Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Attaining A Debt Free Lifestyle

Many people have been taught that you cannot get ahead without debt. We are also inundated with advertising telling us we can have anything we want. All we need to do is put it on our credit card.We have become an impatient society, we want it right now. We have lost the ethic of working for what we want.It is not how much money you make; it is what you do with it. By living without debt yo. . .

A Dog Day Care Franchise - Is It Really Worth It?

When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000 dogs in the United States alone, you can see why many people consider taking advantage of a dog day care franchise.However, before you even think about a dog day care franchise, please do a self evaluation and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.A dog day care franchise is a tremendous responsibility. It requires a lot of ti. . .

A Dog Day Care Business Can Be a Lot Of Fun!

If you love dogs and you enjoy making money then a dog day care business may be a very good fit for you!Let me ask you a question, "Can you imagine starting your very own dog day care business?" If you asked yourself that question and still aren't sure, let me give you a bit of dog day care business advice....First, make sure that you truly love dogs. Second, study your area and see if there is. . .

Family Time

When you pick up any magazine, it’s easy to find an abundance of articles to help you organize your life. Most offer tips for cleaning out the closets, shuffling the papers on the desk, finding ways to organize the kid’s toys. But, here’s a different twist. We’d like to help you organize your time to find some precious, extra moments to spend with your family.Many parents are frantic because . . .

Our House is a Danger Zone

Home is where the heart is, so they say. But for 20,000 Americans each year, home is where the heart stops beating. According to a 2002 study, that's how many Americans fall victim to fatal injuries in their own homes.At this rate, it will take just 14,750 years for clumsiness and carelessness to wipe out the entire population. Fortunately, al-Qaeda is not aware of this statistic and remains. . .

Just Because The Phone Rings...

Brrrrrringgg. The telephone rang. It was as predictable as Niagara Falls. We had just sat down to a piping hot dinner, so of course the telephone would ring. My wife reminded me that just because the phone rings, doesn't mean we have to answer it, but..."Hello," I answered."Good evening, sir. I am calling to let you know about a fantabulous new insurance program that will protect you, your . . .

Parental Hostility: What Will This Bring To Your Children...

One of the most important factors influencing kids' adjustments to their parents' separation or divorce is the level of parental hostility. How bad or how well children go through the divorce depends on how the situation is handled.To give you concrete idea on what parental hostility will bring to your child, a list of several studies conducted by different researchers relative to hostility bet. . .

Top 10 Secrets to Avoiding “Marital Money Chaos©”

Money can wreck a relationship. In fact, how they spend, save, and account for money is one of the leading sources of disagreements between couples. In almost every study, money ranks as the first or second most argued-about topic for couples and partners.If you currently suffer from “Marital Money Chaos©” you can follow these secrets and achieve more financial success together than you ever co. . .

Save $100 A Month With A Grocery Journal

Many people think personal journaling means writing a book of deep thoughts, but the most useful journals are simple notebooks that contain mundane lists, like grocery lists or to-do lists. I teach journaling workshops, and people are surprised when I tell them they can save over $100 a month by keeping a grocery journal. A grocery journal will insure that you'll never lose extra savings becaus. . .

Ordering Flowers

As former florists, we witnessed all too often "Order Gatherers" taking advantage of consumers. These companies even purchase ads in your local yellow pages. They buy sponsored ads in major search engines online. They create websites that lead you to believe that they are a local florist. These companies often work in a call center, far removed from the recipient of your flower gift. These comp. . .

Aghhh! My Cat Has Got Fleas...

So, how come my cat has got fleas? Cats that are allowed outside pick up fleas by socializing with other cats or just by walking through territory where other cats have been.Think that your indoor only cat is safe? Not so, fleas can travel into your home on your clothing (white garments seem particularly attractive to fleas). Once inside your home they easily transfer themselves to your cat . . .

Doggie Day Care is an Awesome Alternative

Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in our society. This is mainly due to the fact that there are so many dogs all around the world and people are looking for a good alternative to the routine trip to the kennel.Don't get me wrong. There are very good kennels all around the world but doggie day care is unique. Doggie day care is designed to provide dog owners with the assurance . . .

Valentine's Day Flowers

Valentine's Day is Monday, February 14th! Flowers & Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine will be so thrilled to receive a beautiful flower arrangement! Of course, Roses are known for their association with love. They are available in many colors and can create quite an impressive presentation. For a really impressive arrangement, send a 2 or 3 dozen rose arrangement, WOW!If you w. . .

