How to Help The Less Fortunate During the Holidays

If you are thinking about doing something to help those in need, the holidays are the perfect time to open your heart and wallet to give back. For advice and tips on how you can give back, see our page on How to Help The Less Fortunate During the Holidays.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, the holidays can be a time to reflect on all of the things that you have to be thankful for (Friends, Family, Food, Work, etc). But it can also be a great opportunity to turn your attention to individuals and families who may, for one reason or another, not be as fortunate as you. Here are some tips on giving back this holiday season.
Step 1: Find A Local Charity - The first step to volunteering is to find a charity that needs help during the holiday season. Since you're probably going to be volunteering in your free time, it's usually a good idea to find one relatively close to your home. Here are some tips for finding a local charity: Start by doing an online search. Check out volunteer search services such as Network for Good, Volunteer Match and 1-800-Volunteer to help locate and identify charities in your area. Simply type in your state and zip code. Contact your local religious institution to find out if they have any volunteer opportunities available for the holiday season. Make a list of 4 or 5 charities in your area that you might want to volunteer for.
Step 2: Contact Those Charities - Start by calling each of the charities or organizations on your list. Ask to speak to whoever coordinates their charitable programs. Find out if they actually need volunteers. Some organizations may have all of the volunteers that they need or can handle, so it's always good to find out beforehand. If they do need help, inquire about how you can go about signing up to volunteer.
Step 3: Decide How You Want To Help
While most people picture volunteering as helping serve a large buffet dinner, soup kitchens and food banks usually need help in a number of areas. Here are some other areas you might want to think about helping out with: Pick up food or clothing donations and/or do an inventory of the items. If you have cooking skills, offer to help cook the meal. Help set up for and clean up after the meal. Put up promotional flyers for the event. Donate Food If you don't have enough free time to volunteer, another great way to help out is to donate food to a local charity or food bank. Food donations are welcome any time of year, but are especially helpful during the holiday season. Here are a few tips for donating food.
Things to Keep In Mind - Call your local charity or food bank and inquire about exactly what types of food they need. Each organization is different and may have different needs. Most food banks prefer non-perishable canned food items, such as canned vegetables, soups, sauces, etc. Organizations that serve free meals may appreciate perishable food items as well. If you're feeling really ambitious, you can hold a food drive and invite others to help you collect food. Donate food to your local food bank Take any food that you have collected directly to your local food bank. Make sure that you check the expiration dates on any food items you will be donating. Bad food is worse than no food at all. Adopted from www.mahalo.com

Monthly Stress Reducer - MAD GIFT GIVING GUIDE

Exchanging gifts, while fun in theory, offers endless potential for aggravation: Thronging crowds, ransacked stores, confusion, indecision, cash depletion and, finally, the belated knowledge that you bought the wrong thing.
And even worse, perhaps, is receiving a spousal gift that you wouldn't buy for your worst enemy. Well, maybe for your worst enemy, but only if it's on sale.
But there is a cure for the holiday gift blues. Just substitute this agreement for those subtle hints -- the ones that are always either missed or misconstrued. Then kiss that Returns Counter good-bye. This year's gifts are for keeps.

GIFTS FOR WIFE:

1. Self-serving gifts shall be avoided. For example, Husband shall not buy Wife the following:
a. Chocolate when Wife is on a diet.
b. Tight clothing meant to encourage Wife to diet.
c. Anything transparent.
2. Husband shall not give Wife practical gifts such as an iron, a dish washer, or a vacuum cleaner... unless husband plans to use them.
3. Husband shall keep track of Wife's clothing sizes, except those Wife refuses to divulge.
4. Husband shall not give Wife anything that can be bought at an airport.
5. Husband shall not buy Wife earrings that weigh more than her head.
6. Husband shall remember that gifts should be personal. Gift certificates, checks, and wads of cash are not personal...unless large enough to buy a diamond watch.
7. Husband shall avoid all of the following:
a. His former girl-friend's favorite fragrance.
b. His mother's favorite fragrance.
c. Anything Wife admires on someone else, unless Husband confirms candor of compliment.
8. Husband is encouraged to buy Wife gifts in the following categories:
a. Anything Wife specifically requests.
b. Catalogue items discreetly circled by Wife.
c. Any object containing silver, platinum, and/or gold.

