Tuesday, August 31, 2010

How do you teach your kids about money?

School is back in session - so what about financial literacy? Nevada Federal Credit Union has been associated with Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy for more than 5 years. The Nevada Jump$tart Coalition consists of individuals and organizations representing business, government and education who have joined together to improve the personal financial literacy of Nevada’s youth.


The Nevada Jump$tart Coalition was organized in 2004. They are a proud affiliate of the National Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The National Jump$tart Coalition, based in Washington, D.C., was first convened in 1995 and consists of over 200 organizations committed to improving the financial literacy of America’s youth.


For more information, visit their website at www.jumpstart.org


Can YOU smell the BBQ Sauce in Northern Nevada?




Best in the West Rib Cook-off !



We have a fun family opportunity in Northern Nevada this week starting tomorrow - Wednesday.




The country's favorite FREE rib festival is back! The 22nd annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off will run Wednesday, September 1 through Monday, September 6, 2010. Once again transforming the Labor Day holiday on Victorian Square in downtown Sparks into a must-attend culinary, music, craft, and family end-of-summer affair. http://www.nuggetribcookoff.com/About-The-Event/About-The-Event.asp




Entertainment includes: Mumbo Gumbo on Monday from 7 - 8:30 pm, Del Castillo on Tuesday from 7 - 8:30 pm, Jack Ingram on Friday from 7 - 8:30 pm, Gin Blossoms on Saturday from 7 - 8:30 pm, Asia on Sunday from 7 - 8:30 pm, and Buster Blue on Sunday from 3 - 5 pm.



DATE:
Wednesday, September 1–Monday, September 6, 2010
HOURS:
Wednesday–Sunday: 11:00am–9:00pm• Monday: 11:00am–5:00pm• Kids' Area is open every day
LOCATION:
Victorian Square, Sparks, Nevada on Victorian Avenue, between 14th Street & Pyramid Way

Friday, August 27, 2010

Increase Your Home’s Value



Let’s face it, many home owners are upside down in their mortgage and fear that they'll have to wait years before building equity again. One way to increase your home’s value before waiting for the economy to turn around, is to make some simple inexpensive upgrades. In addition to adding value, you may even find that you’ll enjoy your home a bit more while you’re waiting to build more equity.

Home improvement projects can be a daunting task to undertake but luckily, there are five simple ways to increase your home’s value that does not require much money or time. The main areas you need to focus on improving include your kitchen, bathrooms, yard, storage areas, and the general cleanliness of your home.

#1: Update Your Kitchen
• Make sure appliances work well and match
• Repaint walls
• Replace cabinets or add knobs

#2: Make Your Bathroom Modern
• replacing the towel racks and light fixtures
• replace the faucet
• regrout tiles or install a new modern shower head.

#3: Landscape Your Yard
• Landscape your yard or if it already is, touch it up.
• Keep grass mowed or desert landscaping maintained
• Prune your bushes and edge your planting beds
• Add extra touches like wooden swings, decks, and even fish ponds.
• Power-wash and re-stain your deck.

#4: Create Lots of Storage
• Add bedroom closet organizers and hanging organizers for the pantry.
• Look for organizers build for garages

#5: Make Your Home Appear New
• Repaint your home in a neutral color
• get a plumber to check for leaks and fix any that may appear
• steam the carpets to give the illusion of being brand-new. (Do it yourself to save even more money).

These home improvement projects can help increase your home’s value for when you prepare to sell your home later down the road. Remember that just a simple change can give the illusion of a fresh and new home.

source: rightcontractors.com

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

7 Best Stress-Fighting Foods

Since Las Vegas was recently named the most stressful city in the U.S. according to Forbes magazine. I thought that these tips might prove to be helpful given our current economic situation.


