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Beware of Cute e-Cards
 Hackers are using Valentine's e-Cards to sneak malicious software onto unprotected computers. According to this article from MSNBC it works like this, "they want you to click on the link in the e-mail or instant message to retrieve your e-card. That will send you to their web site which has malware waiting to be downloaded." The code will then access a user's e-mail address book and send replications of the e-card message to them. One of the scams offers a free development kit that supposedly lets you create your own Valentine e-card. The message features a pair of Shih Tzu puppies (see image of what bogus e-mail looks like). Click on the link to get the kit and you've just infected your computer. So to stay safe, if you don't recognize the recipient don't open the e-mail. If you're searching for an e-Card to send to your spouse, be sure the card is coming from a reputable source or look within your own e-mail system for a template you can use without using a third party. Have a safe V-Day. Labels: advice, holidays, technology
Beware of Cute e-Cards
Hackers are using Valentine's e-Cards to sneak malicious software onto unprotected computers. According to this article from MSNBC it works like this, "they want you to click on the link in the e-mail or instant message to retrieve your e-card. That will send you to their web site which has malware waiting to be downloaded." The code will then access a user's e-mail address book and send replications of the e-card message to them. One of the scams offers a free development kit that supposedly lets you create your own Valentine e-card. The message features a pair of Shih Tzu puppies (see image of what bogus e-mail looks like). Click on the link to get the kit and you've just infected your computer. So to stay safe, if you don't recognize the recipient don't open the e-mail. If you're searching for an e-Card to send to your spouse, be sure the card is coming from a reputable source or look within your own e-mail system for a template you can use without using a third party. Have a safe V-Day. Labels: advice, holidays, technology
VDay on the Cheap
 Consulting firm Brand Keys found that Americans will spend an average of 15 percent less this Valentine's Day than they did last year. BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation, found that consumers plan to spend an average of $102.50 on Valentine's Day this year, down from $122.98 last year. This article from MSNBC says this is the first dip in spending in eight years. The article says individuals should expect just a card instead of a gift card. The beauty of this drop is that it will help many couples refocus the importance of the holiday to love, not money or gifts. Do you plan on cutting back? Are you going to visit a cheaper restaurant instead of your usual favorite? If you have any cheap ideas, please share. Labels: date night, holidays, romance, study
VDay on the Cheap
Consulting firm Brand Keys found that Americans will spend an average of 15 percent less this Valentine's Day than they did last year. BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation, found that consumers plan to spend an average of $102.50 on Valentine's Day this year, down from $122.98 last year. This article from MSNBC says this is the first dip in spending in eight years. The article says individuals should expect just a card instead of a gift card. The beauty of this drop is that it will help many couples refocus the importance of the holiday to love, not money or gifts. Do you plan on cutting back? Are you going to visit a cheaper restaurant instead of your usual favorite? If you have any cheap ideas, please share. Labels: date night, holidays, romance, study
Use Common Sense, Be Safe
 I read an article earlier today that suggested not to shoot your guns in celebration of the new year. Seems reasonable. But celebration isn't the only place you should use common sense, the weather is another place to use good judgement. Click here to read an article of a man who used a cutting torch to thaw ice and wound up thawing a lot of ice when he caught his house on fire. Be safe, don't drink and drive, and enjoy your New Year celebrations! Happy New Year everyone and be sure to give your spouse a BIG kiss at midnight--then remember to do the same thing throughout the year. Labels: advice, holidays, real people
Use Common Sense, Be Safe
I read an article earlier today that suggested not to shoot your guns in celebration of the new year. Seems reasonable. But celebration isn't the only place you should use common sense, the weather is another place to use good judgement. Click here to read an article of a man who used a cutting torch to thaw ice and wound up thawing a lot of ice when he caught his house on fire. Be safe, don't drink and drive, and enjoy your New Year celebrations! Happy New Year everyone and be sure to give your spouse a BIG kiss at midnight--then remember to do the same thing throughout the year. Labels: advice, holidays, real people
