LifeEdit.net

Post-Holiday Financial Fitness

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 01:29:00 +0000

Following up after a serious money-spending spree, depending on how well it was planned and how much damage you did to your bank account, it might be time to start tightening the spending belt and looking to build up your financed once again. Unfortunately, this season breeds spendaholics - not only do you have a large chunk of gifts, money and gift-cards, but post-Christmas shopping sales can be hard to resist.

In addition to these sinfully fun activities, post-Christmastime brings a new year and a new opportunity to realize financial goals. The key to a successful holiday wrap-up is to balance your interests, wants and needs. How you do this is entirely up to you, but here are a few tips to get you on the right path:

Repay Debts. If you managed to accrue any debts over the holidays, now is the time to pay them off. This is a priority above most saving and definitely over Christmas-week sales. Do whatever you can to eliminate unnecessary interest payments, whether this means paying down your debt immediately or transferring the balance to a low or no interest account.
Build Up a Buffer. 'Tis the season for all sorts of messy things that can catch you in a financial bind. Whether the weather or other things cause you some unnecessary stress, it is always helpful to have some extra money in the event of a car emergency or a furnace repair. After paying down your debt, building up your emergency fund is a high priority.
Cement Goals. Now is the time to create a plan that will help to optimize your financial goals for the next year and beyond. Do you want to pay down your mortgage, add an extra thousand to your retirement savings, or save up for next year's gift budget? Start to cement those goals now in order to put plans in motion for a successful new year.

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
7 Tips for Successful Money Management
Debt and Your Health
Creating a Family First Aid Kit
How I Spend My Money
Frugal ≠ Cheap - Buying Better Food

Recipe: Penne Pasta with Spinach and Bacon

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:16:00 +0000

Nothing beats a good pasta for a hearty, healthy, quick and convenient meal. This one includes a great source of nutrients (spinach) with one of my family's favourite flavour punches (bacon). From AllRecipes.

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 bunch fresh spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta, and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place bacon in the skillet, and cook until browned and crisp. Add garlic, and cook for about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook until heated through.
Place the spinach into a colander, and drain the hot pasta over it so it is wilted. Transfer to a large serving bowl, and toss with the remaining olive oil, and the bacon and tomato mixture

Carnival of Life Editing #5

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:27:00 +0000

Money

Whalehooks presents What Options Do I Have If I Am Behind On My Mortgage Payments? posted at Student Loan Consolidation.
Mike May presents Give to Receive posted at UpbeatBrain.com.

Home

Pat Ruppel presents Family and Going Home posted at Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom.
Mitch McDonald presents Rent Back House Tips To Avoid Home Loss posted at FYI About.com.

Lifestyle

James DeLelys presents Look with your Heart! posted at Author James DeLelys.
James D. Brausch presents For Drinkers This Season posted at Weight Loss Dude.
Tupelo Kenyon presents How to Live the Life of Your Dreams Through Intuition posted at Tupelo Kenyon.
Alex Marlin presents 11 Tips To Getting Anything You Want posted at Life Improvement Tips For The Wise Few.

Food

Roger Haeske presents What Magic Question Will Make You FEEL Like Going Raw? posted at Raw Food Diet, Bodyweight Fitness & Self-Help.

Work

David B. Bohl presents Goals: Know When to Fold ‘Em posted at Slow Down Fast Today!.

Looking to join in? The deadline to submit to the Carnival of Life Editing is Friday at 6pm EST. Add your post here!

Get the Most out of Your Job

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:20:00 +0000

It's important to keep the bigger picture in mind for all aspects of life; planning for the long-term can give you financial and emotional stability. For many, our careers and our professional life is incredibly important and can have a substantial impact on our well-being. We spend so much time working at our jobs, it is important to take as much from this time as possible. Here are some "big picture" ways to get the most out of your job:

Education. Depending on the type of position you hold and the specifics of your company, you may qualify for sponsored continuing education - your employer might pay for you to take courses or programs that apply to your field. If not, you might want to consider negotiating something with your employer, or even finance your own continued education. Many career paths have certifications, which can provide fantastic networking resources as well as adding some weight behind your salary expectations. Look into local or national associations, area post-secondary schools, or even general work-related courses that can help to improve the efficiency of your workday.
Recognition. Being successful in your career can bring you recognition in your field. Take the opportunity to network at social events, galas or educational meet-and-greets. Becoming a familiar face in your field can bring you great connections, as can writing for newsletters or journals and participating in speeches and seminars. Turning yourself into a regular expert in your profession can bring you great satisfaction as well as provide you with many opportunities (some paid) to share your knowledge!
Money. It goes without saying that added success in your career can bring added financial wealth. The more educated and recognized you are as a professional, the more you can demand in remuneration from your employers. Also, you can take the opportunity to freelance or branch into additional money-making ventures as your knowledge and contact-base grows. While a job shouldn't be primarily about money, having a little extra can allow you to spend less time working and more time adding value to your life (whether that impacts your career directly or not is entirely up to you).
Security. Working in one field for a long time, building up a strong financial net, spreading your income over several sources, and becoming recognized in your field can give you a fantastic amount of job security - even if it isn't related to one specific position of employment. Imagine a life where you can feel comfortable taking a sabbatical, or where you can go home early for the weekend when you need to - balancing your personal needs with your professional life.

