¿CAPITAL PUNISHMENT = RETRIBUTION?

The journey that each human being makes through earthly existence can have hardship as often as it is touched by joy. In truth, there is no situation so dire, no challenge so great, and no choice so bewildering than the argument over capital punishment. Here in the Bahamas and all of over the world we have persons that have their lives cut short or end abruptly by the hands of another. I firmly believe that NO ONE dies before his or her time, this is all apart of GOD’S GRAND DESIGN, and things just play themselves out like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. I cannot understand or comprehend why murder and other social ills plague our planet in the way it does but I know somehow some way that this is all for a purpose. LIKE THE MAXTRIX SAID, ‘THE CHOICE HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE; WE ARE HERE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT.’ I love that quote because it says so much about how our lives progress and what goes into shaping them. I do not doubt for a second that the bum on street is meant to be that, I do not doubt that people are going to be poor; in this same vain I not even for a moment doubt that the social ills that we battle with are suppose to be there. Life is precious and tender and we should appreciate it as such, but we spend so much time not caring about each other that it makes me sad to think that we only feel for our fellow man when they are no longer around. I BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING ON THIS PLANET SHOULD BE SACRED AND ADORED. However that is not the case, and the worst thing that can happen to us is the lost of love via the hands of another. I in no shape, form or fashion uphold the thought or notion of an individual taking away someone’s life; in the same vain I am not an advocate for them being killed for doing as well. Now the strange thing about is that I am not in support of capital punishment but I at the same time understand why we have persons that are. Nonetheless, my focus is on SOUL RETRIBUTION and getting to the root of the problem. It is my personal belief that CAPITAL PUNISHMENT does not solve anything; it just gives the public what they think they want and PERMANENTLY removes the worst criminals from society. This makes PERFECT sense since it is evident that dead criminals cannot commit any further crimes, but what happens to the ENERGY that is created by this act? Does killing a killer cancel out that energy that he created? Or is this energy further compounded because we the people want resolutions to problems that were created long before the act itself? It is a well-known and documented fact that convicted murders have troubled childhoods and thus are mentally scarred for life. SEXUAL, VERBAL, MENTAL and PHYSICAL ABUSE are just some of things that are handed out to individuals that grow to commit acts of murder and alike. How can we not see how broken our world is when you have persons walking among us that need help and we do nothing to correct the situation? Our first instinct is to kill because that’s what they did, but doesn’t that make you just like the persons that made them this way in the first place? The thing is that when society is seeking payment for what WRONG was done they try to justify themselves and soothe their souls by thinking that this right thing to do in the name of RETRIBUTION. It is said that our prisons are crowded and it’s drain on the tax-payers, they go on to say how this system doesn’t deter criminal activity on this level. They feel that we need RETRIBUTION and it is to be done by any means necessary as long as the criminal is taken out. But does the death penalty deter further criminal activity? Even though it is hard to prove one way or the other; so if you are bitten from a snake isn’t the cure anti-venom which is made from the venom of the snake the bit you? So in my opinion THE DEATH PENALTY IS FLAWED AND DELIBERATELY MISLEADING. It makes society think that they have control over this activity when it was born long before it got to this stage. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE NO BAD PEOPLE IN THE WORLD; WE ARE ALL A PRODUCT OF ELEMENTS THAT WE’VE MET HERE AND THEY ARE THE THINGS THAT CAN MAKE OR BREAK US. And no one takes into consideration what hell the innocent family and friends of criminals must also go through in the time leading up to and during the execution and which will often cause them serious trauma for years afterwards. This is no way trying to away from the crime they committed but honestly think about it, this is a double whammy and this is more of a burden to bear. How can one not realize that this it is very difficult for persons to come to terms with the fact that their loved did such a thing? I say, HOWEVER STONGLY YOU MAY SUPPORT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE ONE RIGHT! One cannot and should not deny the suffering of the victim's family in a murder case but the suffering of the murderer's family is equally valid. I know it’s difficult but we must remember that criminals are real people too and society continuously put this thought on the side lines only thinking about the awful activity that was done. Thus they only want one thing and it makes me wonder if this is for them or the person that they lost? Why are they so hell bent on seeking this sort of comfort and we all know that there is no such thing as a humane method of putting a person to death? Every form of execution causes suffering and its very terrifying; and a gruesome ordeal. How can they overlook the extreme mental torture and suffering that is placed on such a human being? How can they really feel good about RIGHTING A WRONG in this manner? So this means that A DEATH FOR A DEATH indicates that things are all good and fine? Do they think that the victim is smiling and saying thank you, my soul is at peace? I THINK NOT! The death penalty is the bluntest of "blunt instruments," it removes the individual's humanity and with it any chance of rehabilitation and their giving something back to society. It’s scary to think that persons out are just out for BLOOD and disguise it as JUSTICE. Do you think they sit back and think yeah mission accomplished? ONLY UNTIL THE NEXT CRIME IS COMMITTED THEN THE WITCH HUNT BEGINS. Do they realize that the death penalty can’t deter worst murderers because they are typically psychopaths and filled with such dubious sanity that they are incapable of rational behaviour due to linkages in their past or present? SO THE HANDFUL OF EXECUTIONS HERE AND THERE DOES NOTHING BUT APPEASE THE MASSES FOR A TIME. I know that if they were to declare ware on criminals in this fashion we would see a rapid decline in serious crime but at what cost in human terms? I GUESS CRIMINALLY INCLINE HUMAN BEINGS ARE THAT SICK AND EVIL. If the general conclusion is that capital punishment is desirable, I wonder if in another hundred years we will, as a world still has capital punishment or whether we will have evolved technological means of detecting and correcting potential criminals before they can actually commit any crime. Punishment will remain popular with the general public as long as there are no viable alternatives and as long as crime continues its rise. Logically, however, punishment of any sort cannot be the future and if we hope to progress we have to find other means of dealing with this social ill. Until the utopian point is reached, I think that we will continue to see the same things being done to solve this problem. I will never accept the fact that the majority of people who support capital punishment do so for sadistic reasons but rather out of a feeling of desperation that they are overwhelm by such activity that they cannot deal. But to that I say, WE ARE ONLY HEALING A PORTION OF THE PROBLEM; IF WE WERE TO THINK LONG-TERM, I THINK THAT WE WOULD SEE THE FUTURE CLEARLY.