GIFTS FOR HUSBAND:

1. Wife shall not give Husband anything that smells like perfume...no matter how macho its name or spokesman.
2. Wife shall not buy Husband home repair manuals.
3. Wife shall not give Husband anything "cute" or containing the word "organizer."
4. Wife shall not get Husband anything used in a gym.
5. Wife shall not buy Husband silk boxers, unless she agrees to wear a matching pair.
6. Wife shall not give Husband anything that's for Husband's own good.
7. Wife is encouraged to buy husband items in the following categories:
a. Anything Couple's twelve year old son would like.
b. Sporting equipment, provided Husband can exchange it for something with a better feel.
c. Stereo and electronic equipment, provided Husband can exchange it for something with more oomph. Adopted From www.madkane.com

Recipe Of The Month - Chocolate Raspberry Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened


• 1 cup sugar


• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar


• 2 large eggs


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 1/3 cup Dutch process cocoa


• 1 teaspoon baking powder


• 1 (6-ounce) package raspberry creme filled dark chocolate baking pieces (recommended: Hershey's Premier Dark Chocolate Baking Pieces Filled With Raspberry Creme)
  Raspberry Icing, recipe follows
  

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars together at medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.
In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Stir in baking pieces. Drop cookies by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes.
Remove to wire racks to cool. Once cool, drizzle with Raspberry Icing.

Raspberry Icing:

• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar


• 2 tablespoons milk


• 1 tablespoon seedless raspberry preserves
  In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until smooth

Don't Get Bit By The Clutterbug!

here's a clutterbug going around. It starts with a sticky note, then evolves into boxes here, stuff there. Pretty soon, it's taken over. Swat the clutterbug and organize your life.

It starts off as small as a sticky note. Soon, it's a pile of stuff. Then, just when you least expect it, you discover that the Clutter bug is running amuck, all over your home and office. If you don't watch out, you'll get bit. The consequences are stress, lost time, lost productivity, embarrassment, arguments, depression and environmental chaos--just to name a few. Swat that Clutter bug now, and take back control!

• LOOK AROUND - What damage has the Clutter bug already caused? Do you see piles of paper? Are there magazines all over the place? Is your laundry out of control? Do you have 10 times more stuff than what you really need? Consider yourself bitten! Assess your situation. Make a written list of the specific problem areas. Don't just say, 'everything is disorganized.' That's too difficult a problem to solve. Instead, list things like, 'coffee table has 3 piles of paper on it' or '2 hamper's full of laundry to be washed.'


• FOCUS - The Clutter bug is strong, and needs to be attacked with very focused efforts. Choose the problem area that bothers you the most, and then focus your time and efforts on that one area. Once that area is taken care of, you can then move on to your next focus area.


• CHECK YOUR FRAME OF MIND - The only words that should be going through your mind are, 'I'm going to get that Clutter bug, no matter what it takes!' By the way, a little bit of bribery helps. Bribe yourself. Promise yourself a nice lunch out, or a visit to a movie you've been meaning to see--WHEN you're done attacking the clutter bug.


• PLAN OF ATTACK - Be sure you know how to attack the Clutter bug Read organizing books from the experts. Visit organizing forums. Hire someone to help, or ask a family member, friend or associate to assist you. The Clutter bug has a trick he plays on us. He makes our clutter seem insurmountable--too much to tackle at once. It's easy to outwit the Clutter bug, if you simply break your organizing project up into small pieces. For instance, if you want to organize a table full of paper, mentally break that table up into 4 sections (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left) and focus on one section at a time.


