Woman Meets World

"Stand Up To Cancer" (SU2C)

2010-09-11T02:06:00.001-04:00

Chances are you know someone who has cancer or know of someone with the disease. Cancer is a class of diseases where cells multiply without control and destroy healthy tissues. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. (American Cancer Society)

There is no cure for cancer today and it is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It strikes people of all ages, and occurs in both male and female. This disease can start anywhere in the body and spread. The most common parts where cancer occurs are the skin, the digestive organs, the lungs, the cervix (neck of the womb) and the female breasts. Things that incite cancer are the tar in tobacco, and some of the other chemicals in cigarettes, certain kinds of radiation, alcohol, family history and poor diet. Today about half the cancer patients survive at least five years after treatment.

Stand Up To Caner is a charitable program that aims to raise funds for cancer research and to raise awareness and bring about an understanding that everyone is connected by cancer. The organization seeks your donation to help bring teams of scientist together, to accelerate cancer research, to fund innovative science and to get treatments to patients faster. I urge everyone to donate, as your contribution can help to save a life. To make a donation, visit https://www.standup2cancer.org/Default.aspx

Many people with cancer find that learning more about it is a good way to understand and feel more in control of the situation. Knowing more about the disease also allows people to feel knowledgeable enough to ask relevant questions and take charge of their medical options. For further information, visit The American Cancer Society and The National Cancer Institute.

Why Should I Return To School?

2010-09-09T19:40:00.002-04:00

Have you thought long and hard about returning to school? Whether it is to get a GED, a bachelor’s degree, a masters or to improve on your skill set, there is no better time than now. I know taking the first step can be complicated, but not taking that step can haunt you for the rest of your life.

Many have struggled with the decision to return to the classroom. Family, work, social obligations and finances make the decision even harder. But think about what can happen if you do not. How many opportunities do you think would pass you by? Before having any further delays, consider the following reason for going back to school.

To Improve Marketability - Now is a very competitive time for job hunters. Having a bachelor's degree gives you an edge over someone who has not completed college. It may also be a deciding factor between you and another candidate up for a promotion.

To Increase Earning Potential - According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college graduates earn on average 50% more during their lifetimes than those with only a high school diploma.

Average Annual Earnings for College Graduates and Non-Graduates

Professional Degree		$109,600
Doctoral Degree		$89,400
Master's Degree		$62,300
Bachelor's Degree		$52,200
Associate's Degree		$38,200
Some College		$36,800
High School Graduate		$30,400
Some High School		$23,400

To Be A Role Model - Think about what you would like your children to do? Most parents want their children to go to college and have great careers. One of the best ways to ensure that, is by setting an example that you would like them to follow.
To Make A Career Change - If you no longer find your job fulfilling and you are tired of doing the same thing over and over, maybe it's time to consider a change of career. It will provide you with a little flexibility and allow you to work in multiple industries.
To Achieve Personal Goals - For some people, going beyond a certain level of education will not directly affect their lives. They may have their own businesses, family inheritance or enough money to maintain their lifestyle. However, it gives them great pleasure to talk about their personal accomplishment and to say they did it. They just want to stand on that stage and do the victory dance. "I did it for me."

Education does not discriminate, it is for everyone. As the old saying goes, "You're never too old to learn." There are so many reasons that one should consider going back to school. Whatever your reason is just remember, "It is better to have something and not use it, than to want it and not have it." Make the time and return to school.

Why Do Men Avoid Relationship Talks?

2010-09-08T16:08:00.009-04:00

Men are confused. They want to be in a relationship but do not want to talk about the relationship itself. They want to do whatever they are comfortable with, even if it makes the other person uncomfortable. They understand very little about compromise. A man will spend twelve hours of his day looking at his car, playing video games or watching football, but cannot spare twelve minutes to talk to his woman about their relationship. With such an attitude some men don't deserve to have women.

How can our relationship move forward if we do not plan a future together. Should I leave it to chance? No way!! Men are so afraid of commitment that they believe all discussions are about that. Sometimes we just want to talk about the little things that make us happy.

Basically, we've all been there. So how can two adults have a civilized conversation about their relationship without one party frowning? Some men have dreams - some maybe realistic, some not so realistic. They do not commit until they fulfill their dreams. One man's dream maybe to own a luxury car or a fancy house before getting married. Another man's dream maybe to sleep with 25 girls before tying the knot. Whatever the dream is, most men are not willing to make sacrifices. That is okay to a point. But at what age or stage of a man's life does he decide to give himself to the woman who has been there for him, the woman who takes all his crap.

