How to Manage Impulse Spending

All the ads seen on television are so attractive. That is what product marketing does, it attracts you to want what you do not need. This dilemma feeds a spending habit and can contribute to debt quickly if one is not careful about his or her spending. Here are methods in regulating a spending frenzy and helps the buyer spend only on needs and not the wants.

 Resist it first: Many times the person will see an item and buy it without thinking of the needs over wants. This is called impulse buying and the shopper in not thinking of long-term as much as he or she is thinking of an item as a have to own fad. Contemplate your last few purchases before jumping into another. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this or is it just something I want?” Walk away and think about whether you will regret spending the money or where will it go after it loses the charm creating the want. Consider this time as a cool off phase.

Avoid spending to alter your temper: Are you down? Do you need a pick-me-up? Well, do not waste your money on a purchase you will regret later when you are happier. Later, this hasty purchase may cause another crash in one’s mood after realizing what he or she has done. Ask a mature and supportive family member or friend, go workout at the gym, or walk on the beach. A nice alone time with a camera may be all one needs to get over a situation. This allows you to overcome the mood that spurs on crazy spending.

Avoid recreational spending: Do not entertain yourself with a trip to the mall or car dealership. Many people surf the web or see what is available and that is all one needs to satisfy the hunger. Going to the mall needs planning. This planning will ensure a successful visit without a costly mistake. I like to make a list of essentials or create a plan of action before visiting the stores. This is the best medicine for a recreational shopping virus. One should take the time to figure out what he or she needs sometimes that can be just as fun without the headache.

Be selective with associations: Desires are fueled by friends and lifestyles. Do not try to keep up with the Joneses; just be the influence that others are attracted to. So you say to yourself, “I don’t want to be the leader!” But the moment one makes a decision, he or she is a leader. Largely because people look at what you do and try to follow the same behavior. If you emphasis what you will be smart within your spending, your friends, and family will follow your lead. This is not a bad thing, so do not overspend to keep tempo with others, be selective on what you buy, and others will follow the same path.

Use credit only as an emergency: Cards are to gain credit scores not for ignoring your spending habits. The consequence for thoughtless credit card charging is spending more than one can repay comfortably. This thoughtless act creates animosity among couples and can drive a wedge between even the best of us. Only charge for emergencies, and only spend what you can payoff within that month. This will increase your credit without damaging your pocketbooks or your relationship. If you do spend for fun, realize you are paying up to 25% over what you purchased that item for as you are charged interest over the initial cost. Ask yourself” Is it worth it if you cannot afford the item in the first place?” 

Recognize your financials: Knowing what you have to spend is easier than spending too much and later realizing you made a mistake. Balance your checkbook, but if this is too much to ask, make a point to round up your purchase amounts and know what you have in the bank as a ballpark figure. This will help in developing a record of purchases and leftover funds. Develop a list what you need and what you have in the bank to spend. If you get a manila folder or envelope, and write your spending totals on the cover, it is easy to add up your spending as you go. You also have the information on your spending in one area so you do not have missing costs surprise you later. Again, ask a mature and trusted individual for financial matters that you may not be familiar within your accounting.

There you have it; methods in regulating a spending dilemma. This should help the buyer manage his or her spending habits for the needs and not the wants in the home. On another note, if the individual does a good job, and he or she saves some money in the process than by all means buy that something special if you want, but only after a success as a reward for a job well spent.

How to be the Best Stay-at-Home Parent

I was recently asked for a whole month of chores. In the past, I posted a weeks schedule and it was a huge hit. The following is a month’s domestic schedule on becoming a valuable stay-at-home parent. The contents of this schedule are only the actions of the person and only make up 50% of the qualities of the individual. The remaining 50% consists, of love, support, protection, and nurturing behavior of the parent. This list only covers the first percentage, as the second percentage is measured individually.

