Copia's Healthy Life: Yes, Really, Cucumbers!

In case you have not met yet, I'd like to introduce you to the amazing cucumber. Do you realize how many foods are really super? I bet you had no idea that cucumbers offer such a variety of nutrition. One whole cucumber with the skin on and preferable without wax, contributes to your daily intake of vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, silica and one called molybdenum which helps to metabolize fat, iron and carbohydrates and this cucumber contains 17 out of 18 amino acids. So you might think twice now when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. Instead of going for a caffeinated beverage or sweet treat, you can have a cucumber salad. The lift cucumbers provide could last for a couple of hours! The juice of cucumbers is an excellent source of silica which an integral part of healthy connective tissue helping to improve the overall health of the complexion. Plus the high water content of a cucumber is naturally hydrating; water is a must for a optimum health in all cells and tissue. Cucumbers can are also used topically due to the two chemical compounds found in cucumber. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid (found in all plants) are known to prevent water retention, help soothe irritated skin and reduce swelling. That is why cucumber slices are recommended for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis. This might interest you to know that cucumbers my have originated in southern Asia over 10 thousand years ago. early explorers and traveler introduced cucumbers to India. Cucumbers were very popular in ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greed and Rome for the benefits of skin healing properties. King Louis XIV enjoyed cucumbers immensely and during his time, greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers was invented. The early colonists and settlers introduced cucumbers to the United Sates. For a change, you can also ad sliced cucumbers to the pitcher of iced water you serve you serve at meals. Cucumbers are alkalizing and alkalize your water like lemon slices do.

Enjoy,
Jules

Copia's Social Life: More than a Community

I am dedicating this article to a dear friend of mine, Ahnalisa. She inspires me in many ways. I admire her clear and concise ways of communicating her needs and the way her heart is open in giving and in receiving. She truly has a beautiful soul.

Every other Halloween Ahnalisa and her husband, Michael, host a party; El Dia de los Muertos. This is a Mexican celebration that focuses on the gathering of family and friends. Famously it is also a celebration to remember family members and friends who have died. The actually holiday occurs on November 2nd. Due to the close timing of Halloween, El Dia de los Muertos (also known as The Day of The Dead) is often thought to be simular to Halloween when in actuality the holidays have little in common. But over the years Ahnalisa's party has evolved to celebrate both prodigious alter ego costumes and deceased loved ones. Everyone who has attended the bash at least once knows to mark the calender for the next one in two years.
At the last party in November, Ahnalisa kept announcing throughout the evening that this would be the last party. The guest list had grown so large the house and yard were busting at the seams. The preparations begin an entire month in advance, the home gets completely rearranged, and the clean-up; can you imagine cleaning up after 150 plus people (I never took an actual head count)! I don't even want to clean up after a dinner for three.
At one point in the evening Ahnalisa had made her last party announcement to me. A dramatic yet bona fide Nooooo poured from my mouth. And beautiful Ahanlisa, through her naughty Raggedy Anne costume, looked me straight in the eye and said, "You show up tomorrow and help clean up and maybe I'll think about another party"!
Well, she must of said that to every single person there because the next day Michaeal and Ahnlisa's home was filled with friends helping to clean up and put their home in order again. My kids and I were the last to come. It was 4:00 p.m. many had come, few were left and I found plenty to do. Ahnalisa and I found a quite moment over a stack of clean clothes which we folded together to reflect upon the joy everyone shared in the last 48 hours. Ahnalisa shared how grateful she was that so many came together to help in so many ways. I heard her say that maybe, just maybe, there will be another El Dia de los Muertos!

Love and Light,
Jules

Make a Trade for What you Want

When I think of bartering an image of crowded old world markets where everyone has traveled for miles to spend the day trading and haggling for the items they need immediately comes to mind. But bartering is more common in our modern world than you may realize. Remember as kids we traded food items from our lunches for items we thought were better? I have been witness to both of my children swapping various small toys and trading cards and even small Lego pieces with friends. I believe bartering is innate in each of us. Bartering is simply the trade of goods and services without the use of money. But since the invention of currency, bartering is a forgotten option. Yet the ancient practice really is alive and well and can provide benefits especially when inflation saunters in the economy. Sometimes bartering is just plain impractical because it takes too much time, work and sometimes even money, but you will know when bartering is not a fit you. I want to share some ideas and the benefits of bartering. What to trading is as varied as we are people and is up to our imaginations; there are no limits as long as you can find a person to make an exchange with.

