8 Personal Finance Tips From ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

I haven't seen this movie yet -  but I am anxious to see it.  I got this article in my eMail and thought I would share.   Sounds really COOL....  I am impressed that this has came out of a Movie.  Can't wait to see it.  I would luv it if  (who ever reads my blog)  would give this a shot as a really good and interesting conversation and something to share with a lot of opinions..  It would be INTERESTING and fun.

August 20, 2014 - 6:30 AM

By Donna Freedman - @DLFreedman

Photo (cc) by BagoGames     

I saw “Guardians of the Galaxy” for the second time today. Still funny! It’s an outer-space oater for sure, with good guys and bad guys and a real cowboy ethic: big guns, big deeds, big trouble, big payoff.
There’s a hint of the TV series “Firefly” here, with folks living by the seats of their pants on the edge of the frontier. Laws, where they exist, are really just lifestyle options. And if you get caught? Bust your way out of custody and get the heck out of Dodge.
Except that this time there’s nowhere safe to go: The possibility of intergalactic doom forces a ragtag group of misfits to quit looking out for themselves and band together to save multiple worlds.
Given my line of work, I decided to go looking for personal finance lessons in among the attitude and the exploding spaceships.

1. Assemble a good team

On the surface this is not the slickest outfit in town: a thief, a talking tree, a wisecracking raccoon, a green-skinned female assassin and a muscle-bound alien thirsting for revenge. Yet their varied talents complement one another and move them toward a (reluctantly) shared goal.
Suppose you design great projects or write killer code, but you aren’t so great at client interaction or social media. If so, concentrate on your strengths and surround yourself with people who can take care of everything else.
On that note …

2. Judge performance, not appearance

It’s hard to take a tough guy seriously when he’s a genetically modified raccoon. However, he wields a mean blaster and is nine-tenths of the group’s brain trust. Rocket is able to hack into a prison security system or create weaponry out of whatever he finds lying around. When he talks, everyone listens.
Similarly, that really shy co-worker who writes the killer code might be just the person for your new project. So what if she’s socially awkward? Look at her abilities rather than her wardrobe or the number of friends on her Facebook page.

3. Classics endure

Peter’s late mother gave him a mix tape of favorite music from her youth. The sounds of groups like Redbone, The Jackson 5, Blue Swede and 10cc keep him connected to his mom, soothe him when he’s stressed and also provide a pretty good soundtrack to lizard-stomping. The old tunes stay with us for the long haul.
So does the old advice: Spend less than you earn, build an emergency fund, save for retirement and – my personal favorite – if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Sure, some people will make fun of your frugality. Others may try to lure you into get-rich-quick schemes. Investigate various ways to grow your wealth, but don’t lose sight of the classic rules.
That said …

4. Good sense trumps sentiment — or should

Peter nearly loses his life when he ducks back into a dangerous area to rescue that mix tape. Bad idea, right?
It’s also a bad idea to stick with your parents’ insurance agent instead of shopping for a better deal. Or to invest in a friend’s poorly planned start-up. Or to keep the old family home even though it’s expensive and hard to maintain. Or to … . Well, you get the idea. Staying stuck in the past can affect your present – and your future.
 

5. Don’t be afraid to shift gears

Aside from Groot and Rocket, the Guardians were all lone wolves. They worked best singly — or so they thought. When forced to throw in together, they find strengths they didn’t know they had and gain rewards they never could have imagined.
So how’s your life working out? Maybe you became a lawyer because everyone said it meant big money, but the long hours are killing your family/personal life. Perhaps you went into engineering but now realize you’d really rather be teaching or working for a nonprofit.
Search your soul, do tons of research and make the best decision you can. Maybe that means jumping ship in six months. But it might also mean hanging in there for a specific reason, e.g., “in three years our last child finishes college.”

