So this morning we were talking about funny TV commercials and of course, that led to an adventure on youtube! I remember a few funny ones from a few years back and a few that were 'banned.' Like the Pepsi Commercial on the Superbowl a few years ago....when a beutiful blonde woman with great legs is walking around this 25 year class reunion and people are whispering "Who is that? Remember her?" Then it pans to this guy who looks up at her, holding a Pepsi in his hand and says "Bob?!" It was so funny and of course, it aired one time and then got yanked. Man, what ever happened to a little humor? Lighten up, right? Well, below are a few funny commercials you may or may not remember. If you have any you want to add, please send the link to: sandra@wirk.com
Here is the OUTPOST commercial Jeff was trying to recall this morning--after a fierce fight with the web, we found it!
...And you have got to love those E-Trade commercials with the talking Babies!
This is one of my favorites, you might recall the Snickers campaign with "Not going anywhere for a while...?" This is GREAT!
I am sure there are PLENTY more funny commercials out there, and uf you come across any, please share! :-)
Happy Weekend!
Sandra
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
21 Things We Are Learning To Live Without
What do you really need?
It's become a national question. With jobs and money scarce, consumers are taking inventory and tossing lots of stuff once deemed important into a humongous discard pile. To safeguard the essentials--a safe home and supportive community, the kids' education, Internet connectivity, sustenance for a pet--Americans are giving up lots of other things. Some sacrifices are painful; others bring surprise benefits.
To gauge America's changing priorities, I synthesized market research, business trends, economic data, and reports from hundreds of consumers into a list of things that many people seem to be significantly cutting back on, or living without completely.
Here are 21 of them:
Monthly payments. Old mentality: I don't care about the price, as long as I can borrow to pay for it and I have enough income to cover the monthly payment. New mentality: I've already got too much debt, and the banks won't lend me the money anyway. Result: More cash purchases and a lot less financing of cars, furniture and other costly items. "The era of unbridled, debt-financed consumer spending is over, and the monthly payer is out of action," Eric Janszen, president of iTulip, a finance-advisory firm, wrote in Harvard Business Review last year.
Window shopping. Browsing used to be an acceptable pastime. But consumers have discovered that window shopping encourages them to buy tons of stuff they don't need. So now, they're shopping only when necessary, making a list and sticking to it, or skipping the mall in favor of online sites, where temptations are weaker. "I no longer spend a day at the mall when I'm bored," says Debby Abrams of Rising Sun, Ind. "I don't buy, rebuy, and rebuy again: Buy a lamp, buy one I like better and put the first one in the basement, then buy a third one and put the second one in the basement."
Bells and whistles. The technology arms race is slowing, with consumers gravitating to simpler gizmos like Netbooks, prepaid cellphones, and older, used electronics. Shaving features is obviously a way to save money, but some users also find the simpler devices a relief. "My cellphone is back to being just a phone and not my connection to the rest of the world via texting or the Web," says Dorothy Robson of Durham, N.C. "Simplicity is definitely the new thing. Now if we can get the government to be frugal, that would be great!"
Clutter. As Americans downsize, do more of their own cleaning, and look for stuff they can sell online, they're discovering tons of things around the house they can get rid of. After Russ and Deborah Merchant of Delaware, Ohio, moved into a smaller rental home in 2007, they dug out hundreds of items they had never used and didn't need. For a year, they gave away more stuff than they purchased. "We keep being amazed at how having less stuff, with no deprivation, actually gives us better quality of life," says Deborah Merchant. "We've gained emotional and spiritual maturity."
Cable TV. Many people are cutting back on pay-TV services or canceling them altogether, which saves $50 to $100 a month. As a replacement, some viewers watch free programs on Hulu or YouTube or make do with broadcast TV. Others are giving up television completely. "There's no money for cable TV, so my Internet does me for all my news and other entertainment," says Mariluna Martin of Los Angeles. "That's money saved, plus no TV means no blaring of bad news, fear-mongering, ad pressures, and other unpleasantness." Martin spends more time reading books and sipping tea at a neighborhood café. She finds that rewarding: "The changes I've had to make have made my life better. Things are simpler and healthier now."
A home phone. How many phones do you need, anyway? With cellphones ubiquitous, the home unit is becoming redundant. Internet voice services like Skype and magicJack slash the cost of calls but still provide most of the services that are available through the phone lines. Many people are reducing their cellphone service as well. Kathy Bowman of Joseph, Ore., figures she's saving about $800 per year since she replaced her cellphone with a prepaid Tracfone she mainly reserves for emergencies. Canceling a fax line to her home saves another $120 per year.