As the chore schedule is created, there are certain repetitive actions that create a recurring quality of the schedule. This quality will promote a duplicated action that will help the family create traditions and memories. If one looks back at his or her history, there are specific memories that stick out in ones thoughts because of this action. As an adult, I remember from my childhood various events from what I observe or taste. This is caused sometimes by something that a parent makes for dinner today or shows a picture from the past that sparks a memory.

The following is a schedule to follow that will develop memories for your children and hopefully guarantee a successful imprint of a stay-at-home parent. Yes, I said parent because this can be achieved by either the mother or father of the home. Once the house falls into a routine the work becomes easier and the time spent is less so the individual can do whatever he or she likes.

Here is a thirty day calendar schedule. This month’s schedule starts on Friday and ends on Saturday.

Day 1: Clean out fridge, wipe down cabinets, put away the Dishes and pots, wipe off the counter tops, dust the house, vacuum the carpets, *make the bed, sweep the floor, and tidy up piles or messy spots.

For fun: Read books, do crafts or paint, and cook with kids.

Day 2: Clean up the yard, tidy the laundry room and *make the Bed, sweep the Floor, and Tidy up piles.

For fun: Go the park, or have a BBQ,

Day 3: Fun day Road trip, movie night, have a BBQ with friends or just the family, but remember B.F.T.

Day 4: Vacuum the carpet, dust the house, and clean out the closets. Clean utility cupboard and make certain you have hand towels, dish towels, place mats, etc, ready for the week. Clean toy boxes -B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, plant gardens (terrariums, flowers, vegetables, herbs)

Day 5: Wash car, clean car out and vacuum, tidy pantry, make grocery list, and go grocery shopping. Iron clothes and linens- B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 6: Vacuum rugs, mop floors, clean bathrooms, and was toys with disinfectant cleaner- B.F.T.

For fun: Work on a craft, go to the library, play games and read.

Day 7: Wash windows, empty trash cans-hose out if needed. Clean off work bench and laundry area. Trim bushes and prune flowerbeds - B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 8: Empty the dishwasher, clean out the refrigerator, wipe-off the cabinets, dust, and vacuum- B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, cook a special dinner.

Day 9: Work on yard, go to the beach, do laundry, tidy laundry area-B.F.T.

Day 10: Take a road trip, its game night with the family, have a BBQ-B.F.T.

Day 11: Vacuum the house, dust the tables, clean out the closets, tidy the junk drawer and toss the trash pick up the kid’s bedroom-B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

Day 12: Clean out pantry, go shopping, clean, vacuum, and wash the car. Iron clothes-B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 13: Clean out coat closet and fix shoes, mop the floors, clean the bathrooms and scrub tubs. Clean entertainment center, disinfect the toys, and put them away where they belong-B.F.T.

For fun: Work on a craft, go to the library, play games and read.

Day 14: Clean windows, empty all the trash, clean the side yards by the house, hose off patio, clean off patio furniture, and check if the back yard needs new light bulbs for the low-vault yard light-B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 15: Clean out the refrigerator; wipe down the cabinets in the kitchen, the counters, dust the house, and vacuum the carpets-B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, cook a special dinner.

Day 16: Do the laundry, tidy the laundry center, Work on the yard; take the kids to the park-B.F.T.

Day 17: Take a road trip, its game night with the family, have a BBQ-B.F.T.

Day 18: Vacuum the house, dust the tables, clean out the closets, tidy the junk drawer and toss the trash pick up the kid’s bedroom-B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

Day 19: Wash car, clean car out and vacuum, tidy pantry, make grocery list, and go grocery shopping. Iron clothes and linens- B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 20: Vacuum rugs, mop floors, clean bathrooms, and was toys with disinfectant cleaner- B.F.T.

For fun: Work on a craft, go to the library, play games and read.

Day 21: Wash windows, empty trash cans-hose out if needed. Clean off work bench and laundry area. Trim bushes and prune flowerbeds - B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 22: Empty the dishwasher, clean out the refrigerator, wipe-off the cabinets, dust, and vacuum- B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, cook a special dinner.

