We splurge at the grocery store instead of going out. We get a nicer steak or good seafood and a nicer bottle of wine. We enjoy cooking together and find that the romance isnt so forced as it is waiting at an over booked crowded restruant which will cost 3 times as much in the long run.
Whenever I watch Sex and the City, I think about how "Carrie" passionately loves the city as much as I love a small resort town (and I am originally from New York). To each his own. Everyone has their own unique set of life guidelines and interests as to what really makes them tick. This is a great post. Excellent article giving people helpful information to evaluate when considering a small town, a new job, and a new home. It often takes a little soul searching. I often tell people to make sure the thought of moving to that small cabin in the woods is not actually a dream vacation as opposed to a full-time home! I also agree with the comment made earlier, "enjoy your life wherever you live!"
I don't think I'll be interested in the fashion section ( unless they suggest products like the Personal Area Network t-shirt http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/generic/af26/ ), but the other bits sound interesting and a great addition to my bookshelf.
Actually, I would really enjoy a portable electronic edition... (published in PDF... just a suggestion)
I'm on Bukisa as well, and find it is great for exposure for my other sites, blogs and ebook, as well as pay for the content I publish on Bukisa. Like eHow, I believe the site has a lot of potential down the road.
My husband and I plan on just staying home and he will cook something wonderful. He will probably get me some assorted chocolates and will cuddle on the couch and watch tv.
If you post online, expect comments that may be construed as criticism.
I wasn't criticizing the writer of this article, per se, but rather this whole slew of sites for "writers." I think they're mislabeled.
FYI: I don't owe the people who comment here or this writer a list of who pays for articles online. (I spend a lot of time trying to find people who pay. It's the equivalent of say an accurate Media contact list. Companies sell those for lots of dollars. Why would I give away the names of my clients, that I took a long time to find? Think about it. it's like saying: Hey, here's my contact list that I worked years to develop. Feel free to solicit them. Find them on your own, like the rest of us do.)
After all, I'm not the one who is being paid to write about places where you can make money online.
There are places online that have written up such information, beyond what you've seen in these two articles. Some searching will quickly turn them up.
What you'll see is that if you just want to write, as opposed to making an income, which is something a professional writer is trying to do for a living, not a lark, that it really pays to just blog or set up your own site and post.
My criticism is that most of these places are not worth your time, professional writer or otherwise. That's an opinion, to which I'm entitled without having to justify or augment with the names of places where you can make money.
And what is your intention with what you write? To provide information? Then think about which sites and companies might really need it and pitch to them.
Can't find anyplace or anyone? Then, create your own site or blog. If you have an authentic voice, your audience will find you. (And I have lots of respect for the many bloggers who work tirelessly and with little compensation, if any, because they have something they believe in and want to share/say with the world. That's very different than people who just want to "write" and make some quick money.)
It's work getting work as a writer. In fact, it's often much more work than the actual research and writing for a final article/product.
Actually, my real issue is with these companies who pay nothing (or next to it) to all these people who want to write. Some of those people are good writers with something to say but they are not compensated appropriately by these "word mills."
This year I am so excited about what I have planned. I'm giving my husband a memory:
My husbands b-day is the day before Valentine's Day... so I wanted to plan a fun/romantic evening on that Friday. I found out that there's a drive-in movie theater about 45 minutes from our house.
I plan to put some blankets in the trunk, pack up a mini birthday cake, some hot chocolate, and set the GPS to get us there. (He likes to drive.) I also am making a list of his all-time favorite songs to listen to on the way there and the way back... 1 1/2 hours of music just for him.
On the way, I plan to take his order for the food he wants (from the menu printed from the internet and hidden in my purse). While I go get it (when we arrive), I'll give him a letter full of love and memories that he can read while he listens to songs that he loves. (I am also asking his family to send him fun and happy memories in cards in manila envelopes addressed to me... because they live far away and can't be here to celebrate.)
And we'll arrive home after midnight, which will be Valentine's Day. I'll then give him a card telling him the reasons I love him, how thankful I am for him, how proud I am of who he is, how blessed I am to be his wife, and just how much I am looking forward to making many more memories together. Hopefully, it'll be a Birthday and Valentine's Day he'll never forget.
Just thought of another romantic V-day thing I've done:
I bought 3 pieces of red poster board, and cut out a gazillion paper hearts from them. Then on each heart I wrote "I love ___"
e.g. "I love how you always make me laugh so hard"
"I love the way it tingles when you kiss me on the cheek"
"I love how you don't know how to dance, but you'll come to tango class just for me"
"I love the way you sing"
"I love how kind your are to others"
on and on. I think I had like about 400 little hearts in the end. It took me a lot of writing and thinking of him to fill out 400 hearts.
Then I snuck into his house and bedroom and filled the entire bedroom with my paper hearts (spaced out all over the floor, taped to the walls, all over the bed, desk, nightstand, etc) so that it was just red everywhere. Shut the door and snuck away. He was surprised!