• DATE OF ATTACK - Don't think you're going to deal with the Clutter bug, 'when you get around to it.' That time rarely comes. Set a specific date, mark it on your calendar, and wake up prepared and ready to fight.


• CHARGE - When the scheduled date arrives, play some motivational music, grab all your weapons (trash bags, donation boxes, cleaning sprays, etc.), eliminate distractions (ask someone to watch the kids for you, switch your phone so calls go directly into your answering machine, etc.) and charge right into attacking the Clutter bug with all your might.


• CELEBRATE - Reward yourself for all of your efforts. Tell the world about your victories.Give yourself a 'chore free' day. Do something nice for yourself. You deserve it! Adopted from http://lifeorganizers.com/

Vitamins For The Mind! - Staying Positive In A Struggle When Others Are Frustrated!

“What can you do to enable positive attitudes as the struggle continues so those around you don’t get frustrated with your struggle recovery?” Here are a couple of ideas for you:

Be an example and have the attitude you want others to have. Those who are around you the most will respond to whatever attitude you have the most. If you are going through a struggle and they see you embracing it, moving forward, looking for the bright side, and working hard to improve the situation, this will encourage them.

Express gratitude. Let those around you know that you are thankful for many things, including their support, love, and encouragement.

Understand you can’t change everybody. Some of the people around you may continue to react negatively and remain frustrated. By being the right kind of person and doing the things you need to do to help the situation, you have the peace of mind to understand that they are not frustrated with you, but with the situation. They may “take it out” on you from time to time, and after this occurs you may want to have a talk with them. The purpose of this talk will be to ask them, “Are you frustrated with me, or the situation?” Then listen. Chances are good that it will be the situation, especially if you are doing all you can. If they say it is you, then you will need to understand why. Perhaps you are doing something that they see as making the situation worse that you have not considered. If they are right, this is great news because you have more room to improve. Maybe you just need a time of forgiveness and reconciliation. Or maybe they are the ones with the problem. In any case, you need to find out if they are part of your struggle and recovery. Embrace The Struggle! Adopted From http://www.ziglar.com/

What Breed Of Dog Suits Me Best?

How much time can you spare to exercise a dog each week? How long can you spend grooming? The Dog Breed Selector is a quick and easy way to decide, from the many pedigree breeds available, which are best suited to your likes, needs and lifestyle.

To create a breed selection all you need to do is answer a few quick questions. The Breed Selector will compare your priorities with our library of breed profiles and display a list of suitable dog breeds. You can click on to learn more about each individual breed.

Of course cross- and mixed breed dogs make excellent and rewarding pets too, but as they are so variable we are unable to make any general comments about their characteristics. Adopted From http://www.purina.com/.

Go To http://www.purina.com/dog/breed-selector/default.aspx
To Find Out Which Dog Works For You!

Best Holiday Safety Tips For Kids & Pets!

Even if the house is kid-proof or pet-proof the rest of the year, holiday decorations pose special hazards. Those vintage bubble-lights from Grandma might have a frayed wire. Christmas trees are laden with choking hazards and sometimes also fire hazards. To a playful dog, some extension cords look like chew toys. And of course, a lit Hanukkah menorah is an accident waiting to happen.
No need to be a party-pooper, though! Just follow these basic holiday safety tips to keep small kids, dogs and cats safe:
— Avoid decorating with real plants like holly, poinsettia and mistletoe, which are all poisonous when ingested. Choose fabulous fakes instead.
— Place candles and menorahs out of reach of kids and pets. If a toddler is especially fascinated with the candles, consider setting up his or her playpen near them but not close enough to touch.
— Placing a screen around the tree keeps curious kids and pets out of the decorations - and the presents!
— Choose decorations carefully. Tinsel is a choking hazard (and something cats love to eat - which can be very dangerous for their digestive system), angel hair is spun glass, and these decorations almost always find their way off the tree and around the rest of the house. Better to choose different decorations altogether than to take a chance!
— Be sure adults know not to leave hot drinks where curious kids or playful pets can reach them or bump into them.
— Practice kitchen safety. Make sure pot handles are turned inward on the stove, and that pans of hot food aren't on the edge of the counter within reach of a small child. And of course, store food safely and promptly when the party is finished!
— Clean up the night after the Christmas or Hanukkah party or family gathering. A whole house-cleaning isn't necessary, but do make sure that all cups of alcoholic beverages and random cigarette butts are disposed of before going to bed - because the kids will probably wake up earlier than the grown-ups and might sample these forbidden items.
— Make sure dogs and cats have a quiet place to go in the house - they can get stressed out by large crowds and run out. Of course, a collar with a name tag on it is a good idea any time of year!
— Many accidents involving small children happen when everyone thinks someone else is watching the kids. If Mom needs to work in the kitchen and Dad's running a holiday errand, they should designate another responsible family member to watch the kiddos.
Keeping kids, dogs and cats safe during the holidays requires extra vigilance, but taking steps to ensure their safety ahead of time means a happier, more relaxed holiday for everyone! Adopted From http://www.suite101.com/