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
How to Ace an Interview
How To Survive a New Job
5 Tips on Quitting Your Day Job
4 Ways to Work Your Boss
How To Avoid 6 Common Job-Hunting Mistakes

Simple Drinks for Your Holiday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:17:00 +0000

We are officially 5 days to Christmas, and holiday party season is in full swing. There is a pretty good chance that you'll be attending or hosting at least one more party, open house, dinner or potluck this season, and many people's thoughts turn to the meal and the dessert. LifeEdit.net has two previous posts that cover both sweet and savoury party food ideas, but what about the drinks?

Adding one or two signature drinks to your party can make it extra memorable for your guests. As always, if you are serving alcohol, take care - you are responsible for the wellbeing of your guests at your party as well as on their way home. Be sure to offer plenty of food, non-alcoholic beverages, and a safe way home if necessary. For this reason, I will be posting two catergories - alcoholic and non-alcoholic party drink ideas.

Alcoholic

Bayou Blast - 1oz tequila, 1/2oz melon liqueur, 5oz lemonade, 1/4oz green creme du menthe. Garnish with a peppermint stick.
Champagne Ginger Punch - 4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, 2 cups triple sec, 3 cups brandy, 1 cup Chambord, 10 cups ginger ale or ginger beer, 4 bottles chilled dry champagne or sparkling wine.
Heather Honey Warmer - 2 cups hot green tea, 1/2 cup Drambuie, 1/2 lemon's juice, 2 tbsp liquid honey.
Festive Berry Twist - 1/2 oz raspberry flavoured vodka, 2 oz cranberry juice, splash of orange juice
Pink Sangria with Winter Fruits - 6x 750mL bottles of dry rose wine, 6 cups orange juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, 2 tsp pomegranate molasses (or grenadine), 4 oranges (thinly sliced), 4 limes (thinly sliced), seeds of 4 pomegranates, 8 cups sparkling apple cider.

Non-Alcoholic

Apple Bliss - 1oz apple cider, 1/8 lemon's juice, 3 oz cranberry juice.
Caroling Mocktail - 1oz grapefruit juice, 1oz tangerine juice, 1oz orange juice
Cinnamon Mocktail - 2oz cranberry juice, 5oz apple cider, cinnamon stick garnish.
Golden Mocktail - 2oz chilled spice tea, 1/2 oz simple syrup, 1/4 oz lemon juice. Rim glass with lemon and sugar, garnish with zest twist.
Holiday Punch - 1x 48oz can of pineapple juice, 2x 40oz bottles cranberry juice, 2x 750mL bottles soda water. Top with scoops of raspberry, lime or strawberry sorbet.

Here are some great resources for party drinks:
LCBO / Liquour Control Board of Ontario
That's the Spirit
Sainsbury Drink Guide
Spitzy.net
YumSugar

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
The 8 Rules of Frugal Grocery Shopping
Frugal ≠ Cheap - Buying Better Food
10 Really Fantastic Foods
15 Minute Meals: Fast, Frugal and Filling Food Ideas
How To Eat Healthy and Happily

Being a Stay-at-Home Parent

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:20:00 +0000

A while ago, I was reading Brip Blap's post on being a stay-at-home parent and was struck with a thought that has been in the back of my mind for a while now - would I be a stay-at-home parent? I have always said that I would probably go stir-crazy if I had to spend more than a week at home, but every person I have spoken to who has been in the situation says that the time flies by and you are certainly anything but bored. Between coworkers, friends and family who are stay-at-home parents or have a stay-at-home spouse, I've managed to compile a list of things I consider to be pros and cons; things that would influence my decision on whether the boyfriend or I would ever consider staying at home with a young child:

Pros:

Decreased child-care costs
Potential for increased bond between parent and child
Potential for increased efficiency within the home (cleaning, cooking, shopping, balancing books, etc)

Cons:

One primary income unless you look for alternative streams
Potential for less social interaction unless you actively seek it
Potential for uneven division of work

What some people may find unusual is that I am not looking at a stay-at-home parent situation from my perspective - I am looking at it from my boyfriend's. While he is a chronic workaholic, his position is somewhat more flexible and there are great benefits to keeping me at work. However, he will soon be working in a position that requires constant work (as is the case with business ownership) and my current position offers an additional top-up amount to our federal parental benefit for the first year of leave. In addition, my potential to generate revenue from alternative streams that require minimum "work" makes me an ideal candidate to stay-at-home.

