May 3, 2012
Cooking, Happy Holidays
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by Mara Michaels and Carolyn Stone
If you are looking for some inspiration on what to do for Mother’s Day this year, this guide is designed with you in mind, to help you come up with some great ideas on how to mark the occasion without spending a lot of time and money.
Discover a range of ideas for activities that any mother will love, which she can do with the children, or the whole family. Consult the gift section for inspiration to find mom a perfect gift that shows how much you care.
Are you planning to enjoy at least one special meal with your mother? Breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner are all easy with the help of the recipes in this guide. You will also find great ideas for side dishes, desserts, and even an elegant afternoon tea. Many of these culinary creations are so simple that even the children can help.
If you are eager to do something different to surprise your mother this Mother’s Day, this guide can help you hit on just the right ideas to surprise and delight even the fussiest parent. Save time, money and effort as you start planning a memorable Mother’s Day.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: Mother’s Day To-Do List: Healthy Things You Can Do for Mom
CHAPTER 2: Mother’s Day Fun with Younger Children
CHAPTER 3: Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
CHAPTER 4: Mother’s Day Meal Planning
CHAPTER 5: Gourmet Food Gifts for Mother’s Day
CHAPTER 6: Mother’s Day Recipes and Meal Planner
+ Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
Main Courses
+ Hot Main Courses
+ Cold Main Courses
+ Side Dishes
+ Desserts
CHAPTER 7: Tea Time Treats for Mother’s Day
+ Tea Time Recipes
CHAPTER 8: How to Make the Most of the Day on Mother’s Day
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX: Mother’s Day Planning Checklist
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mara Michaels is a frequent contributor to the Healthful-Goddess and Nutrition-Goddess.com sites. Carolyn Stone is one of the main editors for both sites, and the author of over four dozen health and self-help titles.
Buy Now: Mother’s Day Activity, Gift and Recipes Guide (Holiday Entertaining)
May 1, 2012
Non-Fiction
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Unexpected financial situations happen to even the most careful among us. When financial emergencies occur in your life, you may find yourself tempted to go for the easiest ways to raise cash. However, there are usually better ways.
If you can keep your wits about you, money can often be raised in ways that have minimal long-term consequences.
Follow these tips to help you calmly assess the situation and determine which option would be best for you.
Be Certain You Really Need Cash
You might not even need cash if your unexpected expense is relatively small. Maybe you have some gift cards to stores or restaurants that you’ve forgotten all about. Also, some credit cards have reward programs that frequently go unused. Some of these pay cash and others build points than can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, and more.
Quick Money Schemes to Avoid, if Possible
1. Family loans. Borrowing money from family and friends can be a positive or negative experience. Whether or not this is a good option for you really depends on your unique situation.
* Consider the likely outcome if you are unable to pay them back as agreed. In many instances, if such likelihood occurs, it can cause hard feelings for a long time.
2. Payday loans. Some of the worst ways to raise cash are loans that come with very high interest and fees. Payday loans are an easy way to raise money quickly, assuming you’re employed. But when you consider the interest and fees associated with these loans, you could easily end up paying them back twice as much as they lent you – or even more!
3. Title loans. Loans that use your car title as collateral are not only very expensive, they are also quite risky. If you can’t pay as agreed, you’ll lose your vehicle.
4. Cash advances from credit cards. These advances are another expensive way to get your hands on some cash. While credit card purchases don’t usually start accruing interest immediately, cash advances do.
Better Options
While still not your best option, you can withdraw money from your retirement account. Here’s a loophole you can use to avoid taxes and penalties:
If you transfer your IRA into a new IRA account, you have the option of having the money sent directly to you, on the condition that you deposit the money into a new IRA account within 60 days. If you can replace the money in that time frame, you’re getting an interest-free, penalty-free, and tax-free loan. You can only do this once each year.
If an IRA transfer isn’t an option for you, you can also sell savings bonds that haven’t yet matured. Also consider selling your stamp, coin, or jewelry collection. Keep in mind that if you’re going to sell them quickly, you’re unlikely to get a good price.
Your Best Choices
1. Sell some liquid investments. Selling items from your non-retirement portfolio is, for many people, the best way to raise some money. First, sell those items that have been stagnant and show no signs of doing anything in the near future.
