5 Ways Americans Sabotage Their Savings

While the latest news proclaims that the economy is rebounding, the truth is that most Americans are wasting their money. Spending is up, which is good for the economy — but can spell bad news for consumers on a personal level.

"Consumers who find themselves mired in debt are serving the larger economy at great personal sacrifice," said Stuart Vyse, professor of psychology at Connecticut College and author of "Going Broke: Why Americans Can't Hold on to Their Money."

"The economy runs on consumption, and as a result, personal savings is never mentioned because it is considered counterproductive and a drag on the economy," Vyse said.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's (EBRI) annual Retirement Confidence Survey, Americans are living longer — and they do not have anywhere near enough saved in their bank accounts for retirement. In fact, the report found that the majority of Americans (57 percent) have less than $25,000 in total household savings or investments.

Where and How People Spend Money Instead of Saving
Certainly recent economic hardships have reduced disposable income and the ability to save for many, but are there other factors influencing how Americans spend money? We asked financial experts why Americans can't seem to keep their money in their bank accounts.

1. Lack of Personal Finance Education
"One of the main reasons that people don't save money in the short- or long-term is that they're simply unfamiliar with concepts such as setting a monthly or annual personal budget and saving for retirement," notes Andrew Schrage, co-owner of MoneyCrashers.com.

2. No Emergency Savings
Too many people have experienced unexpected financial hardship, caused by being out of work for long and short periods of time, or having a car breakdown or health crisis that an emergency fund could help cover.

"Despite how high a salary might be, one is likely to be broke due to the lack of preparation for emergencies," said Xavier Epps, owner of XNE Financial Advising, LLC in Woodbridge, Va. "Emergency savings is the key to financial success and without it, you're just making it more difficult to be financial stable."

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Americans only saved 2.5 percent of their income on average for the month of April, 2013.

"Consumers should aim to save much more in order to cover unexpected expenses and possibly job loss," recommended Epps.

3. High Inflation
Some personal finance experts point to inflation as a big factor in suppressing people's ability to consistently add to their bank accounts.

"Our government deficit spending has skyrocketed, and the main cost of that spending is weaker buying power for the dollar," said Brian Luftman, founder and president of American Farm Investors in Lexington, Ky.

"Our government says inflation is at 3 percent, but Americans are paying significantly more for food, heating and cooling bills, gasoline and health care," Luftman said. "All of those costs have virtually doubled since 2008, and very few Americans are making any more money than they were in 2008. I think real inflation is 10 to 15 percent a year, and I don't see that changing."

4. Overspending Made Easy
"With social media like Facebook and Twitter and we can see what everyone in our own social circle is doing, what they are purchasing, and where they are eating, traveling and shopping," said Rachel Parrent, community engagement manager for Vantage Credit Union. "Many times it makes us believe that if they can afford it, so can we."

Simply put, too many people spend money they haven't earned.

"People fall into bad habits like eating out regularly or thinking that spending a little here, a little there won't amount to a lot by the end of the month," said Kathy Palmer, vice president of marketing at Vantage Credit Union. "Credit cards and electronic purchasing make it much easier to spend than having cash in your pocket."

These social pressures and the ease of spending combine to create an environment that "places enormous burdens on self-control" and how people spend money.

"All of the barriers to consumption have been removed: you can shop 24-hours a day, with or without cash on hand," Vyse said. "The urge to purchase something can be satisfied in minutes without ever leaving home."

5. Taking on Big, Long-Term Loans
"Perhaps the worst mistake people make is to assume large, long term debt burdens that are difficult to escape without the certainty of enough sustained income to support them," Vyse said. "In today's world, the most common examples are student loans and mortgage loans. If you have calculated incorrectly or if your income drops, these kinds of debts can have a dramatic effect on your life and well-being."

Should circumstances change and the borrower is unable to make monthly payments toward these debts, there is no quick-fix solution.

Considering that the graduating college class of 2012 accrued an average of $29,400 in student loan debt, an increase of 63 percent in under a decade, rising college costs definitely play a role in the ability to save.

"By having to make significant monthly payments for student loans shortly after graduating, it can be virtually impossible to start an emergency fund or begin saving for retirement," Schrage said. "It can even make staying on top of monthly bills a challenge, which often leads to credit card debt."

Brian Frederick, JD, CFP of Stillwater Financial Partners in Scottsdale, Ariz., adds that student debt doesn't just affect younger generations, but parents as well.

"I'm seeing more and more people sacrifice their own retirement savings needs and run up large credit card balances to fund their children's college," Frederick said. "This can result in credit card debt of $20,000 and up at high interest rates — without a lot of excess cash flow to pay down the debt, they just keep paying the interest and not a whole lot toward principal."

Tips to Jump-Start Your Bank Account
Devotees of personal finance guru Dave Ramsey know that the first step to gaining financial independence is putting away $1,000 for emergencies. Other financial experts recommend an even bigger emergency fund of three to six months of expense, to act as a buffer.

To get there, financial experts recommend eliminating everything but the basics to build up that emergency fund. That can mean cutting your cable service, cooking at home, trading high-lease cars for low-cost transportation, hosting yard sales or finding another job to supplement your income. It's drastic, but a necessary way to get through, and prepare for, some tough times.

"Look for ways to cut or eliminate your monthly expenses and bills," Schrage said. "Limit personal purchases only to those that you actually need, and clip coupons to save on groceries. All of these ideas should make for the ability to save at least a modest amount each month."

In addition to limiting spending, Vyse advised cultivating a habit of saving. He recommends having a certain percentage of deposits automatically diverted to a savings account.

"This way, money is saved no matter what else happens, and it does not require a deliberate action on your part," Vyse said.

Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/

Are You The Tortoise Or The Hare?

Can you tell the difference between a new TV show and one from 20 or 30 years ago? I bet it's easy, and not just because of the way people are dressed, but mainly because everything goes quicker now, from scene transitions to how actors speak.

I remember being a new mom and seeing all sorts of programs for babies to learn to do things faster-from potty training to speaking and reading-and thinking, what is the rush? Why would I want my little girl to jump ahead of herself?

From a metaphysical perspective, you could say that time is shrinking and that's why everything is moving faster. Basically, the man-made concept of time is gradually vanishing and leaving room for a more unified experience of 5th dimensional reality: a quantum perception, if you will.

And yet, the more I slow down, the more I get done.

The more aligned with myself I feel.

And the more I enjoy what I'm doing.

If you think this sounds illogical or counterintuitive, think again. Pressure creates stress, and stress scatters the energy you require to see things clearly, finish tasks, and get a job well done. Rushing pushes you to jump ahead of yourself without necessarily knowing where you're headed, leaving gaps along your path that you may have to go back to and fix. Whether it's learning something new, launching a business, or accomplishing your goals, a slow, steady, step-by-step process always wins the race.

Going over what you wish to master slowly and repeatedly gives you the opportunity to recognize all the details involved in what you're doing. Once you own the nuts and bolts of any process, they become your skills, your tools, your experiences, and the realizations of your individual journey. They turn into assets that nobody can take away from you because you know them inside and out.

Slow Down To Be Fully Present In What You Do

This is as true for any external aim as it is for your self-exploration and personal or spiritual growth. One of my beloved teachers wrote a book entitled The Path To Enlightenment Is Not a Highway. So true! The ego-mind likes to push and rush and scatter your energy; those who like to control you exploit this. It gives them the power of using your own energy to keep the control-that is, until you decide to stop giving it away, take full charge, and learn to manage your life for your growth and success.