How about the man who spends six years in one relationship, but ends up marrying someone he dates for only one year? It could have been bad timing for the first woman because the man was not ready to plan a future. In other words, a woman's future is determined by a man's timing.

Ladies, my advice to you - after giving your time and energy to a relationship that is going nowhere, pack your bags and move on. It is not worth it. You become miserable and unsure of yourself. You may begin to wonder if something is wrong with you. No, nothing is wrong with you, it's the man. At some point the man ought to realize he has a good thing going and it is time to have the talk.

If you are in a long-term relationship, you must talk about children, marriage, acquiring a home, finances, vacation and about making it work.

Men, if a woman wants to talk, it does not mean she is asking for a commitment now. She simply wants to know where she stands in the relationship and what she means to you. It does not hurt to acknowledge her and her concerns. Furthermore, if she does mean something to you and you are sure about the relationship, then why are you afraid to talk. It is just a talk, not a ceremony. Stop running from the future, you may just lose it.

What Is The Worst Way To Get Dumped?

2010-09-07T20:43:00.004-04:00

Were you ever dumped on a Post-it like Carrie Bradshaw was? Remember that episode of "Sex and the City" where Berger left a post-it on Carrie's door telling her it's over? I am sure you thought that was bad, and so did I, until I heard horror stories of how men ended their relationships with women.

If a man or a woman wants to end a relationship, does it make a difference how it is done? The truth is, it is over! A man usually seeks the easiest way out, and quite frankly, so would I. If technology is now accepted by everyone, why are you angry if you are dumped via a text or facebook? These are our modern tools so we use them.

So, what's the worst break-up you have ever experienced? The scenarios below are real, but the names have been changed to protect friends and family members.

"Joy, a co-worker of mine, met her boyfriend at a night club. They dated for about a month before he stopped calling her. Being very concerned (I would say naive), she kept calling and leaving messages because there was no sign that a break-up was in the making. Two weeks after not receiving any phone calls, she logged into her facebook account to see a message on her wall - 'The meat wasn't sweet, stop calling me.' She was crushed, not only because he dumped her, but also because her mom was one of her friends on facebook." What's the lesson...? Don't friend your parents on facebook.
I found this one on Ivillage -"My ex broke up with me via e-mail. We were both working at the same place and he "accidentally" sent it to the entire office. He even listed the reasons for breaking up and one of them was my "lack of sexual desire." What's the lesson...? Your co-workers suck!!!
"Mary is a 28 year old professional dancer who spends very little time with her boyfriend because of her job. They constantly text and talk on the phone. One day she received a text from him saying 'last night was great, how about tonight?' Mary replied to her boyfriend saying 'I bet it was, sorry it wasn't with me.' She never heard from him again. He did not call to apologize or officially end the relationship." What's the lesson...? Dancing is too time consuming.
"When my high school boyfriend and I went to college, he decided to attend a different school. As our first semester progressed, my November birthday came. I had not heard from him in a few days, so I called, thinking he would want to wish me happy birthday. Instead, my best friend from high school answered (they went to the same college) and said 'I guess you should know we’ve been hooking up for months. Oh and happy birthday.'" - Glamour Magazine. What's the lesson...? Wait for the birthday call.

Woman Meets World wants to hear your story. Please post a comment about your break-up stories or that of someone you know.

For further break-up blues, you can check out Glamour Magazine at Glamour.com

8 Ways To Make Your Relationship Work

2010-09-06T03:24:00.006-04:00

In today's world it is extremely difficult to make a relationship work. Whether you are married or just dating it requires hard work and dedication. Initially everything seems smooth and men and women take each other for granted and somehow forget to make a special effort to keep things in one piece. If you are interested in a long lasting, committed relationship, here are a few tips for you and your partner.

Quality Time - spend time together doing things that you will both enjoy. Use the time to learn about each other and have some fun without families or friends.
Communication - you should be able to share everything with your partner. Tell him/her whenever you are happy or sad. Listen to your partner and avoid the blame-game. Have deep and meaningful conversations and discuss everything that goes on in your lives.
Trust and Honesty - be open and honest with your partner at the beginning of the relationship in order to avoid mistrust. Keeping secrets help to create barriers and cause jealousy. Share feelings with each to make your relationship thrive.
Be Romantic and Show Affection - a relationship is never too old for a candlelight dinner or a romantic shower together. Do not be afraid to cuddle and watch a movie, kiss, hug and be silly together.
Do Not Compare - no two relationships are identical. Do not compare your relationship with another that may seem perfect, as that is not necessarily the case. All relationships have flaws, yours may just be different.
Compromise - there must be compromise for a relationship to work. Each person must be willing to give and take, to an extent.
Work On It - work hard at making your relationship the best that it can be. Do not wait for things to go bad to fix it. Sort out your sex life if that is where the problem is. Talk about what's bothering you and mend it together. Take little steps each day to make lasting improvements.
Counseling - if both partners have tried all that they can and are truly interested in making the relationship work, consider counseling as an option. Seek professional advice as the help you receive can turn your relationship around.

