To Get an MBA or Not? That is the Question

by | Dec 7, 2011

The other day I got an acceptance letter in the mail for an MBA program. It was a surprise because I applied in the summer but decided against going because I just don’t want to add to my student loans. I am also not ready to commit to the time required to complete the program.

I love learning and being in school is always a pleasure for me. I know, I’m weird like that but the learning process and discovering new things just does it for me.

So I’m torn now. Should I start the program or not? How much time is it going to take away from my family? Will my kids feel neglected? A thousand questions to consider.

On the flip side, by getting my MBA I will have more business insight, more earning power and probably less hard work as a manager or director of some company.

Fortunately I have done a lot of preliminary thinking about what I would concentrate on. Who knew an MBA program had so many options? Fortunately I don’t have to worry about choosing a major or a college like I did in undergrad. The choices are endless.

The program I’ve been accepted into begins January 2, less than a month from now. What an interesting way to start the holiday season. I suppose I’m blessed to be in this position right?

I’m leaning heavily toward going but I have to look at my schedule and consider how I will juggle parenting, my clients, and class work.

What would you do?

25 Days of Christmas: The Happiest Time of the Year? Tips for Surviving Less Than Perfect Holidays

by | Dec 7, 2011

For all the promise of joy, peace and harmony that comes with the holiday season, the reality for millions of people is that the season is anything but a celebration. For many, it’s a reminder of lost loved ones, personal disappointments and dreams left unfulfilled.

But for life coach Teri Johnson, whose personal journey through an imperfect life now inspires others to reach for the lives they’ve always wanted, the negative “nevers” of the disappointing hand life may have dealt you is where the healing starts. By confronting a never-ending and unproductive cycle of negativity, the elusive joy of the holiday season can be found not just now but every day of the year, says Johnson, author of the newly released book, Overcoming the Nevers (www.overcomingthenevers.com).

“You never thought you’d get divorced, but you did. You never dreamed you would find yourself in an abusive relationship, but you are. You never thought you would need to lose 200 pounds, but you do. And you never thought you’d be 45 years old without a job, losing your home and drowning in debt, but you are,” says Johnson.

“We start to believe lies about ourselves, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m undeserving.”  We escape our pain and these toxic feelings into unhealthy behaviors and addictions.  There is freedom from the struggle; there is hope in discovering the truth; there is a way to fall in love with who we are to experience a joy-filled season, and more importantly a joy-filled life.”

Johnson’s tools for overcoming the “nevers” that drag many down during the holiday season are:

• Acceptance: Do you have the strength to make the changes necessary to turn a situation around through an attitude of acceptance? Or will you remain powerless, remain in the state of non-acceptance and let everything around you dictate how you feel? The journey starts with accepting that you can’t change others, but you do have power over your own life.

• Surrender: What we surrender ourselves to ultimately becomes our god, what we turn to or upon which we rely.  The question then is: What are we surrendered to? Is it something firm, solid and long-lasting or something that hurts us in the end?

• Joyfulness: Hold tight to your unique gifts and talents to enrich your own life and impact the lives of those around you. Build on what you’re good at, what makes you special and what makes you feel good about yourself.

• Discovery: Confronting the truth about who we are deep inside helps us overcome our painful past and discover the basis for those “nevers.”

• Faith: Until we accept love for ourselves from God, from others and towards others, the healing will not begin. Embracing love is an ongoing process that starts with learning to like yourself and with a willingness to accept your imperfections.

Johnson advises that the process of confronting internal struggles and the “nevers” of life isn’t easy, but no treatment program, no diet and no New Year’s resolution can be successful without breaking down the essence of individual struggles and making the necessary adjustments to attain the life you deserve.

“If the life you are living is full of unacceptable and disappointing things and you don’t want to spend another year like this, the only thing holding you back right now is your own confusion, self-doubt and anger,” she says.

“You don’t have to keep doing what you’re doing or feeling what you’re feeling, but you do need to come to terms with yourself and surrender yourself to faith that there is a better way.”

