Lowering Your Personal Expenses by Chemain Evans
Personal expenses are usually classified as discretionary because they are generally quite flexible. And as such, we tend to overlook their importance when it comes to budgeting and saving money. This is the category that people keep the least track of because they really don't want to know how much money they are wasting. Here are some tips for lowering personal expenses in three areas: clothing/appearance, communications/cell phones, and funeral arrangements.
Clothing/Appearance
Buy used clothing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average consumer spends about $1,850 a year on clothing and its upkeep. You can potentially cut that in half by shopping at consignment shops, auctions and thrift stores.
If you must buy new, buy in the off season. This is especially great for kids' clothes because you know they generally go up one size each year. Plan ahead and budget for this. You can also buy clothing at name-brand outlets, factory outlets, or secondary department stores (where department stores send their overstocks).
Buy less cost-related clothing; choose fabrics and designs that are easy both to wear and maintain. Watch out for "Dry Clean Only" and instead choose garments that you can care for at home.
Cut back on makeup and perfumes. Or look for sales and buy generic brands. Most people won't notice the difference.
Donate old clothes to charitable organizations and keep track of their values to use as a charitable donation tax write-off. Go to http://www.itsdeductible2.com for a guide on the value of donated items.
Communications/Cell Phones
Instead of calling, use e-mail. It's free (if you already have an Internet connection) and you will save money on your long distance phone bill. Also, comparison shop long distance plans and find one that works well with your calling style.
Write a letter. It only costs a bit more than a quarter to send and it will help you improve your writing and communication skills.
Keep track of your calling minutes to make sure you don't go over your allotted time. Most long distance and cell phone companies have high charges for extra minutes. If you consistently exceed your plan's minutes, upgrade your plan. The extra monthly cost for the next step up is usually much less than the extra charges for more minutes.
Shop around for cell phone plans. Cell phone companies and plans vary widely, so compare carefully. Now you can even take your cell number with you if you switch providers. Before switching from your current company, call them and tell them you are about to switch and see if they will match or beat their competitor's offer.
Funeral Arrangements
Make your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or burial arrangements in writing. Don't leave this decision to the ones you leave behind.
Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to obtain an itemized price list. You are entitled to this information by law and, by using it to comparison shop, you can save hundreds of dollars.
Many funeral homes offer prepaid plans, but be cautious about prepaying because there may be risks involved. For information about the least costly options, which could save you several thousand dollars, contact a local memorial society, which is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under funeral services.
Keep your discretionary spending in check by modifying your spending habits. Evaluate your apparel and communications spending and see how you can improve. Jot down your wishes concerning your future memorial service and put them with your will and trust. Downsize or even eliminate those extra dollars that just disappear each month and put them to good use, such as paying off debt or investing. Soon you'll be on your way to a healthier financial you.
About the Author
Chemain Evans is a quality control specialist for Simple Joe, Inc. Income & Expenses PC software is a Simple Joe product that is a quick and simple way to keep track of your expenses and stay within your budget. Learn more at http://www.simplejoe.com
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Why Credit Cards are a Financial Liability
Why Credit Cards are a Financial Liability
By: Francis Mwendo
'Save for a rainy day' is the most common device we hear.No one knows the future and a discerning person allocates a certain amount of his income towards savings. There are many ways to do this. Opening a separate savings account, investing in stocks, paying towards insurance and immunities are some of the common methods that people use to save their money.There are however quite a lot of people who prefer to use credit cards regularly and for almost all transactions, weather necessities or luxuries. They do this in the mistaken belief that not paying for the same in cash is a form of saving.One of the most common psychological barriers that a consumer has when it comes to his purchasing power is the use of money. It is human tendency to consider a product to be costly when payment is made in cash. It has to do with the physical handing over of the notes relative to obtaining the product.When we pay cash, we tend to evaluate the value of the product more seriously. On the other hand, paying by the credit card also has a psychological connotation. We tend to see only the affordability and not so much the