No relationship is perfect. Time and effort are two ingredients of a successful relationship. Use the time to be positive and make an effort to show appreciation for each other. You never know when you will run out of time.

Be Content With What You Have

2010-09-04T15:09:00.009-04:00

It seems as though human beings are always searching for more, regardless of how much we have. We work so hard trying to accumulate things to be happy, only to realize that after acquiring one thing we are still not satisfied, so we keep going for more. But where does it stop? At what point do we become contented with what we have?

We live in a society where new products are being introduced everyday and we feel as though we must get them because our friends are getting them, or it is the latest fashion, or it is what the movie stars have. What about those who are rich and can afford whatever they want? They have nice cars, big houses, and play expensive games. Why can't those people find contentment? Then there are those with very little money, but have a happy family, a good job, friends and families that support them, but are still not pleased about something.

It is time to stop thinking about what we do not have or what others have and start appreciating what is around us. Take a close look and discover just how lucky you are.

Be thankful for your health - what is more important than good health? Be thankful that you can wake up every morning and go about a normal day.
The basics - if you have food, clothes, shelter, friends, family and maybe a job, you have quite a bit to be content with. Think about the homeless or people who are living in shelters. They would do anything to trade places with you.
Live a simple life - aim to acquire only the things you need first. Get rid of the clutter and excess. These things will literally weigh you down. Think of all the things you have and assess which ones you really use.
Never compare yourself to others - there is always someone who has more than you do, so if you continue to compare yourself, you may wind up in a depression camp.
Appreciate the 'little' you have - when we focus on the big things we tend to forget the little things that make us happy. Stop for a while and look at the things around you. Be grateful for them and make the most of them.

There are people out there that would probably kill for what you have. Because there is always someone who has it better, chances are there is always someone who has it worse. So just enjoy life, let things go, and do whatever makes you happy.

You Can Get Past Your Past

2010-09-03T15:12:00.008-04:00

Just about everyone has experienced some loss or trauma, or have some painful memories of something that happened in the past. Some people spend too much time dwelling on what happened and deny themselves the happiness and personal development they deserve.

According to a report by Ezine @rticles "The past has the ability to destroy your potential to live a meaningful life if you don't manage it correctly... Very often running away from the past or denying it makes you feel good at the moment. The truth is that in forgetting your past you are disabling yourself from building the best future. The Past is the richest soil to grow your future. Only those who manage it wisely gain the insights to find true peace and wholeness in their lives." With that being said, here are some effective to help you get past your past.

Letting go of the past does not mean you will forget it. It is impossible to forget. Take the time to weep and mourn if you have to, but then don't get stuck doing that forever.
You must accept that you cannot undo what has already been done. “Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies.” (Ann Landers)
It is time to move on. Take up new challenges and do new things. Meet new people and do things that will keep your mind off the past event or situation.
Avoid a similar situation, if possible, by taking time to think before you act. Use a clear head and think reasonably to avoid experiencing the same thing twice.
Talk to someone. It helps to clear the mind and lighten the burden. You may feel trapped in depression if you do not talk about it. If talking to a friend or relative does not work, talk to a stranger or a therapist.
It takes time, so do not expect things will be ok overnight. You will achieve the best results by allowing yourself time.

Don’t let the past steal your present. Whether you are dealing with a failed relationship, death of a loved one, a bad business deal, a bad education decision, alcoholism or physical abuse, whatever the case may be, you can get past your past and walk away from painful memories.

Should I Do Good Or Right ?

2010-09-02T14:29:00.019-04:00

Making decisions and choices are a part of our everyday life. Some decisions are small, while others are huge and require more time. There are two ways that we generally think about our actions. Am I doing what is good or am I doing what is right? How should I decide which to do? Whenever I think of doing the right thing I usually think of the law, as oppose to thinking about doing good, where I think about what is in my heart.

Good means that which is pleasing or valuable and morally admirable. While Right means doing that which is appropriate or correct for a certain condition. There are many situations in our lives where we are caught between making a good decision and making the right decision. Consider the scenarios below, what would you do?