2. Borrow from your 401k. However, there are penalties and taxes if you fail to pay the money back.
3. Take out a home equity loan. A home equity loan is a viable option for some; just keep in mind that you are putting your house at risk if you can’t pay back the loan.
Planning Ahead
Having an emergency fund is critical to negating the effects of financial emergencies. Strive to save 3-6 months of expenses and leave the account alone unless you have an actual emergency. This is the most fundamental step you can take to ensure your financial security.
Avoid letting a challenging situation become even worse by making a hasty decision. First, decide if you really need cash. Maybe a non-cash alternative is available. If this doesn’t work for your situation, do some planning before you decide how to proceed. Be sure to thoroughly investigate the fees and interest rates that are associated with your options.
Although unexpected expenses can bring with them tension and high emotions, remember that making a good choice now will result in fewer headaches later. Take as much time as you can to make the best decision for you.
Further Reading
For more great ideas on how to survive and even thrive in this recession, see: Your Recession Survival Guide
For more information on creating wealth to start your own business, see How to Start a Successful Small Business Even If You Don’t Have Much Cash
For more information on how to start an emergency fund, see Emergency Fund 101: How to Save Money for Unexpected Expenses
April 30, 2012
Cooking
1 Comment
We ALL do it: skip breakfast because we think we just don’t have time to make or eat a great breakfast. Or we resort to the local fast food place for a breakfast sandwich, knowing it is not ideal, but thinking it is better than nothing. We might even try to fill up on a coffee from the popular chains, to try to tide us over until lunchtime.
Many of us also skip breakfast because we are trying to slim down. If losing weight is all about cutting calories, where is the harm in eliminating one whole meal each day?
The fact is, a lot of harm. Studies show that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, setting you up for success in a number of ways. People who eat breakfast perform better at work and school, and are able to concentrate more, and actually eat less. The steady stream of nutrients and energy you can get from having a good breakfast in the morning can help you power through your day until dinner, keeping your blood sugar even and thus curbing cravings, particularly for sugary foods that can spike your blood sugar and make you want to eat even more.
In this guide, the authors discuss the importance of breakfast for your health, weight, and nutritional needs. They also show the best ways for busy people to eat breakfast and feed their families a nutritious breakfast every morning, weekdays and weekends. You will discover breakfast strategies you can live with no matter how demanding your schedule, and more than 20 great recipes and serving suggestions to help get you started on the road to more healthy morning meals.
It is time to get rid of the myth of being too busy for breakfast. Don’t sabotage yourself by skipping breakfast or resorting to fast food. Give your children the best start to each school day, and every day, with well-rounded, nutritious and delicious breakfasts. Get started today planning and preparing great breakfasts in minutes with the help of this guide.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
COPYRIGHT
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: BACK TO SCHOOL BREAKFASTS
CHAPTER 2: BRILLIANT BREAKFASTS FOR BUSY MOMS
CHAPTER 3: BRILLIANT BREAKFASTS FOR WORKING PARENTS
CHAPTER 4: QUICK, HEALTHY BREAKFAST IDEAS
CHAPTER 5: BREAKFAST 101 FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
CHAPTER 6: BRILLIANT BREAKFAST RECIPES FOR BUSY PEOPLE
All in One Breakfast Bake
Breakfast Fruit Salad
French Toast Sandwiches
Fruit & Nut Hot Cereal
Good for You Apply Syrup
Good for You Blueberry Crepes
Hash Brown Omelet
Homemade Bacon & Egg Sandwich
Honey Orange French Toast
Ranch Scrambled Eggs & Cheese
Spiced Morning Sausage
Sunshine Muffins
Super Quick Healthy Waffles
Whole Wheat Oat Cakes
Yummy Sausage Potatoes
CONCLUSION
FURTHER READING
FREE NEWSLETTER AND GUIDES OFFER
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mara Michaels is a frequent contributor to the Healthful-Goddess and Nutrition-Goddess.com sites. Erin serves as one of the main editors for both sites. They are the authors of over 2 dozen cooking and health-related titles.
READ MORE OR BUY NOW:
Brilliant Breakfasts for Busy People (Food Matters)
April 29, 2012
Non-Fiction
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In this economy, most of us could use an extra $100 every month. While it might seem impossible given all the demands on your salary, it can be done if you are willing to get organized and make saving, not spending, the focus of your attention for the next six months.
