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Finally made it out to the local farmer's market this morning. We picked up the produce you see in the picture for $5.50. I've seen pineapple for that price at Publix when it's not on sale. All in all, not a bad deal. Fresh produce, cheaper price and hopefully we're supporting local growers.
An incredibly favorable review went up today at Dollar Stretcher. Check it out! An excerpt:
"Davis's well-researched book delivers on all counts; in addition to solving common problems and offering some wonderfully ingenious ways to have an original and memorable wedding, she points out some emerging trends which really deserve to be considered, such as using charitable gift registries through the I Do Foundation at www.idofoundation.com, where four percent of your gift proceeds will be donated to a nonprofit organization of the bride and groom's choice. The book concludes financial tips that will help couples save money every day and begin their married lives with a solid foundation of shared financial responsibility. I can't think of any newly engaged couple who couldn't appreciate and make great use of this book!"
Catalyst Monthly, a newsletter for next generation ministry leaders, published an article I wrote for them this month. You can check it out here: "Simple Life or Full Life."
An excerpt: While the “simplicity” counterculture is touting the virtues of a life lived simply, the reason it fails to fulfill people’s lives is because it lacks an eternal perspective. That fact is our life here does count toward something eternal. Divorcing ourselves from the ebb and flow of everyday life isn’t going to solve our problems or alleviate our stress. We were created for more than this life. That subconscious hunger will constantly be searching for satisfaction.
This article from The Herald in the U.K. is about the growing trend of couples who are asking for alternative gifts (like environmentally friendly products) or asking for guests to donate to charity instead of traditional gifts. An excerpt:
"Alternative wedding-gift lists are the latest must-do for 21st-century couples with an ethical, social or environmental conscience. 'I guess with the huge cost of weddings and all the excesses involved, an alternative gift list is a way for couples to give something back,' says Andy Hickey, founder of the website www.alternativeweddinglist.co.uk."
You can't buy moments like these. This was taken at a park and dock in Mount Dora, about 30 minutes from where we live, this past Saturday evening. Walks on docks and in the park make great cheap dates (especially if ice cream is involved). Always carry a digital camera with you to capture moments and memories. Here are more ideas for cheap dates or group gatherings.
Stress-Reducers:
• Hiking and nature walks
• Bike riding
• Roller blading
• Exercising
Educational/Cultural:
• Museums
• Historical sites
• The Zoo
• Factory tour
• Walking tours
• Public gardens
Social Animals:
• Pizza party
• Pot luck dinner
• Progressive dinner
• Fondu party
• Sundae party
• Cookout
There are some wonderful articles posted at CBN.com thanks to producer Jennifer Jones. The first is a feature about my wedding:
• Tales from the Bride: How to Have a Wedding on a Shoestring Budget
There's also an excerpt from the book:
Americans spend around $10 million dollars on birthday celebrations each year, according to Hallmark. This Orlando Sentinel article has tips on how to throw a birthday bash with less cash.
... well, it's not quite a dime, but HGTV has a new one-hour special about a wedding on a budget of $8,000. "Wedding: Design on a Dime" premiers this Saturday, June 10, 2006, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Click here for more info.
An article in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday outlined two major mistakes brides and grooms make when planning their wedding: relying far too heavily on Web searches to find wedding vendors, and not asking for — and carefully vetting — personal references for them. The article talks about one bride who lost half of her wedding budget to a con artist. Buyer beware!
I have a radio interview today. Here's the info:
Time: 1:15 PM CST/2:15 PM EST, 30 mins live
Media Outlet: KTIS-AM 900, Real Life with Kim Jeffries
Organization Profile: KTIS-AM is a non-commercial station owned by Northwestern College and affiliated with the Skylight Satellite Network. The format of the station is contemporary Christian music. KTIS broadcasts in the Minneapolis, MN area at 98.5 FM.
Market (Rank): Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN (14), 25,000 watts
I have an article in the current issue of the online financial webzine, The Dollar Stretcher. I subscribe to their newsletter and it's always packed with great ways to save money. It's very practical. My Amazon ranking has been at a good level most of the weekend so I'm thinking it might be due to this exposure. Thanks, Stretcher.com!