Life is not a race, and slowing down allows you to be fully present and aware of what you're doing and where you're headed. So whenever you catch yourself rushing, being pressured, or getting overwhelmed with the million things you think you must do, remember to breathe deeply to ground yourself in the present, and slow down. Nobody is going to slow things down for you: it's your job to gift yourself with the joy of doing things at your own pace and to gain the depth of experience that only a steady pace grants.

Source: http://soulguidedcoach.com/

WHOA! This MAJOR NEWS About Ted Cruz May Shake Up the 2016 Presidential Elections!

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been perhaps the most vocal proponent of core conservative principles in recent memory. He fought President Barack Obama every step of the way on Obamacare and amnesty. And he was willing to risk government shut downs to stand up for limited government, despite cries of outrage from the Washington political establishment.
Now, Cruz’s closest friends who know him best (including his former college roommate) are joining him by forming an independent Super PAC, which is a MAJOR sign of him running for President in 2016!

The ‘Stand for Principle’ PAC filed papers with the Federal Election Commission on Friday, and the organization’s founder says it will be the go-to financial behemoth supporting the Texas senator in 2016.
Super PACs can raise unlimited amounts of money as long as they don’t coordinate their activities with political campaigns.
The emergence of a funding stream set up by Cruz supporter Maria Strollo Zack signals that the tea party firebrand is laying the groundwork for an announcement – and Zack plans to raise a ton of money.
‘We’d like to be $50 million by the end of March 2016, going into Super Tuesday,’ she told MailOnline on Wednesday.[...]
While Cruz can’t legally partner with Zack, his close lifelong friend David Panton gave the project a nod and will be its most visible volunteer.
A source close to the Stand for Principle PAC’s formation told MailOnline that Panton, a Jamaican Rhodes Scholar who once roomed with Cruz at Princeton, chose the name.
Zack, the PAC’s chairwoman, is a Georgia business development executive who said her firm’s primary purpose is to help startup companies get off the ground.
That firm, The Strollo Group, also has a small government affairs arm that lobbies in Georgia.
The new political vehicle, she said, is the first effort supporting Cruz to get off the ground, and will enjoy the support of his closest friends and allies, mostly on the Republican Party’s right wing.

via the Daily Daily
Maria Strollo Zack said the reason they are starting this organization is because “America craves, thirsts and hungers for strong, bold, principled conservative leadership.”
This is very exciting news, as unlike many “draft” PACs, this is as close as any Republican candidate has come to launching a real Presidential campaign. Cruz’s friends wouldn’t be starting this PAC if he wasn’t seriously ready to run.
If that Cruz news wasn’t exciting enough, reporter Dave Catanese spotted Team Cruz looking for Presidential campaign office space!

Sen. Ted Cruz has deployed advisers to begin scoping out office space for a potential 2016 presidential campaign, a source with knowledge of the move tells U.S. News.
Over the past several weeks, aides to the first-term GOP senator from Texas have been looking for available real estate in Houston, where Cruz lives with his wife and two daughters.

Clearly, with so many conservative Republicans spending the past few elections holding their nose on election day… this time they may have a no-nonsense conservative to vote for! Cruz is apparently running for President, and nothing- not even Hillary Clinton – can stand in his way.
Do you think Ted Cruz would be a better President than Barack Obama? Please leave us a comment and tell us what you think.

Source: http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com

The Next Great Channel: Video Advertising

Top 3 Placement Tips for Video Ads That Engage Well

Video marketing continues to be high on the list of new marketing trends online. However, to get the best results, understanding the science of video advertising is required. Creativity can make any ad sell, but by putting an engaging ad in the wrong spot, it can end up costing conversions. To market video ads more effectively, consider the following tips taken from the IAB Case Study:

Placement - Put your ads as pre-roll, in-text, or as banner ads on videos. The longer the video, the less likely it would do better as a pre-roll ad. Vary ad placement, leaving the lengthier ads for in-text or as banner ads. Customers who click on these types of ads already have expressed an interest in the content and thus are likely to sit through a longer ad.

Length - The best length for video ads depends on the placement. Pre-rolls do best with 15-second spots. The maximum length of 30 seconds is more effective on ads with complex messages, but not on the pre-roll placement. Also, 5-second ads are tested, but proved to be too short to convey any type of concrete message.

Type of Message - If the message is for branding purposes, or if the advertisement seeks to persuade the consumer to take an action, then the 15-second ads do best at conveying this type of message. However, ads that included emotionally resonant, complex messages must be conveyed with 30-second spots to get the message across completely. If the goal is to convey something with a deeper message than simple marketing, it pays to use longer ads that are not on pre-rolls.

Varying the placement, length, and message in ads, and tracking conversions, can lead to the best strategy for a particular audience. The basic guidelines provided by the IAB provide knowledge and information. There is an abundance of research that can ensure the creation of the best video ad strategies, but placement is critical in the overall success of the message. Just varying the length and placement of a video ad can lead to positive and immediate conversion results.

Source: http://www.madrivo.com/

How You Respond (or Don't) Says a Lot About You!

There are several things that bug me and one is bad manners, but I am not referring to the rude person in a social setting, but rather the bad manners in the online world. I have interactions as a customer and also as the operator of my own business that very often make me cringe, or just say to myself "Why?" You may beg to differ but I feel common courtesy and respect needs to be ramped up a lot more, as it says a lot more about the person who doesn't respond than the one being ignored.

The Tumbleweed Syndrome

You contact a business via its online contact form or email seeking more information about a product or service and then the tumbleweeds appear...

You may re-contact and do your best to give them some of your hard earned, but they never get back to you. What does this do? It annoys and frustrates you, but more importantly you end up going somewhere else to do business, which is more often than not inconvenient, but also not good for the business you wanted to frequent.

The Ghost Lead

One of my favorite annoyances, which has happened to me many times and makes me say the "Why?" to myself is when someone contacts me for a consultation and when I get back to them to arrange it I simply get no response.

Why did they bother? Why take the time to send a query, when I reply I get nothing? This one I don't get. I don't feel my reputation is harmed in this case, but the person who contacts me is simply saying they are either not serious, or severely lacking any integrity in the first place, and it certainly gives me a negative view of their brand without even having the opportunity to know them.

What do You Do?

I am not sure there is an answer to either of these situations. A business that is too busy, too incompetent or too lazy to respond to queries, probably deserves to lose business and to have negative stories told about them.

Those who book and then ignore may fall into the same category in my humble opinion. Perhaps it is a form of self-qualification in the sales process, as you may not find they were an ideal fit anyway, but I still have to ask why they bother taking the time to contact if they don't want a response!

With social media, web reviews, bloggers and good old fashioned water cooler discussions all too evident, businesses can't afford to be lax in either responding or following up. The damage potential is huge, especially when business owners are looking for cost effective ways to get new business.

Here's one cost effective one for you- respond to queries!

Am I being too precious, or are other business owners and potential clients finding the same level of frustration, and if so, what do you do?

Source: http://www.smallbusinessmba.com.au/

Independent Work - Tastes Great, Less Filling

At first glance comparing independent work with a beer commercial doesn't seem to make sense.  But segmentation data from the MBO Partners 2014 State of Independence study indicates there are similarities. 