Money aside, work aside, career aside - choosing to be a stay-at-home parent is a life decision, not one based primarily on income. Choosing to be a stay-at-home parent also has social implications and many people very strongly about it. While my "pros" list a strong bond between parent and child, it is entirely possible to have an equally strong bond with a parent who does work. The subject is tricky, and entirely personal.

That said, I believe there are a few things that everyone needs to take into account when deciding whether or not he or she wants to be a stay-at-home parent:

Money - we would be lying if we said this wasn't an issue; it is for almost everyone. Choosing to stay at home with your children almost always means a decrease in income, which means you must look for alternate ways to maintain your standard of living. Will you rely on savings? Will you work from home? Can you draw from alternate streams of revenue?
Personal Life - we would also be lying if we said this wasn't an issue. Devoting a large, significant portion of your time to one person or one situation can be overwhelming and stressful. Also, it can cause some resentment if you are unprepared for how you will cope with this change. How will you maintain yourself outside of this new situation - as a partner, a friend and as a family member?
Home Life - choosing to stay at home can cause a major change in your home life, especially if you have additional children and/or a spouse. Be sure to discuss chore division, family responsibilities and duties. Have these outlined prior to the arrival of your new child will potentially make things a bit more organized in a hectic environment.
Goals and Plans - what is your intention of staying at home? do you hope to save on childcare costs, home-school your child, or focus on bonding your family? How long do you intend to stay home? Ask these questions of yourself and your family - it is important to know why you take action so that you can follow through on your choices and keep track of your and your family's long-term objectives.

So, now I'll turn it over to you - what are your thoughts on being a stay-at-home parent? What are the pros and cons, and would you ever choose to do it?

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
6 Habits of Successfully Frugal People
Dealing with Difficult People
6 Country Philosophies for a City Lifestyle
TV-Free Living for Your Kids
Minimize Your Wardrobe, Save Your Sanity

Decorate Your Home Office on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:21:00 +0000

Working from home can be considered both a blessing and a curse - those of us with a home office or home office space have the luxury of working in comfort and with minimal trips into boring and flavorless offices. Unfortunately, it is difficult to balance work space with personal space and often the two become irreversibly intertwined. Someone with a pull-out sofa in their home office knows exactly what I'm talking about, especially during the holidays.

Decorating a home office is unlike other home decoration plans. The space is not meant to relax you and take you away from work - instead, it must become an energizing, motivating space with minimal stress and distraction. After a few big-ticket purchases (namely your electronics), decorating your home office on a budget can be a snap. Whether your home office is an entire room or merely a nook by your front door, a functional, organized and beautiful space can help you become more productive and much happier when working from home.

Focus on Function. Your home office should be easy to get in to, easy to work in, and easy to get out of. A flat desk surface is essential and the first place you should start. Position your worktop in a way that minimizes distractions - have your back facing the window and your front preferably away from a television or open door. Your workspace should be coordinated so you can enter it without needing to shuffle papers, filing cabinets or wastebaskets. Your chair should have good movement and everything crucial should be within reach.
Organization is Key. An organized home office is a blissful home office. Purchase paper bins, magazine-holder style containers, file hangers, small containers - anything that you require in order to keep your papers, files, pencils and clips where they belong. I firmly believe that plain items are the most cost-efficient, and also provide minimal distraction. Adding a white-board or cork-board is another great way to stay organized and add some flair to your space.
Design is in the Details. Personalize your space by drawing on important elements from your own personality. If you're a glamorous sort, add some plush pillows and a luxurious throw alongside some scented candles. If you're a fan of vintage kitsch, a brightly patterned rug and curtains would go well with some funky desk toys (like a drinking bird or some nesting dolls). Prefer the modern look? A bamboo plant in a clear glass vase would pair nicely with cool metal desk accessories. Start with a minimalist, uniform and organized space and add personal touches with small details.
Maximize Comfort. Want to ensure you stay at your desk all day? Give yourself room to stretch. Whether this means a side chair with a favorite book perched on its arm, a folding exercise machine in the closet, or a plug-in kettle and assortment of teas - allowing yourself the opportunity to indulge while in your office will make it easier to stay on track and at your desk for the entire day. Incorporate elements from your daily life in order to bridge your home and your office - family photos are a great way to add a personal touch to your space and make it comfortable - especially if you use really unique desktop frames.
Realize that it is an Office. This means task lighting, lots of desk accessories (pens, pencils, erasers, a ruler, stapler, etc), and an area for paper clutter. Furthermore, this should be a generally "no family" zone - the focus of the office is for work only. Keep toys, animals, and family disputes away from the office - this might mean a sign on the door or even a lock. Functionality is key (even over personalization), so ensure that the space is workable and can operate independently of your household before you put too much thought into the design on your mouse pad.