ETERNITY...

HAVE YOU NOTICE WHAT A FAIRYLAND WE LOST WHEN WE STOPPED BELIEVING IN ETERNITY? If to-day the word Eternity was written in the sky or placed on billboards around town, everyone would be gazing at it try to recall what it used to signify. The word reminds us how we used to slip away from hurry to bathe in a sea of timelessness, refreshing to every taut nerve. In eternity, we should be no longer the puny spawn of monkeys, but beings good, great, and glorious as angels. Eternity is filled with shining lights, with majestic figures from the past walking its wondrous streets. Our physical self on this planet has so many burdens on our souls and we have no control over its demands. As a result, many persons unconsciously long to escape the confinement of their bodies opting not to deal with the discomfort and rigors of their day-to-day existence. Nonetheless, we inhabit our bodies for a reason and there is a lot we can learn in this human body that we could not have grasped had we remained in spirit form. Thus, this is a vital plateau in the progression of becoming enlightened beings. Now it seems that no one believes we live after we die. We all live as if what happens here just haphazardly occurs and there is no connection to anything, but I beg to differ. Our survival on this planet came because we maintained dominance over everything around us and it is such a shame that we now are trying to dominate each other. I cannot say that I blame because ETERNITY does not exist and we are ALL insignificant beings on this earth. Hence, why should BEINGS like us go about loving each other as if we were GODS? Why we waste OUR time caring for OUR fellow man whose breath of wind can be snuff out like a flame? So I wonder how is it we have lost OUR ETERNITY? How did we loose the thing that OUR SOULS are tied to? We have forgotten that we will leave our physical selves behind to return to our original state, we will enjoy a supreme sense of freedom-yet we will always value the time we spent on earth. So why live as if we do not want to live forever? Why don’t WE see the BIGGER PICTURE? The world is sad really, we have lost eternity, and we cannot seem to bring it back. Oddly enough, we do not want to bring it back, we have discovered some way of being comfortable without it. So I ask, why not have a little patience with ourselves? We poor devils who have to bear all the brunt of the transition from life to eternity, if we promise not to corrupt ourselves. It is such a pity that we cannot safely play in this chapter of life.

GAY VOYAGERS!

We GAY VOYAGERS came into this world handicapped by the very life that we are given; only to be taunt and teased by the thoughts of happiness that dangles rigth before our eyes in the form of IGNORANCE. This ignorance shows itself everyday and my friends and I got a taste of it this past Saturday while out enjoying each other’s company. There was this boy that proceeded to bodly say that we are THE CONCH SALAD CREW. Now I heard him and stopped him dead in his tracks and he was quite shocked and puzzled because he thought that he’d met a group of TYPICAL GAY PEOPLE; HELL NO! He met GAY VOYAGERS that knows that THIS SH!T IS OURS AND WE OWN THIS B!TCH…LOCK, STOCK AND TWO F&CKING BARRELS…But interesting enough, he seems to have the notion that when he visits, he is the prince of this kingdom living in the land of fun @ our expense. Such a silly boy, does he know that the fact that he came to OUR kingdom that makes him one of us? Does he know that from that moment on whether he stayed or left we knew that he was OURS? This human soul demands respect and it’ll sacrifice individuals to achieve such a cause. Little does he know, but we are all the same and we all have the same desires in life. Nonetheless, I am constantly astounded by the contrast between my view of HIM and his view of HIMSELF. Acceptance is the bridge that connect him between INGORANCE and INTELLEGENCE. He knows deep in himself that in truth his opinion suffers from the lie of the label he place on it. But he isn’t alone, the world is against us as well. We belong to them no longer our own; we are slaves of their own self-doubt. In their minds we are just the chattels of life, the whisper in the air. But our unshackled egos on that day showed him our true voice. We took the road that talked and HE got OUR message loud and clear; WE WILL NOT PAY THE PENALTY OF BEING UNIQUE, OF BEING AN ANOMALY IN THIS WORLD! I’ve waited for this day and in the past I use to allow myself to just take this HATRED and say that it’s ACCEPTED and EXPECTED because of MY SEXUAL PREFERENCE. So now our time has come and our day of PRIDE came and I was happy to be apart of it. The light of HOPE that I sought for years on end finally shown down on us and we finally removed the eyelids that might cease to see the flashing mystery of darkness that surrounded us. Funny how I had walked this road many times and never had this outcome; now the tables have turned and it’s my turn to finally get what I’ve been yearning for. For far too long my world lay in mist; engulfed in a fog. Now I am watching the sun steadily shining through, shredding the mist of ignorance and hatred. For far too long I was like an infant lying helplessly while demons played hide-and-seek with my soul. Now I stand in HIS sight naked of all accidental social trappings; VICTORY IS A B!TCH. this moment is HEART-REVEALING especially when I think of the crimes and inhumane things committed in the name of rightoeusness. I WAS BORN BENEATH A BANNER I DID NOT CHOOSE, BUT LIKE MANY OTHERS LIKE MYSELF, I HAVE GROWN FROM A MERE INFANT TO A STRONG HOMOSEXUAL MAN. I NOW KNOW WHY I FELT DISTRAUGHT WHEN THE ANGELS OF BIRTH DROPPED ME IN THE TENTS OF THE UNFORGIVEN, THE UNLOVED…THE UNWANTED. I THANK GOD EVERYDAY THAT I AM WHO I AM, FOR THIS VERY REASON I AM A WHOLE AND RECONCILED BEING.

