A Different Kind of Home Party

We've all been to the Tupperware, Pampered Chef and other home business "mooch off your friends' generosity and how much they are willing to spend" party. They can be fun....but, I always feel guilty when I have one, because really, you are only getting "free stuff" because your friends are overindulging. That's not right....or it doesn't feel right to me....so I don't do it anymore. So now I've come across this other idea. Remember all that 80s jewelry and junk you have that you know is worth something, but you'd be too embarrassed to take out into the light in case someone saw how ugly it was? How'd you like to get all your friends together, collect all that jewelry up and all of you make some money doing it?

That's the idea behind Gold Parties. I've never been to one, but I like the concept. You purchase a kit to measure and process your gold pieces, and send them in for cash. Sounds great so far, although the price is a bit steep for the kit...$700. I guess you'd have to get a whole lot of friends together who had a whole lot of gold to make this worth your while....but I still like it. Has anyone tried it?

Heartbroken and Alone

Wow did this podcast have me thinking. I never really thought of it before...on the one hand, you have the freedom and self-indulgence of living alone...it kind of reminds me of my MIL. That's why she said she'd never remarry. She wants to be on her own schedule and doing her own thing...and if she doesn't want to cook, or if she changes her mind, or wants to change the TV channel, she can. But on the other side...there are some terribly lonely things I never thought of before...and it was just heartbreaking to hear. Like the lady whose life stood still after her husband died in WWII. Like the old lady who died...all alone...and had a perfect stranger rifling through her house, looking for clues to find the next of kin. Or how about the young boy whose mother was taken to the hospital, while he hid in the closet...and then lived alone for three months.

Please listen to this particular podcast of This American Life. I started listening to this podcast when I heard they were doing such a good job of explaining this financial and economic crisis in everyday layman terms. Now, I'm kind of hooked, 'cause the subjects are very interesting...like this one.

Take a listen and tell me what you think...I never realized that people this happens to are in the many millions worldwide...I'm going to hug my babies a bit tighter tonight...too bad hubby isn't home, or I'd hug him too.

Repost: Get in a Black Friday Mood

I talked about it last year, and I'm going to talk about it again....although this year, you do wonder if the crowds will be out in full force, considering the state of our economy and our pocketbooks.

See my blogpost below and check out the forums. I found things on Black Friday and CyberMonday last year, that I wasn't able to match...all year long, price-wise...even up til now! So, this year should be completely different for us over here. They don't have Black Friday in Germany, but I can still participate in CyberMonday...and get a jump, six hours ahead of folks still asleep in the States...at least the ones who don't want to stay up all night. Some major retailers, such as Walmart, are even offering very short deals in the weeks before Thanksgiving...so be sure to check their sites as well.

Four Days Til Black Friday

What interesting things will you be looking for this year?

No Need for Expensive PhotoShop; Use the Online Fotoflexer

I am cheap. I'm just going to admit it. I refuse to pay many hundreds of dollars for photoshopping picture software for our computer. I've been pretty happy with Google's Picasa. It does most everything I need it for....until I needed to do a few more high tech...or at least my impression of high tech....stuff. So I started looking elsewhere.

That's when I found Fotoflexer. I had taken a photo of one of our volunteers...actually it was a photo of our volunteer, with another volunteer...and a lantern growing out of the head of the volunteer whose picture I needed to turn in for an award. So, now what? I didn't want to hunt her down...she lives more than few villages from me....I didn't know when I'd see her again and the photo was due....yesterday. So, here I had this photo that wasn't quite acceptable. But it was my only hope at this point.

The great thing about Fotoflexer, is that you can use it online, nothing to download. When you are done manipulating your photo, you can save the new and improved photo to your computer and leave the site and move on to something else.

I ended up

• Cropping the photo to just her face and shoulders.
• Improved the color and added a softening effect around her face.
• "Scissored" out the lantern and the background and filled it in with a color that suited the photo.

