Ok, so after my last post on the basic rules for marriage, I was asked to do something on divorce (for those of you for whom it is too late I suppose?) This will mostly be suggestions from a person on the outside looking in.
1. Stop blasting your crap on social media: That is annoying. Seriously, people don't care that much, and you are pushing people away and making a fool of yourself.
2. Do not think you can tell lies about your ex: That is just tacky, immature, and disrespectful. not just to your ex, but to the people you are lying to. I may or may not know a couple who the ex wife lied and told some church friends she left her husband because he was beating her. This is complete bull. He never laid a hand on her and for over a year after several people were avoiding him for NO reason, but the lie they had been told. If you do not want to tell people (its really not their business) why you divorced, (like, for example, you're a raging whore)say something simple like "It just wasn't working out." (because you're a raging whore...)
3. Do not make people pick, because they will most likely not pick you. Friends, kids, etc. do not encourage or force them to pick a side. Do not act like every time they talk to or see your ex is an affront against you and your happiness, it is not. You may not be harboring a hate so fierce you sometimes think you can move things with your mind, but its OK that everyone else does not feel this way. I have never in my life seen someone who tried to force people's hand in a divorce situation who ended up being the one who was "picked." Ever.
4. Do not immediately date (unless you're a raging whore): I understand after the pain and rejection of a divorce it could be tempting to get back out there and do it all over again, but don't. For one people will not take you seriously. For two it is soooooooooo incredibly unfair to the poor sap who agrees to date you. For three it is super insensitive to the people around you, especially your parents and children. They most likely love or loved your ex and "moving on" will not be quite so easy for them always. Try to think of people besides you. Aside from all of these reasons, you should also assess your role in the failure of your relationship, grow and heal as a person and move on in a mindset to fix your past mistakes. I am sorry if you are perfect and your divorce was in no way your fault, but you are wrong which is precisely why you should not be dating.
5. Get yourself some counseling: At a church, a therapist, psychologist, something. Make yourself a better YOU for the world and for others. Get all the pint up emotions, distrust, and unforgiveness OUT. You do not want that swimming around in your being to sabotage your relationships with others (both romantic and non romantic).
Good luck in all of your many endeavors, and I hope the best for all of you! (even if you're a raging whore!)
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Basic rules for marriage
With the closing of 2013, I closed the third year running in which I witnessed more couples getting divorced than married. Keep in mind: I am a wedding photographer. Sometimes you see that couple get married and you are sure most of the people are taking bets on how long they will last. Sadly, this is the time we live in.
I am by no means perfect, nor is my relationship, or my husband. We are, however, going on our 5 year anniversary and for our age, I would say we are doing pretty awesome. Most of these tips are things we have learned from people much older and wiser than us, and then re-learned them the hard way.
Please note me re-iterating that we are by no means a perfect couple, these things will not save you from a painful divorce, and I in no way am qualified to give anyone advice on anything, ever.
1: Don't go to bed angry. All fights must be ended before anyone sleeps. You don't sleep well, and you wake up still angry and unrested, which usually only makes things worse.
2: Keep Mommy and Daddy out of it: You grew up and got married. That is your family now. That person is your #1. Whining about your spouse to your parents only builds a wall between your spouse and your parents- something that should always be avoided. You know who you should talk to when you have a problem with your spouse? Your spouse!! Mom and Dad's house is not a place to escape your spouse, or to hide from your issues. If you are a parent with adult married children and one comes home angry at their spouse (assuming they are not being beaten or such extremes) You should be a good parent and send them HOME to their FAMILY.
3: Keep the kids out of it: Do not argue in front of your children, it will make them grow up with issues. Also, do not talk down to or about your spouse in front of your children, this to me is the ultimate of disrespect.That is that child's father/mother and they will have plenty of time when they are teenagers to form negative opinions of them all on their own.
4. No name calling: Seriously sad this has to be said, but do not be a poo poo head and call your spouse names. It is hurtful and immature. Words DO hurt. Lets just tack no yelling to the end of this for the sake of being thorough.
5. Fight fair: Fights happen, its inevitable. I think it is healthy to fight at least occasionally, but when you do, fight about what you are fighting about, nothing else. If you've already settled this fight, you cannot bring it up again. Once something is "Forgiven" it should stay that way, it cannot be used again as ammunition to get your way and "win" the fight.
6: You are not going to like this. Sorry. First year of marriage, or during any rough patches: Don't drink alcohol.
