Moving day is approaching

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have written last.  Time is flying!  We are starting to pack up and get ready to move the first weekend in May.  Everything seems to be working out really well.  We are very excited about our new house and for the chance to really spread out for once.  We're already planning some poker parties and get-togethers since it will be a good house to entertain in.  We even have a few spare beds and blow up mattresses for those who want to stay over (it's about a 45 min drive back home for most people).  Kaylee will have her own room again and even a playroom for all of her toys.  We got her a cool workbench this weekend that I think she'll enjoy sitting at and using as a desk.  It will be a great place for art projects and such.  Dane and I are hoping to get a new bedroom set (we have one picked out on Craigslist that's a great deal) so we can upgrade to a King and pass our Queen on to the guest room.  Friends have offered us free furniture and some family may even donate much needed appliances... it's amazing!  Our landlord has even agreed to let us out of our lease early for free!  So everything is going smoothly. 

I am in the process of applying for a new job.  I really hope it works out.  I have sent in my application, taken a few tests and now I'm waiting to hear about scheduling an interview.  It would be awesome to finally get an interesting job I would enjoy and that would pay enough to help us out financially.  Maybe things are starting to turn around for us :-)

According to Andrew Wilshire, we should hold onto our gold

My grandpa just recently sold off his dry cleaning business of 60 years.  During that time, my mom, dad and both uncles were employed by him at some point.  One uncle split off several years ago to pursue a real estate career, but the other one stayed until the very last day, complaining the whole time.  Needless to say, he took his share of the money and drove out to California, where he has been gold-mining for nearly a year already.  I don't think he has dug up a whole lot, but if he does, it sounds like he should hold onto it and not cash it in just yet since the value of gold is much stronger than the US dollar right now.

Andrew Wilshire is an expert investor in bullion and precious metals.  He advises that we invest in gold and silver right now, since they are experiencing growth and the US currency is worth less and less.  This is especially true since we have recently acquired trillions of dollars of debt to help save our economy from the recession.  

I have thought of cashing in some of my old jewelry to give my bank account a little boost, but according to Andrew Wilshire, it sounds like I should hold onto it for now.  It will end up being worth more than the couple hundred dollars I might get in return.  Since I don't keep up on the gold and silver stocks, it's nice to have advisors like Andrew Wilshire, suggesting what to do with my precious metals.  I'll have to pass the word on to my uncle... so he will hold onto that big nugget he hopes to come across.

Dr. Paul Offit kept my little girl from getting the rotavirus

As a mother, vaccines have been a topic of discussion on multiple occasions.  Every doctor, and parent for that matter, have their own opinion of what is the best vaccine schedule to implement for your child.  Luckily my daughter had received the rotavirus vaccine, because her 11-month-old cousin came down with the scary disease while she was visiting us from Washington.  Out of nowhere she was throwing up every hour or two for days.  I was so thankful my daughter was protected and had very little possibility of contracting the illness.

Dr. Paul Offit is the one to thank for creating the vaccine for rotavirus.  A renowned vaccine expert and pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Paul Offit has studied infectious diseases for 30 years and is committed to preventing them from taking more lives.  He has recently released a new book about the controversy between vaccines and their link to autism.  As someone who likes to remain informed about such important issues, I plan to get my own copy and read what Dr. Paul Offit has to say.

Power Properties offers inspiring decorating ideas

About a week or so ago I blogged about how my husband and I are searching for a new home.  I am happy to say, we have found one and plan to move in about a month.  But during our hectic home search, we stumbled upon an incredibly impressive real estate venture out of Dallas.  It is called Power Properties and it offers an array of listings from boutique to historic to the Caribbean-inspired Verandah Group.  

Anyway, the residences listed with Power Properties were so beautifully landscaped and detailed, that I just had to share their website.  Even though we plan to stay in the Valley of the Sun, I love finding sites like this that inspire me to make our new home a sanctuary we can really be proud of.  Now if I can just find some great deals to help me decorate on a dime, I'll be set!  But you can be sure I'll be linking back to Power Properties to aid me in the design process.

Mohammed Babangida encompasses the motto "Work hard, play hard"

I really believe in the motto: "Work hard, play hard."  Sometimes I prefer to work hard and play harder, but that's beside the point.  So I enjoy discovering other successful business people around the world who act out this motto day to day.  

Mohammed Babangida is a great example of someone who does just that.  A lawyer and executive ranking businessman, Mohammed Babangida is an avid polo player and jazz enthusiast.   He is passionate about his hobbies just as much as he is about his role in the oil and gas industry.  Son of Nigerian president Ibrahim Babangida, Mohammed Babangida learned early on that balance of work and play was not only important, but very attainable.  It is something I wish everyone could understand and live out every day.

His last name says it all: Dr. Joel RosKIND

I was just talking with a co-worker yesterday about breast augmentation.  I would like my breasts larger.  She would like hers smaller.  I haven't known many people to undergo this procedure, so I found some information online and discovered Dr. Joel Roskind.  Dr. Roskind is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon with ample experience in breast augmentations, various facial surgeries and body sculpting.  He even has photos on his website of past clients to show before and after shots of the surgeries.  I was impressed with the natural appearance of most of the augmentations and the amazing results of the some of the body sculpting.  

I have teased my husband in the past that with our second child, he should reward me with a tummy tuck and perkier breasts.  Maybe that idea isn't so far-fetched.  Dr. Joel Roskind really helps his clients gain more confidence in their appearance, whether its body sculpting or facial restructuring.  In fact, he travelled to Mexico to  volunteer his services to underprivileged children with cleft lip and palate disfigurements.  Now that's a doctor I would be proud to call my own.

American tax relief helps taxpayers catch up on past debt

I wish I knew about American Tax Relief a couple years ago.  Since I am self-employed, taxes are a little trickier and the government expects that I pay estimated taxes every quarter based on my projected income.  Well, I have not been as diligent about doing so in the past and, unfortunately, I have been faced with some pretty steep IRS bills.  I got them all paid off, but I could have possibly saved a lot of money by utilizing the services of American Tax Relief.

Apparently, federal law allows you to come to a settlement on your tax liabilities with the IRS and the people at American Tax Relief help you take advantage of that.  Imagine paying pennies on the dollar and making those intimidating IRS letters disappear.  That is definitely something I would have taken advantage of.  I spent hours on end talking with IRS representatives  and waiting on hold, so it would have been nice to hire a professional negotiator at American Tax Relief to take care of the problem for me.  Hopefully I won't be faced with tax problems again in the future, but if I am, I will definitely keep this service in mind.

Amos Tamam made traveling a little more convenient

My husband and I were just talking about how we'd like to go to New York City.  We've never been there and it would be wonderful to see the many iconic buildings, parks and restaurants we hear so much about.  I know we'd probably have to taxi our way around, which is why I'm excited to hear that taxi cabs in NYC are now accepting credit cards.  Finally!  

As a traveller, I have often had to travel with large amounts of cash in my pocket to tip baggage handlers, drivers and purchase convenience items in the airports.  But now I can feel safer not having to tote as much money since one of the more costly expenses now accepts credit cards.  This is all thanks to Amos Tamam, the CEO of Verifone Transportation Systems, who migrated to America in the early 1980s from Israel.  He started out as a taxi mechanic, then developed high-tech meters for the cars and is now offering wireless credit card processing to taxi cab fleets all over New York City and Philadelphia.  

Amos Tamam was able to achieve the "American dream" and made our lives much easier in the process.  I'll definitely be thinking of Amos Tamam as my husband and I are handing our credit card to the driver as we pull up to the Empire State Building.  Convenience sells!