Privacy. Got room on the couch? To save on rent or mortgage payments, roommates are doubling up and grown kids are moving back in with their parents. Mark Hamister of Elyria, Ohio, says privacy is one of the many things he's given up as two of his grown daughters have moved back home, bringing boyfriends, pets--and a granddaughter. But he's not complaining. "We have learned to enjoy a simple, cost-effective, and minimalist approach to life by developing an appreciation for nature and family," he says. "Big, expensive toys and trips were fun before, but we really don't need them anymore."
Prepared foods. More people are cooking at home, and they're doing it with fewer premade sauces, marinades, dressings, and other ingredients. "Moms are back to basic cooking," says Chance Parker, a market researcher at J.D. Power & Associates. "They want to use fresh herbs and spices. It saves money, and it's more healthy." Patricia Tremblay of Dayton, Ohio, has given up her microwave as she's cut back over the last two years. She now cooks instead of zapping a premade entrée. "I've traded convenience for choice and done well, with the added bonus of weight loss and a sense of accomplishment," she says. "It's a great beginning that seems likely to stick."
Tupperware parties. Sales of Tupperware and other storage products are up, since people are cooking at home more and husbanding leftovers. But consumers still want the best deal, and they're skeptical of merchants--even if it's a friend or neighbor. "I flatly refuse to go to any 'home parties' where the hostess is selling candles, plastic ware, etc., and she gets free merchandise," says Lois Barber of Sandy Hook, Conn. "The stuff costs about three times what you would pay retail. My blanket excuse is, 'My sister sells it.' "
Packaged cigarettes. The average price of cigarettes is about $5 a pack or $45 a carton, which mounts quickly for regular puffers. Kicking the habit is the most obvious way to save money, but short of that, more smokers are buying small machines that let them roll their own smokes. "We learned to make our own cigs with a machine that cost $40," says one smoker. "We now save around $120 a month."
Lattes. The $5 daily coffee is always one of the first small luxuries to go. But more people are brewing at home. Sales of single-serving home brewing machines have soared.
Guilt. Keeping up with all the latest trends and technology takes an emotional toll. "When I could afford it, I always felt pressured to buy the latest software and gadgets," says Kathryn Husby of Plantation, Fla. When job and health issues curtailed the family income, she and her husband cut back to bare necessities. That meant she didn't have to learn a new set of buttons or menu options every year; she just kept pressing the same familiar buttons on the old model. "I'm happier than I've been for many years," she says. "I feel like I'm in charge of my life instead of multinational corporations telling me what to consume."
Extra calories. Some Americans say they're eating less to save money and drinking more water or doing other things to suppress their appetite. Restaurants are hurting as people eat out less, but some diners are trimming the check instead of scotching the entire outing. Some strategies for lighter eating: Going out for lunch instead of dinner, sharing entrees, skipping appetizers and side dishes, and turning restaurant leftovers into one or two at-home meals. A few restaurant chains, like Panera Bread, the Olive Garden, and Buffalo Wild Wings, have even managed to gain business by offering high-quality food at slender prices.
Newspapers and magazines. It's bad news for the publishing industry, but millions have canceled subscriptions to print periodicals and started getting free news and information online (which is probably where you're reading this article!). The trend may be strongest among tomorrow's consumers, otherwise known as teenagers: A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that kids between 8 and 18 spend just 38 minutes a day with some form of print media, down from 43 minutes in 2004. That's out of a total of 7 hours and 38 minutes they spend every day using some form of media.
Healthcare. A forced reduction in healthcare coverage is probably one of the most crushing effects of a weak economy, as the unemployed and others without insurance make drastic trade-offs to cut costs and get by. Millions of Americans are forgoing doctor visits, abandoning medication, ignoring problems, and simply hoping they don't get seriously ill or hurt. "I don't go to the doctor as often," says Debby Abrams. "Aches and pains work themselves out. I have some neurological thing going on in my left thumb right now, but I'm going to ignore it and attribute it to aging rather than go to a neurologist."
New gifts. Regifting is a time-tested practice--but there's always room to refine your strategy. Linda Amicucci of Tenafly, N.J., holds a "treasure party" with a group of friends after Thanksgiving every year to swap recyclable gifts. "We bring all the unwanted, unused items in our house that could be used as gifts or were given to us as gifts throughout the past year," she explains. "We swap items, since a gift received last year during a grab bag cannot be regifted in the same social circle. But in a different social circle, it's a brand new gift!"
New cars. It's no secret that new-car sales plunged to levels 40 percent lower than the peak in 2006. But many buyers who have traded down to a used model are surprised at the quality of the merchandise. "I have found that many people take really good care of their cars," says Jay Bailey of Phoenix, who's currently shopping for a used SUV. "You can find cars that have over 100,000 miles that have been maintained so well that you can easily get another 100,000 miles out of them." Many other car shoppers apparently agree, one reason used-car prices have actually been rising, with some models hard to find.