Gifts for your loved one should be heartfelt and noncommercial!
Being a student and having to pay for tuition, I'm always broke! So I've had to get creative when it comes to giving my boyfriend presents.
Last year what I did was this:
I spent a month writing & perfecting a heartfelt poem for him, (how much I loved him, the things I love about him, how much he meant the world to me, etc). It took me a month because I wanted it to be so special, personal and perfect (I started writing it in January).
Then I went to a discount store to find a nice glass picture frame. I also bought a Silver colored permanent marker.
I found a beautiful black and white photo of the two of us, put it into the frame, and very carefully, in calligraphy-like handwriting, used the permanent marker to write out the poem on the glass frame around where the photo would be displayed.
After the ink dried, I put the finished photo frame in a gift box with tissue wrap, and gave it to him. I think this gift was more valuable and memorable than anything I've ever bought for him - it took me a lot of time, thought, and effort but he loves it and and still has it on his nightstand 4 years later.
My husband and I exchange home made cards. I also make a romantic dinner at home instead of going out. With the weather in my area, its much better to stay home. Its always cold and sometimes snowing!
@Dan: It was larger than previous CD mailers I've received before. It's (1) been a long time since I download my music (incl. through Amazon) now, and (2) I wasn't aware there was a "standard", too.
My husband and I were trying to think of romantic (and frugal) ideas for our 10th anniversary dinner. Instead of going to a restaurant, my husband and I had a picnic dinner on our roof! We propped a ladder against the house, brought up a blanket, wine and some take out. It was wonderful and unforgettable. It is definitely not something we would do everyday... (it is helpful to have a flat roof and good weather!)
I just got paid this morning from Bukisa and they actually paid me early. I got an email from them that offered payout even though I hadn't quite hit the threshold yet. This site is owned by the same people as the very popular Articlesbase.com site so that was one thing that gave me confidence to try it.
We splurge at the grocery store instead of going out. We get a nicer steak or good seafood and a nicer bottle of wine. We enjoy cooking together and find that the romance isnt so forced as it is waiting at an over booked crowded restruant which will cost 3 times as much in the long run.
Whenever I watch Sex and the City, I think about how "Carrie" passionately loves the city as much as I love a small resort town (and I am originally from New York). To each his own. Everyone has their own unique set of life guidelines and interests as to what really makes them tick. This is a great post. Excellent article giving people helpful information to evaluate when considering a small town, a new job, and a new home. It often takes a little soul searching. I often tell people to make sure the thought of moving to that small cabin in the woods is not actually a dream vacation as opposed to a full-time home! I also agree with the comment made earlier, "enjoy your life wherever you live!"
I don't think I'll be interested in the fashion section ( unless they suggest products like the Personal Area Network t-shirt http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/generic/af26/ ), but the other bits sound interesting and a great addition to my bookshelf.
Actually, I would really enjoy a portable electronic edition... (published in PDF... just a suggestion)
I'm on Bukisa as well, and find it is great for exposure for my other sites, blogs and ebook, as well as pay for the content I publish on Bukisa. Like eHow, I believe the site has a lot of potential down the road.
My husband and I plan on just staying home and he will cook something wonderful. He will probably get me some assorted chocolates and will cuddle on the couch and watch tv.
If you post online, expect comments that may be construed as criticism.
I wasn't criticizing the writer of this article, per se, but rather this whole slew of sites for "writers." I think they're mislabeled.
FYI: I don't owe the people who comment here or this writer a list of who pays for articles online. (I spend a lot of time trying to find people who pay. It's the equivalent of say an accurate Media contact list. Companies sell those for lots of dollars. Why would I give away the names of my clients, that I took a long time to find? Think about it. it's like saying: Hey, here's my contact list that I worked years to develop. Feel free to solicit them. Find them on your own, like the rest of us do.)
After all, I'm not the one who is being paid to write about places where you can make money online.
There are places online that have written up such information, beyond what you've seen in these two articles. Some searching will quickly turn them up.
What you'll see is that if you just want to write, as opposed to making an income, which is something a professional writer is trying to do for a living, not a lark, that it really pays to just blog or set up your own site and post.
My criticism is that most of these places are not worth your time, professional writer or otherwise. That's an opinion, to which I'm entitled without having to justify or augment with the names of places where you can make money.
And what is your intention with what you write? To provide information? Then think about which sites and companies might really need it and pitch to them.
Can't find anyplace or anyone? Then, create your own site or blog. If you have an authentic voice, your audience will find you. (And I have lots of respect for the many bloggers who work tirelessly and with little compensation, if any, because they have something they believe in and want to share/say with the world. That's very different than people who just want to "write" and make some quick money.)
It's work getting work as a writer. In fact, it's often much more work than the actual research and writing for a final article/product.
Actually, my real issue is with these companies who pay nothing (or next to it) to all these people who want to write. Some of those people are good writers with something to say but they are not compensated appropriately by these "word mills."
