We had a party at home for my son on his seventh birthday. We inflated a few balloons (not helium) and gave the boys flyswatters to bat the balloons around with (kind of like badminton). They had a BLAST and could have done that for all two hours of the party. They also liked pin-the-tail-on-the-critter, limbo, and drawing on the kraft paper tablecloth, but after all that they were begging for flyswatter badminton again.
That would be fabulous for parties! I do love my Krup one-cup maker... when we have get togethers, I just put it out along with the Utilitea kettle and a basket of a variety of coffee pods, cocoa mixes, and tea bags. Then guests can make their own cup of java or use the hot water to steep tea or mix cocoa! It's like a a cheap hot drink bar!
I have an older version of the Utilitea kettle, so I'm unaware of the green tea settings. I have had NO problems whatesoever with this baby, and I live in an area with very, very hard water. My favorite thing to do with it is to take some fresh mint leaves from my garden (chocolate mint variety is very tasty) and throw them whole into the water that I boil.) It steeps nicely, and taste delish. I've solved many a tummy trouble with this tea... yum.
You really put a ton of work into that article. Good job, and a great resource for those who are trying to save money while hosting a quality event for the kids.
If someone had asked me, I would have probably picked the exact same four, to tell you the truth.
We are also fond of the hot air popcorn popper. It only does one thing, but is such an affordable yummy treat.
For holidays and parties, we have an electric roaster and a large electric coffee urn. I also use the extra roaster if I am doing a marathon cooking day and need the oven for something else. Then I have the roaster to do up a large ham or turkey.
I couldn't live without my Cuisinart (chops all my veg, makes awesome pizza dough, grates the veg for the chickens), Kitchen Aid mixer and the pasta attachment (fresh pasta is SO easy now), Zojirushi rice cooker (we have had this for over 10 years but I like sticky rice so we use Asian CalRose rice) and my husband :).
thank you philip for pointing out the difficulties patients with preexisting conditions can have getting insurance.
I am disgusted by the smugness and lack of empathy on this thread. It's as if some people have never known anyone with an inherited disease or who's been in an accident.
i have a self employed friend with Type 1 diabetes. He is very responsible about managing his condition. He has a terrible time getting insurance and his current plan costs over $1000 a month.
I am very healthy, manage my health well, and rarely need to see a doctor. My insurance costs are minimal too. However, unlike some people, I recognize that my health is pure good luck and not because I am superior to others. I know that fate could change my good luck at any moment.
I guess I differ from most people on this thread because I believe that everyone, especially in a wealthy country, should have the right to have access to health care. Not everyone is as lucky as I to have been born with good health. Aside from the moral aspect of our current system I think it is just a massive drain on the economy.
BTW Canada has a single-payer system not socialized healthcare like the UK. And over 90% of Canadians would disagree with you that their system is a failure. I don't think even 90% of Americans have health insurance to have an opinion on. I currently live in the UK and even with their problems I 've never heard any Brit wish they had American healthcare.
It does take people a while to respond sometimes, but it's amazing how these letters do the trick. As for the Firestone info, I'll look into that. There's just no excuse for abusing human rights.
Not to worry. Get a one way ticket to China. They will house you in a guarded,gated community with your very own bunk. They will pay you 50 cents an hour for a 12 hour work day 6 days a week and give you three square meals a day laced with melamine and lead. Welcome to globalization and the New World Order.
I just stumbled across this post and felt compelled to reply.
I had a very bad experience with a local high-end restaurant a few years back. I won't bore you with the details but I was entertaining some C levels and the evening was a complete joke.
I wrote a 3 page letter to the restaurant owner and mailed it in. I didn't hear anything for around 2 months - I had completely given up on them and decided never to go to that restaurant ever again.
All of a sudden an envelope showed up one day. Inside was a hand-signed letter from the General Manager apologizing for my night and indicating that he had discussed my letter with the entire staff. Included were two $75 gift certificates (roughly half my expense for the night involved).
Needless to say I was impressed and definitely used the certificates.
If you have the cash (not credit) to pay for things, I don't see the big deal. Once children enter the picture- if you just make more money you will not have a problem with enjoying your hobies and passions. Having a child did not make a difference in our financial lives. We are still able to vacation and eat out at restaurants
It you have the cash (not credit) to pay for things I do not see the big deal. Once children enter the position if you just make more money you will not a problem with enjoying your hobies and passions. having a child did not make a difference in our financial lives. We are still able to vacation and eat out at restaurants
Post 14 is so typical of employee attitudes that have no clue. The employer "owes" it to the so-called "hard working" employees?
