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Audiobook Review: Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins

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A review of MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom by Tony Robbins, an audiobook that’s now available at AUDIBLE.COM (free for first time listeners).

I have been seeking financial guidance for years, but never had the discipline to sit down and really read a complete money guide. While browsing Audible recently, I finally found just what I needed — an audiobook about pursuing financial freedom, investing and all of the important topics that have eluded me in the past. It’s called MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom by Tony Robbins.

I trust Tony’s advice when it comes to motivation and having a positive self-image — the guy has gotten results on so many fronts — so naturally I was interested in his money advice book. His steps are very clear and concise, but you have to listen when you can give your full concentration and attention. This is an audiobook that you listen to in nuggets over an extended period of time and add plenty of bookmarks.

Money Master the Game book by Tony Robbins

One of his suggestions was to invest in an index fund (a mutual fund tied to a stock index like the S&P 500) instead of going with a fund that hand picks varied stocks, or worse, picking individual stocks on your own which almost always goes sour for regular people who know little to nothing about companies and the stock market. I have lost money on several occasions trying to buy individual stocks.

I also learned about long-term fixed rate annuities and an “all seasons portfolio” that maximizes return while minimizing risk. He talked about making some of these financial vehicles more accessible to younger people like myself, as many of them require that you be a minimum age.

There are still some concepts I’m trying to grasp as a beginner, but this Money Master the Game audiobook helped make things easier to understand. I imagine that certain people in the financial industry really won’t like this book because it encourages education in the common consumer and reveals the truth about the unnecessary fees charged by brokerages. So don’t trust the very negative reviews — you have to read and research these concepts for yourself.

Toward the end of the book, Tony gives a few stories about how he was finally able to conquer his financial struggles. He suggests giving more to other people if you want more blessings in your own life. And not just giving in order to receive, but because you really want to in your heart.

While I haven’t yet been able to start an index fund as of this publishing, I have taken the first steps toward doing so. I’ve significantly reduced my spending money on unnecessary items so that I can start saving toward financial freedom. One of my problems was deciding between a “want” and a “need”. For example, I use to spend almost $5 a day, 3 days a week at a coffee house. That meant that I was spending $15 a week or $60 a month JUST on coffee. Nowadays I don’t really drink coffee as much, but when I do it’s at home using an affordable brew. Another weakness is the grocery store, where I stock up on food even when I already have plenty at home. Now I make every effort to stay home instead of wandering past a supermarket.

Tony Robbins’ audiobook was the perfect start in assisting me towards gaining financial independence, and eventually freedom. I feel that my financial future is looking brighter and I’m motivated. At one point in the book, the narrator’s voice switched back over to Tony’s booming voice and I jumped to attention. He has a strong voice with an even stronger message.

I think that I’m now “at attention” in more ways than one when it comes to my finances and money matters. So I totally recommend this book to anyone who is a novice when it comes to financial matters, and those who are searching for financial freedom and independence.

I would give MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom by Tony Robbins 4.5 stars.

 

Review by Jade B.

Review: Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12 Piece High Speed Blender/ Mixer System

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I have been eating healthier for some time now. Yet, I wanted to add a protein drink/smoothie that I could consume in the morning that would give me energy to start my day. My old blender was subpar and couldn’t really process food down to a smooth consistency. I found the perfect replacement blender to accommodate all of my needs: the Magic Bullet NutriBullet High Speed Blender/ Mixer System. Now, I would not use any other blender, nor will I purchase an expensive smoothie from a juice bar again.

Benefits
– it’s very easy to use
– does not take up a lot of counter space
– dual uses chops nuts and grains & makes smoothies.
– pulverizes contents to enjoy a true smooth smoothie
– even capable of turning the seed or nut of your choice into a fine powder
– many accessories ex. lids, 2 different size containers
– not wasteful, utilizes the whole fruit and vegetable
– affordable (and worth the cost over time)
– available in 4 colors to help match your decor

Since this blender has many uses I’ve saved a lot of money. I buy my fruit and veggies in bulk and freeze them for smoothies, which equates to no food spoilage. Everyday I enjoy the versatility that the blender offers. It has also helped me control my weight because instead of a standard breakfast, I have a fruit-filled smoothie instead. I recommend the Magic Bullet NutriBullet to everyone who wants to enjoy a healthy & nutritious meal replacement.

Posted by Lorraine

Review: Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea

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Lately I’ve been testing out an array of teas. I want to gain more energy in a natural way to help me get me through my long days that require a lot of thinking and writing. I’ve opted for energy drinks in the past, but they are full of caffeine, sugars and chemicals. Plus they are expensive to maintain on a smart budget.

So I tried a product called Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea. It can be consumed hot or cold (think of a summertime tea).

Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea

Benefits

  • certified 100% organic & sustainably grown with fair trade
  • provides natural energy, raises metabolism, regulates appetite and aids in digestion
  • full of necessary antioxidants, minerals, amino acids and b vitamins
  • yerba mate’s main ingredient is mateine — it assists with mental and physical stimulation
  • affordable (you can get 24 tea bags for about $4)
  • quick steeping, strong and robust taste

Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea comes from the rain forest of South America and is the national drink in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. It’s not my favorite tea, but some days I have a craving for it. The only way I can describe it’s taste is “robust.” I do feel a little burst of energy when drinking it — especially after a couple of cups. The brew can be added to smoothies and other drinks for a quick antioxidant boost.