• First figure out what you want and what you can give. Make a list for both.
• Next create a list of potential trading partners.
  
• If you are trading for a timely or costly service, put the details of what you expect from each trading partner in writing - be very clear.
  
• You may want to join a bartering community like this one or a time bank
• Remember the Tax Man. Some trades need to be reported to the IRS when it is tax season, so do your due diligence.

Here are some ideas you can build trading communities around soup swaps, gardening/yard work, babysitting, pet sitting/walking, housecleaning, and of course the list becomes endless.

Cheers,
Julie

The Truth About Debt

If you have been subscribing to Copia's Journal, you will remember that I started you off on steps to taking a closer look at your cash flow and creating a budget. One of the things you have to know is how much money is flowing in and how much money is flowing out. That seems simple enough. Yet, so many Americans are so far into debt that more is flowing out than there is coming in.

One of the things an investor learns is the true difference between good debt and bad debt. Very few people understand how to correctly use debt. I read so many published articles that incorrectly explain good debt (probably because the author has to justify their own debt).

It is very simple, good debt is debt that makes money for you, period. Any other debt is bad. As long as you are honest with yourself when accessing your debt you can decide what kind of debt to have, if any. Take the steps to learn to swing the pendulum and use debt to create cash flow and then buy the things you want to support the lifestyle you desire.
Believe me, it is sweet sensation when this paradigm shifts. Learn how to make money work for you instead of the other way around. Debt is really a good thing when it pays for itself and puts cash in your pocket.

Love, Jules

Personal Finance From the Inside Out

I am excited to announce that my 4-week intensive course: Personal Finance from the Inside Out is now available through teleconferencing!

Yes, that is right, you do not have to live in the Monterey Bay area to partake in this transformational money management course! Whahoo!

"Take charge NOW of your financial future in a fun, inspiring and creative way"!



Learn your money personality, Feng Shui and money, A new way to plan and budget, Goal setting, Stimulate your investment ideas, improve your relationship with money and MORE!

$250.00 for the full 4-week intensive and bring a sign a friend up for FREE!
Please email me after you have paid to complete registration
(my email address is on the receipt page)

Class will begin as soon as enough people pre-register.
I intend to begin on Monday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m. (PST)

Tell me your name below

Tell me your friend's name

Thank you for making the decision to join me! This investment is one to feel great about! It is my intention that you are among the 95% who will feel the shift to empowerment and take charge for your financial well-being!

A Hands-On Goal Setting Workshop

GOALS The Power Line to Success and Achievement
A Hands-On Goal Setting Workshop
By Glen Hopkins

WHY DO WE NEED GOALS?

• Goals give you direction in all areas of your life – Personal, Career, Spiritual, Material, and Contribution
• Goals give you a purpose in life. A reason to get up early in the morning and go to bed late at night
• Goals will put drive and passion into your life
• Not having goals is similar to sailing a ship across the Atlantic without a map. Goals, like maps, help you get to your destination much faster than sailing though life aimlessly

HOW DO I SET GOALS?

• First you must dream! Dream of everything you want, and have always wanted in every facet of your life.
• There are no limits. Ask yourself, “What would I attempt to do, if I knew I could not fail?” “What would I want for my life if I knew I could have it?”
• Allow yourself to dream like you did as a child. Let your imagination run wild!
• Brainstorm
• Write your ideas down on paper and decide which ones are the most important to you.
• Review what you have written down on paper.
• Now its is time to define your dream precisely. Which of these goals are most important to you, and why?
• On a fresh piece of paper, write down one goal at a time. Beside the heading, write down a deadline for achieving that goal. Be sure that the deadline is realistic.
• To help achieve the long term goal, set a timeline using short term goals. For example, if your long term personal goal is to loose 60 lbs. in one year, set short term goals leading up to the long term goal. In this example you might set short term goal to loose 5 lbs. per month. This is an effective way to evaluating your progress helping you to determine if you have to make changes to your action plan.

