I'm back...

It has been almost a year since I last blogged. :-( It has not been due to a lack of enlightenments though, just a lack of time. But I've decided time to get back to it.

One of my more recent enlightenments has been about my health. It is bad...really bad...and I wasn't sure how to fix it. And when you don't know how to do something, you should get some help and that's where Rick, the trainer comes in. We've been working on my nutrition and workouts and it amazes me how badly I eat without really thinking about it.

And apparently so does everyone else.

Here's a cool chart about what the average American eats:

Courtesy of: http://www.visualeconomics.com/food-consumption-in-america_2010-07-12/

Fabulous Friday: "Are You Drunk?"

My work spouse forwarded this to me yesterday and I started laughing so hard my head hurt.

Here's the link: http://eatingtheroad.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/where-should-i-eat-fast-food-edition-flowchart/


There's one for chain resturants and cereals.

Enjoy.

Money Monday: Little Known Facts that Effect Your Credit Score

Found this article yesterday on Yahoo Finance and it's the first time I've ever seen a breakdown of how much certain actions will damage your credit.

Here's the article: How Common Mistakes Effect Your Credit Score
Here is the chart:

Still think this doesn't effect you?

Here's another way to look at (excerpt from the article)

"In order to show just how badly a drop in your FICO score can hurt your wallet, we spoke with members of the home mortgage, auto and credit card lending industries. We presented hypothetical scenarios of a consumer who decided to apply for a $200,000, 30-year mortgage; a $20,000, five-year auto loan and a credit card... they were able to provide an idea of what a borrower who had the following credit scores could expect.

For a Consumer Who Started With a FICO Score of 780:
-Following a 30-day late payment, the consumer's car loan rate would jump nearly 3 percent, costing the borrower $26 more each month.
-Following a debt settlement, the consumer would pay as much as $109 more each month on a home mortgage.

For a Consumer Who Started With a FICO Score of 680:
-Following a 30-day late payment, the consumer would pay $41 more each month for a car loan.
-Following a 30-day late payment, the consumer would pay as much as $95 more each month on a home mortgage.
-Following a debt settlement, the consumer would no longer qualify for a credit card."\

If you own a home and car (or are thinking about purchasing one) that's almost $1700 extra PER YEAR that you're paying because you were 30 days late on your credit card. That's the average person's car payment for 4-6 months.

Something to think about before you charge your holiday shopping without knowing how you're going to pay for it...

Money Monday: Holiday Shopping

The holiday season is upon us. I thought you all might enjoy this as you start looking at your holiday shopping list.

Budget For Holiday Shopping

Personally, I'll be looking at some Amazon.com (Y.M. has me addicted) on Thursday and Friday because of their awesome price matching and shipping straight to my job.

How does barbecue sauce differ from region to region?

How does barbecue sauce differ from region to region?

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Fabulous Friday: One more reason to go on a diet...

Can fatty food make you stupid?
I knew fatty foods made you fat and there are a lot of fat stupid people (see: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/) ...but I thought it was correlation not causation.

Sigh.

Money Monday: I had to share this...

...because this puts my industruy into terms everyone can understand.

Plus it's funny.


Courtesy of: http://www.zwixy.com

Teach It Tuesday: U.S.'s Smartest Cities

I have to share this

One more reason that Raleigh > Charlotte

:-)

Money Monday: Back-Ass-Wards

I was watching a Dairy Queen commercial and I had an epiphany.

The western world is messed up. In the rest of the world if you are poor, you don't have enough food,you are skinny and malnutritioned. However in the West, especially in America, if you are poor you are the more likely you are to be fat.

Think about it: 99 cent Value Meals at Wendy's, Dollar Menu at McDonald's, 5 for $5 deal at Arby's and pick 3 for $4 combo at Dairy Queen; you can get an entire meal for $3.00-$4.00 from your favorite fast food place but you'll get 850-1,200+ calories with that $1 fry.

But...

If you want to eat a wholesome lunch balanced 400-500 calorie lunch at Whole Foods it will cost you a good $5-$10.

So in the words of Main Thang (that's a whole 'nother blog post...) "Do the math."

You can have a $5 side salad or you can have 5 roast beef sandwiches. If you're broke than obviously you're trying to get the most for your money and therefore Arby's will probably win.

(house)Work Wednesdays: Real Simple's September 2009 Keep-It-Together Checklist

This list is exactky what I needed for this month.

Check it out:
September 2009 Keep-It-Together Checklist

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Teach it Tuesdays: Spell Check...

Thanks to MS Office and phones that complete our words, an increasing number of Americans can't spell for s**t. Unfortunately, I am included in this number.

On yesterday's post I spelled what should have been "their" (as in the possessive) "there" (as in the noun.) This is really sad coming from a former spelling bee champion (it was elementary school but still.)

This is an interesting article about the "lost art" of spelling. http://www.audiblox2000.com/learning_disabilities/spelling_problems.htm

Money Monday: How Americans spent there money

Since this was the last weekend for awhile that I don't have anything planned, (it's wedding season, part deux) so I was getting my life in order. Whilst reading through some emails I came across this one from a work colleague: How The Average U.S. Consumer Spends Their Paycheck.

Now the one thing that is clearly missing from this chart is any debt payments; not the things you charge to you your card every month (like food and clothes) but the cost of your debt (such as interest and fees.)

Either way, this chart is interesting and worth taking a look at. And while you're at it...

