From your bestie to your mom, it's never easy finding gifts for the women in our lives. We know as well as the next gal that we're hard to shop for! So, we went ahead and picked out what we think are some pretty sweet gifts for every lady on your list. For that friend that's sending you a heartfelt card every time you get a new job, a new apartment, even a new boyfriend, return the favor. This set of cards has five different designs for most all occasions, from "Happy Birthday" to "Congratulations" to "Get Well." For such a fab gift as this, you may just get one of the chic "Thank You" cards in the mail. $35. More from Marie Claire: We'd be surprised to find anyone who wouldn't love wearing this modern, edgy take of the traditional charm bracelet. Created by Ana Karolina, a 19-year-old Mexican-born designer who made her debut at Nordstrom at the ripe old age of 17, this silver-plated chain bracelet makes skulls and bugs look oh-so cool! $114 at Ana Karolina. If you have a pal whose purse is swimming in loose Post-Its and a half-dozen half-filled notepads, this nifty organizational system may be the perfect antidote. The clever set of blank booklets is designed to be used one per month (there's a studded perforation on the cover denoting which month) for sketching ideas, writing lists, and taking notes. It's all they'll need for the year. $40 at Canoe. You've probably seen one of these at a cute little boutique while on vacation in a state that you don't have a personal affinity for. Well, now you can have your choice from all 50 of them! Celebrate her favorite state — whether it's where she's from, where she lives, or where she dreams of visiting — with one of these lively pillows that includes the state's name and outline along with its most famous cities and sites. It's an heirloom in the making! $149 If you love a breezy bike ride but have no one to join you, this will get just about anyone excited about taking to two wheels. The Dutch-style 3-speed bike has all that old-school aesthetic (also known as modern-day hipster) charm but with the components of a modern ride. From ergonomic handlebars to city-smart tires, it's perfect for urban riding. We love them all but are partial to the C3 for its step-thru frame (perfect for the gal who won't sacrifice wearing skirts on her commute) and top-of-the-line internal hub. $650 at Public Bikes. The most generous reader on your list — or perhaps the host of your monthly book club — definitely deserves this DIY librarian-in-a-box. By reviving some old-fashioned (some, even nostalgic!) library circulation techniques, your pal will never worry about lending a book only to never see it returned. $14 to $16. For your celeb-obsessed pal who pays attention to Fashion Week only when it's a runway show designed by Gwen Stefani or when Kim Kardashian is sitting front row, this limited-edition set might even be better than a lifetime subscription to Us Weekly. With one-ounce bottles from more than 20 top fragrances — we're talking multiple Mariah Carey perfumes, some Paris Hilton scents, and of course a chic Harajuku Lovers bottle — she'll be smelling like a star for years to come. $500 at Perfumania. Women love chocolate. It's a stereotype, but it's true. That's why we are so happy that Baked by Melissa — the cult bakery that started the whole mini-cupcake craze — is now dipping pretty-much-amazing-on-its-own cupcakes in delectable dark chocolate. The set includes the store's eight most popular flavors, from Tie-Dye to Red Velvet to Peanut Butter & Jelly to Chocolate Chip Pancake. $25 at Baked by Melissa. Family is everything, so why not give your mom a piece of jewelry that really symbolizes that. Perfect for parents of one child up to four (any more than that, and you may just need to splurge for two charms!), the darling birds on this handmade recycled sterling silver necklace will perch happily on her collar bone. Even better: Give it to all the moms in your life — aunts and grandmas, too! $70 to $79. Inspire your friend who's always begging to host an arts and crafts night with a gift that will lead to her next great masterpiece. The set has colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolor and acrylic paints, brushes and even one of those real-deal wooden palettes, all tucked neatly in an elmwood carrying case with folding easel. $149 at Restoration Hardware. There's not a lady out there who won't swoon over this batch of products perfect for nourishing skin. The Creme de Corps line — which includes creams and polishes to balms and even a powerful line-reducing concentrate — is rich in all-day hydration that is well-timed with winter's skin-drying weather. $59. For some, jewelry is too personal a gift. So, simplify things by offering her a place to store all the great accessories she's already got. This beautiful Tiffany blue box even includes a removable travel case, which is perfect for the gal on the go. $130 at Red Envelope. If an iconic Chanel handbag is too pie-in-the-sky, these chic shades from the fashion label's special winter collection are a great substitute. Designed to look precious, Karl Lagerfeld turned his attention to one of the brand's most recurrent emblems: the chain. This pair of cat-eye glasses has interwoven chain and leather temples to set it apart. $600 at ILORI Style stores.Lust-Worthy Holiday Gifts for Her
