Get your financial life in order....

April is financial literacy month.  Getting your financial life in order can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do for yourself!  The sense of accomplishment in knowing that you are on the right path to achieve  security or your financial goals is amazing.  In my opinion, the best way to accomplish a goal is with consistent baby steps.  Here is a website that will help to guide you along the path to financial wellness.  They use 30 steps in 30 days and it will help guide you along your path.  I also found this exercise journal that really gives you a thorough process to securing your financial future.  From budgeting, calculating for retirement, and getting support, this book covers it.

Eat, Pray, Love ~ Now the MOVIE!!

 
Back on January 7th, I told you about this fabulous book that I read, "Eat, Pray, Love"...

Now I have more information on the movie!  It comes out August 13th!  My Mom's birthday!
I doubt she'll want to go to the midnight opening showing like I would like to...  but it is kind of cool timing!

Anyway, there are trailers that you can watch and a contest you can enter to get tickets to the premiere showing... Here's the catch....
If you win the tickets, you have to bring me!  :)
So...

To enter the contest go to the facebook page (you don't have to be a member) and then click on the sweepstakes link!

You can watch the trailer for the movie at the official site of the movie by Sony Pictures here.  I rarely think that a movie can capture the essence of a book; however, with Julia Roberts, other awesome actors, and the looks of this trailer, this could be a fabulous version of the book!  I am excited!  Mark your calendars for August 12-13 and let's go to the midnight showing!

iPad, Kindle, or Mini-Netbook? My comparison:

Apple made a big announcement. Everyone is listening.
Do we love the new iPad?
I found reviews and comparisons. I think … It depends. It depends what you are looking for.

Now, I don’t claim to know more about the technical stuff than these reviewers, but they are not all entirely accurate. Example: Kindle does have an SD slot, Kindle can handle photos/diagrams (just not in color)… If you have a particular feature that is important to you make sure to … go to the source for more info…

Sources: Kindle (Basic)specs, Kindle DX specs,
Apple iPad specs, HP mini netbooks specs,
Toshiba tablet pc specs, Dell mini netbooks and
Barnes & Nobles Nook specs

Here are some reviews that I found interesting, although not entirely accurate:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/27/the-ipad-vs-the-kindle-spec-for-spec/
http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/01/27/apple.banking.on.color.and.apps/
http://seattlebubble.com/blog/amazon-kindle-vs-apple-ipad/
http://socialmode.com/2010/01/27/ipadibooks-vs-kindle-vs-nook/

My obsession with books has meant that I want to own as many as possible, I just don’t want the clutter! Kindle to the rescue! Ever since it came out, I thought it was a fabulous idea. I haven’t purchased one though. I just know that technology is moving quickly… when will the next best thing be here? Is it the iPad? Here is my take…

For books, the Kindle is still better. You can’t beat the non-glare e-ink for reading. One negative, for crafts, how-to, and magazines – color would be nice! With the Kindle you can “sync” your books on your computer, Amazon library, iphone, and blackberry – you will never run out of storage space because Amazon will store your entire library! You have tons more books available through Amazon than through Apple’s iBook store. Amazon’s last count was 400,000 books in addition to magazines, newspapers, and blogs. And it is not stopping: Quote from Amazon, “Our vision for Kindle is to have every book ever printed, in any language, all available in under 60 seconds.” And huge: No monthly fee!! Free 3G connectivity. No internet or mobile service fees. This adds up every month, people!! Why aren’t the other reviewers making a big deal about this feature?

My final choice...  I'm still waiting.

My take on eat pray love

I have always loved books. I tend to collect them in mass quantities. Only a small fraction of which ever seem to get read. Thanks to Amazon’s want list I no longer have to buy every book that I want to read (like I couldn’t have made a list of my own!)… As of late, I have tended to bury my head in books the likes of, Analytical Management. I always tend towards the self-help and how-to type books. As normal, always feeling like I should be accomplishing something, even if it’s time for me!

Well, this time I wanted light reading. I discovered this book, eat pray love, By Elizabeth Gilbert. This is still a true story, however it’s pure enjoyment! Elizabeth sets out to find herself after a typically nasty divorce. She takes a year to travel (lucky girl) and “find balance”. She not only travels, she digs herself into these fabulous local spots. Whether she is in Italy, India, or Indonesia she is burying herself in the culture and making true friends. I adored this book. For me this was a slice of heaven, I long to visit Italy. I learned things about meditation that most don’t ever contemplate. I learned some about achieving balance in my own life. I adored Elizabeth’s candor and down to earth manner. I felt as though I bonded with her. I really don’t think it had anything to do with her battle with emotional relationships!

The movie will be released this year, 2010, and features Julia Roberts in the lead role of Elizabeth “groceries”. (When the movie, Erin Brockovich, came out there were a few people that said she reminded them of me. Since I don’t believe it was her gorgeous beauty or lovely thick long red hair, I would say that it was probably her bullheaded determination. Anyway, I still took it as a compliment.) I am ecstatic that my favorite actress will be playing the role of my most recent favorite “real” book character. I don’t believe that it would be possible for a movie to capture the depth of this story, but it will be interesting to view, none the less.

I found a blog completely dedicated to this book! http://eat-pray-love-fans.blogspot.com/

Big Hint: Don’t read the blog until after you’ve read the book!

Another Hint: The links to products don’t work, I'm guessing they were copyright infringing.

Intent of Blog

I seriously am not sure I should be doing this!  I am busy already, however I do intend to share some knowledge, opinion, and fun with you!  My thoughts are not to keep this blog to one subject like a lot of people do....  My writings will be hugely varied!  To give you a quick overview of my current intentions: 
The typical:  Home life, family, relationships, parenting, health... 
The passions:  Photography, travel, art, interior design, scrapbooking, crafts, home remedies, recipes, books, upcycling, jewelry, accessories, organization, yoga and meditation... 
The necessities of my career:  Accounting, management, business, careers, money.... 
The future:  Government, politics, green issues, heritage...
I will probably stay away from that last group of ideas until I have a great group of followers, then I will offend some later!  Hopefully not, but it's bound to happen and I hope you will love me so much that you look beyond it!