Take an hour and look at where you're money's going. I recommend using www.mint.com, it'll change the way you see your money. :-)

Selfish Sundays: Me Time

I have never been one who was obessessed with "me time."

All through college I was constantly with people and my idea of "getting away" was just to switch the group of people I was hanging out with for a short period of time. My over scheduled life plus dorm room and sorority house living didn't exactly lend it self to time with one's self.

But now the tides are turning...

Exihibit A: Two Friday nights ago

In lieu of going out with the crew, I decided to take advantage of Yankee Manfriend being out of the house by having a date with the dog, some chinese food, wine, and a girl double feature. It felt amazing.

Exhibit B: Last night Thursday Night

Though I was tempted with a trip to Blu with the coworkers, a dinner and a movie date with Ms. Symm, and a movie date with Y.M. I decided to put myself first and stick to my original plan for the evening: Be in my pjs and in the bed by 7pm...with a Big Mac and apple pie...and watching the Wedding Planner.

And you know what...I feel much more sane because of it. :-)

Fabulous Fridays: Cellllllebraaaaaationnnnnnn

So my mommy is the new social chair of her department at work. Basically this means she is supposed to bring food and bring celebrations to her department. Here's the challenge though: Because she works for the state government, she's not allowed to celebrate any holidays or birthdays for fear of alienating people due to their religious beliefs. My mommy, quite perplexed on what to do, called me for some advice.

My solution: celebrate fake holidays

You know, like National Doughnut Day or National Relaxation Day. I did a little research and discovered that there's something to celebrate almost everyday.

Here's the list, http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/index.htm, for those days that you can't find anything to celebrate. :-)

Thoughtful Thursday: Where have I been?

Though this summer has been full of "enlightenment," life has been crazy and blogging comes after sleep in the priority list.

I vow to pick up my blogging again in August. :-)

Thoughtful Thursday: Remembering your inner fat kid

Everyone had that awkward stage in life. It may have been when you were 5 or it may be still happening now, but everyone has it. And as awful as it was and no matter how great a job you've done of becoming a better person, I think that it's very important to never forget that stage in your life.

Why?

Because that's where you're humility comes from.

It doesn't matter if you've become a supermodel from being a fat kid or Rico Suave from being socially awkward, you need to always remember where you came from; and more importantly how you felt during that stage.

Remembering when you were, "Fat kid," "Four-eyes," "Pizza face," "Weirdo," "Nerd/Dork/Geek," or "Freak" can keep you from getting to big for your britches and make you a better person. :-)

Fabulous Friday: Closets...Again

It's that time of year. It's getting hot and it's going to stay that way so it's time to put away the winter wear and bring out the sundresses, mini skirts, tanks, and sandals. Unless you're like me and you look in your closet and realize all you own is jeans and black dress pants...then it's time to go shopping. :-)

This week thanks to a sale and a coupon at New York and Company, I was able to get 2 pairs of shorts, 2 shirts, a belt, a pair of dress pants, and some breath mints for under $50. :-)

They are all pieces that will easily mix and match with each other and my existing wardrobe, which is the middle of being revamped. I was only able to shop effectively shop because I had done the steps 3 steps in this "5 cheap tricks to fix your closet" so I knew EXACTLY what I had in my closet and what I needed to round some outfits out.

Read through it and happy shopping.

Thoughtful Thursday: Talking = Overrated?

So yesterday afternoon I realized that I spent a lot of time talking to Stepdog (Yankee Manfriend's 4 year old "puppy.") I mean A-L-O-T.

To you pet owners: You know exactly what I'm talking about.
To you non-pet owners: Don't judge. Pets are an endless stream of praise, love and affirmation and everybody needs that. (Plus pet owners live lover than non-pet owners so :-P)

I ask her questions when I'm thinking out loud. I tell her my to-do list. I ask her if she has to go to the bathroom. I ask her if she would like to go see her aunt Lisa and play with Tank and Delta. I'll ask her if she's already had dinner. I even let her choose her treat if she's been a good girl.

And do you know what I get in return?

Her version of communication: "Woof," kisses, and a whole lot of funny facial expressions. She can only say one thing and yet she always manages to communicate (and get) exactly what she wants.

You can't help but think maybe talking is a bit overrated; maybe it's actually getting in the way of us actually communicating...

(house)Work Wednesday: These are a few of my favorite things

I love to organize things.
I love plastic Sterilite containers.
I love matching hangers.
I love label makers.

And I love Real Simple for putting this into their email: Organize Your Closet Like a Pro

Happy Organizing.

(house)Work Wednesday: Oh that whole resolution thing...

So in an effort to get back on track with my (house)Work Wednesday Resolution I made the following three dinners in the past week or so.

• Chicken Wings (courtesy of Allrecipes.com)
• Parmesan Stuffed Chicken with Melted Strawberries (courtesy of BHG.com)
• Garlic Cheddar Chicken (courtesy of Allrecipes.com)*

* This is the one Y.M. liked the best.

What did I learn in my cooking adventures?

• "Louisiana hot sauce" DOES NOT equal "regular hot sauce" (aka Texas Pete.) If you are going to use Louisiana sauce, then you should water it down OR just don't use as much.
• Flour thickens up sauces if they don't stay on wings (courtesy of my Y.M.)
• You should really buy the regular chicken breast instead of the thinly cut...but if you buy the thinly cut by accident, you can always just fold the chicken in half; then it's just folded, instead of "stuffed." :-)