A good employer that is going to stay in business does in fact realize the value of their employees and sometimes has to cut the increasingly high health benefits to just keep jobs for employees. I guarantee, it's not for increased profits.
You forgot to mention who has all the responsibility and risk in the business. The employer. Who normally works more than 40 hours per week? The employer. Who pays the Workers Comp and Unemployment bill for the employee? The employer. Who matches the SS tax for the employee? The employer. Who is the first to quit over something petty or get hurt "accidentally" on the job to collect Workers Comp? The EMPLOYEE.
If employees understood a little bit more about what it takes to own a business and the risks involved, they would probably appreciate their job just a bit more.
Our Congress is made up of a bunch of dumb a*%es that have never run a business. How can they balance a budget when they don't understand that they can't spend more than they receive? We need less government interference. www.fairtax.org
Depressing, but not surprising. Government is banking on consumers to pay off financial services bailouts, but John Q. Publick (JQP) is tapped out. He's been forced to compete with people earning $.50/hour in other countries, illegal immigrants here, pays taxes to maintain our infrastructure while the wealthiest 1% pay almost nothing, pay inflated mortgage prices on a home he overpaid for because the bank and appraiser he relied on to be a reality check told him it was a good investment, and he's drowning in debt. Yeah ... JQP was nieve for digging himself into debt but, after all, isn't this the lifestyle he's had pounded into his head by the government and media since kindergarten? Even now, the government is telling consumers they can "save" the economy by spending money...
I find it interesting that gold jumped almost $80/oz in the last few days. The wealthy are converting their wealth into inflation-resistant gold, while the rest of us are put on the hook by our so-called elected officials to bail their mess out. Stagflation is coming!!! Although it's about peak oil, not wall street collapse, the book "The Coming Economic Collapse" has some sound advice about how to deal with stagflation. Of course, with gold $80 more expensive, not sure that won't become the "new bubble."
I just hope people are smart enough to stop their stupid "lipstick on a pig" versus "rock star" media focus and start demanding REAL answers from their elected officials. We need viable third-parties in this country to hold the major parties feet to the fire or we're in for a long miserable ride to the bottom.
This will just increase expense ratios of the funds and make their returns less rewarding. Even taking out the FDIC insurance argument, as a straight investment decision on-line savings accounts are a better investment than most money market funds at the current time because their APY's are higher (0.5% difference). This is why I moved my prime money market funds to my high yield online savings account
Today, the U.S. officially becomes a Socialist Nation. Yes, we've been headed that direction for some time now, but today it's official.
What I find amazing - and not many seem to be objecting to - is that 2 men - Bernacki & Paulson, one the head of a consortium of banks (The FED) and the other an appointed bureaucrat - have engineered this takeover using taxpayer dollars and debt.
A truly frightening and sad day for this land where once liberty was sacred.
I know that the 'Masters of the Universe' are telling everyone this was a decisive action, a necessary action, taken to save the financial system. To save us. And, perhaps that's true.
But, what it will ultimately mean is a tsunami of inflation will be hitting our shores.
Inflation happens when oceans of paper money generated out of thin air chase limited goods and supplies. Google Weimar Republic.
Thanks for this very interesting post, Paul Michael. It's great that you were able to get the company's attention and thanks for this useful advice.
While you've got Mark Emkes' attention, why not send a follow up in relation to labor rights and environmental abuses on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia? For 82 years, Firestone has used child labor and abused workers' rights on their rubber plantation. You can find out more at www.StopFirestone.org and there is a sample letter online here: http://www.stopfirestone.org/action/letter/ (that letter is addressed to the CEO of a Firestone subsidiary, but you can send it to Mark Emkes as well).
Love the crockpot blog. Thanks for sharing.
We had a party at home for my son on his seventh birthday. We inflated a few balloons (not helium) and gave the boys flyswatters to bat the balloons around with (kind of like badminton). They had a BLAST and could have done that for all two hours of the party. They also liked pin-the-tail-on-the-critter, limbo, and drawing on the kraft paper tablecloth, but after all that they were begging for flyswatter badminton again.
My Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. Best $170 I ever spent! We use our hot-air popcorn popper a lot, too.
