The Best AZ Bakery

One of my favorite bakeries in Mesa, AZ is Whole Grain Natural Bread Company. If you are looking for something natural, fresh, preservative-free, and affordable, this is the place for you. I think it is definitely a contender for one of the best bakeries in Arizona, not just the Phoenix valley.

The first time I went there was in high school. I went with my friend Erica after school one day because I was having dinner at her house and her mom asked us to pick up one of their famous sprouted grain loafs. I had never been there, and when I walked in I was in heaven. No matter who you are or where you are on this planet, everyone loves bread. There is just something about bread that makes us feel comfortable, warm, and at home.

We got the bread Erica’s mom asked for, and I bought a loaf of sun tomato herb for my family. The bread is absolutely divine, which is impressive because it is hard to find authentic cooking anymore. Even bread is full of preservatives and all sorts of stuff, but not this bread.

Aside from selling many types of handmade breads, Whole Grain Bread also sells croissants, muffins, scones, cookies, granola, cinnamon rolls, and more. They also have a little on-site café where you can buy sandwiches, salads, and soups. It is a perfect little deli café to eat lunch with your friends, your boss, or by yourself.

Most bakeries in Phoenix, AZ (and anywhere for that matter) do not deliver the quality of work, ingredients, and charm that this place does. There are many options of Phoenix bakery to go to, but do not waste your time…go here.

I have a secret desire to have my own Arizona café or Arizona bakery because I love the feeling and ambiance of little family-owned small cafés and delis. The only problem with that is that I don’t know how to cook…or bake, hardly at all. I can cut vegetables and spices to make soup, but perfecting 20 different kinds of breads may be a challenge for me. I guess I will just leave it up to the experts.

Even Arizona health food experts will tell you to eat at this bakery. In moderation, of course. If you must eat bread, its better if it is all natural than if you just buy a loaf at the grocery store. Whether you are looking for the perfect dinner rolls or a sandwich for lunch, Whole Grain Natural Bread Company is the place to go.

Why I'm Learning About Retirement and Managed Futures

Lately I have been thinking a lot about investing and saving now for retirement. I have a few decades until that time comes, but I figure it’s never too early to start. In a finance seminar I went to about a year ago, the speaker told us that if we all opened an IRA or Roth IRA when we were 22 or 23 and invested just a few hundred dollars a year, it would be a million dollars by the time we turned 75. That surprised me, how just a few thousand dollars over a lifetime can turn into something huge because of investments.

I wish I knew more about the financial industry, about stocks and investing, but I just don’t. Even if I tried to learn more, I am terrible with numbers so I am not sure how far I would get. But I think it’s important nonetheless.

There are thousands of companies dedicated to taking your money and turning it into something (hopefully) much larger. There are companies who invest in businesses and emerging markets, and others who strictly work with portfolio construction and one-on-one regular people.

Some financial companies focus on long-term monetary stability while others specialize in short-term investment opportunities. I am young so I don’t have a million bills to pay yet, which is why I am more interested in long-term investment options. I figure that now is a good time to open an IRA or begin to invest, while I have a little extra money to do it. I don’t know when I will get that chance again.

Because it’s my hard-earned money I want to make sure I find a company and a portfolio manager I can trust. They’re going to have my money for the next 40 or so years, so I better make the right decision the first time. I have done some research and asked around people I know who have alternative investments and accounts.

I started with all the typical questions. What’s the best way to invest? What is the difference between an IRA and a Roth IRA? With what types of stocks should I wager my money? What is tatctical asset allocation? What are the benefits of investing now vs. later? If I get a job that also invests in my retirement can I have separate accounts?

The list goes on. I did some research, talked to some people who have their own trusted advisor and company they work through. The majority of people my age haven’t even begun to worry about this stuff yet, so I had to go to the experts: my parents, grandparents, and teachers who have already done the research and tried it out. Managed futures and retirement aren’t exactly on the minds of recent college grads and workforce first-timers, but I want to be prepared. I am interested in what I can get out of what I make, and give the world of investments a shot. Because I don’t know anything about it other than what I have researched so far, I’m going to a financial company that knows what they are doing.