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
Decorate Your Bedroom on a Budget
Decorate Your Dining Room on a Budget
Teaching Your Children Positive Money Habits
How to Have a Productive Holiday Season
50 Easy Family Bonding Activities

How to Cope With Being Broke

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:14:00 +0000

Whether you've lost your job, accumulated a great debt or experienced unfortunate circumstances that have left you financially unstable, being "broke" can be incredibly frustrating and stressful on both you and your family. Many of us find ourselves in situations where we have less money than we "need" to survive, and while we can try to cope in the short term, we often find ourselves at a dead end with no hope in sight.

There is no secret to coping with being broke - you simply need to plow through the worst of it and keep a positive ending in sight. While there is no secret to this, there are some things that can help make life a little easier:

Stabilize. After any major financial blow, you need to stabilize what you do have and stop any additional "leaks" that will worsen your situation. Take this opportunity to dip into your emergency fund if needed (and if possible). Look at your spending habits and eliminate any unnecessary expenses as soon as possible. Work out a budget to determine how much you need to survive and do whatever you can to secure this amount - it might mean a loan, temporary extra employment, or liquidating some of your assets.
Prioritize. Now is the time to discover what really matters in your life. You will be faced with difficult decisions on how to divide your time, money, and thoughts. Determine what can be maintained and what needs to be eliminated from your life. You may need to make some sacrifices for the greater good, but it is better to know this now instead of a point when you are in serious crisis.
Strategize. Once you have organized your finances, you will have a bit more control over your situation and will feel less anxious as a result. The next step is to strategize a solution to the problem. You know where you are now, but where do you intend to be? Make a plan, dealing with as many specific numbers as possible, of how much money you need in the long run (pay off debts, save, etc). How will you achieve this? Look at alternate income sources, changing your job, extra work, etc. Think of both long-term and short-term solutions.
Optimize. Make the most out of what you got. Don't let yourself get beat down and lost in a world of negativity. Take this opportunity for growth and development as a person and as a family. Learn new things, take courses, try a new direction, etc. There are many things in life that you can do for free (or almost free), so take this time to do them! Pick up a hobby, a family activity or a new talent.

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
How To Deal with Bad Credit
Looking at your Financial Picture
5 Simple Ways to Save
Minimize Your Wardrobe, Save Your Sanity
Getting the Most out of Financial Success

Recipe: Chicken Parmigiano Casserole with Fresh Basil

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:13:00 +0000

From: LCBO

Fresh basil is an inexpensive winter luxury that adds depth of flavour and tantalizing aroma to this layered bake. Serve with a soft mound of thyme-scented polenta or earthy mushroom risotto and the freshest vegetables you can find, simply steamed.

Sauce
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 sweet red pepper, seeded and diced
1 carrot, very finely grated
28 oz (796 mL) can diced tomatoes
1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar
2 tbsp (25 mL) finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper

Casserole
8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 to 6 tbsp (60 to 90 mL) olive oil
1/4 cup (50 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 cups (500 mL) fresh Italian or French breadcrumbs
1 cup (250 mL) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup (50 mL) finely chopped fresh basil
8 oz (250 g) mild provolone cheese, sliced or grated

1. To make sauce, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté 2 or 3 minutes or until fragrant. Add red pepper, carrot and tomatoes, including juice. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Partially cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in sugar, basil and black pepper. Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.

2. Remove fillets from chicken breasts. Place each piece of chicken, including fillets, between pieces of plastic wrap or inside a heavy plastic bag. Flatten to 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick using a flat mallet or bottom of saucepan. Heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Stir flour with salt. Lightly flour 3 to 4 pieces of chicken at a time. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Chicken may not be fully cooked. Remove and repeat with remaining chicken adding more oil as needed. Spoon some of the tomato sauce into hot frying pan to deglaze. Stir back into sauce in pot.

3. Stir garlic with 2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil in a small bowl. Add bread crumbs, half of grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Toss crumbs until coated.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch (3-L) baking dish or coat with cooking spray. Spread 1 cup (250 mL) of sauce in bottom. Arrange chicken in a single layer, overlapping pieces as needed. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and provolone cheeses. Spoon another cup (250 mL) of sauce over top. Sprinkle evenly with crumbs. You may refrigerate covered casserole and remaining sauce for several hours if making ahead.

5. Bake uncovered in centre of oven for 40 to 45 minutes (10 minutes longer if casserole has been refrigerated) or until bubbly and top is golden brown. Reheat remaining sauce. Place a small amount of sauce on warmed serving place. Top with a portion of casserole. Pass remaining sauce.

Fraudulent Credit Card Use

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:46:00 +0000

As mentioned earlier this week, we had to take our Boston Terrier to the vet on Wednesday (ahem...my birthday) because his back legs weren't working. We put a $300 deposit on his overnight stay and went home for a pathetic night of sleep, and I had taken Thursday off work to wait for the call to pick him up.

