Beat Recession: GARAGE SALE!

As we've been doing some house maintainance, I noticed that the rooms were starting to look a bit crowded and that space was lessening. I mean, it's not that there's piles of junk here and there but it's when closely observed, I noticed there were blankets taking up space in the closet that could be utilized for other objects. There were clothes in my closet I probably wouldn't think of even wearing again and some even brand new that I hadn't even worn but just lost the interest in keeping. That was the similar case in every room - random knick knacks and just items that could find a better home where it would be more appreciated. So how were we going to get rid of this stuff productively? A garage sale!

Not only did my friends and I decide to do a garage sale, I wanted to have three to gather some data for all of you guys. We did a three team garage sale effort to have a variety of items. 

Here are my earnings and the team's earnings and I'll also explain the technicalities.

Saturday, June 13th:
Vanessa: $95.00
Team: $345.00
Details: Notices went out on the Thursday night prior to the garage sale. Fliers went up, internet advertisements, and signs. Clothes were sold for $1.00 - $2.00, jackets and coats $3.00; Little collectibles were $1.00; electronics were anywhere from $3.00 - $6.00; books, CDs, DVDs, and other media were $1.00; generic handbags were $2.00-$3.00. Our garage sale hours were from 9:00am to 1:00pm but everyone arrived and swarmed us at 7:30am. We were thrilled!

Sunday, June 14th:
Vanessa: $46.00
Team: $220.00
Details: Signs were posted the morning of the garage sale, a couple the night before. Many items now that we wanted to get rid of were fifty cents. The most popular from the sales were clothing, books, and perfume. Our biggest sale was from the Nintendo Wii which someone from my team sold for $150.00 because it was missing the box. Men's dress shirts were the hit on this day. The weather was warm; we stayed near the garage opening most of the time to keep cool. Our hours were from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Other than the Wii, the rest of our sales didn't do too well as everyone kept bargaining with us and we were way too lenient on them, practically giving the stuff away for free.

Saturday, June 20th:
Vanessa: $40.00
Team: $130.00
Details: Advertisements were posted in the classified section of the local newspaper and on Craigslist on Tuesday night prior to the garage sale. We posted up signs at the vicinity of the neighborhood. There were approximately ten signs put up around the vicinity of the neighborhood we were holding the sale at with arrows leading to minimize the search process. The most popular item sold was cosmetics that I had and were still new but I ended up not wanting. People didn't seem to want to stay out too long as the weather was humid and warm. Most visitors stayed no longer than ten minutes. Most purchases averaged around $3.00. Our highest selling item of the day were men's and women's shoes. Our hours were from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

Post garage sale, we then went on a drive to see for ourselves how we compare to other garale sales in our city. The signs posted around the city all had different times and how long their sale was going to be held. However, the most common hour seen was 8:00am as an opening mark to sell their items. We found that our prices were slightly higher than many of the sales as shirts on their yard were sold for $.050 and many other items for just $0.25 and nothing really over $3.00 except for the really big items. Many common garage sale items are clothes, books, and toys as children grow out of these quite fast. A man actually came to our garage sale for an old but working video cassette player and we sold one to him for just a dollar.  

We found that we had the biggest selection of items, being that we were a team effort garage sale, with layers and boxes upon boxes of clothing, collectibles, and other random knick knacks so we made quite an impression and I would say 95% of the people that stopped by our sales had purchased something from us no matter how small the amount.  

Sooooo... want to know the tips now?

-People actually wake up early on weekends and shop garage sales solely, sometimes even look for specific items that usually sell for an expensive price tag such as furniture, vintage collectibles, video games, barely worn shoes, housing decor.

-You may post up a sign for 8:00am but there are always people who will drive by earlier than the posted hour to try to nab the better stuff of your sale first before you actually "open" to and sell everything to the public. If you know ahead of time this will be an inconvenience for you, remark on your advertisement that you don't want any "early birds" or "no early sales."

-If you really want a certain price for an item, try to sell it a dollar or two higher than what you're expecting because when people bargain, they really try to nail a bullseye for a deal. For instance, I had a blush compact that retails at $24.00 from a famous french makeup line. However, of course, it's a garage sale and you can't expect that from anyone especially if you didn't want the item in the first place. So, I put a sign that said $15.00 and a woman went as low as $4.00 on her offer yet that was more than I really expect as I at least wanted $3.00 for it.  