THE SECRETS OF ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS
1. Make your goals Inspirational

• You need to set goals grand enough to challenge yourself. Remember that if you don’t have to push yourself beyond your current limits to reach your goals, you’re not really achieving anything. To truly be successful, and reach your true potential, you must constantly push yourself to move outside of your “comfort zone”.

2. Define your goals with Clarity

• Be precise in what you want. The more clearly defined your goal is, the easier it will be to attain. For example, let’s say you want to buy a house. To say you want to buy a house is not enough. To find a house you’ll really be happy with, you have to specify exactly what you want. Do you want to live in the country or the city? Do you want a two storey or a bungalow? Do you want a brick house or a wood house? How many square feet do you want? Do you want a pool? How much can you afford? As you can see there are many questions to ask.
• The more questions you ask yourself, and are able to answer, the clearer your goal will be.
• Once you know the exact outcome you want, you will be able to create an action plan that will ensure your success.

3. Write a Paragraph

• Write a paragraph or two describing exactly why you absolutely must attain your goal. Write down all the reasons why you are committed to attain your goal. Feel the emotion stir up inside of you. Feel the passion and drive. This will bring the goal to life!
• How would you feel one year from now if you were to attain all your goals? How would that make you feel about yourself? Would your feel proud? Would your self-esteem be increased? Would you feel unstoppable? Would you feel more confident in your ability? What results would you get from reaching your goals? Would you have greater job security? Would you be up for a promotion? Would you be earning more money? Would your family and friends be proud of you? How would that make you feel?

4. Write Another Paragraph!

• This paragraph or two should explain what will happen if you don’t attain your goal. How will you feel? What will happen to your lifestyle? Will you be embarrassed? Will you loose self-esteem? Will you loose your job? The more emotion you can put behind the reasons why you must succeed and why you must not fail, the more committed to attaining your goals you will become.

5. Constantly Evaluate Your Progress

• Having an action plan is not enough. The captain in the previous example will have to constantly evaluate his progress in order to be sure he is on target. Unforeseen obstacles are sure to arise, such as a hailstorm, or increased southerly winds. As a result, he may have to increase his speed or guide the boat in a more westerly direction. In other words, notice what is working and what is not. If an approach is not working, don’t waste your time with it. Change your approach.

6. Never Lose Sight of Your Goal

• Take the time to review your goals every morning when you get up and every night before you go to bed. This will keep them fresh in your mind. If you think reviewing your goals twice a day is too much to ask, maybe you should reevaluate what it is you want. Ask yourself, “How important is it to me that I attain my goals?”

7. Don’t Procrastinate

• Procrastination is a “silent killer”. Understand that the only way to achieve your goals is to take action! Knowledge means nothing if you don’t apply it. How many people have you come across with an unbelievable amount of education working a mediocre job? The world is full of people who don’t apply their knowledge. On the other hand, chances are you know of people with less educational background who apply everything they learn. These people are usually the ones who are most successful in all areas of their lives.
• Do something right now that will help you to achieve your goals. There is no time like the present! Get the ball rolling. Each step you take brings you one step closer to the life you want.
• Remember the motto, “The road to Someday, leads to the town of Nowhere”. Someday is today!

THE BENEFITS OF GOAL SETTING

• You will notice an increase in your energy level as you begin to live your life with passion – the passion that having a meaningful goal will give you.
• You will be in control of your life and the direction you are heading. Your life does not have to be determined by fate alone. With goals, you create your destiny.
• Goals give you a purpose in life. A reason to get up early and go to bed late.

EVIDENCE
The following are examples of individuals who have achieved their goals. How has it changed their lives and possibly the lives of others?