EL MIEDO DEL HOMBRE

I am ANGRY at the way OUR WOMEN are too often at the receiving end of violent acts from OUR MEN. I AM ANGRY at a system that pays lip service to women's rights but remains powerless to do anything about it, a system that turns away women who report that men threaten them and attempts to trivialize it. A system that is reluctant to involve itself in what is perceived as a lovers quarrel or a system that does nothing when there is a threat in the work place. Whey do we seek to justify how women are treated by theorizing that it must have been a romantic situation gone sour for a man to do abuse and or take her life? Why do we seek to justify how women are treated by accepting the thought that if a woman is working among men that she has herself to blame if she is sexually attacked or harassed? Why do men think that they have the right to whatever they feel to a woman? What gives them the inclination that this is ok and the norm? These MEN and their EGOS get the better part of them and just continuously feed it with NEGATIVITY and SH!T. and everyone knows that is a combination for disaster and nothing good can come from such elements. Yet still women are afraid of being women and have to exist in such a world with these fools; talk about THE JOYS OF BEING A WOMAN…But truth be told, women are not really afraid of anything, but pretend to be. Think about it, if women were actually afraid of serpents, would the Tempter have chosen that form to entice her in the garden of eden? But men would rather see a woman as fearful of him because it affords him the opportunity to seem superior at her expense. However there are few women out that doesn’t partake in this notion and challenge men on what they think is their turf. These women would rather not surpress themselves and meet these men head on. But I try to understand why women would suppress herslef in the frist place? I can help but to wonder if on some level women to this for the same reason they surpress their physical powers? Nonetheless, whatever the reason she it makes difficult for women that want to take their rightful place in society. They made sure that MEN felt that his brain is inferior and not even equal, to a woman's. with this notion he now believes that that ALL WOMEN want to be MEN; but why would any woman want that for herself? I am a MAN and I know that we MEN are self-distrutive creatures, who would never have discovered OUR so-called powers if not stimulated by woman's weakness. We think that WOMEN are better suited to be fitted with jewels and alike because of her so-call DELICATE PHYSIQUE. And this whole situation actually shows that women are superior. Do you think that MEN realize that they they mostly get their knowledge from their mother as little boys? Do you think he understands that he employs her genius to secure his growth and development? I guess he doesn’t know that she conceals his education from him as the only practical way of developing his self-esteem? With this notion WOMEN keep MEN guessing, making sure she is always one step ahead of him. In this vain showing that MEN always take themselves seriously as children, growing up to be frighten MEN. A man never wishes to be a woman; if he did who would he take advantage of? Maybe if he did he wouldn’t be such an ASS to the ones he meets that refuse to be what he wants them to be. Sadly he loves knowing he is the nightmare in the little girl’s dream; he loves knowing that he is taunghting her and preying on her innocence; magnifying that into adulthood. He especially LOVES that he turns out to be the man that lurks in every darkened doorway, or the man that follows her in an uncrowded parking lot…TRULY BECOMING THE DEMON IN HER DREAMS. A MAN KNOWS THAT A WOMAN’S INTELLECT FAR EXCEED HIS. HE KNOWS THAT NO WOMAN WOULD PUT UP WITH HIS CLUMSY BRAIN, KNOWING SO THE SUPEREXCELLENCE OF HER OWN. WHY SHOULD WOMEN BE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS TO BEINGS THAT FEAR THEM? WHY SHOULD THEY HAVE THE POWER? WHY SHOULD HAVE THE CONTROL AND CALL THE SHOTS?

TEAR.ALONG.THE.DOTTED.LINE

Isn’t funny WE have no sense of history?

No passed down culture;

No anchor to keep us from floating away.

There is no yesterday

And today is dressed in a designer clothing line

Sold as tomorrow.

We are disconnected. In one way, it is good.

We are able to make our own realities,

We are not locked into a perpetual cycle

Of what has already been.

However, we are locked in different cycles.

The vacuum has been filled.

It has been filled with crap.

Try to break the disconnect;

Stop poking ourselves in the eye.

Why I am I the connect?

Why am I stretch between two growling dogs?

Why can’t the future and past meet?

Why can’t we be of something?

We are lost beings going in random directions

Looking for something meaningful

But just end up at the barstool of life;

Surrounded by corpses.

Why don’t we know that the beautiful things make us?

Why I grind my teeth in anger?

Why do these things make me see that…?

Nothing is anything.

Tell me, is this normal?

Is this human?

Hell, I have no idea.

No one ever admits truth anymore

It pins them down,

They get uncomfortable,

And do something typical.