That would be fabulous for parties! I do love my Krup one-cup maker... when we have get togethers, I just put it out along with the Utilitea kettle and a basket of a variety of coffee pods, cocoa mixes, and tea bags. Then guests can make their own cup of java or use the hot water to steep tea or mix cocoa! It's like a a cheap hot drink bar!
Linsey
I have an older version of the Utilitea kettle, so I'm unaware of the green tea settings. I have had NO problems whatesoever with this baby, and I live in an area with very, very hard water. My favorite thing to do with it is to take some fresh mint leaves from my garden (chocolate mint variety is very tasty) and throw them whole into the water that I boil.) It steeps nicely, and taste delish. I've solved many a tummy trouble with this tea... yum.
Linsey Knerl
You really put a ton of work into that article. Good job, and a great resource for those who are trying to save money while hosting a quality event for the kids.
If someone had asked me, I would have probably picked the exact same four, to tell you the truth.
We are also fond of the hot air popcorn popper. It only does one thing, but is such an affordable yummy treat.
For holidays and parties, we have an electric roaster and a large electric coffee urn. I also use the extra roaster if I am doing a marathon cooking day and need the oven for something else. Then I have the roaster to do up a large ham or turkey.
I couldn't live without my Cuisinart (chops all my veg, makes awesome pizza dough, grates the veg for the chickens), Kitchen Aid mixer and the pasta attachment (fresh pasta is SO easy now), Zojirushi rice cooker (we have had this for over 10 years but I like sticky rice so we use Asian CalRose rice) and my husband :).
I have been eying the UtiliTea Kettle for a while now. Have you run into any issues with it? How well does the green/white tea setting actually work?
thank you philip for pointing out the difficulties patients with preexisting conditions can have getting insurance.
I am disgusted by the smugness and lack of empathy on this thread. It's as if some people have never known anyone with an inherited disease or who's been in an accident.
i have a self employed friend with Type 1 diabetes. He is very responsible about managing his condition. He has a terrible time getting insurance and his current plan costs over $1000 a month.
I am very healthy, manage my health well, and rarely need to see a doctor. My insurance costs are minimal too. However, unlike some people, I recognize that my health is pure good luck and not because I am superior to others. I know that fate could change my good luck at any moment.
I guess I differ from most people on this thread because I believe that everyone, especially in a wealthy country, should have the right to have access to health care. Not everyone is as lucky as I to have been born with good health. Aside from the moral aspect of our current system I think it is just a massive drain on the economy.
BTW Canada has a single-payer system not socialized healthcare like the UK. And over 90% of Canadians would disagree with you that their system is a failure. I don't think even 90% of Americans have health insurance to have an opinion on. I currently live in the UK and even with their problems I 've never heard any Brit wish they had American healthcare.
It does take people a while to respond sometimes, but it's amazing how these letters do the trick. As for the Firestone info, I'll look into that. There's just no excuse for abusing human rights.
Not to worry. Get a one way ticket to China. They will house you in a guarded,gated community with your very own bunk. They will pay you 50 cents an hour for a 12 hour work day 6 days a week and give you three square meals a day laced with melamine and lead. Welcome to globalization and the New World Order.
Thanks for posting this. I'm looking forward to reading the paper.
I just stumbled across this post and felt compelled to reply.
I had a very bad experience with a local high-end restaurant a few years back. I won't bore you with the details but I was entertaining some C levels and the evening was a complete joke.
I wrote a 3 page letter to the restaurant owner and mailed it in. I didn't hear anything for around 2 months - I had completely given up on them and decided never to go to that restaurant ever again.
All of a sudden an envelope showed up one day. Inside was a hand-signed letter from the General Manager apologizing for my night and indicating that he had discussed my letter with the entire staff. Included were two $75 gift certificates (roughly half my expense for the night involved).
Needless to say I was impressed and definitely used the certificates.
oh, yes, I should have known that the first comment would list illegal immigrants as a reason this country is in a mess.
Makes sense *sarcasm*
seriously ... just go through all the categories of Craigslist in a day - you will probably have about $400 from random stuff at the end of it.
Or... use raystay.com - rent out your couch for $10 a night. I like using raystay better than craigslist since its a little less anonymous.