Miller's "Tastes Great, Less Filling" ad series, which they used to launch the lite beer segment in 1974, is considered one of the most successful ad campaigns of all time.  The goal of these ads was to communicate the two key consumer benefits of Miller Lite.

As part of the 2014 State of Independence research we conducted a cluster analysis looking at why people become and stay independent workers (self-employed, freelancers, etc.).  Much like lite beer, there were two key motivations - flexibility and fulfilling work. 

Flexibility is more than just being able to take time off from work.

Independent workers value their ability to choose the type of work they do, when, where and how they work and who they work with. 

Independent workers see flexibility as a key benefit of the control they have over their work and their lives.  For many independents, flexibility is important enough that they're willing to accept lower incomes to have it.

Independent workers describe fulfilling work as work that engages them by matching their skills, interests and abilities. Many independent workers describe this as work they love, especially those in the creative fields.

But most independent workers do not say they love their work. Instead they describe their work as something they enjoy, are interested in, motivated by or provideing a sense of purpose. 

Interestingly, our cluster analysis shows most independent workers who report being satisfied or highly satisfied with independent work are almost evenly split between the fulfilling work cluster and the flexibility cluster as their main motivation for being an independent worker.

I don't think a "flexible work", "fulfilling work" commercial would be successful. But like the Miller commercials, these two attributes describe the main benefits of independent work. 

Source: http://www.smallbizlabs.com

Stillwater third best in U.S. for seeing fall colors

According to Travel & Leisure Magazine, Stillwater is one of the best towns in the U.S. for leaf peeping.

The magazine recently ranked the St. Croix River Valley third among the Top 20 "America's Best Towns for Fall Colors." Only Oakland, Md., and Lake Placid, N.Y., ranked higher in the magazine's September issue.

Travel & Leisure staff notified Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau officials a few weeks ago that Stillwater was in the running and let them know the final results on Friday.

"This is a really big deal," said Barb Trueman, a spokeswoman for the bureau. "Anytime we are awarded with something, it just helps us get people excited about coming to the Birthplace of Minnesota."

Trueman said this year should be a particularly good fall for leaf peeping.

"It looks like we are going to have a little earlier fall," she said. "We usually recommend that people plan a trip to Stillwater (for fall colors) sometime the last week of September and first week of October, but this year, it might even come earlier."

The best way to view fall colors? Take a boat cruise up the St. Croix River, Trueman said.

"They can see the cliffs and see even more color that way," she said.

Source: http://www.twincities.com

The Hidden Contract

The executive tosses and turns in his sleep. He's having a nightmare. In his dream, his board of directors comes to him with the news: Sales are tanking. You've signed an important contract. You MUST deliver on that contract. ARE you delivering on that contract? WHO wrote the contract? WHO signed the contract? WHAT'S in the contract WHY aren't we fulfilling the contract.WHAT are you going to do about it? Of course, because this is a nightmare, the executive has no answers. He doesn't know about the contract either. No one in his company knows about the contract. He's furious, but helpless. He doesn't know how to fix the problem, and his company is in jeopardy.

Fiction? Of course. Fact? Absolutely.

I call this the hidden contract. It's your brand. Your brand is the contract your customers create with your company. Yes, you heard right. It's YOUR brand, but THEIR contract. It's their set of emotions, expectations, needs, egos, aspirations, affinities, beliefs and loyalties that customers create and carry in their minds when they choose to buy your product or services. Your customers write the contract The contract is housed in their head. As long as you fulfill their list of expectations, they keep coming back. If you stop delivering on all or most of them, they choose to go to a competitor.

Thus, the earmark of a brand: It exists in the mind of your customers and it is emotionally charged. So when you consider developing, codifying, launching or repositioning your brand, it's imperative you start with research to learn specifically what they are thinking and feeling... about you. Otherwise, you won't know what's in the contract. If you have success, you won't know what you did right (so you can repeat it.) If you fail, you'll never know where you broke the promise - and that's a waking nightmare!

Strong research should inform every step of the brand development process, and strong research should support the ongoing management of a brand. The intimate knowledge of what your customers think about you and your competitors provides a platform for a strategic brand. You'll have a brand that will drive awareness, increase leads, push sales, increase market share, put you at the top of the consideration set, and create a price premium. All the things that CEOs care about.

But, there can be no strategic brand without knowing first what's in the hidden contract.

Kate Middleton's brother: The marshmallow selfie king

Move over Kate Middleton!

Younger brother James Middleton is stealing the spotlight with his candy business that prints Instagram and Facebook pictures on marshmallows.

The British startup -- Boomf -- charges £15 ($25) for a box of nine customized marshmallows that can be ordered online and shipped anywhere in the world.

Middleton told CNNMoney he's expanding in the U.S. to ensure orders ship within three days. He's also planning a shop in New York.

By all accounts, customers love eating their own selfies, with one Twitter user exclaiming "HOLY HOT CHOCOLATE!!! MY FACE IS ON A MARSHMALLOW!!!"

 The company has just raised £1 million ($1.7 million) from Nick Jenkins, founder of customized greetings card firm Moonpig, and other digital entrepreneurs.

Boomf has shipped over 2 tons of marshmallows in less than a year and made £100,000 ($168,000) in sales its first three months.

One perk of channeling Willy Wonka: Middleton gets to do "continuity checks," testing every marshmallow batch before they're shipped out from the factory.

But has nephew Prince George tasted the marshmallows? Middleton won't say.

 Boomf was inspired by Middleton's experience of launching cake start-ups, which haven't quite hit the same sweet spot.

"Marshmallows are quite durable and they're just fun," making them easy to ship and share, he said.

Source: http://money.cnn.com

‘Starwatch parties’ - Events planned in Lake Elmo and Big Marine park reserves

Washington County Parks will host two Minnesota Starwatch parties, one July 25 at Big Marine Park Reserve, and one Aug. 29 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

A Starwatch Party will be 9-11 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Big Marine Park Reserve, and a Starwatch Party will be 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

This family program is free with a valid park vehicle permit.

Minnesota Starwatch Parties are hosted by Mike Lynch of WCCO.

Get to know constellations like the Big Bear, Cygnus the Swan, Scorpius the Scorpion and some of the great stories behind them. View natural wonders of the sky — constellations, planets, star clusters, galaxies, nebulae and more.

Visitors will use large reflecting telescopes, including two 20-inch reflectors that are among the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota. Visitors will use an astronomical camera-telescope system for extra special views of the more distant parts of the universe. Participants will receive user-friendly star maps and constellation charts for personal use.

Lynch is a meteorologist at WCCO Radio and has been hosting Starwatch parties and teaching astronomy classes for more than 40 years. He also writes a weekly stargazing column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is the author of the book “Mike Lynch’s Minnesota Star Watch.” Even if it’s cloudy, visitors will learn a lot and get a Mike Lynch “Cloud Check” for a future Minnesota Starwatch Party.

No registration is required. It’s a good idea to bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and bug spray.

Big Marine Park Reserve is on Manning Trail (County State Aid Highway 15) a half mile north of 170th Street in May Township at 17495 Manning Trail N., Marine on St. Croix.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 in Lake Elmo, at 1515 Keats Ave. N.