How To Avoid Scam Artist When Donating To Tsunami Relief

Millions of people have shown their true character by making cash donations to charitable groups providing relief to those devastated by the Tsunami. While your actions are a shining example of the best traits of people, a few unsavory groups are trying to make a profit off of the tragedy. You can avoid these scam artists by taking a few simple steps. Charitable organizations rely on tax- deduc. . .

Five Inexpensive Ways to Help Your Children Invest in Hol...

Christmas memories are never dependent on the amount of money spent or the popularity of the toy. Memories are made up of amount of heart invested and given. This year, let your children invest their time and hearts in making Christmas memories for your family. 1. Buy white or red place mats and let your children create their own artwork with fabric crayons. A placemat can be made for each gues. . .

Beware of the Newest Activity Online… Phishing.

No. I’m not talking here about the outdoor activity enjoyed by many. And no again; I did not misspell it. Phishing is the name given to the latest online scam where millions of unwary Americans are getting their identities stolen. This fraudulent activity is considered the fastest growing crime of modern times. The favorite target groups of phishers seem to be very young children and senior cit. . .

Living in LOVE : Remembering why you married

The kids are yelling, the dog is barking, and you just found out that your spouse forgot to do the one thing that you needed them to do today…again! This scenario may sound typical for your family, or your scenario could be worse. Maybe you and your spouse are arguing more and more, and connecting less and less? You may have even asked yourself, “Is this marriage a mistake?”. Though you kne. . .

Can This Relationship Be Helped?

I have been counseling couples for 35 years. Quite often individuals come in for help wondering if it is really possible to save or improve their relationship. Perhaps their partner is totally uninterested in working on the relationship. Perhaps their partner is an alcoholic or drug addict. What are their chances of saving their relationship?Since two people always get together at their common . . .

Creating a Kids Theme Party

The easiest way to plan a great kids party is to start with a theme into which all the different party elements fit perfectly. Your most important input in deciding on the party theme should come from the party child.Consider his or her interests and favorite things, such as sports, hobbies, cartoon characters, TV shows, books, animals, and so on. Kids love to be involved in the party plannin. . .

Decorate for Thanksgiving

Years of having to make do have turned me into a…"There must be someway I can do this cheaper type person." My old new house needs total make over. We are thinking about moving into my MIL's house. So I am walking around looking and thinking, my goodness, this will be way too much to do and then the old, "There must be someway I can do this cheaper type person" kicks in and I think, yah, there . . .

Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula!

If you’re like me, then you don’t really have the luxury of keeping a high-maintenance pet such as a dog. Even a less demanding pet such as a cat might be beyond your time constraints. Fish tanks can be difficult too, since it’s easy to under-estimate the time and effort involved in keeping them clean. So what options do you have?Well, you could try a snake or one of the hardier lizard varie. . .

Ten Kids Party Planning No-nos

Avoid the most common and obvious pitfalls many parents encounter when planning their first kids party. Tap into the knowledge of experienced party planners who've learned to steer clear of the "Ten Kids Party Planning No-Nos".INVITING MORE CHILDREN THAN YOU CAN HANDLEYour intentions were good when you invited everyone in little Tommy's classroom to celebrate his birthday, but you didn't reali. . .

Planning a Baby Shower? : These Tips Make It Stress Free

One of the most pleasant parties to plan has to be the baby shower. The mom-to-be gets so much attention and she can just sit back and enjoy all of the fuss. The key to creating this wonderful event is organization. Here's everything you need to make your upcoming baby shower as festive and memorable as possible!Consult, Consult, Consult! Because the parents-to-be may have more than one shower,. . .

How to take Great Photos of your Child

Children are naturally photogenic. Ive worked in studios and children are so easy to photograph. What I hear from parents is that they dont think that their kids are that easy to photograph. Thats only because they dont know some basic tips. 1. Young children especially infants take beautiful photos while they are asleep. Keep the light natural avoid flash if at all possible. Keep the image tig. . .

The Trickiest Gift on Your Shopping List

Thinking of Giving Clothes as a Gift? There's one Recipient on your Gift List Who's Sure to be Thrilled. When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We've all had encounters from the receiving end. We all have stories to tell. If you don't, you will, just give it time. Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a doll. . .

