Cash for college students

As the parent of a college freshman, I'm learning quickly how frequently their pockets get emptied. College has incidental expenses above and beyond the obvious, such as tuition, room, board, and books. I remember that in addition to finishing my finals, one of the best things about a semester change was the chance to sell back the books I had paid so dearly for at the beginning of the semester. As a hint, hold onto the ones in your major. You may actually reference them in the future.

But for my offspring and her friends? If you need some extra cash over your holiday break? We have reviewed different book selling services and our research shows that Cash4Books.net frequently pays more than any other company.

Now through the end of the year, they are paying an additional 10%.

If you are going to sell back any of your textbooks, check out Cash4Books, first. As a disclaimer, Fresh Daily Bread does have a professional relationship with this company. Regardless, of all the book services we work with, this has consistently been reported to pay the highest of any service. It's worth checking out.

Happy Holidays & good luck on finals!

(and in that mom voice you know so well, don't forget to eat something healthy and get some sleep).
With love,
Mom

What good is gratitude? (infographic)

John Templeton Foundation | Here's My Chance

Social media as a business tool

Selling Through Social Media to Close More Leads InsideView

Is profanity really necessary?

The other day, my spouse dropped his phone and the screen shattered. We knew it was an easy fix, for an expert. In fact when we called the business, they told it it would be about 45 minutes. We were happy, took the phone in and ran a few errands.

I didn't like the name of the repair store, as it contained profanity. It really bothered me that it's such commonplace that a business can actually use profanity in their name. Ironically, their signage removes the second "S" so it uses the word as, instead of a**. In fact, my naivete was on full display as I thought the company was making a play on the name of the founder (thinking it was Brokeas). I was wrong. When we walked in the store, and filled out the paperwork and then received an invoice, indeed, it did say "Broke Ass".

Really?

Yes. Really.

Maybe that seems petty on my part to be upset that a mainstream company would capitalize on profanity to market their wares. I was also upset about a popular Facebook page called, "I f*ing love science". Well, I love science too, but I can love it without f*ing it. And it bothers me.

It's not that I'm old or crotchety either. I was driving around with my 15 year old and I remarked that it bothered me how we had to take our phone to be fixed at a place that used profanity in their company name. She looked at me and said, "Yeah, I know. It's like Idiocracy",  (the 2006 film about how dumb our nation is in 500 years), where the most popular restaurant is:

Butt:F***ers

It's insulting to dumb down our vernacular to the profane. We're smarter than that. Or are we? Because it's seemingly still funny to make a play on words, from children's entertainment to reputable businesses.

What do you think? Am I missing something?

The Ultimate Life Giveaway

Are you living THE ULTIMATE LIFE?

Between the pressure of running a foundation started by his late grandfather, being sued by his greedy extended family, and seeing his beloved Alexia leave on an extended mission trip to Haiti, Jason Stevens' world is unraveling. But when Jason discovers a journal that his grandfather began as a Depression-era lad, his writings transport Jason on an incredible rags-to-riches ride. With everything he loves hanging in the balance, Jason hopes he can discover THE ULTIMATE LIFE.

Opening in theaters September 6, THE ULTIMATE LIFE (the sequel to The Ultimate Gift) reminds us some things are worth more than money!

With The Ultimate Life Blog App, take the quiz to find out if YOU are Living Life to the Fullest! Read six great ways to start living the ultimate life NOW, as written by Jim Stovall, author of The Ultimate Life book. And watch the official trailer for this inspiring movie! One lucky reader will win The Ultimate Life prize package, which includes: 

• A DVD of The Ultimate Gift, the pre-quel to The Ultimate Life
• The Ultimate Gift book by Jim Stovall
• The Ultimate Gift charm bracelet
• The Ultimate Life leather-bound journal

To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog with the results of your Ultimate Life quiz by September 15, 2013 midnight EST. Winner to be chosen from the comments. 

promotional consideration given to The Ultimate Life for this great prize package

Getting Older

I'm winding down. My body clock has sent me all sorts of hints. The night sweats/heat flashes, the weight gain. My uterus has been checking the balance in her 401K on a monthly basis. Apparently now is the time.

