't on at a convenient time, use your VCR or DVR and record it. Then, watch it when you want to--without all the commercials!

DON'T OVER-SCHEDULE YOUR CHILDREN. Too many activities can cause a strain on your children, and you!

PLAN EACH DAY. Spend 10 minutes each night, planning for tomorrow. You'll be focused and ready to take on the world each morning! Use Sundays to plan for things during the week--put out 5 outfits for the week, pack 3 days worth of lunches, cook a big casserole or dish that you can separate in containers and refrigerate and/or freeze...you get the idea:) Use your time wisely.

~Have the courage to question & challenge the status quo... refuse to accept "traditional" thinking and answers as fact....~Kimlee

Style Basics...

Casual wear has its place, but the “casualization” of America is in full effect and should be banned. Casual clothes are important, but people have almost stopped caring about appropriate clothing for specific situations. As Clinton Kelly from TLC’s “What Not to Wear” show would say, “flip-flops are never appropriate for work (unless you work in a spa); pajamas are not appropriate for the supermarket (unless you’ve got the flu and nobody else on the planet is willing to shop for you); and butt crack is appropriate nowhere (that’s right, nowhere)”. This is so true. What happened to taking a few minutes out of your day just to “spruce” up…We are not talking about getting “dressed up” everyday, but just trying to look your “basic best”…without wearing your PJ’s out of the house—Keep the house clothes IN THE house!

P.S. We LOVE flip-flops, just not at work people!

IRAs-->ROTH or TRADITIONAL

Save for your retirement—you make the choice

Well first, it depends on whether or not you are eligible for either one.
Eligibility
ROTH: Any age with compensation
Single=income up to $95k
Joint=income up to $150,00
TRADITIONAL: Under age 70 ½ with compensation
No income limit

Max Annual contribution
ROTH: $4,000 or 100% of compensation
same
Contribution Deductibility
ROTH: Contributions are not tax-deductible
TRADITIONAL: Contributions may be tax deductible
Federal Tax Advantages
ROTH: Federal tax-free growth (no taxes paid on income earned when withdrawn)
TRADITIONAL: Federal tax-deferred growth
(taxes must be paid when withdrawn)
Withdrawals
ROTH: Can withdraw contributions anytime without penalty or tax
TRADITIONAL: Only withdraw after age 59 ½ without penalty or tax

If you cannot deduct your contributions to a Traditional IRA and you qualify, a Roth IRA might be the better choice for you to consider since withdrawals of earnings are generally tax-free. If you aren't eligible for a Roth IRA, anyone under age 70½ who has compensation can take advantage of the benefits of a Traditional IRA, including tax-deferred growth and the potential for tax-deductible contributions. If you can deduct your contributions to a Traditional IRA, the decision to open a Roth or Traditional IRA generally depends on how you think your tax situation in retirement will compare to what it is today, and how likely you are to withdraw money before age 59½. Money in a Traditional IRA grows tax-deferred and is taxed when withdrawn. If you withdraw the money before age 59½, you generally must pay a penalty, subject to certain exceptions that you should educate yourself on. If you think your tax rate in retirement will be lower than it is now and you do not plan to withdraw the money before age 59½, a Traditional IRA may be the better choice for you. Money in a Roth IRA is not federally taxed when it is withdrawn, and you can withdraw your contributions at any time without paying a penalty. If you think that when you retire your tax rate will be higher and/or you might need the money before age 59½, the Roth IRA might be the better choice for you to consider.

Basic Face Prep B4 Makeup:)

Prepping the face before applying makeup is important for makeup to look its best on the skin.

Before your beauty artistry begins, you must prepare your canvas.
Start off with a daily cleansing and moisturizing ritual to face the day fresh and protected.

You can find moisturizers with sunscreens built in. Also, SPF-loaded foundations and tints are real timesavers. Make sure your brows look well groomed. Check them in natural light near a window and pluck away any strays. Clean brows will save you time in the long run. They give definition and shape to your face:) Take the time once a week to shape and every other day, just check for strays. (see post on 6/30/07 "Better Brows")

Radiant skin is the key to beauty. When skin appears flawless, everything else sparkles. Even if your complexion has issues, you can still achieve a luminous glow by using the right products–for your skin type–in the right places. More to come on great skin in a week or two:)

iNSTiNcT

iNSTiNcT
Instinct (n.) An inborn drive.

