Welcome to Zombieland - A foreclosure reminder

Here is another article in the December Money Magazine that covers specifically Ladera Ranch in Orange County, California.

Just another reminder that housing should remain a "need" and not a "want."  Make sure you can easily afford it based on monthly cash flow.

Click here for the article.

To subscribe to Money click below:

Money Magazine - Make Money in 2011

Yes, I am still trying to catch up for 2010.  If you have been reading my posts, you will know that I am getting Money Magazine for free.  If I read the label correctly, the December 2010 issue will be my last (unless they renew for me).

They had a couple of quick blurbs that comprised "Make Money in 2011."  They have each individual piece online that you can find by clicking on the following links:

• Your Savings: Spread amounts over short terms from savings to five-year CDs, Increase your credit score to 750 or higher, and Don't settle for low interest rates on savings accounts
• Your Investments: Tilt towards stocks, Go big (dividend yields), Venture overseas, Stay Short (as far as bond terms), and Take a calculated risk.
• Your Home:  If buying, don't try to time the market perfectly and if selling, hang on a few more years until the market recovers (or try to unload fast).  If you already own, refinance if you are able.  If you are an investor and want to buy, wait until foreclosure numbers ramp up again.
• Your Job: Angle for that promotion, Toot your own horn, Raise your visibility in-house, and Nurture your network.
• The Economy  

For more details click on each link above.  To subscribe to Money Magazine, click the link below:

Text-Expanders to increase your efficiency?

I was introduced to the idea of a "text expander" at work.   I am not sure I would be able to use it for "everyday" type of activities, but if you have any phrases or pieces of information that you repetitively type, then you may find it useful.

Here are some options that I ran into while using Google.  Disclaimer: I have not personally evaluate or installed any of the programs.

Windows:

• Shortcut (http://www.sylvansoft.com/shortcut.htm)
• Shorthand (http://www65.pair.com/lim/shorthand/)
• ShortKeys ( http://www.shortkeys.com/)

Mac OS

• TextExpander for Mac (http://smilesoftware.com/TextExpander/)
• Spell Catcher (http://www.rainmakerinc.com/products/spellcatcherx/)
• TypeIt4Me (http://www.ettoresoftware.com/products/typeit4me/)
• Typinator (http://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/)

If anyone has experience with these, please let me know.

AAA Westways - Travel Resolutions for 2011

I like this!   In reviewing a recent issue of Westways (the magazine for AAA members), here are some travel resolutions for 2011 by Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman:

• Participate in a community service project sometime during my trip
• Seek out a learning experience during a trip
• Let the kids plan a complete day of activities on our next family vacation
• Learn to travel with only carry-on luggage
• Build a relationship with a good travel agent
• Spend more time in sidewalk cafes

For more details, click here for the on-line entry.

Sunset Magazine - Zero-waste home

Interesting.  The January 2011 Sunset Magazine had an article about a family in Northern California.

Even thought it is not absolutely "zero-waste" but they are nearly zero-waste.  It is always important to balance "needs" and "wants" and this is a reminder that simpler is better and that having more "things" is not necessarily important or needed.

Click here to read the on-line version of this article.

Sunset Magazine - 30 Vegetarian recipes

I still am getting Sunset Magazine for free (I am not sure how long that will last).  In the December 2010 issue, there was a link for vegetarian recipes.  If you are interested, click here.

Sunset Magazine - 10 hideaways that press "pause"

I also am getting Sunset Magazine and in a recent issue there were 10 places that press the "pause" button in our lives. Sometimes it is so very hard to really get away from everything.

Click here to be taken to the online article.  The 10 places are as follows:

• The View Hotel at Monument Valley, AZ
• Sacred Sands at Joshua Tree, CA
• Hotelito Desconocido at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Spooner Lake at Lake Tahoe, NV
• Hacienda Corona de Guevavi near Tubac, AZ
• Rolling Huts at Methow Valley, WA
• Never Summer Nordic near Walden, CO
• Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast at Mt. Hood, OR
• Mar Vista Cottages at Mendocino Coast, CA
• Bamboo Retreats at Los Angeles, CA