Let Your Wedding Flowers Speak the Language of Love

Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and are getting married. What a wonderful time in your life – full of promise, hope, and happiness. Can you think of a better way to express these emotions than through flowers? A wedding would just not be the same without wedding flowers.The Tradition of Wedding FlowersCarrying flowers by the bride is not something new; it actually has its. . .

15 Ways to Create Some Extra Holiday Money

Originally this was going to be a list for my two teenagers but some of these ideas are better suited to adults with a valid driver's license and a bit of know-how. Some of these take a bit of planning and organizing, but most of them could be done on a fairly spur of the moment case by case basis. The great thing about a lot of these ideas is that you're spreading holiday cheer by helping t. . .

Children's Discipline: How To Resolve Divorce Parenting D...

Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives double messages, produces anxiety and can be very confusing to your children? Children need to know where they stand in their behaviors. It is therefore critical for parents to resolve their differences in matters of children's discipline.Since divorce parents leave on a separate house, they often differ in their rules and expecta. . .

Tips For Less Holiday Stress

Holiday Stress? Some Tips For Having LessWe all dream of having wonderful holidays. We start each day full of the spirit of the season. We look at the lovely fresh fallen snow, and marvel at the beauty of the world. But lets face it - life can be stressful. By the time we get the kids up, dressed, and fed, referee a few morning scuffles, find lost homework, binkies, and keys, field a few phone . . .

How to Make a Model Volcano and Other Fun Kids Party Spec...

Kids love magic tricks and special effects because they surprise and delight with the unexpected. Here's a collection of easy yet impressive special effects to try at your next kids party.But beware... kids are naturally inquisitive, and will want to know how you achieved your spectacular results. Keep it mysterious, and you'll be the hit of the party crowd!Erupting VolcanoStart by lining a b. . .

30 Quick and Easy Kids Costumes

What happened to the " good ol' days" when a Halloween costume was your Dad's old shirt and cap, and a burnt cork beard? Kids costumes don't have to complicated to be cute! Each of these quick and easy costumes starts with a few simple materials like hooded sweatshirts, sweat pants, posterboard, craft foam, felt, face paint, and a little imagination.Pirate Black sweats, white shirt, red sa. . .

Introduction To House Training

The information in this article is based on the successful crate training method. Crate training is not cruel. I repeat: Crate training is not cruel. If used correctly, it uses the dog's natural den instinct to your own advantage by encouraging the dog not to pee or poop where it sleeps. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will avoid going to the bathroom where they sleep. But you . . .

Ten Easy Steps to Great Kids Party Games

One of the most important elements of any kids birthday party is the time spent playing party games. If well planned, they can make great memories for the birthday child and guests alike; if not, they can be a minefield of problems. Don't despair! A little forethought and common sense are all that's needed to make your game time a smashing success! Follow these ten easy steps to great kids. . .

Awesome Dad's Top Ten Communication Intentions

An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that itself is perfect, because imperfection allows us to really understand the personal evolution our children are going through with us. The definition of an Awesome Dad, then, is the father who stays in the game, shows up fully and sets powerful intentions to grow into. Here are some: I listen with my entire being - and without judgment. I seek firs. . .

Five Snake Care Tips for Beginners

If you’re looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet, it’s hard to go wrong with a snake. They’re exotic enough to catch people’s interest, yet hardy enough to require minimal care. Nevertheless, uninformed first-time owners tend to make some basic mistakes, some of which can be quite costly. Here are some simple tips that can help ensure the health of the snake and prevent a lot of aggravation a. . .

How to Stop Divorce Parental Conflict from Bursting?

It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after divorce the culprit of most psychological-adjustment problems the children are having. So, how to stop the post-divorce parental conflict from bursting must be given a premium importance by parents who want to have a healthy, happy and successful divorced children.First let us identify the source of most post-divorce parental conflict. It is . . .

30 Kid Party Favors for Pennies

Kids party favors needn't be costly, just a simple remembrance of the good time guests had at your child's party. Each of these party favors cost under $1 per guest, some only pennies apiece. Shop dollar stores and discount outlets to stock up on these clever party favorites. Use individually or mix and match, using your party theme as a guide. Craft stick picture frames (decorated by party . . .

