The college president who studied by candlelight when he was a youth

I haven’t had a chance to meet the incoming president at Monroe County Community College in Monroe, Mich., but he certainly has a backstory that perhaps some of my readers can relate to. He wasn’t born to privilege and wealth. But he considered education to be his way out of poverty. Here’s a snippet from [...]

Just a Thought.

Those spaghetti dinner fundraisers are a lot of work for the profit raised

Charity dinners with gift basket raffles or silent auctions are among the common ways that smaller non-profit agencies and campaigns in Monroe County, Mich., try to raise money. It’s also a common tactic for those who are trying to raise funds on behalf of a family in need for medical or funeral expenses. The frustrating [...]

Harden-off plants before transplanting into garden

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the time when gardeners buy many of their plants to transplant intotheirgardens. Mostplants sold in garden centers, especially the small plants in trays, have spent their whole lives growing underglassin a greenhouse. As a result, they are quite tender and not always able tohandlethe conditions outdoors.     You can [...]

Digging in a Sandbox

A class, under the direction of Anthropology Professor Dr. Kenneth Mohney, is participating in what might be considered the best field course ever. They are students from Monroe Co. Community College and, thanks to the Adams family of Temperance, they have the opportunity to dig an actual site. This is the kind of hands-on stuff [...]

FTC says three out of four cosigners end up making the loan payments

I discussed the perils of co-signing a few weeks ago, after I heard a woman telling the story to a friend about getting collector calls on a car loan she co-signed for her granddaughter. The detail that surprised me was that the woman didn’t seem to realize how much this would affect HER. But I [...]

Finding True Happiness Happiness Is A Choice

This series is inspired by the book The Law of Happiness (Howard Books, 2011)by Dr. Henry Cloud, a Christian psychologist and counselor.Dr. Cloud’s book is a look at happiness from a Biblical/Christian perspective.I’m building on Dr. Cloud’s thoughts and want to give him proper credit. Part 1 Happiness Is A Choice Happiness Is a Choice [...]

Just A Thought

Remove seed stalks from spring flowering bulbs

Our daffodils, tulips andhyacinths are doneblooming for the season. That doesn’t mean that we can forget about them. There’s still some work left to be done that will greatly improve our chances for flowers next year. Right now the plants are beginning to form seed pods at the end of the flower stalks — where [...]

Kroger shopping cart May 23

Is it possible to find coupon savings when your shopping list is skewed toward what your family needs or wants to eat that week? Of course, it is. The trick is to bring your coupon box or binder with you to the store even on the “I specifically need this … ” trips. This is [...]

Video of Church Tackles Stern Planer Board, the TX-007

Really nice new video of Church’s new TX-007, Stern Planer Board, in action https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CLgF_fR5SZQ

But why do so many used clothes flood the global market?

National Public Radio has a piece that’s probably better suited for an ecological, global affairs, or fashion blog than a money blog at The Global Afterlife of Your Donations. But stay with me. The discussion point is what happens after the donated clothing has already had a shelf life at the second-hand stores. Much of [...]

Teens migrating to Twitter

The Monroe Evening News has this piece by the Associated Press: Teens migrating to Twitter. A snippet: In the poll, 94 percent of teens who are social media users have a profile on Facebook flat from the previous year. … Continue reading →

Britches and Bows Resale Boutique opens in Monroe

The following article is on page 8A of today’s edition of The Monroe Evening News. Be sure to check out my list of area thrift shops for more second-hand shopping options: Britches & Bows Childrens Resale Boutique has opened at 543 Rambow Dr., Monroe, Mich. Owned by Johanna Williams of Monroe, it sells gently used [...]

Why social media doesnt work for your business

Social media isn’t advertising. It’s public relations. That’s the difference brands and businesses need to understand when they decide to adopt social media as part of their marketing strategy. For further discussion, go to the CrowdSpring blog and read This … Continue reading →

How Not to Lose a Walleye on the Hook

  You have done everything right, you have a walleye on the line and to borrow a term from the football world, its time to play prevent defense. When I see a defense drop back to stop the big play, I cringe watching the opposing team chew up yardage underneath while moving down the field [...]

How to be a better social media community manager

The social media job that I referred to as “social media liaison” in spring 2009 is now typically referred to in the industry as “community manager.” The collective wisdom of how to survive, and succeed, in such a role for … Continue reading →

Encourage high school students to build community service resumes early

The Monroe on a Budget column runs Tuesdays in The Monroe Evening News. Here is this week’s installment: By Paula Wethington Do you want one tip that will help your high school student be the best possible candidate for college acceptance and scholarship awards? It’s all in the timing of what you can put on [...]

Michigan friends: are you ready for stormy weather?

The National Weather Service in Detroit has posted forecasts that indicate thunderstorms, possibly severe, are likely today (Tuesday May 21) and Wednesday in southeast Michigan. If you are one of my local readers, this morning or early afternoon is a good time to double-check disaster preparedness details such as whether everyone in the family remembers [...]

Reader question: How can I sell my doll collection?

One of the Google search strings that landed on my blog this weekend was this: “how can i sell my doll collection toledo ohio” Whether you live in Toledo, Monroe, Detroit or elsewhere, the answer is the same: You can try a garage sale or estate sale; rent out a flea market table; take out [...]