-Like I said, it doesn't matter how much your product retails for or how new it is - the bottom line is that it's a garage sale, ok? Don't ask for $100 for your Coach sneakers that were given to you as a gift last Christmas but you never wore them because they were hideous. The most you'll probably get for them would be $20.00.  

-If by the last couple hours of the sale, you hadn't earned as much as you were hoping for, then your prices either are too high or other factors are affecting your sale such as multiple garage sales going on at once - hence, that's why people shop so early so they have time to go to other sales and compare.

-BE CAREFUL. WE HAD PLENTY OF ITEMS STOLEN. Just because it's a garage sale, doesn't mean you should be loose with your goods. Think of them as dollar signs unless you really don't care about making a good sale to make the most out of your experience. We had items stolen such as cosmetics, jeans, a jacket, and a flat iron (hair straightener).

-Don't sell anything that may get you in trouble. No drugs, guns, prescription medicines, over the counter medicines, bombs, pornography, alcohol, cigars/cigarettes, media that suggests violence and unlawful behavior, raunchy lingerie, homecooked meals/food (people have allergies, sensitivities, illnesses, or digestive issues that they may accuse you of stirring up if any symptoms become prominent after eating your goods.).

-Be fair. Just because that darling old lady walks by for her morning stroll every morning and waves to you with a smile doesn't mean you can't give the same discount you gave to her to the man in a leather biker vest with an I love Becky tattoo on his arms. People go to garage sale to get the best deals, save money, have a good experience, and in return - they may leave the garage sale and spread the word about your good services and prices.

-Have lots of store bags ready to put items in when people buy them. A couple of our customers were joggers just passing by and it was a convenience for them to hold them put until they got home without having them falling all over the place.

-I can't express this enough - customer service. Have you ever walked into a department store and didn't buy something because a certain somebody was acting snobby towards you? The same goes here. This is your personal store and regardless of who stops by and how they act towards you, it should be in your best interest to give them the best sales experience ever. You might just meet a friend or two this way as well.

-Present everything in a way that people will want to buy the items. For instance, clothes that were neatly folded on the table and laid out were more sold efficiently as opposed to the ones thrown in a box on the floor. No one wants to be bending down the whole time searching or sitting on the floor either; it's uncomfortable- especially on a warm day when the cement is way too hot to touch. Don't just put your collectibles on a table and stick things in boxes wherever it lands. Arrange them as to making them look like a pretty site as how you would want them to look on a store display or in the home itself if you were rearranging. Many items will clash but you have to coordinate as best as you can to get people drawn to the garage sale. Maintain this through out the day. No one who comes mid day will want to shop at a sloppy sight where they think they're just getting what is left over but what is still there that is waiting for them to take home.

-Change. You'll need spare change. Twenty one dollar bills and a roll of quarters would be ideal to start with. In the early day, many people won't bother breaking down their bills to shop at a garage sale.

-Play some upbeat music to get people feeling good. Don't play sad songs. It will make people depressed. Don't blare it either. Keep it at a good easy listening level as if you're hearing it while walking through a store.

-Greet and welcome everyone in a courteous manner with a smile.

-Encourage family members and friends who don't want items to do sales with you so you can attract customers with a bigger display and variety of items or have them just give you the items they really don't care selling and earn a chunk of change for yourself!

Shopping at a garage sale:

-Don't show how much money you are carrying with you or dress extravagantly. This will encourage sellers to raise prices according to their own personal judgement.

-Don't be afraid to bargain. Many sellers often just want to get rid of the item or get whatever they can for it.  

-You're more likely to be cut a deal if you select a few items out instead of one or two. Instead of asking the seller how much each item is, ask how much it would be for all of the items you are holding. You may be given a very good price as the seller sees an effort of you trying to buy many of their goods.

-Don't haggle way beyond unreasonable though. Garagle sales are put on for a reason - to make money. Don't offer anyone $5.00 for a $550 Gucci bag that still has the original price tag on it. Be fair and likewise, people will be fair to you.

-If you have children or moving into a new home, this is where you will find the best deals. I found a beautiful bedroom in a bag complete set in a satin light blue and gold pattern that retails for over $300.00 at Macy's for only $20.00 with the original price tag still on it and has never been used. I found fine china dishes for $.10 each. Got kids? I bought a full tool bench playkit for only $3.00 Many board games were sold for $1.00 and even some of their pieces were sold separately so if you are missing pieces from your own games, I suggest visiting a garage sale.  