• Mother Teresa
• Nelson Mandella
• Michael Jordan
• Mark McGwire

What goals have you achieved that have changed your life, and possibly the lives of others? Maybe it was,

• Education
• Relationship
• New car
• Job interview
• Weight loss
• Exercise program

• Everything you do is a cause set in motion. No matter how small the act may seem, it will ultimately have an effect on your life

OBSERVATIONS

• You will soon notice your mind will become a magnet for attracting any information or opportunity that can help you achieve your goals more rapidly.
• For example, have you ever played the game, “Punch Buggy?” If not, if goes something like this. When driving in a car with a friend, the first person to see a Volkswagen “Bug” gets to punch the other person in the shoulder while exclaiming the color of the car “Punch Buggy Red”!
• Once you begin playing this game, you will be surprised to find how quickly your arm becomes sore! That’s right, all of a sudden you will become a magnet for Volkswagen “Bugs”! Everywhere you look, you will see one. The same thing is true of your goals. When you know exactly what you are looking for, it will mysteriously present itself.
• This is based on the phenomenon that You Get What You Focus On.
• Remember to “enjoy the ride’. This is the key to a successful life. There is little point in only allowing yourself to enjoy life at the point of achieving a goal. If that were the case, think of all the time that would be spent not fully enjoying your life. Learn to happily achieve rather than achieving to be happy. After all, whether you are conscious of it or not, the majority of your time is spent striving to achieve goals. Such as, getting up in the morning, getting to work on time, making time to see a friend of loved one, and so on.
• Although these “goals” are pretty exciting, let’s not forget the big ones. The ones we create with passion and drive. The goals that can truly change our lives if we commit to pursuing them.

SUMMARY

• If you are dissatisfied with some aspect of your life, get excited. All it means is you now what you don’t want. Now its is time to determine exactly what you do want.
• Clarify exactly what it is you want and create a time frame for getting it.
• Write one or two paragraphs why you must attain your goals and one or two paragraphs why you must not fail to attain your goals.
• Keep a close eye on your progress. If what you are doing is not working, change your approach.
• Review your goals twice daily. This will keep you focused.
• The time to change your life is now. Not tomorrow, not the next day.
• Take time to invest in the future you want. You have the power to create your own destiny!

- Glen Hopkins
Thank You Glen!
Cheers,
Julie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glen Hopkins, owns Motivational-Messages.com, your Free
resource for daily motivation and inspiration, including quotes,
tips, and stories to help you lead a successful life. To join the Free mailing
list, send an e-mail to http://www.listopt.com/sp/free-newsletters.html
or visit http://www.motivational-messages.com/ today!

Personal Finance From the Inside Out

My life changing Personal Finance From the Inside Out class begins this week! This is a 4-week intensive - fun and amazing!

CLASS BEGINS in Carmel on:
Thursday, January 21, 2010 6:30pm to 8:30pm
(Note: In February I will offering this course through conference calls, so you don't have to live in the Monterey Bay area!)

• In this class, we take a look at our attitudes around money and ask our selves what financial freedom means to us.
  
• We take a look at how simple, or not as difficult as it may seem, to achieve financial freedom.
  
• We learn some simple guidelines for how to set up a budget and follow the budget.
  
• We learn fun and creative ways for goal setting and list what needs to happen to obtain those goals.
  
• Journaling happens!
• We take a Money Personality Test; get to know your personality around money.
  
• Learn to start thinking about how you can invest and empower yourself around money! ... and more!

Do you realize that more than 85% of the households in this country are run by women? Yet where did we learn to do this? Slowly over the last 40 years, men have turned this job over to the women! And women make excellent money mangers when taught all the skills!

If you live in the Monterey Bay area and want to sign-up, please email me NOW at: jewleyd@comcast.net. Class begins on Thursday, January 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We meet for four (4) Thursdays. The cost is $250.00 and you may bring a friend for FREE!

Warmly,
Julie

There Really is a Wellness Revolution

Ever thought of making a radical change or how about just a fundamental change or just to change the way you think about something? The book I read last month was about a big change happening right now amongst the largest consumer population in our economy, so big that the author, and world-renowned economist, Paul Zane Pilzer, calls it a revolution. Two things I know for sure after reading this book; I want to join the health and wellness revolution to personally reap benefits of choosing a healthier life style. The other is to carve out my niche in this booming $500 billion (and still growing - that is why it is booming) industry.