I just have a couple more financial groups to meet with to see what they can do for me. I have learned that if I go in with questions and somewhat know what I am talking about, they take me much more seriously. Maybe I’ll get a better deal because of my research.

Laser Your Way to Chronic Lower Back Pain Relief

If you’re anything like me, your first trip to the chiropractor was terrifying and you were half convinced they would accidentally snap your neck or tweak your spine just enough to paralyze you for life. No? Alright, maybe I’m just paranoid. I avoided going to a chiropractor for years, until I was in a car accident and had to go.

In my accident, my airbag went off and since I’m pretty short, I was sitting close to the wheel. The result was a whole bunch of displaced ribs…eight to be exact. I went in and told the chiropractor about my chest and upper back pain. I also had a giant cartoon-like knob on my knee from slamming it into the door and a nice case of car accident whiplash. Chiropractors are experts at fixing that sort of thing.

I figured that walking around with an injured back or out-of-place ribs was probably a bad idea, so I faced my fear and went in to the chiropractor. They first hooked me up to machine that sent small electrical pulses in my shoulders and upper back. It was supposed to loosen up the muscles so my adjustment and treatment would go easier. I am convinced it did help indeed.

I dislike conventional doctors because they feel too invasive for my liking. I also have found that my chiropractor knows much more about alternative remedies, supplements, and natural healing than any “normal” doctor does. I had 5 chiropractor visits after my car accident injury, and each time I went I had more respect for the doctor and his expertise. Some lower back pain treatment and the work he did on my ribs and shoulders was amazing.

Now I must rant on the technology that made the healing possible. Not only did the doctor have a very definite knowledge of the human body and how muscles interact, but he had these magic lasers that helped so much. Okay, not really magic, but that’s what I call them. They are the least-invasive, most-effective chronic back pain treatment I have ever heard of. Just a laser and all is well. It’s one of those things that most people are skeptical about until they try it…so if you are suffering from chronic back pain or any injury, these lasers help. They can also help with bone strength and joints. I even had some laser work done on my throat when I had a serious case of tonsillitis and was cured a couple days later without antibiotics. Magic, I tell you!

An increasing number of chiropractic and other health offices are using this laser technology. It’s safer than prescription drugs, less invasive, and faster than other procedures. Like I said, it is something you won’t believe until you try it for yourself. If you need back pain relief, you can get all the massages and adjustments you want, but nothing will be as effective as fast as these lasers. Try it out!

Going Green With Xango

The whole world is going green by selling and creating new ways to live simpler and more in-tune with nature. Everyone is focused on alternative energy, more natural oil sources, cleaning products without toxic chemicals, eating raw foods without preservatives, doing yoga and taking supplements to be healthier.

The idea of being more in-tune with one’s body isn’t new to the world, but it is new to this country in this century. From ancient Chinese medicine to India’s meditation and yoga to South America’s teas and herbs, human beings have a history of learning about their bodies and learning natural cures for illness and disease. The world really used to be “green”, but somewhere in the early to mid-1900’s, America changed that. We discovered penicillin and the rest is history. From that discovery came thousands and thousands of drugs and their side effects.

The improvement of hospitals, the creation of morphine and epidurals, and other medical advances improved the whole world. We now have more advanced technology and medicine in hospitals than our grandparents ever imagined. We also have more complex strands of viruses, bacterias and diseases humankind has never seen, and side effects that are worse than the primary problem. That’s not coincidence.

So now we’re going back to basics. Back to using the earth the way our Native American predecessors did, back to trusting our bodies more than the drugs doctors give us. Back to remembering how good water is for the body, or how much one can benefit from regular exercise. We’re Going Green, and it’s a revolution. People are turning from drugs that treat symptoms to vitamins, supplements, and exercises that cure the problem.

Whether you are thinking “how can I make money from this movement?” or “what can I learn and how can I benefit from it”, there can be benefits from some of these green products. One that I’d like to talk about is Xango. It’s a healthy juice that has scientifically proven benefits for the body and mind. It is made from the very healthy mangosteen fruit from Southeastern Asia.         

The company named Xango has a Global Team 11 project going, which allows interested business people to be a part of this growing and emerging business. Unlike many healthy supplement companies, this one is a real money maker. As in, over $1.5 billion dollars of sales in a few short years. Joining the team could allow you to work from home, or for those who are more interested, it can become your primary source of income.   