Comfort. Thermostats all across America are going lower in winter, higher in summer. After losing his job last year, Phil Landry, a Florida software salesman, analyzed his use of utilities, among other things, and decided to shave costs by setting the temp at 86 in the summer. "Every once in awhile I'll lower it to 84," he says. "But as long as you're not running marathons in the house, 86 is OK." Carrie Chiarenza, an Army officer who is based at Fort Hood, Texas, and is currently serving a yearlong tour in Iraq, takes supershort "combat showers" when she's at home, and she applies other tricks learned while living in the field. "Never leave any water running if you don't have to," she says. "So when lathering hair with shampoo, water comes off. Same thing with hand washing. Sometimes the task takes longer, but it helps the environment, and my utility bills."
A daily commute. If you're unemployed, obviously there's no job to drive to, one reason the number of vehicle miles driven has dipped to 2004 levels (and traffic on some of the most congested highways has eased). Telecommuting increased during the recession as well, and more people say they're riding bikes or walking more to save on gas costs--or a gym membership.
Fancy dates. Online dating services like Match.com are growing, but courtship is a bit of a comedown these days. Discount-dating advisers suggest cooking at home instead of eating out, looking for free performances, browsing at bookstores, going hiking, and exploring yard sales (yes, yard sales). And some discouraged singletons are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for better times. "I am not dating," says one woman who recently lost her job at a financial firm in San Diego. "Who will want to date an unemployed female?" Still, she says, "I am determined and motivated to survive this recession." And date again.
Debt. Who needs it? "I have learned that it takes little time to run dangerously high credit card balances," says Tom Poirer of Lowell, Mass., "but an inordinately long time to pay it back. I have learned to deprogram myself from the consumerist mayhem." Many Americans seem to agree. Total credit card debt is about 7 percent lower than it was a year ago, and Americans have paid down more than $100 billion in credit card loans and other types of revolving credit since October 2008. We may ultimately end up with less stuff. But at least we'll be able to afford what we have.
US News
It's become a national question. With jobs and money scarce, consumers are taking inventory and tossing lots of stuff once deemed important into a humongous discard pile. To safeguard the essentials--a safe home and supportive community, the kids' education, Internet connectivity, sustenance for a pet--Americans are giving up lots of other things. Some sacrifices are painful; others bring surprise benefits.
To gauge America's changing priorities, I synthesized market research, business trends, economic data, and reports from hundreds of consumers into a list of things that many people seem to be significantly cutting back on, or living without completely.
Here are 21 of them:
Monthly payments. Old mentality: I don't care about the price, as long as I can borrow to pay for it and I have enough income to cover the monthly payment. New mentality: I've already got too much debt, and the banks won't lend me the money anyway. Result: More cash purchases and a lot less financing of cars, furniture and other costly items. "The era of unbridled, debt-financed consumer spending is over, and the monthly payer is out of action," Eric Janszen, president of iTulip, a finance-advisory firm, wrote in Harvard Business Review last year.
Window shopping. Browsing used to be an acceptable pastime. But consumers have discovered that window shopping encourages them to buy tons of stuff they don't need. So now, they're shopping only when necessary, making a list and sticking to it, or skipping the mall in favor of online sites, where temptations are weaker. "I no longer spend a day at the mall when I'm bored," says Debby Abrams of Rising Sun, Ind. "I don't buy, rebuy, and rebuy again: Buy a lamp, buy one I like better and put the first one in the basement, then buy a third one and put the second one in the basement."
Bells and whistles. The technology arms race is slowing, with consumers gravitating to simpler gizmos like Netbooks, prepaid cellphones, and older, used electronics. Shaving features is obviously a way to save money, but some users also find the simpler devices a relief. "My cellphone is back to being just a phone and not my connection to the rest of the world via texting or the Web," says Dorothy Robson of Durham, N.C. "Simplicity is definitely the new thing. Now if we can get the government to be frugal, that would be great!"
Clutter. As Americans downsize, do more of their own cleaning, and look for stuff they can sell online, they're discovering tons of things around the house they can get rid of. After Russ and Deborah Merchant of Delaware, Ohio, moved into a smaller rental home in 2007, they dug out hundreds of items they had never used and didn't need. For a year, they gave away more stuff than they purchased. "We keep being amazed at how having less stuff, with no deprivation, actually gives us better quality of life," says Deborah Merchant. "We've gained emotional and spiritual maturity."