No matter what kind of change you are interested in, if any, I think that after you read this book change in you is inevitable too. I highly recommend this book - I couldn't put this one down!

You can visit the author's website at: www.thewellnessrevolution.paulzanepilzer.com

Enjoy!

Jules

Happy New Year!

Boy have I been busy! I hope you all had everything and more that make a joyous holiday season. I know that already seems like eons ago.

Now that my family and I are settled into January, I plan to be posting again on a regular basis! Yay! Watch for my next issue of Copia's Journal. If you are not signed up to receive it by email, you may do so here on my blog. It is the big yellow button in the upper right corner of the page.

I have two big announcements! I am really happy to offer my Personal Finance 4-week Course to ladies who do not live in the Monterey Bay area. We can do it teleconference style and webinar style - Wahoo! Look for the sign-up information. This truly is a fabulous class. We work around finances from the inside out and my clients all tell me they really change the way they see money after this 4-week course!

Saving the best for last! Jade Cove Investment Club - the women's investment club I founded five years ago is now hosting monthly workshops and has started a blog at wordpress and a fan page on face book. This is so very exciting for me and the other members! We all decided over the holidays that we must share with other women what we are learning and what we do. So you can now be an associate member and follow along! If you live in the Monterey Bay area, you can join us in person on the 2nd Wednesday of each month for a workshop. You may contact me through Facebook or Twitter. Check out our blog at www.JadeCove.wordpress.com
Join the sisterhood of Jade Cove!

May 2010 be of financial bliss

Book Review: A Girl Needs Cash

Of course I loved this book! Joan Perry writes about how we women should take charge of our financial lives – with a “girl power” attitude. Joan sings the same song I do! Nobody is going to come along and take care of our financial life; banish that “White Knight Myth”. We are completely capable of knowing what we want, setting our priorities financially and taking action. We do this in our family lives, in our social lives, career lives, and I certainly hope our sexual lives! Joan points out that women are in a financial revolution and I sense that she is right -- I love that! Joan breaks through some of the misconceptions that maybe the culprit which keeps many women financially captive. Joan explains how to review spending habits and develop new sources of income to create the kind of life you want to live. Singing the same one again -- That is what I do in my class Personal Finance from the Inside Out (but I take a different approach). Ladies, no matter how old you are or where you are at in your life, it is time to take charge of your financial life. Learn some new attitudes and thoughts around money. A Girl Needs Cash is an important book to read and I think it should be in every woman’s library.

Enjoy,

Jules

Back to School: Personal Finance From the Inside Out

Do you realize that more than 85% of the households in this country are run by women? Yet where did we learn to do this? Slowly over the last 40 years, men have turned this job over to the women!

This class is a lot of fun ... we take a closer look at the household income and expenses; Like my friend Ahnalisa says, "Cash in and cash out, it is like the breathe of the household".

CLASS BEGINS: Thursday, August 27, 2009 6:30pm to 8:30pm

• In this class, we take a look at our attitudes around money and ask our selves what financial freedom means to us.
  
• We take a look at how simple, or not as difficult as it may seem, to achieve financial freedom.
  
• We learn some simple guidelines for how to set up a budget and follow the budget.
  
• We learn some goal setting and list what needs to happen to obtain those goals.
  
• Journaling happens!
• We take a Money Personality Test; get to know your personality around money.
  
• Learn to start thinking about how you can invest and empower yourself around money! ... and more!
  

If you live local in the Monterey Bay area and want to sign up, please email me directly at: jewleyd@comcast.net I will eventually teach this course over the internet, so keep in touch if you are interested!

Cheers,
Julie

New Habits Create a Plan for Finacial Well-Being

I just finished another group, teaching my class about personal finance from the inside out. I would like to share a success with you. Yes, it really does feel great to take charge of your money and strengthen your relationship with money.

