Wash those dirty hands!

You pay for your lunch with a $10 bill and put the change in your pocket.  You handle the money and then you sit down to eat your sandwich … but you haven’t washed your hands!

You go into a bank and fill out the deposit/withdrawal slip.  You use the pen at the counter because it’s accessible.  Then you handle the money and when you’re done, you go back to your car.  Now you put your hands on the steering wheel and various other items.  You may even put candy or gum in your mouth … but you haven’t washed your hands!

Maybe you use the ATM machine to get money.  Your fingers press all those buttons, the money comes out, you count it and put it in your wallet.  You go on to the next stop … but you haven’t washed your hands!

You go to the grocery store and as you’re walking in, you take one of the carts that is sitting by the door.  You use the handle bar to steer the cart through the store.  This shopping experience takes about 20 minutes and all the while you have your hands on the handle and then on the food and then back to the handle.  You pay for your groceries, handel the money and coins and then you’re back in your car.  Maybe you touch your face as you check in the mirror to see how your makeup looks, or you eat a piece of fruit that you just bought because you’re hungry … but you haven’t washed your hands!

Have you ever thought about who handled the money, the pen, the grocery cart before you?  It has been said that money is the dirtiest thing we touch every day!  Not to mention the grocery cart!  Or the ATM machine. 

My problem is I watch too much CSI.  I love that show.  It has taught me so much about hygiene.  For instance, did you know that when you cough or sneeze, your germs take flight and land on some lucky person or desk or machine?  Those germs don’t die right away.  In many cases, they are picked up and transported by an unsuspecting victim.

I was in a bank last week filling out a deposit ticket.  This young girl was also there, standing at the other counter filling out her bank ticket.  She was sneezing and wiping her nose with her hand — sort of like a hand/wrist motion across her nose.  She was right handed so she used her left hand to clean her nose while she wrote with her right hand.  I visualized all the germs that were landing on the counter and the pen and I was glad I wasn’t standing near her.  But then I wondered if someone had done the same thing where I was.  Luckily I was using my own pen.  But I was touching the counter.

We really need to be careful.   I don’t want to sound like Monk but you know, he’s not completely crazy.  I use those anti-bacterial liquid soaps at home and I keep a small, no-water-necessary tube of hand cleanser in my car.  I also try not to eat anything in my car without washing my hands first.  Oh dear,  I am remembering that today, I shook that woman’s hand, let her use my pen and then ate grapes as I drove home.  I was hungry and it was late and I needed something to chew on so I ate those grapes … but I didn’t wash my hands first!

Let me ask you this … do you ever take notice of how many people leave a public restroom without washing their hands?  Why is it necessary for the establishment to post signs on the doors instructing their employees to “wash your hands before leaving the restroom”?  Do we not have enough common sense to know that our hands are dirty?  Everything we touch is dirty!

Monk is right!  I may start wearing gloves.  Hey, at my small town post office, the clerk always has lightweight blue gloves on.  I never thought about it before but she is one smart lady!

Have I made think about your dirty hands?  Do you understand my point?  If you and I start washing our hands more often, we will be helping society and ourselves stay healthy.  It would reduce the number of colds we have and the medicines we have to buy and the visits to the doctor’s office that keep us sitting in a waiting room for two hours because we didn’t have an appointment!  WOW!

Wash those dirty hands!

from the desk of Louise

It’s My Business!

There are so many get rich schemes.  So many home-based businesses.  How do you know which one to choose?  How do you know what to look for?  How do you know if the products are really good without spending a fortune to find out?  These are all legitimate concerns. 

I have been an Avon District Sales Manager for almost 9 years and before that I sold Avon for over 10 years.  I speak from experience — if you have a vision and are determined to reach your goals, Avon can be the vehicle to get you there.  Here are some reasons:

Avon is probably the lowest-cost business to start.  “The cost of lunch could change your life!” is my motto.  Only $10 to start!  No inventory!  No sales quotas!  No stress!

Avon can give you financial freedom — in the Avon world there are hundreds of woman and some husband/wife teams earning a six-figure income.  They have taken the career path … not only selling the products but sharing the opportunity through networking Avon to people everywhere.