actual value of the product. The ease with which we can afford almost anything by using a credit card drastically reduces our ability to make a rationale evaluation. We also break down the total cost into monthly instalments and rationalize the purchase. This has a flip side however.Credit cards provide the consumer with the flexibility to afford a better lifestyle, which may be even beyond his income. The breaking down of the payment into small monthly instalments also gives the purchaser a false sense of a default in payment.Many people use credit cards to purchase everyday groceries, pay for medical bills, education fees, expensive holidays, utility bills and more. The idea of 'cashless payment' is so appealing that credit cards have become a way of life rather than a facility for emergencies.While paying by card does not eliminate the truth that at some stage the cash has to be handed over, it is the facility of deferred payment that is the big draw. There are many important factors that a credit card user has to understand before he even gets one.The requirement of all credit card companies is payment of the minimum balance. Usually, this is what most people think they should pay and nothing more. This only carries forward the credit and consequently adds to it the interest as well.This means that the consumer may end paying a large amount of interest over several years. There is also the possibility of the interest becoming more than the actual cost of product. So in effect for the so-called 'cashless payment' you are paying more cash than you should.Further there is nothing to stop the credit card companies from hiking the APR (annual percentage rate) at any point of the time especially if you default on payment. Added to that, the late payment fees and other hidden charged will only increase your liabilities.If you need to invest, you need to take an option in which your monies bring returns. It is a simple calculation. You must see growth in the investment.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Francis Mwendo is an Internet consultant, publisher and marketer focusing on Debt/Loans items. To FIND cutting-edge products on Debt Consolidation Services, primarily, Payday Loans, and Student Loans Consolidation, VISIT THIS SITE: --www.loans-2day.com
By: Francis Mwendo
'Save for a rainy day' is the most common device we hear.No one knows the future and a discerning person allocates a certain amount of his income towards savings. There are many ways to do this. Opening a separate savings account, investing in stocks, paying towards insurance and immunities are some of the common methods that people use to save their money.There are however quite a lot of people who prefer to use credit cards regularly and for almost all transactions, weather necessities or luxuries. They do this in the mistaken belief that not paying for the same in cash is a form of saving.One of the most common psychological barriers that a consumer has when it comes to his purchasing power is the use of money. It is human tendency to consider a product to be costly when payment is made in cash. It has to do with the physical handing over of the notes relative to obtaining the product.When we pay cash, we tend to evaluate the value of the product more seriously. On the other hand, paying by the credit card also has a psychological connotation. We tend to see only the affordability and not so much the actual value of the product. The ease with which we can afford almost anything by using a credit card drastically reduces our ability to make a rationale evaluation. We also break down the total cost into monthly instalments and rationalize the purchase. This has a flip side however.Credit cards provide the consumer with the flexibility to afford a better lifestyle, which may be even beyond his income. The breaking down of the payment into small monthly instalments also gives the purchaser a false sense of a default in payment.Many people use credit cards to purchase everyday groceries, pay for medical bills, education fees, expensive holidays, utility bills and more. The idea of 'cashless payment' is so appealing that credit cards have become a way of life rather than a facility for emergencies.While paying by card does not eliminate the truth that at some stage the cash has to be handed over, it is the facility of deferred payment that is the big draw. There are many important factors that a credit card user has to understand before he even gets one.The requirement of all credit card companies is payment of the minimum balance. Usually, this is what most people think they should pay and nothing more. This only carries forward the credit and consequently adds to it the interest as well.This means that the consumer may end paying a large amount of interest over several years. There is also the possibility of the interest becoming more than the actual cost of product. So in effect for the so-called 'cashless payment' you are paying more cash than you should.Further there is nothing to stop the credit card companies from hiking the APR (annual percentage rate) at any point of the time especially if you default on payment. Added to that, the late payment fees and other hidden charged will only increase your liabilities.If you need to invest, you need to take an option in which your monies bring returns. It is a simple calculation. You must see growth in the investment.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Francis Mwendo is an Internet consultant, publisher and marketer focusing on Debt/Loans items. To FIND cutting-edge products on Debt Consolidation Services, primarily, Payday Loans, and Student Loans Consolidation, VISIT THIS SITE: --www.loans-2day.com