Medical Myths
 Your kid eating sugar will make them hyper, right? Not so says British medical journal BMJ. They say that there is no scientific evidence to support this myth and that some of it is even psychological for the parents. The journal said that when parent were told their kids had sugary drinks, they rated that they were more hyper, even though the drinks were sugar free. Other myths include the one that poinsettias are poisonous, suicides increase during the holidays, eating at night makes you fat, you lose the most body heat through your head, and that their are cures for hangovers. To read the full article with explanations on these myths, click here. So go ahead and eat up at night with that sugary dessert, but don't drink too much because there's no cure in the morning. Happy holidays! Labels: food, health, holidays, kids, study
Medical Myths
Your kid eating sugar will make them hyper, right? Not so says British medical journal BMJ. They say that there is no scientific evidence to support this myth and that some of it is even psychological for the parents. The journal said that when parent were told their kids had sugary drinks, they rated that they were more hyper, even though the drinks were sugar free. Other myths include the one that poinsettias are poisonous, suicides increase during the holidays, eating at night makes you fat, you lose the most body heat through your head, and that their are cures for hangovers. To read the full article with explanations on these myths, click here. So go ahead and eat up at night with that sugary dessert, but don't drink too much because there's no cure in the morning. Happy holidays! Labels: food, health, holidays, kids, study
Less Gifts This Year
 Who on your Santa list is not going to receive a gift this year because of the economy? A Maritz Holiday Poll asked who's off this year's holiday gift list and perhaps surprisingly extended family were the first to go. 67 Percent said extended family were getting chopped, while 55 percent said friends and 50 percent said work associates. Click here to see the poll. Have you removed some people off your gift list who has traditionally been on it in years past? Are you making homemade goodies instead or have other ideas? Let us know what you're doing. Labels: holidays, news
Less Gifts This Year
Who on your Santa list is not going to receive a gift this year because of the economy? A Maritz Holiday Poll asked who's off this year's holiday gift list and perhaps surprisingly extended family were the first to go. 67 Percent said extended family were getting chopped, while 55 percent said friends and 50 percent said work associates. Click here to see the poll. Have you removed some people off your gift list who has traditionally been on it in years past? Are you making homemade goodies instead or have other ideas? Let us know what you're doing. Labels: holidays, news
12 Days of Christmas Costs $86,609
 Every year PNC Wealth Management compiles a "Christmas Price Index," which rings up the total costs from the first day of Christmas's partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests. Last year, the total was was $78,100. This year the total jumped 10.9 percent to $86,609, an increase of $8,508. Interestingly, the five gold rings is down to $350 from $395 last year and many of the birds are cheaper (french hens, turtle doves, geese a-laying). This seems like just good holiday fodder, but these prices are a telling barometer of our current economic conditions. For example, gasoline increases have driven up shipping costs resulting in the pear tree price increase of $5. The aforementioned bird drops reflect the decrease in food prices. While the increase in the price of "swans a swimming" reflect in the pricing increase of luxury items. Click here to read the full article, including how to purchase these items on the cheap (Riverdance DVD instead of "lords a-leaping". Here's a breakdown of the costs and their comparison to last year: Partridge, $20 (last year: $15) Pear Tree, $200 (last year: $150) Two Turtle Doves, $55 (last year: $40) Three French Hens, $30 (last year: $45) Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 (last year: same) Five Gold Rings, $350 (last year: $395) Six Geese a-Laying, $240 (last year: $360) Seven Swans a-Swimming, $5,600 (last year: $4,200) Eight Maids a-Milking, $52 (last year: $47) Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 (last year: same) 10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,414 (last year: $4,285) 11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,285 (last year: $2,213) 12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,475 (last year: $2,398) Labels: entertainment, holidays, money, study
12 Days of Christmas Costs $86,609
