Looking Ahead and Starting Now.

There is a question that I always ask my clients in our first meeting, it goes like this; "If we were meeting 3 years from now and you were looking back on this meeting, WHAT is it that has to happen for you to feel successful in where you are at?"

It is a very profound and deeply though provoking question for some and others have immediate, tip-of-the-tongue answers. But everyone has answers. We all want something better for our futures, don't we? Or at least different, or maybe simpler, or are you wanting to spice things up more? Isn't that why New Years Eve resolutions are so popular (or dreaded) for the general population every year? How many of of these "resolutions" quickly turn into mere "intentions" without any real weight or momentum behind them, leaving any real improvement in our lives in the dust? Why, why does this happen?

Hmmmm.... time to think, more tomorrow.... must have chocolate!

It's been a long time...

I have spent a long time trying to decide whether to close my Blog down or start writing again. The truth is, I fear I have have nothing really profitable to say, is anyone really wanting to read my rantings? But I think I am in need of another project so, the Blog shall live. "La Vida Blog"! Or something like that! I will be doing some more updates to it though because I am not quite happy with the format and platform that it has, it doesn't quite seem to represent me completely. Kinda getting excited!!

Marraige & Money - Making a Budget

Developing a Budget that is Successful

March 24th, 2010 | Budget, Personal Finance, money management techniques 

In general there is no way to overcome major financial problems without going to a budget. Even if you do not like the idea of budgeting, a good budget is like a trail boss who knows the entire forest like the back of his hand. Your budget will also prove to be the guide to your future financial success

There are five items I am sure will provide you with a basic skeleton of a working budget for you to flesh out and call your own.

1 - Teamwork - The relationship that you have with your spouse is one of the most important of all human relationships in your life. If you are married, then you need to treat your situation as if you and your spouse are one entity, which means that all of the most important decisions in your life need to be made together. Teamwork, then, is a vitally important part of developing a successful budget for your relationship or your family.

2 - Truth - It is important that you learn and comprehend what your true income actually is. Most people are not really aware of what their true income is. So what is a true income? Your true income is the actual dollar amount that the entire family is bringing in every month. These are the net dollars that remain after taxes and other withholdings have been paid. This is a reliable amount of money, and it is a for-sure amount of income that is not going to be dependent on things like bonuses, overtime or simple wishful thinking. The only way that you are going to have an accurate working budget is to know what your actual spendable dollars are.

3 - Monthly Budget - You need to make sure that you are doing your budget every single month. Prepare your budget brand new with every new month. You do not have to reinvent the wheel every single month because your budget format will already be in place, but you are going to want to prepare a brand new budget every single month because it will force you to rethink and review your spending habits on a regular basis and it will encourage communication within the family.

4 - Commit to Paper - Get your paper down on paper for the best possible results. Everything you do should be put down on paper because this makes it definitive. If your family budget is going to have any kind of an impact at all, then you are going to need to get it down on paper sooner rather than later.

5 - Prioritize - If you want your budget to have the biggest impact on your family, you need to be willing to prepare your budget based on where dollars need to go first and foremost.

Photo Credits: ThrasherDave

Originally posted 2009-10-26 03:28:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Shelley's Chicken Salad

This salad comes from one of my good friends, when I visit her house it is mandatory that she make it for me :)

2 cans or C shredded chicken
2 stalks celery, diced
2 stalks green onions, diced
1/4 C mayonnaise (I use Veginaise)
2 red apples, diced
1 t curry powder
1 t dill
salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and cover tightly. Rest in refrigerator 2 hours to blend flavors.
Serve over lettuce leaves, on bread or in celery stalks. Very yummy!

Great Coupon and Deal Site

I just stumbled upon this great resource for daily notices of local sale, deals and coupons! Give it a try.

How are we running?