So many of us don’t want to look at our spending habits but when you make that decision and you do it with a little guidance; taking a closer look can reveal so much! With solid tools, your life begins to take shape in a direction that your want it to go and you begin to feel empowered.

I am so proud of Wendy (I am proud of all the women who have gone though my class for unique reasons for each of them), but Wendy stands out only because she came to realize that she has been standing in her own way. She was the sole reason why she was not getting ahead financially and feeling behind every month. All it took was for her to take a closer look at her spending habits, create budget (I like to call it a financial plan), dream a little, shift some of her thoughts to thinking differently, and make a plan with tangible goals and viola Wendy is starting a business doing what she loves to do – she is like a race horse that just left the gate! GO Wendy!

Become the CEO of your own destiny!
Enjoy the day!
Jules

If you want more information about my class: Personal Finance From the Inside Out, please email me directly, Twitter me or find me on Facebook. You will find my email on my biography page

Investment Club Meeting: June

I always look forward to the second Wednesday of each month not only to I get to spend three hours socializing with some really dynamic women, but to spend the time learning all we can about the big huge world of investing and to share what we have learned on our own during the last month in between meetings. I really do enjoy the world of investing! I have always had a deep interest in all the people who can take an idea and make it work or, take some cash and turn it into a portfolio worth more. And guess what? This really is not rocket science. It just takes an interest and education; in my case self-education! I choose to learn in a group alongside other like-minded women by starting this investment club nearly 5 years ago.

It was Christy’s turn at education coordinator . So tonight our guest speaker, Buck, a consultant for the very young company Monavie (a wellness drink) spoke about the concepts of network marketing. Basically there are many advantages to be an independent consultant or a company that chooses the network marketing route and if it fits with your personality, find one that has a product you believe in and go for it! I’ll write an article specifically on network marketing for you and explain the concept in greater details. So look for that in the weeks to come.

After our guest speaker left, the gals in the club, gathered around laptops after desert to do some stock research and found two companies that we are very excited about and will be doing further research during the next few days. We will have to call a meeting in the middle of the month – these companies look that good to us!

I’ll keep you posted!

Good night

Jules

Investment Club Meeting: May

Laptops hummin', worksheets in hand, calculators ready; first stop Yahoo Finance!

Last night my women's investment club met for our monthly meeting and it was a working meeting. After diner and our regular meeting, one of our founding members lead an introduction workshop on stock research and study for our newest members. Our club has come up with our own set of criteria for choosing a stock. Our club is registered with the National Association of Investment Clubs (NAIC) and we do following Better Investing's stock study model for the most part. Over the years our club ha been visited by several guest speakers on the subject of stock study and our club has our own personality around stock research. Last night we focused on researching stocks that pay dividends.

We discussed our last reading assignment: Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan. I wrote a book review and you can read it here on my blog, if you are interested. We chose another book to read. It is called The Whole Kitt and Caboodle: A Painless Journey to Investment Enlightenment, by Susan Laubach.

I took on the role of retreat coordinator and I will be planning our next investment retreat. Also our newest member ha taken on the role of Community Outreach Coordinator - she is going to find an avenue for us to volunteer a day to help women and or children is some capacity before the year-end.

It was a very productive meeting! There is much to do over the several weeks and I am feeling very enthusiastic about all of it! ... what a nice way to feel when it comes to money and investing -- I love it!

Make it a great day!
Jules

Personal Finance From the Inside Out

Do you realize that more than 85% of the households in this country are run by women? Yet where did we learn to do this? Slowly over the last 40 years, men have turned this job over to the women!

This class is a lot of fun ... we take a closer look at the household income and expenses; Like my friend Ahnalisa says, "Cash in and cash out, it is like the breathe of the household".

CLASS BEGINS: Thurday, May 21, 2009 6:30pm to 8:30pm

• In this class, we take a look at our attitudes around money and ask our selves what financial freedom means to us.
  
• We take a look at how simple, or not as difficult as it may seem, to achieve financial freedom.
  
• We learn some simple guidelines for how to set up a budget and follow the budget.
  
• We learn some goal setting and list what needs to happen to obtain those goals.
  
