Dear Mr. Goodell,

Let me begin by saying that this letter is being written by a Patriots fan. I will also admit to not being an expert in the area of the NFL by-laws and collective bargaining agreement. However, I do try to keep myself well informed of what is happening in the NFL throughout the year and the conduct you have displayed in the last three years (at least) has me shaking my head in disbelief. I had such great faith in you when you came into office. I was excited about the changes you wanted to see in the NFL and curious to see where your new direction would take the league. I'm disappointed at the Roger Goodell I now see in charge of the NFL.

I truly thought that you were going to do what was best for the league, its players, and its fans. However, I now see that you are most concerned with what actions and decisions will keep lining the pocket of the league. You are driven by greed for more money and more power. I don't think you hold the integrity of the league in high esteem and it pains me to see you play to the court of public opinion so easily. I really don't think the decisions you make are fair or reasonable because how can you dish out punishment and then be the only one to hear the appeal? Are you really going to sit there and change your mind admitting you were wrong? I don't think so. I think the only people who win their appeals, resulting in lessor penalties, are the ones who kiss your ass.

The Patriots wouldn't do that so you punished them by taking out their star quarterback. The team can win without Tom Brady. He is a masterful player but we have many skilled players and excellent coaches that will prepare the team to play their best without Brady if we have to. Now, I'm not denying that there needs to be a punishment of some kind. And there was, you fined the organization and took draft picks. I think that meets the crime. If you really want to take a stance against the team, suspend Brady for 1 game, but it is not necessary.

The team cooperated fully with everything you asked from them but when it came time for them to suck up to you, all powerful commissioner, they refused and out of spite and pride, you upheld the unreasonable punishment. Why is it unreasonable? Look at players who routinely break the rules regarding banned substances, accumulate multiple DUI's, assault charges, and domestic violence issues. If they go away without a fight, their sentences get reduced. A player beats his girlfriend and your initial punishment is 10 games but after an appeal gets it reduced to 4 games. The same as Brady. Are you really insinuating domestic violence is as bad as deflating a football, that may or may not have given the Patriots an advantage? (Honestly, I don't think it did as they continued to dominate when the issue was corrected).

With the issues of increasing domestic violence, drug use, and concussion problems plaguing the NFL, do you really want to focus your energy towards a team and individual who refused to negotiate your way? I think you have more important things to focus on such as the message you are sending to future players and taking care of the players who break their bodies to line your pockets.

Sincerely,

A disappointed fan.

Book Review: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Book One)

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Book 1)

Synopsis (From GoodReads)

Tolstoy's epic masterpiece intertwines the lives of private and public individuals during the time of the Napoleonic wars and the French invasion of Russia. The fortunes of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys, of Pierre, Natasha, and Andrei, are intimately connected with the national history that is played out in parallel with their lives. Balls and soirees alternate with councils of war and the machinations of statesmen and generals, scenes of violent battles with everyday human passions in a work whose extraordinary imaginative power has never been surpassed.

Rating

4/5 stars

Review

This book review will be written in multiple parts as I wanted to keep up with a weekly book review but War and Peace is 1,844 pages long and not going to be read in a week but since the book itself is broken up into multiple books, I figured I would post a review of each mini-book. 

War and Peace offers a glimpse into a society I know little about and book 1 seems to be building to something. There are a lot of characters introduced in book 1, so it is a little difficult to keep everything straight. Thankfully, Tolstoy offers a family guide in the beginning of the book. He also discusses the cunning of people to get what they wanted in the nineteenth century Russian society. I was surprised at how cunning the women were, even though I shouldn't be. 

I don't really have a favorite character but I was impressed with the character of the Princess Mary. She is interesting with her blind devotion to her father and strong faith in religion. It's not anything you see in any other character. I'm also interested in the character of Pierre. He doesn't seem to fit in to Russian aristocracy but he's forced to play a role. It will be interesting to see how he adapts in the following books. 

On to book 2...

Happy Reading!

