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Preparing for....

Christmas.

Gift Season.

10 months from today.

Want a debt free Christmas without being a cheapskate?

Read this from the DLM Blog:

What Frugality REALLY Means: It's Not About Being Cheap

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 06:50 AM PST

Frugality. It's not exactly an alluring word, is it? Most of us worry that being frugal means living a bleak, depressing life, missing out on "normal" society.

The truth is, frugality simply means applying a bit of thought to how you spend your money. It's not about being cheap or miserly; it's about taking control.

Why You Should Give Frugality a Second Chance
Don't you just hate it when you end up wasting good money because of a dumb mistake?

Maybe you left your phone on the bus and had to buy a new one. Or you forgot to deposit that check into the bank for so long that it wasn't valid any more. Or you had to pay a fine because you forgot to take your library books back.

And don't you just love it when a bit of cleverness saves you a ton of cash?

Maybe you found a fantastic dress on ebay – for half the price as in the shops. Or you compared the price of that new television in a couple of different stores, and saved $100. Or you found out how to fix something, instead of buying a new one.

Well, hey – you've got the hang of the frugal mindset already.

Being frugal means:

• Caring about your money, and trying not to waste it – whether that's in noticeable ways (like losing your wallet) or less obvious ones (like paying your bills by check when you'd get a discount for using direct debit)


• Stocking up on your favorite foods when they're on sale.


• Borrowing books from your local library or using Amazon's second-hand sellers, instead of buying every single book new.


• Cutting out things which are pricey but which you don't really enjoy.
  

It's about valuing your money and getting the most from it – ensuring that you get to spend on the things which you really want.

Do You Want to Be Rich?
I'm pretty sure you wouldn't say "no" to having more money in the bank, without working a single extra hour. That's what frugality can bring you – even if you're on a pretty low salary.

Conversely, even if you earn hundreds of thousands, you could still end up with huge financial problems if you've got no idea about how to control your spending.

Don't believe me? Maybe you'll believe these two guys:

"Wealth can only be accumulated by the earnings of industry and the savings of frugality." (John Tyler, 10^th President of the United States) – 19^th century

"The way to wealth depends on just two words, industry and frugality." (Benjamin Franklin) – 18^th century

Being frugal isn't some newfangled 21^st century idea. It's a tried-and-tested way to live a happy, rich life.

But … Frugality Doesn't Mean Being Cheap
Cheapness is different from frugality.

Cheapness is when you have enough money but you still:

• Refuse to spend money on things which you really need (like new clothes).


• Buy shoddy, low-quality goods – which end up costing you more in the long run.


• Let friends foot the bill when you go out.


• Act unreasonably, expecting or demanding a discount (negotiating is different).


• Refuse to tip in restaurants.

That might mean cutting out the daily latte which you barely even taste, so that you can have an extravagant meal out once a month. It might mean buying one great quality pair of shoes instead of three so-so pairs.

Being frugal means having more money for what you really want. So tell me, what's so bad about that?

Written on 2/16/2011 by Ali Luke. Ali writes a blog, Aliventures, about leading a productive and purposeful life (get the RSS feed here). As well as blogging, she writes fiction, and is studying for an MA in Creative Writing.

Photo Credit: Frugal Yankee

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Too Humble?

You don't want to be a pompus ass, but...

Harvey Mackay explains:

Use self-esteem to your advantage

By Harvey Mackay

The next time someone calls you an egotistical jerk, you might think that thanking them just confirms their opinion. But that's exactly what you should feel like doing. They have just provided a strong endorsement of your mental health.

Self-esteem is a lightning rod buzz word these days, mostly because it is often perceived as being a personality flaw. That's false self-esteem, the result of heaping praise on people for accomplishing routine and simple tasks.

The only thing worse than false self-esteem is false humility. Humility is an important virtue, and certainly one that we all should possess. But please, acting humble just to fish for compliments is a sign of raging insecurity.

So let's be clear from the outset -- I'm referring to legitimately earned high self-esteem. The kind that comes from performing well because you have worked so hard to reach the top. It means you have developed your natural talents to their optimal point. The kind that Will Rogers was talking about when he said, "If you done it, it ain't bragging."