Every year PNC Wealth Management compiles a "Christmas Price Index," which rings up the total costs from the first day of Christmas's partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests. Last year, the total was was $78,100. This year the total jumped 10.9 percent to $86,609, an increase of $8,508. Interestingly, the five gold rings is down to $350 from $395 last year and many of the birds are cheaper (french hens, turtle doves, geese a-laying). This seems like just good holiday fodder, but these prices are a telling barometer of our current economic conditions. For example, gasoline increases have driven up shipping costs resulting in the pear tree price increase of $5. The aforementioned bird drops reflect the decrease in food prices. While the increase in the price of "swans a swimming" reflect in the pricing increase of luxury items. Click here to read the full article, including how to purchase these items on the cheap (Riverdance DVD instead of "lords a-leaping". Here's a breakdown of the costs and their comparison to last year: Partridge, $20 (last year: $15) Pear Tree, $200 (last year: $150) Two Turtle Doves, $55 (last year: $40) Three French Hens, $30 (last year: $45) Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 (last year: same) Five Gold Rings, $350 (last year: $395) Six Geese a-Laying, $240 (last year: $360) Seven Swans a-Swimming, $5,600 (last year: $4,200) Eight Maids a-Milking, $52 (last year: $47) Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 (last year: same) 10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,414 (last year: $4,285) 11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,285 (last year: $2,213) 12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,475 (last year: $2,398) Labels: entertainment, holidays, money, study
Most Dangerous Holiday Traffic Day
 The most dangerous holiday to drive is New Year's Eve, right? Wrong! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the most dangerous holiday to take to the road is Thanksgiving. So be sure to drive safe this week. It seems that Thanksgiving is a perfect storm of event: long distance travel, packed roads, long days of drinking wine and beer, sleepy drivers from the turkey and general stress. Independence Day is the second most dangerous day, followed by Memorial Day and Labor Day. New Year's Eve doesn't show up until number five. The best advice they recommend is to stay home, which isn't an option or most, or to fly. If you must drive, then wear a seatbelt, make a plan for getting home if you're going to be drinking and don't speed. Labels: advice, health, holidays, study
Most Dangerous Holiday Traffic Day
The most dangerous holiday to drive is New Year's Eve, right? Wrong! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the most dangerous holiday to take to the road is Thanksgiving. So be sure to drive safe this week. It seems that Thanksgiving is a perfect storm of event: long distance travel, packed roads, long days of drinking wine and beer, sleepy drivers from the turkey and general stress. Independence Day is the second most dangerous day, followed by Memorial Day and Labor Day. New Year's Eve doesn't show up until number five. The best advice they recommend is to stay home, which isn't an option or most, or to fly. If you must drive, then wear a seatbelt, make a plan for getting home if you're going to be drinking and don't speed. Labels: advice, health, holidays, study
Zombie Walks
 Have you ever heard of a zombie walk? They've been around for a few years and it's essentially when a group of people (sometimes very large) get together, dress up as zombies and walk with a zombie gait in a public space, like a shopping mall or down Main Street. Seattle Weekly has a slideshow of a recent zombie walk through Seattle. If this sounds like good, creepy fun to you, check out www.zombiewalk.com to find a meeting of the undead in your area. Let us know if you've ever participated or have seen one of these in your area. Happy Halloween everyone, and don't forget to post your costume pictures on the forum (click here). Labels: entertainment, holidays
Zombie Walks
Have you ever heard of a zombie walk? They've been around for a few years and it's essentially when a group of people (sometimes very large) get together, dress up as zombies and walk with a zombie gait in a public space, like a shopping mall or down Main Street. Seattle Weekly has a slideshow of a recent zombie walk through Seattle. If this sounds like good, creepy fun to you, check out www.zombiewalk.com to find a meeting of the undead in your area. Let us know if you've ever participated or have seen one of these in your area. Happy Halloween everyone, and don't forget to post your costume pictures on the forum (click here). Labels: entertainment, holidays
Don't Count on Holiday Bonuses