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

6 Ways to Be Successful in Business

In the current economy, many business have been hit hard or failed. But I believe if we grab hold of the principles that I talk about below that you can still prosper in hard economic times.

1. Avoid get rich quick schemes- Proverbs 28:20 warns us about get rich quick schemes. The verse says, "a man with an evil eye hastens after riches and does not consider that poverty will come upon him." We have all seen that late night infomercials promising that you can make lots of money with little to no effort and promises of overnight success. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. It takes hard work and effort to be a success.

2. Do what you say- In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus warned about making promises and oaths and not fulfilling them. He said,"Let your nay (no) be nay(no) and your yeah(yes) be yeah (yes). If you promises someone that you are going to do something do it. Sometimes you cannot always do what you promise due to unforeseen circumstances, but you should at least let the person know that you can't do what you promised and make restitution at a later time.

3.Pay your workers well- In Luke 10:7, Jesus said the laborers are worthy of their hire. Withholding wages from someone who has worked hard limits their ability to take care of themselves and their families.

4. Learn to give- As God blesses and increases your finances, you have a responsibility to give back to your families and communities. Our communities not only need your money but they need your time as well. Always find time to mentor or volunteer. Acts 20:35 says, "You must support the weak and it is more blessed to give than to receive."

5. Put God first in everything- Before you make a major decision ask God what decision you should make or ask for his help. Also pray for God to bless your business each day. Luke 12:31 says, "But seek the kingdom of God and all these things (provisions, possessions) will be added to you."

6. Treat people like you want to be treated- This is the golden rule that we learned as children. be courteous to everyone and treat every customer well. People are more willing to do business with you when they like your, than when they don't.

I believe that these principles will help your business prosper. God desires to bless people in business but we must do it his way.

Source: http://inspiredbyshawn.com/

Huff n’ Puff Days set for Aug. 7-10

The Lake Elmo Jaycees will be hosting the 38th Annual Huff n’ Puff Days on Aug. 7-10 in Lake Elmo.

This annual fundraiser for community and youth activities in Lake Elmo and the St. Croix Valley features a 96-team softball tournament and many other fun family activities.

In addition to food, beverages and merchandise available for purchase, there will be free prize drawings, kids games and activities in the playground area of Lions Park and bean bag tournaments.

The free kids games and activities will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be bean bag tournaments taking place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The double elimination bean bag tourney will award prizes to the top three teams. Registration will take place at the ticket booth in Lions Park prior to the scheduled start teams. The cost for each two-person team is $20.

A fundraising pancake breakfast for the Lake Elmo Fire Department will also be held on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 9-10) from 8 a.m.-noon at Station No. 1 across from Lions Park.

For a full schedule of times and events, check out www.lakeelmojaycees.org or www.facebook.com/huffnpuffdays.

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

Minnesota ranked 5th in nation for small business friendliness

In a new national survey, Minnesota scored as a “top place” to start or grow a small business.

Thumbtack.com, a San Francisco-based service that links individuals to small businesses, conducted its third annual survey evaluating the business climate in every state. More than 12,000 entrepreneurs nationwide participated in the survey, conducted in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

“After a two-month survey of thousands of small business owners nationwide, Minnesota has emerged as a top place for starting a business,” says Jon Lieber, Chief Economist of Thumbtack.

In the 2014 survey, Minnesota earned a B for its overall friendliness for small businesses. In the 2013 Thumbtack.com survey, the state scored an A-. Overall, Minnesota rated 5th when it came to ease of starting a business, but received a C or C+ for its regulations, including health and safety, labor, licensing, regulations and the friendliness of the tax code.

The survey also reviewed how cities rank. Minneapolis scored as the 11th friendliest city for small businesses out of the 82 rated, and Minneapolis small business owners had the 3rd brightest outlook on the national economy. The city scored an overall grade of A.

The Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey is the only survey that use data from a nationwide sample of small business owners to rank the most business-friendly locations. The top three states considered friendliest to small business were Utah, Idaho, and Texas. The three least friendly states were California, Rhode Island, and Illinois.

Businessweek noted that the Thumbtack.com friendliness survey is not a predictor of where people will start a business, noting that California, which scored an F, had one of the nation’s highest startup rates.

In reviewing the findings, the website Heartland.org noted that the small business operators who responded in the survey said the complexity of a state’s licensing regulation was a main stumbling block for small businesses. Those surveyed said this factor was twice as important as the level of taxation.

The website story concluded that the survey shows “…it is not taxation that is really killing small businesses; it’s all the red tape,” and went on to say that “this…very interesting finding…could have some real implications for policy-makers.”

Source: http://bringmethenews.com

Stress and Managing Stress In Our Lives

Probably the number one cause of feeling stressed is GUILT FEELINGS.

This can arise from perceived spiritual failings. We won't go into this area, if you think it applies to you, you need to visit with your spiritual advisor or clergyman. Have you cheated someone, committed a crime, hurt someone? Make it right if you can, but above all, forgive yourself. Stress and managing stress in our lives can sometimes be relieved by doing this. If so manage your guilt stress.

Another common stressor is wanting to be thought of as "The Best". Did someone with a monkey on his or her back just give you theirs? Why did you accept it?

1. Do you need to be liked?

2. Do you need praise?

3. Are you afraid to say, "No keep your monkey, I don't want it."

4. Do you try to do everything for everyone?

Next is putting off what needs to be done in favor of doing something enjoyable but goes nowhere and puts you behind schedule. It can be a huge stress on you. Sometimes stress and managing stress in our lives can be done by:

1. Playing on your computer.

2. Visiting in person, or on the phone.

3. Just go shopping.

4. Eating or dieting (falling off a diet is stressful.)

5. Watching television.

6. Playing in your garden or yard.

Going over your budget is fun but... Not having Money can be a great stressor. Here again much of the stress in this area comes from wanting to be well thought of but not enough money to take care of these things.

1. Unpaid bills.

2. Holidays (Valentines, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas.) and no money or not enough money.

3. Weddings, Birthdays, Baby Showers, Graduations, Anniversaries.

4. Student Loans, Credit Cards.

Another item that can cause stress is not enough exercise, or your diet. Improper eating can have a major roll in stress. Eating too much of the wrong things like sweets and carbs can cause a major imbalance in your system putting more stress on your digestive system.

Lastly, don't set stressful or impossible goals. Goals are important but when they become stressful you need to reevaluate your timetable. You should have short term and long terms goals, not ones set due to the stress in your life.

Getting relief from all the stress and anxiety in our lives plus learning to manage it is Priceless.


Source: http://www.healthbaseopportunity.com

Why Selling a 'No-Brainer' Makes You a Bit of a Jerk

About that title: Why do people try to sell on the nutty reason that the choice is a 'no brainer'? Do you really want me to buy your product without giving it prudent thought? 'Thought' is the breakfast of champions so why would you want your prospect to make a decision on an empty stomach (or mind)?

I get that a vendor is trying to convince me that their item's benefits are so abundantly clear that only a dolt wouldn't whip out a credit card. But, wouldn't you rather know I bought your product after careful consideration? That your sales effort was so strong and focused entirely on my desired benefits that I'm completely secure with my choice and will never experience buyer's remorse?