WHAT?!?!
I know, I know.
But listen, alcohol does not add any new issues that aren't already there, but it can and often does peel back the layers that lay delicately over those issues and pours lemon juice into them. You can choose not to believe me, but you will save yourself a lot of fights and general irritation if you do.
7. Do things alone together: No friends, no family, no kids, just an old fashioned date. Never, no matter how poor, tired, sick, busy,etc. you are, never stop dating.
8. Do things together with others: Group dates, sports, bowling, church, whatever. Its good to be around other people/couples and have other couple friends.
9. Don't use the D word: Divorce. we are desensitized to it in America. It is tremendously common to have multiple marriages or to be getting a divorce. The more you say it, the more you convince your mind this is an option. Its not. It certainly does not have to be. If you want an actual lasting relationship, you will remove this word from your vocabulary. This is not leverage against your mate to get your way, this is a hurtful excuse to give up when something gets hard, and if you go through with it, it will not just hurt you and your spouse, I can absolutely promise you that.
10. Never, ever take advice from a single or repeatedly divorced person. This should go without saying, but it won't. People who have not been there do not know, and people who gave it all up don't deserve to be invited into your marriage to give advice in the first place. (Sorry, not even a close friend/family member!)
Some of these may seem extreme, but they are tried and true, and have gotten us this far. I am blessed to have a husband who puts God first with me, makes me laugh every day, and is my best friend. If that is not your spouse today, I encourage you both to start following these basic rules and finding your way together to an awesome best-friendship that will change your life.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Adventures in essential oils!
Hello again,
For the last few months I have been doing lots of research and sampling of essential oils.
Last year my son Greyson got sick every week. By this time last year he was rushed to the ER 3 times in respiratory distress. Not only was this stressful, heart wrenching, and horrible on our finances, it was exhausting and confusing too. I have always fed my kids healthy whole foods. Even when at times its been hard to afford things like fresh produce, I've prided myself on limiting their processed food intake. My kids get daily exercise, daily vitamins, lots of love and we honestly hardly go anywhere besides church and errands for him to get exposed in the first place.
It was to the point we were avoiding church because we just couldn't bear another illness.
If you don't have kids, let me tell you that watching your child gasp for breath and not being able to do anything about it is the most horrifying feeling ever. Promise. You will never feel more helpless than when your child is going through something and you cannot help them.
This year at one of my MOPS meetings we made home made cleaners. My Discussion group leader then told us about Thieves essential oil and how she felt that is the reason her daughter survived Chemo. It is an immunity boosting essential oil blend discovered to keep people healthy during the bubonic plague (The black plague for those of you who don't know).
I was very intrigued but didn't think too much beyond it, then I heard about it again at my Chiropractor. She was going to be doing a class on essential oils and I attended. After hearing the history as well as some personal testimonials on thieves, I was sold. It was a $45 teeny bottle of Christmas smelling juice, and I had so much apprehension. I weighed it out logically though and I pay $30 per person as a co-pay for every doctor's visit. Usually, if one kid gets sick they both do, so usually, its $60 an illness. $500 per emergency room visit. If this random black plague oil could save me just one illness, I just "made" $15.
I began putting it very sparingly on the bottoms of my kids feet in the morning and at night any days we were out in the world, with other kids, etc. I also diffuse it occasionally in an oil diffuser.
This was in October.
So far, we have not been ill since I began this. I don't even use it every day. If they seem congested, if we are going on a play date, to mops, to church, or to a family gathering, I do it once on their feet before bed.
We have been to 6 mops meetings, church, 4 play dates, mc donald's germ-place, the mall play scape, otherwise known as flu central, all things I would have seriously avoided last year. These activities would have landed us here:
(Giving Patches a breathing treatment too)
I woke up one morning in November with what I was sure was a severe sinus infection, something that in me would normally last as long as 2 weeks. I grabbed a supplement I had bought the previous month called "Inner Defense" which is a thieves oil based supplement with a bit of other good stuff too. I took it every 4 hours or so like I normally would have done with my cold medicine. I took no cold medicine, at all. No medicine, no chemicals period. I took this supplement, oiled my feet repeatedly, and took a few steamy baths. I was completely back to normal within 24 hours.
By then I was sold and on black Friday I purchased a kit with whole sale membership to young living. This basically just means I get 25% off on my oil purchases. I can make this into a business if I want to, and I really think I may- even though that wasn't my original intention.