If you’ve considered starting a business, joining Xango might not be a bad idea. You are in control and in charge, but it’s different because it’s a product you know for sure will be a success. It’s already a billion dollar company, so you don’t have to worry about start-up costs or anything like that.

Aside from the original Xango juice, the company also has a number of other products including the Juni body and hair care products, the Glimpse skin care line, Eleviv supplement, and more. There is no magic way to make cash fast, but joining an already-thriving and successful company can’t hurt. You will not only learn the benefits of these products for yourself, but be able to sell them to others. Whether you are joining the Green Movement for your own personal health or to make some money, you can get both by joining Danny White’s company, Xango.

Phoenix Court Reporting

Every city and state has its own court reporters, and not all of them are equal, as you may think. Some reporting companies offer general bottom line services, while others try harder to give accurate information with the best possible techniques.

Court reporters are the people who type, video tape, and record court sessions. Some Arizona court reporting companies even offer counsel on expert witness testimony. Although their services are nearly all the same, all Arizona court reporters are not equal. Make sure you find a company that works for what you need.

I have never been in trouble in my life, but there was this one time that I had to go to court. It was really all a misunderstanding, and although all criminals say that, it is actually true for me. I was in a college biology class with a good friend of mine (I’ll call her Jill), and we sat in the front row of class. I met her in that class and we became pretty close. Before each exam or lab test, Jill and I would meet with our professor in his office to ask extra questions we had and get some additional preparation help.

The teacher loved us, and we were clearly his favorite. I think it was partially because we showed that we actually cared about the class by visiting him during office hours, and partially because we were the only students in the once-a-week, 3-hour night class that weren’t completely rude and disrespectful. I think the poor professor dreaded our class as much as we did, not because of the lecture and lab topics, but because of the students.

One night when Jill and I got to class early, we were sitting in the hallway discussing the real human brain that we had to touch in the previous week’s lab. Disgusting. That week we were going to dissect baby pigs. Yes, baby pigs. I thought in this day and age, dissecting animals was a thing of the past, but apparently not. (At least in the small town we lived in.) Also disgusting. The smell of formaldehyde, anything to do with blood or organs, and I’m a mess. We were discussing ways I could try to stay conscious during the lab, because I needed the grade, and Jill needed a lab partner that wasn’t lying on the floor pale.

The baby pig lab came and went, and I learned that vicks vapor rub is good for more than just being sick; it made a great smell distraction from the formaldehyde. We put it on our noses and above our lips and it was a great cover. We ended up having a guy in our group, so I made him do most of the “cutting”. Disgusting…and sad.

A couple weeks later, Jill and I were happily walking to class when we were intercepted by our biology teacher. He said “I need to talk to you girls” in a very serious voice. We followed him to his office, where he told us that there were police officers waiting in our classroom to give us court documents about a restraining order. What? Huh? I don’t even have any enemies.

Apparently Jill had a high school battle with a girl who was in our class. She sat in the back row, and I honestly had never paid attention, heard about the battle, talked to this girl, or even known her name. Long story short-she heard Jill and I talking about the “disgusting” human brain and baby pig experiments and naturally assumed we were talking about how SHE was disgusting. I know, it doesn’t even make sense. So I had to go to court, talk to a real-life judge, and fight to not let this restraining order against me and my friend pass because all 3 of us needed the class to graduate.

This is where this story is relevant. Our tiny town didn’t have court reporters, so they hired a company of Phoenix court reporters to come in. Because it was just a small civil case, they recorded the audio and video recorded some parts of the event. After explaining to the judge that I didn’t even know this girl’s name before she dragged me to court, and that the word “disgusting” was most likely referring to dead baby pig spleen and human brains dissections, he almost laughed. The case was dismissed and there were cops outside our classroom every night the rest of the semester. You know, just in case a fight broke out.

The audio and video from that case are classic, because there were many times when I couldn’t hold in my laughter. I can’t believe I was even in that situation in the first place, and all by a girl I didn’t’ know. I love telling people that story.