6. Play by the rules

Peter makes a living as a “Ravager,” i.e., a thief, smuggler and interstellar pirate who never has to punch a clock and can make some pretty big bucks. On the other hand, people like him can never stay anywhere very long, because they have enemies – or arrest warrants – just about everyplace.
Sometimes it seems that the shameless and/or unethical people and institutions will inherit the Earth. It can be so tempting to bend the rules or dance past the edge of legal. After all, everyone else does.
Sure. Except that you could end up in jail or maybe even bankrupt. Morally bankrupt, anyway. Your third-grade teacher was right about cheating: You only hurt yourself.

 

7. Don’t let past trauma hold you back

The alien Gamora watches her parents die and then is tortured and physically modified until she becomes the perfect killing machine. For years she operates obediently, until one day her oppressor’s plans become too monstrous even for a brainwashed assassin to accept.
So you lost your shirt in the stock market during the last recession? Don’t let it stop you from diversifying your portfolio. Putting all your money in one place is just not smart.

8. Lost causes can be won

The Guardians are hopelessly outnumbered and are probably going to die. Is that any reason to give up?
Suppose you have major consumer debt or got a really late start on retirement planning. Yes, you’re in a tough spot. Yes, the odds don’t look good. But if you do nothing at all, you definitely lose.
Instead of surrendering without a single shot, take positive action. Make a list of all assets and debts and start tracking your spending. Call the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and ask for guidance.
Don’t assume that all is lost just because it feels that way. The world is full of people who learned to manage their money despite tremendous adversity. As swell as it would be to have a smart-aleck raccoon and a talking tree swoop down and fix things, it’s time to human up and work toward taking control of your own life.

Read more at http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/08/20/8-personal-finance-tips-from-guardians-of-the-galaxy/#jrWACJ8io9MqxsCH.99

Read more at http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/08/20/8-personal-finance-tips-from-guardians-of-the-galaxy/#jrWACJ8io9MqxsCH.99

My New Baby Chicks

Video of my baby chicks.   I put a feather duster in with them when they were 3 days old and I wanted to share --- I thought it was so ~CUTE ~ hope you enjoy ....

A Month Later

It has been a very busy month for This Family.   Jessica and Babies (daughter and grandbabies) have moved out,  they moved the second week of this month.  I have been busy re-organizing the bedroom - after 5 years its a mighty job,  still working on it.  Went to my Moms for Easter seen my Son Robie and Grandson Kaden and my Niece Kaytlyn, went to the beach . Back homeMonday and Tuesday my baby chicks arrived (wasn't ready, thought they were to arrive the 25th).  Busy busy got them set up with in an hour.  Also got a new pup (4 months) not quite potty trained - working on that.. gorgeous lil girl we named her Sandie Beach,  she is Akita-inu/Anatolian Shepherd.  AND not to mention setting a small garden up around my chicken coop.

Well I said I was going to post more Photos of ours "Back Road Junkies" and that's what I want to do  -  



 This was an amazing find .... I love History and knowing that other people go out there to make a statement or point such Amazing things is just a Feel Good Feeling.

 

Five Oaks

This cluster of threes has weathered hundreds

of years of lighting strikes, strong wind, dry

spells, followed by wet spells and cattle rustlers

once hanging on a rope from its limbs, and

yet still stands like a silent sentinel to the

early pioneers who blazed this historical trail.

 

 

This "The Rock Park"  so beautiful and so much fun.

It is a natural park of Rocks.(Hugh ROCKS.)

 

 

 

This is an amazing and Historical Town in Texas..   I know you would love this Place if you ever have the opportunity to visit.

 

I have a ton of Photos - We have been visiting this town for  *wow*  about 15 years now and it is as amazing as the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

                                "Back Road Junkies"

We love going for rides on weekends in the country maybe take a few photos or do some geocaches.  I call us the "Back Road Junkies."  This weekend,  actually Saturday we headed east from home,  had a great day found 13 caches and took a couple of photos.