Kate Spade All-Occasion Gift Cards
Courtesy of Kate SpadeKate Spade All-Occasion Gift Cards
Love and War Charm Bracelet
Courtesy of Ana KarolinaLove and War Charm Bracelet
One Year of White Pages
Courtesy of CanoeOne Year of White Pages
Hand-Embroidered State Pillow
Courtesy of UncommonGoodsHand-Embroidered State Pillow
Public Urban Cruiser Bicycle
Courtesy of Public BikesPublic Urban Cruiser Bicycle
Personal Library Kit
Courtesy of Knock KnockPersonal Library Kit
The Celebrity Fragrance Collection
Courtesy of PerfumaniaThe Celebrity Fragrance Collection
Baked by Melissa Mini Cupcakes
Courtesy of Baked by MelissaBaked by Melissa "In Chocolate" Mini Cupcakes
Mother Nestling Birds Necklace
Courtesy of UncommonGoodsMother Nestling Birds Necklace
Studio Essential Art Set
Courtesy of Restoration HardwareStudio Essential Art Set
Kiehl's Creme de Corps Collection
Courtesy of Kiehl'sKiehl's Creme de Corps Collection
Leather Jewelry Box
Courtesy of Red EnvelopeLeather Jewelry Box
Chanel Prestige Sunglasses
Courtesy of ChanelChanel Prestige Sunglasses
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Times are tough. No denying it. A week and a half ago I started my new job within the agency i was already working for. Working till 11pm 3 nights a week and having odd hours amongst other reason's just wasn't working for me anymore. Collin would always be asleep or really really cranky when i would get home. I also was dealing, and still am, with some insomnia resulting in the need to take a sleeping aid almost every night. Now i work at a Day Hab, the place where the individuals in our agency go during the day to "work", m-f 8-4. I have holiday's off and it's much easier work. Not so much physical assist or effort. It's more demanding on the voice (due to talking practically all day and repeating oneself with directions to the individuals) and mind and patience. I'm liking the change up in the job details. And i love being home for dinner every night and have my nights to myself. Plus it seems like the days go by quicker. Which for now is a good thing... I'm looking forward to improving my sleep. Not sure what's really next. We are hoping for a lot to get accomplished in the next month but we shall see if they all get done.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
What you didn't know about energy efficiency could hurt your pocketbook. Though it seems that closing vents in unused rooms would save energy, the energy consumed by the system is at the unit itself, and restricting conditioned air at a vent termination redirects it to other locations in the house or through leaks in your duct system. Closing vents also puts backpressure on the fan that pushes the air through the system, causing it to work harder, use more energy, and wear out faster. Replacing single-pane windows for Energy-Star rated dual-pane windows will save energy. That energy savings, however, is a function of the size and number of windows in your home, their orientation and overhangs, and the location of your house and the climate zone you are live in. This typically amounts to a small fraction of your total energy use, and given the expense of replacing windows, there are typically much more cost-effective ways to reduce your energy bills. See the full list of Energy-Saving Myths A furnace will provide heat at its max power (or a fraction of max power for multi-stage units) when it is first turned on. So, setting the temperature higher will have little effect in how quickly a home heats. Setting the thermostat higher does have the potential to increase the run-time of the heating system, using more energy and potentially making your home uncomfortably hot. Given that electricity is typically between four and 10 times the cost of natural gas, running just two electric space heaters can cost the equivalent of heating an entire home with a gas-powered system. Some people actually believe that if leaving the light on when they leave the room for a few minutes to take a restroom break, for example, is better than turning it off and then on again when they return. There is no significant additional power draw when turning on a light bulb (other than the calories you use by flipping the switch). So, turn off the lights each time you leave a room, even if for just a couple of minutes.5 Energy-saving myths
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Two daughters' weddings, a new transmission, a new roof and one big secret The U.S. government can learn a lot about shedding debt from Jerry and Sue Bailey. The Jackson, Mich., couple paid off $92,000 in credit card debt in 5-1/2 years. "I still can't believe it when I hear the amount. I don't wish this on anybody," Sue Bailey says. The couple's massive debt reduction earned them the Clients of the Year award from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a nonprofit association of credit counseling agencies that help consumers manage their finances and get out of debt. The winners were announced this week at the group's annual meeting in San Francisco. 