I Earned 20% More After Reading This Book

Within the last 30 days, I've increased my monthly income by about 20 percent and I give credit to a book (from 1944!) that has really rocked my world, namely: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie. In this piece, I'll highlight the strategy that has really put more money in my pocket.

The Background

In past posts, I've calculated that my assorted worries cost me about $6,500 annually. Over the last few weeks, I've really focused on reading How to Stop Worrying every day and that daily ritual has quieted the chatter in my brain. (Of course, more Yoga/exercise, journal entries, meditation and prayers have also helped).

Why am I a worrier? I think it's just my nature.

Even as a little girl, I used to murmur prayers in the family car as my Dad drove us from our old neighborhood in Philadelphia to South Jersey, where I grew up. Now if you know, my Dad --Mr. Safety/Mr. Excellent Driver -- the backseat portrait of a little girl whispering prayers into her passenger window is odd. Now consider this: I am now 49 years old, and I still don't drive. But that's another story.

Bottom Line: I'm hard-wired to be a worrier.

The Book

I have different strategies for handling the worries. I have mantras, affirmations, etc. Those are fine & helpful. But Dale Carnegie's book provides a formula for dismantling worries. Part of his program involves reading the book--a chapter or a page--every day and that process provides a daily shield against worries. He points out that the smartest people in business constantly review their contracts and documents because it's so easy to forget the fine print.

Carnegie's three-step formula also provides me with a practical tool for banishing worries:

Rule #1: Live in a "Day-Tight Compartment." Basically, you create a mental box. Carnegie suggested the water-tight chambers in the center of a ship. I've been using an elevator chamber metaphor, in which I shut out anything beyond the current day. Actually, I have to shut out anything beyond the current moment. That's because at 8:30 pm, I will obsess and worry about an email that I sent at 8:30 am. Did I use the right words? Did I sound silly? Why didn't I delete the message? That's the bit that drills through my head...off and on for 12 hours or more.

But in my moment-to-moment chamber, I shut my elevator door on those worries. The chamber closes and I'm lifted off that horrible floor of unwise emails and obsessive regrets. The elevator opens on a different floor in the current moment. It's a visual exercise that keeps me traveling in the Here-and-Now.

Rule #2 . Face trouble with three basic questions:

• Name the worse that can happen. For example: The 8:30 am email recipient will think that I'm a total obsessive, delusional loser.
  
• Accept that outcome: Okay. Oh well. So be it. They probably thought I was weird anyway.
  
• Improve on the worst: "Calmly try to improve upon the worst--which you have already mentally agreed to accept."-- How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, p.36. In my theoretical email example, I can improve on the worst by learning to use the delete key or letting questionable emails sit in my draft box for a day, a week, a lifetime. I can mentally promise to sit on my hands if a similar scenario arises again. With that plan, I can just go on to have a happy life, even if I occasionally send out stupid emails.

Rule #3: Constantly remind yourself about the high costs of anxiety in terms of health & wealth.

"One of the worst features about worrying is that it destroys our ability to concentrate."--p. 18

How I Earned More.

A little while ago, a national magazine offered me an opportunity to contribute to their monthly reporting staff. But I was so overwhelmed by free-floating anxieties that I was unable to contribute to the first assignment. However, in the last few weeks, I've really worked on removing stress from my emotional arteries. And by worrying less, I really had more time to complete a new assignment for that publication, which means more money for me: about 20% a month. It's a mental exercise that I can take to the bank.

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Previous Posts:

Welcome to TheStreet.com Readers

I Won't Eat or Spend While Standing Up
DIY Invitations: Bar Mitzvahs, Weddings & Other Formal Parties

What is Luxury? Town & Country: Luxe is a Moving Target

Reformed Spenders Provide 10 Ways to Save in 2008

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach: How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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Welcome to TheStreet.com Readers

A special welcome to new readers from TheStreet.com. In a post today called: Personal-Finance Blog Watch, writer Laura Moran from TheStreet.com mentioned this blog and a few others in a roundup of personal finance bloggers. It's an excellent line-up and includes some of my favorite bloggers. I am grateful to be included in the mix.

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I Won't Eat or Spend While Standing Up

From a $1.49 bag of Lays of potato chips, I found a valuable lesson in personal finance and dieting. And that junk-food tutorial will dramatically change the way I shop and spend money. Here's what happened. When I cleared chips from the dining room table, I absentmindedly stuck my hand into the bag and crammed a handful of chips into my mouth.

But I wasn't hungry. But I was eating. But I wasn't thinking. But I was eating. Finally, my brain kicked out of the standby mode and I suddenly understood the 10 commandments of dieting, including the prohibition about eating while standing. In the upright position, it's incredibly easy to mindlessly consume calories. That's why dieting gurus always warn about eating while standing up. It's so easy to stuff my mouth with food without thinking. But when I sit at the dinner table or the breakfast counter, I'm more mindful of the process and I consume less.

That realization made me think about spending: In the grocery store, in the mall and in the clothing store, I'm usually standing when I make a purchase. But I now believe that if I sat down and thought about the merchandise in my cart, maybe I would spend less. Many stores--even grocery stores--have areas where I can sit, chill and rest. The health food store has a juice bar/cafe area; my neighborhood Target has a Starbucks corner and the grocery store near my home has park benches in front and even a little eatery inside. Buying a small cup of coffee could save me a fortune if while sitting, I carefully edit my shopping cart.

Think about it: When we make big purchases or large financial commitments -- a car, a home, college tuition -- at some point in that process, we actually have to sit down to sign papers or to test drive the car or to review documents. From that seated position, we have additional opportunities to consider our options and make thoughtful choices. During those moments, we negotiate with the sellers and with ourselves: Do I really want this merchandise? Do I really need it?

But in the mall and in most stores, we're often upright and on automatic pilot. And from that position, we leave a large trail of small coins and crumbs. We leak money without really thinking. So I'm not going to a) eat while standing and b) make a purchase without sitting down to think.

Of course, I will still eat potato chips, just smaller portions at the table.

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Previous Posts:

DIY Invitations: Bar Mitzvahs, Weddings & Other Formal Parties
What is Luxury? Town & Country: Luxe is a Moving Target
Reformed Spenders Provide 10 Ways to Save in 2008
Barking Dogs, Stinking Turtles and Sick Hamsters Taught Me About Money

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach: How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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DIY Invitations: Bar Mitzvahs, Weddings & Other Formal Parties

I just saved about $250 to $550 by making 200 formal invitations & reply cards for my son's upcoming Bar Mitzvah celebration. We spent about $150 in supplies. In contrast, I know people who have paid $400 to $700 for comparable invitations. The same logic applies to wedding invitations, sweet sixteen parties or other coming of age events.