Money Monday: It's Not Lame to Use Coupons at the Grocery Store

Money Monday: Couponing

So I'm sure you've heard it all before, people who coupon are crazy. They are the people who hoard groceries like prized treasures and think obsessively over nothing else but how much money they'll save on their purchases. That does not have to be the case. You do not need to spend 40 hours a week, planning an 8 hour grocery trip, where you'll amass hundreds of ketchup bottles. However, it is worth noting that the more time you put into couponing, the more you'll get out of couponing. Despite that caveat, as a young adult trying to navigate working more than 40 hours a week, getting all the household chores done, spending quality time with my husband, and trying to maintain somewhat of a normal social life, I really don't have a lot of extra time to dedicate to couponing.

I would call my approach to couponing pretty casual. Vinnie and I subscribe to our local paper, but only for Sunday delivery and it has become a Sunday morning tradition to go through the coupons. Vinnie is the designated deal searcher and I am the designated coupon cutter. All the coupons I cut I keep in a little expanding folder that I can keep in my purse. It is separated into sections for toiletries, cold food, dry food, etc. It's easier to find what I need by having it organized. I don't base the coupons I cut based on my grocery list, instead I choose them based on what we typically buy throughout the year. I don't usually cut coupons for food or toiletry items that are new or that we've never used unless we want to change things up. I also don't cut the coupon if it requires us to buy more than 3 items, especially cereal, because chances are we don't eat that much of it or won't use it in time (if it is a perishable item). 

You can also strengthen the impact of your coupons through store loyalty or other store coupon programs. Target has the Cartwheel app that assembles all the savings available at the store which can be combined with manufacturer's coupons. Store loyalty programs also give you additional savings and also sends coupons in the mail. Using our Shoppers Club Card at Wegmans saves us at least 10% on our groceries every month. 

Buying the Sunday newspaper isn't the only way to get your hands on coupons. You can print them out from online as well, and probably get more than were in the paper anyways. I don't use any of those sites but I'm sure it's worth it. Maybe when/if our family expands it will be worth my time to use online coupons. Also, check your local library for coupon inserts that have been donated. Sure, some of the coupons you want may be taken but you could also find some for items you use on a regular basis. I donate my uncut coupons to my library every week and try to be conscious of the coupons I am cutting. If it is for something I use but don't need to buy before the coupon expires, I will leave it uncut. 

Couponing may seem like a waste of time but it really does save money in the long run. Over the past two months, it has saved Vinnie and I approximately $50, which is a meal out or extra money to put in our vacation savings account. And that's just with a minimum amount of effort put into it. If thirty minutes a week can save enough money to buy a nice meal out, isn't it worth it to try?

Anyone have any couponing tips they'd like to share?

Happy Monday!

Flashback Friday: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Flashback Friday: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Today I am undergoing Lasik eye surgery to correct my atrocious vision, which will be discussed next week. Vinnie and I were trying to think of a flashback Friday that related to all the bad decisions I made while wearing glasses and the one thing I kept coming back to was when I first read the Harry Potter books and they described his glasses as large and round and often broken. 

The first pair of glasses I picked out were large and in charge. I don't know why my parents thought it was a good idea for a six year old to have the executive decision making power when it came to glasses that were going to be on my face for the rest of my life. They definitely allowed me to stand out when I started second grade and it didn't get better when I moved into the third grade. 

It was in third grade when I finally was introduced to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling. Reading about a scrawny kid with large glasses who escapes into a magical world and grows into a hero was really helpful!It was my escape from the awkward phases or taunts from school. As I grew older, I still picked out awful glasses (I think I'm allergic to good eye style), but I always went back to Harry Potter. The story helped me to embrace the things that made me different. Even today, when life gets stressful and overwhelming I pull out my well-loved copy of Harry Potter. 

Happy Friday!!

Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Oscar Wilde's only novel, first published in 1890, is a brilliant puzzle, intended to tease convention minds with its exploration of the myriad interrelationships between art, life, and consequence. From its provocative preface, challenging the reader to believe in "art for art's sake," to its sensational conclusion, the book explores the nature of sin through the tale of a young man who sells his soul for a lifetime of beauty.

