What If?

 

 What if?  Lets say that you make $20 per hour, for a 40 hour work week, that's $800 per week.  You get paid once a week.  You are married with one child.  You live in Minnesota.  You are claiming married with 2 exemptions.  Lets say that you have no pretax exemptions (retirement, health savings, etc.).  On an average paycheck, EVERY WEEK, you pay in $139.20 to the government. ($50 to the IRS, $28 to MN Revenue, $49.60 to Social Security, and $11.60 to Medicare).  What would happen if you had to actually write out a check EVERY WEEK for that $139.20?  Would you be more cognizant of the amount of taxes that you pay if you had to pay it in yourself?  Would everyone else be more conscious of it?
By the way, in this scenerio, your $800 paycheck has now been changed to $660.80 and multiply this by 52 weeks in a year and your $41,600 salary has changed into $34,361.60.
Take your last paycheck and really look at it.  How much are you paying?  I know you don't write out a check each week (unless you are self-employed), but take a couple minutes, on each payday and look at it, REALLY LOOK AT IT!

Valentine's Day - Decor & More

 

One last post for Valentine's Day!

This is such an adorable idea from Martha Stewart, a container in a vase with flowers. 

  

This super cute conversation heart pillow is just adorable.

You can find the tutorial from Tara on her blog, sewtara.

I adore collage, and this gorgeous valentine's collage is no exception.

To see the full view of this work of art by Nifty Thrifty and to see the tutorial go to the spotted canary. 

This wall decal is so stunning and perfect for valentine's day.

Elephannie sells them on Etsy. 

Valentine's Day - The Movie

 

This is a must see movie for any couple!

It's not just a "chick flick" ~

My honey thought it was great and is telling others they need to see it.

Like Julie Roberts said in an interview about the movie,

"There are going to be a lot of babies born 9 months from now!"

Not only are there a few great story lines and lots of famous actors, 

it's got some sensible relationship advice woven into it!

This movie is now on my all time favorite movie list.

I may even have to get the Soundtrack!

Valentine's Day Vase - Tutorial

 

This was a fun & simple project and the result is stunning!

You could fill this vase with candies, red and pink marbles, flowers or any number of cool valentine's ideas.

You will need:

A Vase - I used a simple, inexpensive rectangle vase from Target.

Candies - or marbles or whatever you are going to fill it with.

Ribbon -I used dark red with white dots. Or use plain red or one with words on - like "I love you"!     

Rub-on or vinyl stickers with your desired design - This could be a simple scripted "Love" - I used a couple of the rub-ons from the fancy-free collection by fancy pants design.

A Glue Dot.

Tie the ribbon tightly around the bottom of the vase and secure with a glue dot.  Position the rub-on in the desired position and hold in place while you rub the entire design to the vase.  Do not remove the top layer of the rub-on until it is completely secure.  Lift the top layer slowly, if any design stays on the top layer, carefully lay the top back down and continue rubbing until the entire design is in place.  I used two separate rub-ons for my design but just one simple vinyl sticker or rub-on would look elegant.  Now, fill it up and you are done!

Super Simple!

Simple & Classy!

The ribbon with words on it was my original idea with a more simple rub-on but I couldn't locate the rub-on that I had planned to use.  Someone make one like that and show me your creation!  Actually, show me any versions that you decide to make, I would love to see it!

Valentine's Day - Food Ideas

 

This gorgeous treat is made from candy canes!  

These could be a treat, a gift, or decor!

Fabulous idea from Jodi at Pleasant Home.   

Raspberry Frappe

Oh My!  Valentine Treat from Heaven courtesy of 

Better Homes and Gardens. 

These Gorgeous Valentine Hearts 

are made from crescent rolls.

This wonderful idea is featured by Pillsbury.  

I hope you enjoy all this valentine eye candy!

There is more on the way!

Valentine's Day - Gift Ideas

I always have more ideas than time!  I have so many things that I want to make....  I just love crafting and arts.  I always want to make things for the people that I love, I feel like the time and love that I put into the things that I make will be conveyed to the recipient.  Here are some fabulous ideas to show your loved one how you feel, some are easy to make, some are a bit more difficult, and some you can purchase.

 

Better Homes and Gardens offers you the directions for this cute card.

This cute book can tell your honey all the wonderful reasons that you love him/her.  It's actually made from a simple one dollar deck of cards!  Check out the tutorial by Kelly at Trans-craft-inental.  

Gifts for you now has many personalized gifts from intimate apparal to coffee mugs.  This is also a great resource for wedding thank you gifts and shower gifts.

It's always a challange to come up with a creative kids valentine project.  

These cute valentines by Family Fun are ingenious. 

And... More...

Top 10 Last Minute Valentine's Day Gifts

Click here for: These cute and practical ideas from about.com are fabulous! 

Opening in another window

I've been doing research on getting my links to open in a new window/tab.  I will soon be able to make my links do that.  In the time being, if you would like to remain on my blog and open a link ...
follow these directions...

1. Hover your mouse over the link and right click.
2. Scroll down to (hover over) either open in new tab (usually the 2nd option) or open in new window (usually the 3rd option).
3. Left Click

You will now be able to close out of that link when you are done with it and remain here, on my blog!

Hope this helps!

Daily Deals are FUN!

Even if I never buy anything, Daily Deals are Fun!!  Have you seen these websites?

You can check these websites each day to see what the new bargain is...

Just like you never know what you will find on this blog from day to day, you never know what you will find at a steal of a deal each day on these websites!

So…  Here are some links for some common ones, some not so common, and some specialty ones, and just for added measure, I’ve thrown in some that are weekly deals.

General and Special Daily Deals:
Target’s Daily Deal
Razor Dog Deal’s Deal of the Day (on the right-hand side of the screen)
Daily Deal’s Deal of the Day
Amazon Daily Deals

Ebay’s Daily Deal
Daily Memories Deal

LTD Commodities Deal of the Week (Weekly Deal – Scroll down to the bottom of the page)
REI’s Deal of the Week (Weekly Deal for the Sports Minded)


A Couple Sites that have a “Popularity” list of Daily Deals:
Zero Day Deals (You can click on the top bar to choose daily deals or weekly deals)
Deal Sucker

For my boys (this proves I’m cool!):
The Xbox Live Deal of the Week

For all of my Artsy Friends, who have been waiting ever-so-patiently for me to do something-anything (I promise there is lots more coming!) crafty:

Peachy Cheap’s Today’s Deal

Scrapbook Steal’s Daily Steal

Crafty Steal’s Hot New Steal

All My Memories Steal of the Week (Weekly Deal)


**I do believe this is the most extensive crafting daily deals list I’ve seen anywhere!! ENJOY!!**