A priest is offered $1million to help fund his "Food For The Poor" program. The money comes from a known drug dealer, who attended the church as a child and became very close to the priest. This money would be very useful and could feed many families. As a man of the cloth, should the priest do good and feed the poor or should he do right and refuse the money?
A fifteen-year-old high school student becomes pregnant. She is not ready for a family and is financially unstable. What is the good or right decision for her? To some it may appear as the good thing to do is to forget about a child and focus on her education. For others it maybe to have the child and give him/her up for adoption. It may also be the right decision to have the child and prepare to struggle everyday with no help from friends or family. I know that at fifteen I would have no idea what to do with a child, furthermore, I would not know how to tell my family. So at that time my decision would probably be…
You caught your best friend stealing from a store. He claims the item he stole is a gift to you and you found out it is something you’ve always wanted but could not afford. What would you do? Do you want to maintain your friendship and accept the gift or should you encourage him to return it and face the possibility of being locked up?
You are the passenger in a car driven by a close family member. The car is stopped and searched by police, who found marijuana in the trunk. Your family member asks you to take the blame because you have no children, no job and no present commitment. Also, this family member is on probation and could be put away for a long time. This is a hard decision.

At the end of the day, who determines what is good or what is right? We do not live in an absolute world, so all cases cannot be treated the same way. Before you make a decision, if time permits, evaluate the situation and weigh the possible outcomes. Think about what can happen if you do the right thing or do the good thing. Is it worth the risk involved and will you be able to live with your decision.

Be Aware of Job Scams!!!

2010-09-01T02:10:00.010-04:00

The entire world is experiencing a high unemployment rate. Many job seekers are using various methods to submit resumes and job applications. But please be aware!! If a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

With the current economic situation, many job seekers are becoming despair and are willing to do just about anything to find a job. In your search, it is important to take extreme caution, especially with online searches. While there are legitimate companies looking to hire, there are the few who are looking to rip you off, and you will not always be able to tell the good from the bad.

Here are a few measures that you can take to protect yourself before submitting to a job.

Never Pay For A Job – First of all you have no money because you are unemployed. Furthermore, no genuine company is going to ask you for money. If you are asked to make any sort of payment, just forget about it.
Avoid “Email Only” Correspondences - Some scammers try to lure you in by sending you information via emails only. You may be asked to complete a screening process or a verification process without even speaking to someone from the ‘hiring company.’ This is not a normal situation. Prospective employers like to speak with the person they intend to employ. Check out the company thoroughly before submitting any information.
Protect Financial Information – Be alarmed if a company wants your social security number or bank account information before meeting with you in person. Never give out these information or authorize a credit check unless you are confident that you are dealing with a legitimate entity.
Get Rich Quick Scams – Any company that promises to make you rich quick is making empty promises. Some stay-at-home jobs and offshore banking jobs are only set up to eat away your savings.
Job Offers Without Application – You suddenly receive an email offering you a job. Ignore these job offers if you did not submit a resume or an application or do not know the person it is coming from.
Too Little Information From Hiring Company – While it is not uncommon for companies to keep their names hidden, it is uncommon for them to name the company and then list an email domain such as hotmail.com, yahoo.com or something totally different from the name itself.

Scammers are working hard to get your money. Sometimes it is not about being smart, but you may find yourself in a desperate situation. It can happen to anyone. Always do a thorough research to protect yourself.

For more information you may visit
Federal Trade Commission
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Where Did Good Customer Service Go?

2010-08-31T03:43:00.005-04:00

Watch and assess the video

After having worked over eight years in a customer service industry, I come to the conclusion that some people are not enjoying their jobs and some people are just rude. I know it is not always as simple and as easy as it seems, but try to do your job with a positive attitude. If you follow the golden rule you will not go wrong - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Regardless of your job industry you will have to interact with others. Therefore, keep in mind:

A smile goes a far way.
Maintain a calm and polite composure even if the customer does not.
Listen carefully and give the customer your full attention. Turn off the cell phones and your music devices.

Good customer service cannot be replaced with promotional deals and discounts. Try to keep your customers happy and you will certainly be rewarded for it.

Think of the following scenarios, what would your responses be?

Customer: "Excuse me. Do you work here?"
Employee: "Oh... Sorry. I just dress up like this five days a week because I like messing with people's minds..."

Customer: "Excuse me. Is there a manager in this store?"
Employee: "Nope. Sorry, we only have someone with a "Manager" name tag on to throw people off."

Customer: "Do you have a shopping cart?"
Employee: "I think so. Let me look in my pocket. Oh! We moved em' out to the parking lot!"

Customer: "Can you give me a discount on this?"
Employee: "Yea, that's why we have those little stickers with prices on em' on everything."

