Something Cute For the Long Weekend

Here’s an adorable photo to hold you over during the long weekend.

Celebrity Kids on Magazine Covers

While in the checkout line at the grocery store the other day I was eyeing the celebrity magazines. They are hard to ignore while waiting for the person in front of you to write a check for her diet soda and ice cream purchase. I noticed something that bothered me, not the bad habits of the person in line in front of me – nearly all of the magazines had Britney Spears on the cover, and they all included photos of her kids.

I get the fact that Britney is a celebrity and will always get media attention, but I am bothered that the media is bringing her kids into the fold, plastering their innocent faces on the covers of their magazines. On this particular trip to the grocery checkout line, I counted five covers that Britney and her kids were on.

The same goes for the kids of Angelina and Brad, and Tom and Katie. The list goes on. These kids should be allowed to be kids without having to be on the cover of every magazine. I’ll note here that I’m talking about all of the photos that are taken by the paparazzi — not the photos where the parents have control over the images.

This wouldn’t have bothered me as much (if at all) before I had a child. Now that I have one I am keenly aware of children and want to protect my own and I am more aware of others around me.

Do what you want with the adults, but leave the kids out of it.

Finding Hidden Messages In Life

Two weeks ago I was on a mini-trip for some R&R. When I travel I always bring an arsenal of things to do: book, spiral notebook, journal, pens and magazines. I really can’t travel without these essentials.

While at my destination, I was searching for my pen so I pulled out all of the items in the bag and tossed them on the bed. The photo in this post is exactly how the items landed. I thought nothing of it, until I returned to my room later and saw the message loud and clear: Do What You Love. Not only is the message the only text that is readable, but it is the only text that was facing the correct way to be seen and read upon reentering the room.

It’s fitting that I would get this message while on a trip to rejuvenate myself. I’m posting this as a message for other women too in hopes that it will inspire all of us to do what we truly love and try to make something of it.

Think Safety First

While dining with some friends the other night, one of the women told an interesting story about someone she knew. It’s a story about safety, particularly for women. I like it when these stories are passed around — it’s the way we are reminded that we need to be aware of our surroundings and always keep safety top of mind.

Here’s how I remember the story:

There was a woman who was shopping and had her grocery cart by her car, purse in the seat. As she was opening her car door, someone drove by, reaching out his car window, grabbing her purse and driving away. To add insult, he did this while yelling an obsenity and calling her stupid.

Not only did the man get away with her purse, but a spare set of keys, her wallet with credit cards and cash, as well as her company ID badge. There’s more …

The woman went on as usual, but one day her car was stolen from her company’s secure parking lot. The lot is accessible only by employee ID badge. Likely the same predator. Luckily the story ends here, with no personal injuries to report.

There are so many messages from this one story. It’s a great reminder for women to always be aware, keep your purse close at all times and report personal theft.

Setting Financial Goals

Earlier this week, I went to a 6-hour financial planning seminar. I was the only woman in the room; there were 5 men, 4 of them closer than I to retirement age. The course was great, but there was so much information that it could easily be turned into a 16-week course. My biggest lesson from the course is that I need to know more, as I believe most women do.

Risk management, cash management, investment concepts, tax management, retirement planning, estate planning — serious topics. Ask yourself the tough question today: How much do you know about each of these topics? Follow that question with this one: How much do you know about these topics as they pertain to YOU and YOUR FAMILY? I have known for a while that I don’t know enough, but I am going to change that now.

Understanding your money is difficult. There can be fear associated with it, which might lead you to shut down. “I’ll do it tomorrow,” you’ll say. We must stand up and take control of our finances; know what we have coming in and going out. We must know and understand our goals for the future and start planning – now.

“If you have no goals, you have no direction and no way of knowing whether you’re on track.”

— Source: The Complete Financial Management Workshop, Emerald Publications.

I’ll be writing about this topic as I learn more. I’d love to hear your success stories too.