Posts made in July, 2008

Thanks My Friends

Posted on Jul 31, 2008 in happiness | 0 comments

Changing my theme to “health wealth and happiness” and putting my journey out there for the whole world to see is like trying to do my first head stand. It’s awkward and clumsy and I can’t quite find my balance, but I know I’ll be ok because I have some super duper friends to catch me when I fall. Or at least have a laugh with me. Thanks so much for your kind words!

“I like the simplicity of your new design and I’m interested to see what you will share on your site!” РAnn, Sioux Falls, SD

“Love the photo. hope you find all the answers that you seek.” РBarbi, Orlando, FL

“Looks great: Very clean & spiritual.. Looking forward to your posts!” РTed, Austin, TX

“I like it. I’m in. ” РIgor, Vancouver, Canada

“cool. I will subscribe to the feed.” РAnja, Minneapolis, MN

“I LOVE your new blog…more recipes like the feta/olive one please!!!” РJennifer, Sioux Falls, SD

“I have just visited your blog and you have so many wonderful and inspirational thoughts. I especially love how you no longer hate getting up in the morning.” РLiz, Boulder, CO

“News on another blogs, Carla Kay White has changed from random posts focusing more on web development tools and tricks to a theme of Health, Wealth & Happiness.” РChris, Rochester, MN

“You sorta sound a bit like a new age hippy.” РColin, Sioux Falls, SD

Surviving Winter

Posted on Jul 30, 2008 in happiness | 0 comments

This is an odd post for the peak of summer in July. But I have to confess, I’m freaking out about winter coming. Like a squirrel packing away nuts for the winter, I’m storing up projects to get me through those insanely cold months Рbooks to read, pilates lessons, sewing projects. Everyday I add something new hoping this grand “to-do list” will somehow make the winter months fly by.

Then I realized, as my heart sank because I was watching the first pack of geese fly north, that I’m going about this all wrong. I need to forget about winter and focus on our wonderful summer instead. Why aren’t I planning how to enjoy every warm-weather, sun-shiny moment I have right now?

As we enter August, my wish for all my northern hemisphere readers is live in the “now” and have the best summer days ever. I plan to.

Sitting Out The Bear Market

Posted on Jul 29, 2008 in wealth | 0 comments

There’s a lot of advice circulating about what to do with your finances during the bear market. As we wait for the market to bottom out (hopefully soon), we’ve been contributing more to our savings account than the market.

A few weeks ago I charted our income vs expenses over the past 12 months. I went through all our savings account statements and was shocked at how quickly our interest went down over the months despite increasing our balance. In fact, we were earning mere 0.15% on our money. That’s better than losing it on the market, but it was time to change.

A friend told us about eTrade’s saving account services. I already use eTrade and have been pleased with their service, so I decided to check it out. The benefits are clear.

Let’s do some simple math. Moving $1000 to an eTrade savings account would make me $33.00 a year in interest compared to $1.50 from my current bank. In addition, I would save $83.40 a year in my bill pay service. Top it off with saving a few $2 ATM fees, and that’s $120.90 more in my pocket from just moving $1000 over to eTrade.

There’s plenty of other banks offering better interests rates. I picked a service with which I’m familiar. I also based my decision on the usability of their site (also why I chose my current bank). Hopefully the bull market will kick in this fall like many analyst are predicting. Until then we’ll park our cash and read up on some good investment books.

How to Improve Your Self Esteem

Posted on Jul 28, 2008 in happiness | 0 comments

A few days ago I heard the word self-esteem and it resonated with me. I wrote it down thinking “I could use some more of that.” I didn’t give it much thought until this morning as I was crawling out of bed. The word popped back in my head along with a possible way to work on my self-esteem without building up my ego. This is my grand idea:

Keep a list of 5 great things I do each day. I keep a gratitude list, so why not make another list about my small accomplishments? This isn’t bragging, but rather recognizing how I managed to listen to my true self and let that person transpire.

I got out of bed, made a cup of tea and started reading my book. The chapter’s topic happened to be about the same thing. Here’s a few highlights worth mentioning:

• Remain independent of others‚Äô opinions regardless of whether they love us or hate us. If we gain approval, we become a slave to their approval altering ourselves to gain more. If they dislike us, we push even harder to change their minds. Either way, someone else‚Äôs opinion will be directing your life. And these opinions don‚Äôt take into account who you truly are as a whole. In fact, most people don‚Äôt even know who they are as a whole, so how will they assess you? Opinions don‚Äôt matter.
• Listen to the your own critical comments. When you have these thoughts, let them tell you what they want. It may think it has to protect you from disappointment or pain. Then put aside the negative connotation, and you‚Äôll discover they really want is to feel good. So let it!
• Make the internal shift from It probably won‚Äôt happen to me to It‚Äôs on it‚Äôs way!. Remember that we get what we think about whether we want it or not, so choose your thoughts carefully. Start telling yourself ‚ÄúI came from greatness. I attract greatness. I am greatness‚Äù.
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My Favorite Post Secret

Posted on Jul 27, 2008 in happiness | 0 comments

If you haven’t discovered the glory of Post Secret yet, take a look. People mail their deepest secret on a postcard to this guy in Maryland then he puts them on his site. I’ve always been tempted to send a secret but not sure which one to pick.