1 Corinthians 9:24 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Inspiring Story of being "Happy First"

918 Moms - Inspiring others with Happy First by Melanie Henry font size:   Print   Email   1 comments Cancer survivor Debbie Vineyard aims to inspire others through her women’s and children’s clothing line, Happy First. In a minute, Debbie Vineyard’s world changed. As she held her 6-week-old baby and her 3-year-old son scurried about, Vineyard learned she had cancer. A woman known for calling and e-mailing friends to wish them a “Happy First Day of the Month” or “Happy Monday” would begin chemotherapy the next day, Feb. 1, 1995. Of cancer, Vineyard simply says, “I got the good one. Isn’t that funny?” According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the survival rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer involving the body’s lymph system, is generally 90 percent or higher when the disease is detected during early stages, as it was for Vineyard. Vineyard knew the odds were on her side, but the unknown haunted her. “I wasn’t worried about me,” she says. “I was worried about my kids, my husband. I felt like I could beat it from the start. I knew God had a plan for me and I was going to be fine.” Fifteen years later, Vineyard is cancer-free. “Everyone has their own story,” she says. “I had to go through cancer to get my story.” Her story began with a cancer diagnosis, but Vineyard was determined to make her next chapter one of new beginnings. So, Happy First was hatched. The egg-inspired clothing line offers women’s and children’s apparel with unique messages. Four years ago, the line began with eight products. Today, Happy First offers dozens of products with vendors in 15 states and online at  www.HappyFirst.com. Best sellers include “Happy Chick” and “Freshly Hatched” organic infant onesies, adult wraps and “Happy Hour” hoodies. “(It’s) just like you are bursting out of a shell,” Vineyard says. “I like the idea of a fresh start every day.” Friends say her enthusiasm is addictive. College friend  Amy Fuller says Vineyard radiates something special. “I think she’s exploding with the need to explore life and not waste a minute,” she says. Lori Dale, another longtime friend, admits that she often needs “a dose of Debbie” to brighten her day. Others appreciate her contributions as well. This year Vineyard has been nominated as the Pi Beta Phi Woman of the Year. As her company grows, so does Vineyard’s commitment to giving back. In addition to donating a portion of the Happy First proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Vineyard is also an advocate. She says her clothing line is more than just a shirt or jacket. “It’s an opportunity to connect and share my story and encourage people to live life to the fullest,” she says. “I tell them to be positive. Many cancers are curable. Watch the blessings that come from the challenge.” Vineyard says she wants people to embrace the Happy First mentality, which is to simply find your passion and pursue it. Spend a minute with her and you’ll see just how she celebrates life each day. Melanie Henry co-founded 918moms.com, a community Web site for moms who swap stories, save money and share advice. Learn more at www.918moms.com. This article originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of TulsaPeople Magazine.

Words You Should Never Say...

This is a great list from Kathy Peel on 25 things we should never say to our kids!

Crunchy Pork Chops

Getting all of my family to agree on a "good" recipe is a challenge, I tend to test out a lot of new things on my family in the spirit of creating something new and finding ways to save money.... sometimes it's a thumbs up and other times I get asked where the Cheerios are!

This recipe was a surprising hit. The pork was juicy on the inside and the coating remained super crunchy. I started out with a basic recipe and of course added and changed, etc., sometimes it takes a few tries to tweak things, but this one seemed to be perfect after the first go around, so I submit it for your dinnertime pleasure :) My apologies, I forgot to snap a picture; unexpectedly, my parents came over for a spur of the moment dinner so they got to share in the yum as well.

1/2 C Bisquick
1/2 C Panko
1/2 C Flax-Seed Meal
1/4 Wheat Flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
6 boneless, center cut pork chops
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425. Place wire rack on a baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In shallow dish dish, combine Bisquick, Panko and Flax-Seed Meal. In 2 separate shallow dishes, place flour and eggs. Pat pork chops dry with paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge pork in flour; coat in eggs, and dredge in baking mix mixture.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until done. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Pure Vanilla Extract

I love real vanilla, in fact in baking my motto is "why use 1 t of Vanilla when I can use 2"! However good Vanilla is very expensive and in my house goes fast, so I found out how to make it myself. Here's the easy recipe.

1 large bottle of Vodka
3-5 real Vanilla beans (I use Organic)

Split vanilla beans down the center to release the vanilla. Add beans to vodka and seal. You will need about 6 weeks time to cure the vanilla into extract, so store in dark dry place during cure time.

After vanilla is done, you can transfer it to a smaller glass bottle if desired. You will notice that most pure vanilla extract is packaged in dark glass bottles, this is to prevent sun/light exposure. I recommend a dark glass bottle if you can find it.

Color and consistency will not be the same as commercial products but the flavor can not be beat.

More Vodka can be added to use same process to create one more batch of extract, adding 1-2 more beans for a fuller flavor.