Avon offers on-line training to all representatives.  These courses are absolutely FREE and teach money management, the Beauty of Knowledge, the Power of 3, how to market your products, how to build your business and find new customers everywhere you go.

Avon’s products are guaranteed 100%.  If the customer is not happy, the representative can ask for credit and return the product to Avon.

Avon gives every new representative a credit line of at least $100 — (s)he orders the product, it is shipped directly to his/her door and (s)he pays the bill before submitting the next order.  

Avon has products for every member of the family.  The representative has giftable items, DVD’s, clothing, licensed products like Dora and Bob the Builder and many more items to entice the customers.

Avon’s SKINCARE is the BEST!  The Research & Development Department is always finding new technology to combat the signs of aging.  Our Clinical line takes the needle / pain / high cost / doctor’s visit out of having botox treatments, laser treatments, collagen injections, and thermal face lifts.

And best of all, the representative can earn anywhere from 20% to 50%, depending on how much time and effort (s)he puts into the business.

I was an Avon representative from 1978 to 1988.  My sales put me in the top 10 of my district and made it possible to remodel my kitchen with brand new cupboards and appliances.  Our Christmas presents were always Avon products … family and friends loved getting the holiday decorations and jewelry.  My sons learned the benefits of hard work and enjoyed helping me make deliveries.  We made long lasting friendships with so many wonderful people.

If you are looking for a way to earn more money … if you just need $300-$500 dollars a month … if you want to be rich … Avon may be for you. 

God bless,

Louise

Cancer - O Lord!

It was a bright Monday morning in May, 2005.  A morning like every other morning … except that my husband had a doctor’s appointment.  He was going to find out the results of his biopsy.  He wasn’t too concerned.  His PSA count had gone up to 5.7 from 4.9 and the doctor felt it might be a good idea to do this test.  I didn’t go with him.  Several hours later I found out he had prostate cancer.

I can only tell this story from my viewpoint.  My husband has said it felt like he hit a brick wall when the doctor said “you have prostate cancer”.  I just know that for me there was a rush of emotion.  Fear mixed with guilt for not being there.  Anxiety over the unknown and then a small voice saying “I am in control”.  After we both cried and comforted each other, maybe a day or so later, there was a funny calm that came over me.  I knew God was in control of this situation.  It was no surprise to Him.  We told our sons and family.  We were bombarded with questions as to what we were going to do … and that’s the purpose of this article.  Maybe our experience can help you.

The doctor advised my husband to have his prostate removed and explained all the pros and cons.  The biggest reason “not to remove” the prostate was because it could result in impotency.  We both said “no” to that.  We decided to have a second opinion.  That doctor said the same thing … have the prostate removed.  There had to be other options.  We had researched the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Illinois shortly after we got the news but hesitated to go there because of the distance.  However, after this second opinion, we called them and were on the first flight out two days later.

You have probably seen the ads on TV for the Cancer Treatment Center.  If cancer hasn’t visited your family, then more than likely you ignore the commercials.  DON’T!!This Center made all the difference for my husband and me.  Be informed before you have to be.

We arrived in Chicago, the hospital limousine picked us up at the airport, took us to the hotel and then a shuttle bus picked us up the next morning for our 8:00 am appointment.  First impressions are very important — as we walked into the lobby of the Cancer Treatment Center, we both felt a perfect calm.  It was not a “hospital” — there was no “smell of death” — we did not see grim faces.  What we did see were smiles and friendly faces on patients and staff — most of all, there was HOPE in the air!

By the end of the week, we were told that there were three options.  The cancer was contained in the right side of the prostate and could be treated.  Our research had shown a new therapy available called Brachy Therapy.  My husband wanted to know more about that.  He made the decision to have it done … it involved 5 weeks of radiation and then the 3-day surgical procedure.  The operation was done on Sept 27, 2005.