The 'no-brainer' argument almost feels like a form of bullying, suggesting that not buying from you makes me the jerk instead of the party who's advocating it. Here are some other negative messages that will reduce the power of any sales effort:

    the other guys are jerks - somehow, this doesn't translate into 'we're great!' It just tells me you don't have enough good things to sway me to your offer and instead, hope I'll fall into your arms for fear of being associated with the 'jerks', your competitor. Instead, this makes me even more curious about who the 'other guy' is!
    you can return it - Oh man; this is like a tell-tale sign in a horror movie: I'm being warned right up front that I'll be unhappy with my choice.
    this is a close out - While you may think you're telling me it's a special deal, what I'm hearing is the folks who used to stand behind this product have run for the hills.
    this is a one-time opportunity - Uh, is it stolen? Is it damaged goods?
    we're clearing out inventory to make way for the new model - So that means you won't be servicing my newly purchased, older version any longer?

I know there are some buyers for whom the risks associated with these pseudo-benefits are worth it yet, is it really worth it for you as the seller? None of these messages are really adding value to your reputation nor are they building relationships with truly 'sold' customers who'll look to you as an ongoing source of quality in your category of goods. Instead, what you'll become is the Crazy Eddie of your industry (kids, once upon a time, Crazy Eddie sold consumer entertainment equipment with the tag line 'this offer is insaaaaaane!' And he meant it - Eddie ended up in jail... )

Sales pitches like these create a single financial transaction. Sales messages that encourage real desire for your goods based on knowing what a prospect wants as a result of buying create relationships with customers. More than a single financial transaction, this creates ongoing purchases, referrals, feedback, testimonials, and a lower cost of selling. And guess what that delivers: more profit. Sounds like a totally sane benefit statement to me.

Source: http://www.morefreetimezone.com

Turn once-in-a-lifetime purchases into lifetime customer relationships

When most people think of a small business owner, they tend to envision the proprietor of a restaurant, the entrepreneur behind a successful salon, or their CPA. We don’t immediately think about the realtor, the IT consultant, or the jeweler because our paths don’t regularly cross with theirs.

Yet small business owners who sell big-ticket items on an infrequent basis know how important it is to stay top of mind.

While all businesses are relationship based, those built around high risk and high rewards have a unique challenge in cultivating long-term customer relationships.

Consider the nature of their sales cycle. We know that the more expensive the item, the longer the sales process. The longer the sales cycle, the higher the risk of the deal going south. This can sometimes lead to an eagerness to sign a deal, any deal, as opposed to the one that’s best for the customer.

Instead of aiming to simply close a transaction, trust that a great customer experience will lead to a slew of lucrative referrals.

For small businesses that specialize in selling higher end goods to a single customer once, or possibly twice in a lifetime, here are three ways to build a sustainable referral engine using email and social media.
1. Reconnect with your recent and most engaged customers

Now this doesn’t mean to only reach out to the biggest spenders as you’ll also want to include those that will be vocal advocates for you.

Recall the experience you had with each customer and jot down a few notes that you can use to create a personalized message. Within that message, include a memorable thank you.

For example, a realtor may team up with a local landscaper to include a gift certificate for a free lawn care service inside the personal note. The new homeowners are pleasantly surprised by the gesture and will be inspired to tell their friends. Meanwhile, the lush lawn helps promote the landscaper’s business.

If your business sells services to other businesses, you can earn referrals in lots of ways beyond doing a good job. This includes sharing your best practices so the customer is not beholden to you. Also, provide a transparent and easy to follow explanation for the ROI on the project.
2. Educate potential customers by sharing little known information

When you provide as much unbiased information as possible, you demonstrate your expertise and shorten the sales cycle because you’re empowering customers to make the right decision for themselves.

If the education process leads them to decide that now is not the right time to make the purchase, this shouldn’t be considered a loss. You’ve saved both parties a lot of time and have created goodwill that will translate to word-of-mouth referrals. And when they are ready to buy, they’ll come back to you.

To engage lots of potential customers at once, share the questions you’re frequently asked as well as those that aren’t asked, yet should be. Include them on your website, in a special edition of your newsletter, and post them on Facebook to initiate dialog and inspire social sharing.
3. Master the art of the referral

It’s quite simple and effective to add the “referrals welcome” line to your email signature, newsletters and Facebook page. But if you want to stand out among the competition, remember that actions speak louder than words.

Specifically, if you have a sales team, enforce a sliding commission scale based on the customer’s level of satisfaction. Then share the customer survey data in your emails and on social media to reinforce why your business is the better choice.

Also, think about how you can create a memorable customer experience. Selling boats? Invite prospects aboard a private cruise where they can mingle with customers and learn first hand what it’s like to own a boat. Consider it a worthwhile investment in your business since it’s more cost effective than cold calling.

When a single signature can make the difference between a zero and a hero year, the business that engages, educates and invests in creating great customer experiences is the one that’s more likely to close the deal and fill their sales pipeline.

The Pleasure Seeking Money Mindset

Who doesn’t love spending money!! It’s true there are some people out there who almost feel pain at the thought of parting with their money but not The Pleasure Seeking Money Mindset People!

 People who have a Pleasure Seeking Money Mindset are able to enjoy the opportunities money has to offer.

This person comes from a place of happiness.

Money is about freedom of choices and the pleasure seeker understands this concept and therefore has no issues when it comes to spending money on themselves or for others.

They do not have an emotional connection to money so they do not feel the need to keep every penny they earn and have learned that money is a vehicle to their next experience in life.

This person wants to create enjoyment for themselves and for others.

The Benefits of the Pleasure Seeking Money Mindset

• Being decisive, even with big decisions

• Enjoys experiences that money can buy

• Experiences very little anxiety about future problems The downside of the Pleasure Seeking Money Mindset

• often feels as though they don’t have enough money

• doesn’t spend time evaluating financial decisions

• are too casual about future risks

• loves instant gratification Tips to help balance the Pleasure Seeking Money Mindset

• Write a list of pro’s and con’s for bigger decision making and consider the outcomes before rushing in to make financial decisions

• Using money buckets so that you can distribute your income and have a money bucket that is just for savings

• Find ways to enjoy yourself that are not centered around spending money

It all comes down to balance.  If you can spend money and it doesn’t have any dramatic effect in other areas of your life – then go for it.  If however, you are using money for pleasure and ultimately it is causing you pain, it can affect your relationships, your investments, your friendships, your self worth and your future.  Take note of some of the suggestions above so that you can still enjoy yourself without any unnecessary consequences.

http://deardepressedentrepreneur.com

Lift Bridge Brewing Co. Looks to Add Sunday Taproom Hours

Stillwater’s Lift Bridge Brewing Co. is looking to get a new Sunday taproom liquor license.

During the 2013 legislative session, a statute was passed allowing breweries with taprooms to serve on Sundays.

At this point, details aren’t finalized, but plans are to add Sunday taproom hours to accommodate requests from visitors to Stillwater, Lift Bridge Co-founder and CEO Dan Schwarz said.

City Staff will recommend that the Stillwater City Council approve the brewery’s request for a Sunday liquor license.

Source: http://www.stillwatercurrent.com

On Memorial Day weekend, old poem beautifully captures horrors of war

I don't want to appear disloyal to the American charcoal, meat and beer industries, but Memorial Day isn't only for grilling and drinking.

And it's not only for empty politics from empty political suits.

Relaxing and having fun are part of a three-day holiday weekend, sure, but lest we forget, there are other components of Memorial Day that take precedent.

