Milestone Birthday Ideas, a Roast
September 2, 2010
Milestone Birthday Ideas, a Roast
by: Mike Hamilton
Milestone Birthdays can be a lot of fun. One idea for celebrating a milestone is a roast. One of my favorite themes for a birthday roast is a memorial.
The first thing you will want to do is send out the birthday invitations formatted like an obituary. A cheesy black and white picture of a younger version of the decedent adds a touch of legitimacy to the document. If you or any of your cronies have a flair for creative writing this can be a very warm and funny tribute, as well as a keepsake for all attendees.
The location for the roast or memorial should be as somber as possible and decorated as such. Be sure to greet the guests in your with your most solemn and understated demeanor.
Just before the festivities begin have your pall bearers bring in the cake, unlit. Make it as realistic as possible and give the pall bearers the honor of having a place of honor once the cake is brought in and placed in the appropriately.
Top Ways to Save on Wedding Invitations
September 1, 2010
Top Ways to Save on Wedding Invitations
by: Michael Ferrell
Some of the first things you’ll spend money on when you decide to get married (besides the ring) are the wedding invitations. While you want your invitations to be classy, unique and of good quality, you’ll probably also want to find ways to save on wedding invitations as well. Here are the top ways to send out invitations that you can afford—and that your friends and family will be impressed with.
Keep your guest list small.
The more people you invite to your wedding, the more invitations you’re going to have to send out, so take a little time to create a guest list that you and your spouse will be satisfied with—and one that will fit your budget. Let your friends and family know when you’ll be getting married as soon as you can, so that they can tell you if they’ll be able to make it. For those who won’t be able to attend, you can send alternate invitations on different paper that may be a little less expensive, so that your loved ones can still keep a reminder of your special day. Now is not the time to be extremely polite—this is your day, and you deserve to have the people you love at your ceremony. Just because people know that you’re getting married, doesn’t mean they all have to come to wedding. Remember, the more invitations you send out, the more people that will show up, the more reception dinners you’ll have to pay forand the list goes on. Keeping your guest list small will help you to save on other wedding costs as well, so choose wisely.
Childcare Finances - Some Money Basics
August 31, 2010
Childcare Finances - Some Money Basics
by: Melissa Newby
Sole proprietor, Inc, LLC, - What does it all Mean?
Your childcare is a business. While you may not need to formally create a legal business, there are options to consider if you have an especially large operation, or employ more than one person. From a legal standpoint, different types of entities provide limited liability. This is something you would want to discuss with a lawyer. Different entities also provide different tax advantages and disadvantages. The type of entity really depends on the business and how many people own the business. An accountant should be able to advise you on the best entity for your situation.
What can you deduct on your taxes? Any why would you want to?
Each time you claim something as a deduction on your taxes, you reduce the amount of money the government can tax. By reducing that amount, you can reduce how much tax you pay, letting you keep more of your money.
Your Moving Checklist
August 28, 2010
Your Moving Checklist
by: Steve Gillman
A moving checklist can keep you from forgetting important things, like turning on the utilities in your new home. You’ll want to make your own list of things to be done, but you can start with the suggestions below.
Moving checklist - One Month Before
- Make reservations with moving company.
- Notify friends and family and give them your new address.
- Submit change of address forms to post office.
- Get documents for school transfers, if you have children.
- Have a garage sale or otherwise lighten the load.
One Or Two Weeks Before
- Arrange utility shut-offs and new connections.
- Transfer banking accounts to new location.
- Return books to library, rented movies, etc.
- Transfer prescriptions to new location.
- Clean house and dispose of things that won’t be moved.
- Start packing and labling boxes.
- Pack an “essentials” box for arrival, with toiletries, paper plates, etc.
- Make moving plans (make hotel reservations, get maps, etc.).
Moving Day
It’s Not Just About Christmas Trees and Christmas Gifts
August 27, 2010
It’s Not Just About Christmas Trees and Christmas Gifts
by: David Arnold Livingston
Let kids tell you what they think of Christmas and they will speak of images full of snow, caroling, putting up Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas gifts and the irresistible magic and wonderment. For everyone else, Christmas is a whole 30 days (even more for some) of headaches and stress.
This doesn’t have to be so. Who says you can’t enjoy the yuletide season like kids can? This article will give you a few tips on how to celebrate Christmas with less of the stress and more of the ho, ho, holiday fun.
I bet you’ve heard this a gazillion times, but I guess once more doesn’t hurt until you take it to heart: do your Christmas shopping early. Beat the mad rush and escape your kid’s heartbreak when you find out that the very last (insert name of their wanted toy] that sells like hotcakes here) has been won in a duel by another overzealous parent. So Shop early and avoid the scuffle.