Honestly, I can't imagine having done a better job with any kind of software with zero training. Give it a try and tell me how it works out for you. If you know of any other similar software you like, post it here too.

All On One Page

Just a quick blurb. This site does a pretty good job of putting tons of military spouse resources on one page. Check them out.

Why No One is Calling You to Set Up an Interview

I have been happily working at my new job for a few weeks now. One observation in my job...I deal with everything from the highly educated, to those who can't figure out where or even what is going on in their lives....yes, it can be sad. In light of that, someone recently sent me this, and I've found it both hilarious...and yes, inevitably sad.

Go to

Not Hired

I sometimes find it hard to believe that people will write such crappy resumes, cover letters, help seeking ads and the like, but then I remind myself, that most of the people I do hang out with have at least an average level of intelligence. Apparently, many people out there do not. Now, I am not advocating making fun of anyone. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed myself. Believe it or not, I suffered a fall from a horse in my teens and had to learn my 'rithmetic all over from scratch...yes, I did...the mind is a difficult thing to understand but look how quick it recovers I tell everyone? I jammed about 15 years of learning into two...anyhow, back to the story.

Here's an excerpt from today's posting:

"Can someone please kick the cr*p of me tonight. Just tell me time and place. I will be wearing a red parka".

That was posted on Craig's List and then pasted to Not Hired.

What experiences have you had...either coming or going on a job interview?

These People in my APO gave $ to McCain

Here we go with the secret squirrel again. Do you want to know, who in your neighborhood gave money to which candidate? Over here in Germany, in my zipcode, only two people have contributed to a Presidential candidate this year for a total of $1500. Of course it lists them by name and their occupation. Neat, huh?

Look up anyone you know by name, zipcode or a few other criteria here at Open Secrets. I always forget how easy it is for someone to track you on the internet...scary actually.

Why am I doing this? To beat a dead horse....information is power and visiting this blog is empowerment for all military wives and those like us.

Take This Along to the Car Repair Shop

Being overseas, this won't help me much, but it sure would've helped me a few years ago when my husband had an issue with his car. If you're like me, when you go to a car repair shop, you just hope they are telling you the truth and that they will do you right in the end...leaving you with at least some money left in your pocket. With all the moving we do, it's hard to find a repair shop you can trust too, on top of that. Here is the perfect answer.

Thanks to Stop the Ride for this one. Use Car Repair to find out how much that car repair should really cost in your area. You can also get advice on repair shops in your areas and reviews from others who have been to those shops. Be sure to bookmark it for future reference.

Visitors with Interesting Thoughts

I know that many folks who have blogs like to track who stops by to visit, especially how someone gets there. I do have a few dozen regular readers, so not too many of those. Many people find me through other military wife or Army sites and a few message boards thrown in for good measure. But by large, my largest amount of traffic seems to come from those google searches and other search website channels. Here are some of my favorite searches:

• "army wife", yup, that would be me...and apparently you too.

• "i'm moving to germany blogspot", of course since we've moved over here, I've gotten tons of emails and also visitors, looking for living in Germany info.
  

• "is Suze Orman married", how in the world would I know if Suze is married or not? Even after thinking about it for a minute, I still don't have an answer for that.
  

• "wife exchange", I know what comes to mind at first....do you think they were looking for what I am thinking of?
  

• "how to get websites off your computer", boy they must be having real troubles with all those websites on their computer.
  

• "it is hard being a military wife", and about a dozen other variations about if it's hard being a military wife, the life of a wife and everything in between. Yes, it is hard, and not for everyone, but it suits me. It may suit you too. Read here to find out.
  

• "Lorrie pie", what the heck is a Lorrie pie? Is this something you make, eat or play with?
  

• "German shelf toilet", I have no one to blame but myself for coming up on this search.

• "change in bowel habits", I guess I did talk about poop more than once on here.

• "siphoning gas", isn't that illegal? I don't remember talking about that kind of thing...just how you can save it. I hope this person didn't turn around and steal some gas after they got off the internet.

