Nine Tips To Help You Think Outside The Box

Whether it is debt, employment, business, personal crisis, government, etc… people are facing challenges that our generation has never seen before. Common approaches to uncommon problems has not worked. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. Yet, we continue to embrace ingrained concepts that are simply not applicable to today’s world.

How many times have you heard the cliché, “Think outside the box?” We are told to think out of the box all the time on political matters, in business, in personal crisis, and by employers. I admit that it’s funny that a phrase meaning to think of clichéd situations from a non-clichéd perspective has become a cliché by it’s own right. However, the irony does not negate the fact that solutions to our current problems will only come when we stopping thinking with a safe and confined mentality.  

Read the nine tips HERE

Mango Salsa

Very fresh and summery recipe. Hope everyone enjoys!

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Ingredients:

4 peeled and diced mangoes
1/3 c. chopped cilantro
1/4 c. finely diced celery
1/4 c. finely chopped green onion
1/4 c. finely chopped red onion
1/4 c. finely chopped yellow or green bell pepper
1/4 c. peeled and finely chopped cucumber 
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
3 tbsp fresh lime juice

Method:
1. Combine all wet ingredients in a large bowl
2. Add all dry ingredients, tossing to coat.
3. Cover and chill 1 hour to 24 hours.

Mango Salsa works great as an appetizer served with -tortilla chips, bagel chips, or any toasted bread of choice. It can also make a great garnishment for seafood, lamb, or chicken.

For more great cooking, check out Chris Stonecipher's Peanut Butter Logs and Bren Park's Homespun Solutions: Cooking Tips and Chef Lauren's Sicilian Style Penne Mediterranean Pasta

How to Avoid Common Retirement Mistakes

It is never to early to think about retirement. It is a daunting and confusing task for many, but it does not have to be. I was reading an article by CNN Money where financial experts were asked about the mistakes they most often see related to retirement. It is pretty common sense stuff, but considering the cadre of retirees heading back to work, there is obviously some problem between comprehending and completion.

Read the top six tips to help you avoid retirement mistakes HERE

 

How To Make Pralines

 

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Pralines (Basic New Orleans Style, Orange, Mocha, Peanut Butter, Bourbon, Chocolate, Vanilla, Etc..) Pralines are wonderful little treats. Learn how to take one basic praline recipe and make essentially any type of praline you want. I personally love the Bourbon Praline....to die for. 

Get the recipes HERE

 

Everything You Need To Know About Your Credit

It is a time of economic difficulty for many Americans. Job loss, wage cuts, hour cuts, and rising costs have resulted in many Americans falling behind on debts; meanwhile, others are trying to keep their heads above water with their credit. Coincidently, an estimated 45% of consumers don’t know their credit score and 32% have never even checked their credit report. Not understanding how credit works and how what you do effects it can really cost you big. With creditors picky than ever about handing out those car loans, mortgages, etc.., now is the time for Americans to get savvy about their credit standings- see here.

So, you want to know what is the difference between FICO, credit score, and credit report. You want to know about credit reporting agencies. You want to know how your score is determined. You want to know how your score can go bad...and how it can improve. You want to know where you can get your credit report and credit score and how often you should monitor it.

Well, I have got all that info in one easy to understand article, Everything You Need To Know About Your Credit Score.

Lemon Couscous

This is a quick and easy side dish that is full of flavor, but will not overpower the entree.



Ingredients:

1 tbsp grated lemon rind
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp butter
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup uncooked couscous
2 tbsp toasted and chopped pecans
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp finely diced red bell pepper
2 mint sprigs
2 lemon slices

Method:

1. Combine first five ingredients and bell pepper in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat and add couscous; stirring well.
3. Cover and remove from heat.
4. Let stand 10 minutes.
5. Stir in pecans and parsley.
6. Garnish with mint sprig and a lemon slice.

If you like this recipe, then check out some more here:

Shamrock Parfaits

Fresh Herb and Heirloom Tomato Crostini

Crunchy Edamame Slaw

Shrimp Burgers with Spicy and Sweet Tartar Sauce

The Guide To Losing A Job and Finding A Job

With so many people looking for such few available jobs, no one should be ashamed if they are having trouble navigating the employment labyrinth. This article will cover two parts: losing a job and finding a job.
Losing A Job

The Warning Signs:

The words “layoff” and “fired” generally send an employee into rage. So companies are becoming a little more stealth with their terming. By the time you hear this warning language around the water cooler it may be too late, but at least you will know that repositioning doesn’t mean you might be getting a raise and new office.

Smart sizing
Right sizing
Restructuring plan/ programming
Planned staffing reduction
Head-count reduction
Reduction of force
Global alignment/reduction of workforce
Repositioning
Aligning operations and resources

To finish reading about job loss and read the tips on getting a job: The Guide to Losing a Job and Finding a Job