Selling Your Home: Market/Sales Price
August 25, 2010
Selling Your Home: Market/Sales Price
by: Chris Cates
Whether you are planning to buy or sell a property it is important to become familiar with the terminology of real estate. In real estate the three terms that are commonly used interchangeably are value, cost, and price. Although, all are concepts relating to value, they are not the same. Let’s begin by differentiating between the terms.
Value deals with something that will happen in the future; whereas cost relates to past events, and the amount of money actually paid for the property is the price. Depending on circumstances, the value of a property may be the same, more than, or even less than the price. Several things determine the value of a property: the degree at which it satisfies a need, ratio of supply to demand, transferability, and whether a perspective buyer with need for the property can financially afford the property.
Value is a term, which should be used when speaking of what you think the future benefits will be from the ownership of a particular property. There are several questions that might be asked when trying to assess the value of a property:
Find The Right Medical Insurance For You
August 24, 2010
Find The Right Medical Insurance For You
by: Bob Hett
Many people think that they do not need medical insurance or that they can’t afford medical insurance. Neither of these is actually true. Yes, medical insurance costs seem to be growing all the time, but the alternative is less than pleasant for people who don’t have medical insurance. Everyone needs medical insurance because one major illness or accident could completely destroy a person’s financial security if they have no medical insurance. For those that think they can’t afford it, there are lots of options for cheap medical insurance, especially online. Medical insurance is, quite simply, protection. It is something that everyone needs, regardless of his or her financial situation.
If traditional medical insurance does not seem to offer the kind of insurance rates and coverage you are looking for, you can always look online. Online health insurance companies offer a variety of plans for complete coverage, partial coverage such as dental, eye or prescription insurance, or to supplement your existing medical insurance if it is not very good. Most online companies will offer you competitive quote based on the information you enter. Of course, the costs will vary depending on your medical background and other mitigating factors such as you being a smoker or having had any serious illnesses in your past. Online health plan quotes are easy to obtain and require no obligation to purchase a plan when you are shopping around the various companies to find medical insurance that is right for your health needs and your budget.
Extramarital Affairs: What Everyone Needs to Know… and what you can do to help
August 22, 2010
Extramarital Affairs: What Everyone Needs to Know… and what you can do to help
by: Dr. Robert Huizenga
Recent statistics suggest that 40% of women (and that number is increasing) and 60% of men at one point indulge in extramarital affairs. Put those numbers together and it is estimated that 80% of the marriages will have one spouse at one point or another involved in marital infidelity.
That may seem like a very steep number. However after two decades plus of full time work as a marriage and family therapist, I don’t believe that number is off the charts. I worked with a great number of people involved in infidelity who were never discovered.
The possibility that someone close to you is or soon will be involved in an extramarital affair (any of the three parties) is extremely high.
Maybe you will know. You will see telltale signs. You will notice changes in the person’s habits and behavioral patterns as well as a detachment, lack of focus and reduced productivity. Maybe you will sense something “out of character” but be unable to pinpoint what it is.
Country Clothing
August 20, 2010
Country Clothing
by: Mark Shenton
Country Clothing is something quite unique to England.
Classics like the Classic Aran Style pullover, made to the highest possible standard with the finest Aran wools will never date.
Take a look at any designers latest range of comfortable, yet elegant country fashions and you will be able to choose from a wide variety of country clothing styles inspired by our leisure-loving country folk, a fantastic range of fashionable country clothes that are right at home in the heathers of the Scottish highlands, yet equally well suited for the urban landscape. You don’t have to be lord of the manor in order to look the part.
British country fashions have evolved to meet the needs of a demanding public. For hundreds of years there have been countless developments and styles in what are now considered to be country fashions. One of the things driving this evolution of country clothing is the need of designers to produce new and exciting clothes and to push the boundaries each year, to bring the public the best products possible, made with the best materials available.
This year many designers have broadened their range to incorporate plenty of new colours and casual styles.
How to Use Personalized Children’s Books as Learning Tools
August 19, 2010
How to Use Personalized Children’s Books as Learning Tools
by: Caterina Christakos
How Personalized Child Books Can Be the Key to Faster Learning
Have you ever noticed how your child learned his or her name first, before mommy, daddy or anything else you tried to teach him? His name becomes equal to his identity. He immediately becomes more interested in objects and concepts as it relates to him.
A children’s story book that includes his name will instantly be more meaningful than a run of the mill children’s book. Personalized stories with life lessons that include his name and some of the things he loves to do will have that much more of a chance of really sinking in.
The more personal information included in the story, the more of an impact it will have on your child. Choose books that include their name, age, and activities that he truly enjoys.
A book that is catered to your child is one that he will have probably for the rest of his life. It is part of his upbringing now and a wonderful keepsake that he can share with his children later in life.