Instinct manifests in the form of a small voice inside that drives us in one direction as opposed to another. Some call it the voice of God. It is the voice within that mysteriously guides us and leads us in the direction that is what we know as our destiny—instinct. Instinct is an interesting invisible creature of sorts. It can be so strong in some ways that it can make someone confused or even sick if it is ignored. Instinct does not like to be ignored. Human beings will fight against it almost as if they are in some type of battle. If you hear a voice inside that is guiding you to do something or to not do something—chances are, it is your instinct. It is ultimately up to you to choose to follow your instinct and to not allow outside forces to deter you from that—because the latter is bound to happen. You make the choice…and pay attention to your instinct…it doesn’t like to be ignored.

Better Brows 101

You have heard it before--The BROW make or break the face.

It is true that nothing frames the eyes better than perfectly groomed brows.Nothing frames the eyes better than perfectly groomed brows. They really can make or break the face. Let’s cease with the eyebrow butchering already. Over-plucking has to stop; this isn’t the 1920's. Achieving great brows is simple; just follow the technique below. My most important tip? Put the tweezers down.
Brows should be natural-flowing arches that look uniform and not "little squares with tails." Begin plucking the brow from the inside, close to the inside arch of the nose. Draw an imaginary line from the tear duct up to the brow; that’s where a brow should begin. Anything in front of that imaginary line must be plucked.
To find the arch, find the center of the pupil and draw an imaginary line a bit diagonally up. That’s where it should arch.
Use the imaginary line to follow diagonally up from the outside corner of the eye. That’s where the brow should end.
With an old toothbrush or an eyebrow brush, brush the hairs straight up. If any hairs don't naturally fall back into place, cut them with a small pair of mustache scissors.
Look for stray hairs around the brow–on top and underneath– and pluck them away.
Check for any sparse areas and fill them in with a brow corrector. You can use a pencil, liquid, powder or whatever you feel comfortable with, but remember that the color you choose should be a bit lighter than your hair color. And less is more, so don't go overboard or you will look like Groucho Marx.
To keep the brow in place you can use clear mascara, a bit of hairspray or gel on a brow brush or old toothbrush, or a brow gel.

Getting Organized

In addition to the organizing steps I've listed in this article, be sure to keep a list of those credit card purchases for Christmas, if you used them... trying not to think about how much you spent will not help your finances in January. Know what that total is and make a plan to get it paid off, quickly.* * *

Being organized is important to successful budgeting, and keeping your bills paid on time. You don’t need expensive budgeting software or planning kits for this, but they can be helpful. Remember that paying your bills on time will keep your credit in good standing, and knowing what your expenses are will help you get out of debt, and/or stay out of debt.Here are some basic tips for keeping your bills organized…

• Keep a master list of all your bills and expenses on a green, legal-sized, column ledger; the more detailed you make your list, the more organized you will be. You’ll want to write down such things as:

- Name of each bill and amount of your usual monthly payment.
- Dates of when each bill is due (and past due, if necessary).
- If your budget is tight, decide which paycheck will pay each bill and then list them accordingly. - Keep an updated *current balance owed* for any debts, including your car payment(s).
- List extra expected monthly expenses (that aren’t actually bills - such as groceries, lunch money, gasoline, etc… and possible unexpected items such as car repairs and medical expenses.) - Check off each item when you mail the payment and write down the amount you sent.
- Keep just a few months worth of expenses per ledger sheet (I do mine by the quarter), because you may have expenses that will change during the year and you don’t want your organized list to become a mess with updates.Keeping an organized list like this will help you have an idea of how much money you really have; it’s not just what’s left over after the bills have been mailed.

• * Have a specific place for your bills.


• * Go through your mail every day! Throw out the junk (tearing credit applications in half)


• * Open your bills the day you receive them, not later when they’re due.


• * If you are in the process of paying off debts or medical bills, keep a running list of every account on a separate page and have a plan to get them paid off as soon as possible. If you can manage to pay just $10 a month extra each month it will make a big difference. You can use the debt payment calculator from our Budgeting Tools on our main page to assist you with your plan.

How often should you pay your bills? This will depend on several factors. How often you get paid, how flexible your budget is, and how many bills you have.Don’t let your bills control you. Instead, keep your sanity and get organized!