17 Credit Cards How did the Baileys end up in such a predicament? From 1992 to 2005, they ran up bills on 17 different credit cards. During that time, they paid for two weddings for their daughters (at a cost of $5,000 each), replaced the transmission in their car when it blew out, made numerous repairs on their home and replaced the roof when it started to leak. Everything went on a credit card. "We got caught up with 'More is better' and 'How much is enough'," says Jerry Bailey, a pastor. He handled the family finances but didn't let his wife, a nurse, know how much debt they were amassing. "My first clue was when the people started calling our house," Sue Bailey says, describing calls from debt collectors about unpaid bills. "My husband is very loving and very protective, to a fault sometimes." The magnitude of their financial woes hit home when he told her they had to put the cost of their daughter's wedding reception on a credit card. When they added up all the bills, the $92,000 total debt was staggering. (See the Baileys' video testimonial about theirdebt loss.) "I never thought it would happen to me. It happens to other people," Sue Bailey says of their massive debt. "You feel kind of ashamed that you got there because you believe in paying your debt and paying what you owe." Afraid of the Mailbox, Phone They recall being afraid to go to the mailbox for fear of the bills they would find there. Sue Bailey says when she was home alone, she checked the caller ID before answering a call. If it was a bill collector, "I wouldn't answer the phone," she says. "That is no way to live your life," Jerry Bailey says. The couple sought help in May 2005 from their local credit union. A representative suggested they file for bankruptcy, but the couple dismissed that option. "We just don't believe in that," Sue Bailey says. "We believe in paying what we owe." [Click here to check current credit card offers, including rates and terms.] The credit union then suggested they contact GreenPath Debt Solutions, a nonprofit credit counseling agency and NFCC member based in Farmington Hills, Mich. GreenPath and other nonprofit credit counseling agencies enroll financially troubled consumers in debt management plans to pay off outstanding debt. Clients agree to make monthly payments to the credit counseling agency, which distributes the money to creditors each month until the debts are paid off. The agencies have a long track record of negotiating with creditors to reduce interest rates and make affordable monthly payments. The Baileys' road to debt freedom wasn't easy. Sue Bailey had to briefly stop working as a visiting home nurse when she needed foot surgery. Their GreenPath credit counselor, Mary Haas, stepped in to help, contacting creditors seeking further reductions in payment amounts. All but two agreed to reductions. "When I hear a success story like the Baileys', it makes me really feel good about what I do for a living," Haas says. "I'm glad that I was involved in helping them achieve their goal of getting out of debt." Through budgeting, sacrificing and taking on extra work to earn more income, the Baileys paid off their debt in October 2010. Jerry Bailey says he didn't believe it when he got the call from Haas that they had completed the program. He couldn't believe he was finally finished. "I had her repeat it because I wasn't sure," he recalls. Says Jerry Bailey: "The scripture tells us that the borrower is a slave to the lender, and we really felt that way for a long time. That was true for us until GreenPath came along and helped us to climb out painful step after painful step." GreenPath CEO and President Jane McNamara says everyone, including the federal government, can learn from the Baileys' debt reduction ethic. "Not everyone is as dedicated as they were," says McNamara. "They made a lot of sacrifices. They weren't able to spend as much time as they would liked with their children and grandchildren." She adds: "I have said several times, what they need in Washington is a debt management program. When we talk to people who are overextended, we look for ways to increase income, decrease expenses and balance the budget. This is not rocket science." Advice to Others: Save and Talk Jerry Bailey advises those who may be where he was six years ago to "put just a little bit out of every paycheck into a savings account. Let it build up for when that rainy day comes because it does come." What would they do differently if they had it to do all over again? "We'd tear up the credit cards," Sue Bailey says. "Don't get more than one," her husband adds. "You need to have one, but pay it off every month." Sue Bailey's advice to other couples sharing finances: "Talk to each other; don't play the blame game. We both did it. I didn't blame him. We did it together." She adds: "If you don't have money to buy something, then you have to ask, do I need it or do I want it and can it wait until later."
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling has honored Jerry and Sue Bailey for their dedication and sacrifice over more than five years that resulted in them paying off $92,000 in debt. More from CreditCards.com:
• What Type of Debt Help Is Right for You?
• How to Turn Good Credit Into Great Credit
• FICO's 5 Factors: What Makes Up Your Credit Score
living on 40,000...