Monday, January 29, 2007
Bush Proposes 2007 Health Insurance Tax Law Changes
Bush Proposes 2007 Health Insurance Tax Law Changes
By: Joel J. Ohman
During the January 2007 State of the Union address president George W. Bush proposed a new change in the tax law that could have the effect of lowering health care costs for millions of Americans. According to the Wall Street Journal, the government hasn't taxed employer-provided health insurance benefits but rather gives smaller tax breaks, or none at all, to many people who buy insurance themselves outside the workplace. The tax system is especially unfair to employees who work without traditional benefits, experts say. Effectively, Mr. Bush is proposing to eliminate the imbalance by giving everyone the same deduction -- $15,000 for families, $7,500 for singles. The Treasury Department estimates that the change would prompt a net increase of five million in the number of Americans with health insurance. Health insurance rates have been pushed to competitive lows in recent years because of the increased price transparency that the Internet has brought to health insurance shopping. What used to be a process of days or even weeks to obtain up-to-date health insurance rate quotes is now something that can be done in less than a few minutes online with a few clicks of a mouse.President Bush has stated that a family without insurance earning $60,000 could get a total tax savings of about $4,500 under the proposed plan. That includes $2,250 of income-tax savings and an equal amount of savings from payroll taxes. This type of tax benefit will certainly help those who are on the fence about seeking health insurance to make the jump to finding affordable individual health insurance coverage. Also, it is estimated that health savings accounts (HSA’s) will continue to grow in popularity they already offer tax benefits that will complement the proposed tax law changes. HSA tax benefits along with the proposed health insurance tax law changes could result in almost all Americans being able to afford a comprehensive health insurance plan.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Search for health insurance the easy way by taking 30 seconds to input your health information and then viewing free health insurance quotes from the top 5 companies that offer health insurance coverage in your home zip code at Health Insurance Quote 360. Make sure that you use the price transparency of the Internet to find the most affordable and comprehensive health plan quotes in your home zip code!
By: Joel J. Ohman
During the January 2007 State of the Union address president George W. Bush proposed a new change in the tax law that could have the effect of lowering health care costs for millions of Americans. According to the Wall Street Journal, the government hasn't taxed employer-provided health insurance benefits but rather gives smaller tax breaks, or none at all, to many people who buy insurance themselves outside the workplace. The tax system is especially unfair to employees who work without traditional benefits, experts say. Effectively, Mr. Bush is proposing to eliminate the imbalance by giving everyone the same deduction -- $15,000 for families, $7,500 for singles. The Treasury Department estimates that the change would prompt a net increase of five million in the number of Americans with health insurance. Health insurance rates have been pushed to competitive lows in recent years because of the increased price transparency that the Internet has brought to health insurance shopping. What used to be a process of days or even weeks to obtain up-to-date health insurance rate quotes is now something that can be done in less than a few minutes online with a few clicks of a mouse.President Bush has stated that a family without insurance earning $60,000 could get a total tax savings of about $4,500 under the proposed plan. That includes $2,250 of income-tax savings and an equal amount of savings from payroll taxes. This type of tax benefit will certainly help those who are on the fence about seeking health insurance to make the jump to finding affordable individual health insurance coverage. Also, it is estimated that health savings accounts (HSA’s) will continue to grow in popularity they already offer tax benefits that will complement the proposed tax law changes. HSA tax benefits along with the proposed health insurance tax law changes could result in almost all Americans being able to afford a comprehensive health insurance plan.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Search for health insurance the easy way by taking 30 seconds to input your health information and then viewing free health insurance quotes from the top 5 companies that offer health insurance coverage in your home zip code at Health Insurance Quote 360. Make sure that you use the price transparency of the Internet to find the most affordable and comprehensive health plan quotes in your home zip code!