This is killing me.

This life is so obvious.

Too weak; too easy.

Nothing more than a tamed jalapeno,

Some of the flavor and none of the fire.

Maybe things get lost in translation,

Maybe things should get broken in shipping.

Maybe people get broken on the journey.

Maybe the fun part of life is trying to glue each other back together…

And the cycle goes back to the beginning.

© tgk

HOW TO BUDGET & SAVE

As a consumer, you face many choices on how to manage your money. Knowing how to manage money can help you make smart choices. Your money will work harder for you. You will be more likely to avoid traps that can undermine your ability to attain your financial goals. You will be in a better position to pay off debt and build savings. Being smart about money can help you buy a house, finance higher education or start a retirement fund. A money management game plan can help you get started and stay with it until you achieve the goals you set for yourself.

A GAME PLAN FOR LEARNING ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT

A few simple steps can make a big difference in making your money work harder for you.

• 
  
  
  
  
  Establish goals. Where do you want to be?
















• 
  
  
  
  
  Create a budget. Determine your current situation. Where are you today?
















• 
  
  
  
  
  Save your way to a more secure future.
















• 
  
  
  
  
  Conserve - spend sensibly; pay wisely.
















• 
  
  
  
  
  Act - implement your plan/assess/adjust.
















• 
  
  
  
  
  Select a financial institution.

ESTABLISH GOALS – WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE?

Use the work sheets directly below to help you identify your goals. Print them and fill them in.

Without goals, it is difficult to accomplish anything. When you think about your future and what you want to achieve, it is helpful to establish a timeframe.

• 
  
  
  
  
  Short-term: such as paying off credit card debt, saving for a vacation or buying new clothes.

• 
  
  
  
  
  Intermediate: such as saving to buy a car.








• 
  
  
  
  
  Long-term: such as saving for education or for retirement.

Estimate the cost of each goal and the date you want to achieve it. Then figure out how much you need to save each month. Try to set realistic goals and saving requirements.

CREATE A BUDGET. DETERMINE YOUR CURRENT SITUATION. WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?

Now that you have figured out your financial goals, you are ready to create a budget that will help you attain them. Print the budget work sheets below and write in your budget figures. Start by writing down your expenses (under Current Monthly Expenses).

MONTHLY FIXED EXPENSES – start with monthly fixed expenses such as regular savings, housing, groceries, utilities, and car payments. Put these continuing obligations under the heading: Fixed.

Use checking account statements, credit card statements, receipts and other records to help you complete this estimate. Be realistic - it is better to estimate high than low.

Remember that savings is considered an expense even though you keep the money. You work hard. You deserve to keep some of what you earn every month. Savings is the key to meeting your financial goals.

Make estimates for all money spent - regardless of how you pay: cash, check, credit card, debit card, automatic checking account withdrawals or savings through work plans such as retirement packages.

MONTHLY VARIABLE EXPENSES – once you have noted all your fixed expenses, write down your expenses that vary each month such as clothing, vacations, gifts and personal spending money. Put these expenses under the heading: Variable. You might have these expenses every month, but the amount you spend could change.

Get a handle on variable expenses by writing down every expense for a month - even small purchases. Use a small notebook or other informal method to track your spending. This is very important because it is the best way to understand your current spending behavior. Get receipts for all purchases - especially those you make with cash. Record and categorize each transaction. You may be surprised at how much you spend in certain categories.

Use a notebook to write down every purchase you make for one month. This is the best way to understand your current spending behavior.

List your monthly income

Now that you have figured out your expenses, write down your monthly income after all taxes and deductions. Write this under the heading: Monthly Income. Make sure this figure reflects the total take-home pay for your household after all taxes and deductions.

NOW COMPARE EXPENSES TO INCOME – one of the advantages of doing a comparison of expenses to income is that it provides a quick reality check. If you are spending more than you are bringing home every month in income, you have a deficit. If you are spending less than you are bringing home, you have a surplus. In either case, it is time to step back and consider some options.

If you have a deficit: Spending more than you are bringing home, ask yourself:

• 
  
  Can I spend less in some of my variable expenses?


• 
  
  How much interest am I paying with credit card and other loans?


• 
  
  Where did my money go? (Consider writing down everything you spend for a month.
  

If you have a surplus: Spending less than you are bringing home, ask yourself:

• Am I saving enough to meet my goals?


• Are my spending estimates accurate?


• Have I included all my fixed and variable expenses?

SAVE YOUR WAY TO A MORE SECURE FUTURE

An estimated seventy-five percent of families will experience a major financial setback in any given ten-year period. The economy and the job market are good now, but that could change. It is smart to be prepared for financial thunderstorms.

SAVE EARLY, SAVE OFTEN – a consistent, long-term saving program can help you achieve your goals. It also can help you build a financial safety net. Experts recommend that you save from three to six months worth of living expenses for emergencies.

Savings grow beyond what you contribute because of compound interest. Over time, the value of compound interest works to every saver's advantage.

For example, if you save $75 a month for five years and earn five-percent interest, the $4,500 you contributed would grow to $5,122 because of the compounding interest.

It is easy to figure out how long it will take you to double the money you save. It's called the Rule of 72. You take the interest you are earning on your money and divide that number into 72. The result is roughly the number of years it will take your principal to double.

For example, if you are earning 5 percent on your money, you divide 72 by 5 and you get 14.4. Your principal will double in 14.4 years without further contributions.

Keep in mind, however, that inflation reduces the return on your money.