Like the poppies, and perhaps a trip to the cemetery and quiet prayers for the fallen and maybe a nod to Lt. Col. John McCrae.

There are still some who know about McCrae and what the poppies mean. Not many, but a few, like Michael Turck. He knows.

"I was out with the poppies the other day at Union Station," said Turck, 72, a Vietnam veteran and quartermaster of Logan-Avondale VFW Post 2978 in Chicago. "And some of the other guys were at the other train stations. That's what we do around Memorial Day. The poppies."

You've seen them, haven't you, out on the street, at commuter stations? Some wear old uniforms or other insignia. They come from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other service organizations.

They hold out a tiny flower, a paper facsimile of a poppy, and you drop a donation in a can. The money goes to help veterans, especially those in VA hospitals.

"We did better than last year, since the controversy over the scandals in the VA hospitals," Turck told me. "But you know what? In the 25 years I've been doing this, nobody asked me about the poppies.

"I take that back," he said. "One guy did. One guy in 25 years. He said, 'What's with the poppies?' And I said, 'Did you ever hear of John McCrae?'"

McCrae was a Canadian army doctor, from Guelph, Ontario, during World War I.

It was April 1915, in Flanders, Belgium; the Germans began shelling the trenches with a new weapon: chlorine gas.

McCrae somehow survived. He helped treat the wounded. He helped bury the dead, including a close friend.

Later, he noticed something growing among the graves: poppies. If you know the poppy, if you've grown them, you know they look somewhat like the little paper flowers, but not really.

They're much brighter, red or orange, and sometimes, if they're singletons growing alone or unsupported, the width of the blossoms can overwhelm the delicate stems.

McCrae was a soldier first, from an Army family. He was a doctor second. But he was also a poet, and after that battle, he wrote one of the defining poems of the war that was supposed to end all wars.

"In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I cannot read or hear it read on a warm spring day without feeling a chill. A few years ago, visiting the national cemetery near Joliet, standing among new graves, I took a copy out of my pocket and read it silently.

McCrae died of pneumonia and other complications three years after the battle. There is a museum dedicated to him in his hometown of Guelph. My mother was born there.

"The McCraes were respected, revered," she said. "They weren't treated as celebrities, the way we treat entertainers now. There was none of that. But there was great respect and we all knew the poem."

For decades it was known by schoolchildren, by adults, by most all citizens of the allied nations and Germans, too.

It was read aloud in churches, in schools, in public places on what was once Decoration Day, but later became Memorial Day here, and in Canada on Nov. 11, to mark the armistice and the silencing of the guns.

A charity group in Belgium began selling poppies to support war orphans, and soon American service organizations began doing the same. The poppies of Flanders became tiny paper flowers offered by old soldiers as a way of helping their brothers.

"We used to hand out little cards with each poppy, telling about Col. McCrae and why we had the little flowers," Turck said. "But they'd take the poppies and toss the paper. So we stopped giving them out. Most don't know."

Turck said he spent his years in Vietnam in the U.S. Navy on aircraft carriers, and now runs a small trucking business. He's wondered for years what triggered the poem.

"Was it the friend that died? All the deaths, seeing the flowers by the graves?" Turck asked. "I don't know. I've read about it, but can it tell you what was in his mind when he wrote it?"

He has one wish about "In Flanders Fields." He wishes it would be taught in schools.

"But they won't teach it," he said. "You know they won't. And that's how we forget."

jskass@tribune.com

Twitter @John_Kass

Source: http://chicagotribune.com

In search of spring at William O’Brien

In search of spring this Mother’s Day weekend, we headed north on Hwy 95 to William O’Brien State Park. I had hoped to canoe on the St. Croix River this Memorial Day weekend, but after seeing the river swollen, brown and flowing fast, I decided I would have to wait until later in the summer. Further back from the river along the trail, we found delicate spring wildflowers scattered throughout the woods like charms from a broken bracelet.

William O’Brien, which was designated as a Minnesota State Park in 1947, protects a number of unique natural habitats, including floodplain forest and groundwater seepage swamps. When the St. Croix runs high after the spring snow melt and heavy rains, the river floods up over its banks, scouring the surface of the floodplain and depositing silt and sediment when it subsides. Tall trees with shallow but far-reaching roots like cottonwood, silver maple, box elder and black willow are specially adapted for the frequent flooding.

Further inland from the river, groundwater seeps keep the soil moist year-round. In the spring, an abundance of water burbles to the surface, creating temporary streams and wetlands. Marsh marigolds are blooming right now, cheery yellow flowers with deep green leaves, and clumps of skunk cabbage dot the woods as well. The water in the springs is clear and cold.

On higher ground, woodland wildflowers are also blooming. While hiking, we saw round-lobed hepatica, bloodroot and wood violets. Some of the woodland flowers are ephemeral, meaning they only appear in the early spring when trees and shrubs are still bare and sunlight is able to reach the forest floor. Within a period of less than two months, they emerge, bloom, are pollinated by insects, set seed and then return to a state of dormancy, hidden underground for the rest of the year.

Bloodroot, named for its distinctive red sap, flowers for only a day or two before dying. Other woodland plants, like violets, remain green throughout the growing season, though they only bloom in the spring. Some, like hepatica and false rue anemone have colorful sepals instead of petals, which helps to explain their delicate appearance.

In the ponds the frogs are calling. Like spring wildflowers, many of them have also adapted to make use of meadows and woodlands that are only wet in the spring. Approximately half of all frogs and one-third of all salamander species in North America rely on ephemeral wetlands where they can lay their eggs, safe from hungry fish. Insects like dragonflies and damselflies also lay their eggs in seasonal ponds for the same reason. Further up the food chain, migratory birds and waterfowl follow the St. Croix River corridor on their journey north, stopping over in wetlands along the way.

Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota. Before long, summer will follow fast on its heels in a sweaty jumble of camping and bonfires, county fairs and grubby bare feet. For now, there is the fleeting joy of hiking without mosquitoes and finding flowers in the woods.

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

In belated Minnesota spring, when ice goes out, boats go in

As soon as the ice was off lakes McCarrons and Josephine in the northeast metro this spring, Mike Lobejko donned his waders and started scanning the lake bottoms with a metal detector.

On Friday, after turning up a ring, a 1937 penny and plenty of rusty nails in St. Paul's Lake Phalen, he explained why he goes out so early.

"It's the solitude," he said.

But that shouldn't last much longer.

With temperatures slated for the upper 50s this weekend and antsy anglers prepping for next weekend's fishing opener, area lakes should soon be swarming with activity.

In Ramsey County, every launch is open for the season, said spokeswoman Allison Winters.

The courtesy dock at White Bear Lake's county ramp is not out; last season it never made it out because of shallow water.
Sylvia Coleman, front, and University of Minnesota women’s rowing team members practice Friday on Lake Phalen. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)
Sylvia Coleman, front, and University of Minnesota women's rowing team members practice Friday on Lake Phalen. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)
The water is deep enough near Matoska Park for installation of a courtesy dock at the city launch Monday, said Mary Helmerick with the Public Works department.

Anglers aren't the only folks getting boats out on Ramsey County lakes.

On Phalen, the University of Minnesota women's rowing team is hosting a regatta against the University of Wisconsin on Sunday. This first race of the season is the team's only one at home.

"Obviously, we're hoping for sunshine," said Tracy Merth, graduate assistant coach. "I would expect some long sleeves out there at least."