Today, his PSA count is down to .014 — he goes back in April for another follow up — but he is doing really well.  In retrospect, we know we did the right thing.  We didn’t take the first or second opinion — we had some doubts and followed our gut feelings.  We united and prayed seeking the Lord’s wisdom.  Our choice to go so far away from home for this treatment was questioned by family and friends.  But we just felt it was the right choice.  We were right.

If you are facing Cancer … pray.  Ask God to show you what you should do.  Consider the Cancer Treatment Centers of America — they are now located in Illinois, Pittsburgh, and I think Texas and Pennsylvania.  There is HOPE.  Don’t give up.

God bless.

Louise

0% Interest — too good to be true???

Over the past 15 years, I have received numerous offers to sign up for this credit card or that credit card.  Interest rates offered have varied from 0% to 5.99%, some offer FREE miles or cash-back awards and most come with transfer balance offers.  Some are 0% for transfer balances only.  Some are 0% for all purchases. 

Perhaps you receive just as many of these every week and have been tempted to take advantage of them.  Let me just say that I feel like the 0% Interest Queen.  Since 1991 I have borrowed about $100,000 from various credit cards and paid 0% interest.  In most instances, I was able to transfer balances from one card to the other with no fee but at times, there would be a $35 - $50 charge for the transfer.

Here are a few pointers to be aware of:

• some card companies now charge a minimum of $10 or 3% of the transfer balance
• some require a purchase every month until the transfer balance is paid off
• you will have to pay a minimum of 2% of your balance every month.

Using a 0% credit card has made it possible for me to purchase many things that I would not have been able to buy otherwise.  I don’t abuse my credit cards but I love having the freedom to buy something I really want knowing that I won’t incur any interest.  I always pay well over the required monthly payment so that I can clear the balance that much sooner.  Because of this my credit rating is Excellent which means I get more 0%offers. 

The only problem I have experienced is keeping track of when the 0% offer expires.  To solve this problem, I created a folder with information on each card showing the 16 digit account number, the date I transferred the balance, the date the payment is due and the date this offer expires.  Since I make all payments online, I indicate when I have scheduled the payment.  Most cards allow you to schedule your payments ahead of time so I normally schedule all the payments for the upcoming month.   At the moment I have four cards with 0% interest that I am paying on.  Hopefully, I will be able to consolidate these four down to 2 or 3 once the balances are low enough. 

My last big transfer was a student loan of $25,000 to a 0% card.  I had paid on this loan for over 4 years — every month, the interest was over $180.  I received an offer with a credit limit of $26,000 so I did the math and realized that I would be required to pay 2% of the balance if I decided to transfer this loan.  In the past 6 months, I have paid off $3,000 of this balance but it’s all principal.  By the time the 0% expires, hopefully, there will be another 0% offer to transfer this balance.

Maybe this would work for you … maybe not.  It does require record keeping but for me, it’s worth it!

Louise

Wisdom concerning the Bible …

All these quotes were taken from Zig Ziglar’s daily hope entitled “Staying Up, Up, Up in a down, down world” 

 The Bible … 

It is God’s highway to Paradise.

It is the light on the pathway in the darkest night.

It leads business men to integrity and uprightness.

It is the great consoler in bereavement.

It awakens men and women opiated by sin.

It answers every great question of the soul.

It solves every great problem of life.

                                            — A. Z. Conrad

On the cover of your Bible and my Bible appear the words, “Holy Bible”.  Do you know why the Bible is called holy?  Why should it be called holy when so much lust and hate and greed and war are found in it?  I can tell you why.  It is because the Bible tells the truth.  It tells the truth about God, about man, and about the devil.  The Bible teaches that we exchange the truth of God for the devil’s lie.  About sex, for example, and drugs and alcohol and religious hypocrisy.  Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth.  Furthermore, He told the truth.  Jesus said that He was the Truth, and the Truth would make us free.

                                               — Billy Graham

The Word of God, well understood and religiously obeyed, is the shortest route to spiritual perfection.  And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others.  Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.