Papaya

Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a magic nutrient that could stop the flow of stress hormones—the very hormones that make your body superefficient at storing fat calories? Wouldn’t you want to gobble that food up like crazy, especially if it tasted great? Half a medium papaya carries nearly 75 percent more vitamin C than an orange, and provides potent protection against stress. Researchers at the University of Alabama found 200 milligrams of vitamin C—about as much as you’ll find in one large papaya—twice a day nearly stopped the flow of stress hormones in rats. It should work for you, too.


Other smart sources of vitamin C: Red bell peppers, broccoli, oranges


Bonus Tip: The closer an ingredient is to its original form, the healthier it is for you.


Peppermint Tea

The mere scent of peppermint helps you focus and boosts performance, according to researchers. Another study discovered that peppermint tea makes drivers more alert and less anxious.


Other smart sources of peppermint: Peppermint candy and peppermint oil


Bonus Tip: Beware of disastrous drinks that only pretend to be healthy. Avoid 2,000-calorie shakes and 1,500-calorie smoothies.


Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with stress-busting potential, thanks to high levels of magnesium. Only about 30 percent of us meet our daily magnesium requirements, placing the rest of us at a higher risk for stress symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, tension, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness and high blood pressure. (Basically we’re frayed wires, and magnesium is the electrical tape that can pull us back together.) A quarter cup of pumpkin seeds gives you half your day’s magnesium requirements.


Other smart sources of magnesium: Spinach, Swiss chard, black beans, soybeans, salmon


Avocados

The healthy fats buried in the avocado’s flesh make it an ideal choice when you’re craving something rich and creamy. The reasons? Monounsaturated (healthy) fatty acids and potassium--both of which help combat high blood pressure. Avocado fat is 66 percent monounsaturated, and gram-for-gram, the green fruit has about 35 percent more potassium than a banana. Whip up a fresh guacamole or slice a few slivers over toast and top with fresh ground pepper.


Other smart sources of potassium: Squash, papaya, spinach, bananas, lentils


Salmon

Not only does omega-3 fat protect against heart disease and cognitive decline, but according to a study from Diabetes & Metabolism, the wonder fat is also responsible for maintaining healthy levels of cortisol. And what’s the world’s best source of omega-3s? Salmon. But there’s another trick in salmon’s arsenal—a sleep-promoting amino acid called tryptophan. One salmon filet has as much tryptophan as you need in an entire day, and if there’s one remedy for stress, it’s a good night of blissful Zs.


Other smart sources of omega-3 fats: Flaxseeds, walnuts, sardines, halibut

Other smart sources of tryptophan: Chicken, tuna, beef, soybeans


Bonus Tip: The favorite trick of your friendly neighborhood restaurant? Substituting salt for flavor. Studies have linked high-salt foods to increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and even heart disease--and experts recommend getting no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium in your diet each day. Keep your salt intake in check by cooking with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.


Almonds

The almond’s first stress-buster is the aforementioned monounsaturated fats, but at risk of belaboring that point, let’s look at another almond-centered, mind-calming nutrient: vitamin E. In one study, Belgium researchers treated pigs with a variety of nutrients just before sticking them in a transportation simulator (basically a vibrating crate). After 2 hours of simulation, only those pigs treated with tryptophan and vitamin E had non-elevated levels of stress hormones. Almonds, thankfully, are loaded with vitamin E. To reach your day’s requirement from almonds alone, you need to eat about 40 to 50 nuts. Or you can mix them with other vitamin-E rich foods to save calories and add more dietary variety.


Other smart sources of vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, olives, spinach, papaya


Oatmeal

A biochemical effect of stress is a depleted stock of serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel cool, calm, and in control. One reliable strategy for boosting serotonin back to healthy levels is to increase your intake of carbohydrates. That said, scarfing down Ding Dongs and doughnuts isn’t a sustainable solution. Rather, to induce a steady flow of serotonin, aim to eat fiber-rich, whole-grain carbohydrates. The slower rate of digestion will keep seratonin production steady and prevent the blood sugar rollar-coaster that leads to mood swings and mindless eating.


