Your Money Friday: How to Pay for Vacations

08 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 8th,2012 | Budgeting, Finances |  Comments Off

When you’re being responsible with your money, paying down debt, funding retirement, not relying on credit cards, sometimes finding the money to have fun can be difficult.

This week’s Your Money thread is about How do you decide how much money for vacations?. The thread doesn’t actually talk numbers, it’s actually more about priorities. Is vacation the last priority, with money going toward that after all other goals are met? Does it become a short term top priority, with other money goals taking a back seat?

The answer is different for each person/couple, but everyone still thinks vacations are important.

Stanley Cup Finals: #NJDevils vs #LAKings game 4

07 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 7th,2012 | Hockey, New Jersey Devils, Stanley Cup |  Comments Off

How do you come back from a 3-0 game deficit in a series? One game at a time. Will the Devils win 4 in a row and win the Cup? Four in a row is hard; that’s why teams don’t sweep very often. But the Devils won 4 in a row against the Flyers. Of course, the Kings sweptSt. Louisin that same round.

The Kings only need to win one game to win the Stanley Cup, so the Devils cannot afford to think about 3 more in a row. They can only think one game at a time.

Movie Review: Abelar- Tales of an Anceint Empire (worst movie ever)

06 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 6th,2012 | Movies |  Comments Off

Abelar: Tales of an Ancient Empire is the sequel to The Sword and the Sorcerer, which is an enjoyable movie. Abelar is not. I mean, really not.

The story made very little sense. What should’ve been the good parts- like a climatic battle scene, aren’t in the movie. Instead, there’s a voiceover telling us what happened. There are characters that are hinted at, but you can’t quite be sure if they’re ever actually introduced.

And the end, the end makes even less sense than the rest of the movie.

Even if you’re a die hard Kevin Sorbo fan, SKIP this.

Published!

05 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 5th,2012 | Writing |  2 comments

As many of you know, I’m a writer. Okay, given the number of blogs I have, that seems kind of silly to announce. However, in addition to blogs, I am a writer of fiction, and today I am proud to announce that Conquest Through Determination: A Steampunk Anthology, the first print publication I have been part of, is available through Amazon.

I love the short story I contributed to this anthology, and cannot wait to get my copy in the mail.

Previously, I’ve only been published online or in something I created myself, so I am very excited about this.

#MythBusters (ep190)

04 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 4th,2012 | Mythbusters, Science, Television |  Comments Off

I love bubble wrap as much as the next person, and maybe love popping the bubbles in bubble wrap more than most people over the age of 10, but I cannot imagine wrapping myself in it, let alone then jumping off a building. So what that all boils down to is I am glad Adam is okay, and the myth was busted.

As for the build team myth, sometimes I want MythBusters to remember it’s own history. Adam and Jamie built a working ejector seat. I would have loved to seen the ejector seat roll over myth tried with that.

Stanley Cup Finals: #NJDevils vs #LAKings Game 2

03 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 3rd,2012 | Hockey, New Jersey Devils, Stanley Cup |  Comments Off

Last night’s game was a good one. Brodeur had an amazing game, and after the Devils tied it up, the energy and intensity they maintained was fabulous. Jonathan Quick was just one second better than the Devils forwards. Even in overtime, the Devils had some great chances.
Games like this, that are so close, where luck plays as much a part as skill, are why the hockey playoffs run best of seven. It helps even out the skill and luck.
Still, the Devils are now headed to LA down two games to none, and the Kings are playing great hockey.

Blog Feature: The Happy Homeowner

02 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 2nd,2012 | blogging, Finances, Writing |  2 comments

I figured this was a good weekend to highlight Jen at The Happy Homeowner because she has so many exciting things going on right now. She recently changed the look of the site (I love it), quit her full time job without having another one lined up (she does have a part time job and some other business ventures), and oh yeah, recently came out of the closet, introducing herself to us, instead of remaining anonymous.

So head on over there, wish her luck on her goals, on her new job interview, let her know we like knowing her name.

Your Money Friday: Family Heirlooms

01 Jun

Erin Shanendoah |  June 1st,2012 | Finances, Relationships |  Comments Off

What makes something a family heirloom? When do you have the right to be mad that someone else sold or gave away something you might have liked?

My opinion- monetary or historical value does not make something a family heirloom. In order for it to make heirloom status, there needs to be emotional significance attached. Without the emotional component, it’s just stuff. Sure it may be cool stuff, or stuff worth money, but it’s still just stuff.

So before you get mad at a relative who has otherwise done right by you, consider if it is actually emotionally worth it.

Stanley Cup Finals: #NJDevils vs #LAKings

31 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 31st,2012 | Hockey, New Jersey Devils, Stanley Cup |  Comments Off

After missing the playoffs completely last year, the New Jersey Devils are playing for the Cup. The first game of the Stanley Cup Finals, Devils vs. the Los Angeles Kings was played last night. The Kings dominated the first period, but it ended tied 1-1. Second period was pretty even, third period was all Devils, but they couldn’t get another one past Quick.

Now, I’m a Devils fan because of Martin Brodeur, and while I would have loved to see Brodeur stop Kopitar’s shot, I have to admit that Kopitar deserved that goal. It was a lovely breakaway and shot.

Book Review: Tiassa by Steven Brust

30 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 30th,2012 | Authors & Books, Steven Brust, Vlad Taltos novels |  Comments Off

Tiassa is very different from most of the Vlad novels in that very little of it is told from Vlad’s point of view. This does not make it bad, just different. The story is still Vlad centric, but it details what would normally be behind the scenes actions that Vlad never sees and isn’t really aware of. It’s good, but I love Vlad’s voice so I was kind of disappointed.

It also reminds us of the fact that we’re hearing these stories because Vlad is telling them to someone, recording them. We learn this is as a favor to Sethra.

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