 It may be a little early talking about the holidays, but they are just around the corner. And with the economy going crazy like it has, it's worth planning now than get stuck on December 24th with no bonus check for relief. The AP just came out with a story saying that many who are expecting and have received year-end or holiday bonuses in the past shouldn't expect to get them this year. Obviously if the company you work for is doing well and has been doing well, you may not have anything to worry about. Then again, they may be planning for rougher waters ahead. Either way, here's your friendly reminder that it's not wise to plan on non-guaranteed money. Labels: advice, holidays, money, news
Don't Count on Holiday Bonuses
It may be a little early talking about the holidays, but they are just around the corner. And with the economy going crazy like it has, it's worth planning now than get stuck on December 24th with no bonus check for relief. The AP just came out with a story saying that many who are expecting and have received year-end or holiday bonuses in the past shouldn't expect to get them this year. Obviously if the company you work for is doing well and has been doing well, you may not have anything to worry about. Then again, they may be planning for rougher waters ahead. Either way, here's your friendly reminder that it's not wise to plan on non-guaranteed money. Labels: advice, holidays, money, news
Wine from Faucets
 It's been a tough week and we've been holding onto this one for a few days just because we knew it would put a smile on your face. It's Friday, and the Dow Industrial has just concluded it's worst drop in history! If you've ever needed an excuse to drink, now may be it. In Marino, Italy they hold a grape festival every year and reroute the plumbing to have sparkling white wine flow from the fountains in the main square. In an "error", the plumbing was switched to local homes instead. Which meant that wine was literally flowing from the faucets of local residents. The London Times reported that some locals were able to fill up jugs of wine before the error was corrected. Have a great weekend. Click here to read the full post.Labels: food, fun, holidays
Wine from Faucets
It's been a tough week and we've been holding onto this one for a few days just because we knew it would put a smile on your face. It's Friday, and the Dow Industrial has just concluded it's worst drop in history! If you've ever needed an excuse to drink, now may be it. In Marino, Italy they hold a grape festival every year and reroute the plumbing to have sparkling white wine flow from the fountains in the main square. In an "error", the plumbing was switched to local homes instead. Which meant that wine was literally flowing from the faucets of local residents. The London Times reported that some locals were able to fill up jugs of wine before the error was corrected. Have a great weekend. Click here to read the full post.Labels: food, fun, holidays
Green Resources
 April 22nd is Earth Day, so there's understandably a lot of attention on green, like this post for example. Anyway, making a commitment to being green is more than a once a year thing. We thought it would be helpful to give you some resources that will help you think green all year long. Treehugger.comCNet Green Tech BlogAutoBlog GreenThe Lazy EnvironmentalistCity Hippy Great Green BabyEcoFabulousLabels: green, holidays, resource
Green Resources
April 22nd is Earth Day, so there's understandably a lot of attention on green, like this post for example. Anyway, making a commitment to being green is more than a once a year thing. We thought it would be helpful to give you some resources that will help you think green all year long. Treehugger.comCNet Green Tech BlogAutoBlog GreenThe Lazy EnvironmentalistCity Hippy Great Green BabyEcoFabulousLabels: green, holidays, resource
Valentine's Day Recipes
 Looking to make a special meal for your sweetheart? The good people at FoodTV has an entire section of their website dedicated to Valentine's recipes for two. They've got it broken down into several sections, including Recipes for Romance, Kids Corner, Five Valentine's Cookies from One Simple Dough, Our Romantic Valentine's Dinner for Two, and more. There's also videos you can watch, including The Freaky Deaky Love Potion. Are you making your spouse a special dinner for Valentine's Day? Click here to go to the FoodTV page. Labels: food, holidays, romance
Valentine's Day Recipes
Looking to make a special meal for your sweetheart? The good people at FoodTV has an entire section of their website dedicated to Valentine's recipes for two. They've got it broken down into several sections, including Recipes for Romance, Kids Corner, Five Valentine's Cookies from One Simple Dough, Our Romantic Valentine's Dinner for Two, and more. There's also videos you can watch, including The Freaky Deaky Love Potion. Are you making your spouse a special dinner for Valentine's Day? Click here to go to the FoodTV page. Labels: food, holidays, romance
Special Podcast for Valentine's Day