The Best Birthday Gift in the World

When I was a little girl, my Nana and Grandpa would often give me a "grab bag" full of goodies for my birthday present. This was nothing more than a brown paper shopping bag filled with trinkets and treasures my grandparents had collected or made for me with tender loving care.I remember such things as toys from cereal boxes, Cracker Jack prizes, and my Nana's special homemade popcorn balls ca. . .

How to be Professional?

Is it difficult to be professional? I think from my experience in my long life that profession can be reached by following several tips help to achieve profession:1 - Put a goal in a specific field or subject.2 - Put a structured plan to your field or subject of profession.3 - Use if-then analysis and expect the difficulties that you are going to face in your progress to be professional and ho. . .

Kids Party Etiquette for Parents

INVITATIONSThe rule of thumb passed down by experienced Moms and Dads is to invite the same number of party guests as your child's age. Resist the temptation to invite every child in your child's classroom. Be discrete and avoid hurt feelings by mailing invitations home instead of passing them out in school. A manageable party is a more enjoyable one both for the party attendants and for you!PA. . .

Don't Let A Home Business Cost You Your Family

Does the title of this article sound funny to you? To some, it may not only seem funny but downright silly. To others, it may be offensive also. On the surface, it does sound like a funny topic for an article. When we look deeper, it can be a very serious problem that needs to be addressed.Now I’m sure that most of us have either heard, or even personally known a family that has been damaged be. . .

Do You Have A Vision?

Here’s one of the most important questions you’ll ever be asked (that is, If you’re a dad, or you ever plan to be): Do you have a vision for your family?Now I know the answer for many of you will be a resounding, “Yes!”. I think at some point all of us most likely plan, in some way, for our family’s future.What I am asking, however, is this:“Do you have a MULTI-GENERATIONAL vision for your fami. . .

Stress-Free Kids Party Planning

Another birthday's on the horizon, and you're stressing over every little detail. Throwing a party can be nerve-wracking and kids parties come with added pressures.The prospect of keeping a group of young children occupied and entertained can be a daunting one. In addition, you may feel that celebrating a milestone in your child's life means the day must be a perfect one. Take a step back and r. . .

The Gratitude Wreath

Bring a little bit of autumn indoors. Family and friends help create this wreath by sharing what they are thankful for on brightly colored leaves. Every member of the family can contribute to this beautiful wreath. This is a great, concrete, visual way to put meaning back in the holidays for children.Materials: 18-inch diameter straw wreath Fall leaves 1 or 2 metallic paint pens 3 1/2-yards o. . .

7 Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe On Halloween

Children aren't the only ones who should be closely monitored on Halloween. The holiday can be a scary and dangerous time for your pet as well. By following some simple tips you can keep your pet safe and comfortable without infringing on the family fun: 1. Don't put costumes on your pets unless they are used to it. Wearing clothing can make pets uncomfortable and even sick. 2. Candy is for hum. . .

The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar with 21st century dogs. Time was when the average canine slept outside, ate whatever scraps of food were tossed his way, and if he was lucky, was thrown the occasional bone. He was even expected to earn his keep!Times have changed. As the world has grown more affluent, so have our pets. We're obsessed with keeping our canine compani. . .

What Parents Should Do For Children To Do Their Best Afte...

Why do some children still do best after divorce and separation? Is there divorce parenting approaches that really work? Read and learn the divorce parenting approaches that really work.Going through the process of divorce is a challenging life transition for both parents and children. During their parents' divorce, children often feel a wide variety of conflicting emotions. It is very importan. . .

Blogs for Kids

Flush out the writer in children. Blogging could draw out a young writer and open doors to their future. Consider encouraging your child to start blogging! Children love having an audience. The instant recognition and approval that comes from a crowd just can't be beat. Employing blogs to help develop good spelling habits, grammar skills, and develop a love for writing at a young age is an inno. . .

Easy Kids Party Decorating

Decorating for a kids party can be cheap and easy, yet impressive, if you have the basics in place and use a little imagination and advance planning. Follow these simple guidelines for kids party decorations: GREETING SIGN: A greeting sign in your front yard or on your door is a nice way to welcome party guests. Match it to the party theme and colors. For a construction party write "Caution: Wo. . .

No Paws from Santa Claus

The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and hard about the gifts they would most want to receive this year. Trucks, trains, Groovey girls and scooters are popular gifts this year. Each year lists are filled with the “most popular” toys of that year. There is one thing each year that can be found on many children’s lists. A puppy. The image of a bright eyed plump adorable p. . .