                                                           — A.W. Tozer

It is a fortress often attacked but never failing.  Its wisdom is commanding and its logic convincing.  Salvation is its watchword.  Eternal life its goal.  It punctures all pretense.  It is forward-looking, outward-looking, and upward-looking.  It outlives, outlifts, outloves, outreaches, outranks, outruns all other books.  Trust it, love it, obey it, and Eternal Life is yours.

                                                           — A.Z. Conrad

Confirmation Code: GFXXSMC18199576

Travel Memories … Smith Family

In February, 1989 our family decided that a Disney Cruise would be the ideal family vacation. Our sons were 10 and 12 years old so we knew they would just love the interaction with the Disney Characters at Disney World and Epcot Center. But what we did not realize was how much “we — mom & dad” would love this vacation.

I called our local travel agent to find out what packages were available and how much it would cost for a family of 4. Back in 1989, the cost was $2,500 - $3,000 for a 7 day family package that included either 4 days at the Disney/Epcot location and 3 days on the cruise ship …. or 3 days at Disney and 4 days on the cruise ship. We decided to add an extra day which gave us 4 days on land and 4 days at sea. We also chose to stay at Disney’s Hotel on the premises at Disney World.

We did not have the money to go immediately so we picked December, 1989 as our departure date and started saving every penny we could. This was one of those instances when we charged the balance to a 0% credit card and paid it off when our tax refund came in.

December came quickly. We flew to Orlando, FL and checked into the elegant Disney hotel — the room at that time cost us $199/night. Had we stayed off premises, all four nights would have cost much less. What I had not thought about was the simple fact that we were gone from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm every day. We wanted to see everything we could so we only came back to the room to sleep. But that’s okay because the beds were luxurious! But let’s get back to the vacation … we had such a marvelous time. Our package included four days of rides, Epcot
Center with “It’s a Small World” and the Presidents’ Wax Museum, great food and terrific exercise! We never walked so much! We did this leg of the trip first so that “mom & dad” could relax on the cruise. There was a ride where you actually went nowhere. I believe it was called a virtual ride – you sat in a seat for four people, a bar went across your lap to “hold you in”, the lights went out and then the movie started. We were in San Francisco in a car that was out of control going down steep streets and making sharp turns, just missing pedestrians and children in strollers. I screamed so loud from sheer fright, felt like I had experienced every turn and nearly hyper-ventilated. When the lights went on, I was still in the same place. Amazing how our minds can control our emotions!

When we boarded the cruise ship, we had our pictures taken and were then escorted to our room. It was not a balcony view but it was fine — once again, we only slept in the room.

During the day, the boys swam, I laid out in the sun and dad enjoyed the casino. We attended a broadway show, played bingo and saw a movie. Our youngest son, Denver, auditioned for “Star Search” and made us so proud when he sang “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In.” He thought he was auditioning for Ed McMahon’s Star Search Program so he was a little disappointed. But to our amazement, he sang in front of all those strangers in a nightclub setting, and did a great job!

Delicious food, food, food — even at midnight we could get food! No diets here! We marveled as the talented artist carved a dolphin from a block of ice. We enjoyed snorkling and swimming at the private island and took rolls and rolls of pictures. We have 8×10’s, 4×6’s and 3×5’s … enough to wallpaper a 8×10 room!

We have so many wonderful memories … perhaps the neatest one is of Tigger and Denver. We were walking along just enjoying everything in sight when we noticed Tigger coming toward us. He was motioning to Denver as he was getting closer to him. We didn’t understand at first what he was trying to say. Well, when he finally reached Denver, he pointed to Denver’s shorts … they were exactly like his Tigger outfit. Dusty, his “older” brother, thought it would be fun to have Tigger throw Denver in a garbage can … so he did! We all laughed and took pictures, of course!

This vacation cost us $5,000. We could have built our 2-car garage that year instead of waiting but the memories we made were worth every penny.

Make a memory with your family while you can … God bless!

I did a little looking around to see what sort of trip deals are available, and you may want to look here

Credit Cards … “to have” or “not to have”?:

I remember my very first credit card.  It was 1968.  I was working on Wall Street and made $85 a week.  The credit card application came in the mail and made me feel important.  Wow!  I could have my own credit card.  My mother NEVER bought anything she couldn’t pay for with cash so I didn’t dare tell her that I planned to apply for this credit card. 