Bottom Line: Elegant invitations can be created for about $1 and under per invitation. DIY prices are at least 200 percent cheaper than professional printing costs. For example, online I found a company that will print 25 invitations for $58 or $2.32 per invitation. And note: their sample was not nearly as pretty or as elegant as the invitation that we produced using a laptop, an HP printer and (a lot of) time.



Here are my tips & warnings about formal DIY invitations:

• Get a kit: There are so many kits for DIY invitations. These how-to boxed sets are available at craft stores, at office supply stores and from online vendors. Our kit came from Office Depot and we paid about $33 (with a discount) for a set of 50 invitations with an elegant border made by Gartner Studios. (Full price is about $36). The kit included: 50 invitations (80-lb card stock), with envelopes, response cards/response envelopes, test sheets, instructions, sample wordings and elegant embossed seals for the outer envelopes. Per invitation cost: 66 cents, excluding the cost of our time and printing ink.

• Shop the sales: All stores have periodic sales and most weddings, formal parties and coming-of-age parties are planned well in advance. Use the extra time to look for sales, promotions and discounts. We knew the date of the Bar Mitzvah for a long, long time. I'm annoyed that we waited until the last minute to get the invitation kits. We could have saved more at one of the seasonal sales. But still we used a special discount to shave a few dollars off the cost of each kit.

• Remember mailing costs and buy more than you need: Get just a little extra--because you will make mistakes: The printer will jam and coffee will spill on invitations that are left on the dining room table. Also pick an invitation size that will require standard postage. Over-sized cards and envelopes will cost a fortune to mail. (I read that tip in Bottom Line Personal Finance)


• Use your word processing program: If you can type an email or a report, you can type up the invitation. Play with fonts. We chose a the "Fine Hand Script," which created elegant, but easy-to-read letters. Experiment with spacing and centering. But don't get too fancy. Keep it simple. Also follow the directions on the box about setting up page margins to accommodate the invitation.

• Test and Proofread: Mistakes -- grammar, spelling, spacing, etc. -- will happen. That's part of the process. Use spellcheck. Double check the spelling of your last name and the location. Use the test sheets. Walk away, chill out and then return to the scene. Proofread again and then hit the print button.

• Plan your time: It took us four days to finish designing, printing, stuffing and addressing about 200 cards and envelopes. To get the most out of my work day and to avoid cutting into my income-producing hours, I did my share of the work on Saturday night, Sunday and during a few week-day nights. Note: the time commitment is one of the major drawbacks of DIY invitations.

• Caution: Watch out for dirty hands, messy surfaces, short tempers, frustration and impatience. It's a process. Be patient. Be mindful. Printing and stuffing envelopes can be a meditative exercise or a mind-numbing drill. I've learned to just bliss out and save money.

• Have Fun: We used a deep blue navy ink, which really made the invitations look better than the plain black ink version. Also at the top of the invitation we created a monogram by arranging my son's initials in a much larger font #22-#36-#22. The letters were centered at the top of the invitation and also on the reply card: GRE

This site offers a few helpful hints about DIY invitations. I have not used the vendor, but the online instructions seemed helpful. My sisters have made pretty shower invitations with ribbons and double layers. There are so many creative kits. I have used products (purchased from Office Depot) from Gartner Studios and have been pleased with the final product.
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Previous Posts:

What is Luxury? Town & Country: Luxe is a Moving Target

Reformed Spenders Provide 10 Ways to Save in 2008

Barking Dogs, Stinking Turtles and Sick Hamsters Taught Me About Money

Cheap Travel Guide: Month-by-Month, City-by-City Hotel Savings Rates

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach: How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

Frugal Renters in High End Neighorhoods & Other Picks from Festival of Frugality

Like My Two Dollars, I rent an affordable home (an apartment) in a neighborhood of million-dollar homes. My Two Dollars blogs about the economics of renting and that post was one of my favorites from the 107th Festival of Frugality edition, which is up at Cash Money Life.

It's an excellent carnival and I am grateful to the host for including one of my pieces in the lineup. Here are a few of the posts that caught my eye.

From Tip Diva: Top Ten Tips for Reducing Your Electricity.

From My Two Dollars: the frugal option is to rent an apartment, rather than buy a home.

From Beauty and Grooming: beauty tips for winter skin and hair care.

From Free From Broke: breakfast is the most important meal.
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Previous Posts:

What is Luxury? Town & Country: Luxe is a Moving Target
Reformed Spenders Provide 10 Ways to Save in 2008
Barking Dogs, Stinking Turtles and Sick Hamsters Taught Me About Money
Cheap Travel Guide: Month-by-Month, City-by-City Hotel Savings Rates

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach: How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.




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What is Luxury? Town & Country: Luxe is a Moving Target

What is luxury: time, money, big houses, or fancy stuff? In the age of frugal living, globalization and online shopping, the definition of luxury has radically changed. I have my own ideas about luxury (see below) but I was intrigued by the Town & Country special issue on luxe living.

The January 2008 Editor's Letter by Pamela Fiori provides an excellent overview of the topic. Here's a summary with a few of my comments thrown in:

How Luxury Has Changed:

• Less exclusivity: "The luxury industry is no longer the small, exclusive club of a few-well established brands, most of them French or Italian." -- Pamela Fiori/T&C **Frugal Translation: Don't be a slave to expensive labels or expensive marketing campaigns.

• Production shifts: The world of luxury no longer means hand-made items in limited supply. **Frugal Translation: Merchandise does not have to be scarce, expensive or heavily hyped to be luxurious. Define luxury in your own terms.

• New demographics/flea market finds: Old-school T&C luxury couple -- White married couple in formal clothing in a period room decorated with Old Masters paintings and formal family portraits. New-age T&C luxury couple: "[Not] necessarily white, married or even heterosexual." This couple appears in T&C dressed in casual clothing and vintage jewelry, in a home filled with eclectic furniture (including flea market finds and custom-built items) and digital art. **Frugal Translation: Luxury is being comfortable with who you really are and where you really live. Flea market finds are just as good as high-end labels.