Day 23: Work on yard, go to the beach, do laundry, tidy laundry area-B.F.T.

Day 24: Fun day Road trip, game night, have a BBQ with friends or just the family,-B.F.T.

Day 25: Vacuum the house, dust the tables, clean out the closets, tidy the junk drawer and toss the trash pick up the kid’s bedroom-B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, play cards, work in garden with kids.

Day 26: Wash car, clean car out and vacuum, tidy pantry, make grocery list, and go grocery shopping. Iron clothes and linens- B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 27: Clean out coat closet and fix shoes, mop the floors, clean the bathrooms and scrub tubs. Clean entertainment center, disinfect the toys, and put them away where they belong-B.F.T.

For fun: Work on a craft, go to the library, play games and read.

Day 28: Clean windows, empty all the trash, clean the side yards by the house, hose off patio, clean off patio furniture, and check if the back yard needs new light bulbs for the low-vault yard light-B.F.T.

Exercise: Go for a walk

Day 29: Empty the dishwasher, clean out the refrigerator, wipe-off the cabinets, dust, and vacuum- B.F.T.

For fun: Read books, work on crafts, and cook a special dinner.

Day 30: Work on yard, go to the park; do laundry, tidy the laundry area-B.F.T.

There you have it! Thirty days of chores and fun activities that will help with the family. This is just a basic list, and the parent can add or subtract chores or activities depending on how much he or she wants to work. As a parent, one has many choices to pick from when raising children and having a healthy relationship take everything with stride and enjoy.

Weekly Schedule of Chores

There are daily chores and day-of-the-week chores. My mom would have us do daily chores and then we would all work on Saturday morning to do our house cleaning. Mostly, this was the process because my parents worked all week and my brothers and sisters had school until the afternoon. Now that I am a parent, and I do not have to go to the office every day, I have developed a schedule for chores. I work on these everyday; sometimes with success and others with challenges. In the most part they work for us and I am happy to share this. This may not cover everything, but I am sure you could add or delete what applies. Here is how my week goes, hope this can be of some use.

Daily Chores

These chores should not take longer than 30 to 45 minutes daily, but it will become faster once a habit is formed.

1.    Make the bed when you get up every day. This will make you feel better and make your personal retreat cleaner.

2.    After cleaning yourself up, wipe out the sinks and clean the mirrors. The countertops should be cleared and the laundry put into a basket.

3.    Wash a load of clothes once a day and your wash will become smaller throughout the week.

4.    Eat breakfast, and then wipe down the table, the countertops, the stove, and put the dishes in the dishwasher. This should be easy in the morning. If you need to take out the trash and vacuum or sweep the floor, try to do this before it becomes too messy. I try to do these two chores every other day.