The level of pain, discomfort, heartache, and money that one bottle of thieves has saved me is PRICELESS to me. I have seen tons of people on my facebook, etc. dealing with what we dealt with last year- seemingly endless illnesses and the pain it causes your family and your wallet.
If you never, ever try any other essential oil, just try this one. I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the results!
For the last few months I have been doing lots of research and sampling of essential oils.
Last year my son Greyson got sick every week. By this time last year he was rushed to the ER 3 times in respiratory distress. Not only was this stressful, heart wrenching, and horrible on our finances, it was exhausting and confusing too. I have always fed my kids healthy whole foods. Even when at times its been hard to afford things like fresh produce, I've prided myself on limiting their processed food intake. My kids get daily exercise, daily vitamins, lots of love and we honestly hardly go anywhere besides church and errands for him to get exposed in the first place.
It was to the point we were avoiding church because we just couldn't bear another illness.
This year at one of my MOPS meetings we made home made cleaners. My Discussion group leader then told us about Thieves essential oil and how she felt that is the reason her daughter survived Chemo. It is an immunity boosting essential oil blend discovered to keep people healthy during the bubonic plague (The black plague for those of you who don't know).
I was very intrigued but didn't think too much beyond it, then I heard about it again at my Chiropractor. She was going to be doing a class on essential oils and I attended. After hearing the history as well as some personal testimonials on thieves, I was sold. It was a $45 teeny bottle of Christmas smelling juice, and I had so much apprehension. I weighed it out logically though and I pay $30 per person as a co-pay for every doctor's visit. Usually, if one kid gets sick they both do, so usually, its $60 an illness. $500 per emergency room visit. If this random black plague oil could save me just one illness, I just "made" $15.
I began putting it very sparingly on the bottoms of my kids feet in the morning and at night any days we were out in the world, with other kids, etc. I also diffuse it occasionally in an oil diffuser.
This was in October.
So far, we have not been ill since I began this. I don't even use it every day. If they seem congested, if we are going on a play date, to mops, to church, or to a family gathering, I do it once on their feet before bed.
We have been to 6 mops meetings, church, 4 play dates, mc donald's germ-place, the mall play scape, otherwise known as flu central, all things I would have seriously avoided last year. These activities would have landed us here:
I woke up one morning in November with what I was sure was a severe sinus infection, something that in me would normally last as long as 2 weeks. I grabbed a supplement I had bought the previous month called "Inner Defense" which is a thieves oil based supplement with a bit of other good stuff too. I took it every 4 hours or so like I normally would have done with my cold medicine. I took no cold medicine, at all. No medicine, no chemicals period. I took this supplement, oiled my feet repeatedly, and took a few steamy baths. I was completely back to normal within 24 hours.
By then I was sold and on black Friday I purchased a kit with whole sale membership to young living. This basically just means I get 25% off on my oil purchases. I can make this into a business if I want to, and I really think I may- even though that wasn't my original intention.
The level of pain, discomfort, heartache, and money that one bottle of thieves has saved me is PRICELESS to me. I have seen tons of people on my facebook, etc. dealing with what we dealt with last year- seemingly endless illnesses and the pain it causes your family and your wallet.
If you never, ever try any other essential oil, just try this one. I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the results!
(If you would like to purchase some thieves essential oil, or any other oils, do so here: https://www.youngliving.org/saltyalley If you have any questions about essential oils and what oils to use, feel free to message me!)
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
How Target almost ruined our Christmas (and why they should be held accountable)
Many people were effected by the recent data leak/hack of Target corporation financial information. More than 700,000 people actually. Card numbers and pins were leaked, all following the biggest shopping day of the year- Black Friday.
It took several days for Target to put out an official "comment" on the matter and it was a very brief apology which probably took less time and review than this blog posting. To help make up for any "inconvenience" they gave customers 10% off for a whole whopping day. wow. Slightly less profit for a whole day. How generous.
Here is some ways Target and their big data leak effected my family:
All my bills come out on Fridays, from my debit card, which was immediately cancelled (on a Friday) by my bank. The bank was kind enough to provide a letter to explain the situation but the bill companies were not so understanding, which means 3 $25 fees for my card being rejected when they tried to charge it: $75
I then had to rush to the bank and take out cash before it closed (going in, waiting in a line of 50+ people in the same boat while wrestling 2 small children was super fun, NOT!). I then had to rush to a store on the opposite side of town and pay my bills, plus the fees, plus the service charge from the store ($3 per bill x3 bills=$9) Not to mention the gas which we shall say conservatively was around $5 extra I wouldn't have had to spend.