Let it GO!

But It's only $25 a Month
Just $25.00... That’s how much a special feature on my cellular phone service was, before I cancelled it. Now, it’s zero a month, which is even better. This morning, I caught myself thinking, “but it’s only $25 a month.” And the cable is only $35, the newspaper delivery is only $12.00, and those sodas we like to buy while we’re driving around running errands are only $1.19, Starbucks regular coffee $2.00....

But let’s take that just one step further. The extras on the cell phone for $25 a month equals $300 each year. Cable TV, at $35 a month, equals a whopping $420. That inexpensive newspaper subscription (even just $12 for the weekends), will cost you $144. Sodas at $1.19, let’s say three times a week, comes out to $185.64 per year! Just these few items come to a grand total of $1049.64!!!

It’s so easy to fall into the “it’s only $25 a month” thinking, most of us know better but we still do it. Right now, my priorities are just in a different place. It’s not that I can’t “afford” certain things, its just that larger goals and future stability is more important to me.

This morning I thought about lots of things that would also be nice to have, all of them costing just around $10 - $20 a month. But I knew that each one represented a bigger number (when multiplied times 12 months), and though by themselves they may seem small, add too many of them and you can have quite a dangerous threat to my budget--Especially when you add INTEREST into the mix and you are paying someone a heavy interest rate to finance that $10-$20 a month...you get the picture!!So, next time you find yourself thinking "it’s only going to cost $25 a month," get your calculator out and think again.

Reasons to Breastfeed...

Breastfeeding
is a challenge
in today's day and age, but it is the most basic way to give nutrients to a new human life. According to the AAP, "Human milk is species-specific, and all substitute feeding preparations differ markedly from it, making human milk uniquely superior for infant feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is the reference or normative model against which all alternative feeding methods must be measured with regard to growth, health, development, and all other short- and long-term outcomes. In addition, human milk-fed premature infants receive significant benefits with respect to host protection and improved developmental outcomes compared with formula-fed premature infants… Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child."A.A.P. Breastfeeding Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk Pediatrics Vol. 115 No. 2 February 2005

Here are the top 25 reasons WHY to Breastfeed your bambino:)

1. The American Dietetic Association promotes breastfeeding


2. Breast milk is more digestible than formula


3. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of breast cancer


4. Baby's suckling helps shrink mother's uterus after childbirth


5. Formula feeding increases baby girls' risk of developing breast cancer in later life


6. Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q.


7. Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does


8. Breast milk helps pass meconium


9. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system


10. Breastfeeding satisfies baby's emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby


11. Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition


12. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer


13. Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is bornPre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants


14. Breastfeeding protects against Crohn's disease (intestinal disorder)


15. Formula feeding increases risk of children developing diabetes


16. Breastfeeding baby helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic mothers


17. Breastfeeding may help stabilize progress of maternal endometriosis


18. Baby's suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage in mother


19. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing endometrial cancer


20. Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies


21. Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma


22. Formula feeding increases baby's risk of otitis media (ear infections)


23. Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)


24. Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections


25. Breastfeeding decreases child's chances of contracting Hodgkins disease
    

Financial Spring Cleaning

Tulips are beginning to poke their heads up through the soil. Fruit trees are performing their best flower show. Birds are chirping and the auburn sunset gets later every day. Spring is in the air. For many, this also means that it’s time for some spring cleaning around the house. Why not expand that “out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new” mentality to your money? * * *

Get rid of those old bad spending habits and start fresh with new budgeting skills. Before you know it, your financial savvy will be in full bloom just like those Bradford Pear trees outside my window.The main reason people put off setting up a budget is because they think it’s too hard. It does not have to be a sacrifice if you take simple steps. In my opinion, the only way a budget will work long-term is if it isn’t too much of an inconvenience. Find a way to budget that will fit your lifestyle. Here are some easy ways to get started:

1. Use a Calendar: Use a calendar to write when money is coming in (pay, retirement, etc.) by date, and write down when bills are due as they come in. Mail payments at least one week before the actual due date to avoid late fees or pay them online. I get paid every 2 weeks and find it easier just to pay all of my bills on payday that are going to be due before I get paid again. That way, I just pay bills every 2 weeks and everything always gets paid early.