Cable TV. Many people are cutting back on pay-TV services or canceling them altogether, which saves $50 to $100 a month. As a replacement, some viewers watch free programs on Hulu or YouTube or make do with broadcast TV. Others are giving up television completely. "There's no money for cable TV, so my Internet does me for all my news and other entertainment," says Mariluna Martin of Los Angeles. "That's money saved, plus no TV means no blaring of bad news, fear-mongering, ad pressures, and other unpleasantness." Martin spends more time reading books and sipping tea at a neighborhood café. She finds that rewarding: "The changes I've had to make have made my life better. Things are simpler and healthier now."
A home phone. How many phones do you need, anyway? With cellphones ubiquitous, the home unit is becoming redundant. Internet voice services like Skype and magicJack slash the cost of calls but still provide most of the services that are available through the phone lines. Many people are reducing their cellphone service as well. Kathy Bowman of Joseph, Ore., figures she's saving about $800 per year since she replaced her cellphone with a prepaid Tracfone she mainly reserves for emergencies. Canceling a fax line to her home saves another $120 per year.
Privacy. Got room on the couch? To save on rent or mortgage payments, roommates are doubling up and grown kids are moving back in with their parents. Mark Hamister of Elyria, Ohio, says privacy is one of the many things he's given up as two of his grown daughters have moved back home, bringing boyfriends, pets--and a granddaughter. But he's not complaining. "We have learned to enjoy a simple, cost-effective, and minimalist approach to life by developing an appreciation for nature and family," he says. "Big, expensive toys and trips were fun before, but we really don't need them anymore."
Prepared foods. More people are cooking at home, and they're doing it with fewer premade sauces, marinades, dressings, and other ingredients. "Moms are back to basic cooking," says Chance Parker, a market researcher at J.D. Power & Associates. "They want to use fresh herbs and spices. It saves money, and it's more healthy." Patricia Tremblay of Dayton, Ohio, has given up her microwave as she's cut back over the last two years. She now cooks instead of zapping a premade entrée. "I've traded convenience for choice and done well, with the added bonus of weight loss and a sense of accomplishment," she says. "It's a great beginning that seems likely to stick."
Tupperware parties. Sales of Tupperware and other storage products are up, since people are cooking at home more and husbanding leftovers. But consumers still want the best deal, and they're skeptical of merchants--even if it's a friend or neighbor. "I flatly refuse to go to any 'home parties' where the hostess is selling candles, plastic ware, etc., and she gets free merchandise," says Lois Barber of Sandy Hook, Conn. "The stuff costs about three times what you would pay retail. My blanket excuse is, 'My sister sells it.' "
Packaged cigarettes. The average price of cigarettes is about $5 a pack or $45 a carton, which mounts quickly for regular puffers. Kicking the habit is the most obvious way to save money, but short of that, more smokers are buying small machines that let them roll their own smokes. "We learned to make our own cigs with a machine that cost $40," says one smoker. "We now save around $120 a month."
Lattes. The $5 daily coffee is always one of the first small luxuries to go. But more people are brewing at home. Sales of single-serving home brewing machines have soared.
Guilt. Keeping up with all the latest trends and technology takes an emotional toll. "When I could afford it, I always felt pressured to buy the latest software and gadgets," says Kathryn Husby of Plantation, Fla. When job and health issues curtailed the family income, she and her husband cut back to bare necessities. That meant she didn't have to learn a new set of buttons or menu options every year; she just kept pressing the same familiar buttons on the old model. "I'm happier than I've been for many years," she says. "I feel like I'm in charge of my life instead of multinational corporations telling me what to consume."
Extra calories. Some Americans say they're eating less to save money and drinking more water or doing other things to suppress their appetite. Restaurants are hurting as people eat out less, but some diners are trimming the check instead of scotching the entire outing. Some strategies for lighter eating: Going out for lunch instead of dinner, sharing entrees, skipping appetizers and side dishes, and turning restaurant leftovers into one or two at-home meals. A few restaurant chains, like Panera Bread, the Olive Garden, and Buffalo Wild Wings, have even managed to gain business by offering high-quality food at slender prices.
Newspapers and magazines. It's bad news for the publishing industry, but millions have canceled subscriptions to print periodicals and started getting free news and information online (which is probably where you're reading this article!). The trend may be strongest among tomorrow's consumers, otherwise known as teenagers: A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that kids between 8 and 18 spend just 38 minutes a day with some form of print media, down from 43 minutes in 2004. That's out of a total of 7 hours and 38 minutes they spend every day using some form of media.
Healthcare. A forced reduction in healthcare coverage is probably one of the most crushing effects of a weak economy, as the unemployed and others without insurance make drastic trade-offs to cut costs and get by. Millions of Americans are forgoing doctor visits, abandoning medication, ignoring problems, and simply hoping they don't get seriously ill or hurt. "I don't go to the doctor as often," says Debby Abrams. "Aches and pains work themselves out. I have some neurological thing going on in my left thumb right now, but I'm going to ignore it and attribute it to aging rather than go to a neurologist."