Also, because the time around my birthday is always so fun for everyone, my father was in for day surgery on my birthday as well. After making an appointment to pick up the dog in the afternoon, I went out to see my father and bring him a few things as he was on doctor-sanctioned "house arrest". I grabbed my credit card, license, and left the house.

When I pulled into the grocery store parking lot, I went to grab my card and it wasn't there. I'm almost positive that is when I dropped my card, but running on little sleep...I assumed I had left it at home. I turned around, searched the house, and nothing was there. I went back to the parking lot of the grocery store, searched where I had parked, and nothing was there. I used my backup card and bought what I needed to, as well as paid the balance of my vet bill (another $300 or so).

Yesterday, again because my birthday week is always so fun, I went home because I had a ridiculous migraine (they seem to be popping up a lot more now and then). I didn't have time to look for my card, but I searched the house again today and came up with nothing. So, tonight I called customer service to "freeze" my card until I found it again. It's always good to check on things like this, so I asked the gentleman to verify my last purchase.

$279 from a local grocery store chain (not the one I had parked at, either).

Uh oh.

The CSR transferred me to security, who explained that they would freeze my card, send me a new one that would arrive in a week (the last one took about 8 weeks), and a week or so following that I would receive a letter. On the letter, I was to initial next to the charges that were (or weren't, I'm not sure) mine (the letter explains it, apparently) and I would not be held accountable for those charges.

Thank goodness my account is in good standing. Thank goodness I froze the card when I did - they used it the day I lost it, for frig's sake.

What kind of person does something like that? I would never think of using another person's credit card as free money. I seriously hope they involve some sort of authority in this investigation, especially as it was at their own affiliated grocery store! Self-Scan grocery checkouts are a dangerous thing, especially as these don't even require a signature half the time - a simple swipe in front of the PayPass is all it takes these days.

Has this ever happened to someone before? I can't even believe it, and I am incredibly relieved that they are going to take care of it - my account is in good standing, and I am grateful for that. I just hope they get the idiot who used it.

Carnival of Life Editing #4

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 12:38:00 +0000

Thank you again to everyone who submitted their articles for the LifeEdit.net Carnival of Life Editing #4! I am happy to see some "repeat submitters", but I would like to (again) clarify the rules of this carnival:

Submissions must include a category to be accepted
Submissions must be even slightly relevant to the categories and LifeEdit.net's content

Unfortunately, I had to decline about 8 submissions because they did not meet the above two criteria. There are a lot of submissions that fall into those problems, which is unfortunate as it is outlined clearly in the submission guidelines as well as the blogcarnival.com page itself.

That being said, I will be closely reviewing all submissions for the Carnival of Life Editing up until the new year. If I find that things might be better off without the carnival, we'll look to change things up in the new year.

But without further ado, on to the carnival!

Money

Ryan Russell presents Gift or Gaffe? Interesting Gift Card Facts posted at My Money Thinks
James presents Getting Out of Debt Begins with Self Change posted at Payday Loan Cheapskate.

Home

Alex M presents Build a House You Can Be Proud Of posted at Real estate: where? how much?.
Rebecca presents How to organize your kitchen (once and for all!) posted at The Experimental Kitchen.

Lifestyle

Tupelo Kenyon presents Consciously Programming Your Subconscious Mind Before Sleep posted at Tupelo Kenyon.
Cathy presents THE TRANSITION GENERATION 1946 - 1964 posted at Joy Thru Generosity.
Ted presents How to Study and Prepare for Finals posted at CampusGrotto.

Food

Chef Andrew presents Red Velvet Cake Recipe posted at The Recipe Bank.
FitBuff presents Foods High in Fiber posted at FitBuff.com's Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog.

Work

Steve Pavlina presents Career Transitions posted at Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog.

Looking to join in? The deadline to submit to the Carnival of Life Editing is Friday at 6pm EST. Add your post here!

How to Ace an Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:19:00 +0000

I love the interview process - both as a candidate and interviewer. Being in a position as a human resources professional gives me a unique understanding of the interview; while I am being interviewed, I am simultaneously assessing and analyzing the interview technique. I love the process because I get really excited about sharing my experience and learning about new opportunities and new ways to discuss my qualifications. I might be incredibly strange, but I truly love interviews.