• "how to burn your house down", you have absolutely got to be kidding me! Don't people know that insurance companies today are pretty savvy on finding out if you did that on purpose? Did I talk about burning my house down I wonder?
  

• "freaky wife", what is a freaky wife? Am I a freaky wife?

• "blind follower lemming", I think I off-handedly mentioned something about a lemming once...but was this person a lemming himself or did he want to turn someone into a lemming?

• "a shortcut to straight A's", don't you think if someone had come up with such a method, you'd hear more about it in the mainstream news?

• "alka seltzer makes you have to go to the bathroom", it does?

• "army wife nude", what???!!!

Anyway, those are my favorites...what that exactly means, I don't know, but I just figured out how to use Google Analytics and that's what it spit out at me. Who visits your blog, and how do they get there?

Overheard and Overseen

Have you ever walked by a conversation and heard a snippet that made your brain skip a few beats? Or that gave you a good laugh. How about finding a piece of paper blowing around. I know I recently found a little piece of notepaper stuck to my car door...it was a windy day, and it was just plastered there. You know, I couldn't just crumple it up without looking at what it said. It was just a note that someone had put on someone's car to call them...nothing earth shattering. What is it about the human condition that we are so nosy. I'm just going to admit it right here. I honestly can't help myself sometimes. If you tend to overhear conversations in passing or look at little notes that cross your path, you're going to enjoy the time wasters below!

Overheard in New York - Now I haven't been to New York since I was a very little girl, so I have no memory of what it must be like. I envision this metropolitan place, where you can get just about anything, and be confronted with a sea of humanity from all over the world. This blog absolutely cracks me up...some of it can be raunchy, but some of it is downright funny.

Post Secret - This blog is actually quite depressing, so I don't visit it too often. The gist is that people send postcards to this blogger with their deepest...and sometimes, darkest...thoughts and confessions. It just makes me feel sorry for people mostly, although you can find some lighter fare too. This guy has also made a ton of money putting these postcards into books.

Found: The Best, Lost, Tossed & Forgotten - This is a book, although I think it stemmed from a magazine. These guys just started collecting notes that were cast off, whether on purpose or not. Think....shopping lists, love notes, notes on people's doors or cars and that kind of thing. Some are truly bizarre. I remember one note that had a typical laundry list of things to do, and oh BTW, one of the things on the list was also to kill someone...huh? There is amazingly enough a second book too.

Do you know of any other books or websites that follow along with this theme?

A Plug for a Great Army Wives Forum

I use this website often. I don't have the answers for everything, and the wives on here are really great...and supportive. They also share some great stories and can really relate to what's going on in your Army life.

Be sure to visit Armywives.com and check out the special forums, such as overseas wives, wives of retirees and ask an experienced wife.

Check it out!

If you have any other favorite Army or military spouse websites, please post them below.

Teachers Having to Dig Deep to Buy Classroom Supplies...or Not

Teachers just don't get paid enough. Many teachers I know also dig deep into their pockets to buy the things they need for their classroom. What if there was another way to get things...just for you and your students. There apparently is...

Get a request up today on Donors Choose. Be proactive and ask...you won't get if you don't ask.

If anyone tries it and it works, please let me know. Thanks.

Do You Have a Google Twin?

I have the distinction of not having one...not a single one....I am the only one in the world with my first and last name if you can believe it! I mean, there are only like 60 (at least living) people in the world with our last name, so it's not a stretch to believe there is no one with my name. So what is a google twin? Just that...someone who shares your first and last name. For some, it has become a real addiction to find and connect with folks with their exact same name. Others look at it as a novelty item...something fun to check out when you have nothing better to do.

Read this article from the NY Times that talks about what all the hype is about, as well as the psychology behind why people even care about their google twins! Wow!

Why do I care about it? Because I am tired of doing a google search for my name and only finding things on myself...which leads me to another tid of advice, don't use your real name online...if you can help it. It can be unsafe in many cases, but mostly, just creepy that someone...if they wanted to...could put together your life story, your dreams, your wants and things that are important to you!