Then Saturday night came, and as you may have already read, my super brilliant dog decided it was a good idea to eat mouse poison and I had to rush him to the Animal hospital at 11 at night 4 days before Christmas.
Animal Hospitals (at least this one) require cash up front, and its $75 just to walk in the door. I have $78 in my wallet and no way of getting more until Monday (Bank is closed Sunday). I have no one I can call, its late, and I'm not thinking people will have extra money laying around 4 days before Christmas. The hospital was pretty much going to let my dog die because of money. Because of Target. (If you want to read about this story check it out here:http://saltyalley.blogspot.com/2013/12/silver-linings.html)
Because of the high volume of new cards being ordered, they were taking longer and it was a full 10 days before we got our new cards, and we still have not received our new pin numbers (as of New years day). We have made 6 total trips to the bank which we normally wouldn't have so I am going to call that an extra $15
Not to mention I ordered my husband's Christmas presents Thursday night before all this happened and the payment didn't process before the card got cancelled, so all of his presents were late. :(
That puts me at an extra $103 Target has cost just my family alone. I know there are people who had far worse situations than we did. People who had money taken have to wait an average of 6-10 weeks just to get their money back. What if I didn't have a Christmas miracle and my dog died because I didn't have access to my money? What if it was my child and I needed medicine in the night? Seriously, how is a day of 10% discounts going to make this OK?!
I shop at Target a LOT. I had cartwheel all of 2 weeks and saved over $90 before this happened, just to give you an idea of how much I shop there.
Target needs to step up and make this right, or I am never stepping into a Target again.
They need to be held accountable for their lack of security/discretion with their customer's information and make up for nearly ruining (or actually ruining) many people's holidays!
If you agree, PLEASE SHARE this post! Lets make a ruckus and let Target know we deserve better as consumers!
It took several days for Target to put out an official "comment" on the matter and it was a very brief apology which probably took less time and review than this blog posting. To help make up for any "inconvenience" they gave customers 10% off for a whole whopping day. wow. Slightly less profit for a whole day. How generous.
Here is some ways Target and their big data leak effected my family:
All my bills come out on Fridays, from my debit card, which was immediately cancelled (on a Friday) by my bank. The bank was kind enough to provide a letter to explain the situation but the bill companies were not so understanding, which means 3 $25 fees for my card being rejected when they tried to charge it: $75
I then had to rush to the bank and take out cash before it closed (going in, waiting in a line of 50+ people in the same boat while wrestling 2 small children was super fun, NOT!). I then had to rush to a store on the opposite side of town and pay my bills, plus the fees, plus the service charge from the store ($3 per bill x3 bills=$9) Not to mention the gas which we shall say conservatively was around $5 extra I wouldn't have had to spend.
Then Saturday night came, and as you may have already read, my super brilliant dog decided it was a good idea to eat mouse poison and I had to rush him to the Animal hospital at 11 at night 4 days before Christmas.
Animal Hospitals (at least this one) require cash up front, and its $75 just to walk in the door. I have $78 in my wallet and no way of getting more until Monday (Bank is closed Sunday). I have no one I can call, its late, and I'm not thinking people will have extra money laying around 4 days before Christmas. The hospital was pretty much going to let my dog die because of money. Because of Target. (If you want to read about this story check it out here:http://saltyalley.blogspot.com/2013/12/silver-linings.html)
Because of the high volume of new cards being ordered, they were taking longer and it was a full 10 days before we got our new cards, and we still have not received our new pin numbers (as of New years day). We have made 6 total trips to the bank which we normally wouldn't have so I am going to call that an extra $15
Not to mention I ordered my husband's Christmas presents Thursday night before all this happened and the payment didn't process before the card got cancelled, so all of his presents were late. :(
That puts me at an extra $103 Target has cost just my family alone. I know there are people who had far worse situations than we did. People who had money taken have to wait an average of 6-10 weeks just to get their money back. What if I didn't have a Christmas miracle and my dog died because I didn't have access to my money? What if it was my child and I needed medicine in the night? Seriously, how is a day of 10% discounts going to make this OK?!
I shop at Target a LOT. I had cartwheel all of 2 weeks and saved over $90 before this happened, just to give you an idea of how much I shop there.
Target needs to step up and make this right, or I am never stepping into a Target again.
