Separate Finances? Shared Finances?

Posted by random olio

I was inspired by this article: “Separate Money Sane Marriage,” and it leads me to ask a question for those of you that might read this blog post. Separate finances vs. Shared finances? What are the pros and cons? I have resisted from doing a google search for everything the experts say. Partly because I think that the experts will be on both sides, and honestly I think that it is different for each couple or partnership. What works for one might not work for another.

I lean on the side of shared finances. I say that because it has worked for us. Maybe it is because of our communication style to talk about everything, including our finances. Maybe it is because when we got married we were broke, in debt, and we worked together to get out of debt, pay off credit cards, and student loans. It evolved into the idea for every facet of our lives: “What is yours is mine, what is mine is yours.” There are ebbs and flows when things we decide for Chris are more expensive or vice versa. That is part of marriage, part of life.

I can respect those that keep their finances separate, but I want to understand more about why. I know for some they might get married when they are older, and just prefer to continue to live their financial life as they have throughout the years. Why do others make that choice? What are the pros and cons?

I am curious to hear what you think! Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.

Sophia Grace and Rosie’s Comment on Ellen

Posted by random olio

Have you heard of Sophia Grace and Rosie? The eight- and six-year-old British music fans and mini singers frequented “The Ellen Degeneres Show” quite often last season. I loved watching them. They were always so excited, happy, and thrilled to chat and sing. They are also Nicki Minaj fanatics. Ellen has had them interview musicians on multiple award shows, and both girls know all the stars, as well as their songs. And, yes the always are dressed in tutu’s.

While catching up on personal emails, online reading, and Great Dane web cam watching over the weekend, I also caught up on Ellen. One of the episodes in her first week of the season had Sophia Grace and Rosie on. Simon Cowell and Britney Spears had been on earlier in the show promoting “The X Factor.” When Sophia Grace and Rosie came on, Ellen asks them if they watched Simon and Britney, and Sophia Grace (dark hair) says: “I met him backstage, but I do think he needs to put his trousers down a bit.” If you fast forward the video to :40 seconds, you’ll see the specific moment (click first image to watch).

Love those two girls. Wish I had as much excitement and thrill about the world, music, and pink when I was six and eight years old.

If you want to see them sing (and their hilarious banter with Ellen) watch the first time they were on Ellen’s show:

Have a great day!

Do You “Steal Like An Artist”?

Posted by random olio

A colleague at work told me about the book: “Steal Like An Artist” by Austin Kleon. I read it a few weeks ago. It is such a great book. It reads a bit like a Hugh MacLeod book (see gapingvoid.com). There are so many inspiring ideas in this quick read. You can easily read it in an afternoon.

Ever since I read it, the idea of “Steal Like An Artist” has come up often in the last few weeks. Leveraging ideas that have already been put forth, but altering or updating for a specific audience. For example, infographics are all over the Internet. Many companies and individuals use the “infographic” idea and repurpose them for the needs of their audience. Infographics are a compelling way to break down a story and show a visual image of the data and details in a consumable way. Does that mean that we are plagiarizing or stealing the idea? No, it means that a good idea can be transferred, altered, and made better with each use.

An example Kleon shares is with art and painting. When we are young and are taught how to paint, we look at the great painters, Pollock, Klee, Picasso, etc. We look at their form, color, and technique. We make our own paintings by trying out what these famous painters did. We find our own technique and skill. We might not have ever learned to paint without stealing from these artists. Kleon goes on to clarify that there is a difference between taking a poem word for word, which is plagiarizing, and using a poem to inspire one of your own.

my most recent “almost finished” painting

Above is one of my recent paintings. I cannot decide if I am done with it or not. I have loved learning from artists that have come before me. “Steal Like An Artist” is a definite must read!

Do You Put Yourself Out There?

Posted by random olio

I often think about why it took me so long to write a blog. Looking back I felt what I had to say was boring and that folks would think that whatever I would have to say was BORING. In the end, I finally took the plunge and put myself out into the blogosphere. Yes, many might find me boring, but I have also been happily surprised with the response from folks and their interest in my blog. It is a gradual evolution.

As I think more and more about it, I think many individuals have felt in similar ways. There are those on Facebook who tell you about every moment of their day, including how many times they went to the bathroom (you know the ones)! Others are what might be called cyber stalkers. We all have a bit of cyber stalking inside of us. Whether we are looking at photos of individuals we went to school with, old friends, or those you wonder what happened to after so many years.

Whether you over share, or barely exist online, we all to some extent can be hesitant to share about our daily life online. It might have to do with feeling concerned about the security of our life online. Or, it might be that we are not sure we want to put ourselves out there, especially if there is no response from those in our social networks. It is a question I have been wrestling with, for myself and the greater online community. What makes us share? What makes us hold back?

Do you put yourself out there?

“Designed To Move” – Nike Does It Again

Posted by random olio

Hope you had a good weekend! It is hard to believe it is October 1, 2012. A quick housekeeping note: I have changed the look and feel of my blog. Let me know what you think!

A while back I applied for a job with the “Alliance for a Healthier Generation.” It is connected to the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association and its purpose is to assist with childhood obesity. Much of the work they do is with kids and schools. While I did not get the job, I continue to watch what they do, and childhood obesity is still a subject that extremely interests me. We need to have more education and understanding about how what we eat and how we move affect our health. Both can be strong contributing factors to childhood obesity.

Which is why I was giddy when I heard about Nike’s “Designed to Move” campaign. For those of you familiar with The Girl Effect, you will know what I mean when I say their campaigns are just one word: badass. You should also check out this ESPN article for more details and background on Designed to Move. Be sure to sign up for email updates and share with others on Facebook. This is an initiative we all need to be behind.

This video, as well as a conversation I had while having dinner with my sister and her boyfriend over the weekend, reminds me of my own childhood sports experiences (or non experiences). I wanted to play basketball in middle school. The only shoes I had at the time were fake “Keds.” Due to regulations with playing on a basketball court, we had to have non-marking basketball shoes to play. However, we could not afford them. Back then, few people had credit cards to put items on when you could not afford your purchase. There was layaway. Which meant we had to wait a long time to actually receive our purchase. We also did not have a car at the time to take me to basketball practice. So I never got to play.

I do not want the same outcome for my children. I want them to play soccer if they want to play soccer. I want to be able to have whatever opportunities are available, if they are interested. I want them to move, be active and challenged, and eat healthy. Every child should have the opportunities available to them to play ball, eat healthy, and be educated on their choices!