Do you have a google twin?

Alert: If You've Got a Linens and Things Gift Card, Use It Before You Lose It

Just a quick post from my vacation. Yes, I just can't keep away from the newsfeeds. Thanks to the Consumerist for the possible bankruptcy heads up on Linens and Things...darn, I shop there along with Bed, Bath and Beyond, especially when I need a wedding gift or housewarming gift. Anyway, since bankruptcy may be more than a rumor, according to this article, if you've got a giftcard, you'd better use it now while you still can. When a company gears towards bankruptcy, giftcards can be one of the first things to go. Along those same lines, be sure to continue watching the news for possible sales as well.

I'll see everyone on Tuesday again (instead of Monday) to talk about my weekend at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on International Drive in Orlando...of which I do have quite a few mouthfulls to share.

The Very Best of the Podcasts - Stuck in Traffic Timebusters

I think I am now officially addicted to podcasting. It was bad enough when I first got my Zune and realized I could listen to ALL my music on one device. Can you tell, up until recently, I was an mp3 virgin? If that wasn't bad enough, then I discovered podcasting! I am a big fan of talk radio and also a few TV shows. My kids love blooper videos and generally funny stuff and quickly realized they could watch this stuff on their Zune. Imagine my surprise once I figured out the Zune could download the daily and weekly podcasts I subscribed to. Instead of being bored out of my gourd shopping for groceries, waiting at the doctor's office or in the school car line, I could keep my mind and my sense of humor occupied...two of my favorite past times. If you plan to listen in your car, please don't use headphones....too dangerous. If your car doesn't have an mp3 jack (most don't), just spend a few dollars on a personal mp3 speaker or mini mp3 speaker...google it or check eBay. I even found some little ones at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Here is my top of the list of the very best of the podcasts.

You can listen to podcasts on ANY mp3 player. You can listen to podcasts on your computer with any audio or video player you have installed. To actually subscribe to a podcast and automatically download new episodes without having to save individual shows, you have to have a podcast reader. Some mp3 players have this already installed, such as the Zune and the iPod to name a few. Others, such as the Sandisk Sansa, you would have to copy each podcast onto the device to listen to it or watch it. You can also download a podcast reader to your computer. There are many free programs out there. They will then automatically keep track of your subscribed podcasts and download new content into the reader, when it is available. There is no need to manually keep track of this. Many of these podcasts can also be found in the iTunes or Zune podcast directories.

My favorites in no particular order:

Fun & Entertainment

Access Hollywood (video) - Because I do like to see and hear some of the latest Hollywood gossip..not bad enough to purchase the rags at the checkout, but just enough to be curious and to download this podcast.

People Magazine (audio) - I do read this magazine at my local library and have found some interesting fare on their podcast.

Ask a Ninja (video) - This guy has a huge following. They're short and funny. This middle-aged overweight ninja pontificates on a few different subjects each podcast, all the while, doing a few ninja hand and eye movements...funny.

Best of YouTube (video) - My kids love the funny stuff on YouTube. This podcast picks out the best video of the week, and they are usually right on...funny or thought provoking...they've even had some artsy ones lately, not just some jacka** stunts.

Comedy Central Stand Up (video) - I like stand-up comedy. You get a quick few minutes of a comic you probably haven't heard of yet. Many are very good, plus I get a good laugh when I need one.

Onion News Network (video) - A satirical news network released by the Onion newspaper. This news is faster, harder, scarier and all-knowing according to them and geared for those over 18 years old they say. Yes, you'll get the news with the extra bite and smell of an onion.

The Soup Video Podcast (video) - Just like on TV...dumb, dumb, but again, when you need a laugh, tune in. Short excerpts from Soup Video "newscast" and Joel McHale's take on celebrity news, pop culture and wacky TV moments. Only about 1 minute long.

VH1 Best Week Ever (video) - Very small snippets of the shows on TV tonight with commentary and sometimes quick interviews...all in 3 minutes.