10 ways to dump your debt in 2011

A great deal has changed in the past year, and even more has changed over the decade since we ushered in 2000. I recall that the world as we knew it might have ended due to us being unprepared for the dreaded Y2K bug, lurking in our computer networks!

Well, that never materialized and neither did our more positive resolutions to cut back on our debts. Now that we are a decade into the new century, it is appropriate to offer 10 new tips for the next year that will help you get that debt devil under control.

Here are my top 10 ways to get rid of consumer debt in 2011.

• Know what you owe. - To get where you need to be, you need to know where you are starting. Gather up all your statements and determine how much you owe in total. If you don't like the answer, this negative exercise can give you the oomph to get going.


• Yes, you can, with a plan! - Having a spending plan for your income is the best way to ensure that you are spending your hard-earned money in the way you want and most importantly, in the way that assures your financial success.


• Make your own Treasury stimulus plan. - Review your income tax withholding. If you are receiving a tax refund of more than $600, you are providing an interest-free loan to the IRS. A better idea is to adjust your withholding -- have less money taken out for income taxes -- and use those funds earning zero percent interest to help pay down your high interest consumer debt.


• Save like there is a tomorrow. - Start an automatic savings plan. The simplest way to avoid unwanted debt is to have money set aside for those unexpected or large expenses that we all have. When you have money taken from your paycheck or checking account and automatically deposited into a savings account, you will hardly notice. But you will be building a very important financial tool -- liquid savings. Your savings goal should be six months to a year of living expenses.


• Half of nothing will be something. - Commit money you don't have yet to paying down your debt. Use at least 50 percent of any new raises, bonuses, tax refunds or other source of additional income to give yourself a boost in paying off expensive debt.


• Beam my payments up, Scotty. - Set up automatic electronic banking payments. A late payment can trigger a hefty late fee, and may result in an increased interest rate on future credit card purchases. Electronic payments will help avoid a payment arriving late and increasing the cost of your debt.


• Debtor beware. - Take some time to review your credit reports to make sure they contain accurate information. Get a copy of your reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you have ugly credit caused by errors, this will hurt your credit score. If you find inaccurate information, dispute the item with the credit bureau that reported it.


• If it's too good to be true, it is. - Don't fall for debt settlement scams or schemes. Lenders don't want to settle. If you must, use an attorney or don't do it at all.


• Jingle bills, jingle bills - Don't forget to plan for 2011 holiday expenses. Every year, people seek help after the holidays because overspending on gifts, travel and other holiday expenses pushes them over the financial edge. Set a limit, fund it with yearlong savings and enjoy the season for a change.


• Don't call the Ghostbusters. - Ignoring a financial problem will only make matters worse. Get professional help now if you need it. You can find a trusted, nonprofit, free credit counseling agency at Aiccca.org or Nfcc.org. Card issuers will be required to include a toll-free number for credit counseling on statements after February.
  Adopted From www.bankrate.com.