Genuinely deserved self-esteem provides a competitive edge in our competitive world. Like it or not, life is a series of competitions. You may be competing for a grade, a spot on a team, a job, or the largest account in town. The higher your self-esteem is, the better you get along with yourself, with others, and the more you'll accomplish.

Psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden discovered an additional benefit to having high self-esteem: "There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness and generosity."

What's the matter with being proud of what we have done or think we can do? When we're young, we're full of the sense that we can and should be able to do almost anything. That enthusiasm shouldn't change as we get older and more experienced. Our accomplishments should reinforce our sense of self worth.

Dr. Anthony Greenwald, a psychologist at the University of Washington, calls it the "egocentricity bias." This is the reinterpretation of events to put ourselves in a favorable light and the belief we have more control over events than we actually do. He says it is a sign of mental well-being.

That makes perfect sense to me. Dr. Greenwald can call it the "egocentricity bias," but I call it optimism. And I believe optimism is a quality that consistently delivers results. Did you ever get a good performance out of a pessimist? (By the way, few people ever call themselves pessimists. Pessimists usually call themselves realists.)

Optimism involves self-delusion, a belief that our own abilities are superior to the obstacles that logically should overcome us. But that's exactly what's needed to perform any heavy-duty assignment.

How can you be any good unless you think you can accomplish what you're not supposed to be able to accomplish?

Olympic skating star Scott Hamilton observed, "Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless."

There is no better example of the power of positive self-esteem than Muhammad Ali. He called himself "The Greatest" -- actually, "The Greatest of All Time." He never doubted his ability to compete at the highest level, and his record proves it.

Top performers in athletics or business are always convinced they can be heroes, even if they don't shout it from the rooftops. And it shows. In fact, baseball scouts call that look "the good face," the sense of self-confidence that radiates from winners.

A little boy was talking to himself as he entered through his backyard, baseball cap in place and carrying a baseball and bat. "I'm the greatest baseball player in the world," he said proudly. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed.

Undismayed, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself again, "I'm the greatest player ever!" As the ball descended, he swung at it again, and again he missed.

He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball carefully. Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said, "I'm the greatest baseball player who ever lived." As the ball came down, he gave another mighty swing and missed the ball again.

"Wow!" he exclaimed. "What a pitcher!"

Mackay's Moral: If you've got what it takes, take it to the top.

Fort Wayne Site of the Day

In the Fort Wayne "area". A special event coming up March 5th. Click on Pic for details!

Reclaim the Child

This is a busy week for me. Actually my weeks are usually pretty busy and yours are too.

Here's some simple advice from the DLM Blog for all of us:

Don't Overthink Life! Think Less and Get Happy

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 08:43 AM PST

Babies have the charisma to melt anybody’s heart instantly; no one escapes the twinkling eyes or the innocent smile. Just their presence will cheer you up, make you forget your worries and tempt you to indulge into their world. What is it about the young ones that we so fondly adore: their innocence or their ignorance; their cheerful nature or their worry-less attitude?

Though I don’t have answers to the above questions, I wonder as to what makes their aura so desirable. Every adult misses their younger days, the thought, “I wish I was a kid again,” resonates with most of us. This is probably the only aspect of life where egoistic adults can leave their success, money, freedom and independence behind for just another chance. Things they might be hesitant to leave even for their loved ones are simply a no-brainer here. When you ask people if they would do it all over again, most respond with an immediate “Yes”. Physically going back in time is not an option yet, but is there anything we can learn from the young ones?

Here are some of my ideas. What would you add?

• Make Work Play
  The only way you can catch a child’s attention is when you make things seem like play. From learning to count to getting potty trained, everything must feel like fun if you want any success. So what about ourselves? Is your work something you look forward to? If not, is there anything you can do to make it enjoyable? I personally believe that if potty training can seem like a fun activity, anything can; it’s just a matter of perception.


