Balloons

5 tips for reviving your relationship

By Lisa Cericola

It happens to the best of couples: One night you’re happily cozying up on the couch with a pizza and Netflix…then, six Saturday nights later, you’re sick of pepperoni and your sweetie’s sick of your sci-fi obsession. No matter how much you care about someone, falling into predictable patterns is inevitable when you’re constantly spending time together. And while a little familiarity is nice, too much can make once-happy couples feel bored with each other — and possibly itching to get out of the relationship entirely. Most of the time, however, all these couples need is a small change in routine to keep things interesting. “There’s an old saying along the lines of, ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got,’” says Lisa Daily, author of Stop Getting Dumped! “If you can’t stand the thought of another 36-hour ESPN marathon or another weekend of antiquing, come up with a plan B.” For inspiration, take a tip or two from these couples below who got over the hump and are still happily together.

1. Introduce your mate to your interests
One couple’s case history: “When Aaron and I moved in together after a year of dating, we quickly fell into a routine — I’d come home from work and cook my heart out while he lounged on the couch, mesmerized by baseball. Though I’m a foodie and he’s a sports nut, I felt separated by more than just the kitchen/living room wall. Why couldn’t he learn to appreciate an apple tarte tatin? Shouldn’t I see what was so exciting about watching a Martinez-Smoltz match-up?” says Abby Phillips of Chicago. “So we came up with a plan: Every so often, he’d buy a ticket for me to accompany him to a ball game. In return, I’d take him out to the restaurant of my choice. Now he’s eating pappardelle bolognese, and, though I can’t tell the difference between a breaking ball and a slider, I can name most of the players in the Mets lineup.”

Love lesson learned: Mutual interests, whether it’s a love of dogs or shooting pool, are often what bring a couple together in the first place. But taking interest in your partner’s entire life — including facets you don’t initially take a shine to — is what will keep you together in the long run, says dating coach Liz Kelly, author of SMART Man Hunting. The reason: Whether your partner’s passion is baseball, gourmet food, or some other activity, it’s an opportunity to learn tons about a new topic and, for that matter, what makes your sweetie tick. There’s no way you’ll feel bored with this double-dose of new info and experiences!

2. Daydream about the future together
One couple’s case history: “My partner Dan and I have a lot of shared interests, but there are always times when we find ourselves sitting on the sofa, staring at each other out of sheer boredom,” explains Matt Levinson of New York City. “Lately, when we hit a slump, we grab the newspaper or go online to look for open houses because we both dream of owning a big house upstate, out in the country. And even though we’re not prepared to buy yet, sometimes when we find a listing we like, we’ll take a little road trip for the day to check it out and explore the surrounding towns. House-hunting gives us something new to talk about — how we’d fix up the house, how else we can save up money to buy a place in the future. It might take awhile for our plans to pan out, but it’s fun to dream big together in the meantime.”

Love lesson learned: A relationship that’s static can definitely feel stagnant, but that’s easily fixed by setting some goals together. Just ask yourself (and your partner), “In your wildest dreams, what would the two of us be doing three months/six months/a year down the line?” Then do something small — say, window-shopping for a home, or playing with puppies in a pet store even though you’re not prepared to take one home yet — that keeps you in touch with that dream. Even new couples can adopt a sense of direction. Maybe you both fantasize about flying to Cancun for a long weekend on the beach. Try browsing guidebooks together or set up a “Cancun fund” where you each contribute $20 per paycheck. “Even if your big plan is very far away, taking baby steps together can bring you closer to your goal,” says Daily. “And to each other.”

3. Break some rules
One couple’s case history: “When my long-distance girlfriend and I moved in together, we thought we’d have tons of fun, but it didn’t take long before we got caught up in our work schedules,” says Brenden Smith of Orlando, FL. “One Wednesday night we were both lying around, exhausted, when my girlfriend jumped up, grabbed her bag and announced, ‘Come on, we’re going out!’ We went to a club down the street, and had such a great time that we stayed out until two in the morning! Sure, we were even more exhausted the next day, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how great it felt to ‘break the rules’ and stay out late on a weeknight. Now, whenever we’re feeling trapped by our schedules, we do something spontaneous that we know we shouldn’t really do — say, going out for ice cream sundaes instead of making dinner. It never fails to keep things fun and interesting.”

Love lesson learned: There’s something about rebelling a little that can instantly alleviate tedium — plus it can be a bonding experience for couples, instilling an us-versus-them attitude. So if you think your relationship has been weighed down by what you’re supposed to do lately, ask yourself, “What do I really want to do?” and follow your impulses with your beloved in tow. Go ahead and stick your feet out the window on a road trip, duck out of the office party for a makeout session in the coat room, or stay up until sunrise even when you know you two have a family event the very next day. As long as your actions aren’t illegal or harming anyone, these moments will remind you that your love life can take some interesting twists and turns once you stop caring so much about doing things the “right” way.

4. Plan the unpredictable
One couple’s case history: “Because of our busy schedules, my boyfriend and I usually only see each other on weekends. And while absence (until Friday) makes the heart grow fonder, we often found ourselves going to the same restaurants, watching our favorite TV shows or just having dinner at home,” recalls Renee Edwards of Emmaus, PA. “To spice things up, I suggested that we try planning ‘surprise dates’ for each other. Not only was my boyfriend a good sport about my idea, he totally charmed me by taking me apple-picking last fall. It was exactly the kind of outdoorsy thing I love to do, but would have never thought we’d do together. In return, I surprised him with reservations at a BBQ restaurant I knew he wanted to try. Keeping each other on our toes date-wise reminds us that it’s always important to keep trying, even when you’re in love and comfortable with each other.”

Love lesson learned: Surprises are the cornerstone of keeping a relationship interesting because they show your sweetie that you don’t take anything for granted — and that there’s more to you than meets the eye! So keep an eye out for any opportunity: If your sweetie mentions a play he or she wants to see, buy tickets on the sly and slip them in a pocket or purse with a note saying “You, me, and Shakespeare on Saturday?” Or, just tell your sweetie to keep a certain date clear for you — then don’t explain what you’re doing. The anticipation will keep your honey wondering all week what it could be and add extra zing to your plans, whether it’s reservations at a new restaurant, a night camping in your back yard, or going back to the place where you shared your first kiss. What you’ve planned doesn’t really matter — when it comes to surprises, it’s truly the thought that counts.

5. Escape the ordinary
One couple’s case history: “After starting a new office job, I didn’t have as much time to spend with my husband. Every day seemed to run into the next at warp speed. We were definitely falling into a rut, so he suggested taking a weekend off to go camping. I wasn’t sure what to expect; we hadn’t spent that much time together in months,” says Lisa Price of Traverse City, MI. “As we made the campfire the first night I thought, what are we going to talk about for the next five hours? But it didn’t take long before we found ourselves talking about lots of amazing things (even some big-picture issues). Over that weekend, time finally slowed down and if felt like we were the only people left in the universe. There were no distractions and the conversation flowed like it was a first date that was going really well. We returned home energized and ready to deal with our hectic schedules again — and reminded of the fact that we never have to stop getting to know each other.”

