How To Save Even More Money by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on August 31, 2011  General  No Responses »
Aug 312011
 

Last week, I shared 5 tips on how to save money in your home.   Based on the positive response, I wanted to give you 5 more that I have found to be helpful.  I did financial counseling for 10 years in Corporate America and learned a great deal of proper money management.  What’s more, I walked away from a six-figure salary to walk into full-time volunteering a few years ago and had to become quite creative on how to make ends meet, until my business launched.  Here’s what I learned:

  1. Take advantage of coupons and rebates.  Couponing alone could become a full-time job and most of us do not have that type of time to dedicate to the task.  However, if you make even a minimal effort to research what grocery and discount stores in your area are running special coupon programs, you can literally save $100′s every month.  It is well worth an hour of your time per week.
  2. Learn about “Kids Eat Free” specials.  There are websites in almost every community that broadcast the daily kids-eat-free restaurants.  If you are going to eat out anyway, why not find the places that will allow you bring children for free? 
  3. Learn the art of the Crockpot Meal.  Admittedly, I have never been a great fan of cooking and only did so out of necessity.  I ate out quite a bit when my kids were younger and I am certain that I fed them far too many beanie-weenies.  A few years back, I dug out my slow-cooker from under the cabinet and committed to learn recipes.  There are hundreds of recipes to cook almost any kind of meat.  The neat thing is this — not only are you feeding your family a healthier meal and a significantly lower cost than eating out, it is an easy way to have a warm family meal together.
  4. Buy only used automobiles.  This is necessity.  Brand-new cars lose their value almost immediately.  Yet, we often pay for them for years.  Cars are made so efficiently today that almost any car is certain to last for years.  Purchase a car that is at least 24-36 months old and save dramatically on purchase price.
  5. Drive slower.  Simply but very true.  Faster speeds burn more gas.  With gas prices sky-rocketing upwards of $4.00 per gallon, you can save hundreds annually by simply going 5 miles slower per hour. 

    6. Continue reading »

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Is Your Heart’s GPS Working?

 Posted by Michele on August 29, 2011  General  No Responses »
Aug 292011
 

Let your heart and intuition serve as a guide to lead you out of what could be troubled waters and away from those people and things that will only hurt you and cause you pain. You already know at some level who those precious few are that love you for the right reasons and those that falsely love you based on everything that is wrong. Be strong, listen and walk away – you deserve nothing but the best. M DeVille

I must admit that I am terrible when it comes to asking for directions or using a GPS to help me get to where I need to go. There have been times that I have literally driven around in circles defiant and determined to find my way without seeking help. In today’s world and with the gifts of technology, there is no excuse to get lost yet people do it all the time. It is one thing to get lost when driving to a destination but what happens when we find ourselves lost in life? How can we avoid taking those wrong turns in the journey or worse yet ignoring the gift of intuition that is there to protect and lead us away from those things and people that can hurt us along the way.

We are all born with a powerful voice that rests deep within our hearts. Sometimes that voice lies in silence and sometimes it roars. That force is a GOD given gift and it is there to guide us, lead us, warn us and protect us yet we often choose to ignore it. We each have our own personal GPS system meant to prevent us from taking those wrong turns in life that can cause hurt, pain, regret and leaving us feeling lost and unable to find our way. The issue is not that we don’t have an internal GPS but instead that we often choose to not use it. Continue reading »

Are You Someones Priority or Just Their Option?

 Posted by Bill on August 29, 2011  General  No Responses »
Aug 292011
 

 

“Never allow someone to be your priority, while you’re just their option”. 

I recently posted this saying on my Facebook page and to my surprise got quite the response from people.  It seems that at one time or another we have all been guilty of making someone our priority, when we were just their option.

I am sure that so many of you who are divorced feel this way, after all it is usually the one who has had enough of making everyone else their priority, without feeling appreciated themselves, that finally says enough and files for divorce. There are also those out there who are such constant caregivers that they always seem to find themselves making everyone else their priority, while they are just someone else’s option. Sound familiar to any of you? How about the person who divorces, and after the proper amount of time decides to date again, only to find themselves in need of attention and comfort so bad, that they once again “make someone their priority, while they only make them their option”. Continue reading »

Do What’s Right.

 Posted by Michael on August 26, 2011  General  4 Responses »
Aug 262011
 

I have often been accused of being brutally honest at times. A lot of people like that characteristic, but I will admit I often say things I wish I hadn’t. This is not one of them. Many of you may disagree with what I am about to write, but this is a blog, which by nature is someone’s opinion.

As parents, our number one priority is our children. No one wants to acknowledge we have limitations, but if we are to be the best parents possible, single and custodial parents must make sacrifices. Choosing a career that allows flexibility is doing what is right for your children.  We strive to be successful in our careers. Our success has a direct impact on how/what we can provide our children. That being said, our children need our love and our presence. They can do without material things, but they cannot do without you. They cannot do without our love and our presence. I learned this from personal experience.
Most careers are time consuming. The time being consumed is often time a single parent should be spending with their children. Our children have experienced a loss through divorce, death of a parent, abandonment, drug or alcohol abuse, etc. The last thing they need is for the parent they rely on to be missing from their lives due to something they can control, and we CAN control our careers.

