Many, for whatever reason, have operated with no cushion - if they miss a couple of paycheques, they're sweating blood, as they need every dollar of every paycheque ... right then, to pay their many bills - including the ones on frequently substantial credit card balances. Along with many others having acquired some skills at money management, I've recommended to many that they make a serious effort to work toward having three months' income on hand for use in case of emergency, layoff, plant closure, etc. ... with 6 months', 9 months' or a year's worth being even better. If, having one's employment earnings cut off, for whatever reason, one can have enough assets on hand to cash into money to enable one to live for several months without major problems, one enjoys much more financial freedom than if one lacks such a cushion. More than millions in our society do. Paycheques are risky ... the worker must possess the physical, mental and emotional strength and agility to perform the assigned tasks ... or s/he can't continue to receive them. Also, they must hope that their employer has enough work to keep them busy, or doesn't move their factory offshore, so that they don't suffer temporary or permanent layoff ... or doesn't merge with another company, who then has one's work shifted to their staff to do. Ot go broke .. which often jeopardizes the value of any company shares which they may own, as well ... and company pension credits, should they be one of a diminishing number of employees in our countries to enjoy one, in recent years. Those of us who are retired, on the other hand, are less at risk. As long as our pension plan(s) remain viable ... ... all that we need do to qualify is stay above the grass! We can have fallen and have a painful shoulder ... or be confined to hospital for an extended period ... or be visiting with relatives/friends in distant places ... or on a cruise ... or visitng tourist areas, here or abroad ... ... and that beautiful pension just keeps being added to our bank account, regularly. I value my freedom in the political and social realm: we are very fortunate to live in countries where more of such freedom is part of our life than in most parts of the world. For years I have said I would like to see our fellow citizens enjoy a similar reasonable measure of financial freedom, as well. We have been learning once again in recent months how fragile that financial freedom may be for far more of us than we would have estimated, had anyone asked us, a few years ago. Many, who thought that they had been walking along a safe sidewalk at night ... ... found, when dawn broke ... ... they they were walking, figuratively speaking ... ... along a tight wire, strung over Niagara Falls. With a balancing pole, possibly - in their shaky hands! Not a pleasant experience. It's important that we teach our kids in school more about basic management of money. And at home, as well. With hands-on experience in the home being the best, I think. Good wishes for success in your quest for financial freedom - and helping your kids (and other young ones, as well, as opportunity presents itself) to achieve some of the same ... and thirst for more. ole joyful

I wanted to do business with Art Walk earlier this year. I ordered three samples from them and was told they'd be on the way within 48 hours. To make a long story short they never showed up....six weeks later they still hadn't shown up and I was told each time I called they were "on the way." I finally had to go with something locally because I couldn't wait any longer. It took three phone calls to get the refund for the samples. But, I did finally get it. The guy I dealt with was super nice, but it didn't make a difference in the end. I don't think they are very organized with regard to net sales (to say the least).

I love the motion detector for the light in there! Or one that goes on when the door opens. I agree w/ the reorganizing, and the idea that you are storing the wrong things in the pantry. PirateFoxy had great suggestions, especially the idea of creating a breakfast-cereal spot (and I'd move spoons and bowls to that spot as well). (Heck, I might make a shelf/counter IN the pantry for that, and add a mini fridge for the cereal milk) I've never had a pantry, but I think I'd personally prefer my most-used stuff to go in the kitchen itself, and use the pantry for the stuff you get out once, or the stuff that's used uncommonly or for a specialized activity (like, I don't bake daily; it's sort of a "special occasion," so I'm willing to go in the pantry to get out the baking pans). So, big roasting pans, baking pans, can move there to free up room for other food storage in the work area. I might even put seldom-used glassware there, to free an upper cabinet. Things like boxes of rice mixes can go there too, because I'll say, "What to make for dinner?" and go look well before I actually start cooking, and take it out, and it never goes back in. So that's a smart thing to put in the pantry, I think. And of course the classics: bulk dry goods, stash of paper towels. And stuff that needs to be stored somewhere, but isn't kitchen related, like pet food.

Or wear your cell phone in a little bag that is around your neck, tied to your belt, or somewhere on your person - and keep it nearby during bathing/showering. I stepped out of the shower 15 months ago to get something off of the counter. In getting that foot back over the tub side, I lost my balance, slid, and slammed the standing leg's knee into the tub side. I knocked my tibia out of place so far that eight hours later, when I decided to go to the hospital, it was still displaced. Not that the docs did anything about it. They never even mentioned it, they simply called it a sprained knee. I only learned of it a month later when we went to see a surgeon and picked up a copy of the x-ray report. I did not have my phone in the bathroom and had to get myself up off the bottom of the tub and onto my feet. I then had to get to the bedroom to a phone with no counter to lean on once I left the bathroom. I grabbed walls and did as much wiggling of my good foot as I could to make my way. I phoned my husband and begged him to come home, which he did as soon as he got the message. He helped me to dress and get comfortable and got me ice. Since I have a connective tissue disorder and have dislocated my knee before, I knew what had probably happened. I checked for bulges and watched for swelling. It was not until late evening and increasing pain that I decided to go to the hospital. There, all they wanted to do was check for broken bones! Soft tissue - they said was not for them to worry about. It took me about four months to walk without my walker, six months to feel confident walking. I don't know how I could have done it on my own. My dog would have had to go live elsewhere until I could let her out. I had a week or more using a bedside commode and eating all my meals in bed. My husband came home each night and took care of me. Now, the wheelchair accessible shower I have been planning for 5 years is done and I have grab bars everywhere within reach in there!