2. Track your spending: Use a tracking sheet to write where you are spending all of your money. Write down all cash spent by the category in which it is spent. (When using a check, write in your checkbook how money was spent.) Keep your tracking sheet at home, in your car, or in your wallet – keep it where you will use it. It may be easier to use it daily than to try to remember what to write later.

3. Develop a Spending Plan (Budget): Use a simple form with columns to help plan your spending. At the beginning of the month, use the first column to write planned spending. Once a week, list in a column what you really spent using the amounts on the tracking sheet and in the checkbook. At the end of the month, subtract the amounts spent from the amount planned. A difference is normal – seeing it helps make planning decisions. Use a spending plan (budget), to decide and list where to spend money. Plan for expenses that do not occur each month by taking the yearly cost and dividing by twelve months, then list it on your monthly spending plan.

4. Savings Account Ledger: Use a savings account for periodic expenses to save in your spending plan: A) Set aside money each month for planned expenses like car tags and clothes. For example, to plan $300.00 per year for car maintenance, divide by twelve: plan to save $25.00 per month. B) Save money for emergencies. Set an initial goal of one month's income and then build from that point (three to six months recommended). C) Save money for goals: a new car, a house, a vacation, or college. D) Save money to make long-term investments for the future. Just by making a few small steps, you can learn much about your spending habits and where you may be able to cut back. There is no better time to shed those bad money habits and start clean with a new budgeting attitude.

Spending 101

When you spend more money than you make each month you are bound to have money problems very quickly. The bad part is that most of us never realize we are spending that much until it's too late. It is important to know what and how much your 1) major expenses are, as well as 2) keep tabs on minor spending as well.

How many times have you used the credit cards to buy a TV, school clothes and supplies, fixed the car, or any number of things and not realized that you just exceeded your monthly income. It is important that whatever you put on a credit card will NOT exceed your total monthly income. You may have even realized it but thought there is always next month.

Credit cards are the biggest culprit but they aren't the only way to spend more than you make. Things like payday loans or car title loans also come to mind. Paying $15 to use $100 for a week doesn't seem too bad. However, when you consider that you are paying almost 400% in interest over one year these loans make interest on credit cards look like a great deal.

Normally, installment loans have a lower interest than either credit cards or payday loans but they can still cause problems if you aren't positive that you can make the payments each month. In my opinion, a house payment and the purchase of a car the only real legitimate reasons for paying interest. If you use your credit card for necessities other than shelter and transportation, i.e.: food, paying other bills, etc. please make sure not to pay interest on those items by paying them off in full at the end of the month. I understand that very few people have the means to make these purchases with cash. However, being conscious of the spending on the major and minor expenses will help you gauge if you are going over budget.

One last thing that I make sure I remain true to day in and day out—not living beyond my means…There is something to be said about living a "simple" life—and I am not talking about the show with Paris and Nicole J. We are too concerned in our country with "keeping-up-with-the-Jones'". It is important to not live your life by trying to impress everyone else, but rather living a life and a lifestyle that makes you comfortable.

If you aren't careful you can still get yourself into trouble by buying or renting "more" house that you can afford or having car payments that don't fit your budget. Live within your means and you will be a lot happier and be able to NOT spend more than you make…

Stop the Impulse

Impulse Buying…
We've probably all done it. The thought process may go something like this... "Oh look, this is just what I needed!" Or, "What a great sale!!" Then we may even dig the hole deeper with "I know it's not on my list, I probably should wait... but it's here now, I'm here now... maybe it's just meant to be!" People have many ways of justifying impulse purchases... "I've earned it, I need it, I deserve it, he/she would love this gift - though I know it exceeds my budget," or even worse, "I just want it and I want it now - I don't even care what it costs!" (Hopefully that last one doesn't happen too often, and if it does, counseling may be necessary.) Now of course it's not just gifts, clothing and household items that we may buy on impulse, oh no! Anything that can be purchased with money can be bought on impulse. Even big ticket items like cars and houses. The fact is, every purchase we make can affect our finances in some way, good or bad. Learning to manage our finances better and live more frugally can be a life-long journey, but it doesn't take long to learn that impulse purchases can turn into disasters. The problem is, many of us may do well when it comes to the bigger purchases like buying a new car or a new home, but what about those smaller everyday purchases - like a few extra sodas or magazines at the grocery store each week? It may not seem like much, but an extra soda and magazine (or whatever you pick up that you could have done without), can cost you an extra $10-$50 a week. That's at least $120 per year, and could be as much as $600 or more. And 10 years of regular impulse buying... could cost you $6, 000.00!So, if this is an area where you or someone in your family have a problem, what can you do? Here's a few ideas to help keep those impulses under control! Ø Always keep an ongoing list of things you need to buy on your next trip to any store. Review the list before you leave, and remember to take it with you!