New gifts. Regifting is a time-tested practice--but there's always room to refine your strategy. Linda Amicucci of Tenafly, N.J., holds a "treasure party" with a group of friends after Thanksgiving every year to swap recyclable gifts. "We bring all the unwanted, unused items in our house that could be used as gifts or were given to us as gifts throughout the past year," she explains. "We swap items, since a gift received last year during a grab bag cannot be regifted in the same social circle. But in a different social circle, it's a brand new gift!"
New cars. It's no secret that new-car sales plunged to levels 40 percent lower than the peak in 2006. But many buyers who have traded down to a used model are surprised at the quality of the merchandise. "I have found that many people take really good care of their cars," says Jay Bailey of Phoenix, who's currently shopping for a used SUV. "You can find cars that have over 100,000 miles that have been maintained so well that you can easily get another 100,000 miles out of them." Many other car shoppers apparently agree, one reason used-car prices have actually been rising, with some models hard to find.
Comfort. Thermostats all across America are going lower in winter, higher in summer. After losing his job last year, Phil Landry, a Florida software salesman, analyzed his use of utilities, among other things, and decided to shave costs by setting the temp at 86 in the summer. "Every once in awhile I'll lower it to 84," he says. "But as long as you're not running marathons in the house, 86 is OK." Carrie Chiarenza, an Army officer who is based at Fort Hood, Texas, and is currently serving a yearlong tour in Iraq, takes supershort "combat showers" when she's at home, and she applies other tricks learned while living in the field. "Never leave any water running if you don't have to," she says. "So when lathering hair with shampoo, water comes off. Same thing with hand washing. Sometimes the task takes longer, but it helps the environment, and my utility bills."
A daily commute. If you're unemployed, obviously there's no job to drive to, one reason the number of vehicle miles driven has dipped to 2004 levels (and traffic on some of the most congested highways has eased). Telecommuting increased during the recession as well, and more people say they're riding bikes or walking more to save on gas costs--or a gym membership.
Fancy dates. Online dating services like Match.com are growing, but courtship is a bit of a comedown these days. Discount-dating advisers suggest cooking at home instead of eating out, looking for free performances, browsing at bookstores, going hiking, and exploring yard sales (yes, yard sales). And some discouraged singletons are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for better times. "I am not dating," says one woman who recently lost her job at a financial firm in San Diego. "Who will want to date an unemployed female?" Still, she says, "I am determined and motivated to survive this recession." And date again.
Debt. Who needs it? "I have learned that it takes little time to run dangerously high credit card balances," says Tom Poirer of Lowell, Mass., "but an inordinately long time to pay it back. I have learned to deprogram myself from the consumerist mayhem." Many Americans seem to agree. Total credit card debt is about 7 percent lower than it was a year ago, and Americans have paid down more than $100 billion in credit card loans and other types of revolving credit since October 2008. We may ultimately end up with less stuff. But at least we'll be able to afford what we have.
US News
Friday, January 22, 2010
West Virgina NINJA!!
The guys and I talked about this the other day and it is SO FUNNY! You might think this guy is 'acting' but he swears he is not. He is the founder of "Diamond Dave's Ninja School." He even made an appearance on Springer...surprise surprise!! Here is the original video of his "NINJA SCHOOL" that made him an Internet sensation.
Here he is on Jerry Springer--Do you believe this guy? Or is he acting? I don't know if you can act this dumb...for real. But who knows!
Now in case you didn't know, we were introduced to the "West Virgina Ninja" bu Chris Young! He performed at the fair the other night and we all from the Jeff Elliott in the Morning Show hung out with him before we introduced him to the stage. Chris Young is a VERY laid back nice guy. He was laughing and telling us this story of the "West Virginia Ninja" and had all these quotes from it. We had an iPhone, so we looked up the video on youtube and the rest is history! So from now on, Chris Young is lovingly referred to as: "West Virginia Ninja...Chris Young!"
Have a great weekend! I will be at the Manatee Island Bar & Grill tonight from 7-9pm! It is their GRAND OPENING! Open Air Water Side Dining, full menu and drinks! The bar menu is open till midnight every night! I am going to try one of those Cruzan Voodoo Juice Buckets I keep hearing about and I hope to see you there! Manatee Island Bar & Grill on the corner of Dixie Highway and Salerno Road in Port Salerno!
Cheers!
Sandra Foxx
Here he is on Jerry Springer--Do you believe this guy? Or is he acting? I don't know if you can act this dumb...for real. But who knows!