They need to be held accountable for their lack of security/discretion with their customer's information and make up for nearly ruining (or actually ruining) many people's holidays!
If you agree, PLEASE SHARE this post! Lets make a ruckus and let Target know we deserve better as consumers!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Kids say the Darnest things (Part one)
Here are just some random funny things my kids have said recently, hopefully they make you smile and brighten your day!
1. Do Hamsters have butts?
- Greyson, age 3
2. Greyson: You shouldn't poop your pants, Dawson. Monsters and baby dinosaurs eat poop.
Me: Just the baby dinosaurs? Grown up dinosaurs don't eat poop?
Greyson: (In a tone to say Im an idiot) No! They eat plants and veggies if their Urban Vores (Herbavores) and they eat animals and people if they are Carnivals (Carnivores). But the baby dinosaurs are babies so they eat poop....
3. Greyson: Help! My toe is stuck!!
I rush in to see his toe stuck in the little jail of his bat cave toy and remove it.
Me: Did we learn a lesson here?
Greyson: Yeah, bad guy toes can't go to jail.
4. Dawson (age 1.5) holding an egg: Duck.
Me: That's an egg.
Dawson: Duck.
Me: No, EGG
Dawson: No, DUCK.
Me: Ducks lay eggs and come out of eggs.
Dawson: Yes, good job mommy.
-_-
5. Me (in the shower): It doesn't sound like you two are playing nicely out there!!
Greyson: I am actually playing quite nicely, but Dawson doesn't play well with others.
6. Greyson: I know the joker did it but he can't go to jail. There's no forensic evidence.
(I feel I should explain I am a criminal justice major and he often hears me talking about cases/case studies)
7. Greyson: Look Mommy! Our God is making it snow!!
Me: Wow look at all that snow!
Greyson: It's ok, he will probably clean it up soon.
8. Greyson: I think some fresh pancakes are in order for today!
9. Greyson: I like to dance naked. I do a naked dance.
Me: Yes, we have all seen the naked dance, unfortunately.
Greyson: Do you ever do a naked dance?
10: Jingle bells jingle bells
Papa doesnt like legos maybe
I like playing with my cousins
Jingle all the way
Aunt Faith is fun too
Mommy and daddy should give me cookies cuz Im cool
Jingle all the way...
1. Do Hamsters have butts?
- Greyson, age 3
2. Greyson: You shouldn't poop your pants, Dawson. Monsters and baby dinosaurs eat poop.
Me: Just the baby dinosaurs? Grown up dinosaurs don't eat poop?
Greyson: (In a tone to say Im an idiot) No! They eat plants and veggies if their Urban Vores (Herbavores) and they eat animals and people if they are Carnivals (Carnivores). But the baby dinosaurs are babies so they eat poop....
3. Greyson: Help! My toe is stuck!!
I rush in to see his toe stuck in the little jail of his bat cave toy and remove it.
Me: Did we learn a lesson here?
Greyson: Yeah, bad guy toes can't go to jail.
4. Dawson (age 1.5) holding an egg: Duck.
Me: That's an egg.
Dawson: Duck.
Me: No, EGG
Dawson: No, DUCK.
Me: Ducks lay eggs and come out of eggs.
Dawson: Yes, good job mommy.
-_-
5. Me (in the shower): It doesn't sound like you two are playing nicely out there!!
Greyson: I am actually playing quite nicely, but Dawson doesn't play well with others.
6. Greyson: I know the joker did it but he can't go to jail. There's no forensic evidence.
(I feel I should explain I am a criminal justice major and he often hears me talking about cases/case studies)
7. Greyson: Look Mommy! Our God is making it snow!!
Me: Wow look at all that snow!
Greyson: It's ok, he will probably clean it up soon.
8. Greyson: I think some fresh pancakes are in order for today!
9. Greyson: I like to dance naked. I do a naked dance.
Me: Yes, we have all seen the naked dance, unfortunately.
Greyson: Do you ever do a naked dance?
10: Jingle bells jingle bells
Papa doesnt like legos maybe
I like playing with my cousins
Jingle all the way
Aunt Faith is fun too
Mommy and daddy should give me cookies cuz Im cool
Jingle all the way...
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Taco Salad Recipe!
In the spirit of variety, I'll post a nice recipe today!
