Insurance is assurance! January 2, 2009

We had the opportunity to sit down this past weekend and learn a little about future financial planning! When you become and adult and get engaged you think of all the wonderful things that are going to happen over the next year, your going to get married, have this lavish wedding, honeymoon, etc etc. I think we neglect to think about extremely important details that go hand in hand with marriage and planning your future together. Life Insurance is something so important and I have never really given it much thought. Sean has a policy already while I do not….

Talking about life insurance got me really thinking and in fact really worried that if something was to happen to me right now at this point in my life, Sean and my family to put it frankly would be screwed! Why you ask? Well because first off I own a home that is far from being paid off, in addition a car, a few credit cards (OK ok  more than a few), and a lot of student loans! That’s a lot of money and the reality is when you pass your debt gets passed on to someone else not to mention the funeral expense.  While I don’t like even thinking about it, I would hate to pass on that financial burden to anyone (its enough of a burden for me right now ahaha).  I began calling around getting quotes and information just to get a better understanding of what it would cost me financially… its peanuts… and you’d be surprised about all the other details you will learn about your other various types of insurance as well.

So I did a little research and combined with the knowledge I gained this past weekend I will try my best to educate you on life insurance. I’ve learned life insurance isn’t a “should have” it really is a “must have.” You insure your car, your home, your health, even your engagement ring… so why wouldn’t you insure yourself?

The big question Term vs Whole Life Insurance- Which do you choose?

Term Insurance is very much like it sounds. It ends after a certain period of time is up. Its also allows for a lower monthly payment. For example I called my auto insurance company for a life insurance quote. For a 30 year term policy at $250,000 it would be $20.68 per month and that amount would always stay they same. Term insurance has no cash value rather it pays a death benefit to those you assign the beneficiaries. Term insurance can possibly be extended when the period ends and of course may be slightly higher due to age increase, there is also the option convert the policy to whole life.

Whole Life Insurance is a policy meant to cover your entire life. Naturally it costs more because its meant to last for a longer period of time with the payment staying the same for that entire length. Whole life is meant to meet all of your permanent needs and obtains a cash value over time. You can also take out loans against your life insurance policy and this will simply be deducted from the amount of the death benefit. Whole Life can also be tailored to meet specific needs.

So which do you choose? It really depends on your situation. Both insurance types require you to pay premiums in a timely manner or your insurance can be canceled.   Term is slightly more risky because it does only last a certain amount of time,  may be non renewable or go up signifigantly dependant if you become seriously ill, but this isn’t always the case and don’t be afraid to ask! I highly encourage you to sit down and speak with a qualified agent who can give you quotes, explain in detail what your options are, and make sure your making the right choice for you and your family if god forbid something unexpected should happen.

Not sure where to begin here’s some suggestions:

Kathleen Saco www.kathleensaco.com she is the finacial rep we met last weekend!

Call your current auto or home insurance company

Google Life Insurance-numerous companies come up however I strongly recommend speaking to someone rather than doing it on line.

A Complaint Free World December 29, 2008

Have you ever stopped to think about how many times you actually complain in one day? I’ll admit I do it a lot, everyone does really, I mean have you ever met someone who doesn’t complain? The truth is we live in a very negative driven world! Ladies… we nag, admit it, I know I do! Men complain about lots of things including how much women complain! We complain when we are stuck in traffic, when we are late to work, when we don’t get our way, about other people, family, friends. Its humannature right? WRONG!

So we were approached with a challenge… By Betsy (one of the owners of StudioMarkEmile… LOVE THEM). Her story was powerful her message was clear and I think we could all relate to why she herself chose to take on this challenge.  This is perfect for Sean and I honestly because we often argue over how much one another complains and just recently I have caught myself every time a negative thought comes out of my mouth. I always try to justify it meaning ”I needed to vent” or ”I don’t mean to complain but” you get my drift??

I think we need to begin truly believing everything happens for reason. According to the website Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life you will enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. There are other ways to approach things. There is a positive way to look at any situation, and I truly believe this can better relationships and look at life from a different angle. It was put to me lightly….”perhaps you are meant to be stuck in traffic at this very moment, so your not the person up ahead who was just in a terrible accident.”