I would give this Yerba Mate Unsmoked Green Energy Tea a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5.

Posted by Jade

Review: Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer

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I created a row garden this year with a wide array of veggies, including tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, collard greens, kale, spinach and potatoes. I’ve made the commitment to grow organic, but it can be difficult to maintain a large row garden like mine with all the weeds growing so fast. I looked for an organic weed preventer and I found a product called Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer. I decided to sow it into the soil before planting seeds (it’s also serves a fertilizer).

Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer

Benefits
• it’s affordable at around $15 for a 5 lb container that covers 250 sq ft
• it’s advertised to prevent weeds from growing in the garden and fertilize the soil
• it’s easy to use, no mixing required — just sprinkle and sow it into the dirt
• 1 application is supposed to last for up to 3 months
• can be applied to the soil in the summer, spring and fall

I didn’t see weeds starting to make their appearance in my garden until about a month after using the Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer. So while it worked for a while, it didn’t last in my garden for the 3 months as advertised. However, I might give it another application soon to help keep weeds at bay for another month.

I’d give this product a rating of 3 stars out of 5.

Growing a garden is truly a labor of love. To harvest and eat vegetables that I know grow free of chemicals +\or pesticides is an awesome feeling. However, if you can, you should cut out unnecessary chores whenever possible. I recommend Preen Organic Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer to organic gardeners who need something to help keep their weeds at bay.

 

Posted by Jade

Falafels with Tahini Sauce

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I really love to prepare this dish. Especially, because I am in the process of weaning myself off of meat. A falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that is infused with fresh herbs, spices and garbanzo beans. It is served in a warm pita with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and drizzled with tahini sauce (Tahini sauce is made from ground sesame seeds). When this dish is made correctly the flavors are a pleasure to the pallet.  This recipe will easily feed a family of four.

Homemade Falafel Recipe

Ingredients
2 pitas cut in half
1 lb canned chick peas drained
2 cloves garlic
1 medium white onion cut in quarters
1/2 cup fresh cilantro or parsley
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 head of iceberg lettuce chopped
1 large tomato sliced
10-20 dill pickle slices

Tahini sauce ingredients
1/2 cup tahini paste
1 small garlic clove grated
Juice of 1/2 lemon
4 Tbs ice cold water
A pinch of salt and black pepper
Place ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate.

Instructions
Begin with a food processor and add all of your ingredients with the exception of the pita, oil, pickles, lettuce, tomato. Blend until smooth. If mixture is loose add a slice of toasted bread and mix it in. In a large non stick fry pan add oil and place on medium high heat. Oil must be hot so be careful. Place your mixture into a large bowl. Now with your hands make meatball size balls and place in the hot oil. Fry on all sides until golden brown. Place finished product on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Then take 1/2 pita that is warm and add lettuce, tomato and pickles. Place your falafel balls on top and drizzle generously with the tahini sauce.

Keep in mind that you can choose to bake the falafels instead of frying them. I personally like to add thinly sliced red onion and prefer  flat bread instead of the traditional pita bread. This falafel recipe can be eaten for lunch or dinner. Enjoy!

Homemade Falafel Recipe
Homemade Falafel Recipe

Posted by Eve

How to Protect Your Pretty Nails When Cleaning

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I love to get my nails done at the salon or to do them at home using press on nail kits. My favorite thing is a pretty french manicure. But the problem with using at-home nail kits is that when you wash your hands, wash the dishes, or take a shower, the nail glue starts to loosen and the nails eventually fall off. The kit I buy (shown to the right) lasts for about a week before the nails start popping off one by one, which can be an embarrassing situation in public! So what can be done to protect your pretty nails when you’re cleaning or washing up?

Here are a few ideas I found when browsing Amazon that might work for your nails:

Nail Protector Clips

There are a variety of products on the market that allow you to put your fingers inside of clips so that you can soak off nail polish or gel nails. These Plastic Nail Art Soak Off Clip Caps look like they would help shield your nails from excess water when showering. It might be a little awkward using your hands while wearing these, but if they can lengthen the time my nails will stay pretty, I’ll give them a try. Here is another even more affordable nail clip cover option you might want to try.

Rubber Finger Gloves

When you use regular gloves, it causes your hands to shrivel up and water sometimes gets trapped under the sleeve, which defeats the purpose. These rubber finger gloves snugly fit over each finger to protect them when you’re cleaning up around the house. When you’re finished with them, just toss them in the trash.

Finger Guards

These Finger Guards are normally used for sewing and crafting, but they look like they would also do a good job of protecting your french manicure, gel nails or press-on nails while you’re cleaning up around the house. They have a snug fit and a good grip. They are inexpensive at around $3 each, but there are only 3 per pack, so you’d have to order at least 4 to cover all of your nails.

Long Waterproof Cleaning Gloves

Long Cleaning Gloves for Women

Another possible solution to protect your pretty nails when cleaning is to get a pair of long waterproof cleaning gloves. These gloves are extra long so that they almost fit over your elbows. That way you won’t have to worry about water getting inside of the glove when you’re washing the dishes. You could also just use a regular pair of rubber gloves and secure it at the bottom with a rubber band (be careful not to put it on too tight).

I hope these simple, inexpensive products will help you keep your nails pretty for weeks!

Posted by Jade

Images courtesy Amazon