Lifestyle

From man caves to mudrooms: Making every square foot count

Thursday, 19 March 2009 14:29

Upsizing to a bigger home might be out of reach for a majority of homeowners in this depressed housing market, so many are opting to stay put and maximize their existing spaces through remodels, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Job losses require family adjustments

Monday, 16 March 2009 15:16 Kathleen Olson

When a job loss occurs, families face new issues, such as spending habits. However, it is also a crucial time to rethink family priorities and goals. People often create goals unconsciously, but at times of income loss it is important to discuss them as a family.

Please and thank you still go a long way

Monday, 16 March 2009 15:11 Marcia Humphrey

About four Sundays ago, my husband and I decided that we would take our three children to the downtown Minneapolis public library after church. After circling the block a couple times we finally found a free parking space --my husband will drive around forever to avoid paying for parking! Because it was such a blustery day, we broke into a light jog to get into the building as quickly as possible. I was the first to approach one of the four glass doors and was about to open it. Just inside of the next door, stood a man-apparently struggling just a bit-trying to get the door open for me.

(Instant Inspiration) Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Friday, 06 March 2009 17:38 Rashida McKenzie

“Don’t worry, Be Happy” isn’t just a classic song by the great Bobby McFerrin; they are words to live by. I understand that nowadays those may be some hard lyrics to swallow. With the stock market hitting an all-time low and unemployment rates hitting an all-time high, I know that it is hard not to worry; about your future, your children’s future, and the future of the economy. However, instead of focusing on not worrying, I encourage you to focus on being happy.

Great tools to assist you in serving healthy and fresh meals to your family

Thursday, 05 March 2009 17:45 Marcia Humphrey

In case you haven’t noticed, we are smack dab in the middle of devastating economic conditions. No sector of business is unaffected. Almost all companies are downsizing (some by tens of thousands), closing locations, or going completely out of business. Many Americans are holding their breath each work day, hoping they will survive the latest round of pink slips. Times are extremely uncertain and scary for so many Americans.

How to plan and execute a perfect birthday party

Tuesday, 24 February 2009 19:09 Marcia Humphrey

My five-year-old son, Landon, has been invited to a birthday party on Saturday. That’s the same day that my oldest daughter, Alanna, turns into an official teenager-thrilling 13. Actually, Alanna is a leap year baby, having been born February 29th, 1996. So her actual birthday only comes every four years. We often get asked on which day we celebrate her birthday when it’s not a leap year. Our solution is simple; we pick the nearest Saturday and celebrate! Often the celebration lasts for a few days, and our children really enjoy that. Whether attending a birthday party or hosting one, the costs can get quite pricey. So here are a few tips to help you keep those birthday celebrations under control.

Money-saving basic car maintenance and safety tips

Monday, 16 February 2009 17:47 Marcia Humphrey

Recently, on a day that the thermometer read well below zero, and the roads were extremely slippery, I was forced to leave home, along with my three children, to take care of necessary business. After a few hours of being out, we took 494 and headed back home. Suddenly, just ahead I spotted an SUV swerving from one side of the four-lane highway to the other.