Vivienne Diane Neal's Blog, page 6

How to Be a Shrewd Supermarket Shopper by Vivienne Diane Neal

 

Photo by DavidGomes

When COVID-19 appeared in 2020, it seems as though supermarketprices went through the roof. I remember seeing a gallon of bleach going for$12.99, which was approximately $4.99 before the pandemic.

 

It is now 2024. Althoughthe annual inflation rate has cooled recently, it’s unlikely to cause a drop ingrocery store prices.

 

As the cost of food keeps escalating, shoppers continue toseek cost-effective and healthy food products.

 

Duringinflationary times, there is a growing interest in the usefulness of foods andless emphasis on brand names or store loyalty. For that reason, it is importantto examine food products before making that final purchase. Do comparisonshopping at various supermarkets, food co-ops, green markets, and fish and meatmarkets, since prices will vary. I find myself shopping at 4 different storesto save money. I had to cut down on certain items and instead of shopping everyweek, it is down to every two weeks.

Followingare some cost-saving tips to help you make better choices when it comes toshopping for groceries.

• Alwaysmake a list and carry a calculator with you. This way you will not end upbuying or spending more than your budget will allow.

• Nevershop on an empty stomach. You may be tempted to buy more than you need.

• Buyonly what you need.

• Ifpossible, leave children at home when you plan to go supermarket shopping.Colorful products aim at children at usually displayed at their eye level.

•Usually, less expensive products are displayed on the bottom shelves.

•Purchase more protein foods from plant origin and eat less animal food. Afour-ounce to six-ounce serving of fish, poultry, legumes or tofu will satisfyyour protein requirement for the day. Tofu/bean curd has more protein than aserving of some meats. Select fresh tofu because prepackaged tofu will costmore.

• Skimmilk or non-fat dry milk is usually less expensive than whole milk.

• Lookfor meats without a lot of bone, gristle, and fat. They add more weight, lessmeat per pound, and you end up spending more money.

• Getlarge cuts of meat and whole chickens when on sale and cut and freeze for lateruse.

• Buyfoods, which increase in volume during cooking. You will get more servings foryour money. These foods include whole grain wheat, rice, pasta, millet, barley,oats, couscous, beans, peas and grits.

• Checkto see if your supermarket lowers the price of their meats in the evening.

• Buyfruits and vegetables in season when prices are usually lower. Cook and storein the freezer for future use.

• Do notbe mislead by words such as, wheat bread, which is the same as white bread.Look for the word, “whole wheat.” It has more nutrients.

• Makingyour own bread, pancake or biscuit mixes may be more economical. You will knowwhat is in the mix.

• Try topurchase foods that have nutritional labeling so you can select healthierfoods.

• Planmeals that use leftovers, which can be frozen and reheated in the future.

• Toprevent spoilage, store your foods properly.

• Storebrand food products are usually less expensive than national brands. They mustmeet the same nutritional standards as national food products. Check the storebrands with less fancy labels.

• Whenyou purchase canned vegetables, consider buying a lesser grade if visibility isnot important. Whether you buy Grade A, B, or C, the nutritive value will bethe same.

• Brownshell eggs have the same nutritional value as white shell eggs, so there is noneed to spend more money on brown eggs.

• To savemoney, buy solid cheese and grate it at home.

• Avoidexpensive convenience foods that are precooked, individually packaged, instant,canned or frozen.

•Purchase 100 percent fruit juice. Avoid beverages labeled fruit drinks, fruitcocktails, and fruit punches. You get less juice and more water and sugar. Theyalso cost more.

• If youare a senior citizen or college student, many supermarkets may offer discountson certain days.

• Try to tune out the background music, which can cause you to purchaseunnecessary items; the melody is not there for your pleasure but to get you tobuy!

 

• If you are a dual Medicare/Medicaid recipient, many health insuranceplans offer allowances for food, rent, utility and over the counter drugs. Thismay vary according to the state you reside.

 

If you have cost saving tips to share when shopping, please leave them inthe comment section. Thank you.

 

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What are The Criteria for Getting on The Golden Bachelor or The Golden Bachelorette Shows?

 

Photo by Ono  Kosuki

The GoldenBachelor made its debut on September 28, 2023. The bachelor chose the woman, hewanted to spend the rest of his with. They got married on the show but divorcedafter three months of marriage because neither one of them wanted to leave hisor her residence since they both lived in separate states. Wow, who saw thatcoming?

 Photo by RDNEStock project 

There is asaying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I wondered if the couple discussedtheir living arrangements before saying, “I Do.” I am not going to speculate asto what really happened.

Photo by KampusProduction

Now, wehave The Golden Bachelorette, which premiered on September 18, 2024, startingJoan Vassos, who previously competed for Gerry Turner’s heart in the introductoryseason of “The Golden Bachelor” last year. 