You will have to cut back on a few things and put in some time and effort, but just think what a difference an extra $100 in the bank could make. Here are a few handy hints on how to save $100 or more per month, to help move you closer to your family’s financial goals.
*Pack your own lunches
You could easily save an average of $25 per week just by brown-bagging it every day, or 4 days a week. Shop and plan your means strategically so that dinner the night before can become lunch for the whole family the next day. A roast chicken, for example, is great with potatoes and veggies at night. Add a bit of celery and mayo and you can stretch the roast bird into chicken salad sandwiches for the whole family, plus a pot of soup, meat for pot pie fillings, turnovers and more.
*Plant a garden.
The harvest from your own kitchen can save you money on fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Enjoy the best food you’ve ever eaten at the smallest price from your own garden. It will require patience and planning, but a garden can also be good exercise as well as offer good eating. Choose plants with the best yield and one that is continuous, compared with only one crop per year, and you will have a wealth of vegetables ready to eat in no time. Best of all, you will know there is no salmonella or pesticides, keeping your family safe while saving money at the same time.
Shop the warehouse clubs for the best bargains and split the bill with family or neighbors.
Warehouse clubs like Costco do charge to join, but the savings can be great on a wide variety of items, from food and meat to vitamins and even contact lens solution. The main trouble we see, however, is that the sizes on some of the items can be very large, and many of the products also come in multipacks.
Therefore, consider clubbing together with family members who live nearby or with neighbors who have similar tastes to share the membership fee each year and split the multipacks. They tally everyone’s share to divide up fairly the cost of the bill. Keep track of your savings on the items you use every day and you will more than likely find yourself saving more than $100 a month on household essentials.
*Save on entertainment expenses
We are not suggesting that you give up entertainment totally, just to be more vigilant about what you are spending money on each week. Rent a movie instead of going to the theater or buying a DVD. Going Netflix and rent unlimited DVDs each month. This can include exercise DVDs as well, which will help you save money on gym membership fees (which would save you about $100 a month right there if you are not using your membership regularly). Invite your friends over and have them each bring a snack or drinks to share. Watch a movie or try some other activities. Play cards or boardgames with each other. Go to the park. Go to the beach. Read a book. Ride your bike. Have a picnic. Play softball or touch football or shoot some hoops. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time.
If you like going out to bars with friends, try to cut back a little by taking turns hosting at home. You can get one reasonable bottle of wine for what a single glass costs in some bars and restaurants. You can also get good bargains on beer in warehouse clubs and at the supermarket.
*Cut coupons like crazy.
Use the Sunday papers and the coupon services online. Also sign up at the websites of companies and products that you use on a regular basis. All of the coupons and special offers you will get can really make a difference to your shopping costs on everything from food and paper goods to toiletries. Shop during the sales with a coupon and see how much you can save. Never go to the store when you are hungry and you should be able to save at least $25 a week on groceries, $100 per month.
Remember that $100 a month is $1,200 a year. If you implement all of these strategies, you will be able to save even more. Put the money into your emergency fund, or start saving for your most important financial goals, such as college for the kids. It will give you a new sense of financial freedom and make you eager to start saving even more.
For more information on how to save money on the types of things you buy every day, see:
Emergency Fund 101.
For more information on how to save for college, see:
The Essential Guide to College Saving Plans
April 28, 2012
Non-Fiction
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Most of us carefully plan our vacations to fit our paychecks. Somehow, though, in spite of all of our best intentions, vacations always seem to cost more than we expect. We go each time with a plan in hand, and each time, we come back wondering where all the money went.
Budgeting for the big things like travel and lodging is pretty straight forward. Smaller expenses are usually the cause of unplanned spending. Entertainment, food, and drinks are more difficult to plan well for, since these items can be rather spontaneous in nature.
But you can avoid the overspending and still feel like you’re treating yourself well. One possible solution is an all-inclusive vacation. Let’s have a look at this type of package, and make this the year when you come back with both happy memories and a few bucks in your wallet.
What’s Included
All-inclusive vacations can really help you stay within your budget. You pay a fixed rate for all the essentials. As long as you don’t spend money outside the resort, you’re all set. If you prefer not to worry about money while vacationing, these types of packages can be ideal.