The Do's and Dont's of Starting a Business

If you have a business plan and you are researching how to start a business and the best tips for business development, take some advice from the guys at theswapsmart.com. Swap Smart is anything but the typical swap mart or flea market. They differ in location, target market, style, advertising, and more.

If you are interested in starting a business, it’s important to come up with the details of how the business will be run before it ever starts. Before you ever incorporate your idea or turn it into an LLC, you must first think about what your target market is. If it’s middle-class people of a certain area, you cannot build the business in a high or lower-class location. You have to take into consideration the state of the economy and whether that with effect your sales and success.

Every emerging business has its problems, but you can significantly reduce the amount of bumps there are to iron out if you plan ahead better. Most new business owners are so anxious to set things up that they fail to remember all the small details like color scheme (because it has been proven that the color red makes people hungry and the color blue encourages people to spend more money…just ask McDonald’s and WalMart), how to appeal to target shoppers, and so on.

So if you’re thinking “how can I make money” by starting a new business, go for it, but do your research and planning first. Most businesses that fail in their first year do so because of poor planning or, let’s be honest, stupid business ideas to begin with. I know the reason you are starting a business is because you have great business ideas and you are eager to make money doing something that you are passionate about. Even though you’re probably not in school anymore, do not fail to do your homework. It will almost certainly make or break your new company.

If you have a great new invention, product, or business concept that you want to get out there, and you have the funding and the time to start it up, I suggest you give it a try. You never know what might have been if you never try. But keep in mind that every emerging business has its faults and problems, and it may be a while before you see any profitability. If it is something you are truly passionate about and something that you personally have a vested interest in, it is more likely to succeed. I’ll give you an example.

I have a friend who worked in the law office of her dad for years. She was an expert with all the paperwork there, so she decided she wanted to start a legal documentation company. The company would set up corporations and LLC’s and keep businesses protected by typing “minutes” and company actions on file. The company was a good idea, in theory, but she wasn’t passionate about it. She was good at it, yes, but being good at something does not mean that is what you should be doing. I am good at driving, but that doesn’t mean I should be a truck driver or delivery person.

Her company lasted only 9 months before it completely went under and took her and her parents’ savings down with it. The result of the failed company was home foreclosure, losing a custody battle of her two kids, and a few months later, bankruptcy. Moral of the story: be careful about what business you go into. Make sure it’s something that will be profitable, and most of all, make sure it’s something you are passionate about and willing to give a lot of yourself for.

I may as well tell you the happy ending to the story. That same friend, after two years of heartbreak and money loss from the new company, decided to find out what she really loved. In the months of near-unemployment from her own company, she had a lot of free time. She decided to occupy her time with making jewelry. It seemed fun, easy enough, and she could have the benefits in the end from wearing her own creations. She did start wearing her creations everywhere, and more and more people began to compliment her. She took a few classes to challenge herself and learned that making jewelry can actually be really complicated and difficult. She loved the challenge. Then she moved to a city with an ocean view and a lot of tourists who want to buy jewelry on the beach. She dropped what little hope she still had for the documentation company and started a jewelry company where she was the only employee.

That was 2 years ago, and my friend loves her life of selling jewelry in a shop near the beach; she makes more than enough money to pay the bills, and she has 5 other girls working for her creating their own pieces. Little did she know that she’d end up selling necklaces and earrings in a little shop where she can see the sunset on the ocean every night. She realizes now that she should have found what she was passionate about instead of just going off the first business project that came to her mind.

If you have an entrepreneurship and business idea, make sure you do you homework and that it is something worth all the time, energy, and resources that you have to put into an emerging business. Rent office space in a location that makes sense with your target market and the products you offer.

Swap Smart has been successful because unlike other cookie cutter swap meets, they did their research first. They wanted to target middle-class family shoppers, so they chose a location that’s in a nice part of town and they pride themselves on having a clean, family-friendly atmosphere. It’s so vastly different from the normal “flea market” idea of swap meets that their customers may not even recognize it as such. They work hard to separate themselves from competition, so they hold special events that target niche interests their potential customers have. It’s made a huge difference.