As Washington politicians debate whether earning $250,000 a year makes a family rich, special education teacher Danny Kofke has come up with a much lower threshold for wealth: The father of two says that his family of four can live well on his $40,000 a year salary—and you can, too. He explains how in his new book, A Simple Book of Financial Wisdom, a follow-up to his first book, How to Survive (and Perhaps Thrive) on a Teacher's Salary. US News spoke with Kofke about how he manages to stretch his income and his tips for others trying to do the same. Excerpts: It's pretty impressive that you have supported your family of four on less than $40,000 a year. How did you do it? This took long-term planning. Raising a family of four on my teacher's salary would be next to impossible if we had a huge mortgage and a lot of debt. Before we had children, my wife, Tracy, was a teacher, too. We had a plan for her to be able to stay at home once we had children. We werenÂ’t exactly sure when this would happen (this is for The Man Upstairs to decide), but we had an idea on when we would start trying. We ended up being married four years before Ava was born. During this time, we tried to live off one of our teaching salaries and used the other one to pay off debt and establish an emergency fund. We were not sure how long Tracy would be able to stay home—we initially aimed for one year—but were able to have her stay home for six years and work part-time for one. We were able to do this even after having our younger daughter, Ella, three years after Ava. The key for us was the long-term planning. Can anyone really succeed at this? I do feel that almost anyone can. I know there are some that earn a lot less than I do or have more debt but I feel they can work towards this, too. I am not a financial major or a chief executive of a company. I have never even taken a financial class in my life. If this 35-year-old school teacher can learn the basics of money management and finances, then others can, too. Tell us some of your more unusual advice, that we might not have heard before. I think the biggest thing I have learned is if broke people are making fun of you and laughing at your ways, then you are doing something right. It was difficult to get mocked when Tracy was working and we chose to live off one salary while others were spending like there was no tomorrow. Many people told me to get off my wallet and spend money. Pride is sometimes a hard thing to swallow, but I knew that many of these people were not making smart financial decisions and these decisions would eventually come back and hurt them. I don't know if it is unusual advice but, when making financial decisions, you have to do what is right for you and not be influenced by the many temptations that surround us. What's the hardest financial rule for you to follow personally? Living below my means is the toughest rule for me to follow. There are so many temptations—Madison Avenue spends billions of dollars each year to get our money—and sometimes I want to buy things I know I should not. When this occurs, I allow myself a 24-hour breather and, if I still feel strongly about buying that object after this time, I will discuss it with Tracy. The great thing is, after I let the emotional aspect have time to go away, my more rational side speaks to me and I make a sound decision. How are you teaching your children about money? Once my older daughter, Ava, turned three, we had her do simple household chores so we could teach her how to handle money. I am not a fan of rewarding others for things they should be doing anyway, but I did make an exception with Ava since my initial goal was to teach her money management skills. We started with chores that were easy for her to complete: cleaning her room, brushing her teeth. Every night, we would check off the chores that were completed, and every Friday we added them up and she was paid. We called this money what most parents do: an allowance. No matter what you call it, make sure your child does the work to earn the money. After Ava got paid (she could earn up to $1 each week), she had three jars: Give Away, Savings and Spending. She first put 10 cents in the Give Away jar, 25 cents in the Savings jar and the remaining amount in the Spending jar. This worked so well for us. When we were at the store, often Ava would see something she wanted. We never had any arguments; we would simply say, "We'll have to go home and see if you have enough money in your spending or savings jar to buy it." Ava has used the money in her Give Away jar in numerous ways. One year there was a little girl at my school who lost her father shortly before Christmas. Ava used her Give Away money to buy this little girl a stuffed animal. Ava actually came to my school and delivered this to her personally. Another year, Ava used this money to buy canned food for needy families in our community. This past Christmas, there was a family at her school that was struggling. Ava used the money in her Give Away jar to buy them a gift card to a local grocery store. If Ava continues to apply these lessons in life—gives away 10 percent of her money, then saves 25 percent of it and uses the remainder for spending—and goes above and beyond in her job, she will be wealthy in more ways than a fat bank account can show.More from USNews.com:
• The Worst States for Millionaires
• 10 Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2011
• A Financial Checklist for 30-Somethings
living on $20,000 a year