• The wannabe market & the ripoffs: Global production and online shopping have created an unusual playing field in the luxury market. Smaller and mid-ranged players have more clout and produce genuine quality merchandise. But the rip-offs and the me-too players are also out there: "Other lower-level enterprises just want easy entry and are making the claim of being luxury when they really aren't." --T&C **Frugal Translation: Watch your back. Watch out for fakes. Don't overpay. It's all made in China anyway.

Non-Material Definitions of Luxury:

Luxury is not just about stuff. Here are some of the other perks mentioned by T&C

• quality time
• privacy
• space
• a good haircut
• spa dates
• manicures, etc.

My Definition of Luxury/My Wish List

• Vacations without work, email or computer. (It would feel almost decadent to go on a vacation and not work for even an hour. Note: I understand that I am very fortunate to have work.)
• More time with my family, including my parents, siblings and extended family.
• Long walks every day.
• More beach days.
• Professional help with housework.
• A cone of ice cream (at least once a week).
• More sleep.
• A quarterly spa date tune-up.
• Extra time to write fiction.
• A monthly museum date.
• Time to donate hours to my children's schools.
• An elegant restaurant meal.
• A weekend stay at a four- or five-star hotel.
• Season tickets for the Miami Heat.
• Personal yoga trainer.
• Health insurance. (That's a real luxury!)

Bottom Line: My definition of luxury primarily involves having the time, energy & money to fully enjoy my family without worrying about the next paycheck, bills or work. It's also a luxury to have time to relax. But as I look at my list, I realize that I can tap into some of those luxuries at any time. I just have to jump off of the treadmill of worry. Luxury is not all about the money; it's my attitude also.

Previous Posts:

Reformed Spenders Provide 10 Ways to Save in 2008
Barking Dogs, Stinking Turtles and Sick Hamsters Taught Me About Money
Cheap Travel Guide: Month-by-Month, City-by-City Hotel Savings Rates
Be Smart about Face Time & Other Tips for Building Job Security
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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach: How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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Reformed Spenders Provide 10 Ways to Save in 2008

Buy low and sell (second-hand clothes) high. Cut the land line. Save at least $1 a day. Those are a few of the money saving, income-generating tips provided by consumers during debt counseling sessions through CCCS, a nonprofit credit counseling organization. As such, this guest post offers a decent read and helpful information. Here is the item:

"Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast recently asked its clients to submit tips on how to save money in 2008. Brought to you by our clients, CCCS presents:

The Top 10 ways to save money in the new year:

#10: Eliminate long distance home phone service—One client eliminated long distance service on her home phone, which reduces taxes and other fees added to monthly land line charges. Instead, she purchases a calling card with 700 minutes for $19.97 which can be used from her home or cell phone. There are no taxes and she estimates her long distance now costs about three cents per minute.

#9: Use banks to your advantage—Some banks offer high-yield savings accounts or special programs that allow consumers to earn interest on leftover change from credit card purchases. These are great ways to earn free money while being fiscally responsible.

#8: Purchase items in bulk—One woman and her daughter purchase potatoes, toilet paper and other items in bulk. "We take advantage of the best prices and divide it among our families," she says. "For example, potatoes are $3.69 for 10 pounds at the Farmer’s Market vs. $3.99 for five pounds at the supermarket. We save $2.14 each on that one item."

#7: Pay your bills online—One client used to pay his bills with money orders, which meant buying stamps and envelopes and driving to the post office every month – not to mention any late fees. With online bill payment, offered free by his financial institution, he saves time and money.

#6: Try to negotiate lower interest rates on credit cards – Pay your creditors on time and contact creditors to see if you can get a lower interest rate. The Federal Reserve is expected to continue lowering interest rates into early 2008, which may increase competition among banks and other lenders.

#5: Buy low, sell high—Purchasing clothing or other items from a thrift store makes sense economically. You can also sell these items through online auction websites and turn those small purchases into substantial profits.

#4: Save at least $1 a day—Each day, deposit your leftover change or dollar bills in a jar. Over one year, this money will add up. You may have enough savings to purchase next year’s holiday gifts without using credit cards.

#3: Deposit extra money into a "goal account"—At the end of each month, deposit any extra cash into a savings account to be used towards a special purchase. A goal account can help teach responsible money management skills. One client deposited the extra money out of each paycheck from her husband’s raise into a savings account towards the purchase of a "new" used car for him.

#2: Eliminate unnecessary purchases— One client saved $8 a week by not purchasing expensive cups of coffee each day. Before buying anything, think about whether the item is a "need" or a "want." Over time, unnecessary purchases can quickly add up.

#1: Create a budget and stick to it—Organizing a budget is essential to saving money. One CCCS client used a calendar to write down each bill that was due and how much money she earned each month. Next, she made a list of her monthly expenses and deposited the leftover amount into a savings account. Determine your monthly living costs and use any extra money to pay off your credit cards and bills. It’s okay to set aside spending money, as long as you are depositing a larger portion of your paycheck into a savings account."

Source: CCCS

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Previous Posts:

Barking Dogs, Stinking Turtles and Sick Hamsters Taught Me About Money

Cheap Travel Guide: Month-by-Month, City-by-City Hotel Savings Rates

Be Smart about Face Time & Other Tips for Building Job Security

Organize the Living Room; Organize Your Life

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach: How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.
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Barking Dogs, Stinking Turtles and Sick Hamsters Taught Me About Money

My children have a dog (left). I think about money and life when I walk Scruffy. Thinking deep thoughts makes me feel philosophical about picking up poop. As such, walking the dog becomes a Zen-like activity. Clearly, my children have not manipulated me into puppy patrol, but have given me the gift of meditation.

Here are some of the financial metaphors I have picked out of the grass:

The Big Barking Dog: Last Friday night, Scruffy and I were really spooked by a big barking dog behind a tall fence. We didn't see the dog, but we heard him bark and he sounded big. Terrified, we darted off the sidewalk and into the path of fast-moving street traffic, which was dangerous.

As we fled, I had a flash -- not a hot flash, (not yet, thank you) -- but a visual flash of a question: What if the mysterious dog was just a little tiny pisher? What if we had placed ourselves into danger for no reason? And even if the dog was big, could it have jumped the thick fence? I realized that we were terrified of the unknown.

And that's true about money also: How much do I really need to save for retirement? How much will it cost to put my three school-age kids through college? How much will I need for health-care expenses? How much should I budget for car repairs?