News

60 Minutes (audio) - I have always been a big fan of the show, but in the last few years, I just haven't had a chance to sit down and watch it. I've come to realize the audio version is just as good as the TV version.

The CNN Daily News (video) - Good basic news broadcast to find out what's going on today.

CNN=Politics Daily (video) - I watch this right before and right after state primaries and about once a week to see what the candidates are up to. Wolf Blitzer's show, just like on TV.

NY Time Frontpage (audio) - Quick rundown of the headlines of the day. I listen to this first before choosing any of the other news show because it wraps everything up so nicely and so quick.

MSNBC Hardball with Chris Matthews (audio) - Just like the show on TV.

NBC Nightly News (video) - Another good basic news broadcast. Interesting to see sometimes how different it can be from CNN.

Financial

Marketplace Money Marketclip (video) - Basic video on a variety of topics to make you smart. Recent subjects were retirement planning, college 529 plans and how much house can you afford.
This podcast comes out about once a month.

Business Week (audio) - I used to think Business Week magazine was boring. I still don't read it, but lately, I've been looking forward to their podcast. They always interview someone from the magazine on this week's top story for their magazine. Of course, it has to do with finance, business and markets, but I've actually found the interviews interesting and informative and not as stuffy as their magazine.

Rob Black and Your Money (audio) - This guy is my absolute favorite for giving the run-down on what is going on in the financial markets for the day. He does it in a conversational tone and uses easy to understand words and concepts. He must be clairvoyant too, because I'll catch him talking about some of our investments, products we use and businesses we frequent. Not only good stuff to listen to, investment-wise, but important info on the things that affect your daily life too...good music too. It runs anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes typically.

Money Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips (audio) - Just like she says, quick and dirty. She picks a new topic every week and explains it so anyone can understand it...just enough to make you smart on the subject.

The Dave Ramsey Show (audio) - Dave is the guru who helps people get out of debt. He has written a slew of self-help books (they really work), as well as a program online and through seminars to get people on the road to being debt-free. Many of his callers call in to say how they got out of debt, ala "beans and rice" and being disciplined and many call with some of the saddest stories you'll ever hear of people in debt peppered with general questions on real estate and financial how-to. The first hour of his show is free, and if you want to listen to the second hour, you can pay for that. I listen to just the first hour just about every day..this is a daily weekday show and can honestly say, I've learned so much.

The Ric Edelman Show (audio) - Another financial guru from a different perspective. This guy owns his own financial management company where you can hire him and his staff to manage your money, but he also wrote a few bestseller financial books and has this national show. This is the guy who says take all the equity out of your house and invest it instead of just having it sit there. He does have some radical and more gutsy ideas and has actually ruffled some feathers of the bigwigs on Wall Street with his rantings...but I've found he gives good advice with a different spin than Dave Ramsey and if you can get through his sound effects and his talking about his two new puppies, it's worth a listen.

Money Markets and More - (audio) - Basic overview of what is going on in the market today. Just listened to them talking about Starbucks and the free cups of coffee being given away. Find out what the companies you love (and don't) are up to. Short enough to keep you informed without boring you.

Smart Money with Gil Kuta (audio) - Gil has his own financial management company too, and he's been doing this radio show for many years. Maybe that is why it is so boring to me, but then again, I've listened to it a few times, because he does go into depth what is going on in the stock market. People call in and ask about companies and their investments, and every time, he knows exactly what they are asking about...he must have the memory of an elephant! Anyway, if you follow stocks, listen to this guy.

Kids

Cartoon Network (video) - My kids love the network, so I let them watch this too. You'll find small excerpts of their favorite shows as well as interviews and other short snippets.

Disney Channel Shorty McShort (video) - A shuffle of shows...actually shorts...from Cartoon Network as my son just told me.

Kid's Corner Podcast (audio) -This follows the Kid's Corner popular radio show. Kids call in on a variety of topics. This is a cute podcast for 7-12 year olds and runs about 12 minutes.