Rating

2/5 Stars

Review (contains some spoilers)

The Picture of Dorian Grey was the first book I chose to read on my new Nook, and I don't know if it was the right choice. Oscar Wilde uses a lot of flowing language that can get tedious in my opinion. Following it on my Nook was not easy to do and I couldn't follow the story as clearly as I would of liked. It did get better by the end, and it seemed easier to understand. I don't know if that is because I had gotten used to Oscar Wilde's prose after 150 pages. 

Dorian Grey is portrayed as a sympathetic character even after he continues to indulge his pleasures which slowly destroys his soul, which is captured in his painting. It seems as though Lord Henry's (otherwise referred to as Harry) purpose was to be Dorian's devil or temptation and Basil Hallward, the artist who painted the famed picture, served as Dorian's moral compass. It was an interesting dynamic that we didn't get enough of throughout the story. Dorian just seems to be a lone flag that bends to whichever wind is blowing the strongest.

As a classic, The Picture of Dorian Grey did not blow me away. I was not thoroughly impressed with the story but I'm glad I read it. I'm hoping my next attempt to read a classic goes more smoothly. 

Happy Reading!

Money Monday: Making the Most of Your Entertainment Budget

Money Monday

This week on Money Monday, we are going to talk about making the most of your entertainment budget. The entertainment portion of your budget is the easiest place to make cuts if you need to but that doesn't mean you still can't enjoy the same amount of entertainment for a lower price. Listed below are some ways that Vinnie and I have cut down our entertainment budget without losing out on fun. 

1. Utilize Groupon, LivingSocial, and Amazon Local for deals. A lot of what you can find on there is for local restaurants, events, and other fun things to do around town. A lot of the time you can find deals for up to 50% off dinners or even concert tickets. By buying the deal you can still enjoy a nice time out but for less money. Have your friends use it as well, and you can get your coupon for free. 
2. Shamelessly plug for gift cards for holidays and birthdays. There is a common saying that memories are worth more than things. By receiving gift cards to your favorite restaurants or places to visit, you aren't spending anything out of your own pocket but you can still enjoy a night out. 
3. Utilize free opportunities. Check out your local library or parks for opportunities for enjoyment. You can rent movies from the library and make your own "movie theater" at home. There may be events at the park from sporting tournaments, outside movies, and live music. 

These are only a few things to do that can cut your entertainment budget down and not be stuck at home bored. Let us know what other things you do to keep your entertainment budget from skyrocketing.

Happy Monday!

Flashback Friday: Book Fairs

Flashback Friday: Book Fairs

Alright, so I believe that book fairs are still held in some schools today, as a young adult, we are no longer invited unless we creepily tag along with a cousin or younger sibling. Even more depressing is that the selection that the book fairs have is no longer filled with all the books we have to have right now! I have a hard time believing Scholastic would be having a deal on Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Dark Places for young students.

I know we still have the library, bookstores, and e-readers that are not age-inclusive but it's still isn't the same. The excitement of poring over the book catalog as soon as you get it, circling all the books you need, bargaining with your parents about all the chores you'll do (but not really) to increase your allowed shopping budget, and hustling the family out the door to get to the sale on time so you don't miss the books was so much fun. There was always the chance to discover something new and exciting in those catalogs and some of the books even had extras, like games and necklaces. It was Christmas during the school year!

So this Friday as I sit here trying to find a book to read on my Nook, I think back to the thrill and excitement generated by book fairs and how much I miss them. I may have to bribe my little cousin into taking me to hers.

Happy Friday!

Moving In Together: Where do We Put All This Stuff?

Since we talked about the pros and cons of living with your significant other a couple of weeks ago, we thought we'd take the opportunity to discuss some of the more fun and/or challenging aspects of living together going forward. Our first topic to discuss is filling and decorating your new apartment. I'm sure some of you have had an idea of what your ideal apartment or house would look like and may even have that prior to moving in with someone. However, living with your significant other also means living with the traffic cone they decided made the best corner decoration ever. 