Those questions are Big Barking Dogs Behind a Fence. Those dogs bark in my sleep and even when I play hallway soccer with my 9-year-old daughter, I hear barking dogs. I'll feel safer when I identify my financial dogs and get answers to questions that nag me. Knowledge reduces fear.

Beware of Stray Cats: My dog looks tough but he's scared of stray cats and squirrels. Therefore, I've learned to scan the horizon and keep a tight grip on the leash because I know Scruffy will try to bolt if he sees a small wild animal. If I'm not alert, Scruffy tugs me away and I am pulled in odd directions as if I were a racer on a Snow Dog Race Course, but without the snow, the sled or the protective gear.

Lesson: Stay alert and keep a grip on the financial leash. Be prepared for turmoil and stray cat moments.

Street Temptations: A dog is a dog a dog. And my dog likes to run in the street. I keep him on a tight leash. I train my little puppy and I'm constantly on guard for runaway moments. With vigilance I can tame his street temptations.

Lesson: A shopper is a shopper is a shopper. And my inner diva likes to shop and spend money. I keep myself on a tight leash. I train my inner shopper to be frugal and I'm constantly on guard for runaway shopping cart moments. With vigilance, I can control my street temptations.

Live this Moment: I used to have a small quiet fit about the dog. Confession: I didn't really want him. I felt tricked and manipulated into getting the dog. What's more, I so disliked our other pets. The turtles smelled terrible and changing their water made me feel like vomiting. The fish were annoying and don't get me started about that little hamster that used to run around our house and totally terrify me.

He died and honestly, I had nothing to do with it. We spent almost $300 on cancer treatments for that hamster. Don't ask! Hint: Hamsters have a short life, that usually ends with tumors. We didn't know this and we spent about $300 trying to cure an $8 hamster. We should have gone the hospice route. We know better now. Clearly, knowledge is power.

After the hamster era, (we had three), I was very vulnerable to the pleas about The Dog. But as a write-at-home mom, I am in my apartment all day with The Dog. Yesterday, for example, I owed the Miami Herald a story by 4 pm. But The Dog had to go to the bathroom and was whining. My options: A crying dog/messy floor or an angry editor. It was easier to plead with the editor. I walked the dog, scooped the poop and filed my story late. Sorry Kathy!

So, it might seem that I am willing to put the dog up for adoption. No way!! I love Scruffy and I've made my peace with my dog-walking duties. If it were not for Scruffy, I would sit behind a computer screen for hours and hours with no exercise.

I eat extra ice cream and still fit into my clothes because I have to walk Scruffy every day.
I get extra stress-busting exercise because of my dog. My dog feeds me stories.

Lesson: Some of my largest dividends and insights have come from difficult situations. I learn about money, life and fitness from every challenge, even crappy moments in the grass.

Previous Posts:

Cheap Travel Guide: Month-by-Month, City-by-City Hotel Savings Rates
Be Smart about Face Time & Other Tips for Building Job Security
Organize the Living Room; Organize Your Life
My Broken Cow Handles: Milking Cheap Ceramic for Frugal Lessons

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere! , which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.
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Cheap Travel Guide: Month-by-Month, City-by-City Hotel Savings Rates

What's the cheapest month to book a room in Vegas or Athens or Miami? This month-by-month 2008 guide offer travelers a few clues about the cheapest times to visit different cities in the U.S. and abroad. This price projection guide can help save up to 69 percent in travel expenses according to CheapTickets.com, an online travel agency, which provided the data. Here's the info from the company:

"The second annual Value Travel Forecast Cheapometer takes a year-long look at 2007 hotel pricing in hundreds of popular tourist destinations and uses this data to project the best month to experience the highest percentage savings (compared to peak rates) in those destinations in 2008.


The report below forecasts three cities for each month where travelers can save in the New Year.

Percentage Savings* during Cheapest Travel Month Compared to Peak Rates Month

January
Athens, Greece 68%
Jackson Hole, WY 64%
Paris, France 48%

February
Napa-Sonoma, CA 47%
London, Great Britain (UK) 35%
Amsterdam, Netherlands 32%

March
Venice, Italy 55%
Montreal, Canada 40%
Hartford, CT 25%

April
Green Bay, WI 58%
Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, NC 32%
El Paso, TX 27%

May
Park City-Deer Valley-The Canyons, UT 64%
Vail-Beaver Creek, CO 45%
Hawaii 22%

June
Palm Springs, CA 35%
Las Vegas, NV-AZ 26%
Guadalajara, Mexico 20%

July
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ 57%
Tallahassee, FL 47%
Austin-San Marcos, TX 14%

August
New Orleans, LA 52%
Sarasota-Bradenton, FL 49%
Florida Keys 45%

September
Miami, FL 51%
Montego Bay, Jamaica 49%
Cancun, Mexico 45%

October
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 56%
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 51%
San Antonio, TX 28%

November
Killington, VT 69%
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV 53%
Aruba 51%

December
Hilton Head, SC 62%
Rome, Italy 48%
Washington DC-MD-VA-WV 36%

*Percentage savings were calculated 11-21-07 by taking the average price of three-star hotels by travel month in the listed markets purchased on CheapTickets.com for travel December 2006 through
November 2007 and comparing the lowest monthly rate with the highest monthly rate."
Source: CheapTickets.com
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Be Smart about Face Time & Other Tips for Building Job Security

Upgrade your marketability, spruce up the resume, volunteer and be smart about face time. Those are a few suggestions for building job security during a rocky economy. Some of the tips were featured in the January 6 edition of Parade.

Here's their list followed by my own tips:

1. Keep your resume current. Beyond your latest job, make sure that your resume includes recent awards, accomplishments, achievements, certifications and any other tidbits that positively reflect your professional growth and career profile.

2. Upgrade your skills. I wrote about different courses in this post: Free Online Typing Drills: 10 Frugal Business & Craft Classes. Career development options include online courses, seminars, community classes, local universities and colleges.

3. Network. Attend industry events, business gatherings and conferences. The goal: to build a better network of professional and community contacts. I've found a wide range of job opportunities through former co-workers and managers. You never know who will be in a position to hire you or recommend you for new assignments, positions or short-term contracts.

4. Volunteer for a community group. Non-profit organizations are packed with heavy-hitters. While working on a community fair, fundraiser or newsletter, it's possible to bond and connect with individuals who can provide valuable contacts and insights. Even PTA meetings provide networking opportunities.