A Complaint Free World, inc. is a non-profit, non-religious entity which provides purple bracelets and other materials to help people affect positive change in their lives. It is a 21 day challenge to live complaint free. You wear a purple bracelet and every time you complain you switch it to the other wrist. This acts as a visual. Obviously the challenge starts right away but its takes sometime . It helps to have others support you ,whether it begins as a joke or not, encourage those around you to do it as well. Its a powerful lesson to be learned! You can order your bracelets for free on www.acomplaintfreeworld.org and learn more about it.

I put my bracelet on yesterday… believe it or not Sean has agreed to do this as well. I’m excited and dedicated to this challenge and can’t wait to see the outcome.

 

Try it….I DARE YOU 

Remember when……. December 24, 2008

I think everyone has those moments where they truly wish they were 5 years old again, without a care in the world, nothing to do but eat, sleep, and play. For me Christmas always brings back those incredible memories of when I was a little girl, and after the massive amounts of stress I have endured this season I wish nothing more than to go to bed tonight and dream that Santa will bring me everything I want and need only to wake up and find out he did!

There are so many moments I can recall of waking up Christmas morning my brother and I sneaking downstairs before my parents woke up just to get peak under the tree… AUH so many presents (still to this day my parents are crazy about presents but who’s complaining).  I recall one Christmas where we thought we were done opening gifts and my dad yelled from the porch “hey look at the horses walking by the house”  we came running outside and there were brand new bikes for us!

My dad always liked to play tricks on us… one year while we were opening our stockings my dad was upstairs in my room installing my very first television (which when your ten and have your own TV in your room thats huge)… It wasn’t until hours after opening our gifts did I go upstairs to find a new TV!!!

My mom and I would always make these big elaborate gingerbread houses and I would never have imagined eating mine because it was just so pretty!

For many years our extended family would come over and Christmas Eve and exchange gifts. My Aunt Barbara was very much like a grandmother figure to me, because I never had one. She used to love to shop and loved to collect things. She had bought a mother goose talking stuffed toy once and I LOVED IT but she wanted to keep it as a collectible. The year she passed my family gave it to me all wrapped up under the tree and told me she was watching from Heaven… that was very special to me at 8 years old and just as special now at 26.

 Once I had “figured it out” I encourage my brother and sister to believe in Santa for as long as I possibly could, I found alot  happiness in playing this game with them (hahaha) until I was a teenager! After they went to bed I would help put out the gifts, and even eat the cookies and the reinderr carrots ;)

We never did anything crazy on Christmas just the 5 of us together opening gifts, hanging out all day in our pajamas, and eating a big dinner. There was always lots of surprise, lots of smiles, and lots of love. All the other holidays we spent with  aunts, unlces, cousins, grandparents galore! But Christmas was always a time for the 5 of us to be together and while our family is beginning to grow, adding boyfriends and girlfriends, puppies, and soon children I only hope to continue the simple traditions my family has had since I can remember.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Dark Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Apples covered with Almonds December 21, 2008

The perfect dessert to fulfill any craving sweet,sour,chewy, chocolate, and crunchy. Just like the gourmet ones you can buy at the store except Quick, Fresh, and more affordable! Theses are perfect to give away as gifts, cut up into slices for a party, or even use as weddings favors

Ingredients

4 medium or large sized Granny Smith Apples

30 caramel soft candies

1/2 bag of Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Chips

Handful of almonds

Popsicle Sticks

Other ideas for toppings… sprinkles, coconut, candy bars,cookies, you can use your imagination!  Directions Line cooking sheet with wax paper cover good with PAM Unwrap caramels put in deep bowl with 2 tbsp of water microwave on high for 2-3 minutes stir Wash and thouroughly dry apples remove stems insert sticks Dip Apples into Caramel you may need a spoon to help cover Put onto cookie sheet and let cool in Fridge for 15 minutes Meanwhile crush almonds or topping choice Melt chocolate in deep bowl using directions on bag Dip Apples in chocolate again you may need to use a spoon to cover sprinkle with almonds place on cookie sheet and allow to chill in fridge for 20 minutes or until chocolate is hard Enjoy! If you want to give these delicious treats as a gift you can customize them to  peoples liking,  wrap them up with some cellophane and tie a cute ribbon around the stick! Here is some pictures of what one should resemble (note.. these are not my apples or my recipies  I found them online this is just an example of the possibilities you can create)