Other sources of fiber-rich carbohydrates: Quinoa, barley, whole-wheat bread, Triscuits


Source: Yahoo Health David Zinczenko

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Northern Nevada Activities: Tahoe Rim Trail

As I research topics for my Tuesday Blog, I get inspired by sharing and writing about topics that create Health and Inspiration! We all want to be involved, contribute to our community and feel welcome. I am thrilled to share that I have discovered a need in our community that we ALL can be in the CLUB. One way to help discover if we would enjoy a new advernture is to volunteer and "try it on for size" as they say. info@tahoerimtrail.org



From the Tahoe Rim Trail Association Site: Volunteers Are Needed! Got some free time on your hands? Want to put your skills to use? Bursting with creativity? The Tahoe Rim Trail Association needs YOU! We are looking for volunteers to help with our Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at Northstar-at-Tahoe Truckee, CA. We are in need of volunteers to help with set-up, break-down, greeting, registration, silent auction and much more. If you are interested in helping support the TRTA please contact Shannon Skarritt at shannons@tahoerimtrail.org or at 775-298-0012.

So your first activity is to go to the web site and learn how you can belong! Once at the site you will wonder what took you so long to get involved. We live in a community of natural riches right under our feet and right before our eyes. Get involved today - you will feel refreshed!

Let me know what you liked best - I welcome your comments.....Most importantly have FUN.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Now Open: New Branch in Northern Las Vegas



Our new branch at Durango and the 95 is now open! We held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday in recognition of the new branch that opened on Monday, August 16. The new convenient branch is located in the Lowe’s shopping center at 7703 N El Capitan Way #190, Las Vegas. We have a total of 21 branches state-wide and 65 ATMs.

We has also implemented a fresh new look at the location with branch merchandising that includes new modern color schemes, themed wall murals and other signage that help create a welcoming environment. Come check out our new branch!

Pictured in the ribbon cutting photo are Brad Beal, President and CEO, Russel Hafen, SVP Branch Administration, Haigohe Miller, VP Branch Administration, Mark Jett, Facilities Supervisor and Nancy Widtman, Branch Manager. Cindy Disisto,FSR is pictured at the branch.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

How to Save on School Supplies


The results are pretty dramatic: The same 20 items on a typical back to school list cost about $27.20 at an independent discount/”dollar” store, and three times as much -- $83.44 -- at a major drug store. Big-box stores Target and Wal-Mart came in at $31.64 and $36.70, respectively and Staples charged $66.72.


Both the independent and chain dollar stores (Family Dollar, Dollar General and Dollar Tree) have grown aggressively in the last decade, adding thousands of stores nationwide between 2001 and mid-2009, according to a study by The Nielsen Company. Nielsen found households earning $100,000 or above spent 18 percent more in the dollar channel in the second half of 2008 compared to the year-earlier period. That was a bigger gain than big-box discounters or warehouse clubs.


“There’s no question that the dollar stores are getting more and more shoppers every day,” says Britt Beemer, CEO of America’s Research Group. “When they added more food products to the stores, they really established value with consumers. They sell bread for $1 a loaf, and at the grocery store it’s $1.89 or $2.59. The dollar stores made a stronger value proposition as they added groceries, because people know the value of things they buy most often. Because they attract so many shoppers every week, manufacturers can no longer ignore the channel.”


“For school supplies, go to dollar stores first and then wait as far until the end of the season as you can, because obviously what they can’t sell they will mark down more,” says Beemer. The other advantage to dollar stores: If your child wants notebooks and folders with colorful patterns and designs, you’ll find the best prices on those items here.


Source: Yahoo Finance


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Shakespeare to Reduce Stress Anyone?


As the season is about to turn in Northern Nevada, a visit to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is an annual summer tradition. This year showcases the outrageous comedy "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare" (Abridged). "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare" is a compilation of 37 of Shakespeare’s plays performed by three actors in two hours. Festival gates open at 5:30 for all seating sections with a nightly curtain call at 7:30 p.m.
Details: www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com or 800-747-4697.