5.    Clean a section of the garage

Monday: Kitchen and dining room

1.    Organize cabinets where plastic goods are stored

2.    Wipe down cabinet doors throughout the workspace

3.    Sweep and mop the entire floor downstairs.

4.    Clean baseboards with a rag damp with clean soapy water

5.    Wipe down cabinet doors with a strong degreaser

6.    Clean oven and microwave with a anti-bacterial cleaner like Lysol or Spic-n-Span

7.    Wipe down walls, doors, and handles with a cleaner or anti-bacterial  

8.    Dust ledges downstairs with a dusting spray and a clean cotton rag

9.    Dust blinds downstairs with a duster only or use a dry towel only

10. Clear out cobwebs throughout the house and outside by the light fixtures

11. Wash windows downstairs (inside and out) with a streak free cleaner and newspaper.

Tuesday: Clean living room

1.    Sweep and mop the floors upstairs and under the beds

2.    Clean baseboards with a damp rag and some cleaner

3.    Wipe down walls, doors, and handles with an anti bacterial cleaner

4.    Wipe down cabinet doors with a cleaner

5.    Dust ledges or furniture upstairs with a dusting spray or Liquid Gold oil

6.    Dust blinds upstairs with a damp rag of water only or a duster.

7.    Dust ceiling fans with a towel covered In soapy water, and then dry them off

8.    Wash windows upstairs (Inside and out) with a glass cleaner.

9.    Wipe down or dust curtains. They can be vacuumed if cloth.

10. Clear office space from, clutter, trash, and desk

11. Remove old reading materials and replace with new magazines

Wednesday: Master Bedroom and Bath

1.    Dust furniture and wood moulding around shelves and ceilings

2.    Dust off furniture with a Liquid Gold oil or dusting spray

3.    Wipe down walls, doors, and handles with a soapy cleaner

4.    Vacuum floors and stairs if there are any to clean

5.    Clean banisters with anti bacterial cleaner, and wipe down baseboards

6.    Change sheets for a fresh set once a week

7.    Change towels and check on soap supplies

8.    Hang folded clothes or put laundry away in the closet

9.    Clean toilets, bathrooms, and tubs with bleach

10. Clean vanities and curtains from hand prints and dust bunnies

11. Clean closets and pick up clothes or shoes

Thursday: Guest Bathroom

1.    Clean the entire bathroom with anti bacterial cleaner

2.    Wipe out the tub, clean the floor, and clean off the mirrors

3.    Wash your baseboards with a cleaner or hot sudsy water

4.    Wash rugs in the bathrooms and entry way

5.    Put all shoes away in bucket or in the garage

6.    Wash towels and put back into the rotation of the linen closet

7.    Gather and wash laundry that has been accumulated over the week

8.    Wipe down walls where prints might show or the glass doors.

9.    Put away junk and take out trash that doesn't belong there

10. Clean out drawers upstairs from clutter

11. Clean out cupboards from mess

Friday: Family and Great room

1.    Take out the trash barrels for pick up

2.    Clean Powder room by wiping the walls and handles

3.    Clean toilet and make sure the roll of toilet paper is full

4.    Clean floors with broom and then mop

5.    Clean baseboards with a damp rag and some cleaner

6.    Clean grout where there are tiles

7.    Wipe down walls, doors, and handles with an anti bacterial cleaner

8.    Vacuum needed areas for the weekend

9.    Clean out the medicine cabinets and counter drawers

10. Clean out fridge of old food and clean pantry while making a list of groceries

11.  Go shopping for the week, and get ready for the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday are free days

These are chores that I work on throughout the day, sometimes the kids will help, but mostly I am on my own. Children may have homework or after school activities to attend to before dinner. If these chores are completed early enough in the morning, the rest of the day is open for other activities like swimming, reading, or television. 

Dandelions and Roses

When asked to find the correct decor for a piece of art, it can become very clear the homeowner buys what they like, not because he or she has a plan, but because the art appeals to them.

Dandelions and roses

This example was a find by a customer, and I was entrusted to find a decor for the space. First, I interviewed the client to determine what style the homeowner was looking for. This client profile assisted in the process. Second, I decided on a decor that was within the budget, and fit all the needs of the client's wants. Third, I offered the client three choices to pick from. The design is determined by the client, but either route it is a process of creation.

This painting was found while shopping at the furniture store. The painting appealed to the client, so they purchased it without knowing what they would do with the art when brought home.

Rustic Sofa Table

After the realization set in, the client called for help.

After the initial meeting, I made a trip to the local stores. I was first inspired by this sofa table we purchased. The rustic look of this table is perfect if one wants to add a contemporary flair to a rustic design. As an opposition, by the use of wrought iron braces on the bottom, and the natural wood creation, I believed that the combination would be great for the space and the art.