The card arrived and I tucked it in my wallet.  It’s funny … I can’t remember what my first purchase was.  I just know that before long I had a $400 balance.  It frightened me to think that I had almost reached the limit on this card (it was only $500) in such a short time.  I panicked because I felt trapped.  I owed $400 for things that were already “old”.  Now I had no money to buy “new” things.  Right then and there, I made the decision to cut up this card and never again let myself get into such a situation.  But let’s fast forward to today ….

I have at least 4 credit cards in my wallet.  One I use all the time.  I even pay for my groceries with this card.  “How awful!” you might say.  I know.  I use to feel that way, too, when I saw someone pull out their card to pay for the food they would soon eat and then make payments on for the next year, with interest.  But you see, I have learned to “discipline” myself.  Two of these cards are debit cards, the other one is just in my wallet in case the vendor doesn’t accept Discover.  In 2006, Discover Card paid me over $700 to use their card.  Now I think that’s pretty good when you consider that I didn’t pay a penny in interest.  Like I said, I use it for everything.  But the secret is that I pay my bill in full each month.  Some months have been scary because the balance was higher than normal, but that’s because we bought big ticket items.  The money was in the bank to pay the bill but it’s still scary because you’re always tempted to use the money for something else.  Again, I have to be disciplined to pay the bill in full.

It’s not the credit card that is bad.  It’s how I use the credit card that makes it a bad thing to have in my possession.  If I am feeling down and decide to go shopping, I can get myself in a heap of trouble.  I love to shop in stores like Hobby Lobby or Tuesday Morning where there are so many neat items, things you just don’t see everyday.  And I love bargains — these stores have signs all over the place that read “50% off”.  What a bargain!  How can I resist?  There have been times (too many, in fact) when I have just gone crazy.  Now crazy for me and crazy for you may be very different.  If I spend $50 on something frivoulous, that’s “crazy for me”.  I truly am a very frugile person. 

What I am trying to say is that I know my weakness.  I know not to shop at these stores on a regular basis because I usually buy something I can live without.  I also know my budget and I try to stay within it.

My credit cards have actually been a blessing over the years:

Paying with my debit cards, instead of writing checks, has saved me the cost of ordering new checks.  That can be a huge savings because I use duplicate checks!   

Many times I have been able to purchase something that I truly needed and didn’t have the cash to buy … like new tires for the car or a new refrigerator when the old one died.

The other night I was looking through old credit card statements for a particular “balance transfer”.  I realized that since 1991, I have actually borrowed over $100,000 from various credit card companies and never paid a penny in interest.  Now, in some cases, I did have to pay a balance transfer fee of $35 or $50 but not very often.  In fact, now the balance transfer fee has no cap … in most cases it’s just 3% of the amount transferred.  That could be a little pricy.  But seriously, I have been able to borrow all this money because my credit is so good.  HOWEVER, you must realize that I don’t spend foolishly.  Every penny I have borrowed has been for things I really needed; i.e. deck materials, remodeling items, new washer/dryer, storage shed, college tuition … and the list goes on.   

Don’t get me wrong.  Transferring balances can be a job in itself.  Each credit card has its own criteria.  On one I had to make 2 purchases every month and pay on time.  On another, I just had to make one purchase and pay on time.  The secret here is making sure there’s no certain $ amount that has to be purchased … I usually bought 5 $.39 stamps.  That was one purchase.  You also have to keep the “purchases” low because when you make the payment, it is applied to the balance that has the 0% interest rate.  The “purchases” are usually charged 9% - 19% interest so you can’t have that balance adding up real quick.  You will be defeating your purpose.

 I guess in my case, credit cards are good.  Are they good for you?  Do you have some other creative ways to use your cards that you would like to share? 

Maybe you’ve never given any thought to the amount of interest you are paying.  That’s a topic for next time.  I hope you will visit and feel free to give me your comments.

Until next time, these thoughts are from The Desk of Louise.