Another way that this company differs from the traditional swap meet is that they don’t charge for parking or admission and dedicate at least 10% of their rental revenues to advertising. They do their own marketing and keep a certain amount of income aside each month for advertising. It must work because they’re a successful and thriving company.

If you’re thinking about opening a new company, look to these guys and other companies who stand out from competitors and figure out how you can do so too.

The Ultimate Gift

If you’re looking for the ultimate gift for your family or significant other, consider creating a song for them. If you’re like me and you aren’t at all musically talented, there are people who can write it for you. There is a website called www.songdelight.com where you can find all sorts of birthday gift ideas, anniversary gift ideas, traditional anniversary gifts, and more.

If I were an up and coming musician and wanted to sell my songs or get my ideas out there, this would be a great place to do it. Music publishing can be a really hard business to get into, which is why this is a great idea for people who want to get into the industry. Have your voice and talents heard by sending a unique gift.

If you are looking for romantic ideas for your girl or boyfriend, a piece of custom music is a great way to express your feelings. From poems to get well soon songs, these are some of the best romantic anniversary ideas and gift ideas for any occasion. If you’re looking for birthday present ideas, this is a great route to take.

My best friend is somewhat musical, and he took a turn for the romantic and wrote his girlfriend a poem for their anniversary. He had some ideas for the music on his guitar, but he wanted more music to back it up. He called in the help of some professionals at Song Delight and they helped turn his poem into a one of a kind song. On the night of their anniversary, he played his girlfriend the song and, of course, it was the perfect gift.

Sometimes finding the perfect gift can be difficult, especially if your girl is picky. Rather than getting the generic set of bath soaps and lotion, try a custom song instead. No girl can resist music. It’s a scientifically proven fact. So next time you are trying to think of birthday surprise ideas, a song is much more romantic and unique than a lotion set or movie passes.

Some unique gifts that I’ve been given that I adore are: hand-written letters (yes, girls of all ages are suckers for meaningful love notes), books, hand-painted mugs, and of course, songs. The first time I was really sick when I moved away to go to college, my family sent me a get well song. Being sick for the first time away from home is an awful experience. The song definitely helped make me feel closer to home and closer to my family right when I needed it.

And of course, I’ve also had a romantic song written in my honor as well. I dated a guy who had incredible skills with the written word, and he could write a letter or poem to perfectly fit every situation. He wrote the perfect poem for me for our first anniversary, and he wanted to turn it into a song. The problem was that while he is gifted with words, he was not gifted with music. He sent in his poem and the qualified and talented musicians at songdelight.com turned it into the perfect song.

You could always buy your girlfriend, wife, or mom the traditional soap and box set of body wash and lotion, or you can choose to create a one of a kind song for whatever your occasion is. You choose!

Why Your Career Backup Should Be Website Design

Because of a crashing economy and record unemployment rates, it is hard for thousands, and even millions of Americans to find jobs. There are many types of businesses that are soon to be obsolete, and the people who are in those industries are losing jobs at alarming rates.

Managers and employees of record and movie stores like Blockbuster and FYE are finding themselves out of jobs because of innovations like Netflix and Redbox. Pretty soon there won’t be such a thing as a record store that sells CDs or a movie rental store because you will be able to find it all online. What are these people supposed to do if all they have known for years is the music and movie industry?

I have a friend who has worked for a travel agency for 15 years. She has helped businesses and large groups with reservations, hotels, transportation, and all other aspects of travel. She is great at what she does, but she has seen a huge decline in clients in the past couple years. Why? Because of the internet, booking flights, finding hotels and comparing prices has never been easier. Travel agencies and agents are soon to be a thing of the past because the virtual world has made the process so simple. While that is great news for us, it’s not so great for my friend and the thousands like her, who have years of experience in a diminishing field. What is she going to do now? She really doesn’t know how to do much else.

That’s where website design, computer programming, web hosting, and search engine optimization come in. Obviously, the internet is not going anywhere, but is only continuing to advance. As the American workforce, we need to be computer literate and understand all that is available online, including employment opportunities.

Web design, IT work, CRM development (customer relationship management), ADP services (automatic data processing), and other part or full-time online careers are increasing in need as the world turns more virtual. The traditional face-to-face or even phone-to-ear interactions are soon to be a thing of the past, as internet communication increases.