Here are other ideas based on comments from friends and my own experience.

1. Look for workplace gaps: Due to global, industry and personnel changes there are so many opportunities (aka: gaps) in the office. For instance, your company may need help with an online campaign or some other task where there is a void in coverage. Don't get in over your head, but step up to the plate if you have untapped skills that will help your department or company. Document your participation with a friendly memo or note to those involved or with power to promote you. Don't lay it on too heavy, but mention your achievements and participation.

2. Come in early. All of my bosses and managers loved, loved, loved employees who arrived 15 to 30 minutes (or more) before the official start time. In contrast, staying late, I discovered, doesn't carry the same clout as coming in early. In fact, if you stay too late, some people think that you have a time management problem. Bottom line: be smart about face time.

3. Stay well-read. Every industry has a few trade publications that are available online, at the library or through subscription. These publications are a valuable source of information, trends and even job tips. What's more, you sound really smart and plugged in when you talk to your manager, co-workers or other industry players at different events.

4. Enter competitions: Many industries and trade groups sponsor competitions or awards programs. From money-saving ideas to new product campaigns, various competitions can raise your profile in the office and in your industry. You don't have to win to really win. An honorable mention or a certificate-of-participation can be as good as gold and will look great on your resume.

5. Get published. Write an article for an online publication or the standard print media. The sources of publication outlets are endless and include: community newspapers, online journals, blogs, trade publications, specialty and hobby magazines. Publication credits provide this boost: 1) a resume lift, 2) wider exposure and 3) additional value to your name.

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Previous Posts

Organize the Living Room; Organize Your Life
My Broken Cow Handles: Milking Cheap Ceramic for Frugal Lessons
Extra Income & Other Strategies for Digging out of Debt in 2008
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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere! , which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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Organize the Living Room; Organize Your Life

We all hope to fulfill New Year's resolutions, and an organized home could be the key. Standolyn Robertson, and owner/founder of Things In Place, an organizing consulting company in Massachusetts, claims that is the secret to accomplishing our goals.

To get a better grip on your home -- and your life -- pay extra attention to the kitchen and the living room. Last week, I wrote about the kitchen.

Likewise, a well-organized living room or the family den is also important to fulfilling other goals, such as quality family time and frugal entertainment. Here are some tips from Robertson, who is also president of the National Association of Professional Organizers:

• Create a few basic rules, especially for a living room. It's important to maintain order because the proliferation of high-tech toys can turn a living room into chaos. Keep your system for maintaining living areas simple. Make sure everyone buys into the plan and complies with the rules for storing games, gadgets and reading materials.

• Study the furniture in your living room or den and evaluate how the room fills your family's needs. If the room is used as a library, evaluate the adequacy of lights and bookshelves. Is the room primarily a place for home entertainment? Then arrange the furniture and accessories to accommodate that purpose. Seating areas should be comfortable and adequate for family and guests.

• Give gadgets a home. DVDs, video game accessories and other trinkets should be tucked away when not used. Robertson recommends storing television remotes and other hand-held devices in an attractive basket. This eliminates the frustration sparked by missing remotes and game controls.

• Supply baskets, bins or other attractive containers for storing newspapers and magazines. Establish a family policy for recycling periodicals. Robertson suggests a one-week curfew for newspapers.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

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Previous Posts

My Broken Cow Handles: Milking Cheap Ceramic for Frugal Lessons

Extra Income & Other Strategies for Digging out of Debt in 2008

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere! , which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

My Broken Cow Handles: Milking Cheap Ceramic for Frugal Lessons

Those are my broken cow handles (left) posed on a kitchen counter top. Made from ceramic, the broken handles were once attached to dollar store coffee mugs. As such, the story about the broken handles has provided me with insights about frugal living, smart purchases and preservation of possessions.

About two days ago, I found the broken cow handles when I cleaned the kitchen counter tops. Tidy counter tops are linked to increased wealth, according to Feng Shui Principles about space clearning and energy work. I've been on a campaign to boost my bank account by de-cluttering my home. (My new wealth-building program.)

Beyond the lessons of tidiness and order, this is what I've learned from the broken mugs:

• Shop Carefully: At a buck each, the cow mugs -- so cute, so different, so cheap -- came from a dollar store in our area. Shortly after we bought them, the handles fell off the cow mugs. Were we careless? Was the merchandise faulty? Should we be more careful about buying items from dollar stores? Those are a few of the questions that are now on my mind.


• Preserve Possessions: Most of our coffee mugs are in decent shape, albeit with a few chips here and there. And clearly, the cows mugs suffered the greatest damage in record time. But honesty prompts me to confess that other mugs (not many) in my home are missing handles. Are we careless with our possessions? Do we let our dishes pile up too often? Are we mugging our coffee mugs (and bank accounts) with careless housekeeping?


• Make Repairs Wisely: We tried to repair the cow mugs. (Super glue does not hold up in the dishwasher.) But what is the value of repairs? Does it make sense in terms of time, effort and resources? What are the risks? What if the repaired handles break while we're holding hot tea or coffee and our frugal repairs lead --heaven forbid--to an expensive emergency room visit?


• Stay Neat: It's taken me a while to track down all of the cow handles. And I think at least one handle is still missing in action. Why are my kitchen counter tops so messy? Why did it take me so long to find the missing cow handles and why have I held onto useless handles and so much junk?

Those are a few of the questions that are running around my head as I look at the broken cow handles. I still don't know what to do with cows or the handle-less mugs. Letting go of clutter and even useless ceramic cows can be difficult.

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Weekly Reading: My Favorite Links

I'm rushing off to go to a Mother-Daughter brunch, but here are a few links that caught my eye:

From The Simple Dollar: When Is Frugality Stealing?

From Queercents: A Million Bucks by 30

From Dollar Frugal: This is Why Frugality is HOT!

From Dual Income No Kids: Celebrities and Wealth

From Mighty Bargain Hunter: Is your time worth $2/hour or is it priceless?

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The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store

Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
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Extra Income & Other Strategies for Digging out of Debt in 2008

Finding a new way to get to work and tapping into extra income are a few of the strategies for eliminating debt in 2008, according to this guest post from http://www.cccsinc.org/ (Consumer Credit Counseling Service):

"Review your transportation needs. If a car is needed to get to work, be sure to stay current on your payments. Explore options such as public transportation or trading a more expensive vehicle for a cheaper one. Look for opportunities to carpool to reduce travel expenses.