Love lesson learned: “Sometimes it feels like the world will stop spinning if we stop what we’re doing for one minute,” says Daily. “The truth is, it won’t. Life will go on, even if you take a few hours off.” Even if you don’t have an entire weekend for uninterrupted “us” time, take little time-outs to recharge your romance on a regular basis. Daily suggests setting an unbreakable lunch or dinner date every week — mark your calendar, if necessary. Or substitute separate workouts at the gym to take a long walk or hike together — you may be surprised where your conversation leads or what new tidbit you find out about your partner!

Lisa Cericola is a New York City-area writer. When it comes to spicing up a relationship with surprises, she thinks the kind of surprises known as presents work really well.

Original article found here

Having and Being

I love the CSI shows. One particular episode of CSI Las Vegas (aired 10/21/2010, Season 11: Episode 05: House of Hoarders) had a really great dialogue between Dr Ray Langston and Nick Stokes (played by Lawrence Fishbourne and George Eads respectively) about how people view material things. Here is the dialogue (sorry if it is not exactly verbatim)".

People are obesseed w/ possessions, he believed that human beings had 2 basic orientations, "having" and "being". People with the "having orientation" seek to acquire and possess things, property and even people. People with the "being orientation" focus on the experience. They derive meaning from the exchanging, engaging and sharing with other people.

Unfortunately we have a culture today of "commercialism" which is doomed and driven by the "having orientation" which leads to dissatisfaction and emptiness. We need to remember in 1960 there was no such thing as public storage in America, today there is more than 2 billion square feet dedicated to it.

Things don't always have to mean everything, nor do they have to be devoid of meaning, they are just one of the ways of which we can experience and enjoy life as long as they don't get in the way of living.

HAVING: Buying more that what you really need because the "act" of buying makes you happy. This is normally a temporary happiness and lasts short term.

BEING: Enjoying the experience of going out shopping with a friend, giving your friend a nice gift. This feeling lasts longer because you derive pleasure in the experience rather than the object itself.

Maybelline Studio

I was surfing online on eye make up "how-tos" and found that my perfect shade by Maybelline is "Sunset Romance:A romantic at heart. Your style is as serene as the sunset".

Color Plush Sunset Seduction Illuminate – sweep lightest shade all over eye, from lash line to brow bone. Emphasize – blend second shade from inner corner to middle of lid. Intensify – apply third shade from outer corner to middle of lid; line upper and lower lash line for extra pop Deepen – add darkest shade in crease for high impact. Lasting Drama Brown Define– in small strokes, glide liner across lash line from inner to outer corner Enhance – extend and thicken line from outer corner up towards brow; wing out for extra drama HOW TO FIND MY SHADE Visit My Color Advisor to find the most flattering shades of blush and bronzer for your skin tone, and check out the shade selection suggestions below. For blush: What color are your cheeks after you pinch them, exercise or come in from the cold? That’s the best shade to look for in a blush since it’s closest to the natural flush of your cheeks. Your perfect shade will always blend in with your natural cheek color. For bronzer: Remember how your skin looked after your last sunny getaway? That’s the color you want. For the look of your most natural tan, never go more than two shades darker than your natural skin tone. In the summertime you can go slightly darker with your bronzer, but lighten up your shade in the winter so your “tan” looks more natural. How to Use Expert Wear Blush Bronzer See how to use Expert Wear Blush Bronzer for a sunkissed glow all year round. PREPARE TO GLOW Use the brush that comes with the compact or for more control use the. Dip brush into the bronzer then blow off any excess color. APPLY COLOR Begin with a light application since you can always build up color gradually. Brush on bronzer anywhere the sun naturally hits your face. ACCENT YOUR FEATURES Use bronzer to define your bone structure. Apply with gentle outward strokes across the center of your forehead, bridge and tip of your nose, cheekbones and chin. Highlight your neck and collarbone with a light sweep.

Normally I love shopping or at least "window" shopping for furniture and things to make the home more beautiful. However, lately, I've been more interested in clothes. I am frugal by nature, but I can't believe that I bought 2 shirts, pants and a wool jacket yesterday! But I've been working really hard and I felt it was a way to reward myself for all my hard work. Here are the styles that I'm loving now!

Anthropologie October 2010 Catalogue Cover

What is truly important

"...money is not the prime commodity in our lives... Time is."

"Gordon Gekko" (Michael Douglas) on Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

True Measure of a Man

This picture was taken at the Yerba Buena gardens in San Francisco

Saying by Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 - 1968)

Dealing with Hurtful Relatives

This weekend was supposed to be all fun because a close aunt came to visit me from out of town. But because of a very hurtful relative, some of the fun got tainted. The worst thing about it is, that relative acts like its nothing and continues with her rude behavior. She acts like I'm invisible and always has an excuse when an invitation is extended. I have tried so so so many times to turn a blind eye out of respect, and, in memory of her mom who was so kind to me and was one of my favorite aunts, however, I think respect has to be earned by the person herself. This weekend was the final straw. I could not stand her bad behavior and rudeness towards me anymore, so finally I told her what I thought of her. People really close to me tell me to just move on, but before I can move on, I have to heal from the months, years of hurt that this relative has inflicted on me. Those people who tell me "just move on" are not here everyday to see my hurt, to see the stress, the pain that this has caused, and only hear it when I tell them what happens. I fell they do not understand, just want this "awkward situation" to be over with. I no longer feel any guilt in standing up for myself and really telling her off. There is one person in this ordeal that I feel very fortunate to have. I am very lucky that hubby is very supportive and is the only one who doesn't try to dismiss how I feel by telling me to "move on". He is here for me when I tremble with stress, he is here when I cry and he knows I will move on in time, but now all I need is someone to talk me through all this hurt and deal with it. He is not rushing me into "unfeeling" what I am feeling and respectfully lets me go through this stage. Thank you my wonderful hubby!

Here is an article I found which somehow deals with this kind of situation. See below.

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Dealing with Hurtful Relatives by Karen R Koenig
For Complete Original Article, click here
One of the great stresses of the holiday season is dealing with relatives who are hurtful, difficult or, perhaps, even emotionally abusive. Maybe you rarely see them and try to be nice when you do or are stuck with them all year long. There is no easy answer for how to deal with these kinds of family members, but you do have options. None will feel just right, but often you have to choose the best of the lot and live with the consequences.

Newspaper advice columns often tell readers to ignore the bad things troublesome relatives do or say and look for the good in them. This is a viable option with a relative who is basically a decent person and only mildly annoying. You can usually tell if a remark is made with a benign or loving intent. Maybe your well-meaning, sweet aunt always asks when you’re going to lose weight or your generally loving and supportive father puts an extra helping of potatoes on your plate, insisting that you put some meat on your bones. Your options in these instances are to ignore what is said or done or respond in a kind way that expresses how you feel.

The last group of family members are people who are nasty, manipulative, cutting, and have only their own interest at heart. Selfish, self-centered, abusive, and intentionally provocative, no amount of reasoning or confrontation will change them and, unless you have to be around them (even if they are your parents, siblings, or other close relatives), you are better off avoiding them. I don’t agree that emotionally detaching from abusive people is enough. You might not react to what they say, but their abusiveness still registers, lingers in your heart, and is unhealthy to be around. In this case, you may need to cut them out of your life which is painful work and not generally accepted by society.

Aim High

The Bank

I received this email from a friend of mine. Something good to ponder on:

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:

Each morning your bank would deposit $ 86,400.00 in your private account for your use.

However, this prize had rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:

1. Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away
from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend it.

Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $
86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:

1. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say,
"It's over, the game is over!"
2. It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right?

Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right?

Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it
all on yourself, right?

You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY, THIS GAME IS REALITY!!
Each of us is in possession of such a "magical" bank.
We just can't seem to see it.

THE MAGICAL BANK IS TIME!

Each awakening morning we receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life,
and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to
us.

What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost.

Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your
account at any time...

WITHOUT WARNING.

WELL, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren't they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars?

Think about that, and always think of this:

Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker
than you think.

So take care of yourself, and enjoy life!

Here's wishing you a beautiful day!!!

Use The Debt Reduction Mindset To Save For Future Purchases

Original article found here

(picture not from original article)

Determined.

Back when I was getting out of debt, I was the very definition of determined. I worked hard, extremely hard, to stay on budget, earn extra money, and rapidly pay down my debts.

Once I paid off my debts, I remained determined, and worked hard to fully-fund my emergency fund. I also worked hard to fund retirement and education savings accounts. I was motivated, pumped about the progress I had made, and, like I said, determined.

After couple of years of enjoying the debt-free life, things changed. I lost a bit of my determination, and a bit of my focus. I think that this is natural. Once I reached my major goals, I took a breather, enjoyed some of the benefits of a little extra cash, and kinda relaxed.

Alas, it is now time to breakout ye olde debt reduction mindset and really focus on saving for future purchases. Why? Well, at some point, I’m going to need to buy not one, but two, newer automobiles. We’re also going to need need some newer furniture for the house, and we have lots of plans for the landscaping of the yard. In other words, there are some pretty big-time purchases that we need to make, in the not-so-distant future, and I need to prepare for them now.

The last thing I want to do is work as hard as I have worked to get out of debt – only to slip up and go right back into it. I don’t want to simply be debt free – I want to remain debt free, forever.

Side note – Those who are familiar with this site might be asking – “NCN, haven’t you been working hard to remain debt free, already?” The answer, frankly, is “yes and no”. On the one hand, I have been saving some money for future purchases, and I’ve continued to live on a budget. On the other hand, I’ve gotten a little sloppy, not really displaying, in my opinion, the proper degree of intensity. That, my friends, changes – today. Rock on.

How to Become a Money Magnet

original article found here

(picture not included in original article)

Becoming a money magnet is probably the hardest thing for a lot of people to accomplish. Sometimes deliberate creators have the ability to attract wonderful relationships, new houses, better friends, new jobs and improve their overall health but they struggle and strive with creating more money!

Let me tell you right now that it is no harder for the universe to yield to you a car parking space than it is to yield a million dollars. If you have deliberately attracted anything before than I assure you that with the right practises you can not only become a money magnet but you can attract huge lump sums of cash.

Commonly once we’ve heard about the Law of Attraction we set our intentions on working towards something we want. When you want something - you are putting out the vibration of not having it. Because wanting is in itself is lack of having something. So if you want more money you must see yourself as already in possession of already having the money.

Simple. Right?

As simple as this process sounds, that really is all of what you have to do! You must get yourself into a place of feeling as if you’re already in possession of the desired amount of money. As soon as you’ve lined up, the universe will yield to you exactly what you’re putting out.

Do you want to know what you’re currently putting out to the universe right now?

Open up your wallet. Check your bank balance. Look at the car you’re driving.

If it’s not what you want to see, then you have more work to do. The universe will yield to you endless opportunities to bring you the money, the “how” is not your work, what is your work is to get into alignment with your desire.

Have you ever heard of stories when multi-millionaires go bankrupt and lose their entire estate? Have you ever noticed how in most cases these individuals will bounce back and end up earning the same money if not more? Why is this? For long periods of time they have practiced having that money, they’ve got the wealth vibrations and are constantly putting them out. Even after they’ve lost their money, because they’ve practiced a certain way of thinking for so long, the money and opportunities find them once again.

If you practice the feelings of having the money you desire for long enough then the universe will continue to open doors leading to the money you desire. Your work is to feel as if you’ve already come in possession of the wealth!

Here are a couple of suggestions to help you stay in the right money consciousness.

Value the money you have
Every time you receive a paycheck, give thanks for the money that you have just received. Instead of brushing it off and thinking it as a measly amount of money, just be grateful that it is there at all.

The penny test
When you see a penny or nickel on the floor, stop to pick it up! Be thankful for even the smallest amounts of money that come into your experience. Also you can see this as a sign that money is starting to find its way into your experience. Remember, if you just ignore the penny then what vibration are you putting out to the universe? One of… “I don’t want the money”.

As your subconscious begins to get the idea that money is important to, valuable to, and much appreciated by you, more will begin to show up. Stay aware of money coming in, and keep your mind in a receiving mode. Be sure to stop and appreciate each bit of money that comes your way.

A very abundant future awaits you!

Sunday Inspirations

When you focus upon lack in an attitude of complaining, you establish a vibrational point of attraction that then gives you access only to more thoughts of complaint. Your deliberate effort to tell a new story will establish a new pattern of thought, providing you with a new point of attraction from your present, about your past, and into your future. The simple effort of looking for positive aspects will set a new vibrational tone that will begin the immediate attraction of thoughts, people, circumstances, and things that are pleasing to you.

--- Abraham

Excerpted from the book "Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness" #538

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Make lists of positive aspects. Make lists of things you love—and never complain about anything. And as you use those things that shine bright and make you feel good as your excuse to give your attention and be who-you-are, you will tune to who-you-are, and the whole world will begin to transform before your eyes. It is not your job to transform the world for others—but it is your job to transform it for you. A state of appreciation is pure Connection to Source where there is no perception of lack.

--- Abraham

Excerpted from the book "Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness" #539

Rags to Riches

Here is an inspirational article on how some misfortunes can actually turn out to be blessings...

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John Paul DeJoria
Co-Founder and CEO
John Paul Mitchell Systems
California
Class Year: 2004

"Whatever you do, if you do it better than anyone else, it's amazing how things will start falling your way."

View Video Biography

Born in 1944 in Los Angeles, John Paul DeJoria's parents were both immigrants-his father from Italy and his mother from Greece. They divorced before he was two and DeJoria's mother supported herself and her two sons making hats. They lived in a very small house that had only one bedroom, but DeJoria says it was a good life.

At the age of nine, DeJoria began working to help support his family. His first job was selling greeting cards door to door. Later, he and his brother got paper routes for the Los Angeles Examiner. Throughout his childhood, DeJoria gave all the money he earned to his mother.

Still, life on the streets of East LA was rough. DeJoria joined a gang in his youth and while he never got into any real trouble, his involvement did little to improve his reputation. In high school he was voted Least Likely to Succeed. He even had a business teacher tell him that he would never succeed to any business in life. But DeJoria's positive attitude kept him from taking such criticism to heart. He continued to help his family financially, working as a gas station attendant, a janitor, and as a delivery boy. He also had a job in a machine shop and wrapped hangers for a dry cleaner. He graduated high school in 1962 and joined the Navy.

Upon his honorable discharge, DeJoria still did not have enough funds to attend college. A natural-born salesman, he took a job selling encyclopedias door to door. Five years later, he became the circulation manager for Time, Inc. From there, he went to work for Redken as a sales representative. Within six months he was made a district manager and a year later he became national manager of two divisions. After nearly five years on the job, his management philosophy began to differ from his employer's. Even though his divisions were successful, his methods did not tow the company line and he was fired.