-Know that a garage sale is a great place for finds period. It's not just used item resale event type of deal. Many items that I saw were still in original shrinkwrap or packaged, new with tags, or hardly ever used. My best friend got the best deal on a pretty photo frame that was still unopened for only $0.25.

-This one is obvious - no returns or exchange. Inspect the items you're interested in before you fork over the cash. It's the worst inconvenience to go through the hassle finding the location of the seller three days later because that singing duck wasn't right for you and it just wouldn't shut up. If you paid a dollar for it, just toss it away or give it away. You'll spend your energy and money driving back to the place to get that dollar you spent that you just spent again getting there. Plus, you never know if the party holding the garage sale was in dire need of money to pay something off. Don't be greedy.

5 Relationship Mistakes That Influence Financial Decisions

How we spend money is often affected by our moods and our moods are often affected by people. Often times, we generate our actions based on how we feel at the moment and forget that it may have long term repercussions.

Mistake #1: Your best friend just put a down on a brand new Lexus after he received a promotion. You've got money in the bank saved up and you know you can afford a better car than what he just bought. Now, you're surfing the internet for the best dealership markdowns and you want to show off that you're doing just as well as he is.

The real deal: Not only will your friend see that you've taken the time to buy a new car after him but he might just take your friendship to a different perspective that you look at him as competitor. He'll also see that you feel threatened by his actions and have insecurities about yourself of being unable to go with the flow of his lavish lifestyle. Save your money instead and save your friendship. If it wasn't your intention in the first place to upgrade your vehicle, then pause that thought until you're lucid about what you want and are positive that you know you need a new car. You never know, especially with the market fluctuating, he may admire you later on when you get an even newer model and make of a vehicle when you know for certain you'll be satisfied with your purchase and your own self.

Mistake #2: Your significant other dumps you. The next week at the classy restaurant three cities from you, you just happen to spot them with a new date. All of the sudden, you want to step up your appearance and drastically change what you look like to make the envious.

The real deal: You're ready to hit up the mall and feel that if you buy that one outfit or change your hair that you'll definitely get them to notice you again and make them feel sorry for ever letting you go. At the end of the day, you realize that you've blown a week's paycheck on the seven bags of clothes, accessories, shoes, and whatever else is on those receipts when you get home. If you're a female, you can add another $150.00 for getting your nails, hair, pedicure, and facial done. They see you again and notices how ravishing you look a couple weeks later yet now, they're introducing you to their fiancé. It turns out they were just taking a break, they dated you, and they went back to them. On top of that, the outfits you bought just went on sale and now you've missed the opportunity to save $50.00. Then, you might just be secretive and call them or text to ask what went wrong in your last relationship. Their answer just happens to be your personality and in the end it had nothing to do with how attractive you were.

Mistake #3: Everyone is going to Europe this summer and you've always wanted to go. They'll think you're broke if you don't go - at least that's what you believe. You're looking at the bank account and only $2,000 is sitting there. You know that if you bought a ticket and went on your way, you can survive on it.

The real deal: Tickets are not cheap, especially to Europe. Then, you'll have to estimate travel costs outside of the airport in order to get around. So now you've purchased the ticket, went on your way to Europe, paid for a hotel and realized that you're down to your last cent. You told your friend the situation and now you just look plain foolish for ever going because it was never in your budget. Now, not only do you look broke but look outstandingly dumb for spending your last dime and everyone has to pitch in for you to get back home eventually yet that trip date isn't until a week from now. Your meal ticket is your friend's budget. That's certainly inconvenient and a burden to other people. Make sure that you have enough money to go on vacation even if you think you seriously deserve one, it's the worst thing to be trying to relax and stress out about something else instead. Tip: Buy tickets at least eleven months in advance to a location you've really wanted to go for sometime and only when you have reserved money to splurge on it. Then, create a savings account where you put something in every time you get a paycheck or extra money. In about eleven months, you should be smiling to cultural music and buying souvenirs for people back home, taking pictures along exotic coastlines, or mailing back a pictures of foreign landmarks. Use your best judgement.

Mistake#4: You've got mutual friends with your partner and it just so happens an anniversary came up and they bought their significant other an extravagant gift. You're ecstatic waiting for a special occassion to happen because you want something similar.