Here are two photos I took both of the same tree one is a close up of the trunk --

Not quite sure what kind of tree this is,  but was amazed at the Beauty of it.  And how old it could be.
_________________________________________________________________________________



Last weekend we headed west to Glen Rose - "Dinosaur Capital of Texas."   As the "Back Road Junkies."   We took a lot of Beautiful Photos.  We also did a lot of geocaches.   Here are just a few of the photos we took.

The River is "The Paluxy River"... there is no excess to the side where the Beavers have been so busy.  And yes I can't wait to go back and see how far the have gotten.   NATURE what an amazing thing.   I have several more photos I plan on posting tomorrow. 

"SPRING"

I want to attract the Bluebirds to my backyard.  I think they are so delicate looking and Beautiful.  Anyone have them in there yard???


It’s easy to see why eastern, western and mountain bluebirds are among the most beloved backyard visitors. With their gorgeous colors, musical voices and gentle habits, who wouldn’t want to welcome these beauties into the backyard? Attracting bluebirds can take some time and patience. But once you’ve won them over, they’ll bring their special bluebird pizzazz to any yard or garden.
Seven Tips for Attracting Bluebirds

Bluebirds love mealworms!Pat Piercey

1. Open it up. Bluebirds prefer open areas with low grass and perches from which they can hunt insects.
2. Leave it alone. Dead trees provide important nesting and roosting sites for bluebirds and a whole host of other cavity-nesting birds. Leave dead trees standing (or leave dead limbs on live trees) when it’s safe to do so.
3. Plant native. In winter, bluebirds add berries and other fruit to their diet, so planting trees and shrubs native to your area is a natural way to attract them.
4. Just add water. A simple birdbath is often enough, but bluebirds are partial to moving water, so even a small fountain or dripper will make your water feature more enticing.
5. Go chemical-free. Between spring and fall, a bluebird’s diet is mainly insects gleaned from the ground. Pesticides and other lawn chemicals are dangerous for birds that feed this way.
6. Beware of roaming cats. Each year, cats kill millions of songbirds. Newly fledged nestlings are especially susceptible, so be a good bird landlord and keep your cats indoors.
7. Offer mealworms. Feeding live mealworms can pose some challenges, but bluebirds find them irresistible, even eating them from people’s hands.

And Look at this .... This is repurposed bowling balls..   I want to do this TOO.

 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG
"I got the Fever"

                 What's for Dinner???

I went to the Fridge to get left overs for my backyard chicks - Nothing.    So I decided to make cornbread and share with my pets.  While in the pantry getting the cornmeal I noticed three sweet potatoes that were getting soft. Had leftover rolls from the week end. And I had already taken out chicken breast out to thaw.  At this time I needed a cup of coffee, found two packs of chicken seasoning form roman noodles(noodles my chicks luv) where my coffee filters are.    That's when I decided I am going to make a mini Thanksgiving Meal since we have a small cold front on its way.   I made ""Roast Chicken Breast & Two Leg quarters,  mashed Potatoes,  Sweet Tater Casserole,  some awesome cornbread and white bread Stuffing,  Gravy from Chicken drippings,  of course beans..  I had a white Boston cream pie(cake) topped with strawberries I had in the freezer.

Was a wonderful Meal everyone luved it.   I started this procedure at 12 noon and was done at 4:30....
Very Proud Momma and Granny..... 

Wished it was that easy everyday....    Gotta Luv Life and Family....

Then It Was Nap Time.......

Looks like an Empty Nest

WOW what a morning.  My daughter Jess told me she is moving out!!!!  She has two kiddos (my granbabies.)   They have lived her since birth.  Emily Grayce will be 7 this June and Brantley just turned 2 in Feb.  I am Blessed to have been  able to stay home with my children and then was so excited to be here for my Grandkiddos too. 


   Jess has just finished her MA schooling while working at a clinic and will be certified middle of April.  She plans on finish schooling to become a RN  this fall.  In the mean time She and her Beau  are moving in together.  She is going to stay home and spend the summer with her children before going back.


Like I said WOW.   What's a granny to do?  Talk about a total life change....