...spend it
If you have the cash (not credit) to pay for things, I don't see the big deal. Once children enter the picture- if you just make more money you will not have a problem with enjoying your hobies and passions. Having a child did not make a difference in our financial lives. We are still able to vacation and eat out at restaurants
http://www.moneymonk.net
...spend it
It you have the cash (not credit) to pay for things I do not see the big deal. Once children enter the position if you just make more money you will not a problem with enjoying your hobies and passions. having a child did not make a difference in our financial lives. We are still able to vacation and eat out at restaurants
www.moneymonk.net
Post 14 is so typical of employee attitudes that have no clue. The employer "owes" it to the so-called "hard working" employees?
A good employer that is going to stay in business does in fact realize the value of their employees and sometimes has to cut the increasingly high health benefits to just keep jobs for employees. I guarantee, it's not for increased profits.
You forgot to mention who has all the responsibility and risk in the business. The employer. Who normally works more than 40 hours per week? The employer. Who pays the Workers Comp and Unemployment bill for the employee? The employer. Who matches the SS tax for the employee? The employer. Who is the first to quit over something petty or get hurt "accidentally" on the job to collect Workers Comp? The EMPLOYEE.
If employees understood a little bit more about what it takes to own a business and the risks involved, they would probably appreciate their job just a bit more.
Our Congress is made up of a bunch of dumb a*%es that have never run a business. How can they balance a budget when they don't understand that they can't spend more than they receive? We need less government interference. www.fairtax.org
Depressing, but not surprising. Government is banking on consumers to pay off financial services bailouts, but John Q. Publick (JQP) is tapped out. He's been forced to compete with people earning $.50/hour in other countries, illegal immigrants here, pays taxes to maintain our infrastructure while the wealthiest 1% pay almost nothing, pay inflated mortgage prices on a home he overpaid for because the bank and appraiser he relied on to be a reality check told him it was a good investment, and he's drowning in debt. Yeah ... JQP was nieve for digging himself into debt but, after all, isn't this the lifestyle he's had pounded into his head by the government and media since kindergarten? Even now, the government is telling consumers they can "save" the economy by spending money...
I find it interesting that gold jumped almost $80/oz in the last few days. The wealthy are converting their wealth into inflation-resistant gold, while the rest of us are put on the hook by our so-called elected officials to bail their mess out. Stagflation is coming!!! Although it's about peak oil, not wall street collapse, the book "The Coming Economic Collapse" has some sound advice about how to deal with stagflation. Of course, with gold $80 more expensive, not sure that won't become the "new bubble."
I just hope people are smart enough to stop their stupid "lipstick on a pig" versus "rock star" media focus and start demanding REAL answers from their elected officials. We need viable third-parties in this country to hold the major parties feet to the fire or we're in for a long miserable ride to the bottom.
This will just increase expense ratios of the funds and make their returns less rewarding. Even taking out the FDIC insurance argument, as a straight investment decision on-line savings accounts are a better investment than most money market funds at the current time because their APY's are higher (0.5% difference). This is why I moved my prime money market funds to my high yield online savings account
Yes! It's printed on recycled paper!
Linsey Knerl
Today, the U.S. officially becomes a Socialist Nation. Yes, we've been headed that direction for some time now, but today it's official.
What I find amazing - and not many seem to be objecting to - is that 2 men - Bernacki & Paulson, one the head of a consortium of banks (The FED) and the other an appointed bureaucrat - have engineered this takeover using taxpayer dollars and debt.
A truly frightening and sad day for this land where once liberty was sacred.
I know that the 'Masters of the Universe' are telling everyone this was a decisive action, a necessary action, taken to save the financial system. To save us. And, perhaps that's true.
But, what it will ultimately mean is a tsunami of inflation will be hitting our shores.
Inflation happens when oceans of paper money generated out of thin air chase limited goods and supplies. Google Weimar Republic.
I agree with you - I guess that the government does not...
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,425261,00.html
Thanks for this very interesting post, Paul Michael. It's great that you were able to get the company's attention and thanks for this useful advice.
While you've got Mark Emkes' attention, why not send a follow up in relation to labor rights and environmental abuses on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia? For 82 years, Firestone has used child labor and abused workers' rights on their rubber plantation. You can find out more at www.StopFirestone.org and there is a sample letter online here: http://www.stopfirestone.org/action/letter/ (that letter is addressed to the CEO of a Firestone subsidiary, but you can send it to Mark Emkes as well).