The real deal: The last thing on their mind is to get you an extravagant gift. To be completely honest, you shouldn't be expecting any type of gift unless they've mentioned it because it's one thing to be given a gift, it's another to expect a grand gesture. Just because your friend or sibling received a $1,000 gift card or a Rolex doesn't mean you should expect the same for your mate. Even if you've bought your partner a car, a ring, and all the other fancies - it doesn't mean that they're required to give the extravance you've been able to afford. First of all, an occassion should be meaningful and whatever is given to you is a sign of acknowledgement that they care about you. Second, even a card should be enough to signify the importance of that date. Avoid phrases such as, "You know what you can get me for ..." or "For my birthday, I want you to get me a ..." Phrases such as these turn people off and feel obligated to get you something along these lines even if they can't afford it. Avoid these situations and be grateful for someone who loves you enough to let you know somehow. Besides, money can't buy love.

Mistake#5: It's been tough lately to find a job and you've been searching all day. The bills are due and you're panicking. You've got an idea to call some friends out for a loan. That should bail you out for a while.

The real deal: Don't borrow money from friends because not all friendships are secure. There's a phrase that goes borrow from a friend and collect from an enemy which is many times true. Some friends like to gossip or accuse you of taking advantage of them. Some friends want their money back immediately and as already mentioned, you're struggling to find a job so two months down the line, you're still financially hurting and now you owe them money too. My suggestion is to go to your city's human services office of welfare for help. If you have shut off notices, you may be entitled to immediate cash aid and utility services. If you need food, they provide services where they can fund your needs as well as enroll you in a government health care program. This includes any dependents if you have any such as a spouse or children. They'll help you in every way possible to get by. Also, call your creditors and let them know the situation so they can extend your due dates or waive/minimize payments. These people are more than willing to work with you.

The Cheaply Chic Young Adult

Being twenty-two and still self seeking, I sat down one day and decided to reflect upon what has got to be the worst ways to blow money on a single outing with friends or colleagues. I thought to myself I'm still young and I want to have fun. But how far can having fun get until it is expensive and financially abusive? Here are a few scenarios that young adults can enjoy yet be able to live on a small budget without crying about living independently.

The Movie Buff

Let's see, a night at the movies shouldn't be too expensive right? The ticket will cost about $10.00, then we'll grab some popcorn at about $5.00. Of course, we'll need some gas to get there so let's say the neighborhood theater is about a few miles away from home so $2.00 would be the approximate cost of a round trip. Oh wait, the popcorn is making me thirsty mid movie and I need to satisfy my thirst and what is this? $3.00 for a large carbonated beverage?! Really? Ok, well I guess I'll have to splurge this time since I'm in need of a drink and of course, purchasing one outside of the theater and bringing it back in would be out of the question. Tonight, I spent about $20.00 on a movie alone for myself. Darn.

What alternative could I have possibly had?

Redbox movies are rented for only $1.00 plus tax a night. Popcorn at a grocery store for a small pack is around $2.00 (or hit up your local Target for a bag of fresh popcorn for a $1.00.) Now, let's grab a soda at the store while we're in line at the register and count change adding up to another $1.00 + tax. I'm sure these trips can be done at around the same distance as the theatre so $2.00 goes into my gas tank again. What? A movie night had only cost me $5.00 at the most?

The Risk Taker

Everyone's going to the new casino out of town and they've invited you to come along. You've decided to go and they've even offered you to ride with them. Sure, why not? Five hours later, you find yourself sitting down and feeling like a complete idiot calculating how much is due of your bills and realizing you're just not going to make it this month. You're now even burying your hands in your pockets looking for change to supposedly win the money back you've lost.

No. My suggestion is that if you know you're going to a place like a casino or even just poker night at friend's house, know your limit. If you know that you're already in the red at the bank, don't even bother and be confident when you say to your friend that you'll pass this time because you have other things to do. If you have money that you can afford to lose, stick to that limit and don't go past it. My recommendation is to take money out before the trip and leave your ATM at home or hidden in the car where you know you can't access it if you've already lost so much money gambling. Also, set a limit that is very doable and not out of desperation or a crazy notion that the million dollar jackpot will be yours eventually if you just keep playing and sacrifice all your money. Stick to a budget such as the amount you would pay for eating out during the week. For example, if it's $50 you usually spend eating out per week, stick to that $50. If you lose it, then all you'll really have to give up is eating out for that week.