Reel Partner Of The Month! Reel Painting & Flooring

Are you getting ready for Christmas? Do you want a couple of rooms painted in time for the holidays? We will get it done before your guests arrive and it will look fantastic! We believe paint goes on the walls. Not on the floor. Not on the ceiling. Not on the furniture. Paint lines should be straight and professional looking. Holes repaired, not painted over. We are also “lead-based certified” for homes built before 1978.

We set the same kind of high standards in regards to the beautiful hardwood, laminate and tile work that we do as well! We are detail oriented and satisfaction guaranteed!

Call Zach Today To Arrange For A Free Estimate At (317) 946-8017

Ask The Reel Team A Questions:Special Rules for Members of the Military, the Foreign Service & the Intelligence Community

Congress has acknowledged the unique circumstances affecting members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community by making the following exceptions that apply to both the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers.

Exemption From Tax Credit Recapture Rules

Typically, homes that are sold or that cease to be used as a principal residence within three years of the initial purchase are subject to recapture of the tax credit.

However, qualified service members who sell or move from a tax credit home within three years of the initial purchase due to official extended duty are exempt from the recapture rule.

Extension of Tax Credit Deadlines

For qualified service members who are ordered on a period of official extended duty, these dates are extended. For these home buyers, the tax credit applies to sales with a binding sales contract in place on or before April 30, 2011 and closed by June 30, 11.
A person who is forced to return to the U.S. for medical reasons before completing an assignment of at least 90 days of qualified official extended duty outside of the United States may qualify for the one-year extension.

Definitions

“Qualified service member” means a member of the uniformed services of the U.S military, a member of the Foreign Service of the U.S., or an employee of the intelligence community.
“Official extended duty” means any period of extended duty outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after December 31, 2008 and ending before May 1, 2010. Adopted from www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Reel Free Classifieds

$60 Pets 317-327-1397 They have over 100 pet option. Some highlights:

— Ferris(Beagle Mix) - He going to make some lucky person so happy! ID:A155580
— Wheezy(Tabby) - She is about a year old now & big, beautiful eyes. ID:A147922
— McKenna(Jack Russell Terrier/Shepherd Mix) She is a wiggly, snuggly, happy puppy, about 5-6 months old ID:A155807
— Wesley(Australian Shepherd/Collie Mix) - he is about 1 year old, and a nice medium size. ID:A156520
— Lola(Calico Mix)-she is not quick to give her love away ... you have to earn her trust. ID:A147326
— Felton(German Shepherd Mix)-knows how to sit and shake. 2yrs old ID:A156410
For More Pets Go To http://www.indy.gov/egov/city/dps/accd/Pages/home.aspx

Reel Deals

— CHAIR/RECLINER- good condition. $50. Call (317)791-7101
— CLAW FOOT TUB-Old, iron, in great shape. NW side of Indy. $99. Please call (317)460-7500
— CHAIN SAW McCulloch, 24 inch bar. $99.00. 317-549-3618
— DINETTE- 5 piece, formica top, $60. (317)791-7101
— DOG HOUSE X-X-Large -Custom Built Painted & Trimmed. $99. (317)549-3618

Charities Events

— Jingle Bell Run and Walk Saturday, 12/11/2010, 9:00 AM.at Conseco Fieldhouse. A 5K run and walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. call 317-879-0321.
— Toys for Tots Program at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Sponsored by the YMCA and the US Marine Reserve Corps. In the Champions Pavilion, Dec. 18, 8 AM to 1 PM. Free for pre-registered families. Info: See Web site below or call 317-713-8549.
— Operation Comedy -Athenaeum Theatre.1/8/2011 A comedy tour to benefit members of Indiana's military and the Wounded Warrior Project. $15 ($10 with military or student ID). VIP meet-and-greet at 7 PM, show at 8 PM. Call 317-294-9755.