Military


Army Wife Talk Radio (audio) - The hosts try very hard to get informative guests, give a quick blurb of military news and discuss new programs or things of interest at a variety of military posts. They do laugh a lot and joke around, and they also have a chat room that runs the same time as the show. Sometimes they give away prizes too. I personally think the show is too long (and they're thinking of making it longer)....I can never sit and listen to the whole thing and listen instead in short snippets. Take a look though, as these ladies try very hard to put out a quality show and you might learn something in the process.

This Week in the Pentagon (video) - A quick video of Pentagon military news from around the world. The military also has another half dozen podcasts you can check out.


Fitness & Health

Fit for Duty (video) - This is like a workout show. If you don't know what to do to work out or are tired with your old routine, check it out. 30 minutes long.

Fit for Duty Cardio (video) - This one is like an aerobics class. I've even hooked up my mp3 player to the TV and done a routine or two. 30 minutes long.


Other


Clark Howard Show (audio) - Clark is a BIG consumer advocate. You'll hear him talk about products and services and companies. Callers will call in with some bozo letter they got in the mail, and Clark will explain it to them...things like that. I actually like listening to it, and I can say I've learned a few things. The other day he was talking about warranties and the possible downfall of Chrysler...does anyone remember Daewoo?

Clark Howard's Rip-off Alert (audio) - A different topic every time. I just listened to one where he had a caller who detailed his Wachovia bank fees...over $500 worth...not really a scam but the bank was being sneaky about it...many others do this too...become familiar with the latest rip-offs and scams.

Cook's Illustrated (video) - Don't watch this if you are hungry. You'll see how to make some yummy dishes. I just watched a video comparing different priced cast iron pans..the most expensive is not necessarily the best.

The Dog Whisperer (video) - I love how confident Cesar, the host is. This is just like the TV show but shorter. I guess you could call it previews. If you have a dog or regularly interact with one watch this...great and simple advice and will make you wonder why you didn't know this or that already.

Get Real Real Estate Investing (audio) - This show can be a little boring..initially. It's a husband and wife team that invests in real estate. Callers call in with their real estate questions. The team also talks about their latest rehabs and investments. They also have seminars you can sign up for. If you've ever thought about real estate investing, it's worth a listen.

HEROES TV Show (music videos) - For those HEROES fans. Music videos...I think four or five of them that lead up to the season premier in March. No new episodes but still worth downloading.

One Minute How-To (audio) - Quick one minute blurbs on how to do something...a different topic every week. A new guest every week showcasing what they know.

The History Channel: Just Another Day (video) - Find out how everyday items work and were invented. My kids like watching this one. The History Channel also has a host of other podcasts here.

Home Innovations (audio) - Callers call in about their home projects and get ideas and help from the show's hosts. If you like to tootle around the house, this show can be for you. I just listened to two guests who run heating and cooling businesses giving tips on how to keep costs down around the house, as well as what the biggest requests are from them.


I would've included Dr. Laura, cause she really has some great advice for people who just can't seem to get it with their relationships. She is fun to listen to and gets right to the point in helping people to move to fix their problems...BUT...she only offers a paid version of her show..shame on you Dr. Laura! You should do it like Dave Ramsey and at least offer a shorter free version!

Do you have any video or audio podcasts you like to listen to? Which ones are your favorites and would you recommend to others? Be sure to post them below!

Make It From Scratch #58 - April Fool's!

With it being the 1st of April, you'd think I'd have some kind of April Fool's prank to play on you all. Well, I'm not going to do it. I was going to tell you that all these items can be bought somewhere, but that would defeat the point of making things from scratch. I don't know where you folks get your creativity, but there are some real gems here...all made from scratch! Enjoy!



At the Craft Table

SeaBird presents Exhibition: Artist Trading Cards, Series 2 posted at SeaBird Chronicles.

Cindy presents A VCR Tape and Ribbon Sling Bag posted at My Recycled Bags.