> Make as few trips to the store as possible each month, and avoid the malls entirely. I do my shopping (grocery, toiletries, etc…) every 2 weeks. ALWAYS follow the list--i will detract from it, ONLY if I truly need something or forgot something!

> Give yourself a time limit for how quick to get in and out of the store, along with a personal challenge to not buy anything that's not on your list.

> Know what your budget is for miscellaneous items each month. To help keep track of your impulse purchases...

> Keep track of your receipts in an envelope at home so you'll know how much you're spending as you go through the month. When you've spent your budgeted amount for the month - no more impulse (miscellaneous) purchases!

> AND, if you've successfully passed by that gorgeous new outfit (or that shiny new car that costs as much as a house should!), reward yourself for choosing a Better Life, with a luxurious bubble bath tonight... you've earned it!

Be Open to Receive

Be Open To Receive What You Are Meant To Have
Have you ever felt depressed or worried about something important in your life—your work, your relationships? When it happened, did you feel that you had no energy to get through the day, even to carry out your ordinary routines, much less to do challenging tasks in your life or your job? When you feel this way, isn’t It true that the phone doesn’t ring, the check or callback about a job you have been waiting for doesn’t come, even your closest friends seem to vanish for the time being?
Then your mood changes and turns around. You wake up feeling better and stronger one day—maybe there is a reason for it, maybe it just happens. Once your mood changes and you feel better, everything else does too. The phone starts to ring again. The check or callback comes. A friend calls to invite you somewhere nice.
Believe it or not, it works the same way with you and your money. If you haven’t noticed already, money is a living entity and responds to energy, including yours, and to how you feel about yourself. When you are worrying about money, feeling powerless over your finances and sorry for yourself, money won’t want to hang around you, either. On the other hand, when you feel you’re in control of your money and have enough (even to be generous) money will naturally flow your way. Strange, perhaps, but it is still true. You will become that money magnet you want to be.
We all spend a lot of energy fussing over our money, wishing for more income, balancing our checkbooks, wondering whether we’ll have enough to pay the bills. But there is a question even more important to ask than “Do I have enough?” If you THINK there is NOT enough to go around, you are right! There isn’t…however, if you believe that there is an abundance of wealth that anyone and everyone can tap into, with enough effort and perseverance, you can ALWAYS have enough!

Budgeting 101

Budgeting on a Low Income - Money Tips
Here are a few additional money-saving tips that may help you get your budget in order.

* * *

1. Don't keep cash in your wallet if you can help it.

2. Use your cash card, NOT your credit card, for all purchases and keep careful account of how much you spend; and what you spend it on. For those of you who have a hard time holding on to the cash in your wallet and if you have discipline and you have one card, like an American Express for example, use it for your necessities ONLY. I use my American Express for groceries, transportation, weekly lunches, etc...things that I would have to buy ANYWAY. If you are not disciplined, however, this technique may not be the best for you. You may just want to put a specific amount of cash in your wallet for the week; for example $40/week, and just make it last. When you see yourself getting down to the last $15 dollars...slow the spending down.

3. Use your credit card only when you already have the money for the item or service you are purchasing, or at least most of it. Nothing puts people on low incomes into debt as easily as incorrect use of a credit card. You need to be able to pay off the debt WITHOUT PAYING ANY INTEREST, which means the whole amount needs to be paid as soon as it's due. ****If you have are not able to pay your credit card off as it comes due each month, the only solution might be to cut it up and throw it away.

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS

1. Preferably, cut out long-distance phone calls and ask family and friends to ring YOU. If you can't, at least cut down on the number of calls you make. Try to make all such calls when your phone company has a special "bulk" deal that you know you can afford. If you have a "free night and weekend" deal on your cell phone, save your long-distance and other conversations for those time frames...believe me, you will see the difference!