• Journaling happens!
• W e take a Money Personality Test; get to know your personality around money.
  
• Learn to start thinking about how you can invest and empower yourself around money! ... and more!
  

If you live local in the Monterey Bay area and want to sign up, please email me directly at: jewleyd@comcast.net I will eventually teach this course over the internet, so keep in touch if you are interested!

Cheers,
Julie

Let's Read: A Girl Needs Cash

This is the current financial book I am reading. Check out a copy at your local library or buy one and read along with me ... or check back in a couple of weeks for my review.
Cheers,
Jules

Nature by the Drop Blending Lab

On Saturday, after my son's baseball game (his team won by the way -- tied all the way to the end. Final score was 6 to 5), I met my friend Holly over at our mutual friend's Veterinary Clininc to host this month's essential oil blending lab. We had invited all of our friend's clients with the intention to focus on the health and well-being of their pets and using essential oils to help with that. Well today only one person came to our blending lab. But it turned out so lovely; it became a one-on-one, three hour consultation for Deb (which gives me lots of new expanding ideas). This "private session" gave us the opportunity to get a bit more personal. We helped Deb create special healing blends for each person in her family (we ran out of time and did not get to make one for her dog, but she did get something pre-blended for her). ... A very nice afternoon! ... Then off I wen to the beach to pick my son up from a birthday party. My daughter spent the day with Grandma.

Cheers,
Julie

Book Review: Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan

Last month the ladies of the investment club that I belong to chose to read Suze Orman's new book. I also suggested that the readers of my monthly journal (free newsletter) read it along with us. Well, I did indeed read it and here is what I think about out it.

Her usual message comes through loud and clear, "you must commit to taking action". There is just no room for taking the back seat when it comes to understanding your financial situation and knowing what you need to do with your money.

Suze first spells out very briefly the current global credit crisis. I love her parable, "Our economy is like a patient who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. After months of aggressive intervention ... the patient is still in the Intensive Care Unit, but the prognosis is that eventually there will be a full recovery. In the meantime, the patient will move into a rehabilitation facility and start to get back on his or her feet. Before too long, the patient will be stable enough to go home, though it might be years before he of she is back to full health".

So what do you do with your money while you ride this "rehabilitation" time out?

The chapters in Suze's book are organized in nine (9) areas of money: Credit, Retirement, Savings, Spending, Real Estate, Paying for College and Family which includes insurance and job loss. Suze lists multiple scenarios for each of these area. So you must read through (a very easy read) to see which scenario might best fit your situation. Then she tells you what to do with an "action plan" for each scenario.

Please be diligent and research any advice no matter how "expert" someone maybe. For example, if you do not understand or know what a treasury money market fund is or an EFT is, then educate yourself and learn. It is important to understand why her action plans are good at this time during a general economic downturn. The economy changes and goes through its cycles; money grows well in one investment during a down turn but then may performs poorly when the economy is booming. Thus, through learning you will also see that money can grow through investments no matter how the economy is doing. I always say, "create your own economy"!

So Suze's book is a great place to start, but there is more work to be done. So get your 2009 action plan started if you have not done so already already.

When fear and doubt are in control you may make decisions that feel "right", but the biggest risk is giving in to your emotions. Do nothing rash". ~Suze Orman
Suze's Ormans 2009 Action Plan

Message from Ladybug Totem

Several months ago I was prepping windows in my living room for a fresh coat of paint. I saw something red, black and rather strange in the top corner. It was something like a wasps nest at first glance but it was red and black ... as I came closer the image that my eyes were having a difficult time identifying came clear once I realize the the black spots were not holes but dots on the backs of about 8 lady bugs clumped together. I was amazed to say the least; what a pleasant finding! But I had moved into the house in August and this was a day in December ... pondering ... what were they eating in order to live in my house? I have no plants in the house and certainly no aphids for them to eat. So I moved them ... and painted my windowsills.

Well, several weeks later I found that the lady bugs moved back -- they are back on the window again. And guess what? This corner of my house, in Feng Shui, is the wealth and luxury corner. Cool place for ladybugs to be hanging out for no apparent reason. My kids and I use the area of the house for curling up with a good book and reading and we now call it ladybug corner.