I got excited when I figured out that I could zoom my computer screen print larger. I haven't quite admitted I need bi-focals. It's way more fun to spend half my day looking for glasses. The irony is that I need them to drive, not to read. The problem is once I put them on to drive, I cannot read unless I take them off. Hence always looking for them.

I am happy that there are pretty flip flops because my feet don't like heels anymore. Actually they never did, but I was patient enough to endure.

Speaking of patience, mine seems to be evaporating with my estrogen. I get annoyed more easily, but I also apologize more quickly when I'm a jerk.

So I'm getting older. Missing a period in my 20s meant something so much different than it does today. Today missing one means I'm just getting older and they are slowing down.

Then the slice of me that isn't thrilled about getting older wonders... maybe? Am I? Could I be? So I spend an hour researching the chances of a vasectomy reversing after 15 years. Turns out that the chances are about 1 in 4,000. Coupled with the chances of a 47 year old woman conceiving? About 5% after trying for a year. I'm no statistician, but I'm going to say it's time to admit I'm aging.

I probably should have known it was going to happen. I've gained weight, been moody, and had the hot flashes. In fact, this spring, I had an epic hot flash incident that I've laughed about relentlessly, perhaps that laughter was a form of denial.

What was the incident you ask?

Oh heck, why not?

I was visiting family out of state. Our travel arrangements were such that my husband was flying in later that evening. So I wanted to wait up for him. We had been drinking wine earlier in the evening and it was a cooler night in Florida. Everyone went to bed, but I sat up alone, entertaining myself on the internet until he arrived.

Then it hit me. A hot flash so enormous I was certain that flames were shooting out of my ears. In a desperate attempt to quell the heat, I looked at the cool ceramic tile floor. I laid down flat on the floor pressing my face against the tile, just enjoying the relief. I actually thought the idea through as much as a menopausal brain can.

Mom decided she would keep me company so she came back out to the kitchen to find me face down on the floor. "WHAT are you doing?" she exclaimed, shaking her head, and also grateful that I wasn't hurt, but just laying on the floor for some strange reason.

I stood up, very matter of factly, and explained I had been having a hot flash and wanted to cool down quickly, I even asked her to touch my neck to prove how hot I was.

She clucked and looked at me and said, "Why didn't you take off your sweater?"

Oh. Or I could have done that.

Yeah, I'm getting older.

Worker bee works for me

I'm posting this on my publicly personal blog. This is where I share things that are interesting to me but not necessarily marketable or promoting anything but my state of mind. And my audience is primarily my friends, though I don't object if others want to know what's on my mind.

I use this space to tell stories about my life and family and to promote folks I know who are doing cool things in film and media. Sprinkled with more of my life stories.

Today is a reflection.

One of my favorite celebrities is Steven Van Zandt. I discovered him as a Springsteen fan, but that gypsy boy is the one I have my celebrity crush on. He's cool as hell and I love when he does interesting things. So today, I found a recent interview with him and I figured out why he resonates so much with me.

He was being interviewed about his career as Springsteen's right hand and then again as the Soprano's right hand. He is who I fancy myself to be as he explained how much he enjoys being behind the scenes, not the star. The worker bee. I repeatedly tell folks I'm not leader material. I am the one who does what needs to be done. Another pop culture reference is the teen hit from a few years ago, Sky High, where the world was divided into heroes and sidekicks. I'm the Robin to Batman. I'm proudly sidekick all the way.

In my career life, I was an assistant, a Vice Pres, a helper. I like that role. It suits me well. Some folks need glory and titles, I need results. My experience says that you get more done behind the scenes instead of at the helm.

It doesn't mean I don't have my own talent, it means that my talent is best magnified by working with another. I am not comfortable with the role of being in charge. So let me take my gifts and help make you the best you can be. I'm cool with being Little Steven or Robin. I just want to make a difference and I don't need or want marquis billing.

So... my question is -- what are you?