DeJoria became a management trainer for a pharmaceutical company that was entering the beauty industry. Even through their sales went up dramatically, they fired him because he chose not to socialize with upper management. Next, he was hired by a hair care product company to build their sales. He tripled their sales in his first year, but they fired him because he was costing too much in commissions. Finally, after a year working as a consultant in the professional beauty industry, he and his friend Paul Mitchell, who was a hairdresser, decided to combine their skills and launch their own hair care product company. In 1980, they began with $700, some of which DeJoria borrowed from his mother.

After starting his business, DeJoria lived in his car for several weeks and spent only $2.50 a day on food. He had no money for advertising and had to rely on himself to promote products he believed were the best available. The selling skills he honed as an encyclopedia salesman aided him in getting his product accepted in one salon after another. Today, John Paul Mitchell Systems products are in more than 90,000 salons and are distributed in 82 countries. In 1989, DeJoria co-founded Patron Tequila, the number one ultra premium tequila in the world. John Paul has been involved with natural gas and solar energy since 1989.

DeJoria believes that to be successful, you must never give up. "I look upon the misfortunes in my life as blessings because they got me to the next step," he says. "I was fired from many jobs, but I never lost faith in myself and my abilities. When I co-founded John Paul Mitchell Systems, I never lost faith in the quality of our product. When others see how much you believe in yourself and what you are doing, they are motivated to put their trust in you."

According to DeJoria, success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. "Your ideal," he says, "should be to always do your best and to be the best at what you do. If you are a janitor, you should be the best janitor there ever was. That is success." He also believes in the Golden Rule. "Treating others the way you want to be treated gives great satisfaction. My advice is to do your best and treat others with respect at all times, not just when someone is watching you. To me, character is what you do when no one is watching."

DeJoria believes that the American Dream is out there, "you just have to put forth the effort and the energy," he says. "Whatever you do, if you do it better than anyone else, it's amazing how things just start falling your way. We all have a responsibility to make the world a better place in which to live. The measure of my success is not in the profits of my company, but rather by the worldwide good I accomplish by investing my time, money, and influence in human and global pursuits."

original article found here

Why Spending Less Can Make You Happier

original article found here

by Stephanie Rosenbloom
Monday, August 9, 2010

provided by

Tammy Strobel and her husband, Logan Smith, in their pared-down, 400-square-foot apartment in Portland, Ore. (Leah Nash for The New York Times)

She had so much.

A two-bedroom apartment. Two cars. Enough wedding china to serve two dozen people.

Yet Tammy Strobel wasn't happy. Working as a project manager with an investment management firm in Davis, Calif., and making about $40,000 a year, she was, as she put it, caught in the "work-spend treadmill."

So one day she stepped off.

Inspired by books and blog entries about living simply, Ms. Strobel and her husband, Logan Smith, both 31, began donating some of their belongings to charity. As the months passed, out went stacks of sweaters, shoes, books, pots and pans, even the television after a trial separation during which it was relegated to a closet. Eventually, they got rid of their cars, too. Emboldened by a Web site that challenges consumers to live with just 100 personal items, Ms. Strobel winnowed down her wardrobe and toiletries to precisely that number.

Her mother called her crazy.

Today, three years after Ms. Strobel and Mr. Smith began downsizing, they live in Portland, Ore., in a spare, 400-square-foot studio with a nice-sized kitchen. Mr. Smith is completing a doctorate in physiology; Ms. Strobel happily works from home as a Web designer and freelance writer. She owns four plates, three pairs of shoes and two pots. With Mr. Smith in his final weeks of school, Ms. Strobel's income of about $24,000 a year covers their bills. They are still car-free but have bikes. One other thing they no longer have: $30,000 of debt.

Ms. Strobel's mother is impressed. Now the couple have money to travel and to contribute to the education funds of nieces and nephews. And because their debt is paid off, Ms. Strobel works fewer hours, giving her time to be outdoors, and to volunteer, which she does about four hours a week for a nonprofit outreach program called Living Yoga.

"The idea that you need to go bigger to be happy is false," she says. "I really believe that the acquisition of material goods doesn't bring about happiness."

While Ms. Strobel and her husband overhauled their spending habits before the recession, legions of other consumers have since had to reconsider their own lifestyles, bringing a major shift in the nation's consumption patterns.

"We're moving from a conspicuous consumption — which is 'buy without regard' — to a calculated consumption," says Marshal Cohen, an analyst at the NPD Group, the retailing research and consulting firm.

Amid weak job and housing markets, consumers are saving more and spending less than they have in decades, and industry professionals expect that trend to continue. Consumers saved 6.4 percent of their after-tax income in June, according to a new government report. Before the recession, the rate was 1 to 2 percent for many years. In June, consumer spending and personal incomes were essentially flat compared with May, suggesting that the American economy, as dependent as it is on shoppers opening their wallets and purses, isn't likely to rebound anytime soon.

On the bright side, the practices that consumers have adopted in response to the economic crisis ultimately could — as a raft of new research suggests — make them happier. New studies of consumption and happiness show, for instance, that people are happier when they spend money on experiences instead of material objects, when they relish what they plan to buy long before they buy it, and when they stop trying to outdo the Joneses.

If consumers end up sticking with their newfound spending habits, some tactics that retailers and marketers began deploying during the recession could become lasting business strategies. Among those strategies are proffering merchandise that makes being at home more entertaining and trying to make consumers feel special by giving them access to exclusive events and more personal customer service.

While the current round of stinginess may simply be a response to the economic downturn, some analysts say consumers may also be permanently adjusting their spending based on what they've discovered about what truly makes them happy or fulfilled.

"This actually is a topic that hasn't been researched very much until recently," says Elizabeth W. Dunn, an associate professor in the psychology department at the University of British Columbia, who is at the forefront of research on consumption and happiness. "There's massive literature on income and happiness. It's amazing how little there is on how to spend your money."

Conspicuous consumption has been an object of fascination going back at least as far as 1899, when the economist Thorstein Veblen published "The Theory of the Leisure Class," a book that analyzed, in part, how people spent their money in order to demonstrate their social status.

And it's been a truism for eons that extra cash always makes life a little easier. Studies over the last few decades have shown that money, up to a certain point, makes people happier because it lets them meet basic needs. The latest round of research is, for lack of a better term, all about emotional efficiency: how to reap the most happiness for your dollar.

So just where does happiness reside for consumers? Scholars and researchers haven't determined whether Armani will put a bigger smile on your face than Dolce & Gabbana. But they have found that our types of purchases, their size and frequency, and even the timing of the spending all affect long-term happiness.

One major finding is that spending money for an experience — concert tickets, French lessons, sushi-rolling classes, a hotel room in Monaco — produces longer-lasting satisfaction than spending money on plain old stuff.

"It's better to go on a vacation than buy a new couch' is basically the idea," says Professor Dunn, summing up research by two fellow psychologists, Leaf Van Boven and Thomas Gilovich. Her own take on the subject is in a paper she wrote with colleagues at Harvard and the University of Virginia: "If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right." (The Journal of Consumer Psychology plans to publish it in a coming issue.)