Customer: "My computer isn't working. Do you know why?"
Employee: "Oh, sorry. I don't have ESP. Let me transfer you to our ESP Technician department."

Don't Forget Your Mistakes

2010-08-29T22:12:00.003-04:00

In order to enjoy a full and complete life, we need to let go of our past mistakes and prepare for a positive and rewarding future. However, never forget what you did. Learn from them and move on with confidence, knowing that you will not do the same thing twice.

Women sometimes try so hard to forget some of the mistakes they have made in their lives. But sometimes these mistakes are some of the best memories you can have.

If you think back on some of the things you did as children and adults, you can come up with at least three things that you now regret doing. Well, instead of trying hard to forget these blunders, work on forgiving yourself and moving on.

Look at your mistakes as an opportunity to gain wisdom and knowledge. By so doing, you will become a more positive person who will not judge someone else who made a similar error.

Forgetting your little slip-ups will put you in a position to do the same things again. Have you ever gone to the airport without your passport or ID, while trying to get on a flight? Well, chances are, if you did you were not allowed to board the flight. Because you refuse to experience this horrific and expensive day a second time you will make sure to double check for your passport the next time you are try to catch a flight.

You probably made a mistake because you had no better option. In this case there was nothing else that you could have done. Accept it and speak about it as little as possible.

The truth is, no one is perfect. Do not dwell on the mistakes you have made. Instead, laugh, live and move on. Every new day is another chance to change your life.

My Big Brother

2010-08-27T17:38:00.015-04:00

I had quite a pleasant treat at the hairdresser today. I was impressed with what appeared to be an act of brotherly love. Some mothers have no alternative but to take their children with them to the beauty salon. Well, while I was there, this is what I saw, so picture it.

A mother and her two children walked in. The son appeared to be 14 years old and the little girl looked like 6 years old. The mother sat in the shampoo chair and started getting a wash. The son seemed a bit bored, so he walked over to his mother and said in a very calm tone, “I’m going for a walk, I’ll be back in 20 minutes.” Being a trusting mother she said okay. Remember he is about 14 years old. Next, he walked over to his little 6-year-old sister and to my surprise he gave her a hi-5, gently rubbed her cheek and said, “I am going for a walk, do you want to come with me.” She got so excited, jumped off the seat and held his hand.

I was so moved by this. What young man at 14 wants to take his little sister for a walk, when he could be with his friends at the mall or somewhere playing video games?

I started thinking, was this young man emulating his father or was he trained by his mother to be this way? Whatever the case maybe, it was quite obvious that he had a special love in his heart for his little sister. (I am sure he will make a wonderful husband one day.)

It is not always easy to steer children in the directions we want them to go, especially boys, but as women, we must make every effort to turn our sons into gentlemen, for them to treat other women (and people in general) the way we want them to treat us. As we often hear, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Maintain Your Friendships

2010-08-25T18:42:00.043-04:00

It was Douglas Pagels who said, “A Friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.”

While most of us were growing up we spent a lot of time with our friends, playing, chatting and just having a good time. Now that we are older and have more responsibilities, it becomes difficult to maintain our friendships.

Interesting enough, I read an article by Anita Leverington, encouraging women to stick together as friends. Some people are so caught up with their families and their work that they think it is almost impossible to squeeze a friend into the picture. But why would you want to give up on a relationship that you have invested so much time into? Think about some of your closest friends. Are they your childhood friends or your adulthood friends. For many of us, we still hold on to or childhood friends.

Stay Connect - A friendship is a two-way relationship, so keep in touch, especially if you seldom see the person. With all the available channels, such as telephones, emails, facebook, skype and the good old letter writing, you have no excuse.
Appreciate Your Friends - Remember special occasions, birthdays and anniversaries. It does not mean you have to purchase a gift, but give a quick call or send an e-card.
Support Their Events - Some friends like hosting dinners, birthday parties and barbecues. Be supportive and attend whenever possible.
Listen - People are not always looking for answers or opinions, they just want to talk. Be a good listener to your friends. Do not overshadow his/her problems with yours.
Be An Inspiration - Encourage your friends to make the right decisions, point out the bad tactfully and be there to celebrate in their successes.
Hang Out - Spend time alone with your friends, without your spouses, in order to nurture the relationship, catch up on what you have been missing, and just have fun.

Like a marriage, no relationship is perfect. At times you will argue with your friends, and disagree on many issues. But at the end of the day it is important to have a shoulder to lean on.

Is He The One?