Most people are not like me - interviews create high levels of fear, stress and apprehension. This is a shame, as it is your best opportunity to show how qualified you are for the position and really cement your place as a top-running candidate. What I hope to show you is the best way to minimize these negative feelings and get the very best out of your interview:

Dress the Part - dressing and looking the part will increase your confidence and your potential employer's confidence in your abilities. If possible, stalk the workspace prior to your interview; watch the wardrobe and presentation of employees. Now, dress slightly better than these people - and by better, I don't mean more expensive. Spend an extra 30 minutes getting ready in the morning and make sure you are clean and comfortable. It should go without saying that running shoes and a sloppy tee are no-nos.
Research the Piece - want to really wow your interviewer? Treat his or her company like it is the only one you have ever wanted to work for. Go on their website, Google their company, etc - find out where they stand in the market, in the city and in the world. Who are key players who work there? What are some really unique elements about the business? Come up with a solid 10 questions about the company to discuss with your interviewer - this always, always looks good.
Practice Makes Perfect - get a copy of the job description or application prior to your interview. Look for key actions and responsibilities, qualifications and requirements. Lining this information up against your resume, think of a way to justify your experience for each of their requirements. Now, think of ways you've gone beyond their expectations - specific events can really help, especially in the event of a behaviourally-based interview.
Show Up, Play Nice - show up early, but not too early - 10-15 minutes is fantastic. 30 minutes makes the interviewer stressed, and I have a very hard time justifying the hire of a candidate who had the gall to be late (unless absolutely necessary and under extreme circumstance). If you're too early, go grab a coffee and take a deep breath. Be nice to everyone you meet that day - on your commute, in the elevator, the receptionist, etc. You never know who might have an impact on your application.
Break a Leg! - now the interview begins; shake hands firmly, smile, make eye contact, lean forward slightly and be personable. A sense of confidence and comfort will ensure that you make an impression - as will being honest and interested. Remember - you were chosen from a large group of candidates and you are just as qualified as anyone else to make a good impression and align yourself in the #1 spot in this recruitment.

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
The Importance of Appropriate Workplace Attire
5 Tips on Quitting Your Day Job
How To Avoid 6 Common Job-Hunting Mistakes
How To Survive a New Job
How To Write a Great Resume

Off-Topic: Luxating Patella for our Boston Terrier

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:18:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I'm not one for making off-topic posts, but I thought it would be useful to pass on this information as it might be affecting my posting schedule in the future (and we can always use the extra good thoughts).

The picture at the beginning of this post is our little Boston Terrier - one of our two dogs. His name is Gordon and he has a lot of attitude. He adores playing with any of his many, many toys, loves to give kisses, and is sure that he weighs at least 100 pounds and is 5 feet tall (human or dog, we're not sure). Gordon is a lot of dog in a small package.

Over the past few days, Gordon has had some severe diarrhea, but aside from that, he's been right as rain. Last night we came home to find our house filled with stink and mess, and our Great Dane standing over Gordon, who was doing his "sexy pose" (sitting with his back legs kicked out to the side), but looking very un-sexy. We called him over to us to go outside, and the Dane wouldn't leave him...and Gordon couldn't walk over to us.

So, there I am, thinking "kidney...liver...lameness in back legs..." - we drive our shaking, frightened Gordon immediately to the emergency vet. They are a fantastic service and I do recommend them to anyone in our city. Anyway, they fit us in as a regular appointment and we meet with the vet. She does some manual tests on him, then some bloodwork and X-rays...no idea. Luckily, this has canceled out the idea of kidney or liver problems, broken tailbones, something wrong with his digestive system, etc. Nonetheless, we had to leave the little guy overnight.

We did get a call at 6am this morning to let us know that he was alert and seemingly back to his normal self, but the vet wanted to check on him a bit more. At around 10:30am, we got the call to say that they had pinpointed the problem, and it was completely unrelated to the diarrhea (phew). Gordon has a luxating patella - meaning that he has a trick knee, or that his kneecap pops out of place and is causing him some pretty severe pain. This makes sense, as he used to favour one back leg when we went to the park and he exerted himself a bit too much. I'm thinking it's probably genetic, but I am meeting with the vet later today to hear more about the severity of his case and where they think we should go from here.

What does this mean? It could mean physio. It could mean a $1000+ surgery. And, wouldn't you know...we did cancel our pet insurance this month. So, depending on how things to this afternoon, we might completely flatten our emergency fund, and it's possible that we won't be repaying our debts for a few months. We love him to bits, but this silly dog is quite the handful - first a nasty allergic reaction that had us at the vet 4 times in one day (someone didn't want to react positively to any of the medication they gave him) and now this. Oh, and did I mention the weird head-tick that he has on occasion? Bostons are susceptible to epilepsy. Super.

So, while I'm hoping for the best, I am expecting the worst. Any extra positive thoughts you've got lying around would be fantastic - if you met the little guy, you'd know why this is so stressful for us. I'll probably post again once we have a better idea of the impact this will have financially and personally.

Edited to Add: a prognosis of Grade II Luxation, so we're OK for now. $600 is a lot less than a few thousand, thank goodness...

Great Snacks for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:01:00 +0000

Sometimes, finding a healthy snack for your children (or even yourself) can be near impossible. More often than not, you are limited by time and materials - but still must manage to create a nutritious, complete snack that will satisfy and stave off hunger until the main meal.