Thomas DeLeire, an associate professor of public affairs, population, health and economics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, recently published research examining nine major categories of consumption. He discovered that the only category to be positively related to happiness was leisure: vacations, entertainment, sports and equipment like golf clubs and fishing poles.

Using data from a study by the National Institute on Aging, Professor DeLeire compared the happiness derived from different levels of spending to the happiness people get from being married. (Studies have shown that marriage increases happiness.)

"A $20,000 increase in spending on leisure was roughly equivalent to the happiness boost one gets from marriage," he said, adding that spending on leisure activities appeared to make people less lonely and increased their interactions with others.

According to retailers and analysts, consumers have gravitated more toward experiences than possessions over the last couple of years, opting to use their extra cash for nights at home with family, watching movies and playing games — or for "staycations" in the backyard. Many retailing professionals think this is not a fad, but rather "the new normal."

"I think many of these changes are permanent changes," says Jennifer Black, president of the retailing research company Jennifer Black & Associates and a member of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors in Oregon. "I think people are realizing they don't need what they had. They're more interested in creating memories."

She largely attributes this to baby boomers' continuing concerns about the job market and their ability to send their children to college. While they will still spend, they will spend less, she said, having reset their priorities.

While it is unlikely that most consumers will downsize as much as Ms. Strobel did, many have been, well, happily surprised by the pleasures of living a little more simply. The Boston Consulting Group said in a June report that recession anxiety had prompted a "back-to-basics movement," with things like home and family increasing in importance over the last two years, while things like luxury and status have declined.

"There's been an emotional rebirth connected to acquiring things that's really come out of this recession," says Wendy Liebmann, chief executive of WSL Strategic Retail, a marketing consulting firm that works with manufacturers and retailers. "We hear people talking about the desire not to lose that — that connection, the moment, the family, the experience."

Current research suggests that, unlike consumption of material goods, spending on leisure and services typically strengthens social bonds, which in turn helps amplify happiness. (Academics are already in broad agreement that there is a strong correlation between the quality of people's relationships and their happiness; hence, anything that promotes stronger social bonds has a good chance of making us feel all warm and fuzzy.)

And the creation of complex, sophisticated relationships is a rare thing in the world. As Professor Dunn and her colleagues Daniel T. Gilbert and Timothy D. Wilson point out in their forthcoming paper, only termites, naked mole rats and certain insects like ants and bees construct social networks as complex as those of human beings. In that elite little club, humans are the only ones who shop.

AT the height of the recession in 2008, Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT - News) realized that consumers were "cocooning" — vacationing in their yards, eating more dinners at home, organizing family game nights. So it responded by grouping items in its stores that would turn any den into an at-home movie theater or transform a backyard into a slice of the Catskills. Wal-Mart wasn't just selling barbecues and board games. It was selling experiences.

"We spend a lot of time listening to our customers," says Amy Lester, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, "and know that they have a set amount to spend and need to juggle to meet that amount."

One reason that paying for experiences gives us longer-lasting happiness is that we can reminisce about them, researchers say. That's true for even the most middling of experiences. That trip to Rome during which you waited in endless lines, broke your camera and argued with your spouse will typically be airbrushed with "rosy recollection," says Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at the University of California, Riverside.

Professor Lyubomirsky has a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct research on the possibility of permanently increasing happiness. "Trips aren't all perfect," she notes, "but we remember them as perfect."

Another reason that scholars contend that experiences provide a bigger pop than things is that they can't be absorbed in one gulp — it takes more time to adapt to them and engage with them than it does to put on a new leather jacket or turn on that shiny flat-screen TV.

"We buy a new house, we get accustomed to it," says Professor Lyubomirsky, who studies what psychologists call "hedonic adaptation," a phenomenon in which people quickly become used to changes, great or terrible, in order to maintain a stable level of happiness.

Over time, that means the buzz from a new purchase is pushed toward the emotional norm.

"We stop getting pleasure from it," she says.

And then, of course, we buy new things.

When Ed Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois and a former president of the International Positive Psychology Association — which promotes the study of what lets people lead fulfilling lives — was house-hunting with his wife, they saw several homes with features they liked.

But unlike couples who choose a house because of its open floor plan, fancy kitchens, great light, or spacious bedrooms, Professor Diener arrived at his decision after considering hedonic-adaptation research.

"One home was close to hiking trails, making going hiking very easy," he said in an e-mail. "Thinking about the research, I argued that the hiking trails could be a factor contributing to our happiness, and we should worry less about things like how pretty the kitchen floor is or whether the sinks are fancy. We bought the home near the hiking trail and it has been great, and we haven't tired of this feature because we take a walk four or five days a week."

Scholars have discovered that one way consumers combat hedonic adaptation is to buy many small pleasures instead of one big one. Instead of a new Jaguar, Professor Lyubomirsky advises, buy a massage once a week, have lots of fresh flowers delivered and make phone calls to friends in Europe. Instead of a two-week long vacation, take a few three-day weekends.

"We do adapt to the little things," she says, "but because there's so many, it will take longer."

Before credit cards and cellphones enabled consumers to have almost anything they wanted at any time, the experience of shopping was richer, says Ms. Liebmann of WSL Strategic Retail. "You saved for it, you anticipated it," she says.

In other words, waiting for something and working hard to get it made it feel more valuable and more stimulating.

In fact, scholars have found that anticipation increases happiness. Considering buying an iPad? You might want to think about it as long as possible before taking one home. Likewise about a Caribbean escape: you'll get more pleasure if you book a flight in advance than if you book it at the last minute.

Once upon a time, with roots that go back to medieval marketplaces featuring stalls that functioned as stores, shopping offered a way to connect socially, as Ms. Liebmann and others have pointed out. But over the last decade, retailing came to be about one thing: unbridled acquisition, epitomized by big-box stores where the mantra was "stack 'em high and let 'em fly" and online transactions that required no social interaction at all — you didn't even have to leave your home.

The recession, however, may force retailers to become reacquainted with shopping's historical roots.

"I think there's a real opportunity in retail to be able to romance the experience again," says Ms. Liebmann. "Retailers are going to have to work very hard to create that emotional feeling again. And it can't just be 'Here's another thing to buy.' It has to have a real sense of experience to it."

Industry professionals say they have difficulty identifying any retailer that is managing to do this well today, with one notable exception: Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL - News), which offers an interactive retail experience, including classes.

Marie Driscoll, head of the retailing group at Standard & Poor's, says chains have to adapt to new consumer preferences by offering better service, special events and access to designers. Analysts at the Boston Consulting Group advise that companies offer more affordable indulgences, like video games that provide an at-home workout for far less than the cost of a gym membership.

Mr. Cohen of the NPD Group says some companies are doing this. Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News) is promoting its Geek Squad, promising shoppers before they buy that complicated electronic thingamajig that its employees will hold their hands through the installation process and beyond.

"Nowadays with the economic climate, customers definitely are going for a quality experience," says Nick DeVita, a home entertainment adviser with the Geek Squad. "If they're going to spend their money, they want to make sure it's for the right thing, the right service."

With competition for consumer dollars fiercer than it's been in decades, retailers have had to make the shopping experience more compelling. Mr. Cohen says automakers are offering 30-day test drives, while some clothing stores are promising free personal shoppers. Malls are providing day care while parents shop. Even on the Web, retailers are connecting on customers on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, hoping to win their loyalty by offering discounts and invitations to special events.