How Limiting Beliefs Limit Your Life
Law Of Attraction: How Limiting Beliefs Limit Your Life
By: Antonio Thornton
Our beliefs are the foundation of who we are, what we think, what we say, how we act, and ultimately, how the world shows up for us. However, when we have limiting beliefs, we actually limit our life.RelationshipsLimiting beliefs will greatly affect your relationships. It can cause problems if you have any beliefs about what can or cannot, should or should not happen in a relationship. For example: You believe that the person you're dating should not see an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend because it's "bad" for the relationship. What you don't see is that the person you're with really cares about you. The relationship they maintain with an ex can be for multiple reasons. Are there children involved? Does your significant other pay alimony to their ex? Was the break up mutual? This doesn't mean that they still love them, it just means that they are having a working relationship for the sake of whatever binds them together. But if your belief is that they're ‘up to no good', then you'll create that for yourself and find things that make it so.EmploymentWhen you limit your beliefs when it comes to employment, it can be critical to whether you will keep the job or change your career several times. You may find that you are staying with a job you hate because you either think there is nothing out there for you to do or because it is the "right thing to do." Fear is just another form of belief and can also seriously limit us in our lives. It can keep us from making career changes or from going back to school, taking new classes, etc. It can keep us from doing the things we want to do because we are "security-minded."EducationWe all place limitations on what we think is appropriate when it comes to education. Let's say you decided not to go to college right after school or dropped out of college. You've been employed with the company that you are with for 10 years. You have been thinking a lot about going back to school to get a degree, but you keep putting it off because you believe you're "too old." You won't "make the grade." You have "forgotten everything." Well, maybe you have forgotten some things from when you were in school because you don't use them. That is normal. It doesn't make you unintelligent, just normal. But you beliefs keep you from going…which keeps you in the same place you're in now.CreativityEveryone has heard the phrase "think outside the box." Even Taco Bell uses it in their slogan, sort of (Think Outside the Bun). Most people are so used to routine that they don't realize that they are limiting themselves in their lives creatively. They think that they are supposed to stay within those lines.What if you woke up tomorrow and you didn't get to have that cup of coffee to start your day off? Would your whole day be off? Would you be able to function normally? Physically, you probably wouldn't, but psychologically you would because it's outside of your normal daily routine and you most likely believe you'd be off…so you would.Finding creativity again in your life requires you to change your routine. Do something spontaneous. Don't follow the set pattern all the time. You will find the creativity pouring back in your life.By changing the things you believe, you can actually change your reality. Take the time to look at your beliefs and ask yourself, "Why do I believe this?", then ask, "Does this belief support the things I want in my life?" Most times that answer will be "no". If it is, then you have the opportunity to change that belief to the things that support your desires, which will lead to greater joy and happiness in your life.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Antonio Thornton has helped hundreds of people grow their business, find love, and live the life they desire simply by changing their thinking. Discover the fastest and easiest way to create your life using The Secret Universal Principles of Law Of Attraction and Psycho-Cybernetics: www.antoniothornton.com/law-of-attraction
By: Antonio Thornton
Our beliefs are the foundation of who we are, what we think, what we say, how we act, and ultimately, how the world shows up for us. However, when we have limiting beliefs, we actually limit our life.RelationshipsLimiting beliefs will greatly affect your relationships. It can cause problems if you have any beliefs about what can or cannot, should or should not happen in a relationship. For example: You believe that the person you're dating should not see an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend because it's "bad" for the relationship. What you don't see is that the person you're with really cares about you. The relationship they maintain with an ex can be for multiple reasons. Are there children involved? Does your significant other pay alimony to their ex? Was the break up mutual? This doesn't mean that they still love them, it just means that they are having a working relationship for the sake of whatever binds them together. But if your belief is that they're ‘up to no good', then you'll create that for yourself and find things that make it so.EmploymentWhen you limit your beliefs when it comes to employment, it can be critical to whether you will keep the job or change your career several times. You may find that you are staying with a job you hate because you either think there is nothing out there for you to do or because it is the "right thing to do." Fear is just another form of belief and can also seriously limit us in our lives. It can keep us from making career changes or from going back to school, taking new classes, etc. It can keep us from doing the things we want to do because we are "security-minded."EducationWe all place limitations on what we think is appropriate when it comes to education. Let's say you decided not to go to college right after school or dropped out of college. You've been employed with the company that you are with for 10 years. You have been thinking a lot about going back to school to get a degree, but you keep putting it off because you believe you're "too old." You won't "make the grade." You have "forgotten everything." Well, maybe you have forgotten some things from when you were in school because you don't use them. That is normal. It doesn't make you unintelligent, just normal. But you beliefs keep you from going…which keeps you in the same place you're in now.CreativityEveryone has heard the phrase "think outside the box." Even Taco Bell uses it in their slogan, sort of (Think Outside the Bun). Most people are so