…by Suzanne Falter-Barnes Ever notice how some websites feel great, energetic, fun — you just want to linger to soak up more? And yet other sites are truly repellant. These tips will help you create a truly happening site…. 1. Don\’t use a dark background. Think about the websites you\’ve seen that are fun, refreshing, and really draw you in. Ever notice they usually have a white or light background? Dark or heavily patterned background are emotionally draining to look at, and they\’re hard to read. Since the Web is a written medium, color counts! 2. Don\’t... Read More

Waking up every morning for a week with my back in a “locked” position convinced me the twenty-year-old mattress might need replacing. Some say I\’m a pack-rat and cannot throw things away. I prefer frugal. Besides, I accidentally removed the tags from it when I bought it twenty years ago and I\’ve been waiting for the statue of limitations to expire. I don\’t look good in stripes, or orange. Buying “large ticket” items goes against my tightwad— ah, frugal grain and puts me in a foul mood from the get go, and of course whenever that happens, I somehow become a... Read More

One of the most difficult jobs family members face when emptying out their aging loved one(s) house is how to get rid of all the “stuff”. This is especially difficult for family members who live at a distance and have to sort through a life time of belongings in a week or two of vacation time. If this is an issue you\’re facing, here are some suggestions to make it easier. Get An Appraisal: If you\’re afraid of getting rid of anything because it could be worth a million dollars, you may have the “Antiques Roadshow™ syndrome! Therefore, the first action you\’ll want to... Read More

How do you feel about these values and how does your partner. How can you help each other? Learning something new Staying in touch with your health challenges and successes Financial security, savings and retirement Family needs and time together Having your home the way you like it as far as decorating inside and outside Community service Feeling productive each day Friendships Spiritual practices Travel Entertainment weekly Children Stretching yourself to learn more about who you are and who you aren\’t. Who you might become? Desire to change bad habits Happiness Having fun ... Read More

A dear friend asked me what I would write about this month. Since I truly believe a writer is most effective when he shares from his own life experience, this month my organizing skills are focused on coping with the loss of a treasured animal companion. My wonderful golden retriever, who is acknowledged in both of my books, appears at my web site and is mentioned at all of my lectures, passed away on April 19th. Although she was 13 1⁄2 and I certainly realized Kate\’s time was limited, her vet and I believed that Miss Katie would make it to 15. Her presence, however, was requested... Read More

Should you consider moving when you retire? According to a 2005 Pulte survey, more than half of boomers plan to pick up stakes when they retire. Will you be one of them? Complete the following questionnaire to find out if you could be a candidate for relocating. If you have a significant other, he/she should also complete this quiz. 1. Do you have a significant other? a. Yes b. No 2. How is your physical health? a. Never felt better b. More good days than bad c. Physician on speed-dial 3. How is your financial health? a. Rolling in dough b. Enough (even though I would like more) c. Thank... Read More

Entrepreneurship is an exciting and worthwhile endeavor. Profiting from your expertise (instead of allowing your employer to rake it in), setting your own schedule, and calling your own shots all make for a very pretty picture. It\’s no wonder then that starting one\’s own business has become a very popular endeavor in recent years. Before you jump in, however, it\’s important to recognize that not everyone is cut out to be self-employed, be it because of life circumstances or personality types. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to be here. It\’s about understanding... Read More

Because of a crisis, my sisters and I had to move our mother into an assisted living which also meant emptying out her home. Unfortunately, as almost always happens when there\’s a crisis, the timing couldn\’t have been worse and, because of our work schedules, we had 1 week in which to do it!! While my parents were the most organized people you could imagine and my sister and I worked well together, one week wasn\’t nearly enough time to sort through the “stuff” my parents had accumulated throughout their 50 years of marriage and certainly not enough to make good decisions... Read More

How would you like to play a little game with me? Walk outside your home, condo or apartment and take a stroll around the block. Now enter through the front door as if you have never been in this home before. What are some of the things you know instantly about the occupants of this house? My home reveals, for example, that I have pets. You simply can\’t miss my Golden Retriever\’s toys scattered about the floor…or my cranky cockatiel\’s seeds sprayed everywhere. If you think about it, every time you go to see a movie or watch a play or turn on the TV, you know a great deal... Read More

Are there unique factors to consider if you\’re a single, female retiree? The answer is yes. Even if you\’re part of a couple now, remember that divorce, death, or the break-up with a significant other can change your status. Since women live an average of seven years longer than men, your chances of being single at some point are considerable. So, let\’s take a look at some areas you may want to think about if you\’re single now, or may be single in the future: Psychology. On the plus side, if you\’re single you only have yourself to consider when making many life... Read More