For the last four years, Roko Belic, a Los Angeles filmmaker, has been traveling the world making a documentary called "Happy." Since beginning work on the film, he has moved to a beach in Malibu from his house in the San Francisco suburbs.

San Francisco was nice, but he couldn't surf there.

"I moved to a trailer park," says Mr. Belic, "which is the first real community that I've lived in in my life." Now he surfs three or four times a week. "It definitely has made me happier," he says. "The things we are trained to think make us happy, like having a new car every couple of years and buying the latest fashions, don't make us happy."

Mr. Belic says his documentary shows that "the one single trait that's common among every single person who is happy is strong relationships."

Buying luxury goods, conversely, tends to be an endless cycle of one-upmanship, in which the neighbors have a fancy new car and — bingo! — now you want one, too, scholars say. A study published in June in Psychological Science by Ms. Dunn and others found that wealth interfered with people's ability to savor positive emotions and experiences, because having an embarrassment of riches reduced the ability to reap enjoyment from life's smaller everyday pleasures, like eating a chocolate bar.

Alternatively, spending money on an event, like camping or a wine tasting with friends, leaves people less likely to compare their experiences with those of others — and, therefore, happier.

Of course, some fashion lovers beg to differ. For many people, clothes will never be more than utilitarian. But for a certain segment of the population, clothes are an art form, a means of self-expression, a way for families to pass down memories through generations. For them, studies concluding that people eventually stop deriving pleasure from material things don't ring true.

"No way," says Hayley Corwick, who writes the popular fashion blog Madison Avenue Spy. "I could pull out things from my closet that I bought when I was 17 that I still love."

She rejects the idea that happiness has to be an either-or proposition. Some days, you want a trip, she says; other days, you want a Tom Ford handbag.

Ms. Strobel — our heroine who moved into the 400-square foot apartment — is now an advocate of simple living, writing in her spare time about her own life choices at Rowdykittens.com.

"My lifestyle now would not be possible if I still had a huge two-bedroom apartment filled to the gills with stuff, two cars, and 30 grand in debt," she says.

"Give away some of your stuff," she advises. "See how it feels."

Thank you God!

Aside from being payday today, it was also bonus day! I'm very lucky to be working for this company and that despite the recession, we still get bonuses! Thank you God for providing for us! I will treat hubby to a Japanese buffet dinner tomorrow night. He's so excited!

Sunday Inspirations

The Universe does not know or care whether the vibration that you're offering is in response to something you are living right now, and observing, or in response to something you are imagining. In either case, the Universe accepts it as your point of attraction and matches it.

--- Abraham

Excerpted from the workshop in Silver Spring, MD on Saturday, April 19th, 1997 #532

7 Secrets to a Happy Retirement

(Picture not part of original article)

I'm still about 27 years from retirement, but its never really too early to start thinking about it right?! The earlier we plan, the better/happier (hopefully) our retirement will be).

by Sydney Lagier
Thursday, July 22, 2010

Original article found here

Some folks transition seamlessly into a happy retirement and get right to the business of enjoying their new lives. But other people have a tougher time entering the retirement years. Some of these folks may wonder whether they are really cut out for retirement at all. Here are seven traits happy retirees share.

Good health. Enjoying good health is the single most important factor impacting retiree happiness, according to a 2009 Watson Wyatt analysis. Retirees in poor health are nearly 50 percent less likely to report being happy, trumping all other factors including money and age.

A significant other. The same study found that married or cohabiting couples are more likely than singles to be happy in retirement. The news gets even better for couples enjoying retirement together. Retirees whose partners are also retired report being happier than those with a working partner, according to research conducted earlier this year at the University of Greenwich.

A social network. The Greenwich study also found that having friends was far more important to retirement bliss than having kids. Those who have strong social networks are 30 percent happier with their lives than those without a strong network of friends. Having kids or grandkids had no impact on a retiree's level of contentment.

They are not addicted to television. After you retire you will have lots of time to fill. If you want to be happy in retirement, don't fill that time with endless hours of television. Heavy TV viewers report lower satisfaction with their lives, according to a 2005 study published by the Institute for Empirical Research in Economics in Zurich. The same results were found again in 2008 by researchers at the University of Maryland. In that study, a direct negative correlation was found between the amount of TV watching and happiness levels: unhappy people watched more TV and happy people watched less.

Intellectual curiosity. Adults over 70 who choose brain-stimulating hobbies over TV watching are two and a half times less likely to suffer the effects of Alzheimer's disease, according to Richard Stim and Ralph Warner's book Retire Happy: What You Can Do Now to Guarantee a Great Retirement. Not only will shunning TV make you happier, it will make you healthier. Good health will in turn make you happier -- a not-so-vicious cycle.

They aren't addicted to achievement. The more you are defined by your job, the harder it will be to adjust to life without it. According to Robert Delamontagne's book The Retiring Mind: How to Make the Psychological Transition to Retirement, achievement addicts have the most difficulty transitioning to retirement.

Enough money. Of course you'll need enough money to support your chosen lifestyle in retirement. But beyond that, more money will not make you happier. The Watson Wyatt survey found that the absolute amount of money you have for retirement is less important than how your retirement income compares to your income before retirement. If you have enough to continue your pre-retirement lifestyle, you have enough.

If you don't have the traits necessary for a happy retirement, don't despair. There's good news for you, too. Consider a retirement that includes a little work. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that retirees who go back to work either full or part-time are healthier. The benefits don't depend on how many hours you work. Even temporary work has the same positive impact on health. If you can't find a paying job, don't worry. A growing body of research shows that retirees who volunteer reap the same benefits of health, happiness, and longevity. And since a happy retirement is a healthy retirement, you'll be set up to enjoy both.

Obama signs bill aiding long-term unemployed

U.S. President Barack Obama signs jobless benefits extension legislation at the White House in Washington July 22, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:14am IST

By Donna Smith

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday signed a bill to restore aid for about 2.5 million jobless Americans after being handed a setback in his fight against unemployment when initial claims for benefits surged.

Obama signed the benefits bill for the long-term unemployed just a hours after the U.S. House of Representatives passed it on a vote of 272-152. The Democratic-led Congress passed the bill after the Senate on Wednesday ended a weeks-long partisan stalemate over the $34 billion cost of the measure and its impact on deficits and the economy.

"Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times," Obama said in a statement.

Before Congress cleared the jobless aid bill, the Labor Department reported that initial claims for state unemployment benefits surged by 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted 464,000 last week.

Financial markets had forecast claims rising to 445,000.

The report provided little hope to Obama and his fellow Democrats of an improving jobs market ahead of the Nov. 2, congressional election.

Slow job creation in the tepid economic recovery, where five unemployed workers are vying for each job opening, is worrying voters, giving Republicans an edge in their bid to win control of Congress from the Democrats.

The unemployment rate stood at 9.5 percent last month and economists say it could take years to recover all the jobs lost in the financial crisis and recession.

In normal times, benefits expire after 26 weeks, but after the recession hit in late 2007, Congress expanded the program to cover up to 99 weeks of benefits.

The bill approved on Thursday continues the long-term jobless aid program through November and retroactively restores benefits for about 2.5 million long-term unemployed whose payments ran out since the program expired at the end of May.

UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS

"This action should have occurred two months ago," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin, a Democrat, who blamed Senate Republicans for delaying final passage.