Beans are approximately $3-5 per bean, here is where the expense lies, but when you compare it to the amount this recipe yields to the cost of retail Vanilla, it wins in the savings department!

Misty's Spicy Bacon Chili

1/2 pkg Bacon, diced
21/2 lbs beef or sausage combination
1 small sweet onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 T Fennel Seed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 can tomato paste
3 cans chili beans, drained
1 can green chilies
1 dark beer
3 T Beef Bouillon
1 t Chipotle Chili Powder
1 T Worcestershire
1 T Oregano
1 T Basil
1 t Cumin
1 t Hot pepper Sauce
1 t Sea Salt
1 t Black Pepper
1 t Paprika
1 T Sugar

1. In large stock pot over medium-high heat, brown bacon. Set aside.
2. Brown beef, adding ingredients through Fennel Seed. Drain excess grease from pot and return bacon.
3. Add tomatoes through Bouillon and blend.
4. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours.
5. Serve with shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream and/or saltine crackers.

Goes wonderful with my easy Beer Bread!

2 2/3 C Self-Rising Flour

12 oz Dark Beer

1. Heat oven to 375. Grease loaf pan.
2. Mix flour and beer just till moistened.
3. Scrape into loaf pan and Bake 50-55 min until lightly browned and pick comes out clean.
4. Cool on wire rack 5 min in pan.
5. Remove from pan, set on wire rack until cool enough to slice.
6. Slice thickly.

Enjoy!

Reviving Make Up Brush Cleaner

It is hard to remember to clean our make up brushes, but once something touches our face, it needs to be cleaned so as to not spread bacteria. A good rule of thumb is to clean them at least every 2 weeks. This wonderful homemade cleaner is so simple it will having you taking better care of those brushes with very little effort and at a fraction of the cost of retail brush cleaners.

Reviving Make Up Brush Cleanser:
2 Tbs Pure Alcohol
1 C Distilled Water
1 tsp Castille Soap

Have available:
Damp, new sponge or paper towel
2 Shallow dishes or small bowls
Distilled Water
Clean towel or paper towel
1 Clean towel folded

Steps:

1.  In shallow dish of cleanser, dip tip of brush, being careful to not wet the farrel (the metal connection between brush tip and wood handle). Do not swish the brush around, you will "muddy" the cleanser, just hold for a few seconds.
2. Wipe brush back and forth on damp sponge or paper towel, do not rub or circle the tip. Repeat steps 1 & 2 until tip wipes clear.
3.  Wet tip in dish of distilled water to rinse.
4. Wipe again with back and forth motion to rid of excess water on clean paper towel. 
5. Shape brush with fingers and lay flat to dry on folded towel with brush tip hanging over.
6. When brushes are completely dry, fluff lightly with fingers and replace in holder. 

• Always be careful to keep brushes pointed down when handling so water does not get into the farrel.
• Grouping powder brushes, blush, and eye brushes together for cleaning makes it easier.
• For heavy eye liner or lip liner brush cleaning add tip to a drop of Olive Oil on a paper towel and wipe gently for make up removal, then proceed with Step 1. 
• Kabuki or powder brushes can also be "quick cleaned" by wetting tip with distilled water, applying a few drops of soap to a damp sponge, and wiping brush back and forth on sponge, finish with a water rinse and dry.

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

This Cleaner cleans up amazingly, leaving no residue behind only a fresh fragrant scent of your choice! I change the scents to match the season i.e. spring- citrus, summer-lavender, fall-cinnamon, winter-pine. Change it up however you like.

1 funnel

1 clean durable spray bottle

2 c White distilled vinegar

1 T antiseptic essential oil

(thyme, sweet orange, lemon, pine, rose, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, tea tree, etc.)

2 c hot water

2 t liquid detergent (dish soap)

* Add dish soap last so it doesn't foam up on you. I prefer unscented soap unless you are omitting the essential oils... it works without the oils too!

Add ingredients in order as listed with funnel into spray bottle and give a good shake. You will need to shake before each use as the mixture settles. Playing with the ratios is completely up to you, if you like more scent, or prefer less vinegar - go for it, it's your house!

Everything is cost effective except the essential oils can be pricey, check for sales at your local health food store or online. Storage is not a problem, the bottle will last you as long as a regular bottle of cleaner.