Recent comments

  • Why We're So Materialistic (Even Though We Know It's Dumb)   12 years 23 weeks ago

    The striving part is probably human nature, and it isn't such a bad thing. I think the key is to put more focus on striving for things that provide more lasting satisfaction, like having better relationships, achieving major life goals and enjoying new experiences. Those things never wear out or go out of style. That said, I like a new pair of shoes as much as the next gal ... I'm just trying to find balance there somewhere:-)

  • 35 Mouth Watering Lentil Recipes   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Thanks for pointing it out, Harvey! The link now goes to an appropriate recipe.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    I love my ebooks and the many digital books I can read for free! That being said, when I find a book that I know I will read and re-read over and over, I prefer to invest in a "real" book.

  • How Low Can You Go? Taking the No Heat Challenge   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Denver area, this year I keep heat down very low. When it got very cold recently, below 0 outside, it got down to 32 degrees upstairs. I had to put a light under the kitchen sink, when the hot water froze. Luckily I caught it time and it started running again after a few minutes. I wear two hooded sweat shirts, sweat pants and socks to bed. When it gets real cold I turn on my electric mattress pad. Some times I wear gloves. I do use a portable heater in the bath room to preheat before a shower. I think if there was a power failure we would get along a lot better than most.

  • Why We're So Materialistic (Even Though We Know It's Dumb)   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Personally, the main area that I struggle with materialism in my life is fashion. I think there are a lot of factors that contribute to materialism, but ultimately I think we are searching for a lasting satisfaction that we never seem to find. Life seems at times to be all about acquiring the next thing, reaching the next goal, or the next big thing in life. Once we reach that point, we might be content for a little while, but then we start desiring something else. It's a pretty ruthless cycle.

  • 35 Mouth Watering Lentil Recipes   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Another problem with your links. The #28 Spicy Sausage and Lentil Soup link points to the Lentil and Quinoa Chili page. Time for a new webmaster maybe?

  • Starting Your Dream Business Is Easier Than You Think — Here's How   12 years 23 weeks ago

    I love this - all of the over-complications and todo lists aside, it's really just about setting out and taking the first steps. Today.

  • 10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Thanks for the tip, Kimberly!

  • 10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Great tips! We lived without a dishwasher for many, many years (and now we have one of those mini rolling ones) -- and soaking is definitely the key!

  • 10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Agreed, Mikey! Glad you enjoyed the article :)

  • Universal Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance: A Comparison   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Jeff, thank you. You can sell Indexed and Fixed Universal Life with an insurance licenses. There are G.U.L's which are guaranteed universal life insurance policies. These will last until 120yrs old. Please go to a life insurance specialist. Not Allstate which does sell Life Ins but they are mainly a Property&Casualty company. Their prices are terrible! Like stated earlier, Make sure you check AM BEST for company rating. Best part about a U.L is it can be customized for a specific individuals needs. Yes, they can fall apart but only if the agent doesn't do his/her job correctly. Safe Investment, final expense, and legacy nicely wrapped up in one package.

  • Starting Your Dream Business Is Easier Than You Think — Here's How   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Incorporation a new business is definitely easier than most people think. However, finding the right people to help grow your business in my opinion is the hardest, especially when your funding/budget is tight.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Printed books! ebooks if I was on a long trip.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    I can see the novety of e books. There are easily accessible and can carrry multiple e books on a small tablet but I love my actual books. To be honest, I carry both: my Nook and a library book.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Definitely printed. :)

  • Capital One 360: A Competitive Banking Option   12 years 23 weeks ago

    It is very difficult to open a Savings or Checking Capital 360 account if you are not an American citizen. I am a permanent (legal) resident and I have had my application denied several times over the last two years. Calling them does not make any difference, the representatives will "advise" you to call again in a year or two (or when you are a citizen).

    It is ridiculous as you are not asking for a loan or a line of credit, you want to give THEM YOUR MONEY!

    It was much easier to me to open an account with TD Ameritrade. They also offer checking, savings and money market accounts. On plus, you can trade shares with them. Too bad Capital One 360 is not as much accommodating because I really like the ShareBuilder platform. But I supposed they hate immigrants ... Nevertheless, aren't we all?

  • 10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Really great tips. I always try to clean as I go; makes it much more bearer after you're stuffed and exhausted post-dinner. Thanks for the reminders.

  • You’re Fired! 20 Signs That a Pink Slip is Coming   12 years 23 weeks ago

    There is a new one that wasn't mentioned, and is typical in call centers. You used to work and do great in an old account, that had reasonable goals. The call center gets a new account, and the new account seems to have zillions of different numbers to hit, and goals so high, that they are almost unattainable. Unattainable goal disease is another sign your job is going south, especially if you are also getting dinged and having to take the fall for things like not getting your survey passed because of something out of your control (example:customer could not get early upgrade due to policy, and wasn't happy, so they failed you) Company keeps passing policies that don't help you get your numbers, like having to do a warm transfer, which increases your call time, making your average too high, so they get to fire you, another example is a major infraction writeup, like a final warning suspension for seemingly trivial things, like a little scuff on a birthday cake or some other small similar thing, or cases where every time you get a final notice, your boss would have just fired you on the spot on each case, not even bothering with the process. A writeup for almost everything is another sign.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Sometimes. Especially when traveling I do. Easier to carry and keep up with

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    I prefer e-books for it's convenient. I can keep several books on me without having to decide which one I'm in the mood to read first. Also, it's on my phone so it's always with me.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    This is a tough one, each has merit. I'll have to go with ebooks since there is some much available for free.

  • Starting Your Dream Business Is Easier Than You Think — Here's How   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Great article EXCEPT it is important to know that if you are creating a new product and intend to apply for a utility patent, you CANNOT sell ANY of the items until after you get the patent approved. This is one way to make sure that you have a monopoly on the product.

  • Repair the Car or Spend the Cash?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Our '06 kia suv got SLAMMED by a large piece of ice (near allentown pa turnpike) by someone driving a a large box van who didnt dlean off the top. My wife was nearly killed and the ice smashed hoid, roof and went thru windshield. Guy took off not caring what he'd done (& he WAS aware).
    Estimate $4,000, value of car $7-8,000. I wanted fixed anyway cos we r the only owner. But my wife wanted totaled (& many ppl put that idea in her head). If totaled, I looked at it like we'd most likely be spending another $15k + the totaled check to replace.
    BUT the point of diminished value is a good point.
    Funny, cameras on the highway didn't fond the culprit. Prob. Only if my wife was killed would they really look!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Ebooks or Printed Books?   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Printed Books

  • 10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook   12 years 23 weeks ago

    Good stuff! One to add to number 5 - if you do not have a dishwasher then wash some of the utensils as you go, and put the pots and pans into soak as you are serving up.

    Another good one is to make more than you need and stick the excess in the freezer for later use.

    And finally, if the other half nags you to wash up after then do so, there is nothing worse than coming back to the dishes later!