Now in case you didn't know, we were introduced to the "West Virgina Ninja" bu Chris Young! He performed at the fair the other night and we all from the Jeff Elliott in the Morning Show hung out with him before we introduced him to the stage. Chris Young is a VERY laid back nice guy. He was laughing and telling us this story of the "West Virginia Ninja" and had all these quotes from it. We had an iPhone, so we looked up the video on youtube and the rest is history! So from now on, Chris Young is lovingly referred to as: "West Virginia Ninja...Chris Young!"
Have a great weekend! I will be at the Manatee Island Bar & Grill tonight from 7-9pm! It is their GRAND OPENING! Open Air Water Side Dining, full menu and drinks! The bar menu is open till midnight every night! I am going to try one of those Cruzan Voodoo Juice Buckets I keep hearing about and I hope to see you there! Manatee Island Bar & Grill on the corner of Dixie Highway and Salerno Road in Port Salerno!
Cheers!
Sandra Foxx
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Pants on the Ground!
This morning we talked about American Idol and the guy who recently auditioned with his own orignal song called "Pants on the Ground." He is 62 years old and obviously this was more for comic relief and entertainment purposes as to why he was allowed to audition. I think it was GREAT! Very amusing and fun--and someone call in this morning to tell us that the gentleman who wrote and sang this "The General" atually was a huge cival rights activist and helped MLK and the Cival Rights Movement.
If you missed the video of his audition, here it is!
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NOW...just for fun...here is a compilation of some of the worst audtions...dare I say...ever??
Have Fun!
If you missed the video of his audition, here it is!
object width="425" height="344">
NOW...just for fun...here is a compilation of some of the worst audtions...dare I say...ever??
Have Fun!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Law of Abundance!
This morning Jeff explained the "Law of Abundance" and we all found it quite interesting! After a few of you called with some questions about it, I thought I would share what it is all about.
The Law of Abundance!
This is an ancient Chinese concept to help with your finances. The New Moon isn't until January 15th, so here are our RULES:
If you are looking for prosperity in 2010, follow these simple instructions.
1) Within 24 hours before a New Moon (January 15th, 2010), take a check from your checkbook. Where it says "Pay To", write your full legal name.
2) In the little box on the same line where you would fill in a dollar amount, write "Paid in Full."
3) On the line underneath your name, where you would write out a dollar amount, write "Paid in Full."
4) Sign the check: "The Law of Abundance."
DO NOT PUT A DATE ON THE CHECK. DO NOT WRITE A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT ON THE CHECK. DO NOT FEED AFTER MIDNIGHT...O.K., scratch the feeding part, but you get it! Try it!
Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The universe will take it from there!
Cheers,
Sandra Foxx
The Law of Abundance!
This is an ancient Chinese concept to help with your finances. The New Moon isn't until January 15th, so here are our RULES:
If you are looking for prosperity in 2010, follow these simple instructions.
1) Within 24 hours before a New Moon (January 15th, 2010), take a check from your checkbook. Where it says "Pay To", write your full legal name.
2) In the little box on the same line where you would fill in a dollar amount, write "Paid in Full."
3) On the line underneath your name, where you would write out a dollar amount, write "Paid in Full."
4) Sign the check: "The Law of Abundance."
DO NOT PUT A DATE ON THE CHECK. DO NOT WRITE A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT ON THE CHECK. DO NOT FEED AFTER MIDNIGHT...O.K., scratch the feeding part, but you get it! Try it!
Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The universe will take it from there!
Cheers,
Sandra Foxx
Thursday, January 7, 2010
10 Surprising Ways To Live Longer
O.K. I know that "lists" can be a beatdown, but I found this one slightly amusing! Want to live longer....? Check this out! I personally love the 'smelling...' um....smelling Lilacs (The scent of lavender)? I WILL LIVE FOREVER...that's my favorite scent! :-)
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Just because 2010 makes you another year older doesn’t mean you have to feel or look it. More and more research shows that from what you eat to how you live, it is the little things you do that add years to your life. Check out these fascinating, science-based tips to keep you on track for a long, healthy life.
Eat omega-3s every day
"I like to call them the anti-aging fat," says Cheryl Forberg, RD, resident nutritionist on "The Biggest Loser" and an expert in anti-aging nutrition. Getting the recommended amount can help lower cholesterol, keep cells functioning properly, and combat inflammation, which reduces your risk of cancer, stroke, and heart attack. Flaxseed, walnuts, and some leafy greens contain omega-3s, but seafood is the best source. Research published in the December 2008 Journal of Nutrition found that DHA, an omega-3 found in fatty, cold-water fish, helps keep aging brains healthy.
Have two 3-ounce servings of salmon, herring, lake trout, or other fatty fish a week, plus a daily serving of walnuts, soybean oil, spinach, kale, or ground flaxseed.