Stop charging! If you don’t have the willpower to not use your credit cards, remove the temptation by removing the cards from your wallet. Secure them in a safe deposit box at your bank or other hard to reach location, or simply put them in a bowl of water and freeze them. The time it takes for them to thaw will give you plenty of time to think about your purchase.

Explore alternatives for extra income. Talk with your employer about working additional hours at your current job, or pick up a part time job to make some additional income. Use all additional income to pay down debt.

Reduce expenses everywhere possible. Cut out the morning coffee stop, bring your lunch to work, opt for dinner and a movie at home instead of going out. Look around the house for ways to cut expenses. Consider trading in your landline and using your cell phone exclusively; cut back or eliminate on your cable or satellite package; raise (or lower) your thermostat just a few degrees—these small changes can add up to big savings.

Pay off highest interest rate charge cards first. Start with the cards with the highest rate and pay more than the minimum each month. As soon as you pay off one card, apply that money to the next card. While consolidating your credit card debt into a single card with a lower interest rate can help you pay off the debt faster, be careful of higher rates at the end of an introductory period. You could end up paying more over time. Also, if you do consolidate, cut up or put away the other cards to reduce the temptation to use them.

Keep housing payments current. Pay your mortgage or rent on time every month. If you own your home, also stay current on all taxes owed. Failing to do this can result in foreclosure or eviction."

source: www.cccsinc.org

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A Public Apology: Making Peace with a 20-Something Diva

This is a public apology to a big-spending, low-saving, 20-something diva. Yeah, that was me in the 1980s with the big processed hair, puffy shoulder pads and the heavy eyeliner. It's an amusing snapshot, but it's not a complete or fair portrait of my younger self.

The truth: Yeah, I was a hot mess during the 1980s. I made mistakes. But in an effort to a) show how much I've grown, b) how much I've accomplished and c) how funny I was back-in-the-day, I've often created a public and private image of my 1980s self that was glib and superficial. In many of my past posts, I've loudly complained about my inner shopping diva.

The truth: I was more than a space cadet, bubble head, airhead or even a diva. In fact, I owe a lot to the girl I was. Here's the balance sheet:

1. The shopping trips: I acquired more than tissue paper and cloth when I shopped 'til I dropped during the 1980s. I learned about seasonal discounts, comparison shopping and the hidden dangers of credit-card debt. And I learned to recognize the warning signs of emotional spending.

2. The low savings rate: Spin it this way. My financial mistakes were actually investments in a valuable hands-on monetary education. A comparable MBA course on personal finance would have cost thousands of dollars. I acquired that same knowledge by acquiring stuff and adventures. I was experimenting with money. And yes, some of my fiscal experiments were far-fetched, short-sighted or downright wacky. But my 20-something adventures yielded a deep reverence for the bottom line in money, relationships and personal growth.

3. Recognition of smart moves: During the 1980s, I changed careers by moving from broadcast journalism to the print media; I moved to New York City and I began learning about the craft of creative writing. Those career moves yielded concrete financial gains and personal satisfaction. I learned to take risks.

4. My rented homes: In hindsight, I realize that I've paid a fortune in rent. But the lack of home-ownership facilitated a nomad career, a creative spirit and financial flexibility.

5. Self-acceptance: For quite awhile, I've had bitter regrets about past financial and personal decisions. And I've secretly resented my younger self for making errors in judgment. But it's all a matter of choice and perspective. I can stay in a debtors' prison of regret and self-accusations or I can increase the value of old accounts by reviewing the past with fresh and forgiving eyes. I can constantly ask myself:

• What can I learn from this?


• How can I improve?


• What can I do better next time?


• What did I do right?


• How can I make amends?


• And finally, how can I let go and move on?

My 20-something self taught me the value of finding lessons in every moment and every action. Past mistakes have tutored me on the real value of life: It's not what we have or save or earn. Knowledge is the real asset. Self-awareness is the best real estate. (I have to know where I really live.) And gratitude is wealth.

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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Previous Posts:

The Best Book I've Ever Read About Making Changes Stick

I Found 7 Pennies & One Umbrella Under My Bed: Feng Shui Report

Salad Plate Lessons: Eating Green; Saving Green

Happy 2008! Famous Quotes for the New Year

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The Best Book I've Ever Read About Making Changes Stick

When I put together a list of books that have meant a lot to me, Small Change* by Susan & Larry Terkel will be on my list of money-saving, life-altering books. The Small Change formula is really excellent and the minor changes suggested --personal, financial, health, professional--are meaningful and practical.

For instance, the authors suggest substituting one glass of water for a soft drink at each meal. Projected savings: 50,000 calories and $500 annually. Another easy change: walk to a further bus stop rather than the stop closest to my home. Projected benefit: I could walk an additional 150 miles in one year with a small adjusment in my route.



Here's the formula recommended in Small Change*

1. Study your daily habits: "Change something in your daily life and you will see the benefits steadily accumulate."--(p. 9) Face it: Our little bad habits cause more grief than the occasional huge error. Here's a menu of petty little things that cost us time and money every day: misplaced keys, the extra serving of junk food, the forgotten lunch, etc.


Consider my kitchen counter tops. When I cook, the kitchen looks like the aftermath of a tropical storm through Miami. My kitchen surfaces become overdone with spices, oils and garnishes. As such, clean-up takes longer, which cuts into my income and I'm less likely to cook the next meal because a) I have to find the kitchen counter tops before I can use the kitchen again and b) cleaning up from the previous meal was such a nightmare, why would I want to cook again? Let's order pizza instead!


This bad habit makes it more likely for me to order an expensive take-out meal or to just zap up an easy-to-fix microwave meal, which is usually more expensive and less healthy.


The small-step solution: I'll put away each ingredient and utensil as I use it. The proposed change is based on my review of a poor daily habit.


2. "Make only one change at a time:" (p. 12) This is such a great piece of advice. I learned the value of focus while deep cleaning my bedroom. When I tackle the entire room, I just waltz around in clutter. I call it the Clutter Shuffle in which I move piles from one location to the next. But when I target one section of the room at a time, that level of focus and attention delivers real results. I deeply clean and put things where they really belong. It's a mindful process, with a big payback. "Self improvement is easiest when taken one step at a time."--(p.14)


By the way, once the change becomes a permanent part of my routine, then it's safe to move on to the next target. The Terkels recommend making a minor change every few weeks. I've tried a one-change-a-month schedule and that seems to work for me.