Although most men in the relationship will say that they don't care what you do with place, they would appreciate some consideration and say in the decor. I know Vinnie prefers less pillows on the bed because that means less work when it is time to go to sleep. Deciding how best to use the space in your new living quarters helps teach you a key lesson about compromise that will carry forward in the relationship. Going forward many, if not all of your decisions, will be made with your partner in mind and after discussing things with them. 

Here are some tips for decorating and furnishing your new place:

Be considerate - of each other when making decor and furniture choices together. He doesn't necessarily want to live in a frilly apartment and you don't want to live in a complete bachelor pad. 

Be honest - the last thing you want to do is bite your tongue against something you really hate. If you don't like that ugly painting, tell your partner. You don't want to regret it every time you see it as you walk in the front door. 

Make concessions - don't be completely set in your ways. Your partner has some great ideas and combining both styles will give your apartment a unique touch. If he has to have something you completely can't stand, be honest with your feelings, but offer to let him hang it in a part of the apartment where it won't bother you. 

Remember, you are making a home together as a couple. You want to incorporate both of your colorful personalities. Do your best to make it into a cozy, inviting place where you can unwind after a long day together. The color of the couch pillows won't matter at the end of the day as long as both of you can cuddle on it. 

Book Review: Always Watching by Chevy Stevens

Synopsis

She helps people put their demons to rest.

But she has a few of her own...

In the lockdown ward of a psychiatric hospital, Dr. Nadine Lavoie is in her element. She has the tools to help people, and she has the desire - healing broken families is what she lives for. But Nadine doesn't want to look too closely at her own past because there are whole chunks of her life that are black holes. IT takes all her willpower to tamp down her recurrent claustrophobia, and her daughter, Lisa is a runaway who has been on the streets for seven years.

When a distraught woman, Heather Simeon, is brought into the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit after a suicide attempt, Nadine gently coaxes her story out of her - and learns some troubling parallels with her own life. Digging deeper, Nadine is forced to confront her traumatic childhood, and the damage that began when she and her brother were brought by their mother to a remote commune on Vancouver Island. What happened to Nadine? Why was their family destroyed? And why does the name Aaron Quinn, the group's leader, bring complex feelings of terror to Nadine even today?

And then, the unthinkable happens, and Nadine realizes that danger is closer to home than she ever imagined. She has no choice but to face what terrifies her the most...and fight back.

Sometimes you can leave the past, but you can never escape.

Rating

3.5/5 Stars

Review

For a quick paced read, I recommend the book Always Watching by Chevy Stevens. The plot is easy to follow and it keeps your attention. Stevens crafts an interesting story with a few twists that will keep you up until you finish it. There are a few holes in the story that the author glosses over to keep the story moving. Cults are an interesting part of history. Many mainstream religions started out viewed as cults. However, the commune described in the book reminds me of Scientology. With that in mind, it makes the book even more fun to read. Always Watching did tie the story up in a tight little bow, leaving no chance for a sequel. 

The characters that fill the book are fully fleshed out. Aaron, the leader of the cult, gives you in the impression that he is in control, calm, and completely manipulative. He creeps you out just as he is supposed to. Nadine is a very orderly, efficient doctor, and, who after the death of her husband, seems lonely. Heather, the patient who jump starts the events of the book, casts suspicions over the cult from her first scene.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone to read, especially if you are looking for a nice escape from the every day. Stevens has three other books published with another on the way and I look forward to reading them all. I'll have to thank my mother-in-law for introducing me to Chevy Stevens.

Happy Reading!

Money Monday: Student Loans

Money Mondays

Student Loans

Student loans suck, plain and simple. There's no nicer way to put it. By the time you've finished your college education, you are stuck with a debt that needs to be repaid starting six months after graduation, regardless of your job situation. On average, the amount of student loan's an individual is burdened with, is enough to have bought a decent sized house. The benefits of an education mostly outweigh the cost of student loans but it is an ugly thing to have hanging over your head as you work to build your post-college career.