Well, today April 6, I took the kids out for something fun, first I thought we'd take a hike and have a picnic, they wanted to to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but I really wanted to enjoy the outdoors. It was a warm day today and rain is due for the rest of the week. Then I remembered a beach that I had never been to an was told by a friend that there is tons of sea glass at this beach. That sounded perfect and that was were I took the kids.

Now guess what? Yes, we found tons of sea glass BUT we found two ladybugs on the sand! Again what a pleasant surprise and what an unusual place to find not one but two ladybugs!

Later in the day I took the kids over to the Farmer's Market in Pacific Grove. This market began last summer and today was our first time to this market. Shortly after our arrived this very cute little terrier came up to say hello. The owner was right behind her. After we oohed and awed over this sweet dog, her owner tells us her name is Ladybug. "Okay", my mind tells me, "look up ladybugs. There is a message here for us".

Over the years I have learned that when I hear or see things repeat, a form of my intuition is communicating to me. The following is what I learned about ladybugs today. It all feels true for me and my family (the three of us). And I think it is so darn cool how things work around here -- there are messages for us everywhere! Life is good, really really good and it is meant to be this good.

Sources: www.sayahda.com, www..starstuffs.com, www.linsdomain.com

Ladybugs are about metamorphosis, growth and manifestation of thoughts and ideas. Our wishes begin to be fulfilled. Higher goals and new successes are possible. Worries begin to dissipate. New happiness comes about. Fall and Spring are the most abundance times for a person with a Ladybug totem. Ladybug also cautions not to try to hard or go to fast to fulfill dreams. Let things flow at their natural pace. In the due course of time, wishes and desires will all come true. Ladybug's life spans are about four weeks. Several generations are produced each summer. This links the energy of the ladybug to renewal and regeneration. Those with this totem are usually family oriented with strong morals and social values. Because the life cycle of an adult ladybug is short, it teaches us to release worry and to live life to the fullest. When it appears in our life it is telling us to let go. Ladybug teaches us to restore our faith and trust in the greater spirit - God. It initiates change where it is needed most. When Ladybug appears it is asking us to get out of our own way and allow the greater spirit to enter. An adult ladybug can consume several thousands of aphids and other scale insects within a few months. Because of its diet the ladybug often has parasites and those with this medicine often need to take care of their digestive system. Now is the time to examine eating habits. Ladybug has a protective quality, keen instincts and in spite of its size it appears to be fearless. The ladybug reconnects us with the joy of living, teaching us to transform and release our fears and return to love. "ahhh", Julie

My Intentions for A Newer Car

My 14 year old car tried to act like it was going to breakdown on me while driving to the cabin in the Sierra last weekend. My thermostat appears to be going out and says the car is overheating when it actually it the car is NOT overheating -- talk about stressing out just a little.

My kids and I travel a lot by car and I have put over 100,000 miles on my Ford Taurus -- this car has served us well. But it is time, I would like a newer car now.

... So here, I share with you my intentions for a newer car. I wrote down exactly what I desire in a new car and ... I'll keep you posted when this becomes a manifestation! I did this for the house I am currently living in. You can read my article titled ... (I have to find it) ...

My Intention for a Newer Car:

"I create the perfect car within 6 months from today or sooner; with the perfect terms and features that meet all my desires and more"!

• 2004 or Younger
• Power Windows
• Power Seats
• AC
• CD Player/Radio/Stereo Speakers
• GPS
• Low Millage
• Mechanically Clean/very good condition or better
• Clean Body/very good condition or better
• Body Paint -- Colors like: blues, greens, reds, opal white, burnt orange or prettier
  
• Under Market or Blue book Value
• Tire in good condition or better
• 4 Wheel Drive
• Seats at least 5 people with cargo space interchangeable with additional passenger seating
• Terms: "Gentleman's Handshake" and $250.00 an month or less.
• One of these Makers:
• BMW, Audie, Mercedes, Chrysler, Lincoln, Lexus, Land Rover, Porsche, Dodge