Modern Accessories

I decided to look for a few accent pieces to accessorize the table and add more inspiration. Here is a gradation of shapes that reflect the natural wood tones and the splash of silver creates more of a modern effect. I later decided to add an accent piece of furniture, as well as a rug to base the design in the room. In my search, I found this clearance (100% wool) rug with stripes that resemble the silver, and some metallic tones to blend with the art of dandelions and a rose. The rose was an accent

Hand-tufted Wool Rug  

of ivory white; and the rug had ivory stripes, but the room needed another piece of furniture to incorporate the tones better.

I looked for a chair to place in the space, and I found one with the perfect colors and tones. I had to follow the lines so I brought in another line that was going the same direction as the rug. Wanting a more contemporary chair, I chose to bring in a soft striped textile with very modern arms. The home owner  wished for the combination of modern and rustic design, so I tried to accommodate the owner's wishes by adding a larger chair in mass, yet have a sleek frame to keep the appearance of a modern piece.

Modern Chair with vertical stripes

By adding the chair, the colors coordinated with the piece of art, the silver-gray stripe brings in the carpet, brown and the metallic tones were perfect, but the owner decided to add more after the chair came in. The other side of the room was turned into a sitting area, but the owner wanted to bring blue into the space, so I found a modern piece of furniture with track arms and nail head trim. The nail heads were silver to transition the design from one wall to the next. After I brought in the sofa, I wanted to add other tones from one side of the room to the other; by bringing other art in that room was made to blend into the sofa, but had the browns and ivory from the art, the carpet, and accent pieces.

Blended tones 

Accessorizing the space was easy as the area needed a natural element like a plant. The natural element softens the modern design and brings the space together. After adding the art above the sofa, the space needed an element to balance the wall. I did want to include a pot for the plant that mirrored the area from silvery blue and ivory accents. After balancing the space I believed the sofa needed more variety. I added a pillow to the sofa to bring the eye up and down as well as side to side. Using a pillow that reflects the art brought the design together. Everything was an opposition with squares and circles, vertical and horizontal lines, gradation of accessories, and the mass was small or large.

Balanced Space

The overall presentation works as a comfortable space with modern tones, and a variety of elements to embody the space. The owner was happy to see that what he mentioned in his profile, I was able to present in a concept of principles to bring the owner's design around. I finished the space and met every point (and obstacle) the owner requested. The room was very comfortable and the tones were soft and contemporary for the area. With the artwork as a focal point on the wall to the other side of the room, a transition was created by using the original art as a rustic character to moving into a modern complement.

Rustic and Modern

The finished space included the homeowner's art piece, but the process took a complete turn as the level of design was based off of the metallic flair and the images of dandelions and roses.
The room was a success and the homeowner was happy.

Emphasis for the Space

Degrees Employers Look for Most

In the 2013 news, there are 10 Major degrees that employers look for the most. If one is wondering what degrees are popular, or which degrees one should earn in college, here are the ten majors that top the employers' charts. The list of schools below are not an endorsement, but the schools that I may have worked with in the past or schools that may have been attended by friends or family. With this wide range of majors, there is no end to a successful future in employment.

1. Finance
2. Computer and Information Sciences
3. Accounting
4. Business Administration and Management
5. Mechanical Engineering
6. Management Information Systems
7. Electrical Engineering
8. Computer Engineering
9. Marketing 
10. Economics

As a favorite, The major that has the fourth spot on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE's) list of top bachelor's degrees are Business Administration and Management. In a survey, 55.6 percent of employers say they want to hire candidates who graduate from this program. With the many college's that offer this degree there are a few that stand out. For the cost, the high level candidate could go to Harvard, Yale, Master of Business Technology (MBT),or the University of Oxford. For the mid level, one could attend University of Phoenix, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Villanova University, and Stanford University. For the most cost effective, one could look into a community college such as Antelope Valley Community College, American Heritage University of Southern California, College of the Canyons, California State University-Northridge, or Truckee Meadows Community College.