The SEO (search engine optimization) and internet marketing industry is booming, even with the economy the way it is. While millions of companies are going under, many internet marketing companies are constantly hiring because it is a very high-demand industry. Web hosting, custom programming, and the management of databases are also high-demand careers.

I encouraged my travel agent friend to get into website design, even though she claims she isn’t a “computer person”. She decided to give it a try because it’s only a matter of time until the agency she works for goes under, and she needed a backup plan. People who have only one specialty run high risks because when the economy crashes or the whole world suddenly turns virtual, they don’t have a backup.

The great thing is that website design, SEO, and other web-based careers are actually pretty simple. My friend’s organizational skills that she acquired as a travel agent have helped her hone her newfound talents with web design. A manager of a record store with a vast knowledge of music might be great with SEO and blogging.

Whether you’re in a flourishing industry or a failing one, it’s a good idea to have a career backup plan, and internet-based careers are a foolproof way to get there. Unlike paper files, VHS videos, and boom boxes, the internet isn’t going anywhere.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Arizona

If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentistry office to go to in Arizona, Dr. J. Ladd Williams is a fantastic choice. He’s experienced and works hard to make patients comfortable.

I never understood why some people experience high anxiety and dread going to the dentist because I love it. What’s better than perfectly clean, shiny teeth? I have never had major dental problems, so that may be part of the reason I don’t mind it…but for those of you who do experience anxiety and fear with the dentist, there’s a wonderful thing called sedation dentistry. Some dentist offices offer headphones with DVDs or music to distract clients. That’s a huge help to patients who have a fear of the dentist, especially when the appointment is for something other than a regular cleaning. And if distraction isn’t enough, there’s always sedation.

The differences cosmetic dentistry can make is incredible. The fact that a patient can walk into an office with a mouth full of rotting teeth and emerge just hours later with a whole new set of perfect teeth boggles my mind. How is it possible? Here’s the answer: a lot of training and a lot of work.

In order to be a (good) dentist, these people really must love what they do. There is no way I could look at periodontal and gum disease all day and find joy in treating it. Luckily for me and my teeth, there are people in this world who absolutely love teeth. They love cleaning, examining, diagnosing, treating, and repairing. I know I’m thankful for dentists and orthodontists who are fantastic at what they do.

Next time you are searching for a cosmetic dentist in Phoenix, take into consideration what is most important to you. Do some researching. How much experience do the dentist and his staff have? How long have they been practicing? What are their specialties? Some dental offices specialize in cosmetic dentistry, some in preventative, some in restorative, etc. If you just need a general family dentist, make sure you find one that fits with the needs of your family (and insurance company, of course).

If you are looking for a new dentist, ask family and friends who they trust, check which dentists accept your insurance, and find one that is the right fit for your family. Do your research online and by word of mouth. Search “sedation dentistry Az” in Google if you need a dentist in the state who can help with your anxiety. Search “cosmetic dentist Mesa” or whatever city you are in to find a dentist nearby.

My advice to people who are afraid of the dentists: figure out where the fear is coming from and eliminate it. The great services that dentists offer are endless, and a better smile very often comes with better self confidence. Overcome your childhood fears and learn how gorgeous teeth can change your life. For those who have tried and just can’t get over the fear, consider trying sedation dentistry. There are ways to get teeth cleaning, whitening, fillings, and whatever else you need without dealing with the anxiety that accompanies.

Dentists can literally change the way others see you and how you see yourself. Give it a try!

Getting Out of Bad Credit Requires Research on Your Part

It seems like there are check cashing and loan centers on every corner. It can be difficult to differentiate between which companies are reputable and which ones are fakes. If you’ve got credit problems, are about to experience auto repossession, or you have bank representatives calling you constantly, there are legitimate companies that can help.

It’s almost impossible to avoid bad credit when the economy and job market are as bad as they are. Luckily, there are debt consolidation professionals whose job is to repair your credit. Whether you need a car loan credit score or a loan to buy a car, there are credit repair companies that can help.

If you are looking to buy a car but are short on funds, there are options. Some people choose to go the route of bank auto loans. Many people choose federal credit unions over other banks because they typically have better interest rates. If you have a bad relationship with a bank because of bankruptcy, bad credit, or some other issue, there are non-bank options for getting auto loans.