I think these are good questions. Why should you write for these sites rather than your own blog? I will write about that in a final conclusion.
This year I am so excited about what I have planned. I'm giving my husband a memory:
My husbands b-day is the day before Valentine's Day... so I wanted to plan a fun/romantic evening on that Friday. I found out that there's a drive-in movie theater about 45 minutes from our house.
I plan to put some blankets in the trunk, pack up a mini birthday cake, some hot chocolate, and set the GPS to get us there. (He likes to drive.) I also am making a list of his all-time favorite songs to listen to on the way there and the way back... 1 1/2 hours of music just for him.
On the way, I plan to take his order for the food he wants (from the menu printed from the internet and hidden in my purse). While I go get it (when we arrive), I'll give him a letter full of love and memories that he can read while he listens to songs that he loves. (I am also asking his family to send him fun and happy memories in cards in manila envelopes addressed to me... because they live far away and can't be here to celebrate.)
And we'll arrive home after midnight, which will be Valentine's Day. I'll then give him a card telling him the reasons I love him, how thankful I am for him, how proud I am of who he is, how blessed I am to be his wife, and just how much I am looking forward to making many more memories together. Hopefully, it'll be a Birthday and Valentine's Day he'll never forget.
I bake him a heart shaped cake, and he buys me a bouquet of flowers, it's about as inexpensive as you can get.
I always save on going out by making my husbands favorite "Heart shaped" meatloaf with a nice bottle of Merlot.
Make Valentine's gifts,cards and decorations at home.Use crafts,discarted red paper and recycle boxes to make home decoration and cards.
no plans
Just thought of another romantic V-day thing I've done:
I bought 3 pieces of red poster board, and cut out a gazillion paper hearts from them. Then on each heart I wrote "I love ___"
e.g. "I love how you always make me laugh so hard"
"I love the way it tingles when you kiss me on the cheek"
"I love how you don't know how to dance, but you'll come to tango class just for me"
"I love the way you sing"
"I love how kind your are to others"
on and on. I think I had like about 400 little hearts in the end. It took me a lot of writing and thinking of him to fill out 400 hearts.
Then I snuck into his house and bedroom and filled the entire bedroom with my paper hearts (spaced out all over the floor, taped to the walls, all over the bed, desk, nightstand, etc) so that it was just red everywhere. Shut the door and snuck away. He was surprised!
Gifts for your loved one should be heartfelt and noncommercial!
Being a student and having to pay for tuition, I'm always broke! So I've had to get creative when it comes to giving my boyfriend presents.
Last year what I did was this:
I spent a month writing & perfecting a heartfelt poem for him, (how much I loved him, the things I love about him, how much he meant the world to me, etc). It took me a month because I wanted it to be so special, personal and perfect (I started writing it in January).
Then I went to a discount store to find a nice glass picture frame. I also bought a Silver colored permanent marker.
I found a beautiful black and white photo of the two of us, put it into the frame, and very carefully, in calligraphy-like handwriting, used the permanent marker to write out the poem on the glass frame around where the photo would be displayed.
After the ink dried, I put the finished photo frame in a gift box with tissue wrap, and gave it to him. I think this gift was more valuable and memorable than anything I've ever bought for him - it took me a lot of time, thought, and effort but he loves it and and still has it on his nightstand 4 years later.
My husband and I exchange home made cards. I also make a romantic dinner at home instead of going out. With the weather in my area, its much better to stay home. Its always cold and sometimes snowing!
I help my grandchildren make valentines for their parents. We also bake cookies to give as gifts. Cost effective and creative gift.
@Dan: It was larger than previous CD mailers I've received before. It's (1) been a long time since I download my music (incl. through Amazon) now, and (2) I wasn't aware there was a "standard", too.
@Dwight: Wasn't any bubble wrap in this package.
@Michelle: New name to me! *checks it out*
Maybe we could get them to switch to Geami paper (www.geami.com), and then there'd be less plastic to deal with, too!
Lisa L. is single & sad.
Cook a nice, romantic meal at home instead of going out to eat.
My husband and I were trying to think of romantic (and frugal) ideas for our 10th anniversary dinner. Instead of going to a restaurant, my husband and I had a picnic dinner on our roof! We propped a ladder against the house, brought up a blanket, wine and some take out. It was wonderful and unforgettable. It is definitely not something we would do everyday... (it is helpful to have a flat roof and good weather!)
since i am a student, and single.. i am poor, and am not favorable to valentines day,
but to cheer myself up, my day will include acting like i am 12:
old style sleepover with movies, mac-and-cheese and coke floats!
classic, and uber-cheap!!!!! and everyone will be happY!
I liked the Hit the Road for a Night on the Town idea.
You gotta have chocolate on v day.
I just got paid this morning from Bukisa and they actually paid me early. I got an email from them that offered payout even though I hadn't quite hit the threshold yet. This site is owned by the same people as the very popular Articlesbase.com site so that was one thing that gave me confidence to try it.