For a week on either side of the fishing opener, a barge will be on Bald Eagle Lake applying a long-planned aluminum sulfate treatment meant to clear the water of phosphorus.

The treatment, set to begin Monday, will turn a milky white in the water, said Matt Kocian of the Rice Creek Watershed District. Kocian doesn't think the treatment will negatively affect the fishing opener, though. The barge will actually be beached over the opener, he said.

He said lake clarity, which averages about two feet during the year, should double after the treatment.

"It's going to make a huge difference," he said.

John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093. You should follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/jbrewerpipress.

The water level on White Bear Lake is up more than 10 inches since February and up more than 6 inches higher from a year ago, according to Alan Rupnow with Ramsey County Public Works.

Bald Eagle Lake is overflowing into a creek on its north end.

Turtle Lake is up more than 10 inches since this winter.



Source: http://www.twincities.com

How to save money in 11 easy ways sustainably

It’s always the little things that help move us in the right direction. Perhaps we lower the thermostat a couple degrees and see our energy bill drop. piggy bank green How to save money in 11 easy ways sustainably. Maybe we cut out out mindless snacking and our pants fit a little better. Possibly we take the stairs at work instead of the elevator and suddenly, we realize our stamina is a little better.

Regardless of what it is, one thing is for sure: simple tweaks have big results.

This goes along with our daily purchases, from bills to groceries to activities. With a few small switches, the savings will add up. Here are some of our favourites, that we might not necessarily think of otherwise.

Get a refill
Spending the afternoon in a local coffee shop? Most places offer free refills for about 50 cents – just ask, and save yourself a couple of dollars on your next brew.

Double the drugs
If you take a prescription that requires refills, ask your doctor to double the quantity, saving you the costs to get the next batch.

Keep at eye at the check-out
Watch the prices and items as your cashier scans your groceries – quite often, they make errors or sale prices fail to show up. When she rings your conventional bananas in as organic, you might be shelling out 50 cents more per pound.

Step away from the bookstore
Bookstores can be wallet drainers, but the library doesn’t always have the titles you want. Check out bookmooch.com, an online organization that arranges book swaps for free.

… But if you need to buy it…
Take a look at the prices at amazon.com, amazon.ca, and chapters.ca, which will save you on books, DVDs, music, and more – some at discounts reduced to just a couple dollars.

… And while you’re at it
Take a look at everything else they have to offer.

Free 411
Just dial 1-800-GOOG-411, say where you are, what you’re looking for, and choose from the options the computer gives you; they connect you, too – for free. If you have text messages, they send you info about the business, and if you have Internet, they send you a map.  Check it out here.

Go generic
The generic brand is often just as good as the brand name. And if you don’t like it? Most of them are store-owned, offering a money back guarantee. your car

Most SUVs, trucks, and some vans are gas guzzlers, but also require more insurance and often cost more for maintenance. If you don’t need it for specific reasons, switch it for a smaller sedan or compact.

Don’t opt for the econo-size
At the grocery store, check the price comparisons from small versions to large ones. Usually the price is listed per unit, and you can see if you really are getting a better deal – don’t assume that bigger always means cheaper.

Source: http://ecoki.com

Cut-A-Thon and Beyond

Let's help our environment! Help us meet our goal to raise funds for clean water with the help of Audubon Minnesota. A'salonna is hosting a annual Cut-A-Thon Monday April 14th from 2-6 pm. Openings still available; walk-ins are welcome!

Source: http://www.asalonna.com

How to Think Like an Entrepreneur

Creating your own wealth is easier than you think! Having the right mindset is key. The definition of an entrepreneur is someone who doesn't just run a business, they live their business: willing to take risks, and willing to do the work. There are a few guidelines to help you maximize your success as an entrepreneur:

1. VISION - DREAM BIG!

Be a visionary! An entrepreneur must have Eyes of Faith vs. Human Eyes. Human eyes see what is - Eyes of Faith see what can be. Visionaries can see through time and see the future.

2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

You have no limits to what you can do. Have the courage to re-invent yourself as greater than you ever imagined.

3. STRICT WORK ETHIC

Consistency and focused effort will produce results. You must make committed decisions. Typically, you won't make money instantly - it will take time to build your wealth - so being consistent is key!

4. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

Ingenuity is what fuels progress and wealth. If people aren't laughing at your vision, your goals aren't big enough. Take the lid off!

5. FOCUS

80% of your time should be invested on activities that will directly make you money

6. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Challenges are inevitable. Train your mind to welcome challenges. It breeds personal growth, strength of character, and allows you to remain flexible.

7. FAILING FORWARD

The only way to master every aspect of the business is to make mistakes!

8. RESEARCH

Do your homework on your industry. Position yourself as a resource to gain the competitive edge

9. FORTITUDE!

Be a pit bull for what you want. Persistence, tenacity, and fortitude will help you reach your goals

10. REWARDS! REWARDS! REWARDS!

Always keep your eyes on the prize. You can do it!

Gabby Taylor wins Miss Minnesota International

When Gabby Taylor prepared for a stunt during a routine practice with her East Ridge High School cheerleading squad at a competition in 2009, she had no idea it would be for the last time.
While practicing the stunt, a teammate landed with her shoulder on Taylor’s neck, sending searing pain down Taylor’s arm. The team tried the stunt again, with the same result. But Taylor thought she could power through the pain.

The third attempt ended the same way — but this time Taylor couldn’t move her right arm.
It was paralyzed for two-and-a-half years.
After a long struggle, Taylor is improving. She no longer attends physical therapy and has stayed out of the hospital for the past five months.
“I’ve gotten a lot of mobility back,” the Stillwater resident said. “I’m not 100 percent.”
But Taylor says what happened to her could happen to anyone participating in extra-curricular sports. That’s why she’s been working with the National Center for Sports Safety to educate students, parents and coaches about the importance of sports safety.

Now she has a new podium from which to proclaim her message.
Representing Stillwater, Taylor was recently crowned Miss Minnesota International two years after being crowned Miss Teen Minnesota at age 18, also representing Stillwater. She turned to pageants to replace cheerleading after her accident.
The Miss International competition is intended to focus on professional and community involvement among young women. Taylor’s platform in the competition was “Accidents Hurt, Safety Doesn’t.”
Taylor has already used her reign as Miss Teen Minnesota, as well has her position as a spokesperson for the National Center for Sports Safety, to spread her message. She focuses on helping students be advocates for themselves and on helping coaches and parents be aware of the dangers.
She says the “no pain, no gain” mentality can be harmful.

“Minnesota’s highly competitive,” Taylor said, referencing what she calls a “warrior culture.”
“I was told to push through it, to be better,” she said.
But that cost her a lot. It cost years of pain and lost mobility. It cost her the typical high school experience, though she did graduate from Stillwater Area High School by taking online classes after moving to the area during her senior year in 2012.
Taylor says she doesn’t blame her former coach for her injury, but she wishes she had known when to listen to her body’s signals and stop pushing.

“A lot of time we’re told that it’s not OK to fail and that mistakes are not acceptable,” she said. “So many students are afraid to just speak up and say something doesn’t feel right.”
Since her accident, Taylor has had the opportunity to speak in front of many students.
“Typically when I go up on stage and I speak and I have my crown and my banner, I’m not taken very seriously at first,” she said.
But then she tells her story.
“After I give my presentation … a lot of students come up to me,” she said.
She hopes her reign as Miss Minnesota International will give her many more opportunities to share her message.