"Happy Saint Patrick's Day"

Ahhhh you after me lucky charms!!!
Monday March 17th, got your green on? (Yes I do) What to do to day about food -- what to make green?

So.... how bout cabbage, brisket with GREEN bar-b-que sauce?, fried potatoes with GREEN onions, green banana pudding we have to have pinto beans here in Texas and maybe some jalapenos and cheddar cheese GREEN corn bread.

Have a wonderful Saint Patrick's Day.

There's Irish in us all.



~ OH DANNY BOY ~


Our ST. Patrick (Swayze) from the state of TEXAS
Ethnicity: English, a long with Irish/Scottish



Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, the second child of Patsy Yvonne Helen (née Karnes; 1927–2013), a choreographer, dance instructor, and dancer, and Jesse Wayne Swayze (1925–1982), an engineering draftsman.[4][5][6] He had two younger brothers, actor Don Swayze (born 1958) and Sean Kyle (born 1962), and two sisters, Vickie Lynn (1949–1994) and Bambi.[4][7] He was a sixth cousin, once removed, of news commentator John Cameron Swayze, and a relative of noted Texas Revolution soldier, Henry Karnes.[8] Swayze and his siblings were raised in their mother's Roman Catholic faith.[9]
Until the age of twenty, Swayze lived in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston, where he attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School,[10] Oak Forest Elementary School,[11] Black Middle School,[11][12] and Waltrip High School


"A Little Bit of our Texas Irish History"
IRISH. Natives of Ireland were among the first settlers in Spanish-ruled Texas, and the story of the Irish in Texas is in many ways coincident with the founding of the republic and the development of the state. The heritage of the Irish seems in retrospect to have peculiarly suited their migration to a new land, for the English dominance of Ireland must have been to the new colonists in Texas a close parallel to the oppression they eventually found in the new country. It is not surprising that as many as twenty-five Irishmen probably signed the Goliad Declaration of Independence, that four signed the actual Texas Declaration of Independence, and that 100 were listed in the rolls of San Jacinto, comprising one-seventh of the total Texan force in that battle. Probably the first Irishman in Texas was Hugo Oconór, who became governor ad interim of Texas in 1767. Though his national origins are uncertain, Oconór was almost certainly Irish, as his name suggests. His success in reinforcing San Antonio against raiding Apaches was a notable contribution to the further settlement of that region. Philip Nolan, a native of Belfast, Ireland, was said to be the first Anglo American to map Texas. Whatever his real mission in Texas, Nolan's activities so aroused Spanish authorities that he was killed by a force sent to arrest him in 1801. James Hewetson and James Power, along with John McMullen and James McGloin,^{qqv were the first Irishmen to receive empresario contracts from Mexico, successfully settling the areas now comprising Refugio and San Patricio counties. Hewetson accompanied Stephen F. Austin to Texas on his first trip in 1821, and many Irishmen were counted in Austin's Old Three Hundred. De León's colony at Victoria also included several Irish families, and it should be noted that all of these contracts, except that to McMullen and McGloin, called for the settlement of Mexican as well as Irish families, specifically Catholics. Some writers have maintained that the southern grants were made only to the Irish to form a buffer zone of devout Catholics between Mexico and the northern Anglo settlements, but it now seems clear that the McMullen-McGloin colony was adjacent to the Power and Hewetson colony only by sheer coincidence. During the days of the republic the two colonies were on the frontier that saw the worst possible hardships for settlers. In the Texas Revolution such Irishmen as Francis Moore, Jr., John Joseph Linn, Thomas William Wardqqv and the four empresarios named above all played important roles. James Power used his influence to seat Sam Houston at the Convention of 1836. Eleven Irishmen died at the battle of the Alamo and fourteen were among those with James W. Fannin, Jr., at the Goliad Massacre. Appropriately, Refugio and San Patricio counties were among the first established in Texas after the revolution; the date was March 17, 1836, Saint Patrick's Day}