For example, five percent-interest, adjusted for three-percent inflation, only nets a two-percent real return.

WHAT YOU DON’T SEE, YOU DON’T SPEND – saving means giving up something now, so you will have more in the future. It is not easy deferring or eliminating purchasing things you want today.

It helps to pay yourself first. Take a portion of savings from every paycheck before you pay any bills. Use your company's payroll deduction plan if available. Arrange for a fixed amount to be taken out so that you never see it. What you do not see, you do not spend. You also can direct automatic checking account withdrawals into a savings account or money market.

Join the company's retirement-savings plan. Your contribution avoids current taxes and accumulates tax deferred. In addition, companies sometimes match some of your contributions.

For example, for every dollar you contribute, the company could contribute 25 cents. That would be a 25-percent return on your money.

OTHER SAVING TIPS:

• When you get a raise, save all or most of it.


• Pay off your credit card balances and save the money you're no longer spending on interest.


• Shift credit card balances to a card with a lower interest rate and use the savings to pay off the balance.


• Keep your car a year or two longer. Do routine maintenance and make regular repairs.


• Save the money you would have spent on a new car.


• Stop smoking.


• Take $5 from your wallet everyday and put it in a safe place. That will add up to $1,825 in a year.


• Shop with a list and stick to it.


• Don't buy any new clothes until you've paid off your current wardrobe.


• Eat more meals at home.


• Look for inexpensive entertainment: zoos, museums, parks, walks, biking, library books, concerts, movies and picnics.


• Shop for less expensive insurance.


• Drop subscriptions to publications you don't read.


• Postpone purchases or consider fewer features on the items you plan to purchase.

The less you spend, the more you can save. Moreover, the longer you can consistently save, the faster your savings will grow.

CONSERVE – SPEND SENSIBLY/PAY WISELY

Experts recommend paying with cash whenever possible. This helps you spend less than you otherwise would have spent if you had charged the purchase. You will also avoid credit card interest charges and check-cashing fees.

APPLYING FOR A CREDIT CARD – when you choose to apply for a credit card, shop carefully. There is a wide range of annual fees, interest rates, grace periods for which you do not pay interest, late fee charges, cash advance charges and other fees. Watch out for "teaser" rates that offer low rates initially but increase dramatically soon after.

To get a card with a low interest rate, you will first need to pay down your current debt. Second, let a year go by without applying for any new cards or loans, or accepting a higher credit limit on your current cards. Third, cancel cards you are not currently using. As a rule, limit yourself to two credit cards. Fourth, get a copy of your credit report and check it for accuracy.

CREDIT CARDS – Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are revolving-credit cards. You can charge up to a certain limit and carry most of the balance forward from month to month. Be careful about only paying the minimum amount due. This is a very expensive form of credit because of interest charges. The best rule is to charge only what you can afford to pay off in full every month. Then actually pay the entire balance when you get the bill.

When you are paying down credit card debt, start with the card with the highest interest rate. Pay your bills as quickly as possible.

ATM cards (Automated Teller Machine) are debit cards. They automatically withdraw money from your account.

Some consumers prefer to use debit cards rather than credit cards because debit cards don't incur interest charges.

PAYING OFF DEBT VS. SAVING – if you have credit card or other debt, it usually makes sense to pay off this debt first before contributing to savings. The interest rate you will get on savings is likely to be far less than the amount of credit interest you are paying.

ACT – IMPLEMENT YOUR PLAN/ASSESS/ADJUST

Once you have set goals, estimated your fixed and variable expenses and identified monthly savings targets, it is time to put your plan to work.

Give it some time. Then see how you are doing. Were you able to meet your savings goals? If so, stick with it. If not, look at your variable expenses for opportunity areas to cut back spending and increase savings.

Evaluate your plan every three months and make adjustments as needed. If you are not saving enough to meet your monthly goals, you may need to spend less.

Saving is the key to successful financial plans. Use payroll deductions or automatic transfers to checking, savings or money market accounts. It is easier to save if you never see the money.

Use budget plans for paying utilities if they are available. Use cash for purchases rather than charging if you can.

Enter each check you write in a check register. Balance the account every month. If you use a debit card, enter those amounts in your check register.

SELECT A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

Creating a safety net is easier if you work with a good financial institution such as a credit union or bank.

Interview employees at several locations; look for people who are willing and able to answer your questions. Be ready to talk about the services and the advice you need.

For example, if it is important to you to conduct transactions face-to-face rather than by Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), ask if the financial institution charges for the services of a person at the counter. If you prefer to use ATMs, make sure they are readily accessible and do not charge transaction fees.

Once you select a financial institution, consider opening a checking account if you do not have one. A checking account can save you fees you may now be paying for cashing your paycheck and paying your bills.

START NOW AND STICK WITH IT. YOU WILL FIND THAT BEING SMART ABOUT MONEY IS WELL WORTH IT.