All-inclusive resorts are really the equivalent of an insurance policy. You pay a set amount in exchange for having access to everything you need, when you need it.
What’s Not Included
However, you won’t have the same level of freedom. Unless you want to pull out your wallet again, you’ll have to confine your food, beverages, and entertainment to the resort. Also, if you decide you don’t like the resort you’ve chosen, you’re stuck with what you’ve got.
Vacationing the more traditional way, you can always check out and head down the street to another hotel if you’re not pleased. Only you know how much that flexibility is worth to you.
Also, you’ve already paid for the package, even if you don’t use it. Be sure you’re going to get your money’s worth. For example, if your idea of vacation is sitting on the beach all day and eating one meal a day, you’re going to be paying for a lot more than you’re using with an all-inclusive package. In this case, you might be better off with a traditional vacation.
Consider these ideas to minimize your potential risk when booking an all-inclusive resort:
1. Look for amenities that suit you. Consider what you want to eat. Do hotdogs and potato chips sound good to you? Maybe you want a vacation that includes gourmet food in a nice restaurant setting.
* Some less-expensive places will only provide water, soda, and a few more beverages. Do you want to have access to mixed drinks and fine wine? Many resorts will not include alcoholic beverages unless you pay extra.
* Do you enjoy the types of entertainment they offer?
* How is the customer service?
2. Consider the quality of the accommodations. Some resorts are bare bones, while others are extremely plush. Be sure you’re getting the best combination of what you can afford and what you want.
3. Do your homework. Researching the quality of the resort is the most important task you can undertake before you book your vacation. In the Internet age, reviews and suggestions are easy to find. Low-quality establishments have a harder time hiding than ever before.
All in all, an all-inclusive package can be a great way to put a cap on your vacation spending. There are no surprises, and you can eat and drink without worrying about budget or about how much money you have left.
Vacations commonly result in overspending, but with an all-inclusive package, you can stay in charge of your finances even as you play. Start doing your research now; an all-inclusive vacation might be just the ticket this year.
Further Reading:
Outdoor Fitness Fun for the Whole Family (Health Matters)
Safety In the Sun for the Whole Family: A Guide to Safety at the Beach and During Other Outdoor Activities (Health Matters)
Swimmer’s Ear: A Guide to Protecting Your Ears When Swimming (Health Matters)
Bargain Travel Tips For Your Summer Vacation (More For Less Guides)
April 27, 2012
Cooking
2 Comments
Breakfast is considered by many health experts to be the most important meal of the day. But when you are tight on money and time, it can also be the easiest meal to try to skimp on, or skip completely.
In this guide, the authors discuss the importance of breakfast, and how to have brilliant breakfasts each morning, all without breaking your budget.
Learn how to eat a balanced breakfast that will help you and your family power through your busy day, all for pennies compared with what you might be grabbing at the local fast food place or corner coffee shop.
Learn more about quick and easy breakfasts you can make and take with you as you head out the door. Find out how to make wonderful brunches economically. Discover breakfast foods from all over the globe that can help you eat well and eliminate food cravings throughout the day.
A good breakfast can help you stay slim, eat less and get more nutrition once you know how. Get started today on the path to better health and even more savings with brilliant breakfasts on a budget.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: BARGAIN BREAKFASTS ON A BUDGET
CHAPTER 2: WEEKEND BREAKFASTS AND BRUNCHES
CHAPTER 3: GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL AT BREAKFAST
CHAPTER 4: CHOOSING A BETTER BREAKFAST
CHAPTER 5: BREAKFASTS FOR FITNESS FANATICS
CHAPTER 6: BREAKFAST ON A BUDGET RECIPES
Breakfast Bruschetta
Baked Pineapple Bacon
Breakfast Kabobs
Breakfast Mixed Vegetable Frittata
Brunch Style Waffles
Cheesy Potato & Ham Breakfast
Creamy Ham & Cheese Omelet
Crispy Baked Toast
Good Morning Granola
Make Your Own Egg Substitute
Peaches & Cream Delight
Straight from the Freezer Breakfast Wraps
Sweet Lemon Poppy Doughnuts
Top of the Morning Shake
Vanilla Blueberry Muffins
CONCLUSION
FURTHER READING
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mara Michaels is a frequent contributor to the Healthful-Goddess and Nutrition-Goddess.com sites and the author of over a dozen cooking and holiday-themed guides.