                                               

Planning a wedding? This is essential… December 20, 2008

If you are getting married anytime I urge you to get this amazing software program. The Organized Wedding http://www.theorganizedwedding.com. I’ll admit at first I was reluctant about the use of a software program to actually keep my wedding in order… but this program is amazing! It literally helps you plan everything from your budget, to your invitations, to your honeymoon, etc etc etc. Its under $50 and well worth it to reduce the stress and post its that are accumulating I’m sure! We had the pleasure of meeting the great people who run this company and they have thought of every last detail to help you plan your wedding and keep track of everything right at your fingertips! Hats off to them for making my planning easier.  If your not convinced check out the free demo atleast on their site!

YAY I have been given money! j/k…. but if I was given $6500? December 19, 2008

Well as you may know by reading my last few blogs… I still don’t have a place to have my reception! I guess you could say I have champagne wishes and caviar dreams (even though I’d never eat a snail..yuck). The most important thing to Sean and I is that we have our wedding seaside, while Sean would laugh at this, the sea to me reflects something that never ends, that goes on forever, eternity I guess you could say, and that symbolizes what I want and expect and look forward to in my marriage

So now what would I do with the extra money???I would rent out a seaside mansion in Maine, that could sleep just about everyone that was attending our wedding. We would hold the wedding on the grounds of the mansion, under a great big tent that once you stepped into the tent you were so taken a back by how beautiful it looked you forgot you were in a tent! We’d have a big Maine lobster bake! Sure it would be messy but the food would be darn good! Paper plates… who cares! Lobster is without a doubt my favorite food and I have been to numerous weddings where the food was alright but probably far overpriced for some chicken and three red potatoes! This money would not only take away much of the stress but help me to incorporate all the little details to make our day even that much more special!

I’d also put some of the money towards my honeymoon. I want to go to Fiji but honestly that might be out of our budget so at this point a beautiful suite with warm wheather and crystal blue water will be just fine!

I asked Sean this same question.. although we are primarily on the same page… Sean said the one thing he would do it pay for everyone to stay the night that would travel to Maine (which is where we still intend to have our wedding)!

 

The reality is we don’t have this money…. but with what we do have I will  make sure my wedding is full of lots of fun and love and its certain to be a good time!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!! sorry 2nite is short and sweet as we are off to battle the storm to celebrate Sean’s B-day :)

Something old, something new….. December 12, 2008

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

 

I”m sure you often wondered what exactly this meant…

Some of my friend have abided by this at their wedding while others could care less but I have to wonder who of any of them actually knows what it means. I personally had no idea “and silver six pence in her shoe,” was even a part of the poem. According to the poem those who carry each of these on their wedding day will have good luck and go on to live a happy marriage.

So of course first I turned to my buddy Martha. She’s really good like that and always has stuff about this on her show (well used to… did her show get canceled???) So sure enough she had a wonderful video with some very cute and creative ideas on how you can incorporate these items into your wedding. Check it out if you’d like :

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=eff90c3244f77110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=2c7acafb74ece010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&lnc=2c7acafb74ece010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD

So now that you know it is supposed to bring you good luck and a hppy marriage I’m sure you are still wondering. Why?

Well this neat little poem dates back to the Victorian Age and incorporates numerous English customs. This poem has remained one of the most popular in wedding superstitions as well as completely unchanged.

Something Old- This represents the bond to the brides family and her old life that she is now technically leaving. Items typically worn to represent this include antique jewelery from a family member, vintage shoes, or even a vintage dress that has been passed down.

Something New-This represents new life together and future happiness. Typically the brides dress represents this.

Something borrowed- This represents family and friendship and shows people will always be there to support the bride. It is recommended you borrow something from a happily married women as this luck will be passed onto to you.

Something blue- Why blue right?- The color represents fidelity and consistency two very important things in a marriage. The color also symbolizes purity and this dates back to the Virgin Mary. A bride often wears a garter for her blue item but can be creative and use anything she’d like.