Midnight Crisis

Around your early twenties or thirties, we all know that one person or a few people that can't seem to stop living it up by partying too much. If you have someone close to you that frequents nightclubs, you may want to be cautious of being lured to be the sidekick. Drinks at a bar are not cheap. A bottle of Grey Goose at the grocery store will range around $20.00 while at the club, you're bound to pay over a hundred. That's ridiculous. Want a shot of Patron? That'll be $10.00. Admission at the door was $20.00 and you're here still wandering why it was so much when everyone in the venue is doing almost exactly what everyone else does at a high school dance, except for the fact that well - there are strangers everywhere and alcoholic drinks. Then some nights, the drunk friend will need a ride home and you're the smart one who knows you can take care of yourself, however, she lives about thirty minutes way. By the end of the night, you've probably shelled out $60.00 from gas, booze, admission, parking fees, and perhaps a bite to eat after. And you also smell like cheap cologne/perfume and Hennessy from that creepy guy or girl that just wouldn't stop leaving you alone that kept calling you 'Fiesty' all night.

Once in a while, this can be fun but clubbing can be rather expensive and some nights are just not worth the price especially if a fight breaks out and the club evacuates people then you're out what you've spent that night and your fun ends early.

Your best bet is to stick to cozy home get togethers with people you know that can also bring people they know as well as trust. Purchase a few drinks and ingredients to make cocktails or beers, put on some music, grab a few board games or cook dinner - whichever tickles your fancy and voila! Instant party. The best benefit of it all is that if anyone isn't sober enough to go home, they can stay as long as they need to so you don't feel responsible for them driving home. You can even make it a potluck and have everyone bring something so you're not whipping out the cards out of your wallet for everything.

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like." - Will Smith

Infidelity: Signs of Cheating?

You're staring at his phone while it's ringing and it's 2:00 am. He left it behind while he talked to you about being out with his friends tonight. Who could possibly be calling from that blocked number? She told you she was working overtime and when you asked her how her day was. She could barely give you details of what happened in the workplace. What really happened?

Do you suspect your partner cheating on you? Here are signs that could lead to infidelity and clues as to help you with your decision whether you should confront them.

Could It Be ABUSE?

We've heard that word at one point or another but what does it mean when you're talking about relationships - family, friendships, coworkers, and such?

Abuse can be very subtle or can be eminent yet either or can be destructive and is a mental issue from the source. It can be in the form of hitting, verbal (curse words, name calling, put downs, sexual insinuations, blackmail), or any type of behavior that causes another to become uncomfortable or in danger. It can be in the form of solely controlling money, unallowing you certain freedom that are your birth rights such as being with family and friends, going out, being able to choose what to wear. It can be threatening to harm people around you or your work/school environment. It can be mentally manipulating you into believing you're always wrong with guilt though the other person is at fault.



I grew up around abuse. My biological father used to hit me and beat me. He had a gambling problem and was an utterly frustrated man from his childhood; his father also abused him. Often times abuse comes in cycles that needed to be broken because it can become habitual through generations. I recall going to school and there would be welts on my back and the math teacher had to sit with me until police officers spoke to my father and then later had court orders issued to him for a social worker to visit me every so often as well as my parents having to serve a certain amount of hours of parenting classes. My mother was very hard on me, especially coming from a very traditional Filipino family, failure is never an option. Anything less than an honor roll student status in that household was not accepted. I was never allowed out of the home to play with the other kids or friends. I was never given the opportunity to experience an open childhood like everyone else. Much of what I felt was hidden, unexpressed, and deprived. My father was also abusive to my mother and my mother was very passive of the things that happened to me because of her fear that he would in turn resort to harming her. My life was difficult because my parents were so focused on perfection that they failed to see me as their daughter instead of a merit.

The question some of you may be asking is why did he get so angry towards you? I was the scapegoat of the family. I never talked back to my father until I was seventeen when one day I told him if he needed something, he needs to ask instead of demand everyone in the household of what to do all the time. I don't know what got into me that day but I said it and soon enough he started making noises downstairs and breaking things. He always broke things. My mother's favorite Italian ceramic fountain - he broke one day because she wouldn't give him money to gamble. Much of the abuse in the home was derived from my father and revolved around him. Because I would never be let out of the house, I used to make excuses that I was going to cheerleading practice to hang out at a friend's house because it was the only was I could be out even just an hour after school and even then he did not like it. I would get beat for it.