This summer she will present her platform in Jacksonville, Fla., as she competes for the title of Miss International July 31 to Aug. 2.

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

Wandering along the River on a Wintry First Day of Spring

Hours after the official first minute of spring in the northern hemisphere, I strapped on snowshoes at a trailhead in Governor Knowles State Forest near Granstburg, Wisconsin. My dog, Lola, and I set out looking for signs of winter’s demise. Such signs were hard to find, but solitude and snow were in good supply.

The 32,500-acre Governor Knowles State Forest stretches along the St. Croix for 55 miles, providing trails for hikers, horses, and other outdoor pursuits. Visitors have documented 300 species of songbirds in the forest. The State Natural Area I was exploring contains many large red and white pines, dating back to the 1890s. (But I saw how the big windstorm of July 1, 2011 also did damage here.)

The State Forest is named after one of the St. Croix River region’s many conservation leaders. Governor Warren P. Knowles led the state from 1965-1971, in addition to previous stints as state senator and lieutenant governor. Knowles was a Republican born in River Falls, Wisconsin (along the Kinnickinnic River) and lived in New Richmond (along the Willow River).

Knowles “never missed an opportunity to get out and enjoy Wisconsin’s magnificent natural resources. He coupled this love for the outdoors with an unwavering commitment to conservation,” according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. While Governor, Knowles initiated efforts to reduce water pollution and expanded efforts to increase the acquisition of land for conservation purposes. He also founded the Governor’s Fishing Opener in 1968. Knowles died during a break from fishing on opening day in 1993. Read more about Governor Knowles State Forest here.

I chose to record the walk with a few photos, a video, and haiku, the brief Japanese poems which are perfect for nature notes. They have traditionally celebrated the seasons, and stressed natural imagery.

Source: http://www.stcroix360.com

The Mompreneur's Twist to Working "On" Your Business

For quality control I've been my own student in my own Faith Based Revenue Boosting Program. It is odd that something I've written created such epiphanies when applying it.

An early mentor stressed scheduling time weekly to both work "in" and "on" your business.

Seeing clients, marketing, team meetings, and day-to-day implementation constitute working "in" your business.

Working "on" your business includes planning, strategizing, reviewing, and creating productivity-enhancing systems.

Friday mornings I worked "on" my business.

But when I heard Alishia Willardson, Peak Power Coach, shared her peak personal power secrets, I knew I had to include her system in my routine. Finding time for her suggested daily power hour of reading, inspiration reading, and motivation gradually became a guarded segment of my day.

Alishia's recommended weekly 3-4 hour date with yourself proved a little trickier to work in. After indulging in several Power Date weeks and seeing the improvements in my clarity, creativity, and confidence, I determined to incorporate it.

I bounced my Fridays of working "on" my business and my peak power date. I even tried to blend the two, which didn't give me the satisfaction of either.

My conflicting priorities confounded when another mentor I respect made a compelling case in the connection between success and productivity and a well-ordered work and home environment. This wasn't new to me. My experience with personal organizers proved this true.

After the funds dried up for the professionals, I haphazardly implemented the plans to finish my home organizing. But with time clutter grew like moss on a brick wall. I ignored the disorder and undone projects until they were invisible. But they still weighed me down unconsciously.

Your outside environment reflects your insides.

I was growing. The chaos clashed with my internal order. I knew I needed to tackle those projects in time blocks. But when was I going to do that?

So, I followed my directive I read in my Faith Based Revenue Boosting Bootcamp: identify the weekly time blocks you will devote to completing business and personal projects.

By sitting still, thinking creatively, and listening, I discovered I did have three weekly blocks of time to assign to work projects, personal projects, and peak personal power time. They varied in length from 2-3 ½ hours. I would be flexible each week about which activity to allocate for which time.

The time existed!

Coaches help you see past your blind spots and allow you to be unstoppable pursuing your vision. It worked even when I was mentoring myself.


Source: http://catholicwomensguide.com/

Guinness drops sponsorship of New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade

St. Patrick's Day festivities were in full swing Sunday with the usual merriment of bagpipes and beer, but political tensions lingered in the northeastern U.S., where city leaders and certain sponsors will be conspicuously absent from parades over gay rights issues.

On Sunday, Guinness announced that it would drop its sponsorship of the parade in New York City.

"Guinness has a strong history of supporting diversity and being an advocate for equality for all. We were hopeful that the policy of exclusion would be reversed for this year's parade. As this has not come to pass, Guinness has withdrawn its participation. We will continue to work with community leaders to ensure that future parades have an inclusionary policy," the beer company said in a statement.

Other beer companies have joined the boycotts, with Sam Adams withdrawing its sponsorship of Boston's parade and Heineken following suit in New York, reports CBS New York.

The move by Guinness was praised by GLAAD.

"Today, Guinness sent a strong message to its customers and employees: discrimination should never be celebrated," said GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis. "As a gay mom who has fond memories of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, it saddens me that I can't give those same memories to my own kids because my family isn't welcome. Hopefully, as parade organizers realize that anti-LGBT discrimination is not supported by sponsors, or many Irish New Yorkers, they'll see that families like mine should be part of the celebration."

New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio will become the first mayor in decades to sit out the traditional march Monday because parade organizers refuse to let participants carry pro-gay signs. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh wasn't marching in his city's parade Sunday, either, after talks broke down that would have allowed a gay group to march.

Still, thousands of green-clad spectators came out for the parade in Boston, and a similar scene played out in downtown Philadelphia.

In Georgia, the dome of Savannah's City Hall will be lit green, and several thousand people braved temperatures in the teens on Sunday to march with pipe and drum bands in Detroit and Bay City, Mich.

In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day provides the launch of the country's annual push for tourism, a big part of the rural economy.

"To Irish people by birth or descent, wherever they may be in the world, and to those who simply consider themselves to be friends of Ireland, I wish each and every one of you a happy, peaceful and authentically Irish St. Patrick's Day," Irish President Michael D. Higgins, the ceremonial head of state and guest of honor at Monday's parade in Dublin, said in a statement.

Ireland's head of government, Enda Kenny, became the first Irish prime minister to attend Boston's annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast Sunday.

But Kenny has resisted pressure, in both Ireland and America, to support the gay rights lobby's demand to have equal rights to parade on St. Patrick's Day and he planned to march Monday in New York.

"The St. Patrick's Day parade (in New York) is a parade about our Irishness and not about sexuality, and I would be happy to participate in it," he said in Dublin before leaving for a six-day trip to the U.S.

Parade organizers have said gay groups are not prohibited from marching, but are not allowed to carry gay-friendly signs or identify themselves as LGBT.

Some LGBT groups plan to protest the parade along Manhattan's Fifth Avenue on Monday.

Other groups had planned to gather at the city's historically significant Stonewall Inn, where the gay rights movement was born, to dump Guinness beer from its shelves in protest of the beer company's parade sponsorship.

New York's parade, a tradition that predates the city itself, draws more than 1 million spectators and about 200,000 participants every March 17. It has long been a mandatory stop on the city's political trail, and will include marching bands, traditional Irish dancers and thousands of uniformed city workers.

Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride - 2014

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