used to routine that they don't realize that they are limiting themselves in their lives creatively. They think that they are supposed to stay within those lines.What if you woke up tomorrow and you didn't get to have that cup of coffee to start your day off? Would your whole day be off? Would you be able to function normally? Physically, you probably wouldn't, but psychologically you would because it's outside of your normal daily routine and you most likely believe you'd be off…so you would.Finding creativity again in your life requires you to change your routine. Do something spontaneous. Don't follow the set pattern all the time. You will find the creativity pouring back in your life.By changing the things you believe, you can actually change your reality. Take the time to look at your beliefs and ask yourself, "Why do I believe this?", then ask, "Does this belief support the things I want in my life?" Most times that answer will be "no". If it is, then you have the opportunity to change that belief to the things that support your desires, which will lead to greater joy and happiness in your life.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Antonio Thornton has helped hundreds of people grow their business, find love, and live the life they desire simply by changing their thinking. Discover the fastest and easiest way to create your life using The Secret Universal Principles of Law Of Attraction and Psycho-Cybernetics: www.antoniothornton.com/law-of-attraction
Bankruptcy After the New Law
Bankruptcy After the New Law
By: Adam J. Heist
It has become harder to go into personal bankruptcy, but the condition of not paying bills remains whether or not formal bankruptcy is filed. The changes in the bankruptcy code of 2005 have really not changed very much. The cost of going bankrupt has increased from the $1,000 range to now more like $1,500. This is not only because of additional paperwork, but also because those going into bankruptcy must receive debt counseling both before and after they file bankruptcy. Reports from law offices around the country are that just as many, if not more people are inquiring about filing for bankruptcy, but less of these people are actually going through with it. When people find out that in many cases, now they make too much money to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy (writing off non-secured debts) and now must go through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, often they will not do the bankruptcy and try to just muddle through. There is no a means test, so a family of four, with an income over $65,000 in many states will be forced to sell their home, etc. in order to go through a bankruptcy. Now, with the foreclosure today rate double of that of 2005, this situation can only get worse before it gets better. There are millions of Americans, who bought into the 2001-2005 real estate bubble. Their Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) and the ARM with payment of Interest Only (IO) are now reaching the point in time that the payments are 50 to 100 percent higher. If the housing bubble was still you could refinance your home or buy a new home with an ARM mortgage, but now that option is out. They could get additional credit card loans but that is only a temporary solution that will make matters worse. The amount of bankruptcies in the period before the new law went into effect in October 2005 was huge. People who are not able to pay their bills, and if they can not file for bankruptcy they just muddle through the best that they can. The large number going broke is in large measure the responsibility of the easy lending policy of the last five years. You can still get a credit card often even after filing for bankruptcy. The financial situation is a little bit out of control, not just for individuals but for the whole United States.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
You can find more information on loans as well as more information on everything to do with being loans at our website. Visit us today and see what we have in store for you.
By: Adam J. Heist
It has become harder to go into personal bankruptcy, but the condition of not paying bills remains whether or not formal bankruptcy is filed. The changes in the bankruptcy code of 2005 have really not changed very much. The cost of going bankrupt has increased from the $1,000 range to now more like $1,500. This is not only because of additional paperwork, but also because those going into bankruptcy must receive debt counseling both before and after they file bankruptcy. Reports from law offices around the country are that just as many, if not more people are inquiring about filing for bankruptcy, but less of these people are actually going through with it. When people find out that in many cases, now they make too much money to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy (writing off non-secured debts) and now must go through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, often they will not do the bankruptcy and try to just muddle through. There is no a means test, so a family of four, with an income over $65,000 in many states will be forced to sell their home, etc. in order to go through a bankruptcy. Now, with the foreclosure today rate double of that of 2005, this situation can only get worse before it gets better. There are millions of Americans, who bought into the 2001-2005 real estate bubble. Their Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) and the ARM with payment of Interest Only (IO) are now reaching the point in time that the payments are 50 to 100 percent higher. If the housing bubble was still you could refinance your home or buy a new home with an ARM mortgage, but now that option is out. They could get additional credit card loans but that is only a temporary solution that will make matters worse. The amount of bankruptcies in the period before the new law went into effect in October 2005 was huge. People who are not able to pay their bills, and if they can not file for bankruptcy they just muddle through the best that they can. The large number going broke is in large measure the responsibility of the easy lending policy of the last five years. You can still get a credit card often even after filing for bankruptcy. The financial situation is a little bit out of control, not just for individuals but for the whole United States.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
You can find more information on loans as well as more information on everything to do with being loans at our website. Visit us today and see what we have in store for you.