Thereafter, I became involved with my boyfriend in high school whom I was with for seven years and took his abuse as well. I gave up much of my life to set aside for whatever he wanted and needed and in return, he would always cheat on me, lie to me, leave bruises on my body, make excuses, and make me look like a bad person for not giving in to what he wanted. Whenever I would confront him of his behavior, he'd in turn try to turn the tables and try to accuse me of not being able to move forward and blame me for "acting immature" or "acting up." Although what he did not see was that I was not only older than him by age, I was wiser by the years knowing that I was more intelligent than him and a better person. My only stupidity was staying around with a person like that for so long. Signs of abuse in that relationship was that he was also able to be around whomever he pleased and expected me to be at home and without my friends. He made my life revolve around him without ever giving back to me. He would always defend his friends instead of me even when he knew they were wrong, he always found an excuse to disregard my feelings despite anything positive I brought into the relationship and my good intentions and efforts. Any money we had acquired together, he spent it by himself or with his friends. And again, like my father - he had in common with him the fact that his father abused him and abused his mother. Needless to say, that relationship no longer exists between us.

My point is that often when people get abused for so long, they in turn, get used to the behavior and become involved with more relationships that abuse them because it becomes a mental process that they believe they can endure, often even leading to the notion that they themselves can change the abuser. The abuser can only change themselves and never does the change happen over night.

For more information on abuse, visit the recommended websites:
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8479&cn=2
http://www.domesticviolence.org/
http://www.ndvh.org/
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

Are you a victim of abuse? Please visit the following link or see a local community center for more information on how you can get aid. The link provides information for each state within the U.S. on how to get support for shelter, advice, protection, and all types of other assistance:

http://www.ncadv.org/resources/StateCoalitionList_73.html

Have you ever been a victim of domestic abuse or know someone who has?

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IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. DON'T BE A STATISTIC.


For emergencies, visit a local police station for details on how to get a restraining order or help in order to avoid the abuser under extreme conditions or dial 911 at the scene of violence. Many times if you dial 911 and it is not an emergency situation such as verbal threats and arguements, they may disregard your phone call as it is not regarded an emergency situation unless there are insinuations to physically harm you. Check your local listings or http://www.yellowpages.com/ to see the listing of your local police station in the event of a non-emergency but need to notify them of a suspicious situation and advice on how to proceed.



Without help, domestic abuse will only increase in occurences and worsen as it is left without intervention from proper help. Seek immediate help from family, friends, neighbors, religious groups, and other sources to get what you need to distance yourself from an abusive situation. If anyone tells you or makes you believe otherwise, stop and go to the next source available. Sometimes, people will try to justify abuse by telling the victim that it is because the abuser has so much love and feeling for them that they react that way, it's because he has other issues that he has no control of how he acts, the abuser is only expressing his concern. All of this is untrue. A person who cares about someone else will never have them sacrifice a beneficial thing for themselves like time with family and friends, school, work, their religion, their usual practices unless any of these things cause a negative influence upon that person. Regardless, abuse is never an answer.

As the recession continues, issues of domestic violence and abuse are increasing due to financial issues, stress, struggling, and frustration. In cases like these, contact someone for help today. Death related to domestic abuse has gone up 33% according to statistics accumulated from 2008.

It is a known fact that abuse has been many times linked to suicide or suicidal tendencies. If you are experiencing any of this, please seek help through not only the provided links but a health care provider of mental health and a counselor.

According to the Department of Justice, women are more likely to be the victims of domestic abuse than men and are severly more injured or hurt during the activity of domestic violence. In New York, the health department reported 44% of women's deaths were caused by harm done by people who were close to them between 2003 and 2005. They also reported that 4,000 vists that year were patients going to hospitals because of domestic abuse by their significant others. Reports according to a census research also show that in September 2008, near 61,000 people were being served a day by outreach programs dedicated to domestic abuse. Many men who do hurt their significant others have been proven to also harm their children.

For more shocking reports, I found a good source of information to click on: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45047.asp

In California - A man kills himself, his wife, and five children because he and his wife had both lost their jobs.

Philippines - A man had a history of physical abuse towards his son and daughter who in result shot both of them eventually when he found out his wife was seeking custody of the children and leaving him.