Jacinta Carey is one of the editors for the popular site Guru-Goddess.com and the author several handy cooking and activity guides.
BUY NOW OR READ MORE:
Brilliant Breakfasts on a Budget (Food Matters)
April 25, 2012
Non-Fiction
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Many people are struggling to make ends meet in a difficult economy. They may be doing their best to save money, but still not be getting ahead with their financial goals. If you are already taking steps to save money every month but are worried about your family’s financial future, your next option will be to try to earn more income.
The job market is pretty tough these days, and you are fortunate if you have a job. Many people are struggling to get by on unemployment payments and supplementing them with their savings. For others though, they have taken pay cuts to stay in work, and have had their salaries frozen, with no prospects of a raise or bonus any time soon.
If any of these situations describe your own, you might be interested in looking for ways to earn more money in your spare time. Some people will take a second, part-time job (there are actually a lot of them out there, because the businesses do not have to pay benefits or commit to a full-time worker). Others are turning to the Internet to start earning extra income online.
There are several ways that even a person without many computer skills can earn extra money. One new income stream will add a bit of extra money to your budget. More than one, depending on how much free time you have, or what your financial goals are, can help you get out of debt and start saving for your financial goals. Best of all, you can work right inside your own home, usually whenever it is most convenient for you.
Let’s look at a few of the most common ways that people are earning more money each month on the Internet.
*Completing online surveys.
The Internet is filled with websites where you can get paid for simply completing surveys. Before signing up at such websites, do a thorough investigation of the website and decide for yourself whether you can earn good money for completing these questionnaires. Two reputable sites for completing online surveys and getting paid are uSamp and Survey Head.
Two of the best ways to determine the legitimacy of such survey sites is to read reviews of them and to pay attention to how you will be paid. Those sites paying through PayPal (uSamp and Survey Head do) tend to be reputable. Spending even just an hour a day completing online surveys can help you start off with a small but steady stream of extra cash. You will need a PayPal account to get started.
When you register for an account, they will request various personal details in order to send you your payments. If you are nervous about giving out your Social Security number to sites you know little about, then go to the IRS.gov website and request a Tax Identification number (Tax ID) and treat any extra income you earn as part of your own new business as a freelancer.
*Become a freelancer.
No matter what type of office work you do, you can most likely find a way to do it online. The number and array of websites offering jobs and projects for pay are virtually unlimited. Sites such as Elance and oDesk and rentacoder are considered reputable and will put you in touch with business owners who will pay you for completing projects. If you are a graphic designer, can build websites, or write content, then you can earn extra money
Avoid any websites that charge you to join or gain access to job listings. Also be sure to study the rules of the site and avoid anyone who asks for custom-written samples of work. Put together a portfolio of about 5 samples that you can use to demonstrate the quality of your work.
Stay in regular contact with the person you are working with and meet all deadlines. Be aware that you will be reviewed and these reviews will often be the basis for you getting more assignments. If any confusion arises, do your best to clear it up but address any issues of dishonesty to the site managers.
*Sign up at fiver.com
At fiver.com, you can do simple tasks for people online and offline that make their lives easier and pay you to help. The website matches up your skills and interests with what tasks people need done. The site takes $1 per task, so you can earn $4 per assignment. If the assignment only takes 15 minutes to complete, you could be earning as much as $16 an hour, which is much better than the minimum wage.
Best of all, you and the whole family can get involved, or even your friends. Work as a team to make the most of your skills and abilities and see your extra earnings start to swell.
These are just a few of the legitimate paying options that can help you boost your income on the Internet. While it is true that there are some scams out there, use your common sense. Pay attention to the site and reviews of the site you wish to earn money with, and their methods of payment. If you see any red flags, avoid them. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do your own research and then decide if working with them is right for you.
Regardless of your training and education, if you have some free time, can type, own a computer, and have a reliable Internet connection, you can start earning extra money online today. Do your research, get organized, and get busy.
Also remember that your PayPal account is a Money Market account. Leave your money in the account rather than withdraw it, and you will soon see your extra earnings online start to grow into a tidy savings account for your future financial goals.
Further Reading:
How to Start Working as a Successful Freelancer
How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing Even Without a Website
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by Mara Michaels and Carolyn Stone