Newlywed Gifts to Impress Your In Laws
Newlywed Gifts to Impress Your In Laws
By: Jeff Dodd
You might not always get along with your in-laws but you can't discount the fact that they are a part of the family that you married into when you uttered your marriage vows. Part of your efforts to get along with your in-laws is by giving them gifts on special occasions, or surprising them with little tokens of appreciation from time to time. Take a look at these fantastic gift ideas to give your in-laws, no matter what the occasion: Gift BasketsGift baskets make wonderful gifts for any occasion. During the holidays or your mother-in-law's birthday or their wedding anniversary, put together a special gift basket. Personalize the gift basket to make it even more wonderful. If your mother-in-law is currently dabbling in painting, buy paintbrushes, paints and other tools that she can use from an art store. Place them all together in a wicker basket, include a card with a special handwritten note, and you have the perfect present to give to your mother-in-law. Vary the contents of the gift basket according to their tastes and interests. A Weekend VacationEspecially if your in-laws are in the retiring age, they would surely appreciate a vacation with you as a family, or just your mother-and-father in law together, as some sort of a second or third honeymoon. A plane ticket to somewhere exotic plus accommodations are a great gift for special occasions. Even a simple weekend get-together in your house, along with the rest of the family, can also be a fun way to spend with your in-laws. Simple Notes and Little Tokens of AppreciationYour mother-in-law would surely appreciate random gifts, thank you notes and small tokens of appreciation. If she helped you with the general cleaning of the house on a weekend, give her something in return. Even volunteering for a chore, like running to the supermarket to buy an item on her grocery list that she forgot will be welcome. If your one of your in-laws is feeling a little gloomy for no particular reason, send out a pick-me-up present. A good book, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or flowers, a card with a poem that your son wrote – be creative in thinking of little presents to make your in-laws feel more appreciated. A card with an in-law joke that would make them laugh out loud makes for a good present, too. Personalized Gift ItemsGive your mother-in-law a DVD collection of her favorite old movies. Your father-in-law who enjoys smoking tobacco will appreciate a box of special cigars as a gift. Gifts for Special OccasionsThe holidays are always a good excuse to give your in-laws lavish gifts. Give your mother-in-law that special watch or necklace that you saw her eyeing the one time that you went shopping. Add items to your father-in-law's collection of wines, stamps or rare edition books. Treat both your mother and father-in-law to a relaxing weekend at the spa. A well-thought out present, no matter how inexpensive, will be certainly appreciated by your in-laws. Do not wait for a special occasion to give them gifts. Be creative and sensitive enough to have an idea of the items that you think they would love to have. Even if they do not outwardly show it, the presents that you give, whatever the occasion, leaves them with a warm and fuzzy feeling and makes them feel greatly appreciated.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
James Owens is an accomplished writer who specizies in marriage and relationship. For more information on bridal jewelry, please drop by at www.goweddinggifts.com
By: Jeff Dodd
You might not always get along with your in-laws but you can't discount the fact that they are a part of the family that you married into when you uttered your marriage vows. Part of your efforts to get along with your in-laws is by giving them gifts on special occasions, or surprising them with little tokens of appreciation from time to time. Take a look at these fantastic gift ideas to give your in-laws, no matter what the occasion: Gift BasketsGift baskets make wonderful gifts for any occasion. During the holidays or your mother-in-law's birthday or their wedding anniversary, put together a special gift basket. Personalize the gift basket to make it even more wonderful. If your mother-in-law is currently dabbling in painting, buy paintbrushes, paints and other tools that she can use from an art store. Place them all together in a wicker basket, include a card with a special handwritten note, and you have the perfect present to give to your mother-in-law. Vary the contents of the gift basket according to their tastes and interests. A Weekend VacationEspecially if your in-laws are in the retiring age, they would surely appreciate a vacation with you as a family, or just your mother-and-father in law together, as some sort of a second or third honeymoon. A plane ticket to somewhere exotic plus accommodations are a great gift for special occasions. Even a simple weekend get-together in your house, along with the rest of the family, can also be a fun way to spend with your