First thing you need to do is breathe. You are not alone in the struggle with student debt. Most everyone you meet has either gone through paying it off or is in the process of doing so. I know it seems overwhelming but you will get through it, and the balance will get smaller, I promise you that.

When it comes to paying off your student debt, there are many methods that can be utilized. I haven't tested all of them, but I will tell you what I've heard about, what has worked for friends, and what is working for Vinnie and I. 

Method 1: "Overpaying"

I call this method overpaying, because honestly I'm not creative enough to think of a better name. It entails paying more than what is due on your monthly student loan payments. It doesn't have to be by a dramatic amount either. Just round up to the next ten's place. For example, if my payment was $283.48 every month on my loans, I would try to pay either $290.00 or even $300 if I could swing it that month. 

The extra payment will be applied to the loan's principal balance, which will decrease at a faster rate then if you just pay the minimum. It also decreases the amount of interest that will accumulate because it will have a lower principal balance. Granted, it is only a small amount of interest saved at first, but if you consistently pay more than the minimum, the amount saved will grow over time. A third benefit is that the overpayment acts as a safety net in case there is a major financial emergency and you can't afford to even make your minimum, the extra payments will have hopefully dropped your minimum payment down to a level that you can pay in that month where the financial disaster occurs.

Method 2: "Consolidation"

Neither Vinnie or I have never tried consolidating our loans but we have friends and family members who have and it helped them to lower their monthly payments. I do know that it is time consuming to fill out the forms and not all loans will consolidate since some are Federal and some are private.  You could even consolidate your loans and overpay, paying off the balance even faster. Consolidating also lowers your interest rate in most instances so it is worth the hassle of filling out all the forms. 

Method 3: "Research"

Depending on what your field of work is in, there are many state and Federal programs that "forgive" your student loans after working in that particular field for a certain number of years. Primarily, teachers, doctors working in rural areas, and those working for a not-for-profit are candidates for these programs. Again, it is time consuming to fill out and collect the necessary paperwork to qualify for these forgiveness programs but if you can get your loans forgiven for doing a job you enjoy, it's worth it. Knowing if you qualify early, you can make the minimum payments without worrying about accruing interest since it will be forgiven in the end. 

One last piece of advice that I would offer is to keep track of your student loan balances either through Mint.com, an Excel spreadsheet, or some other method. This way you aren't surprised by the balances and you can track your progress. In addition, if you get a surplus in your savings account you can put it towards your student loan balance with the highest interest rate.

Does anyone have any tips regarding student loans?

Happy Monday!

Jackie and Vinnie

**Remember, we are not certified financial planners. We are simply offering a topic to start a discussion about money with the young adults. Before making any financial decisions, please consult with someone familiar with your financial position.

Flashback Friday: Nintendo Game Boys

Flashback Friday!

For this week's edition of Flashback Friday, we are going to shine the spotlight on the original Nintendo Game Boys.

I'm pretty sure this is the one that is currently buried in a desk at my parents.

It was the only type of gaming system that my parents would allow under the condition that my sisters and I buy it with the money we had saved. I remember doing chores, saving any coins I found lying around the house, and hoarding any and all holiday money I received. It was such a good feeling to walk into Toys 'R Us and purchase my black Nintendo Game Boy. 

Those devices were perfect for car trips, recess, lunch time, and basically any and all free times. I saved up for and bought multiple games, including the Smurfs, Mario Brothers, and Jungle Book. I never did get into Pokemon but I know it was a popular game. I don't believe I ever finished a game though but playing it was good enough for me. I would trade games with friends and my sister to experience new games but I always made sure I had mine back at the end of the day.

Of course, all good things must change and evolve, including Game Boys. First came the edition with the colored screen, then the DS, and into whatever they have now. But nothing beats an original. 

Happy Friday!
Jackie & Vinnie