The plays are held at Sand Harbor State Park State Route 28 south of Incline Village, Incline Village 775-831-0494. Refreshments are available for your enjoyment during the event on site.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Volunteers are needed to help run the festival. Being a volunteer offers many benefits. Positions available are amphitheater host, back gate host, chair booth, floater, greater, merchant sales assistant, ticket taker/usher, work crew and more. Call for further information.Details: Jennie at 775-298-0158.

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Cheapest Cars to Own


You know what it costs to buy the car you want, but do you know what it would cost for repairs and insurance? Some 'inexpensive' cars don't stay that way.

The recession has created some seemingly great deals on car purchases and leases. But buyers need to beware of some unpleasant surprises that may await as soon as their vehicles need repairs.

Because of differences in design and manufacture, two vehicles with similar price tags can rack up vastly different fix-it bills over time. And cars with higher repair costs ding their owners another way: in higher insurance premiums. Insurers tend to boost the cost of collision coverage on vehicles that regularly rack up big repair bills -- and whether you wreck or not, you'll pay that cost year after year.
Why the variations? Among the key factors:

•Design. How a car is put together can determine how well it survives a crash and how much it costs to fix afterward.

•Technology. Obviously, cars in general are far more sophisticated than they used to be, but some really push the envelope. The more cutting-edge the technology, the more training is required for mechanics and the more specialized the parts.

•Imported versus domestic. If the car is imported, chances are the parts need to be as well. That can add to the price, particularly for less-popular makes.

•Luxury versus everything else. All other things being equal, more-expensive cars cost more to repair.

Read this article in full.

And be sure to watch the Ins and Outs of Car Buying, Nevada Federal's informative video tutorial on car buying and tips you’ll need before heading to the dealer.

Monday, August 9, 2010

The Barter System


I’ve been reading lately about the comeback that bartering is making. As people continue to struggle, they are using swapping as an alternative to cash. It is also a way to recycle your old stuff. I’ve already done freecycle and love it.

I have a few items I was planning to put in a garage sale, so I’ve decided to try bartering them instead. I might try to register at swaptree.com to take it a step further. I’m starting out on craigslist.com. I just sent an email offering to barter a Shark steam mop for a mountain bike. Wish me luck!

Friday, August 6, 2010

20 Jobs That Pay Big Without a Degree




With unemployment in Nevada at 14.2%, many unemployed residents are considering a career change or even seeking positions that don't require a degree. But in many cases, it's not necessarily a step back or a huge salary decrease if you're lucky enough to find a different career path. If you're unemployed, it's worth it to seek jobs that may not be related to your degree or ones that may not even require one.

I found the following article about 20 jobs that don't requre a degree:

That the job market has been tough for the past two years is no secret. Job seekers suddenly struggled to find work and find industries that offered some security. Many of these people became job seekers after their companies began laying off workers, not because they wanted to change jobs.

As a result, education became the best option for many job seekers who wanted to improve their résumés and gain a competitive edge in their hunts. Although earning a degree is an excellent move for several reasons, it's not the best choice for everyone. For one thing, education is expensive. If your problem is that you need to get a job in order to pay bills, school might not be your answer. Earning a degree is also time-consuming and takes one or more years, depending on whether you want an associate, bachelor's or higher. Waiting to see the benefits of years of hard work isn't appealing to everyone.

That's why we've put together a list of jobs that don't require college degrees and pay well. In some cases on-site training or a certain level of experience might be necessary, but the minimum requirements for these positions don't involve a college degree.

If you're in the market for a job that doesn't require a degree but does come with a nice salary, here are 20 jobs to consider and their average annual salary:

1. Aides supervisor $62,094*
Aides supervisors typically supervise home-health aides, monitoring quality of care and setting work schedules.

2. Assembly supervisor $61,208
Assembly supervisors oversee workers who put together products by using power tools or other dangerous equipment.