The 1850 census listed 1,403 Irish in Texas; ten years later the number was 3,480. Notable Irish-born Texans in the nineteenth century included William Kennedyqv, whose book The Rise, Progress and Prospects of Texas (1841) encouraged immigration to the new republic; ^{Richard W. Dowling, whose company of all-Irish Confederates repulsed the Union fleet at Sabine Pass; Peter Gallagher, a Texas Ranger and later an organizer of Pecos County; Samuel McKinney, an early president of Austin College; and John William Mallet, first chairman of the University of Texas faculty. Irish colonists in Texas endured the same problems of education, farming, and economic hardship as did other settlers, though perhaps with better success, considering their proximity to hostile forces. The descendants of generations who had long fought and died for their civic and religious liberties, the Irish were quicker than most to recognize incursions upon their rights and to defend against them. In 1980 572,732 Texans described themselves as of Irish descent. The Irish were third among those claiming European ancestry, following English and German. See also SAN PATRICIO MINUTE MEN; SAN PATRICIO TRAIL}

Saint Patricks Day

                                             
                                      Who is Saint Patrick

  At the age of 16,  he was captured from his home in Great Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for 6 years before escaping and returning to his family.  After becoming a Cleric, he returned to Northern and Western Ireland.  In later life, he served as an Ordained Bishop, but little is known about the places where he worked.  By the 17 century he had already become to be respected as the Patron of Ireland.


It is observed on the 17th day of March -- the day of his death.  It is celebrated inside and outside of Ireland as a Religious and Cultural Holiday.

The National Flower of Ireland is SHAMROCK:  A type of clover with 3 leaves.  St Patrick compares the leaves to the Holy Trinity."Father, Son and Holy Spirit"   Occasionally shamrocks are found to have 4 leaves.  These are rare and considered to be very lucky for the finder..... the odds of finding one is one in 10,000.




Another Celebrated figure besides St. Patrick is the Leprechaun.
Leprechauns are magical mini-people that have been in Irish tales and myths for years.  Old stories tell the tale of the leprechaun who is a shoemaker that protects gold.  Whoever discoveries the gold can keep it as long as he also watches the leprechaun.  The leprechaun has evolves numerous times and today includes a cereal mascot, WWE professional wrestler and horror movie icon.
  


People wear green so the won't be pinched.  It's a punishment that began in the early 1700s in the United States.  There are two explanations that illuminate the customs:

First - It's a punishment to those who forget to honor "The Emerald Isle."

Second - Is based on the superstition.  Leprechauns (and other pixies) pinched anyone they could see.  However any one who wore green was invisible to them.

Celebrants mark the holiday with foods such as corned beef and cabbage,  green food color in almost anything (like beer), events, games, performances and songs.

The first Saint Patrick Day's parade was held in the United States on March 17, 1762.  The Irish soldiers who were serving in the British army marched in New York City.


One more thing I would like to share......
My Husband and I quit smoking on March 17, 2001


Happy Saint Patrick's Day

             ~big hugs~

     "Better Than Gold"

 

Better than grandeur,  better than gold,

Than rank and titles a thousandfold,

Is a healthy body and a mind at ease

And simple pleasures that always please.

A heart that can feel for another's woe,

And share his joys with a genial glow;

With sympathies large enough to enfold

All men as brothers,  is better than gold.

 

Better than gold is a conscience clear,

Though toiling for bread in an humble sphere,

Doubly blessed with content and health,

Untried by the lusts and cares of wealth,

Lowly living and lofty thought

Adorn and ennoble a poor man's cot;

For mind and morals in nature's plan

Are the genuine tests of an earnest man.

 

Better than gold is a peaceful home

Where all the fireside characters come,

The shrine of love,  the heaven of life,

Hallowed by mother,  or sister,  or wife,

However humble the home my be,

Or tried with sorrow by heaven's decree,

The blessings that never were bought or sold,

And center there,  are better than gold.