THE HEALTHY U

Maintaining a healthy diet is the practice of making choices about what to eat with the intent of improving or maintaining good health. Usually this involves consuming necessary nutrients by eating the appropriate amounts from all of the food groups. Since human nutrition is complex a healthy diet may vary widely subject to an individual's genetic makeup, environment, and health. For around 20% of the planet's population, lack of food and malnutrition are the main impediments to healthy eating.Achieving a healthy diet is popularly misperceived as being attainable by eating 'healthy foods'. Many people[attribution needed] falsely believe that there are 'good' and 'bad' foods; they develop bad diets because they think that abundant eating of foods they consider 'healthy' will create a healthy diet. However, this is far from the truth. The consumption of nothing but substances that are deemed healthy, such as an "all-grain diet" or a diet consisting only of pasta or other health-foods, would most likely result in deficiencies because important nutrients (like protein-based foods) would be missed. Foods such as grains, fish, corn, etc. are healthy when consumed with a balanced diet, because in combination they supply us with all of the required nutrients. The most important aspect of any diet is maintaining a healthy intake and balance of foods. The balance of micronutrients gained from meat, vegetables, and other foods is what makes diets healthy, not only consuming 'healthy' foods. For instance, milk, cheese, and other dairy products are known to have a relatively high fat content. Removing such dairy products from a diet may lower fat ingestion, but it will also negatively affect the intake of calcium and riboflavin that such foods offer.

CHECK THE LABEL - Here's a rundown on some popular foods that sound diet friendly but is actually loaded with calories, sugar, and fat!

• Granola -- Most brands are loaded with calories and sugar. In fact, granola is one of the most calorie dense cereals on the market. A typical 1/2 cup serving has 220 calories and 17 grams of sugar - that's more than 4 teaspoons of sugar. What's more, most people pour 2-cup portions - that's a whopping 660 calories and 51 grams sugar (12 teaspoons -- yikes!).





• 2% Reduced-Fat Milk -- 2% reduced-fat milk is not that low-fat/low-calorie when you consider that whole milk is 3.3% fat. Breakdown for 1 cup milk:- Whole milk: 150 calories- 2% reduced fat milk: 120 calories- 1% reduced fat milk: 100 calories- Skim milk: 80 calories





• Chicken Caesar Salads -- It's a salad, right? What could be unhealthy? Thanks to excessive dressing, croutons, and cheese, a standard chicken Caesar salad can total 1,130 calories and add more than 90 grams of fat to your diet!





• Dried Fruit -- All fruit is packed with nutrition; however, dried fruit is significantly higher in calories than fresh fruit when you calculate comparable amounts. That is because you are taking out all the moisture leaving a small piece of concentrated sugar (albeit "natural" sugar). Consider this: - 12 small pieces of dried mango = 320 calories. 2 red apples + 15 grapes + 1/2 small cantaloupe = 320 calories





• Yogurt Covered Nuts -- This yogurt snack is strictly food for the soul! It is filled with calories, sugar, fat... and clearly NO active cultures. In fact, 20 yogurt covered nuts = 460 calories, 32 grams fat, 14 grams saturated fat, and 8 teaspoons sugar.





• Banana Chips -- Bananas fried in oil and sugar - over the top! Consider that 1 cup typically provides 300 calories, 20 grams fat, 18 grams saturated fat (that's the artery clogging type), and 19 grams sugar (4.75 teaspoons).





• Trail Mix -- Although packed with healthy nutrients and fiber, traditional trail mix is also loaded with calories that add up quickly. In fact, 1/2 cup typically equals 350 calories (that's the same number of calories as 11 cups of air-popped popcorn).





• Fruit Smoothies -- It's true, fruit smoothies can provide a lot of nutrition, but they pack in the calories as well. One 24-ounce smoothie provides about 450 calories. That's the same amount of calories in 10-12 doughnut holes!

FOODS TO STIMULATE YOU:

1. Celery – while it may not be the first food that comes to mind when it comes to sex, celery can be a fantastic source food for sexual stimulation, as it contains androsterone, an odorless hormone released through perspiration that turns you on. How to enjoy it: Celery is best eaten raw. Wash and cut some, and munch away

2. Raw oysters – this is one of the classic sexy foods. Oysters are high in zinc, which raises sperm and testosterone production. Oysters also contain dopamine, a hormone that increases sexual fun. The experience of shucking a raw oyster is erotic. Try incorporating it into your foreplay -- feed him and have him feed you. The slippery taste sensation and the mere act of shucking it should get you both in the mood. How to enjoy them: Scrub the shells thoroughly to get any dirt/bacteria off. Pry them open and place them on a bed of ice, squeeze some fresh lemon onto them if you like, and then start shucking away.

3. Bananas – bananas contain the bromelain enzyme, which is believed to improve male libido. Additionally, they are good sources of potassium and B vitamins like riboflavin, which increase the body's overall energy levels. How to enjoy them: Place them on a dish in various states of "undress" and have your man slowly eat some for you. Then gobble yours down and get to work.

4. Avocado – the Aztecs called the avocado tree ahuacatl or "testicle tree." While avocados can indeed look like that body part, they contain high levels of folic acid, which helps metabolize proteins, thus giving you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6 (a nutrient that increases male hormone production) and potassium; two elements that help enhance your libido. How to enjoy it: Cut one in half, scoop out the insides with your fingers, and then get your man to lick it off.

5. Almonds (or nuts in general) – almonds are a prime source of essential fatty acids. These are vital as they provide the raw material for a man's healthy production of hormones. Try lighting some almond-scented candles to encourage his mood and snack on some (but not too many) yourself to store up energy for your performance. How to enjoy them: Eat them raw (with no added salt or sweetness). Alternatively, crush some fresh almonds and sprinkle them on your salad to get the energy you need. Onto some fruit, eggs and other things you will not believe...