"They stood not on the side, but in the way of millions of Americans and during those six weeks over 2.5 million unemployed Americans exhausted their benefits and struggled to stay afloat while continuing to look for work in this difficult economy," Levin added.

Nearly half of the 15 million Americans out of work have been jobless for more than six months, the highest level of long-term unemployment since the government began keeping track in the 1940s. Nearly a quarter of the unemployed have been out of work for more than a year.

The $1.4 trillion deficit and more than $13 trillion debt are also major issues in the run-up to November and Republicans argued that the benefit extension should be paid for with unspent money from the economic stimulus that Congress passed last year.

"Instead of supporting this economy and getting Americans back to work, jobs have been lost, our debt continues to spiral out of control and the Democrats' only solution is to add $34 billion in new spending," said Representative Charles Boustany.

Democrats argued the $34 billion in emergency aid to the unemployed will be spent quickly and help boost the fragile economic recovery.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by David Storey and Sandra Maler)

Unemployment Extension a Win for Obama, Democrats

Jobless benefits are sure to be an issue during the 2010 election campaign

By Caitlin Huey-Burns

Posted: July 22, 2010

Original article found here

After weeks of Republican deadlock and stalling at the final hour, the Senate Wednesday passed a $34 billion measure to extend benefits to jobless Americans whose insurance ran out in June.

[See 5 Things Republicans Can Learn From the Unemployment Bill.]

The legislation passed minutes before 9 p.m. by a 59-39 vote. The Senate took the full 30 hours to vote on the final passage, a standard rule that members usually wave. Two Republicans from Maine, Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins voted in favor of the bill, days after the pair strayed from their party to vote for financial reform. Lone Democrat Ben Nelson voted against it. "I support extending unemployment benefits for Nebraskans and Americans who remain out of work," he said in a statement Tuesday. "However, I opposed the Senate's unemployment bill today because it should have, and it could have, been paid for." [See who donates to Snowe.]

The bill will restore benefits to about 2.5 million people who have been unemployed for the past six months, according to recent numbers released by the Department of Labor. Since jobless insurance ended on June 2, the benefits when passed will be retroactive, and will last through November. Depending on the state's unemployment rate, benefits can last up to 99 weeks. [See which industries give the most to Congress.]

The House gave final approval to the measure today and sent it to the White House. Obama is expected to sign it quickly. If he does, this will be his third bill signing this week.

The Senate broke a month long filibuster Tuesday night, thanks to Snowe, Collins, and the chamber's newest and youngest member, Carte Goodwin of West Virginia. Just minutes after he was sworn in to the Senate to replace the late Robert Byrd, Goodwin cast his first roll call vote to help give Democrats the 60 votes needed to end debate.

Republicans said they wanted to pass unemployment benefits, as they had under the Bush administration, but were concerned about adding to the growing federal deficit. They suggested using leftover funds from the stimulus and other spending bills to offset the costs. Democrats cited the nation's 9.5 percent unemployment rate as reason to pass an emergency insurance bill. "Millions are waiting for a fraction of their old income in checks that will help them keep food on the table this week, and keep a roof over their heads this month and keep the air conditioning on this summer," said Majority Leader Harry Reid on the Senate floor. [See which industries give the most to Reid.]

Congress will recess in about two and a half weeks, but the politics surrounding the passage of jobless benefits will likely resurface on the campaign trail during the break.

Unemployement Extension News

This blog is in no way meant to be a political blog. However, I cannot hope and pray that the Republicans open their eyes and hearts to the unemployed. God, please help the unemployed. Here is some news on the unemployment extension.

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2010 Unemployment Extension: Is Passage Assured?

18 July 2010

Original article found here

Congress Unemployment Extension

It seems that the 2010 unemployment extension is assured with the appointment of Carte Goodwin as the interim Senator of West Virginia after the passing of Robert Byrd. Goodwin is expected to vote yea which would be the vote needed for passage if every other vote remains the same. The 1 vote would be enough to break a Republican filibuster if indeed the Republicans would be so out of touch to try one.

Goodwin has to be sworn in first Tuesday afternoon so the vote on the unemployment extension bill Hr4213 would not take place until later that afternoon. The tier 5 unemployed also known as the 99ers are not covered in this bill. They would have to be considered in another bill, S33520 which does offer tier 5 assistance of a sort. Whether this tier 5 bill will be considered is not known as the Senate will have their debate and anything is possible.

Even if the unemployment extension bill hr4213 is passed by the Senate, it has been changed substantially from the bill that the House sent over so probably would have to go back to the House for yet another vote. This unfortunately for the unemployed is the process. The timing on this process is critical because The House adjourns from August 9th until September 10th. If the bill is not acted on and passed by the House by August 9th then woe be to those unemployed who are in perilous financial condition as this would be a fatal blow to many.

So the process will play out on this 2010 unemployment extension, an excruciating wait while our elected Congress seems not to be in any hurry.

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Obama and Unemployment Extension: He Says Pass the Bill!

17 July 2010

Original Article Found here

Obama Unemployment Extension

The 2010 Unemployment extension bill HR4213 remains unpassed, but come Tuesday, July 20 it will be up for vote on the Senate floor with the newly appointed replacement West Virginia Senator Carte Goodwin expected to bring the 60th yea vote for passage of the bill.

This has been a long drawn out affair with both parties playing politics as usual. All coming at the expense of the masses of unemployed who wait and watch this circus go on. Where was our President up until now? His voice needed to be heard long ago when this issue became a real problem but we did not hear from him. The Congress, mainly the Senate did what they do very well, argue and play political games while the American people suffered during his silence.

Obama has now entered the fracas and admonished the Republicans for blocking the bills passage. He told the Senate to consider this unemployment extension as an “emergency expenditure” noting that Congress has used this language in the past during exceptional times.

For all those unemployed let us hope that the 2010 unemployment extension gets passed and also that the tier 5 99ers don’t get left out in the cold. They deserve to be included in the bill, if they aren’t then a new bill directed specifically at them should be crafted.

This 2010 unemployment extension has been very divisive and has pitted hard working Americans against their government for looking the other way while family financial ruin takes place. This is unacceptable in many Americans eyes. Let’s get this employment extension passed on Tuesday.

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Unemployment Extension Gets Attention From Obama as He Blasts Republicans

17 July 2010

Original article found here

Unemployment Extension Obama

President Obama blasted Republicans about the 2010 unemployment extension bill. He says that they are blocking it while saying it “was the only way to make ends meet while searching for work.”

The President said that most economists say that unemployment insurance benefits is a very cost effective way to jump start the economy. He goes on to say “It puts money into the pockets of folks who not only need it most, but who also are most likely to spend it quickly.” This is true but these unemployed need it to just survive not necessarily to spend it on consumer goods. They have to pay for groceries and house payments and rent and medical expenses. If he is just thinking about the positive effect on the economy he and the Senate have missed the point. These unemployed are seriously in jeopardy. They needed this unemployment extension months ago, they needed the Presidents voice then.

Read some of the comments of our readers, they are desperate as can be expected considering this hold up at their expense.

James says, “I have read many of the comments that others have posted. I agree with all of them in that those who have been elected to represent us are more concerned about who is in control in DC than they are about those who put their butts in those cushy jobs. To me what is most frustrating is that it doesn’t seem to matter how many people voice their opinion. I guess “For the people. By the people.” doesn’t apply in this day and age. Today it’s by the money, for the money. To be honest I don’t see it ever changing. While we are begging for scraps to get by from week to week they take week long vacations.”