 If you're not a regular listener to our podcast, now's the time to start. For the first time, we have a special podcast in the middle of the week. Dr. Trina Read, our Sexpert, was kind enough to give us a few minutes of her time to explain how couples can use Valentine's Day to initiate fun and play into your sex life. The entire podcast is less than 10 minutes and well worth it. Who knows, you might even become a regular listener. Here's looking forward to a Happy Valentine's Day. Click here to go to and listen to the podcast. Labels: advice, holidays, romance, sex
Special Podcast for Valentine's Day
If you're not a regular listener to our podcast, now's the time to start. For the first time, we have a special podcast in the middle of the week. Dr. Trina Read, our Sexpert, was kind enough to give us a few minutes of her time to explain how couples can use Valentine's Day to initiate fun and play into your sex life. The entire podcast is less than 10 minutes and well worth it. Who knows, you might even become a regular listener. Here's looking forward to a Happy Valentine's Day. Click here to go to and listen to the podcast. Labels: advice, holidays, romance, sex
Buying the Best Chocolate for Your Valentine
 Yahoo! Personals has an article about how to buy the best chocolate. The author defines five characteristics to keep an eye on. The first and noted most important is the freshness of the chocolate. To avoid months old chocolate, the author recommends avoiding supermarkets and instead patronizing specialty chocolate shops. Another item of note is to not worry about any diet! Well, unless your spouse is a diabetic, in which case he says there are few low-glycemic index chocolates. Finally, another item to look out for is flavor. Make sure you get a flavor that your spouse likes. What's wrong with pure dark chocolate? Hitched says not a thing. Labels: food, holidays, romance
Buying the Best Chocolate for Your Valentine
Yahoo! Personals has an article about how to buy the best chocolate. The author defines five characteristics to keep an eye on. The first and noted most important is the freshness of the chocolate. To avoid months old chocolate, the author recommends avoiding supermarkets and instead patronizing specialty chocolate shops. Another item of note is to not worry about any diet! Well, unless your spouse is a diabetic, in which case he says there are few low-glycemic index chocolates. Finally, another item to look out for is flavor. Make sure you get a flavor that your spouse likes. What's wrong with pure dark chocolate? Hitched says not a thing. Labels: food, holidays, romance
Holiday Tipping Tip Sheet
 Kiplinger.com has put together a nice tip sheet on, well, tipping. We've broken out a couple of the tipping guidelines for you. If you want to read all of them, click here. CLEANING PERSONHow much to tip: The cost of one visit if he or she visits weekly or bi-weekly, says protocol adviser Rosanne Thomas. Up the tip amount for a cleaning person who works more often. Exceptions: If you use a cleaning service that works in a team, a box of chocolates for the team is customary. HAIRSTYLISTHow much to tip: The normal cost of a visit for a stylist you've used all year. Exceptions: If your stylist doubles as a confidante, include a small personal gift that speaks to his or her interests as well as a monetary gift. If you don't require as much attention from your stylist or barber, you may prefer to give only about $20 as a tip during your December visit. PERSONAL TRAINERHow much to tip: $50. Exceptions: The key question to ask yourself is whether you have an ongoing, above-average relationship with the professional, says etiquette expert Charlotte Ford. Tip at year end if you feel you've gotten above-average service year-round. BABY SITTERHow much to tip: Nanny or au pair -- one week's pay and a small gift from the child; regular sitter -- one to two nights' pay; day-care provider -- $25 to $70. Exceptions: Only give a holiday tip if you've frequently used the sitter during the year or you had to call on them in an 11th hour emergency, advises Thomas Blaikie, etiquette expert and author of "To the Manner Born." Labels: advice, holidays, money, work
Holiday Tipping Tip Sheet
Kiplinger.com has put together a nice tip sheet on, well, tipping. We've broken out a couple of the tipping guidelines for you. If you want to read all of them, click here. CLEANING PERSONHow much to tip: The cost of one visit if he or she visits weekly or bi-weekly, says protocol adviser Rosanne Thomas. Up the tip amount for a cleaning person who works more often. Exceptions: If you use a cleaning service that works in a team, a box of chocolates for the team is customary. HAIRSTYLISTHow much to tip: The normal cost of a visit for a stylist you've used all year. Exceptions: If your stylist doubles as a confidante, include a small personal gift that speaks to his or her interests as well as a monetary gift. If you don't require as much attention from your stylist or barber, you may prefer to give only about $20 as a tip during your December visit. PERSONAL TRAINERHow much to tip: $50. Exceptions: The key question to ask yourself is whether you have an ongoing, above-average relationship with the professional, says etiquette expert Charlotte Ford. Tip at year end if you feel you've gotten above-average service year-round. BABY SITTERHow much to tip: Nanny or au pair -- one week's pay and a small gift from the child; regular sitter -- one to two nights' pay; day-care provider -- $25 to $70. Exceptions: Only give a holiday tip if you've frequently used the sitter during the year or you had to call on them in an 11th hour emergency, advises Thomas Blaikie, etiquette expert and author of "To the Manner Born." Labels: advice, holidays, money, work