Some companies specialize in offering bad credit loans. I am no expert and I don’t know all the details and the “how’s”, but there are ways for these companies to get you the money you need even when banks refuse to. I am unsure of what the extra costs are, possibly higher interest rates or something. If you need a credit score and car loan, there are companies that can help.

I am in the market to buy a new [used] car, so I have been researching for a few months and trying to figure out what type of loan I should get. Should I get a bank auto loan? As a first time car buyer, these are important decisions to make! I could go to a bank or credit union for a loan, possibly get a cosigner to sign the account with me, or contact a credit company to get a loan through them. So many options!

Before you decide to walk into one of the street corner debt consolidation and credit companies, make sure you do a little research first. There are significant differences between the corner check cashing store and a legitimate and reputable credit establishment. Like with all things related to finances, deciding the loan or your personal road to debt relief is personal to your circumstances. No loan is perfect for everyone, so doing research is important.

Because I prefer to stay local, finding an auto financing firm in Arizona was important to me. Like I said, finding the company and representative that fits your needs is important, and it requires research and planning.

If You're Buying a New or Used Volkswagen

Let’s face it: shopping for a car can be a nightmare. Every dealership offers different pricing and vehicle options, you have to deal with the commissioned salesman, and so forth. Some dealerships will throw in gift cards to restaurants, extra after-market parts for the vehicle, etc.

A few months ago I was looking to buy my very own first car. With hundreds of dealerships in Arizona and in the Phoenix valley alone, I was lost in a sea of options. I did some research online and asked around for advice. After a couple months of researching, I began the fun part- the shopping and test driving.

The Jetta was my car of choice. I have a few friends who drive them and love them. I wanted to stay in the west valley if possible, so I decided to explore Avondale Volkswagen, Larry Miller Volkswagen, Glendale Volkswagen, and Peoria Volkswagen. All the same idea, but with a slightly different staff and discounts.

Buying a new Volkswagen turned out to be easier than I had anticipated. In the past I have only ever driven used cars that my parents (ingeniously) bought for us teenagers to drive, so at first I considered a used Volkswagen, but decided that as a graduation gift to myself I’d go all out and buy new.

Admittedly, I dreaded my first day of official car shopping. All I have heard is horror stories about dealerships and salesmen and car buying. I went to a Phoenix Volkswagen dealership first. I don’t remember what it was called. It was about what I expected, eager salesmen running out to ask if I needed help every five seconds. I understand that it’s their job, but still. It was my first official visit in a dealership.

My second try was much more successful. I went to Larry Miller Volkswagen, and the sales staff asked if I needed any help and then left me alone until I actually needed help. I think they were surprised at my knowledge of the cars and they could tell I did my research. That definitely helped.

After I advanced to first-name basis with a few of the salesmen at the dealership, I was ready to buy. The staff at the dealership were very helpful. They advised me on the different options for my new Jetta, and explained the benefits of any extras. Overall it was a surprisingly great experience. It was easy, and the staff was knowledgeable and helpful. I got my dream car for a reasonable price, and I won’t ever regret choosing the new Volkswagen Jetta that I did.

I’m no expert, but since I have gone through the researching, shopping, test driving, and buying processes, I now have the experience to give advice if anyone wants it. My advice to potential car buyers is to research, decide if you want new or used, and most importantly, shop around. All dealerships are not created equal.

How to polish stainless steel. That's right, I know how!

I have always loved spending time with my dad, and sometimes that includes learning things most girls don’t learn how to do. When I was a kid he did a lot of woodworking projects. He made shelves, bunk beds, stools, mantles, and all kinds of other projects. To this day, one of my favorite smells is sawdust because it reminds me of when I used to help my dad with wood projects in his shop.

One year I decided I wanted to learn how to weld. Although it’s still not my favorite project, I am one of few females who knows how to do it. One thing I dislike about welding is how ugly it can be when it’s finished. It takes a very skilled welder to make a polished finishing piece. There is always discoloration to the metal that needs weld cleaner. When a welding project gets finished, it often looks messy, and it takes almost double the project time to clean it up. That’s why a company called Capital Weld Cleaners decided to create a machine just for the clean-up. It’s an electronic weld cleaner that, when used, demonstrates how to polish stainless welding projects.