in-laws. Simple Notes and Little Tokens of AppreciationYour mother-in-law would surely appreciate random gifts, thank you notes and small tokens of appreciation. If she helped you with the general cleaning of the house on a weekend, give her something in return. Even volunteering for a chore, like running to the supermarket to buy an item on her grocery list that she forgot will be welcome. If your one of your in-laws is feeling a little gloomy for no particular reason, send out a pick-me-up present. A good book, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or flowers, a card with a poem that your son wrote – be creative in thinking of little presents to make your in-laws feel more appreciated. A card with an in-law joke that would make them laugh out loud makes for a good present, too. Personalized Gift ItemsGive your mother-in-law a DVD collection of her favorite old movies. Your father-in-law who enjoys smoking tobacco will appreciate a box of special cigars as a gift. Gifts for Special OccasionsThe holidays are always a good excuse to give your in-laws lavish gifts. Give your mother-in-law that special watch or necklace that you saw her eyeing the one time that you went shopping. Add items to your father-in-law's collection of wines, stamps or rare edition books. Treat both your mother and father-in-law to a relaxing weekend at the spa. A well-thought out present, no matter how inexpensive, will be certainly appreciated by your in-laws. Do not wait for a special occasion to give them gifts. Be creative and sensitive enough to have an idea of the items that you think they would love to have. Even if they do not outwardly show it, the presents that you give, whatever the occasion, leaves them with a warm and fuzzy feeling and makes them feel greatly appreciated.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
James Owens is an accomplished writer who specizies in marriage and relationship. For more information on bridal jewelry, please drop by at www.goweddinggifts.com
How Limiting Beliefs Limit Your Life
Law Of Attraction: How Limiting Beliefs Limit Your Life
By: Antonio Thornton
Our beliefs are the foundation of who we are, what we think, what we say, how we act, and ultimately, how the world shows up for us. However, when we have limiting beliefs, we actually limit our life.RelationshipsLimiting beliefs will greatly affect your relationships. It can cause problems if you have any beliefs about what can or cannot, should or should not happen in a relationship. For example: You believe that the person you're dating should not see an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend because it's "bad" for the relationship. What you don't see is that the person you're with really cares about you. The relationship they maintain with an ex can be for multiple reasons. Are there children involved? Does your significant other pay alimony to their ex? Was the break up mutual? This doesn't mean that they still love them, it just means that they are having a working relationship for the sake of whatever binds them together. But if your belief is that they're ‘up to no good', then you'll create that for yourself and find things that make it so.EmploymentWhen you limit your beliefs when it comes to employment, it can be critical to whether you will keep the job or change your career several times. You may find that you are staying with a job you hate because you either think there is nothing out there for you to do or because it is the "right thing to do." Fear is just another form of belief and can also seriously limit us in our lives. It can keep us from making career changes or from going back to school, taking new classes, etc. It can keep us from doing the things we want to do because we are "security-minded."EducationWe all place limitations on what we think is appropriate when it comes to education. Let's say you decided not to go to college right after school or dropped out of college. You've been employed with the company that you are with for 10 years. You have been thinking a lot about going back to school to get a degree, but you keep putting it off because you believe you're "too old." You won't "make the grade." You have "forgotten everything." Well, maybe you have forgotten some things from when you were in school because you don't use them. That is normal. It doesn't make you unintelligent, just normal. But you beliefs keep you from going…which keeps you in the same place you're in now.CreativityEveryone has heard the phrase "think outside the box." Even Taco Bell uses it in their slogan, sort of (Think Outside the Bun). Most people are so used to routine that they don't realize that they are limiting themselves in their lives creatively. They think that they are supposed to stay within those lines.What if you woke up tomorrow and you didn't get to have that cup of coffee to start your day off? Would your whole day be off? Would you be able to function normally? Physically, you probably wouldn't, but psychologically you would because it's outside of your normal daily routine and you most likely believe you'd be off…so you would.Finding creativity again in your life requires you to change your routine. Do something spontaneous. Don't follow the set pattern all the time. You will find the creativity pouring back in your life.By changing the things you believe, you can actually change your reality. Take the time to look at your beliefs and ask yourself, "Why do I believe this?", then ask, "Does this belief support the things I want in my life?" Most times that answer will be "no". If it is, then you have the opportunity to change that belief to the things that support your desires, which will lead to greater joy and happiness in your life.