Last week, we ran a story on living well on $40,000 a year, featuring a special education teacher who supports his family of four on that relatively modest salary. Fifty people commented on the article, many of whom argued that living on $40,000 a year was hardly an impressive feat. "I could live like a king on $40,000 a year. Try living on $22,000 a year and see how that goes for you. And I have a family of three," said Joyce of Maine. Connie from Texas expressed a similar sentiment: "I would feel really rich if I made that kind of money? Why don't you have an article on how to live on $17,000 or $20,000 a year?" To do just that, we tracked down Joseph Fonseca, a writer currently living in Seattle who supports himself on $20,000 a year. Fonseca, 28, authored a first-person piece in the Washington Post over the weekend describing his "10 cities, 10 years" project, in which he moves every year and starts over in a new town. An aspiring novelist, he plans to eventually write a book about his quest. We spoke with him by phone to get more details about just how he makes ends meet. Excerpts: Do you avoid a lot of the expenses that many of your peers spend money on, such as technology and meals out? For the most part, yes. I have a lower-end Android phone because I needed a new phone. I went as cheap as possible. I don't own a car, I rely on public transportation, and sometimes biking. I have a laptop, because I need it for writing. I do have Internet access because it's pretty important to get online. My only extra bill is Netflix, and I'm considering getting rid of that. I don't go out to eat, or just for special occasions. I cook for every meal. I don't drink coffee. I try to stick with water. I do go out to bars, but not every night. That's my best way to meet people and experience cities. What's your typical meal? I usually buy a pound of beef and a package of chicken and make easy Mexican dishes. I get some vegetables and mix it all together and throw it on a tortilla. I do a lot of pasta dishes. When I'm working, I usually pack a lunch, I make a sandwich plus chips or cookies to get me through the day. Then I get home and cook a fuller meal. I try to have a good mix [of food] so I don't get sick. My brother taught me little tricks to take different ingredients around the house, like seasonings, to make a sauce that's different and more unique, to give yourself different tastes. What about clothes? Once or twice a year, I might get a few new things, like an extra pair of jeans or pants, or a couple shirts, but I still have shirts I wore to college, so they're six or seven years old or older. If a job requires certain clothes, then I'll buy clothes for that. I maybe get one new pair of shoes a year and make them last as long as possible. I mostly shop at cheaper places, like thrift stores or Salvation Army or Goodwill. Those are good places to hit up. What about going on dates? I was in a relationship for a couple years, and we'd go to movies or bars. I like to go to movies, so I try to find cheaper movie places. We'd go to parks and take books or play a board game out there. We'd go to free art exhibits or save up and make a night of it. When I lived in Nashville, I'd get free passes to art museums where I worked, so I'd use that. Do you indulge in any luxuries? I splurge on things with friends, like going out to bars. To me, the most important thing is to have fun with friends. I'd rather spend $30 or $40 to go out with friends and have those memories that buy a bunch of CDs or random things. What's the hardest thing to do without? There are days that I wished I had a car. Sometimes public transportation isn't great. But for me, the benefits of not having a car outweigh that [feeling]. Do you have health insurance? I don't. I had one job that offered it, so I had it for a little and went to the doctor and got a clean bill of health. I do have the thought, if I get sick or hurt, I can't afford to go to the doctor. Luckily, I rarely get sick. If I start to get sick, I try to eat a little healthier. I've been hurt a few times, but just made do. Do you have any savings for emergencies? My savings all go toward the move each year, so long-term, I don't have any savings. I also don't have any debt. I try to save $3,000 for each move, and that gives me a little security to settle in and put down deposits. Do you anticipate or look forward to having a higher salary one day? Not necessarily. I hope to make my career as a writer. My goal has always been to do that. I've never been someone that wanted to be settled into a career. I may or may not have a family some day. I don't see myself as someone that will own a house and have property. I basically just want to be someone who at some point can say, "I'm a writer full-time." Hopefully it would pay more than $20,000 a year, but I could live a satisfactory life on $50,000 a year and be a writer and do other things if I had to. To me, life experience, traveling, and meeting people is so much more valuable than having a nest egg. If I had children, I would want to make enough money to support them. But as long as I'm unattached, I'm just concerned about my life. I don't imagine I'll ever be a well-off business person. As long as I have enough money to be happy in my own life and satisfied with my goals and not relying on others, then I'll be happy. What about retirement--do you plan on ever saving enough to retire? I don't think about it too much. To retire requires having a career to retire from. My ambition is to be a writer, and I'd love to be writing into my old age, to be like Vonnegut and write until the day I die. Do you have any advice to others trying to live on $20,000 a year? You can get rid of so much stuff and you'll realize how little you're really missing. It's about prioritizing what you really need in life. It's hard to save and stick to a strict budget if you don't have a reason, or if you're just vaguely saving. You should have a goal you're working toward, a career goal or an artistic goal.