2010-08-24T20:26:00.011-04:00

Many of us make terrible choices about the men in our lives and end up committing to relationships that make us unhappy. Whether you are married or in a relationship, you need to know if your significant other is the right one for you. Don't get me wrong. There is no perfect match out there, but there is someone who comes close to being Mr. Right.

He Makes You Feel Special - It is quite common to feel special at the start of the relationship. But what about 6 months later or even 5 years later? Does he still buy you flowers or chocolate, does he still look at you with glow in his eyes, does he still call you from work, does he still touch you tenderly?

He Is Not Controlling - He will not try to take charge of everything and does not allow you to help. Even is he has more money, education or status, he will treat you as equal.

Share Common Values - It is highly unlikely that you will get very far with someone who has different values. You must be socially, financially, spiritually and economically growing together.

You Become a Part of His Life - You become a part of your man's life when you meet his parents, his friends, his children, his co-workers, and get to see what he is like around other people.

He Shares Information - If he forgets to tell you about his office party, his plans to hang out with his friends or that he is working late, maybe he will forget that you are the woman in his life.

He Talks About The Future - In your search for a man, remember that the future plays an important role. If he does not talk about going on vacations together, having children, getting married, or waking up with you the next day, then he is definitely not the one.

He Talks About You - If you are in a relationship and you are happy, then you want to share it with the world. If he does not mention your name in his conversations or no one knows he is in a relationship, then he is not the one. If his facebook status says single or not shown, then he is hiding something.

He Tells You He Loves You - It is very difficult for some men to say "I love you." Do not ask him to say it. If he loves you, he will tell you naturally.

There is no 'one-size-fits-all.' These are just few points from a whole list of factors to consider when trying to find out if he is the one. How did you determine he is the right one for you?

10 Money Saving Tips for Women

2010-08-23T18:38:00.008-04:00

Store Brand

With the current economic crisis in the United States, many people are forced to change their spending habits and cut back on buying the things that are not counted as necessities.

Name Brand

It would appear as though some women spend more than what they earn, because they have credit cards to back them up. Women who continue to do so may put their family at risk and may end up losing all that they have worked for. To avoid this, I have put together a few money saving ideas that we can practice. All the ideas suggested may not apply to one person, but feel free to try as many as possible.

Use Coupons - This is one of my favorite, so I recommend it first. Some women are embarrassed to go to the store and take out their coupon books. There is no need for that. There are many websites such as smartsource.com and slickdeals.net that offer free coupons that can be used in many stores across the country. In addition, the Sunday papers have many grocery coupons that are widely accepted. Saving a dollar here or a dollar there goes a far way.
Disconnect the Home Phone - When was the last time you used your home phone? With the increase in the use of cellular telephones, many have forgotten about their plain old home phone. If you no longer use or need your home phone you can disconnect the service and save a few bucks.
Use Free Checking - If you are currently paying a bank to keep your money, you should find an alternate means of saving. Open free checking accounts and save the monthly bank fees. There are still a few banks and credit unions that offer free checking.
Use Fluorescent Bulbs - Yes, this sounds like and old cliche, but it does work. Replace all your incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. This may seem expensive at first, but actually saves you money in the long run. Fluorescent bulbs are brighter and more energy efficient.
Buy Generic or Store Brand Products - Why pay more for one brand if the difference is insignificant. A brand name is not always better than the generic or store brand. Before making your next purchase, check to see if there is a store or generic brand. If there is, make a comparison of ingredients and where the product was manufactured.
Re-use Foils and Storage Bags - Do not throw away your aluminum foil or storage bags after only one use. Depending on what they were previously used for, it is likely that they can be used again for the same or similar purpose.
Dine-In - You will find it less expensive to eat at home than to go out to a restaurant, especially for a family larger that two (2). Save the restaurant trip for special occasions.
Borrow from the Library - For those ladies who love to read and watch movies, do not purchase or rent them. The library has many books and movies that you can borrow. Some of the movies may not be new releases, but hey, it saves you some money. This option is available to the entire family.
Buy Less Shoes and Clothes - You can scream at me all you want, but everyone knows this is a big money saving move. How many pairs of shoes can you wear at any given time? Spend less time at the store and more time at home.
Make a Budget and Stick to it - Making a budget is the key to efficient spending and saving. It teaches you how to manage your money and prevent spending your way into serious financial problems.

The next time you go to the store, Do Not fall into the trap of saying "It's just a dollar." Do Not make a purchase becuase it's just $1. Remember, all these dollars add up.

Please share your money saving tips with Woman Meets World. Everyone enjoys saving a buck or 2.