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Antonio Thornton has helped hundreds of people grow their business, find love, and live the life they desire simply by changing their thinking. Discover the fastest and easiest way to create your life using The Secret Universal Principles of Law Of Attraction and Psycho-Cybernetics: www.antoniothornton.com/law-of-attraction
By: Antonio Thornton
Our beliefs are the foundation of who we are, what we think, what we say, how we act, and ultimately, how the world shows up for us. However, when we have limiting beliefs, we actually limit our life.RelationshipsLimiting beliefs will greatly affect your relationships. It can cause problems if you have any beliefs about what can or cannot, should or should not happen in a relationship. For example: You believe that the person you're dating should not see an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend because it's "bad" for the relationship. What you don't see is that the person you're with really cares about you. The relationship they maintain with an ex can be for multiple reasons. Are there children involved? Does your significant other pay alimony to their ex? Was the break up mutual? This doesn't mean that they still love them, it just means that they are having a working relationship for the sake of whatever binds them together. But if your belief is that they're ‘up to no good', then you'll create that for yourself and find things that make it so.EmploymentWhen you limit your beliefs when it comes to employment, it can be critical to whether you will keep the job or change your career several times. You may find that you are staying with a job you hate because you either think there is nothing out there for you to do or because it is the "right thing to do." Fear is just another form of belief and can also seriously limit us in our lives. It can keep us from making career changes or from going back to school, taking new classes, etc. It can keep us from doing the things we want to do because we are "security-minded."EducationWe all place limitations on what we think is appropriate when it comes to education. Let's say you decided not to go to college right after school or dropped out of college. You've been employed with the company that you are with for 10 years. You have been thinking a lot about going back to school to get a degree, but you keep putting it off because you believe you're "too old." You won't "make the grade." You have "forgotten everything." Well, maybe you have forgotten some things from when you were in school because you don't use them. That is normal. It doesn't make you unintelligent, just normal. But you beliefs keep you from going…which keeps you in the same place you're in now.CreativityEveryone has heard the phrase "think outside the box." Even Taco Bell uses it in their slogan, sort of (Think Outside the Bun). Most people are so used to routine that they don't realize that they are limiting themselves in their lives creatively. They think that they are supposed to stay within those lines.What if you woke up tomorrow and you didn't get to have that cup of coffee to start your day off? Would your whole day be off? Would you be able to function normally? Physically, you probably wouldn't, but psychologically you would because it's outside of your normal daily routine and you most likely believe you'd be off…so you would.Finding creativity again in your life requires you to change your routine. Do something spontaneous. Don't follow the set pattern all the time. You will find the creativity pouring back in your life.By changing the things you believe, you can actually change your reality. Take the time to look at your beliefs and ask yourself, "Why do I believe this?", then ask, "Does this belief support the things I want in my life?" Most times that answer will be "no". If it is, then you have the opportunity to change that belief to the things that support your desires, which will lead to greater joy and happiness in your life.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Antonio Thornton has helped hundreds of people grow their business, find love, and live the life they desire simply by changing their thinking. Discover the fastest and easiest way to create your life using The Secret Universal Principles of Law Of Attraction and Psycho-Cybernetics: www.antoniothornton.com/law-of-attraction
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