Joanie presents Holiday quiz and new kid craft favourites posted at Nini Makes.

Alex presents How to Make Your Own Free Printable Birthday Cards posted at Home Life Weekly.


In the Bathroom

Eric Cech presents Creating Your Own Perfect Aromatherapy Skin Care Formula posted at Synergy Essential Oils, Aromatherapy for Professionals and Enthusiasts.


Around the House

Kelsey presents Linen Closet Organization Ideas/Tips posted at Vanilla Joy - Family Fun and Education.


In the Kitchen

Kris presents It's Springtime for Vegetables (and Germany): Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg & Parmesan posted at Cheap Healthy Good.

ChristineMM presents Tried a Fantastic New Recipe: Asian Turkey Burgers posted at The Thinking Mother.

Kate presents Lemony Leeks with Rice posted at Our Red House.

Chef Andrew presents Southern Celebrations: Baked Ham posted at RecipeBank.net.

Heather L. presents Macaroni Salad posted at The Fat Bottomed Girl.

vh presents Make the Kitchen Sink White Again posted at Funny about Money.



In the Garden

Stephanie presents Stop the Ride!: My Mini Greenhouses posted at Stop the Ride!.



Thanks to all for participating in this week's carnival! If you would like to send in an article, please visit the Make it From Scratch Carnival. Next week's host is so called me. See you next week!

Blog Round Up - The Top of the Heap

In case you don't read the same blogs I do, here are some of my favorites and most linkworthy to note this week!

• Filler Strategies for Amazon's Free Super Saver Shipping

• Why I'm Not Getting a Refund Anticipation Loan or H&R Block Emerald Card

• Cheaper Toys are Better for your Kids

• That was Worth the Phonecall (I admit I did this once too by accident and the credit card company erased all charges, just because I had called them...I didn't even ask!)

• Giveaways Galore!

• In the Army Now (the thoughts behind people getting out?)

• What the Lamestream Media Taught Me About Deployment

• Work Week Menus

• Amazing Black Beans Brownie Recipe (yes, you read it right...has to be one of the more bizarre dessert ingredients...so I just had to post it)

Have you found any interesting blogs or posts this week?

Carnival of Money Stories #51

Ooops! April Fool's! But seriously, here's this week's edition of Money Stories, and a day late no less, because of my inability to track my "to do" list this week..but that's another story! Thank-you for sending in your personal money stories!

Let's Party!

Finance Girl presents Are Children's Birthday Parties Getting Out of Control? posted at Finance Gets Personal.


Let's Go on a Trip!

poetloverrebelspy presents Baring My Budget: Malta « Less Than a Shoestring posted at Less Than a Shoestring.

Thomas D. Brownsword presents March 12, 2008: Writing posted at Business Action Steps.



Let's Stay Home and Save Some Money!

KC Lau presents Top 5 Regular Monthly Expenses We Don’t Need posted at KCLau's Money Tips.

Ana presents Putting Teenage Son on a Budget posted at DebtFREE-Revolution.

NtJS presents Have We Learned Nothing? posted at not the jet set.

Cash Money Life presents Reader Question: “What Should I Do With My Reenlistment Bonus?” posted at Military Finance Network.


Let's Go Make Some Money!

Tyler presents Lessons Learned In Real Estate posted at Dividend Money.

Shuchong presents Stakes and Mistakes posted at But WHY Doesn't it Grow on Trees?.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents My First Stock Market Moves: How I've Lost and Made Money In The Market posted at The Digerati Life.

The Financial Blogger presents My Smith Manoeuvre – February Update posted at The Financial Blogger.


Let's Go Shopping (or Not)!

Lazy Man and Money presents Door-To-Door Salesmen: If You’re Selling, I Ain’t Buying posted at Lazy Man and Money.

PT presents What Was Your Dumbest Purchase? posted at Prime Time Money.

Kevin presents My Dumbest Purchase posted at No Debt Plan.

