MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH by Lorilee Craker

In a world so focused on consumerism and debt the basic things are labelled as “secrets”, when I think of the title “Money secrets of...” I can’t help but thinking “how sad that we now regard it as secrets”, definitely some years ago it would have been regarded as just simple common sense.

There is no “money secrets” in Lorilee Craker’s book, just some basic common sense that from time to time we should be reminded of. Nowadays we seem to have our priorities in the wrong place and in these economic times is now, more important than ever to have well set our priorities. In the Amish world this seems to be simplicity, family, and among “their secrets”, avoid debt, live with less, shop second hand, buy what you really need, be self-sufficient in whatever you can, trade for goods and services, save more and be as resourceful as you can. I have to say, that most of all the “tips and tricks” were already known and practised in my household, however the book left me completely inspired to continue the same lifestyle and even try a couple of new things.

The narrative style with nice touches of humour make this book a page turner. If you are on the frugal side of life and you value the simple and basic things in life this book will not disappoint you.

Mind your own Mortgage -Book Review

I have received Mind Your Own Mortgage: The Wise Homeowner's Guide to Choosing, Managing, and Paying Off Your Mortgage by Robert J. Bernabe from the publisher in a moment I was actually preparing myself to refinance, probably it was the best moment the book could have come as it was a real eye opener.

The book is divided in four sections: Get a grip on it, shop for it, manage it and finish it.

The first section it is an introduction of the book and explains in general how the mortgage market works. The second section goes deeply into explaining all the shopping process and everything involved in the total cost of a mortgage, provides charts and explains how to compare prices in the same way as you would if you were buying a gallon of gas. The third and forth part are shorter and deals with the payment of your mortgage.

The book is very informative and well written, although this is not an easy subject at least for me. The idea of having your own charts/ tables to compare different prices provided by the lenders was completely new to me as we always tend to listen to the sales pitch and make some sense of it. I doubt that the tables will be valid for the UK market or any other market outside the United States; however it is an interesting idea and inspires you to find a way to adapt it to your own market and situation.

In general the principles and basic rules still apply wherever you are: shop based on total cost versus payments, try to put money aside to “overpay” each month (reducing the length of your mortgage and saving thousands of dollars in the long run), live within your means.

OBSTACLES WELCOME by Ralph de la Vega -Book Review

Obstacles Welcome describes de life of a 10 year old Cuban immigrant, from his arrival to the United States through his development and further progression becoming the President and CEO of AT&T Mobility.

Through his life story, de la Vega gives lessons and advice on leadership. From this book you will learn the basic principles for personal and professional success and how goal setting, vision and determination will guide you through hard times of challenges to take you where you really want to be. De la Vega’s life doesn’t lack a good amount of hard times and challenges, probably more than most of us will have in our ordinary lives. However, early in his life he learns to embrace obstacles and use them as opportunities that will help him reach his goal. Early in the book, de la Vega shows one his best kept secrets to which he attributes his success in business; you will have to face too many challenges and obstacles in life and THERE is where the real opportunities that will change your life are, use them and learn from them, they will become your stepping stones.

I found Obstacles Welcome a really motivational and inspirational read from someone who “walked the walk” and can now talk about it.

"Babies", The Movie

I have just seen such a nice trailer, that I am definitely excited about watching the film. It follows the 1st year of the lives of four different babies born in four different places in the earth, (Tokyo, San Francisco, Namibia and Mongolia). It looks really interesting.

http://movies.yahoo.com/premieres/16828233/standardformat

Mosey Jones at the Baby Show

Do you still have your entrepreneurial side awake and kicking inside you after changing all the nappies, doing the washing up and juggling husband, kids and house at the end of the day? Then you would love to know that Mosey Jones is one of the guest speakers at the Baby Show.

Mosey Jones is a writer and journalist, expert in business and parenting and all the things in between. She is also the author of The Mumpreneur Diaries a book that you can hardly put down once you get engaged in the reading.

The Mumpreneur Diaries: Business, Babies or Bust - One Mother of a Year follows Mosey’s life as she juggles house, kids and her attempt of becoming a mumpreneur during her months of maternity leave. A life that some of us will actually identify with.

This is a really nice opportunity to hear directly from another mum that “has been there and done it”, if you feel inspired you might then check the book. It’s unmissable.

The Baby Show is back

The next Baby Show is getting close; from May 15 to May 17, 2009 it will take place in NEC in Birmingham.

As usual it will be packed with all sorts of information from experts on pregnancy, birth, babies and toddlers. Full of all those necessaries must-haves that all parents are looking for and for a fraction of the price that you will usually find in a retail shop.

If you are looking for the latest sling for your newborn baby, toys for your running toddler, bottles, prams... you name it, you will find it here.

For a break in your day you also have the BabyCentre Cravings Cafe where you can relax while indulging in any craving you might have whether you are pregnant or not. This is an ideal opportunity to join all the family for a day out exploring the different stands and choices of information.

The opening times:
Friday 15 - Sunday 17 May 9.30am - 5.00pm each day.

Tickets from £11.00 in advance or £13.95 on the door, kids (0-10 years) go free.
For further information or if you would like to book online visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk

Getting paid while blogging

I have run lately across numerous banner ads for Today.com so I finally took the plunge and signed up, although I got a few blogs I decided to take a new one on a subject that I feel passionate about so therefore it wouldn’t take me that much effort to update daily (that is what I am aiming for). Today.com is a well known blogging network, where you get the opportunity to blog for cash and now they are recruiting new bloggers.

If you enjoy writing or you have a hobby and spare fifteen minutes a day, this might be a good opportunity for you. This blogging network pays $1 per each post that contains at least 100 words (what you have been reading in this post is already more than 100 words). So if you post once a day you get paid $30-31 a month. It doesn’t sound like too much but so far this is the only network that I have found paying to write about ANYTHING you want. Choose a subject and blog as usual. Publish and get paid. Is that simple!

At Today.com you get paid:
-By post: $1 per each post that contains at least 100 words.
-By visitors: $2 per 1000 unique visits.

But if you want you can still make extra money in different ways:
-Referring bloggers: You get paid $5 for introducing a friend to blog for cash at Today.com.
-Bonuses of $250 are paid each month to the top promoters.
-Promote affiliate products and earn revenue from the sales.
-Sell advertisement spots on your site (by placing a link or writing a post) and share part of the revenue.

Some of their members report getting hundreds of dollars of monthly income.

Blogging at Today.com seems to be all advantages. To create an account is very easy. Apply following the link provided below (or click on the banner at the top); you will have to choose the name of the blog and the subject. Today.com will host the blog free.

It might take some days (or even weeks) for the blog to be approved as they seem to have too many applications; however mine came in a couple of days. When you receive your approval; they will send you the link to activate your account. Once activated you are done, the only thing left is start blogging!

When you start your blog they pay $2 per 1000 unique visits to your site, however once you published 30 posts over 30 individual days your blog will be promoted and you will get paid $1 per each post with at least 100 words minimum content.

At the end of the day, it doesn't seem too bad for a couple of paragraphs.
Get paid to BLOG at Today.com