6. Mangoes, peaches, strawberries – what can be more fun than sinking your teeth into a drippy, sticky-sweet fruit? Probably doing that as a prelude to (or during) sex. All of the above fruits and their shapes, textures and succulence are erotically suggestive and can be fun to use amid foreplay. Try dribbling the juices over your bodies and licking up the residue as an erotic game. It makes a great (and tasty) way to discover each other's bodies. How to enjoy them: Peel the mango, cut the peach and slice up some strawberries, and feed your mate while he is giving you oral sex.

7. Eggs – although not the most sensual of foods, eggs are high in vitamins B6 and B5. These help balance hormone levels and fight stress, two things that are crucial to a healthy libido. Eggs are also a symbol of fertility and rebirth some people will eat raw chicken eggs just prior to sex to increase their libido and maximize energy levels. However, all bird and fish eggs contain B6 and B5. How to enjoy them: Have some caviar and (a bit of) champagne during your fun or gobble down some hard-boiled eggs beforehand.

8. Liver – a good source of glutamine -- a cellular fuel for your immune system -- liver may indeed increase a slowed-down libido. Granted, it is not the sexiest of foods, but if you add it to your basic diet, your body – and your mate -- will thank you for it. How to enjoy it: Try frying liver up in a pan with some onions, spices and olive oil to make the taste more agreeable.

9. Figs – these are high in amino acids, which are believed to increase libido. They can also improve sexual stamina. Furthermore, the shape of a fresh fig and the sweet, juicy taste are two tangible aspects that are highly pleasurable to the human senses. How to enjoy them: Feed him some fresh figs and let the juices run all over while you are both being revved up

10. Garlic – yes, you might need to stock up on some extra breath mints, but it will be worth it. Garlic contains allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow to the sexual organs. As such, it is a highly effective herb for increasing libido. If the odor just will not work for you, or you cannot stand garlic, you and your mate can always take garlic capsules instead. How to enjoy it: Well, chances are you cannot enjoy garlic and sex simultaneously, so take some capsules and get it over with.

11. Chocolate – chocolate contains theobromine -- an alkaloid -- which is very similar to caffeine. It also contains phenylethylamine, a chemical believed to produce the feeling of "being in love." So when your man talks about how good chocolate makes him feel, there is some science behind it. In addition, dark chocolate has a massive amount of anti-oxidants, which are great for the body in general, as they help maintain the immune system. How to enjoy it: From chocolate bars to chocolate fondue, as long as it is chocolate, you and your mate will be in for a tasty session

HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND USE THE NUTRITION FACTS LABEL

• The Nutrition Facts Panel - An Overview






• The Serving Size






• Calories (and Calories from Fat)






• The Nutrients: How Much?






• Understanding the Footnote






• How the Daily Values (DV) Relate to the %DVs






• The Percent Daily Value (%DV)






• Quick Guide to %DV






• Nutrients With a %DV but No Weight Listed - Spotlight on Calcium






• Nutrients Without a %DV: Trans Fats, Protein, and Sugars

8 WAYS TO SPEED UP YOUR METABOLISM:

1. Get active - it's a sure-fire way to increase the amount of muscle you have, which in turn will speed up your metabolism. Do a mixture of aerobic and resistance training for best results. And don't forget to be more active in your daily life too.

2. Eat little and often - there's evidence that eating small, regular meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large meals, may help to keep your metabolism ticking over. Surprisingly, around 10 percent of the calories we use each day go on digesting and absorbing food - so the more times you eat, the greater this effect is likely to be.

3. Eat plenty of protein-rich foods - research shows that around 25 percent of calories in a protein-rich meal may be burnt off. But make sure you choose low-fat protein foods such as lean meat, skinless chicken and low-fat dairy products.

4. Spice up meals - it's not an old wives tale after all! Spices like chilli are thought to raise metabolism by up to 50 percent for up to three hours after eating, due to increasing your heart rate. But before putting the local Indian takeaway on speed dial, work out which curries have the lowest calorie and fat content.

5. Swap you daily cuppa for green tea - there's evidence that it contains antioxidants that speed up metabolism.

6. Try a CLA supplement - more extensive studies need to be carried out before any definite conclusions can be drawn, but research has shown that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might increase muscle and therefore boost metabolism.

7. Chill out - research shows that being very cold can increase metabolism by up to 20 percent.

8. Have a sauna - being very hot is also thought to boost metabolism by about 20 percent (but check you don't have any underlying medical problems that mean you shouldn't go in saunas or steam rooms).

FOODS THAT MAY BOOST BRAIN POWER:

Your diet affects your ability to think and concentrate. Have you ever wonder what foods may improve your brainpower? The brain needs food to function. It constantly drawson glucose in fluid surrounding your brain cells. Since the brain cannot store glucose, it needs a continuous supply from foods. “This glucose is best obtained by complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables,” says Lona Sandon, a registered dietician at UT Southwestern Medical Center and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Much more research is needed about food and its effect on the brain; however, there is plenty of information available about how to improve our diets to help boost brainpower: Studies show that skipping breakfast reduces school and work performance; try whole-grain toast with a little peanut butter or fruit and a glass of non-fat milk for a healthy breakfast. A healthy mid-afternoon snack – not junk food – ishelpful to maintain glucose levels. Studies show that eating fish once per week can slowage-related mental decline; oily types of fish such as salmon and tuna are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers found that compounds in blueberries, strawberries and spinach could positively affect memory in rats. According to New Scientist magazine: “Studies suggest that boosting dietary intake of choline (found in eggs) may slow age-related memory loss.” Caffeine and sugar produce a quick high that accelerates activity or concentration, but quickly wears off and may leave you feeling even more sluggish. Too much food may cause you to become lethargic and think slowly. Skipping meals and not eating enough food may cause hunger, which can affect concentration. SMART FOODS – according to a recent article in Psychology Today, those brain-boosting foods can be found in your local produce aisle:” Anything brightly colored is brain food loaded with vitamins, minerals and photochemical that maintain brain health and enhance mental performance.” That colorful produce is usually loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants, which combat damage done by free radicals, are found in foods with vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene: Vitamin E: Eat nuts, seeds, whole grains, vegetable oil and fortified cereals. Vitamin C: Drink citrus juices. Eat citrus fruits, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi and strawberries. Beta-carotene: Eat spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches and grains. Other foods important for brain health include those with B vitamins, iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium: B vitamins: Eat whole grains, avocado and salmon. Iron: Eat lean red meat, cooked beans and peas, dark, leafy vegetables and dried fruits. Drink orange juice with iron to enhance absorption. Zinc: Eat lean meats, shellfish, whole grains, leafy greens and beans. Calcium: Drink non-fat milk. Eat yogurt, cheese, beans, almonds, tofu – and dark, leafy greens. Magnesium: Eat dark, leafy greens such as spinach, soybeans, halibut and navy and black beans. “Eating all these foods within a balanced diet will keep your brain functioning optimally,” says Sandon. “One serving of fish is not going to make you brilliant; it’s what you eat every day throughout your life that makes an impact!”

THE ABC's OF EATING:

1. apples Protects your heart prevents constipation Blocks diarrhea Improves lung capacity Cushions joints
2. apricots Combats cancer Controls blood pressure Saves your eyesight Shields against Alzheimer's Slows aging process
3. artichokes Aids digestion Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Guards against liver disease
4. avocados Battles diabetes Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin
5. bananas Protects your heart Quiets a cough Strengthens bones Controls blood pressure Blocks diarrhea
6. beans Prevents constipation Helps hemorrhoids Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Stabilizes blood sugar
7. beets Controls blood pressure Combats cancer Strengthens bones Protects your heart Aids weight loss
8. blueberries Combats cancer Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Boosts memory Prevents constipation
9. broccoli Strengthens bones Saves eyesight Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure
10. cabbage Combats cancer Prevents constipation Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Helps hemorrhoids
11. cantaloupe Saves eyesight Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Supports immune system
12. carrots Saves eyesight Protects your heart Prevents constipation Combats cancer Promotes weight loss
13. cauliflower Protects against Prostate Cancer Combats Breast Cancer Strengthens bones Banishes bruises Guards against heart disease
14. cherries Protects your heart Combats Cancer Ends insomnia Slows aging process Shields against Alzheimer's
15. chestnuts Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Lowers cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls blood pressure
16. chili peppers Aids digestion Soothes sore throat Clears sinuses Combats Cancer Boosts immune system
17. figs Promotes weight loss Helps stops strokes Lowers cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls blood pressure
18. fish Protects your heart Boosts memory Protects your heart Combats Cancer
    Supports immune system
19. flax Aids digestion Battles diabetes Protects your heart Improves mental health Boosts immune system
20. garlic Lowers cholesterol Controls blood pressure Combats cancer kills bacteria Fights fungus
21. grapefruit Protects against heart attacks Promotes Weight loss Helps stops strokes Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers cholesterol
22. grapes saves eyesight Conquers kidney stones Combats cancer Enhances blood flow Protects your heart
23. green tea Combats cancer Protects your heart Helps stops strokes Promotes Weight loss Kills bacteria
24. honey Heals wounds Aids digestion Guards against ulcers Increases energy Fights allergies
25. lemons Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin Stops scurvy
26. limes Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin Stops scurvy
27. mangoes Combats cancer Boosts memory Regulates thyroid aids digestion
    Shields against Alzheimer's
28. mushrooms Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Kills bacteria Combats cancer Strengthens bones
29. oats Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Battles diabetes prevents constipation Smoothes skin
30. olive oil Protects your heart Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Battles diabetes Smoothes skin
31. onions Reduce risk of heart attack Combats cancer Kills bacteria Lowers cholesterol Fights fungus
32. oranges Supports immune systems Combats cancer Protects your heart Straightens respiration
33. peaches prevents constipation Combats cancer Helps stops strokes aids digestion Helps hemorrhoids
34. peanuts Protects against heart disease Promotes Weight loss Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers cholesterol Aggravates diverticulitis
35. pineapple Strengthens bones Relieves colds Aids digestion Dissolves warts Blocks diarrhea
36. prunes Slows aging process prevents constipation boosts memory Lowers cholesterol Protects against heart disease
37. rice Protects your heart Battles diabetes Conquers kidney stones Combats cancer Helps stops strokes
38. strawberries Combats cancer Protects your heart boosts memory Calms stress
39. sweet potatoes Saves your eyesight Lifts mood Combats cancer Strengthens bones
40. tomatoes Protects prostate Combats cancer Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart
41. walnuts Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer boosts memory Lifts mood Protects against heart disease
42. water Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Conquers kidney stones Smoothes skin
43. watermelon Protects prostate Promotes Weight loss Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Controls blood pressure wheat germ Combats Colon Cancer prevents constipation Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes improves digestion
44. wheat bran Combats Colon Cancer prevents constipation Lowers cholesterol
    Helps stops strokes improves digestion
45. yogurt Guards against ulcers Strengthens bones Lowers cholesterol Supports immune systems Aids digestion