In Pennsylvania - A man kills his wife, three year old son, and infant son by spreading gasoline all over the home and setting it ablaze. This activity stemmed from his violent history and behavior though his wife did not act upon it sooner.

In Austria - A man fathered eight children from his own daughter by locking her up in a dungeon for twenty four years. When she was finally released, she had a deteriorating illness.

In New Jersey - A woman moved away from Sacramento, California post divorce because of an abusive marriage to her husband. Her husband followed her to the state, found her in a church, shot her dead and two innocent bystanding church attenders.

The Secret

If anyone has been religiously watching Ellen or Oprah, they may have come across a segment on a book called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The reason why I decided to write about this is because books of self inspiration has grown to be very popular and widely used to steer many lifestyles.








What exactly is this book about? The law of attraction.

What is believed to be Newton's law of attraction has vastly become a central philosophy that abundance in the universe can be drawn by the simple power of thought. Scientist believe this idea can be controversial and they believe the human mind can not control anything beyond the physical structure of its own body.


To contradict that, many names that have been immortalized have been the people that did possess such a trait of becoming what they believed firmly.

Although the book does possess a magnitude of self help and life changing strategies, I found a few flaws that may have people questioning certain teachings. The book teaches and relies solely that whatever you think is what you manifest. Therefore, the I think I can nature is strongly influenced. Then, in order to become important, we have to believe ourselves that we are before other people can believe it as well. While all that is beneficial to keep in mind, the book also believes that problems of other people shall not be ours nor shall we dwell on anything negative. Sometimes, this may lead to denial of our faults and we learn nothing from mistakes from doing so. Contemplation based on what we have done and reassessing ourselves is important. I believe that.


Sure, you can be a millionaire by pretending you have that money in your bank account but you'll also have to get up and do something about it in order for the amount to be depositted. Here is where the book comes in handy when it does prep you for something you may have doubted yourself before and now based on the law of attraction, you will collect this money.

My absolute thought is that this book speaks truth. How so? When you go to work and appear grouchy to your coworkers, I'm sure many times a coworker will also feel as though they have issues then pass it on to the next person and a chain reaction has then begun of negativity. The power of the human mind is a complex subject but I believe we, as human beings, understimate ourselves to the point where we think we don't have control over certain matters.

After finishing The Secret, I did notice change in my personality and well being. I'm a fairly positive and optimistic person, however, in just a matter of days, I started going back to the good things I used to love like writing. Did it attract anything else I wanted? A better outlook on life. Now, of course, life does not change within twenty four hours or even a few days but it's a start and as long as I keep the motivation to be what I want to be, to imagine exactly what I want in life, then it'd be a million times easier to reach it.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It has quotes from philosophers, mentors, big names, and then some. It has the clues to create a better environment for yourself no matter what situation you're in.

Check out http://www.thesecret.tv/ for free print outs, motivational material, and to purchase your own copy or view some of what they have to offer. Not ready to purchase the book yet? They have e-books of material that revolves around The Secret that you can download and see for yourself what it can do for you. Check them out at: http://thesecret.tv/secret-treasures-ebooks.html

The Credit Card Bill of Rights

President Obama has done well in his latest act of recovery. What exactly is The Credit Card Bill of Rights? It's a sigh of relief.

Let's break it down:

1. Universal defaults are now history. Now, you don't have to worry about paying Mr. Smith on his tenth collection call without making Mrs. Green raise your interest on your other credit card on her first collection call. The bottom line is that there will be no more credit card companies sticking their noses into your business with the other creditors when it comes to missed and late payments.

2. Cardholders will have more time to pay up the change needed to satisfy the bill. How does at least twenty five days sound? It sounds like I've got time so I can collect change from under the seats in the couch and on the bottom of the floor of my car, take it to a coin machine, and pay that measly $20 to $50 a month.

3. At least forty-five days prior to, if a rate changes, there will be notification. This sounds good, right?

4. Credit card consumers now have the right to select a threshold to their cards. Those who go over the limit and pay the extra fee because of "accidents" can benefit from this.

5. Double-billing cycles demolished. If you swiped that card at Victoria's Secret last month, paid it off and swiped it again this month because you realized you needed that 5 panties for $25.00 or that bikini that went on sale during the semi-annual event, you won't be charged today's interest rate based on last month's activity.

6. Payment is due by 5:00pm eastern time next month. Can you adhere to that? Many companies already go by this rule. Anything that is delivered by this time is on time.