Here is my taco salad recipe:
Need:
1lb ground beef
taco seasoning
bag chopped lettuce
1 tomato (diced)
1/2 bag your favorite flavor of doritos
Catalina Salad dressing
brown the meat and mix in the taco seasoning. I sometimes mix in additional taco sauce. Allow to cool as you dice and chop your tomato/lettuce. You could also dice up some onions or peppers if you wanted to bulk it up or add to the flavor variety. Once the beef is at least room temp (so you dont wilt your lettuce to death) mix it into the veggie combo and mix in some catalina dressing. Do it to your liking, keeping in mind you will also be adding the chips. Lastly, just a few minutes before serving, crush around half a bag of doritos or another of your favorite tortilla chips into the mix. Serve chilled. ENJOY!!
Here is my taco salad recipe:
Need:
1lb ground beef
taco seasoning
bag chopped lettuce
1 tomato (diced)
1/2 bag your favorite flavor of doritos
Catalina Salad dressing
brown the meat and mix in the taco seasoning. I sometimes mix in additional taco sauce. Allow to cool as you dice and chop your tomato/lettuce. You could also dice up some onions or peppers if you wanted to bulk it up or add to the flavor variety. Once the beef is at least room temp (so you dont wilt your lettuce to death) mix it into the veggie combo and mix in some catalina dressing. Do it to your liking, keeping in mind you will also be adding the chips. Lastly, just a few minutes before serving, crush around half a bag of doritos or another of your favorite tortilla chips into the mix. Serve chilled. ENJOY!!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Doing something right with your tax refund.
Its that time of year again and the interwebs will soon be teaming with people rejoicing (or mourning) over their tax refunds. Though free money is lots of fun I usually meet this season with a great deal of disdain.
I personally only pay bills, pay down debt, make repairs to my house/car and possibly if I am lucky enough to have anything left, will try to invest in something that will make our bills less expensive (we are hoping for a tank-less water heater this year). But while I am off in my corner being responsible (AKA: totally lame), I notice many people who already have too much buying more. Christmas just passed and despite the fact that their 5 year old already owns an ipad, ipod, and iphone, the family feels microsoft should get some love too and buys Jr. and xbox one. (for example).
Every year I encourage people to use at least a small portion of their tax return to make a difference in someone's life. Some things I like to give to are programs that repair cleft palates, programs digging wells in third world countries to provide people with access to clean water. I try to think of the people that still have nothing in this world and realize my bills can wait, student loans will be there for years to come, but somewhere a child is starving, or dying of a curable disease, or cold, or dehydrated.
I am not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but one of the most common excuses I hear for not giving to charities is that they don't have any extra money. Well, you will soon, so remember those little people whose parents are just struggling to feed them.
Don't like/trust charities? Ok, so how about you buy that busy single mom a spa gift card and offer to watch her kids? Do you know someone with a special needs child? buy them a gas gift card. trips to the doctor, hospital, and various therapies add up! Go out and buy a few bouquets of brightly colored flowers and go to a nursing home. Sit and visit with each recipient for a few minutes. I promise you will be blessed!
Bless a random stranger. Pay for the coffee of the guy behind you. Be more than a selfish spending machine and do something worthwhile!
I personally only pay bills, pay down debt, make repairs to my house/car and possibly if I am lucky enough to have anything left, will try to invest in something that will make our bills less expensive (we are hoping for a tank-less water heater this year). But while I am off in my corner being responsible (AKA: totally lame), I notice many people who already have too much buying more. Christmas just passed and despite the fact that their 5 year old already owns an ipad, ipod, and iphone, the family feels microsoft should get some love too and buys Jr. and xbox one. (for example).
Every year I encourage people to use at least a small portion of their tax return to make a difference in someone's life. Some things I like to give to are programs that repair cleft palates, programs digging wells in third world countries to provide people with access to clean water. I try to think of the people that still have nothing in this world and realize my bills can wait, student loans will be there for years to come, but somewhere a child is starving, or dying of a curable disease, or cold, or dehydrated.
I am not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but one of the most common excuses I hear for not giving to charities is that they don't have any extra money. Well, you will soon, so remember those little people whose parents are just struggling to feed them.
Don't like/trust charities? Ok, so how about you buy that busy single mom a spa gift card and offer to watch her kids? Do you know someone with a special needs child? buy them a gas gift card. trips to the doctor, hospital, and various therapies add up! Go out and buy a few bouquets of brightly colored flowers and go to a nursing home. Sit and visit with each recipient for a few minutes. I promise you will be blessed!
Bless a random stranger. Pay for the coffee of the guy behind you. Be more than a selfish spending machine and do something worthwhile!
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