Eat these 10 foods to keep your brain sharp and healthy
Sniff lavender or rosemary
When study participants sniffed the essential oils of lavender or rosemary for 5 minutes, levels of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva dropped as much as 24%. That's good, because the hormone increases blood pressure and suppresses the immune system. Even better, people who smelled low concentrations of lavender or high concentrations of rosemary were better at getting rid of free radicals, the pesky molecules believed to speed aging and disease.
See 16 amazing ways to boost your health in 90 seconds
Don’t be a drama queen
If you argue with your partner, fight fair to stay well. Research shows that nasty arguments between couples increase the risk of clogged arteries. In a University of Utah study, women's hearts suffered when they made or heard hostile comments; men's hearts reacted badly to domineering, controlling words. "It's normal to have a fight with your spouse — it's a matter of how you fight," says Ronald Glaser, PhD, an immunologist at Ohio State University. What he and his wife, Ohio State clinical psychologist Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, put off-limits: "Getting nasty, sarcastic, or personal or using body language like rolling your eyes. It's better to simply agree to disagree."
Why argue? Jump-start your love life with these tips to increase sex drive and rekindle the passion
Stop eating before you’re stuffed
Centenarians in Okinawa, Japan, practice this eating ritual; they also consistently consume a lower-calorie diet, which researchers hypothesize is a key component to longevity. Eating slowly can automatically help control calories: A recent study found that women who ate at slower rates felt fuller and ate fewer calories than those who ate more quickly.
Stop when you're satisfied, not stuffed, says Forberg: "You shouldn't have to unbutton or unzip anything.”
Want to live to 100? Here are 14 surprising signs you may reach the century mark
Stay the weight you were at 18
"Next to not smoking, this is probably the most important thing we can do to stay healthy and live longer," says Walter Willett, MD, chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Leanness matters because fat cells produce hormones that raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. They also make substances called cytokines that cause inflammation — stiffening the arteries and the heart and other organs. Carrying excess fat also raises the risk of some cancers. Add it up, and studies show that lean people younger than age 75 halve their chances of premature death, compared with people who are obese.
To maintain the weight that's right for you, Willett suggests you periodically try to slip into the dress you wore to your high school prom — assuming, of course, that you were a healthy weight at that age. If not, aim for a body mass index of between 19 and 24.
The simplest way to stay slim: Keep your portions in check. Try these 20 delicious 400-calorie meals
Diversify your workout
Everyone knows that cardio exercise is key to slowing the advance of time and looking younger. More surprising: Strength-training is crucial too. That's because after their mid-40s, people lose 1/4 pound of muscle mass a year, gaining fat in its place.
But, says Miriam E. Nelson, PhD, an associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University, "for a couple of decades, you don't have to lose any muscle, if you do the appropriate exercises." Even people well into their 90s can regain muscle, she's found. Just lift weights 2 or 3 days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes.
The payoff: more endurance, stronger bones, less risk of diabetes — and better sleep and clearer thinking. Nelson rock climbs and does plenty of other weight-bearing exercise.
If there's a secret weapon to fight midlife weight, this is it. Try the essential over-40 workout!
Munch on veggies or fruits every 4 hours
These are packed with antioxidants, nutrients that slow the aging process by protecting our cells from harmful free radicals. But some, such as vitamin C, are water soluble. "That means they remain in our body for only 4 to 6 hours, so you have to replenish regularly," explains Forberg. Vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables are loaded with these disease-fighting substances; have a fruit or veggie at every meal and snack — and aim for three to five different colors a day.
Control weight and boost energy with these hour-by-hour tips
Floss daily
At least 23% of women between ages 30 and 54, and 44% over 55, have severe gum disease, reports the American Academy of Periodontology. This is a serious bacterial infection that attacks the tissue surrounding one or more teeth and the bone supporting them. It's the number one cause of tooth loss in the United States, but it's far from just a cosmetic issue: When periodontal bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause chronic inflammation, which researchers believe may up your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and even premature birth.
Prevent these problems by flossing at least once a day; treat it like any other part of your routine you'd never skip, such as brushing your teeth or showering.
10 surprising habits and foods that protect your pearly whites
Have a standing lunch date
Or plan any regular activity that helps you stay close to friends and family. In a groundbreaking study, researchers who followed 7,000 people in Alameda County, CA, found that those with the fewest connections to family, friends, community, and religious institutions were 3 times more likely to die over the 9 years in which the study was conducted. Most amazing, those who had the most connections lived significantly longer — even if they smoked, drank, or lived on bacon cheeseburgers.