Born in the USA says, “Its all about the money…not WE THE PEOPLE.It is time the real Americans band together and stand up to these crooks and let them know,”YOU WILL NOT DICTATE THE FUTURE OF OUR LIVES ANY LONGER”.

The Senate had better do their job this Tuesday and pass the unemployment extension bill.

Life is an Improvisation

Life is an improvisation. Life is what happens to you while you're making others plans.

-from the book "Bouncing Back: I've survived everything... and I mean everything... and you can too" by Joan Rivers

Inspirations Sunday Quotes

"Success is not permanent. The same is also true of failure." - Dell Crossword

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." - Vincent T. Lombardi

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Herman Cain

2010 Unemployment Extension Benefits Bill And July 4th Celebrations

GOP Blocks Unemployment Insurance Bill, Senate Leaves for July 4th Recess

July 1, 2010 - by Donny Shaw

For the fourth time in a month, Senate Democrats on Wednesday night failed to win enough votes to overcome a Republican filibuster of a bill to extend unemployment insurance benefits (H.R. 4213). After the failed vote, the Senate adjourned for recess until July 12th.

“It is beyond disappointing that Republicans continue to stand almost lockstep against assistance for out-of-work Americans – especially since many of these same Republicans spent months protecting Wall Street and preserving tax cuts for CEOs who ship American jobs overseas,” Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid [D, NV] said after the vote.

The final tally was 58-38. 60 votes were needed under Senate rules to pass the motion on breaking the filibuster known as “cloture”. Majority Leader Reid voted “no” on the bill in order to preserve his right under Senate rules to bring the bill up again in the future for another vote, so the Democrats were actually just one vote shy of passing the motion. Republicans Sen. Susan Collins [ME] and Sen. Olympia Snowe [ME] voted with Democrats in favor of the bill. Conservative Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE] crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans agains it.

Sen. George Voinovich [R, OH] said after the vote that he would have provided the one vote Democrats needed to pass the cloture motion if some of it was paid for with money from the stimulus bill. “In order to move forward, yesterday I told Leader Reid that I would support extending unemployment insurance if Democrats would be willing to use some of the estimated $40 billion in unspent stimulus monies to help offset at least half of the stand-alone unemployment insurance extension," Voinovich said. “He flatly rejected this request even though Democratic Leadership was going to take $10 billion from the stimulus to help pay for business tax breaks just last week.”

After the vote, Reid said that the Senate will not vote on the bill again until a replacement for recently-deceased Sen. Robert Byrd [D, WV] is seated in the Senate. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D) is in charge of appointing a replacement and he will likely do so over the July 4th recess.

By the time the Senate reconvenes on July 12, data from the Labor Department suggests that more than 2 million unemployed Americans will see their unemployment insurance benefits cut off due to the Republicans’ objections to the extension bill. Benefits began expiring for people on June 1st when the last extension of the benefits expired. Before then, unemployed individual were eligible for up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits under an extended, four-tier federal program created by the 2009 stimulus bill. Now that the federal program has been allowed to expire, newly unemployed individuals are eligible for a maximum of 26 weeks of state-provided benefits.

Still, people who have had their benefits cut off in the past month should expect to become eligible once again for the full 99 weeks and to have their lost benefits paid back to them retroactively. Wednesday’s vote makes it clear that as soon as a replacement for Byrd is seated in the Senate, the Democrats will have the 60 votes they need to overcome Republican opposition and pass the bill.

Original article found here.

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Unemployment Extension Passes House, But the Bill is Now Stuck in Limbo

July 1, 2010 - by Donny Shaw

As expected, the House of Representatives this afternoon passed their stand-alone unemployment insurance extension bill (H.R. 5816). The vote wasn’t even close. 270 congressmen voted in favor of the bill, including 29 Republicans, and only 153 voted against it. The full roll call details can be viewed here.

Among those voting “no” were 11 Democrats — Brian Baird [D, WA-3], Robert Berry [D, AR-1], Bobby Bright [D, AL-2], Jim Cooper [D, TN-5], Baron Hill [D, IN-9], Betsy Markey [D, CO-4], James Marshall [D, GA-8], Mike McIntyre [D, NC-7], Walter Minnick [D, ID-1], Glenn Nye [D, VA-2] and Heath Shuler [D, NC-11].

The bill would extend the filing deadline for extended unemployment insurance benefits until Nov. 30, 2010. It does not contain the extra $25 per month from the Federal Additional Compensation program that was passed in the 2009 stimulus bill. It also would not create a fifth tier of benefits; 99 weeks would still be the maximum amount of time a person coud receive benefits payments. It would, however, pay benefits back retroactively to individuals who have seen their payment cut off since the deadline for filing for new tiers of benefits expired on June 1.

Despite the House’s vote today, the bill is not likely to be signed into law until mid July when the Senate returns from their recess. Both chambers must pass the bill before it can be sent to Obama to become law. When the Senate returns on July 12, the Democrats should have the 60 votes they will need to finally overcome a Republican filibuster of the extension because West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D) is expected to have appointed a replacement for Sen. Robert Byrd [D, WV] by then.

The Iowa Independent reported earlier in the day that another Senate vote was possible tonight under an emergency session called by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid [D, NV], but that does not appear to be panning out. It looks like the Senate will, in fact, stay adjourned until July 12.

Original article found here.

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Cannot believe a DEMOCRAT actually blocked the extension of the UI!!!! I am so frustrated that I do not even want to post it here. But for those who want to read the article on why Sen Ben Nelson (D, NE) "crossed the aisle to give the Republicans the final vote they needed to block the UI extension, click here. Grrrrrrr.

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Saturday, July 3, 2010

2010 Unemployment Extension Benefits Bill And July 4th Celebrations

Although the 2010 unemployment extension benefits bill didn't pass, and the unemployment extension 2010 of benefits won't happen until at least when the Senate reconvenes after their holiday the unemployed should still try to celebrate Independence Day.

After all, it's unfortunate the bill didn't pass, but it's not a reason to let YOUR holiday be ruined. It's hard to put your worries aside, but with a little thought and creativity you could possibly have the best Independence Celebration of your life. Here's a thought on how.

Gather all your unemployed friends together. Have everyone bring a dish - this way you can have one big meal that didn't cost any one person a considerable amount of money.

Come armed with your laptops, air cards, cell phones, printers, paper, envelopes, and stamps, Celebrate your right to freedom by bombarding your Senators with letters, emails, and voicemails about the unemployment extension.

Thank your lucky stars that you live in a country where you can do this without repercussions. There are some countries out there where you would be in big trouble for speaking your mind to a government official. In America we have a right to think and a right to be ticked off.

After you are satisfied with the amount of mail you have produced for your representatives, spend the rest of the time helping each other apply for jobs. Help each other spruce up your resumes.

IF you really want to go all out, have everyone bring some of their career clothes that don't fit any more or that you are tired of. Have a clothing swap to help each other get a new career wardrobe.

All this may sound silly to some, but without the unemployment benefits extension many people are at a loss on the Fourth of July weekend. Use your anger, discontent, and other negative feelings and try to spin them into something positive.

Original article found here