About Teri Johnson

Teri Johnson is a writer, speaker and personal growth expert who is the founder and President of Keeping it Personal. Having struggled with alcohol addiction and destructive habits herself, the Minnesota native turned her own experiences in overcoming obstacles to personal fulfillment into a client-focused service that has transformed the lives of many.  Now a devoted wife and mother of two sons, she now devotes her life to helping others find their path to success and happiness while shedding destructive thoughts and behaviors.

Comfort Food: Easy Meals for Time Starved Moms

by | Nov 30, 2011

It’s getting really cold here in Atlanta and though I don’t usually have good things to say about cold weather, one thing I can say is I really love good old-fashioned comfort food. This is the kind of heavy, yet healthy food that makes a cold day bearable for me.

I’ll share couple of recipes that are easy to make, costs only pennies, and that make me feel really good.  I hope you make one or two for yourself and your family.

Potato Soup

This recipie is one I have been making since I was a single woman living on my own. I graviated toward it because I love potatoes and it is really cheap to make. One thing you should know is I don’t measure my ingredients when I cook so what I am writing are estimates. Some seay it’s a sign of a great cook.  The results are 90% good with this method and my kids never leave food on their plates. 🙂 Modify to fit your tastes.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

comfort food potato soup

To make potato soup follow these directions:

3-4 medium or large potatoes

1 10 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup thinly sliced onions (optional)

Salt to taste

Peel and dice potatoes then place in medium pot with onions and salt. Cover with water and cook until tender. Reduce heat then add mushroom soup. Stir to mix soup in well. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

You can add more seasoning if you like a more spicy taste. Occasionllay I add:

Leftover backed chicken (or any meat)

Steamed cabbage

Seasoned salt

Pepper

Add whatever you have on hand that would taste yummy in this soup.

Eat with rolls, biscuits, or any kind of thick bread. It will definitely satisfy you.

 

Breakfast Casserole

I cook this around the holidays. I had it at a company brunch one year and decided I wanted to learn how to make it. I’ve seen recipies that are really complicated and has a lot of ingredients, but I prefer keeping my recipes simple so I use fewer ingredients.

Prep Time: 5-7 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30-35 minutes

Comfort Food Breakfast Casserole

To make a breakfast casserole you need a 9×12 baking dish and the following ingredients:

2 cups Tater Tots

6-8 Eggs

1/2-3/4 cup Milk

3/4- 1 cup Sausage (cooked and chopped)

1/2 cup Cheese (mild)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of casserole dish cooking spray. Layer potatoes and sausage on bottom of dish.  Whip eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper together in a mixing bowl. Pour mixture over potatoes and sausage. Put in oven and cook until golden brown. Enjoy with toast and a warm beverage!

The Joy of Comfort Food to Warm You on the Inside

Even though it’s cold outside you don’t have to be miserable. Enjoy the comfort foods I gave you above with your family. Don’t forget to get in some kind of exercise 3 or more times a week to keep off the winter bulge. It will keep the blues away and make you feel great.

To save money on these recipes use store brands or purchase ingredients when they are on sale and/or with a coupon. It tastes just as delicious as using brand names. This is the season to stock up on canned soups like cream of mushroom used in the potato soup.

 

Self-Employment Tips: How to Save on Health and Dental

by | Nov 15, 2011

Anyone who is self-employed has had to face the insurance conundrum.  Do you spend an arm and leg to insure yourself (since there’s no corporate umbrella to absorb a portion of the cost) or do you risk losing an actual arm or leg because you can’t afford the cost of medical care without insurance?

While there are certainly benefits to being self-employed, such as working from home, setting your own schedule, and taking only the jobs you want, one of the major drawbacks of freelancing or staring your own company is that the cost of medical and dental falls squarely on your shoulders.  Luckily, there are a few ways to cut back on these costs.

Here’s how to save when you’re self-employed:

Preventive care

There is no better way to dispel the costs of medical and dental procedures than to continue practicing preventive care.  Early detection is often the key to ensuring that health issues never get to a critical (and expensive) stage.  So whether or not you have insurance, try to find a way to keep up with your annual visits (physicals, dental cleanings, and so on), especially if you have a family (or personal) history of problems.