Santa Coming to Town--For Only Microseconds
 Anders Larsson of the engineering consultancy Sweco told AFP that Santa Clause would have to travel 3,604 miles per second in order to jump from house to house to deliver one gift to every child on earth. He would have 48 hours to complete his journey touching on the estimated 2.5 billion homes. Did we mention this would include his cookie breaks too? To accomplish this feat, "he has 34 microseconds at each stop," says Larsson, to slide down the chimney, drop off the presents, nibble on his cookies and milk and hop back on his sleigh. Larsson also says Santa must live in Kyrgyzstan in order to accomplish this feat. You can ready the entire article here. Labels: fun, holidays, study, travel
Santa Coming to Town--For Only Microseconds
Anders Larsson of the engineering consultancy Sweco told AFP that Santa Clause would have to travel 3,604 miles per second in order to jump from house to house to deliver one gift to every child on earth. He would have 48 hours to complete his journey touching on the estimated 2.5 billion homes. Did we mention this would include his cookie breaks too? To accomplish this feat, "he has 34 microseconds at each stop," says Larsson, to slide down the chimney, drop off the presents, nibble on his cookies and milk and hop back on his sleigh. Larsson also says Santa must live in Kyrgyzstan in order to accomplish this feat. You can ready the entire article here. Labels: fun, holidays, study, travel
Best Games of 2007
 Looking for that perfect household gift? Games are always a good play. About.com listed their top games for 2007. We'll spill the beans on five: Cranium Wow - sculpt, draw, act and answer your way to victory. This is an update on the already best-selling game. Luck of the Draw from Gamewright - In this one you draw something based on a subject card that you pull from a stack. Other players vote on which category, among 100 different categories such as neatest, tallest or prettiest drawing, fits the drawing. Not sure exactly how you win the game though. If you've played this, let us know. Hot Spot from ThinkFun - The game pieces are built like robots that can only move in a straight line. The goal is to get the red robot to the “hot spot” which is the red spot on one corner of the board. There are other blue and yellow robots that the robot can jump over to get to his goal. You have to figure out the most economical way to get to the Hot Spot. I Spy Eagle Eye Game from Briarpatch - In this one, match one of the objects from the cards in your hand to the ones on the game board. Whoever finds an object first rings the bell and wins the round. WonderChess and WonderGo - Like chess? What if the chess pieces had prizes in them. That's basically what this is. You can stuff whatever you want inside the chess pieces (as long as they fit) and the person that captures the piece gets the additional prize. If you have another game you think we should know about, let us know. Labels: entertainment, fun, holidays
Best Games of 2007
Looking for that perfect household gift? Games are always a good play. About.com listed their top games for 2007. We'll spill the beans on five: Cranium Wow - sculpt, draw, act and answer your way to victory. This is an update on the already best-selling game. Luck of the Draw from Gamewright - In this one you draw something based on a subject card that you pull from a stack. Other players vote on which category, among 100 different categories such as neatest, tallest or prettiest drawing, fits the drawing. Not sure exactly how you win the game though. If you've played this, let us know. Hot Spot from ThinkFun - The game pieces are built like robots that can only move in a straight line. The goal is to get the red robot to the “hot spot” which is the red spot on one corner of the board. There are other blue and yellow robots that the robot can jump over to get to his goal. You have to figure out the most economical way to get to the Hot Spot. I Spy Eagle Eye Game from Briarpatch - In this one, match one of the objects from the cards in your hand to the ones on the game board. Whoever finds an object first rings the bell and wins the round. WonderChess and WonderGo - Like chess? What if the chess pieces had prizes in them. That's basically what this is. You can stuff whatever you want inside the chess pieces (as long as they fit) and the person that captures the piece gets the additional prize. If you have another game you think we should know about, let us know. Labels: entertainment, fun, holidays