3. Constantly make small change: It's important to keep moving. Professional athletes, for example, practice and run drills. The same process applies for other professions and crafts. "Instruments tuned on a regular basis are easier to tune," the Terkels state on page 17.

4. Keep the faith and recognize the power in small accumulations. This step requires discipline, delayed-gratification and confidence. When I was in my 20s, I sat down to write a novel and not just any novel: I wanted to write the Great American Novel, an epic piece. I wanted immediate blockbuster success. Years later, one draft of that great effort is in a box and other drafts have been fed to the dust bunnies under my bed.

This past summer, however, I completed writing a small book, which will be published this spring. I wrote it chapter by chapter, with small goals. That step-by-step process worked for me. Likewise, I have started writing a short-story collection. Maybe it could be a novel, but each little story has its own destination. And that small target is enough for me.


"Trust the power of small change, and remember it will add up."--p. 22

5. Have fun: If I enjoy the process, I'll be more likely to stick with the program. Consider my penny hunt. As I purge through the assorted piles in my home, I've made it a point to look for pennies and loose change. A bit of spare change is not going to make me richer, but the Treasure Hunt mentality brings a little joy to my clean-up efforts. It's fun to look under a couch pillow if I think I'm going to find a few silver or copper coins.


Additionally, if I can laugh about myself: the messy piles, the comic cooking or the crazy shopping trips, it becomes easier to let go of bad habits and memories of poor choices. It's just another adventure.

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.
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Previous Posts:
I Found 7 Pennies & One Umbrella Under My Bed: Feng Shui Report
Salad Plate Lessons: Eating Green; Saving Green
Happy 2008! Famous Quotes for the New Year
Finding Hidden Profits in Mistakes: a 10-Step Program


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I Found 7 Pennies & One Umbrella Under My Bed: Feng Shui Report

Feng Shui --my new wealth-building program--has already made me richer and ready for a rainy day. My new wealth: seven pennies and one black and red umbrella, which I found while clearing away a pile of papers from under my bed.

What's more, I re-discovered a manuscript and pages from an old screenplay that I had once fed to dust bunnies in a fit of creative angst. The old material wasn't as bad as I had feared and I may be able to salvage bits for future writing projects.

As such, my space-clearing, energy-flowing Eastern Path to wealth & enlightenment is only two days old, but already I've gained a few insights:


1. Count pennies. It's the treasure hunt principal. My cleaning spree has extra zip because I know there is hidden wealth (pennies, quarters and dimes) under my messy piles. Finding seven pennies under my bed made me feel like I hit the jackpot. I can smell gold under my old issues of Vogue.

2. Create time and space limits: While treasure hunting, I lingered way too long in the deep mines of clutter during my first Feng Shui purge. The cleanup, I discovered, works best when I set time limits and target a specific space. During one cleaning drive, for example, I spun my wheels when I tried to clean a large area. I aimed too high and too wide. But when I set out to clean the small area under the right side of my bed, I had better results.

3. Maintain clutter-free zones: After investing time and energy, I have become very vigilant about retaining a clutter-free zone near my bed and on the long counter top in the kitchen. It's so easy to backslide, but using my father's clean-as-you-go approach helps me to keep the clutter banished.

4. Document the process: I started to write down my penny tally because I wanted to have an accurate report for this space. But my record-keeping duties yielded an extra bonus. The notepad scribbles made my progress seem real rather than mythical. The seven pennies had more power on paper.

5. Look for tax credits or future income: During one of my purging episodes, I glanced at the clothes in my walk-in closet: lots of expensive suits in classic cuts. When I worked in the newsroom office as a business reporter, I dressed like a Gothic banker (conservative, but edgy). But as a write-at-home mom, I look like a middle-aged Gothic slacker in black sweats and a black hoodie. I don't need so many suits. So in my drive for wealth and a cleaner home, I've packed away some of my designer suits.

I may donate the pile to a nonprofit program or a thrift store, thereby collecting a tax credit. Or maybe, I'll sell my suits on eBay or offer them up on Craig's List. I've even thought about selling the garments in a consignment store. Maybe I'll even try a pawn shop: I sell my clutter for cash.
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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.
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Previous Posts:

Salad Plate Lessons: Eating Green; Saving Green

Happy 2008! Famous Quotes for the New Year

The Financial Power of Clean Countertops & The Hidden Costs of Chipped Mugs

Finding Hidden Profits in Mistakes: a 10-Step Program

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Salad Plate Lessons: Eating Green; Saving Green

Yesterday, in a fit of stubborn frugality, I refused to eat my money. But it was a hot debate between the $20 bill on my dining room table and the bag of pre-washed baby green lettuce in my frig. I have a weakness for salads, especially overstuffed, exotic salads with a wild assortment of tastes. My ideal meal: a big salad and a fabulous dessert. But after tax, tips and other charges that ideal meal usually costs about $20.




Feeling really frugal, I made my own salad. Here's my recipe:



1. Large serving of pre-washed organic salad: red and green romaine, oak leaf, chard, arugula, and other mixed greens. Thankfully, we had a bag of organic mixed greens in the frig.


2. Baby carrots


3. One vegetarian Morningstar chicken patty. (My favorite restaurant charges about $3 for that addition of veggie meat.)


4. Chopped almonds, walnuts and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds.


5. Chopped onions.


6. Minced, crisp miniature pickles.


7. Italian salad dressing.



Arranged on a large glass plate, my homemade gourmet salad was just as pretty as the $10-plus salad that I would have picked up at the restaurant. My own creation was a riot of color and taste, washed down with a tall glass of Asian Plum White Tea, sweetened with honey, which would have cost $3 at the cafe. For dessert: a generous serving of Oreo cookies, with the yucky cream center scooped out. (Yeah, I love the chocolate cookies, no cream.)



Bottom line: I didn't feel deprived; I felt pampered for a total cost of less than $2. And I learned several lessons from my salad plate:



1) Keep the kitchen well-stocked: Without the nuts, pickles and other perks, my meal would have just been lettuce on a plate. That so-called salad would have been no competition for the color-coordinated eye-candy salad at the cafe. Having a few extra ingredients in my cabinet and frig really saved me a lot of money.



2) Be creative: I don't normally put sour pickles on a green salad. But in a festive, anything-goes mood, I chopped and sprinkled the pickles onto my salad plate. My creativity was awarded with extra crunch.