Pay in cash

Many doctors and dentists are sympathetic to patients that lose their job or insurance (often both) and can’t afford to pay for treatment at full price.  Some are even willing to make concessions if you pay in cash as a way to keep you on track with your health.  So if your doctor or dentist might normally charge the insurance company $100 for your visit, they’ll allow you to pay as little as half when you offer cash.  Simply ask at your doctor and dentist offices to see if they’re willing to make such an arrangement.

Shop around

You comparison shop for everything from cars to jeans to canned vegetables, so why wouldn’t you do the same with doctors?  While it’s true that visiting a physician is a rather intimate experience, the truth is that you’re going to be poked and prodded one way or another.  So look into prices and how they vary from private practices to hospital staff to clinics; you’re bound to find something in your price range that suits your medical and dental needs, and you may be eligible to pay on a sliding fee scale (or even get services for free).

Prescription assistance

Even after you visit the doctor or dentist, you’re bound to be on the hook for additional costs thanks to prescription medication.  Some people can save by going for the generic brand while others will order via apps or the internet (finding the best cost locally or getting medication from other countries where it may be sold cheaper).  But if you simply can’t afford the cost of medications that you need in order to survive, look for prescription assistance programs that operate on donations (government, private, or other) so that you get the prescriptions you need at low or no out-of-pocket cost.

Discount plans 

There are companies out there that offer individuals like yourself both medical and dental discount plans.  You won’t pay much for membership (generally up to about $30 per month) and the plans will cover as much as 60% of your costs.  This is a good way to ensure that you won’t be tanked by potentially costly problems, without spending a boatload on pricy insurance that you may never use.

Evan Fischer is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Budgeting Tips for Single Mothers

by | Nov 13, 2011

When you first started your journey as a single mother, you may have been worried about how you were going to survive on one income. If you have not already created one, you should know that a household budget will help you get through any tough financial times and it could even help you save for your child’s future. With a well thought out plan and a little effort, you will soon be rich, both in love from your child and in money.

Planning your budget
Actually writing down where your money should go each month will help you see your monthly spending needs and habits. With a budget, you will be able to track your household cash flow as well. You probably already know your monthly income, but calculating your monthly expenses could be a bit more difficult.

First, you should gather all of your bills, credit card statements, checking account information, and receipts for everything you have bought with cash in the last month. If you haven’t been keeping these records, do so for the next month before you create a set budget. When you are able to see exactly where your money goes, it will be easier to figure out which costs are necessary and which are not.

Pay close attention to your most important purchases. You will obviously need to budget for rent, food, credit card payments, and other bills before you can buy the things you want. Some of the most successful budgeters use envelopes to manage their finances. They put money to pay for each of their bills in separate envelopes so that they are ready to be paid. With that money safely put away, they are able to see what they have left from their monthly income, and they are less likely to miss a payment.

Saving on a budget
Saving is a very important part of creating a budget. You obviously want to try to save as much money as possible for your future and for your children’s future, but most people only save what is left at the end of the month, meaning that they could be saving nothing at all. Set aside a specific amount each month that you want to save, and then create your budget around what you have left. With this strategy, you may have to cut back on some things that aren’t necessary for your family to survive, which could mean you have to do away with a few luxuries (i.e. going to the movies, having the largest cable package, etc.).

However, you will be much happier in the end because you will know that your finances are stable thanks to your savings.

Ways to save money
For some single moms, a budget may not be enough. No matter what, you should always try to find ways to save, even on the smallest purchases. Spending less than your monthly budget will mean more money in your savings account. Try a few of these tips to get started.

  • Look through ads before you shop – You could save hundreds each year if you look for the least expensive option. This can work for food, cloths, and vehicle maintenance, as well as many other important and necessary purchases.
  • Coupons – Very few families take advantage of the coupons they get every week with their newspaper. Even the smallest amount of savings could add up by the end of the month. One thing you should not do, however, is fall into the coupon trap. Coupons are meant to get you to try new products. You should be willing to do this, but don’t buy a product with a coupon if you know your family won’t use it.
  • Price matching – Some stores will match the price of their competitors. Research online before you shop to know who will price match and gather ads from their competitors that are advertising cheaper prices.

Amy Shoemaker is an author of many articles relating to topics including finances, volunteering, and nursing homes. Her website is for elderly citizens who have suffered nursing home abuse.