How can a smile, a handshake, or 5 minutes of chatter keep cells functioning, blood moving, and hearts beating? "That's what we don't know," says psychiatrist Edward M. Hallowell, MD, founder of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury, MA. It's clear that human contact enhances the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and reduces heart rate, but the "how" is still a mystery.
Friendship can help your health. Keep these 8 buddies on speed dial.
Donate blood
If you do, the life you save may be your own. Many researchers think that we take in too much iron, mostly from eating red meat. Excess iron is thought to create free radicals in the body, speeding aging and raising risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Until menopause, women are naturally protected from iron overload, but after that the danger of overdose climbs.
Preliminary studies suggest you can lower your risk of heart disease by regularly giving blood. Thomas Perls, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University who leads the New England Centenarian Study, donates a unit every 2 months. He has a rare blood type, so he's helping others — and he may get something out of it too. If you're scared of needles, at least go easy on red meat: no more than a daily serving the size of a pack of cards.
12 ways to lower your blood pressure naturally
Prevention Magazine / MSNBC.com
Cheers!
Sandra Foxx
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Jaron and The Long Road to Love
You may have heard the popular song "Pray for You" on WIRK these past few weeks and the artist's name is Jaron Lowenstein, and his band is called "Jaron and the Long Road to Love."
CrAzInEsS ensued over Jaron's new video (coveted by CMT) for "Pray for You" when during the video you see him at a keyboard typing in "voodooyourex.com" Well, Tiny went to the site and it wasn't there, THEN he looked at go daddy and bought it! NOW comes the crazy part, CMT won't air the music video without Jaron being the owner of that website. This stirred up a lot of controversy on the air this morning! Well, I do not want to give anything away, because the FULL STORY comes out on "our air" tomorrow morning at 7:05am! Jaron is calling us and we will be chatting with him and of course, you will get to hear "Pray for You" right afterwards. You can buy his song on iTunes, and it's worth it!
You can find Jaron on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/Jaronlowenstein?ref=ts
If you cannot listen on a radio tomorrow, do not forget you can listen live on our website as well.
What happens with the website domain ownership? FIND OUT TOMORROW! :-)
Muah!
Sandra
CrAzInEsS ensued over Jaron's new video (coveted by CMT) for "Pray for You" when during the video you see him at a keyboard typing in "voodooyourex.com" Well, Tiny went to the site and it wasn't there, THEN he looked at go daddy and bought it! NOW comes the crazy part, CMT won't air the music video without Jaron being the owner of that website. This stirred up a lot of controversy on the air this morning! Well, I do not want to give anything away, because the FULL STORY comes out on "our air" tomorrow morning at 7:05am! Jaron is calling us and we will be chatting with him and of course, you will get to hear "Pray for You" right afterwards. You can buy his song on iTunes, and it's worth it!
You can find Jaron on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/Jaronlowenstein?ref=ts
If you cannot listen on a radio tomorrow, do not forget you can listen live on our website as well.
What happens with the website domain ownership? FIND OUT TOMORROW! :-)
Muah!
Sandra
Monday, January 4, 2010
Back from the Holiday Vacation
I hope your Holiday went well! I went home to Minnesota to be with my family and friends and I was super excited about being reunited with my kitty; Pepe Le Meow! He was so good being trapped inside his kitty carrier for hours on end as I lugged him through the airport in MPLS and then off to Miami where he continued to be patient while we took the long drive back to West Palm Beach. I was very surprised about how quickly he has adapted to his new surroundings; however, introducing him to my roomies 3 wiener dogs has been a challenge to say the least. So far, I mainly keep them separated at different sides of the house. It is going to be a slow transition as they adapt to one another.
Christmas was fun with my family, but this year was the "we are not going to exchange Christmas gifts." I know I sound like a five year old, but, I want to exchange gifts! I want to go shopping, wrap presents and see the looks on my families faces and laughter as we share with one another. It doesn't have to be flat screen T.V.'s or iPods or Wii's, It can be inexpensive gifts, but that's what I want. A Christmas tree adorned with lights and gifts tossed about underneath. :-) Next year (I already told my dad) IT'S ON! :-)
So, I had to drive to Iowa City to get my cat (5 1/2 hour drive from my parents in the Twin Cities) and the roads were AWFUL! I have video of the snow in front of my parents house with my step mom on a HUGE snow pile-and video of a stretch of road on my way to Iowa City and for giggles-a video of my cat getting CAT NIP for the FIRST TIME EVER at my parents!
If you want to see the videos, please go to my facebook page and add me as a friend. They are posted on my wall. You can find me by looking up: Sandra Foxx WIRK when you go to http://www.facebook.com/
:-)
Happy New Year!!
Cheers!
Sandra
(My Kitty Pepe Le Meow!)
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