2. If you spend $5 a week on your state lottery, you could save $260 a year--with a 100% chance of winning!

3. If you smoke, make a determined effort to give it up. This may be very hard but it's well worth the trouble: you'll feel better and pocket a huge savings.

4. Concerts, plays, films, video rentals, etc, may also be off budget. Remember, if it's not necessary to survival...Also, go online and checkout some free cultural activities that may be going on in your area. I do hope at least some of these tips help you. They may even lead you to some more ideas of your own to save money. Finally, good luck with your budget! You will find peace of mind in your new found financial freedom!

$$$create GOOD habits$$$

Yes, when it comes to money, we create and maintain habits…the habits you form while managing your own finances will determine your financial future—success or failure. Here are some steps you can take today to plan for financial independence tomorrow.
Become a Saver
You'll want to save for a variety of reasons. Three of the most important are retirement, emergencies, and major purchases.
Retirement
When your parents/grandparents grew up they new they worked hard and just assumed that the company would take care of them in their retirement with a generous benefit retirement pan. It worked—and many people are today benefiting from it. But boy, things have changed. Today, we cannot depend on companies or employers to provide us with retirement…you HAVE to participate…If you haven't already…Wake up now!
Fortunately, the government is beginning to realize that reality and has begun providing vehicles for retirement savings. 401(k) and 401(b) plans are workplace-based programs. IRA's come in a variety of forms. Which variety may be for you depends on your individual circumstances. If you haven't done so already, check at work to see what is available. If no vehicle is available at work, check out IRA's. Discount brokerage firms (like Fidelity) are a great place to start. Don't feel that you need to put in the maximum if you can't afford to. Start with something, however.
Emergency Fund
You're driving along and suddenly your car starts making a new noise. You go into your mechanic and you find out that noise is a symptom of a $500 problem. The more you get into adult life, the more situations like this you will find yourself in. Once you become a homeowner, not only the car, but the water heater can blow as well. You should try to have from 2-6 months in an emergency cash (liquid…aka…accessible…not in the market…in a high yield interest savings account…perhaps a money market) fund to cover any unexpected events and/or expenses. Having such a fund will have you sleep better at night…trust me. Even if you can't build that all up at once, start with a little bit each paycheck.
Goals
Once you've begun putting a little away for retirement and have set up a fund for emergencies, start saving toward a goal. Want a new car? Want to go on a cruise? Start putting away a little each month. This money should not be in stocks, though a short-term bond fund may be okay if your goal is more than four or five years away. Money market funds, CD's, and savings accounts are good vehicles for this type of savings.
Avoid the Debt Habit
Think long and hard about purchases before springing for them. Ask yourself…DO I "need" this or do I "want" this? The answer to that question can make a difference between life or debt :) Only borrow money for purchases that either a) make a difference in the quality of your life or b) you cannot continue to live without it (like a reliable car—common people I am not talking about designer sunglasses!) That's how it often starts. People get in the habit of borrowing thinking that they can pay it off easily. Then they hit a bump in the road and what they thought was going to be a small payment becomes overwhelming.
Cut Costs To Reach Your Financial Goals Faster
It is amazing how quickly money can slip through our fingers…Keep track of those dollars and you will see how that money adds up—FAST!!• Avoid the fast food trap. At my workplace, there are a couple of people who do fast foods almost every day for lunch. When I buy gas early in the morning, I often see people spend $3 or $4 in the convenience store for breakfast. Do this every day and the cost can easily be $120. Eat breakfast at home and bring your lunch and you can easily save half of that leaving more money for eating with friends at real restaurants and saving toward goals.
• Use grocery coupons—you can save a lot of money by doing a little bit of work. Plan ahead—I go shopping once or twice a month and plan ahead with coupons and I also go to stores that do double coupons and price comparison—it saves me 5 trips to different grocery stores and saves me money in the long run.
• Buy when on sale Almost everything in a department store goes on sale. Need clothes or something for the house? It will probably go on sale somewhere in a couple of weeks.
• Consider buying gently used item Experts say that if you buy a 2 or 3 year old car in good condition and keep it through its useful life, you will save 40% on car costs over buying new. As you continue on your financial journey remember these tips…save, stay out of debt and consume wisely. It may be a little more effort and sacrifice but the peace of mind that you will get will be worth it!