Posts Tagged ‘money’
Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday
Have you and your spouse started thinking about retirement? Perhaps it’s several years off or maybe in the not-so-distant future. What are your plans, will you be traveling or just relaxing on the back deck watching the sun rise while sipping your morning coffee?
Hubby will be retiring from the State of Delaware in July, but since I have at least 5 more years, he has to wait for me…and while he waits, he will be working no doubt about it. Just because he’s retiring with a full pension doesn’t negate the fact that we’ll have a son in college and bills to pay.
Retirement should be a dream come true filled with fun and excitement but if you make mistakes in not planning, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.
According to the experts, there are 7 mistakes that couples should avoid if they want their retirement years to be truly golden.
- Couples never talked about what each of them expected retirement to be, i.e. personal interest or professional goals
- They haven’t planned for emergencies, i.e. illnesses, accidents and major home repairs
- Couples in their 2nd marriages didn’t plan for unique problems that come with blended families, ie. adult children needing financial assistance
- They didn’t do proper financial planning. i.e. fail to calculate the amount of money needed in retirement, lifestyle and living costs changes
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Couples didn’t consider the high costs of health care or long-term care
- Assuming that because you are married you can act for each other in business and health care decisions, consider getting a Power of Attorney
- Only one partner is handling financial matters – couples need to talk regularly about finances and both should actively participate
If you and your spouse haven’t sat down and talked about your retirement plans, the time to do so is now so you can make those golden years tarnish free!
What are your thoughts?
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Hello Friends and Happy (soggy) Sunday
Sitting here at the kitchen table, cutting out coupons and watching the rain fall I decided to fire up the iPad and read my emails (multi-tasking to the max). After reading a new comment from Kirsten Womack I decided to repost the Kale and Black Eye Pea Soup recipe as a twist on my traditional New Year’s Eve dinner.
The cooking and eating of Black Eye Peas and Collard Greens is a New Year’s Day tradition deeply rooted in the African American culture. I have for many years always had a big pot of Black Eye Peas and Collard Greens simmering on the stove top while chicken wings were being deep fried on the side. It’s tradition to eat a little of each immediately after kneeling in prayer on New Years Eve for good luck and prosperity heading forward.
This year will be no exception, however, I may use the Crock Pot to cook them both together not only for the added luck but because it will make for an easier clean up.
We also send one of our sons outside with money in his pocket and then have him be the first to walk through the front door. This is not an African American tradition it’s just something fun to do!
What are your New Year’s Eve Traditions?
REPOST from 12/13/13
Today’s Friday Foodie Feature is Kale & Black Eye Pea Soup
Sunday I purchased a container of CutnClean Kale from Safeway to be used in my salads for the week. However, after hearing the weather forecast for more snow I decided to use it to make a Crock Pot soup with Black Eye Peas.
In the winter, my grandmother used to make the best homemade vegetable soups using ingredients she already had in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. So in keeping with tradition I used some leftover celery stalks, an onion, garlic, carrots and Bouillon cubes to make this soup.
Ingredients:
- Dry Black Eye Peas – 1/2 bag
- Kale – 1/2 package
- Celery – diced
- Carrots – diced
- Onion – diced
- Garlic – diced
- Bouillon Cubes (2)
- Water
- Olive Oil
- Black Pepper
- Smoked Turkey Necks (optional)
Mama Midget (yes that was her name), never used measuring cups or spoons so neither do I especially when using the Crock Pot. I just throw in what I have or think is enough.
Rinse and drain 1/2 bag of dry Black Eye peas
Add 2 Bouillon Cubes to 3 cups of hot water
Pour Olive Oil into Crock Pot just enough to cover bottom
Chop onion, garlic, carrots and celery and add to Crock Pot
Add Kale and sprinkle with Black Pepper
Pour in Bouillon Stock, adding more water to cover all ingredients if necessary
Stir and if desired add Smoked Turkey Legs or Necks
Cover and cook on low 8 hour, high 4 hours – depending on Crock Pot model. Don’t forget to make some Skillet Corn Bread!
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Hello Friends and Happy
“What Would You Do” Wednesday!
Do you remember the last time Powerball reached record levels?
Do you remember this post when it was 1/2 Billion dollars?
http://wp.me/p2klje-1WO
I would probably pass out, fall down, bump my head and end up with amnesia never knowing I won – lol!
What you would you do with $400 Million Dollars?
The jackpot is now an estimated $425Million which will only increase as the day progresses!
Even if you don’t win, you can be winner in knowing that some of the proceeds are helping to fund schools and Senior Centers in your state, but remember, “You Gotta Be In It To Win It!