How many ball games, teacher conferences, open houses, doctors’ appointments, dance recitals, class parties have you missed due to your work schedule? How often do you miss helping your children study for the next day’s test, comfort them when they are home sick, sit around the table and eat together, play a board game with them, go out and throw the ball around, say prayers and tuck them in at night?
What do you think is most important to your children?
Our children are our #1 priority, not our career.
I realize each of us must work to feed our children, put a roof over their head, clothe them, provide healthcare, pay the bills, etc. But, we do have options in how we go about it.
Many people are blessed with flexibility in their career. I am one of those people, but that wasn’t always the case. I have gone through 2 career changes so that I can be there for my children. You have the choice. No, choice is not the right word. You have the responsibility to find a career/job which allows flexibility to care for your kids. Continue reading »

Are You Hiding Behind Your Kids?

 Posted by Davis on August 24, 2011  General  1 Response »
Aug 242011
 

Are You Using Your Kids To Avoid Life?

When was the last time you did something for yourself?

A Spa day?

Worked out?

Got a hair cut? Continue reading »

5 Ways to Save Thousands $$ by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on August 24, 2011  General  No Responses »
Aug 242011
 

In light of recent difficult economic times and in remembering those times when I scraped pennies to put gas in my car to get to work, I want to share some simple, but valuable ideas on how to save money in your household.  

  1. Invest in a thermos and make your own premium coffee at home.  It is estimated that coffee shops’ average cup of coffee with all the fixings is $4.00 and the average American buys 3 per week.  This is almost $50 per month spent on luxury coffee.  That’s $600 per year!
  2. Unplug all appliances in your home when not in use.  That’s right.  Unplug that television, lamp, blender, and can opener.  Even when appliances are not in use, they still use energy when staying plugged in.  I learned this little tip a few years ago and immediately saw a difference in my electricy bill.  (I would estimate about $50 per month, at least!)
  3. Call your credit card company and ask for a lower rate.  It seems simply, right?  The truth is, many Americans secured a credit card many years ago and have paid satisfactory for many years.  The rate may have been at 19% several years ago, but credit card companies will very often lower your rate in order to save your business.  (Obviously, I recommend having $0 credit card debt, but in the event you already have the debt, get the lowest rate possible).
  4. Shop cable, internet, and phone companies.  Most of us sign up for these services when moving into our new place and rarely every do anything different.  Because the economic market is suppressed, competition among companies is very high.  Call your companies and ask for their very best deals.  Then, simply shop with competitors.  (I have even been paid $100 cash to stay with my phone company in the past!)
  5. Refinance your home, if you are a homeowner.  Rates are as low as 3.25% right now, which is unprecedented.  If you are paying more than this on your home mortgage now (and you can recoup closing costs on the new loan within 30 months), go for it!  There can be drastic savings on your monthly  mortgage note and your long-term interest.

These suggestions can save you thousands every years and only take a few minutes each to implement into your daily life.  We all can afford to save a few dollars to put back for children’s college funds, our retirement, and more, so get started today. Continue reading »

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“You Is Kind, You Is Smart, You Is Important”

 Posted by Michele on August 22, 2011  General  2 Responses »
Aug 222011
 

Last week I went to the movie “The Help” with my three girls and we all loved it! It is a movie that I believe everyone should see and it truly moved each one of us as we left the theatre that evening. Abilene is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi raising her 17th white child and one of the things that touched me most was the unconditional love she gave to the little girl. Every chance she gets, Abilene says to the child, “you is kind, you is smart, you is important” and she then has the child say it back. “I is kind, I is smart, I is important”. Needless to say, I found myself in tears off and on during this movie and it is one I will see again.

Those few simple words stirred something deep inside of me and it reminded me of how powerful words can be. We all grow up needing to feel loved, protected, supported and significant. As children, the words we hear can shape and mold so much of who we are and so much of what we are told or hear travels with us far beyond childhood and into our adult lives. As parents, we hold great power as we raise our children and it is important to remember that kids listen to everything we say and hear far more than we would sometimes like them to. Children feel the sting of the harsh words, internalize the negative ones and believe everything they are told whether it is good or bad.

I certainly tried to tell my girls how smart, beautiful, kind , important and good they were as often as I could and I certainly told them I loved them and that I was proud of them every day. Or did I? Looking back, I know I could have done a better job at building them up and I could have told them how wonderful and amazing they are far more. On the flip side, I am sure I could have reigned in the negative comments a bit more when I was upset, angry, stressed or exhausted. Abilene reminded me of how simple yet powerful a few simple words can be to anyone yet alone a child. I remember how certain words and incessant teasing from my dad hurt when I was a child and how I came to feel “not good enough” and carried that with me as a grown woman. Continue reading »

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