The secret to a good snack is simple products, quick preparation and good ingredients. Below is a list of ideas that might get you started, but here are some rules of thumb when making a snack:

The snack should take no longer to eat than it does to make (the less, the better!)
The snack should use limited utensils and limited dinnerware (the less, the better!)
The snack should include basic foods (cheese, veg, bread, crackers, fruit, etc) that you have around the home on a regular basis

Now, on to those snacks!

Smoothies. Utensils (Blender, spoon, knife) - Dinnerware (glass, straw). Smoothies are a great way to get an energy boost and include a little more fruit in your day. Using a base of yogurt or milk, add some ice cubes and fruit (frozen preferred), plus a touch of honey or maple syrup if needed. Blend it up and serve!
Veg and Dip. Utensils (spoon, knife, peeler) - Dinnerware (bowl, plate). As versatile in its ingredients as a smoothie, veg and dip can give you an opportunity to present new veggies into your diet. Make a quick dip with some yogurt or sour cream and dried herbs, or take a shortcut with some dressing.
"Mini Pizzas". Utensils (oven/broiler/microwave, spoon, grater, tray) - Dinnerware (plate). Mini pizzas can be made with a variety of ingredients - crackers, bread pieces or pita for a base, tomato or pizza sauce for the sauce, some veg if you'd like it, some cold cuts if you'd like it, and a quick smattering of cheese. Cook lightly until the cheese has melted and serve!
Frozen Fruit Skewer - Utensils (freezer, tray, knife, skewer). This does take a little extra planning, but the payoff can be big! Cut chunks of your favourite fruit (grapes, bananas, strawberries and peaches work really well), skewer, and place flat on a tray to freeze. Once they have frozen, put them in a bag in the freezer for a quick snack on the run!
A Bowl of Cereal - Dinnerware (bowl, spoon). Take a trip back to the beginning of the day and serve up a bowl of cereal, adding some extra treats (raisins, banana slices, berries) to help transform it from a quick fix to a complete snack.

Previous Posts You Might Enjoy:
Frugal ≠ Cheap - Buying Better Food
Healthy Eating for Kids
15 Minute Meals: Fast, Frugal and Filling Food Ideas
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How to Motivate Change in Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:18:00 +0000

We all have things we hope to achieve - a better salary, a smaller waistline, a healthier marriage. Each of us set out in life hoping for the best and doing what we feel is required of us in order to achieve these things; far too often, we reach a breaking point where our goals and desires stretch just beyond our reach and we begin to lose our motivation to keep going.

For most, life is about hard work and taking personal responsibility for your actions and desires. Although some of us can continue down our life path with a strong dedication to our purpose and goals, most of us need a little extra motivation to add positive change to our life. Even for those of us who are driven and dedicated in our daily lives, a little added motivation never hurt - in fact, it can help push you to new levels of greatness.

The question remains - how do you motivate yourself to become motivated?

Fluff Your Feathers - A little boasting can go a long way when it comes to motivating change in your life. Share your accomplishments with someone who will be supportive and positive about your goals. Not only will you be able to verbalize your progress, but you now have a point of accountability with another person - you can now share your future progress with him or her, as well as any setbacks you may encounter.
Hide Your Head in the Sand - Sometimes, the best way to motivate is to become completely unmotivated for one day. A lot of us put extreme amounts of pressure on ourselves in order to achieve the very best, and this can lead to a lot of disappointment and a lot of stress. Spend a day relaxing, without any pressure to perform and achieve. You just might find some renewed energy for the next day!
Head to the Watering Hole - Go visit some friends and bounce your ideas off of them. As the old saying goes, "two heads are better than one" - having some additional insight and a fresh perspective might bring some added motivation to your life. If you've been spinning your wheels on a particular issue, your friends may have a new way of looking at things.
Roar! - Sometimes, you just need to let it all out. Take this opportunity to express yourself in any way possible - go for a run, dance furiously, bake tonnes and tonnes of cookies (and ship them to me), practice a little primal scream. Whatever you do, get as much blood flowing as possible - this added burst of energy will help jump-start your body and mind.
Track Your Prey - keep your goals (the prey) in your vision as you begin to approach them. Analyze them, watch how they unfold; in viewing your goal as an active entity, you will be more likely to keep it at the forefront of your mind and think of ways to approach it quickly and effectively. Practice mindfulness of your goals for a few minutes each day, or keep a journal log to track your progress.

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Decorate Your Bedroom on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:09:00 +0000

When it comes to decorating the home, many of us focus on the public rooms and leave our bedrooms until the very end - resulting in little to no budget for our personal space. A well-maintained and beautifully decorated bedroom can help relieve stress, strengthen intimate relationships and allow us to take some time for ourselves. Luckily for those of us who did not (or cannot) budget for an expensive bedroom, it is easy to achieve a luxurious, relaxing space with very little money.