Good luck & have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
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Hello Friends, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Today for my son’s 21st birthday all he wanted was money and to go bowling, oh and he also mentioned something about a beer. Well he got the money, but not the beer…with his father being a Muslim he knew that wasn’t happening. We did however, go to Mid County Lanes in Middletown and had a great time…at least I did.
Now that my sons are getting older I am beginning to really miss the days when we had family fun time, so today was also a gift to me, a gift for my “giving birth day”!
My “Giving Birth Day” Gift
S T R I K E !!
I’m left-handed but can only bowl using my right hand – weird
Hubby bowled even with his bad back!
Family Fun Time with my men
I remember when these used to come with laces – nicely styled velcro!
Family Fun Time at Mid County Lanes
After bowling we went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner.
A Birthday Cupcake courtesy Ruby Tuesday
My Family!
Have a fantastical night – Smooches!
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Hello Friends and Happy Friday Eve!
Today, my youngest begins volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware. It’s so very hard to find summer employment for teenagers these days, and he needs gas money, so I made him a deal. He will volunteer 3 hours a day, 3 times a week helping to prepare free summer meals for kids, and I will pay him $50.00 a week for gas and savings.
As a 17 year old male, it’s important for him to build a good work ethic, but to have an opportunity to work in a field that gives back builds character. I want him to understand that not everyone lives a privileged life and that we all have an obligation to help others. Whether it’s in donating money, clothing, food or time, we should all reach out into our communities to lend a helping hand.
Growing up in a housing project in New Rochelle, NY, my sister and I attended summer programs that provided free lunches. Even back then, I knew this not only helped us but our grandmother as well, and that it was important to be grateful. It would upset me when other kids would smash the milk cartons or throw away the fruit, I knew there were others even less fortunate who would have loved to have had that milk or piece of fruit.
If your High School student is also having a hard time finding employment for the summer, consider a volunteer opportunity in your area, it can also be a good topic for their Senior Project.
Have a fantastical day – Smooches!
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Today 5 7 is my husband’s 57th birthday!
What did I get him?
NOTHING
Why?
Because for the past 25 years nothing that I’ve ever given him was good enough!
I am a CHEAP frugal shopper so he’s never used a single item that I’ve given him including gift certificates/cards.
Actually seven years ago I started giving him single dollar bills, and no not for what you’re thinking! I would give him a dollar for each year starting with a pack of 50. Most times he’d spend it on the boys, but this year he’s not even getting that because we just spent a bunch of money to replace the engine in Tayair’s old car to give to Malik. Of course we had to assign the car to him and because he had an accident last month it’s costing us an additional $350 month, therefore, no one gets any birthday money this or next year!
Happy Birthday Hubby!
alright…heading out to get ingredients for his birthday dinner….and maybe a Walgreen’s Gift Card…this year he just might use it!)
Have a fantabulous evening – Smooches!
Share your thoughts
Today 5 7 is my husband’s 57th birthday!
What did I get him?
NOTHING
Why?
Because for the past 25 years nothing that I’ve ever given him was good enough!
I am a CHEAP frugal shopper so he’s never used a single item that I’ve given him including gift certificates/cards.
Actually seven years ago I started giving him single dollar bills, and no not for what you’re thinking! I would give him a dollar for each year starting with a pack of 50. Most times he’d spend it on the boys, but this year he’s not even getting that because we just spent a bunch of money to replace the engine in Tayair’s old car to give to Malik. Of course we had to assign the car to him and because he had an accident last month it’s costing us an additional $350 month, therefore, no one gets any birthday money this or next year!
Happy Birthday Hubby!
alright…heading out to get ingredients for his birthday dinner….and maybe a Walgreen’s Gift Card…this year he just might use it!)
Have a fantabulous evening – Smooches!
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February 9th is the 1st year Blogiversary of DeDivahDeals!
I began my journey on Blogspot.com with this post (here) …BORING…a single picture of two bottles of Sally Hansen nail polish and 3 packs of Salon effects clearly marked for clearance from Walgreens…no descriptions…nothing…comments…none…just crickets – oh what a difference a year makes.
The first post to receive a comment and a “like“ was 40 days later, “Goodwill Deals – Gucci from the 90’s” from Lesley Carter of Bucket List Publications and my girlfriend Wanda, that stroked my ego so I continued purchasing and posting.
As time progressed I read and learned more and found my niche, but more importantly I realized the most rewarding aspect of blogging was the interaction between great virtual friends and followers.
In your own way, each of you have touched my heart and filled a void in such a glorious way that I could never truly express how I feel, so please accept my heart felt THANK YOU…a SMOOCH…and this big ole bag of MONEY…spend it wisely!
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Have you and your spouse started thinking about retirement? Perhaps it’s several years off or maybe in the not-so-distant future. What are your plans, will you be traveling or just relaxing on the back deck watching the sun rise while sipping your morning coffee?