7. The unlimited possibilities that credit card issuers insinuate in their pamphlets has ceased. Bravo, Mr. President. No one did like that whole "We can trap you with any rates, any time, on our terms, because we said so." type of phrases in the disclosures. Anytime that does happen, we get the rights to bail out and pay off whatever balance we have left at the existing rates we originally were paying. (Arbitrary Rate Increase).

8. Here's the odd ball rule out of all of them: Anyone under 21 must provide means of providing for debt when applying for a credit card or a guardian/co-signer applicant must be involved. Ok, the last time I checked, some parents did do that already with their children and we can't forget MTV's Sweet 16 celebrants whom even at fifteen years old are running around with credit cards. However, this does eliminate the student credit card when a particular eighteen year old decides to open a credit card and thinks they really need a new wardrobe for the Spring semester and can't pay it off. Their credit score then goes off the edge, falls below, and then they end up hurting later on. But truthfully speaking here, there isn't much that's going to change because of this reenforcement. Let's see, if Jen gets a day job and gets a credit card approved because she has had savings, a checking, and plans to maintain a good balance next to nothing or nothing on her credit card; however, Jen loses her job and she does live on her own as she goes to college then her parents can't provide the means to pay off her debt - that means she's pretty much stuck with it. There's all sorts of scenarios that can happen with or without this rule.

9. Got an awesome rate on your credit card? It will be guaranteed to last at least six months. That should be enough time to cover up your tracks that one time you went to Las Vegas right?

10. Consumers will have a 30-day notice before their accounts are closed.


Healthy Tips for Credit Card Consumers:

Pay your bills on time. Not only is this good for your bank account by not paying late fees and hiked up interest rates, your credit score will benefit as well. The better your score is, the less expensive is will be to finance things in the future such as that brand new car or the home you've been saving up for. No one really wants to pay double on that mortgage just because you were late a few times on that small $200.00 statement with a minimum payment of $11.00.

Shop credit card rates before you click on that pretty one with the picture of the beach. Just because it looks good in your wallet doesn't mean you should partake in the offer. Signing up for a credit card alone pulls an inquiry on your credit report. Not using it thereafter, hurts it even more. So that Hello Kitty card looks adorable, does that mean you'll pay $1.50 for a hot dog and then pay an extra quarter two months later when it's long digested and processed through the drain and sewer? Yeah, that's a disgusting thought. So is overpaying for something.

If you know you owe money and can't afford to pay the bill, call them. Let me repeat that. CALL THEM. Who? The creditors. If they are calling you, pick up the phone - immediately. Believe it or not, customer support agents are there for a reason. If you let them know that financially you're unstable for the month and making that payment would hurt you, they want to know that. What they don't want to know is that you bought a new bedspread, ran up your phone bill, and got a new dog you have to feed. They only need to know that if and when you're broke, you'll arrange to shell out a couple nickels as opposed to the hundred dollars they're asking for or if they're considerate, they'll even waive it this month and let you pay next month. The most irresponsible thing to do is leave them hanging. The last thing you want is a judgement for collections on your credit report or even worse, hearing from a collection agency that is working with an attorney that could possibly sue you for non-compliance.

You shouldn't ever charge up more than you know you can pay for. Credit cards are expensive. It's money you are borrowing to pay for, remember that. Many people have the idea that it's free money and they toss it aside. That's a No-No.

Got quite a few credit cards? Transfer them all into one card, consolidate them to the one card that gives you back the most rewards. For example, if you have that American Airlines card you're paying a fee for anyway per year, why not transfer all the balances, earn the mileage, and pay it all off at the same time or that American Express that mails you a check for cash rewards at the end of the year? That way, you don't have to worry about one being due on the 5th, one being due the 13th, and then losing the envelope to the other one you thought was due the 25th but was really due the 4th.

Lastly but certainly not the least of them all, if you really don't need a credit card - don't. Think twice before you open an account. I've seen way too many people fall into debt, despair, and challenges because of them. It's ideal to have one or two and that's to reserve in case of emergencies. It's enough to know they're there. Anything in excess to that will be harder to tame if you really are hating your minimum pay day job right now and clubbing every weekend.

According to CreditCard.com, the average household balance on credit cards are $10,600.

Squeezed Juice

What exactly is Squeezed Juice? You're about to find out.