Silver Six Pence- This represents wealth. Brides would often put a sixpence (coin) in their shoe, now a days that’s often replaced by a penny. 

Now whether you believe these traditions or not I think most brides choose to follow this ritual! I know I will especially now that it has meaning to me and its more than just a cute little poem.

There’s a ton of really neat traditions and customs out there for weddings below I listed a few more that you may have questioned. To be honest I highly recommend looking into these traditions that you will most likely have at your wedding I feel they will take on more meaning and help to make those moments even more special

Why Put The Wedding Ring On The Third Finger?

The ancient Greeks believed that a vein on the third finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart.

Why does the Groom throw the Garter?

Throwing the garter began in France, when the bride would throw the garter to the guests at the wedding and whoever caught it could expect good luck

Cutting the Cake

The tradition of the wedding cake is that by cutting the wedding cake together symbolizes the newlywed couples unity and shared future together and has also come to symbolize the first task in the couple’s life together

Why Do Brides Wear White?

A world wide trend was started when Queen Victoria decided against the royal tradition to wear silver and instead chose to wear white for its symbol of purity

How has being an Iron Bride Impacted my life so far???? December 12, 2008

The timing couldn’t be more perfect! I received the email about Iron Brides not even a month after Sean and I had gotten engaged. I had no hesitations what so ever about auditioning because this was right up my ally. Now here I am nearly  month later and half way done with filming and words cannot describe how happy I am that I was chosen for this incredible adventure.  I have always been the type of person to try new things and I welcome new experiences however I will admit I have also reluctantly turned down some good experiences for one reason or another. With Iron Brides I never looked back. 

 The brides to be… wow what a crew! Each one of us was chosen for a different reason however each girl brings something different to the group that truly defines who she is.  I think we can all agree we bonded almost instantly and for the friendships alone we will create during this season that alone is enough of a reason to be an Iron Bride.  I think the audience of our show will be pleasently surprised at the strength, Independence, wittiness, integrity, determination, and humor this group of young women possesses.  Jill and Brian are just awesome! The staff is some of the most caring and kind hearted individuals I have ever met, and they are pretty funny too! Everyone else from our limo driver to our photographers are some of the coolest most down to earth people who truly support everything we do. They make us feel like celebrities ITS CRAZY!

To the future contestants of the show… I can’t tell you enough how important it is to be yourself. I think whole heartedly that is the reason all of us were choosen because we are all very certain of who we are and why we want to be here. Its more than a prize. Don’t get me wrong we all want the prize however the experience is soooo worth it! 

This really isn’t your typical reality show….. stay tuned!

I NEED A RECEPTION SITE… PRONTO! December 11, 2008

Alright everyone I think I am officially the last girl on the cast of Iron Brides to book her wedding location. UGGG. I have always had this vision of my wedding day, of course doesn’t every girl! A day that would truly define all that Sean and I are,  to be surrounded by the things that bring Sean and I the most happiness, love, and of course fun. I have never wanted a wedding at a church, hotel, or function hall.  I have always wanted something different and non traditional. For everyone that doesn’t know me I’m sort of like Katherine Heigel in that movie 27 Dresses..because yes I am that girl with the closets filled with bridesmaids dresses I will never wear again, the only difference between the movie and I is I actually have the boy   Having both been in and attended many wedding has also allowed me to experience the things I liked and disliked.

So now here we sit with lots of ideas, little money, and no place to have our dream day. HMMMMM not doesn’t exactly fall into place with my vision. So I am now asking for your help. Any ideas???  To give you an idea of what we’d like…. near the seacoast, affordable, a place where you can bring in your own caterer ( thanks to my Uncle Bob), a tent, and chivari chairs I really want chirvari chairs, a place that will allow us to have our one and only special day with our wonderful friends and family and without all these crazy specifications… I want to feel like a bride not just another number!  So I welcome your ideas and suggestions

Brides… check out this great webiste! December 11, 2008

I came across this incredibly brilliant website today…. it has everything from reception decor to dresses that are all used but in good condition for sale!! Its like a craigslist for brides:)

http://www.bravobride.com/