Pinyo presents My Dumbest Purchase Ever And Lessons Learned posted at Moolanomy.

Stephanie presents That Was Worth the Phone Call! posted at Stop the Ride!.

FMF presents How to Make Money in This Housing Market posted at Free Money Finance.

Shanti presents Simplicity Challenge - Day 25 (Progress) posted at Antishay Ventenne.

BeThisWay presents Buy One Get One Free. Sort of. posted at Are You Going To Be This Way The Rest of The Time I Know You?.

S.B. presents Ask Around Before You Buy Things posted at Be Thrifty Like Us.

deepali presents a long list of dumb purchases posted at Paradigm Shifted.

FIRE Finance presents Top 10 Dollar Store Buys posted at FIRE Finance.

Dorian Wales presents Buying a Home – an In-Depth Look at the Process posted at The Personal Financier.


Let's Teach Others (and Ourselves) the Value of Money!

Alison presents Teaching My Kids About Money Part II posted at This Wasn't in The Plan.

InvestorBlogger presents Is your bank book your financial statement? | InvestorBlogger posted at InvestorBlogger.

Jesse Moran presents Teach Your Children to Handle Their Money posted at CompGifts - The Frugal Way of Living.


Let's Do Something for the Business (or our Job)!

Joshua C. Karlin presents An Opportunity Not to Be Missed posted at Internet Business.

Woody Maxim presents The Fear of Loss posted at Woody Maxim.

Trisha Allen presents I Officially Quit Today posted at Building An Empire.


Let's Get Out of Debt...Now!

Ashley presents A Less Depressing Update posted at College of Cash.



Thanks again to all for sending in their heartwarming and informative stories! Please join us next week at Dividend Growth Investor. If you would like to submit a story for next week's issue, please click here.

Google Alerts and Why You Need Them

Dumb me. I didn't even know what a Google Alert was until last week. Not something you need to know about? That's what you think now. Find out why and how to make Google Alerts an integral part of your online experience.

In one of my earlier articles, I lauded how it was important to Google yourself every once in awhile. I've googled both my husband and I. Of course all the college and a little of the military stuff shows up. But then we get things like my detailed birth story of my first-born (what was I thinking in posting that?), my husband's slow marathon time, a cheesy newspaper complaint letter, a military award that may ranckle the likes of Al Quaeda and specifics on every computer problem we've ever gone through, dumb genealogy questions and anything else that maybe we wanted to keep private. I know we are boring people, but if I can put together a picture of my family in two seconds like that...well, so can someone else..and frankly, I just don't like that! Along those lines, I don't use my real name anymore either. I think I am the ONLY one in this world with that name! Really!

So how do Google Alerts come in? You can put in any Google search term or string of terms and get email alerts whenever anything comes up. You can then have the alerts mailed to you daily, weekly or whatever. So, we let ourselves be googled once a week...that should be sufficient. Amazingly, things still come up on myself, pretty much every week. Of course, it is mostly links to a book I once wrote, so I don't get too excited.

But what else can you google? Along genealogy lines, I put in some genealogy search terms, looking for that plantation owner I am always looking for, as well as the small obscure town where my ancestors used to live. I also like to look for hits that talk about some of my latest gadgets and purchases.

If you have a hobby or product you are interested in, make a Google Alert for that. Looking for news stories on a certain person or event, get that going as well. I recently heard from someone who works for USAA. He has Google Alerts set up to look for USAA, so whenever someone blogs about it, they can be right on top of it. I can see loads of uses for businesses here. Other than doing manual searches on Technorati, where you can search through the blogosphere, I can see no better way to track this stuff.

So, with all this in mind, do you have any ideas yourself, of what you can set up as a Google Alert? I'd love to hear them!

Life Lessons Can Now Be Found on Finwikian

I knew what Wikipidia was and it turns out Finwikian is a finance version of that. So, I dutifully added the Life Lessons Blog over there too. Lots of good finance blogs to peruse. If you've got a personal finance blog, be sure to add it there!