That’s my favorite part of the welding process. In all honesty, welding is kind of scary to me, so I usually let my dad do that part, then I come in and use the electronic weld cleaner and clean up the discolored part. The joints where two pieces of steel come together are usually colored a weird yellow-orange-ish color (kind of like rust) but with the stainless steel weld cleaner, the joints are cleaned up and the end result is a bright and clean weld.

I don’t do a ton of welding, but it’s cool that products like this are available for weld passivation and a cleaner weld. Like many men out there, my dad is a huge supporter of local businesses, especially when it comes to mechanics and hardware stores. Every man has a mechanic he knows personally, and each chooses to shop only at a certain hardware store. For men who do a lot of welding, they probably have a specific shop they purchase steel and tools at as well. This is the place for my dad.  

I’m much more into my dad’s woodworking hobby than the welding one. It feels safer to me, even though we constantly use very dangerous saws, nail guns, and super-adhesive glues. Working with wood just fits me better. I like the sanding, finishing, and shiny ending product. When I moved into a new house, my dad made a beautiful custom mantle to go above my fireplace, and everyone comments on it. I’m lucky because I’ve never had to pay for shelves, dressers, or any other wood products. I always get custom ones from my father.

Perhaps a project made of wood is more personal than one made from stainless steel…maybe that’s why I like the wood projects more. Welding is an interesting process though, and tons of things are made from it, including the car I drive, so I guess I should be thankful for it! Back to the welding thoughts…right now my dad goes into a shop to sue the electronic weld cleaner that they have onsite, but I’m thinking next Christmas or Father’s Day my siblings and I might get together and buy him his very own weld cleaner. I bet he’d love it.

http://www.capitalweldcleaners.com/products.php

For those interested in building a custom home...

Calvis Wyant is one of the most prestigious builders of luxury homes in Arizona. Located in Scottsdale, they have been building custom homes since 1986. When it comes to classy and unique home building, they are the ones to call, and here is why:

No matter how many thousands of floor plans, neighborhoods or cities you search, most people never find the absolutely perfect house. Some sacrifice home design for a better neighborhood; some forfeit square footage for a large yard. Many people even end up living in homes they feel no connection to at all simply because it’s in a great neighborhood or by recommended schools.

One myth that home buyers tend to buy into is that there’s no such thing as the “perfect house”. Wrong. They obviously have not visited Calvis Wyant’s luxury homes in Paradise Valley or Scottsdale. These homes are beautiful as well as affordable and practical.

With Calvis Wyant, you can work with architectural designers as well as builders to design the perfect home. If none of their ready-to-own models are a perfect fit, they have staff trained specifically for helping your vision come to life. Unlike nearly every other luxury home builder in the area, this company will listen rather than just talk. You choose the neighborhood, the floor plan, and everything else.

What makes me qualified for this ranting and raving for Calvis Wyant? Ten years ago my parents worked with this company, and the result was the custom home of their dreams. They had spent a couple years browsing thousands (literally thousands) of floor plans and never found the perfect one. It was always “I like the kitchen of this one, but the bedrooms are too small”, or “If only there was a bay window here and fire place there”. None were perfect enough, and without a custom home builder, they would have had to stick with a traditional building company and get the cookie cutter design they saw on the floor plan. They’re not the cookie cutter type of couple; they needed custom design for their home. My mom needed a room to do all her work and my dad needed a shop for all his tools and projects.

After months of deliberating, they finally decided to call Calvis Wyant. They weren’t necessarily looking for “luxurious”, but they did like the idea of building a custom home. In the end, they got the bay window, the wood shop, the extra rooms, the fireplace, and a huge yard for the grandkids. It’s been a decade and they are still in love with their home. To this day it’s all I hear about. I think it is one of the best decisions they ever made for themselves as a couple and for our family.

The team at Calvis Wyant understands that a home is much more than a roof over our heads; it’s a place to build memories, a place where we learn to grow up and learn who we are. That’s why their custom luxury homes are such a success.