• Forgive and Forget
  Babies can laugh and giggle all day because they don’t keep grudges against anyone. Their heart is pure and their mind empty to laugh out loud and enjoy the moment. Do you think they’ve constructed an evil plan against you because you refused them candy last time? Probably not, life moved on and so did they. So why do we hold on to our past and refuse to let go of the emotional baggage? Does it do us any good except prevent us from laughing wholeheartedly?
  
  Depending on how you made the kid feel, there is a minute possibility that they may be hesitant to give you a hug the next time they see you. But they are more than willing to give you another chance to make things right. Don’t think candy is good for their health? That’s ok; they are willing to negotiate, are you?


• Never-ending Curiosity
  Endless questions of young kids can sometimes be enough to drain the adult mind. They are always busy wondering how things work or why things are the way they are, leaving no room for boredom. Their curiosity gives them an exponential learning curve; they pick up new things quickly and are not repulsive to change.
  
  So why does life get boring as we grow older? We all can identify times in our past where time was scarce and desires limitless, fear was unknown and rules were redefined. Then what happened? Are we so engrossed in our daily lives that we miss to see the opportunities the world still has to offer?


• Unconditional Love
  Kids have a hug and a kiss for anyone and everyone who wants one. They don’t judge you before they come running into your knees and they don’t walk away if you don’t give them the same in return. They have no expectations from you and simply do what their heart desires. You want a hug, they’ll give you a hug, you want two, and they’ll give you two. So how did the adult world become so materialistic that we decide what we give based on what we think we might receive?


• Smile
  Have you ever seen kids smile as they stare at thin air, and wonder what made them giggle? I have, and I’ve concluded that either they can see things that we cannot or they simply don’t need a reason to smile. If there is only one thing I could learn from them, it would be to smile more. Not only does it make you feel good, it makes people wonder what you are smiling about. They’ll come to one of two conclusions: you’re in love or you’re crazy, either ways it will make them smile.

Being happy and living life to the fullest is not a difficult task; you just need to have the right attitude and an open mind. Don’t envy the serene life of a baby, start living it yourself!

Written on 2/18/2011 by Vibha Dhawan. Vibha enjoys writing about life, from questioning the bases of our existence to wondering why we feel the way we do. She's fascinated by little things in life. It doesn't take much to make her smile. Visit her at Curious Lounge.

Photo Credit: Jay White

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Tech Tuesday Tip

Here's a simple privacy tip. You can remove your info from the online white pages by going here:

www.anywho.com


Works with landlines, not cell phones.

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Crunch Video

One reason I don't want a bike:



It's the little old ladies....

Fort Wayne Site of the Day

Media Monday continues for the next several weeks with a focus on radio stations.

I work for a group of 4 stations and when we get to them I'll be sure to let you know.

My radio connection grew from listening to the radio as a youth to actually working on the air as an announcer, as a disc-jockey, as a radio personality and in management as a Program Director.

It all began in the summer of 1975, between my sophomore and junior year of high school at Concordia in Fort Wayne. 30+ years ago, you had to pass a test and get a licence to be on the air and Concordia was starting a radio station.

If memory serves me correctly, there were about 30 students who volunteered to take a class that summer to learn and study for the Federal Communications Commission test, about 15 to 20 passed the test. That high school radio station started out as 10 watt WLHI at 88.3 FM.

Today it is a million dollar + operation as Star 88.3. Click on Pic for their website.

Simple Words

That pack a punch.

From the DLM blog:

Little Words with Absolutely Huge Meaning - Use Them

Posted: 06 Feb 2011 06:27 AM PST

As children many of us hyped the statement, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Clearly, it doesn’t take long to realize that words have far more weight than we want to realize. They influence thoughts, feelings, actions and states of mind. Even little words often have big meaning.

Think about it. Whether you want to land your dream job, improve your friendships, save your marriage or retain your employees; the words you choose can make all the difference. The simplest little words, which we take for granted, have the power to hurt or heal, to inspire or discourage, to help or to hinder.

The list below includes 18 examples of little words that have big meaning in the most positive way.