In a business management and administration program, one should research what are the needs and requirements for this degree. Though the above list is short, the complete list available is endless. The College Board announces that one could learn as little as the ins and outs of controlling an organization's activities, to one might discuss case studies of issues affecting real companies. Either route is beneficial in the field of business. If one enjoys leadership roles and has a solid problem-solving skill, this major might be a good option for the candidate to look into.

The reason employers look for this degree, is that it increases the candidate's employability. This degree guarantees employers that the candidate understands how business operates and that he or she grasps the core operating concerns. Not only is this a good idea, but it prepares the candidate to compete for a wide variety of entry-level positions.

Tremblayisms Revisited

One step is all it takes...your journey will begin!
-Yal B. Mert

"TRY TO KEEP UP!" 
-Amanda Tremblay

People are richly rude, facetious, and mean; mainly they are just unhappy so they want to spread the wealth.
-Yal B. Mert

Writing is the only way to say what you imagine, and then you can live up to it. 
-Patrick Tremblay

"I write what I feel, not what I fear!"
-Patrick Tremblay

Your intelligence is not defined by your grades, but by your actions to complete your education.
-Patrick Tremblay

If you fail to plan; plan to fail.
-P.Tremblay

Don't say I'll try to do it; you have already accepted failure. 'I will do it!' That is the proper way to say it
-PT

Do you hear that whine?
It's a tiny violin,
Playing your theme Song.
-Mori Awanabe-Haiku Black Belt

Never write to someone and say, "I hope..." you sound unsure.
-Yal. B. Mert

You deserve what you accept.
-DVG, used by PST

If you announce, "Honestly" in the beginning of a statement, you are also announcing you are lying the rest of the time. Everything you say should be honest.
-Patrick Tremblay

Why worry? The majority of what you worry about, never happens.
-P. Tremblay

Never cheat, it robs you of your soul.
-Grandpa Figueroa

Welcome everyone as an acquaintance until you know them. Their actions will prove themselves worthy of friendship.
-Yal B. Mert

Give from the heart fully, whether it is time, love, money, or advice.
Yal. B. Mert

Don't borrow, but if you do, return it twice fold.
-Armando Figueroa, Patrick Tremblay

One shouldn't stir the pot too hard, because sometimes the cook is the person who gets burned first.
-Patrick Tremblay

More doors will open in your future when you apply a softer knock.
-Patrick Tremblay

When faced with a challenge, I like to ask why not, whereas others only ask Why?
-Yal B. Mert

When I was a kid, we were so poor that we had rich week and poor week. Rich week was payday night. Poor week was all the days before Rich week!
-Steve Tremblay

Follow your heart; if it takes a detour, still follow, it knows where it is going.
-PTremblay

Let's be honest, there are at least 100 designers that are better than I am, but there are Thousands that are worse! 
-Patrick Tremblay, Owner Tremblay House of Design 

With maturity comes unwanted responsibility, but you can not have one without the other.
-Patrick Tremblay

"That is so wrong... I love it!"
-Patrick Tremblay

"Be good, and if you can't be good, be good at being bad!"
-Yal B. Mert

"Parenting sucks. Not mine...everyone elses!"
-Patrick Tremblay

Say sorry immediately, but mean it first!
-Yal B. Mert

Speak to the left with dishonesty; speak to the right when unsure; and speak straight-ahead from the heart.
-Patrick Tremblay

I will begin my life today, and try everyday until I am happy!
-Yal B. Mert

When someone asks, "What's your name again?" They won't remember again, because they don't care.
-Observation from PTremblay

I am glad stupid has a tendency to gravitate around others constantly, and around me sparingly.
"I just don't have the patience for stupid!"
-Told to PST by a good friend

His art ranges from early impressionist to WTF!
From the TV show Grimm
I am using this
-PSTremblay

Life should not be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and Screaming, "WOO-HOO...What a ride!"
-Yal B. Mert; Unknown

You need to learn Patrick if you want to understand me! 
-Patrick Tremblay

What a FREAK! That is all it takes to sum up one's behavior.
-Patrick Tremblay