3. Assistant site manager $87,614
At a construction site, assistant site managers report to head site managers and plan, direct and coordinate the necessary tasks to complete that day's activities.

4. Automobile service station manager $82,398
The manager draws up guidelines for gas stations and automotive repair shops and decides on hours of operation, assigns job duties and sets prices for services and products.

5. Cable supervisor $72,701
Cable supervisors monitor workers who install, maintain and repair cables, and also perform related services.

6. Carpenter supervisor $71,404
Carpenter supervisors oversee carpentry work on a specified project to ensure that workers are on schedule and executing plans accordingly. The supervisor also performs some of the carpentry duties if time permits.

7. Chemical supervisor $68,071
Chemical supervisors oversee workers who make chemical products, which involves handling dangerous substances and following strict guidelines.

8. Construction equipment operator $51,386
These operators are in charge of the large tools and equipment used during construction projects and they also inspect the equipment for safety and performance issues.

9. Credit and collection supervisor $61,962
Credit and collection supervisors manage employees who calculate credit risks and collections, and they sometimes review client credit history to grant or deny extensions of credit.

10. Data control supervisor $61,691
Data control supervisors manage data entry workers and are responsible for the completion and accuracy of that work. On occasion they help with assignments.

11. Electrical repairer $55,605
Electrical repairers disassemble and fix problematic electrical equipment and their components, which can range from small mechanisms to large technological systems, depending on the specifics of the job.

12. Flight service manager $68,572
Airlines hire flight service managers to ensure that flight attendants adhere to personal appearance and preflight requirements. They also compile flight reports.

13. Gas plant operator $64,608
Pipelines that produce and transport gas need to stay at certain pressures to function safely, and that's what these workers do.

14. Home care aide supervisor $67,032
Home care aides assist homebound patients with daily activities and some rehabilitation exercises, and the supervisor ensures that all patients are being taken care of properly by their aides.

15. Housekeeping manager of a medical facility $61,304
In a medical facility, the housekeeping manager sets the schedules and tasks for his or her team. Housekeeping duties vary depending on the type of medical facility, but managers must work with other hospital staff to ensure they are following health and safety guidelines.

16. Illustrator $54,565
Illustrators design fonts and images for a variety of media, from websites to print campaigns and video. They often work for advertisement agencies or freelance.

17. Lead carpenter $69,431
Lead carpenters ensure that construction projects are completed on time and correctly, and they perform some of the labor themselves.

18. Locomotive engineer $70,116
Locomotive engineers drive electric, diesel-electric or gas-turbine electric trains that transport passengers or freight.

19. Payroll supervisor $64,223
These supervisors oversee payroll employees to ensure that all pay calculations follow company policy, government regulations and tax codes.

20. Route sales manager $66,362
Product and service delivery teams have to achieve goals pertaining to customer satisfaction, efficiency and personal performance. The route sales manager monitors their work and keeps them on track to achieve their objectives.

By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
*Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com.

Bing: Tips on starting your own business

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Are There Free Things to do in Las Vegas?


I found this website online that has a comprehensive list of free things to do in Las Vegas. Yes there are a lot of things that you can do that don't require you to spend money. So whether you live in the valley or you are planning a visit, check out some options!


The website vegasfreebie.com has lists of all the attractions sorted by locations and sorted by category. There is also a listing of free transportation in Las Vegas as well.


Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Hot August Nights in Reno/Sparks


In Northern Nevada we have, what is recognized, as the largest classic car and nostalgia festival in the United States. This years event is back celebrating a simpler time that embraces America’s love affair with cars and rock n’ roll. Featuring thousands of classic cars, cruising, show-n-shines, free concerts featuring top entertainers and music of the 50’s & 60’s, The Silver Car Auctions, Prom, Sock Hop, the Hot August Nights Swap Meet, Sunday Parade and much more. This years event promises to be the best of the best for car enthusiasts and fans of the past. Contact 775-356-1956 x 1 for details. www.hotaugustnights.net
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