She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

2010-08-21T04:07:00.009-04:00

What do you think about this, ladies (and gentlemen)? Samantha and Mark have been in a relationship for two (2) years. Now oddly enough, Mark decides he wants to get married, but Samantha is not ready .

The situation is a bit weird, because Samantha claims to love Mark, but always prefers to stay at home for dinner and a movie instead of going out in public or with friends.

Here is the deal. Mark works as a mail clerk for a company and Samantha is an accountant, looking to start her own business. They met at a park several years ago but did not start dating then. He feels insecure and believes she does not want to get married because she makes more money than he does and he has not returned to school after getting an Associates Degree.

The truth of the matter is, Samantha has a busy schedule and cannot commit to a marriage right now as she is working on having her own accounting business. Mark does not buy this argument as to him, “If it is important, you will make the time.”

These are some of Mark’s issues:

He never speaks with her during the day unless he calls
He has not met any of her friends after 2 years, only a cousin
She does not want to move in with him
They have not been on vacation together
She shows no interest in meeting his family

In Samantha’s defense, she lives two hours away from Mark and only gets to see him some weekends, which is when she works on her business plan. Also, she figures at 28 years old, she has a little time on hand and does not have to rush into anything.

Mark, if you are reading this blog, here is my advice to you:
Find yourself a girlfriend… Samantha is ‘busy’. Busy meaning, not into you!!!

But before you do so, take the love quiz to help you decide.

So, should Mark stay in this relationship or should he leave? She says she loves him but he thinks she loves him not.

Breastfeeding in Public

2010-08-19T04:06:00.011-04:00

Whether you are a mom, a grandmother, an aunt, or just a woman, you will agree that breastfeeding is a natural act. Today I want to share with you something that is a little disturbing to me.

Yesterday it was reported on Fox 5 News that a woman was asked to leave a restaurant because she was breastfeeding her baby and other patrons were not comfortable with it. To be quite frank I thought this kind of thinking was outdated, but apparently the controversial debate continues.

Some people will argue that breastfeeding in public is indecent and wrong. But why do they think that? It is because society has turned our breasts into sex objects. But the reality is, mother nature intended for us to use them and feed our babies.

Parents, please know your rights. Breastfeeding is a mother's legal right in America. Hungry, crying babies should not have to wait until they get home to be fed. They can be fed in the park, at the pool or even in a restaurant (like everyone else).

While I believe that mothers should use discretion when breastfeeding in public, I don't think that they should be thrown out of a restaurant or be punished for it. Furthermore, I don't believe the majority of women just whip out their breasts in public and feed their infants, without making sure that most of the breast is covered.

It is sad to know that society is more accepting of a naked woman on the cover of a magazine than of a mother breastfeeding her baby.

So mothers, the next time you decide to breastfeed in public, be discreet, but remember, you are protected by law.

Know Your Neighbors

2010-08-18T03:14:00.022-04:00

“No man is an island, no man stands alone.” Now, please raise your hand if you’ve heard this saying before. Good, take your hands down. Do we really know what this means? Many of us know the saying but do not live by it.

Recently my sister’s apartment building was on fire. Unfortunately, or fortunately, she was almost four hours away from home and could do nothing to help the situation. So what do you think happened to her stuff?......Did you make a guess? Well, she called me in a panic asking me to go by to try and save some of her few valuables. However, I was two hours away, had no keys, and so I was practically useless to her.

I am ashamed to say that I have been living in my neighborhood for three years and I only know three persons by name. (Sounds like one for each year). This is just wrong. Now, these three persons are not people that I visit their homes or call on the telephone. They are just people that I see occasionally and have a five or ten minutes chat with.

After the fire, I started wondering, “What would I do in case of a fire and I am away from home?” What if I am home alone and need immediate help? Have you thought about any of these situations? Here is what you can do for now:

GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS. Unknowing to many women and men, having a good relationship with your neighbor can help to prevent a crime. Some neighbors are always home and so they help to keep a watchful eye. No, they are not nosy, they are just vigilant.

Make it your responsibility to be a good neighbor and get to know the people living in your community. Some women seem a little more welcoming than men, but this applies to everyone.

Talk to your neighbors – do not walk by and pretend as though they are invisible.

Stop by occasionally to say hello – do not stalk them – nobody likes a stalker.

Exchange telephone numbers – use when necessary.

Make the new neighbors feel welcome – introduce yourself and tell them about the area.

Host a welcome gathering – sounds like a bit much, but if possible you can have a small barbecue or a ‘meet and greet’ session, where other neighbors may get involved.