Create a Neutral Oasis - the key to a relaxing bedroom is a relaxing color palette. Using soft shades of your favorite color on your walls, bedding, drapery and accessories, create a harmonious color scheme that fits your personal taste. I love to see a lot of white and "whitened" colors (blues, grays and browns in particular) used together to create a neutral space.
Indulge Your Senses - pick linens that appeal to your sense of touch (spend a little extra on Egyptian cotton or a nice, cost-efficient flannel) and add a throw, rug, or accent pillow that has an interesting texture (chenille, velvet, angora or satin). Keep your lighting soft and indirect - whether this means adding a more opaque treatment to your light source or switching your bulbs, a softer light is perfect for a relaxing space. Continue to indulge your sense of sight by giving it a break at night - choose opaque, solid window coverings that allow you to get a dark and uninterrupted night of sleep.
Remove the Excess - Eliminate anything non-bedroom related from your bedroom - this includes piles of laundry, your home office desk and even your television. Turn your bedroom into a safe-haven for your body and mind, free from distraction and unnecessary activity. replace your desk with a soft side chair for reading and throw all of your toys in a bin to be stored in the closet.
Add Some Exotic Touches - A beautiful and cost-efficient tropical plant can turn sad space into a renewed room, as can an intriguingly scented (but mellow) air freshener or room spray. Incorporate some elements from a favorite trip in order to transform your bedroom into a beautiful and exotic space - frame postcards, display a local art print or use a unique tapestry as a wall hanging.
Treat Yourself - Your bedroom can become the most important room in your house if you associate it with positive things. Keep a tray of your favorite candies on the nightstand, or display a basket of opulent bath goodies that can easily be transported into the bathroom and used exclusively by you. Create a personal, quiet and positive space where you can just relax and be yourself - this is the ultimate treat and costs little to no money at all.

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Decorate Your Dining Room on a Budget
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5 Simple Ways to Save

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:21:00 +0000

It's easy to think in terms of maxing out your retirement savings or putting thousands into your emergency fund - not only is it easy, thinking this way can be very financially productive. In looking at the "bigger picture", you're able to think about your actions and your spending habits from a grander scale - i.e. spending less money now to save for the future.

If you want to be as frugal and as financially "under control" as possible, you also need to start looking into the details, way beyond the "bigger picture". Take those patterns and behaviours you have identified on the larger scale and adapt them to your daily life; with a few small adjustments, you might find yourself saving more money and spending less money with little to no effort.

A few ways I currently save and hope to save in the future are as follows:

Pay into your retirement ASAP - field "experts" say that you should max out your retirement savings before paying down your debt/mortgage and your children's savings funds. I personally put a very small amount into my RRSP from my account immediately after I am paid - but this works equally well if you can have the deduction taken from your paycheque or some similar method of immediate payment.
Pay into your future ASAP - in addition to my retirement savings, I also pay a portion of money into my personal savings account. This personal money (not held in my joint savings account) is for my future; although I don't foresee future problems with the Boyfriend, anything is possible - and keeping a small nest egg aside for myself is smart and secure.
Keep the Change - we never use cash anymore, but if and when we do, we keep all of our change in a large container in the house. You won't miss it, trust me. When the container is full, we'll have a nice chunk of money that we didn't put any effort into saving!
Round it Up - when I budget, I use nice round numbers. If we happen to go under budget, the difference will go into our savings account, as I have essentially already spent that money by our standards. This applies for our telephone service, our groceries, etc - if a bill comes in at $113.29 and we budgeted $130, that remaining $16.71 goes away for a rainy day.
Live Frugally - this one essentially goes without saying; if you want to save money, you need to make more and spend less. If you continue to make the same amount as you currently do, the only way to save more is to spend less. Buy generic-brand things. Spend less time going to movies/dinner/etc. and more time entertaining in the home. This method might not seem painless and simple at first, but as your savings increase, living frugally will become easier and easier.

How do you save your money without feeling the pinch?

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Recipe: Quick Lasagna

noreply@blogger.com (Kalyn Cybulski) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 12:30:00 +0000

Quick Lasagna
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (8 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
9 lasagna noodles

Brown beef in skillet with onion and garlic.
Drain fat and add spaghetti sauce.
Combine ricotta/cottage cheese, eggs and milk in a bowl, season with salt and pepper.
Layer a 9x13" pan with just enough sauce to cover the bottom and lay three lasagna noodles in the pan.
Cover with sauce, then ricotta/cottage cheese mixture, then shredded mozzarella.
Repeat until left with a layer of noodles at the top. Cover with sauce, shredded mozzarella and a final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Farenheit for 30 minutes covered, and 15 additional minutes uncovered.

Best served with a delicious side salad, soup and crusty bread!