"The 12 Days of Christmas"... Not So Cheap
 Think you could afford the cost of the 364 items in the holiday song " The 12 Days of Christmas"? Not unless you have $78,100 dollars to spend. Research conducted by PNC Wealth Management says the prices are up 4 percent from last year. "What's really surprising is that our index follows overall Consumer Price Index trends," Rebekah McCahan, a PNC senior vice president, says in a news release. "To think that the cost of a partridge in a pear tree would mirror what's going on at Target, for example, is pretty interesting." Here is a breakdown of the list: Partridge, $15 Pear Tree, $150 Two Turtle Doves, $40 Three French Hens, $45 Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 Five Gold Rings, $395 Six Geese a-Laying, $360 Seven Swans a-Swimming, $4,200 Eight Maids a-Milking, $47 Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,285 11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,213 12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,398 Merry Christmas, Right? Labels: commentary, holidays, money, study
"The 12 Days of Christmas"... Not So Cheap
Think you could afford the cost of the 364 items in the holiday song " The 12 Days of Christmas"? Not unless you have $78,100 dollars to spend. Research conducted by PNC Wealth Management says the prices are up 4 percent from last year. "What's really surprising is that our index follows overall Consumer Price Index trends," Rebekah McCahan, a PNC senior vice president, says in a news release. "To think that the cost of a partridge in a pear tree would mirror what's going on at Target, for example, is pretty interesting." Here is a breakdown of the list: Partridge, $15 Pear Tree, $150 Two Turtle Doves, $40 Three French Hens, $45 Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 Five Gold Rings, $395 Six Geese a-Laying, $360 Seven Swans a-Swimming, $4,200 Eight Maids a-Milking, $47 Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,285 11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,213 12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,398 Merry Christmas, Right? Labels: commentary, holidays, money, study
What's Your Halloween Candy Personality?
 We've probably gone a little overboard with all this Halloween coverage. But since we've already gone overboard, one more story can't hurt, right? The Washington Post has put together a personality sheet based on the candy you purchase. Here's a breakdown of some candy personality descriptions. 3 Musketeers: Does well in groups but is somewhat pompous. Prone to fancy costumes and arcane weapons. Wears hats in public that are ill-advised. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Generous souls. Those who understand the salty in life, as well as the sweet. Twizzlers: Sickos. Truly demented. Plastic people living plastic lives. Twix: Both brittle and supple in social situations; sort of trapped between personality types. For the full rundown click here.Labels: food, fun, holidays
What's Your Halloween Candy Personality?
We've probably gone a little overboard with all this Halloween coverage. But since we've already gone overboard, one more story can't hurt, right? The Washington Post has put together a personality sheet based on the candy you purchase. Here's a breakdown of some candy personality descriptions. 3 Musketeers: Does well in groups but is somewhat pompous. Prone to fancy costumes and arcane weapons. Wears hats in public that are ill-advised. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Generous souls. Those who understand the salty in life, as well as the sweet. Twizzlers: Sickos. Truly demented. Plastic people living plastic lives. Twix: Both brittle and supple in social situations; sort of trapped between personality types. For the full rundown click here.Labels: food, fun, holidays
New Twist on Vacations
 The tourism industry has a new niche. "Why just take a vacation, when you can change your life?" they tout. That's right! Instead of taking the ordinary "fly to your destination, get the hotel room and relax by the pool" concept, vacation planners are promoting more than relaxation, they are promising transformation with yoga and wellness-type itineraries for their customers. And why would you want to do this? The response: people want to have a life changing experience. And for married couples, it's a whole new way to connect with your partner, purveyors of the new vacation style attest. Marketing and research firm Ypartnership said its latest survey of affluent travelers showed 30 percent of respondents named yoga as their favorite spa program or service. Massage was the most popular with 65 percent. Well, duh. Regardless, next time you sit down and plan a getaway, think about the possibility of changing your life with your spouse. Just make sure you don't overextend your yoga posses and come home broken. Labels: advice, health, holidays, |