1. Thank you
   Because every single one of us longs to feel appreciated, words of gratitude make the heart sing. Thank you, I appreciate you, I’m grateful for you—these words are food for the soul.


2. I forgive you
   We all screw up. Unintentionally, we may hurt our friends, children, co-workers, and others. Words of forgiveness heal the heart by lifting the crippling burden of guilt.


3. I love you
   Quite possibly the greatest statement of all, nothing compares to, “I love you.” These words reflect the purest, most natural gift known to mankind: love. The only thing that beats saying the words I love you is showing love through action.


4. I was wrong
   Few words have the power to ignite the flame of forgiveness like the unselfish, courageous admission of wrongdoing. When we’re hurt, we know that the past can’t be changed; yet acknowledgment of the pain that has been caused goes a long way towards improving the future.


5. You are beautiful
   When we feel ugly inside or out, it means the world to hear that someone else still thinks we’re beautiful.


6. It’s okay
   When we are worried, hurt, anxious or afraid, these words of reassurance help to bring about peace of mind. If you’ve ever cried on the shoulder of a friend, you know how good it feels to have someone remind you that everything is going to be just fine.


7. I understand
   It’s human nature to try to relate to others, so nothing is more frustrating than feeling misunderstood. In times when we feel alone, misjudged or isolated in our beliefs; an understanding friend is much appreciated. We don’t necessarily need others to agree, but we long for someone who says, “I get it. I understand. I see your point.”


8. You’re safe
   When we feel vulnerable and afraid, these words have the power to restore the sense of security and protection that we crave. Fear may disease the mind, but words of safety are a part of the antidote.


9. I admire you
   Having someone look up to you, think highly of you, or aspire to follow in your footsteps is motivating beyond belief. Words of admiration are empowering, as they impart a sense of importance by reminding us that we’re making an impact.


10. I support you
    When making a tough decision, which may or may not be the best, it means the world to know that someone is on your side no matter what. Statements like, “I’ll be there” and “I support you” encourage us to move forward with less fear of judgment.


11. You can do it
    When you’re contemplating giving up or battling feelings of self-doubt, encouraging words make all the difference in the world. There’s something about knowing that someone else has faith in you that revitalizes the faith you should have in yourself.


12. You’re the one
    These words say I choose you, you are it for me, you are special. Few things top the feeling that comes with knowing that you stand out in an exceptional way to someone.


13. It’s all about you
    Most days in life aren’t all about self, but we never forget the days that are. On occasions like birthdays, graduations and weddings; we thrive in the knowledge that it’s our own special day. It feels great to have unselfish friends who allow your special days to be absolutely 100% about you.


14. I’m here for you
    If you’ve ever needed a shoulder to cry on, you know the power of these words. They remind us that we are not alone, that someone is there to help us through pain, loss, and all of life’s struggles. Even those who appear to have life under control need someone dependable in their corner.


15. Great job
    Great job. Congratulations. Job well done. Whether or not we admit it, most of us delight in others’ recognition of our efforts. Words of praise and recognition inspire us to do more, to work harder and to feel a sense of pride.


16. I miss you
    We can’t always be present with those that we love, yet it means so much to know that we are missed during our absence. This is a way of saying, I love your company and I can’t wait until we’re together again.


17. You matter
    We all want to feel that we are important to someone or something other than ourselves. To hear that you are valued by another person, particularly at times when you feel useless or insignificant, is extra special.


18. I’m sorry
    When the heart aches, a sincere apology sets the stage for forgiveness and healing. I’m sorry, please forgive me, I apologize—these are all statements that show recognition of the damage caused and a desire to ease the pain.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these little words with big meaning. As you continue with your day, take care to speak wisely and to use those words that you’d love to have spoken in return. Finally, remember something - people don't know how you feel unless you say it; don't assume they do!

Written on 2/6/2010 by Nea Joy. Nea is the creator of Self Improvement Saga, a blog that promotes personal growth and outrageous joy through positive self improvement ideas. You may also find Nea on Twitter at @NeaLOA

Photo Credit: dotbenjamin

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