So, back to my sister’s burning building. Luckily for her she lives in a very tight-knit neighborhood and everyone seems friendly. She did not lose any of her valuables, as you can imagine……..no, not the neighbors, but the firefighters got there just in time to save half of the building. The next day she received numerous calls from her neighbors and friends offering food and a place to stay until she was able to return home, as no one was allowed in the building for a few days.

Now think carefully before answering these questions:

1. Do I know my neighbors enough to leave a key when I go on vacation?

2. Which of my neighbors can I call in case of emergency?

3. Do my neighbors know who I am?

4. Do I help to make my neighborhood warm and welcoming?

5. Am I a good neighbor all the time, sometimes, or never?

It is not enough to just say hi and bye to the people around you. If you don’t have the time, make the time. It will be well worth it.

Take the “Good Neighbor Quiz” http://www.gotoquiz.com/good_neighbor_quiz

How Can Women Build Good Credit?

2010-08-17T14:43:00.021-04:00

Ladies, let’s face it - we love to shop! But before you go on your next shopping spree think of a number between 300 and 850. Where do you fall in this range of credit scores? It pays to be smart when spending. Therefore, building a good credit will save you money in the long term. Woman Meets World has a few ways you can start:

1. No Credit History

If you have no credit history or really bad credit, you are caught in a situation that seems logically impossible to get out of. If you have no credit, no one is willing to give you credit, but how can you establish your credit if no one gives you credit? Doesn’t this sound like looking for a job but no company will hire you without experience? How will you get this experience? Establish your credit history by:

• Secured Credit Cards – these are offered by most banks and credit unions. They allow you to use your own money to acquire a credit card. Please check and make sure that these secured credit cards are reported to the credit bureaus. Citibank is strongly recommended.

• Store Credit Cards – try to get a store credit card from your favorite retailer, such as Macy’s, JC Penney or Kohl’s. The aim is to use it to build credit, but do not use it unnecessarily. These cards are usually easier to obtain than a regular credit card.

• Open a Checking Account – no credit is required to open a checking account. It is important to build a relationship with a bank, as your account history can lead to a credit card. Consider using direct deposit if possible and avoid overdrafts.

2. Get Regular Unsecured Credit Cards

Believe it or not, having just one credit card can help to build a good or excellent credit. Just one credit card can help you to earn a good FICO score. The key is to use your card wisely – do not use more than 30 % of your limit, pay your bill on time, and pay the entire amount if possible. While it is not always easy to pay the full amount, it is important to pay at least the minimum. Do not miss a payment!!!

3. Know Your Limit

A report by creditcard.com at the end of 2009 showed that the average American has approximately 4 credit cards. That’s not so bad, but keep in mind that there are those who have six, seven, eight, nine… you get the picture. If you think you may use the card unnecessarily, do not get more than one.

I personally recommend two or three cards. All cards are not accepted everywhere. One store may only accept Visa and MasterCard, while another may accept American Express and Visa. Also, with the current economic situation, some banks are closing credit card accounts, so having more than one would be helpful in this case.

4. Obtain Cards Gradually

While I do recommend more than one credit card, do not make the mistake of applying for all of them at the same time. After making application for your first card, wait at least six months before applying for the next one. Too many activities on your credit report can lower your score.

5. Check Your Credit Report

Protecting your credit is very important. Be sure to get at least one report each year. It is free at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp (More than one requires a fee). Check the information from the three bureaus – Equifax, Experian, TransUnion and make sure it corresponds to you. Immediately report any suspicion of fraud or inconsistencies. The report will not give you a credit score unless you pay for it, but you can make a fair guess of what it may be. However, you can obtain a free estimate at http://www.creditkarma.com/

It Takes Time

Once you have your first credit card, follow the rules and you are sure to build and maintain good credit. It will not happen overnight. Remember to make your payments on time, do not use the maximum allowed and never miss a payment. In a few years, maybe two or more, your mailbox will be filled with offers you CAN afford to refuse.

For more information visit:

http://www.creditcard.com

http://www.bankrate.com

Welcome to Woman Meets World!

2010-08-16T23:46:00.013-04:00

Hello Women and the World,

This is an opportunity for me to relate to women and the world by having discussions, sharing advice and providing guidance on Personal Development and every day topics and issues that affect our lives.

"Woman Meets World" is dedicated to providing information and direction to individuals everywhere, on ways to improve their lives, while creating an opportunity for people to engage in open and free discussions.

I am excited about this blog as I have many subject areas to discuss. We will talk about education, children, finances, debt, society, relationships and just about everything that entails Personal Development of individuals and their families.

Please join me in creating a warm and welcome atmosphere for all readers to enjoy.