 

                                              -Abram Joseph Ryan

 

 

 

The insert from one of my favorite books

"BETTER THAN GOLD"

 

 



Not Sure About My blog?????

I am not sure if my posts are out there or not....   I have a new computer and I am getting errors every time I open my blog or add a post.  I'm posting this one time to see if my blog is working or if there is some thing missing.  I would really appreciate if someone would let me know.   
   Thank You So Much
                           Cherie

~ADVISE~

I wanted to post a poem from one of my Favorite Books "BETTER THAN GOLD" .... I love to read one of the poems from this book everyday.  It is Heart warming and a Feel Good Feeling for me.
This one is -ADVISE-     Hope you enjoy.

~ADVISE~

 

Stand straight;

Step firmly,  throw your weight:

The heaven is high above your head

And the good gray road is faithful to your tread.

 

Be strong:

Sing to your heart a battle song:

Tough hidden foemen lie in wait,

Something is in you that can smile in Fate.

 

Press through:

Nothing can harm if you are true.

And when the night comes, rest:

The earth is friendly as a mother's breast.

 

                                    -EDWIN MARKHEM

 



Fhoto Fun

Random Fhotos.........

 My Grandaughter ..meet Grayce.... She is now  6 years old...

 My Grandson(Brantley) and me (Granny) And My Gorgeous Daughter Jessica. The MOMMA

 Brantley playing with Christmas Lights.

 Spring is in the Air.. My backyard

 My Backyard

Myself several years ago.

A little more than you Knew....

I started blogging or I should say socializing on-line back in 'hmmm' say 1996. It was Clubmom which was also Cafemom..  It was an awesome site. We(Moms-Grandmoms-Moms to be and Aunts and Uncles... it was a very FUN and a Happy place to be.   We all became Friends, as close as your nearest relative, it was sooooooo much fun and heart warming.  The people were amazing.   And like all things that become fun and happy and wholesome wide spread with love... people started to be toooo political and raciest.  It ended Club Mom--- they shut it down.  They kept CafeMom(which is really awesome but it is also kind of Commercial) but nothing like ClubMom(which was so real and Honest).... BUT I have been able to keep in touch with some Beautiful and Real friends on Facebook.   Anyways I am trying to get back in to BLOGGING- Socializing with you folks that may nhave some of the same interest as me and mine do.     Sending y'all  ~Big Hugs~   &  ~ Lotsa Luv~ 

We Share our Pop Corn ... Havin' Fun

POP CORN?????

 POP CORN??????

 Sharing     

 Havin' Fun

My Babies enjoying NATURE.... so much FUN

Closet Find

CLOSET FIND

Was Cleaning Closets Wednesday and came across a box of patterns my Mom gave me about 20 years ago.  I was so excited.  I haven't gone through all of them yet... but the few I did were pretty awesome.  Dating back to 1950, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1965.....  They look like they are all in pretty good shape,  the ones I looked at had all the pieces and all directions.  

"2013" It's been a wirlwind of a year......"2014" A New beginning.....

WOW!!!! What a whirlwind indeed.   The year 2013 has been a long year- seems to have lasted 3 years.  I want to start out by saying I am so PROUD of my Daughter Jessica(as a single MOM), she endured a year of (WORK and COLLEGE) with 2 children and now is a MA(Medical Assistant). She is planning to continue to become a RN.  Me as in MOM , GRANNY, cook, homework, bathes, playtime, etc..etc..  This a whirlwind of HAPPYNESS which is awesome.  We all know that you cannot go a year without trial and tribulation.  Yes we have had that too,  but we have to deal with it with a strong heart and push forward for those that need our support and when we need it we know they are there for us as well.

I am excited about blogging again.  Hopefully I can get some support from bloggers that I once knew or maybe some NEW ones.  I am not one to journal a lot.. but I really want to be able to share and enjoy some friendships and fun with others.   I know that less is more when someone is surfing blogs.   I'm gonna close.. Got winter weather warnings and report of accidents on highways.. be careful and stay safe. ~Be Hugs~