3) Be patient: It took time to wash the pre-washed salad. (I never trust pre-washed salads!) It took patience to chop the carrots and the onions. Even reaching into the assorted bags of nuts was an exercise in persistence. But if I want to save money and live well, I'll have to stretch for the higher shelf, open the bag of baby greens and sprinkled the nuts myself.



4) Be honest: This is the big X-Factor. When I started to reach for the $20 bill on the dining room table, I initially told myself a lie, namely: I don't have time to make my own salad. It was easier, I thought to just walk out the door with my money and just hand over my green bill for a plate of green food.


But here's the actual invoice of time:

• Leaving my house is at least a 10-minute process.
• Walking to the little cafe near my home or the competing restaurants involves a brisk 10-minute sprint if I do that swishy hip-heel-toe weird walk demonstrated by speed-walkers that make little kids giggle.
• At this time of the year in Miami, my neighborhood is overrun with snow birds and the wait for a table at my little cafe could take as long as 20 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes to be waited on and served.
• The remaining balance of time: 20 minutes to eat, 10 minutes to wait for the bill and to pay my tab.
• And finally: 10 minutes to walk home.

Final time cost of cafe salad: 95 minutes (including meal time) or 75 minutes (excluding eating time)


Final cost of home gourmet salad: 10 minutes of prep time.





Bottom line: I saved about $18 in cash and over an hour in time. My gourmet salad was worth the effort.

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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Saving on a Slim Budget & Other Tips From the Carnival of Personal Finance

The Carnival of Personal Finance is up at We're in Debt. Thanks to the host for organizing a great carnival. Thanks for including one of my posts in the mix. Here are a few items that caught my eye:


From Being Frugal: build up your emergency fund (even if you're on a tight budget.)

From FatherSez: goals for 2008. ( a great overview for bloggers).

From Chief Family Officer: quit taking advantage of “great deals"

From Aching Debts: goals and resolutions for 2008.

From Millionaire Mommy Next Door: 10 tips to retire on less.
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Eastern Wealth Machine: Using Feng Shui to Boost My Savings

I'm going East (to China) to build wealth. With a broom, a book, and lots of energy, I'm applying a few Feng Shui Principles to my home in hopes of boosting my personal wealth. Feng Shui is the use of space and energy--Chi -- (pronounced chee ) to balance and enhance our lives. Here's a wealth-building strategy based on Feng Shui :

Make pretty floral arrangements: "Fresh blooms beautifully arranged attract wealth," according to a recent issue of Domino magazine. In contrast, chipped or cracked vases and dead plants detract from our wealth. Here is the link to a pdf of the Domino article, which featured work by the Feng Shui Detective.

Discard or fix broken clocks: Symbols of "dead time" halt our progress, the magazine reported. I have a few broken watches to fix or purge.

Clear off kitchen counters: From an organizational point of view, I addressed this topic earlier: The Financial Power of Clean Countertops & The Hidden Costs of Chipped Mugs. But according to Feng Shui principles, kitchen messes also damage health and wealth.

Increase structure & banish clutter: More structure and less clutter should "help to improve your financial situation," according to according to Feng Shui in 10 Simple Lessons, a wonderful book by Jane Butler-Biggs.

Purge junk from under the bed: The pile of old magazines under my bed and those old school papers must vanish. "Accumulated stuff weighs you down and those hidden piles block energy flow through the home," according to Domino magazine.

Fix entrances: Repair squeaky doors; remove clutter and furniture from behind doors. Impaired or compromised entrances block the flow of energy (and wealth) into our homes.

Add metal energy: "Boosting metal energy in your home will help you reap the rewards of your hard work," according to Feng Shui in 10 Simple Lessons. To increase metal energy: carefully fold towels and other items, streamline accessories, eliminate clutter, keep home entrances clear. "Metal energy represents order, structure, recreation and pleasure and creativity," states Feng Shui in 10 Simple Lessons. Colors associated with this force include white, silver and gold.

My application: I'm a clutter queen. On an organizational level, clearing away piles of paper and stuff will probably have a practical impact on my life and finances. Any additional wealth from my energy work will be a bonus.

Charting my progress: On the first of every month, I'll check in with my Feng Shui Report. My update will include comments about the piles that I've purged and any increase in my finances.
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Previous Posts:

Happy 2008! Famous Quotes for the New Year
The Financial Power of Clean Countertops & The Hidden Costs of Chipped Mugs
Finding Hidden Profits in Mistakes: a 10-Step Program

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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg is the author of The Frugal Duchess of South Beach:How to Live Well and Save Money... Anywhere!, which will be published in the Spring of 2008 by DPL Press.

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Happy 2008! Famous Quotes for the New Year

In honor of the new calendar year. Here are a few of my favorite quotes about money, life and happiness:

"Stop waiting until you make enough money to do something you'd really love."-- Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way. p.7

"Forget yourself." --Henry Miller

Knowing others is wisdom
Knowing yourself is enlightenment" --Lao Tzu

"Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger." --Albert Camus

"Let it go. If it's bothering you, let it go." --Betsy Brown quoted in Wise Women by Joyce Tenneson. p. 64

"Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present."--Albert Camus

"Shut the iron doors on the past and the future. Live in Day-tight Compartments." --Dale Carnegie: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living p.14

"Deferred gratification means training yourself to think, I want it but I don't need it."-- Mike Summey and Roger Dawson in Weekend Millionaire Mindset p.31


"I was very low and I had to achieve something. Without the challenge, I would have gone stark raving mad." --J.K. Rowling

"I cut my hair and let it be natural--nappy. I let my own personality out."--Odetta p. 54 in Wise Women by Joyce Tenneson.

"Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor." --Paul Hawken

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."-- Oprah Winfrey.

"You always pass failure on the way to success."-- Mickey Rooney

"Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."-- Thomas Carlyle

"Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot."-- Ben Zoma as quoted in Ethics of our Fathers Chapter 4-1 (Pirkei Avos)

"Do not hurry the voyage at all
It is better to let it last for long years."--K.P. Kavafy (C.P. Cavafy) in the poem: Ithaca

"Don't spend a dollar when a dime will do." --Anthony L. Iaquinto and Stephen Spinelli Jr. in Never Bet the Farm p.45

"You have to start each day again--you can't repeat what you did." Marian Seldes quoted (p, 38) in Wise Women by Joyce Tenneson.

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