Photo by RonLach 

If you arean older single, thinking about appearing on The Golden Bachelor or The GoldenBachelorette, consider the following factors before branching out into theworld of romance:

1.Candidatesare typically older, often in their 60s and above.

2.Must be single, divorced, or widowed.

3. Looking for charismatic, engaging, and interesting individuals who can connectwell with the audience and other contestants.

4.Clean background check is likely required.

5. Candidatesshould be in reasonably good health to participate in the activities andfilming schedule.

6.Mustbe available for the entire filming period and promotional events.

7.Having aninteresting personal story or background is often a plus.

8.Must complete an application process, which might include interviews,auditions, and providing personal information and photos.

Thesecriteria ensure that the contestants are suitable for the show's format and cancontribute to its entertainment value.Top of Form

But Iwill add the following:If you decide to be with the person you select, know if you are willing torelocate if you two live in different states.

Photo by RAMÓNANTONIO MENDOZA

Wouldyou consider signing up to appear on The Golden Bachelor or The Golden Bachelorette?Please leave your remarks in the comment section below. Thank you. 

Amazing Books to Read Written by Amazing Authors

 

Following are great thrillers,mysteries, and all those in-between stories for your reading pleasure. To checkthem out, just click on the title. Have a happy reading.

 

Queenof Curacao by Solsiré E. Felida - A woman with no memory wakes up in thehospital from an explosion on a yacht. Still, she becomes suspiciouswhen she receives disturbing information.

 

The Daughter Between Themby Alretha Thomas - A journalist at a major newspaper is given an assignmentfocusing on a homeless single mother but is detoured when danger may bedirected at the reporter’s two daughters.

 

DoubleMocha Blues (Joss Miller Mysteries Book 1) by Tyora Moody - A barista whoworks during the day at a popular coffee café is the host of a nightly podcastthat covers victims of crime but her goal is to uncover the murder of hergrandfather that was never solved.

 

LastLiar Standing by Danielle M. Wong - A woman can’t recall the past 10 yearsafter being struck by a car.

 

Her Pretty Lies by Angela Henry- A graduate student is hired to do a criminal act, but when she decides toaccept the offer, against her better judgment, she will face her worstnightmare. 

 

HerPerfect Murder by AJ Faris - A woman who is keeping her past hidden isapproached by a new, unrelenting neighbor who recognizes her as a possiblemurderer.

 

FindingAngel: A Christian Detective Mystery (The Three Sisters Detective AgencyBook) l by Eric M. Hill - Three sisters run a detective agency, where theirinvestigative tactics could put their agency and lives at risk.

 

ThePerfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose - A successful criminal defense attorneythinks she has the ideal marriage until she is faced with a shockingrevelation.

 

TangledLies by Karen E. Osborne - A mother is determined to find the person whobrutally murdered her son but that will all change when an accident derails herundertaking.

 

TheFifth Victim (Book 1) by D.D. Black - An FBI agent, who is about to retireis asked to take over a case involving the killing of three people, which maybe connected to the past.

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Is a Professional Matchmaker Right for You? By Miss Know It All

Miss Know It AllInstead of a dating app, many men and women choose to use a professional matchmaking coach, which can cost anywhere from$50 to $300 per hour depending on the individual’s needs.

Before using a professional matchmaking coach, it’simportant to ask several key questions to ensure you choose the rightservice for your needs. Following are some questions to consider:

About the MatchmakingService

What is your success rate?

Can you provide testimonials or references from past clients?

How many clients do you currently have?

What are your matchmaking credentials and experience?

How long have you been in the matchmaking business?

Photo by KarolinaKaboompics

About the Process

What is your matchmaking process?

How do you screen and select potential matches?

How many matches can I expect to receive within a certain time frame?

What happens if I’m not satisfied with the matches?

About the Costs

What are the costs involved in your services?

Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?

What is your refund policy if I’m not satisfied with the service?

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About Privacy andConfidentiality

How do you ensure the privacy and confidentiality of your clients?

Do you share my information with third parties?

How do you handle sensitive information?

About the MatchmakingCoach

Will I be working with a single matchmaker or a team?

How often will we be in contact?

What is your availability for meetings or calls? 

Photo by MARTPRODUCTION

Expectations andGoals

What can I realistically expect from your service?

How do you define a successful match?

What should I do if I have concerns or issues during the matchmaking process?

Photo by GretaHoffman 

Compatibility andPersonal Preferences

How do you take my preferences and deal breakers into account?

How do you handle differences in religious, cultural, or lifestyle preferences?

Can I specify preferences regarding age, profession, or other criteria?

Support andAdditional Services

Do you offer coaching or support during the dating process?

What kind of feedback or follow-up do you provide after a match?

Do you offer any additional services, such as image consulting or relationship coaching?

While there are no guarantees when selecting a matchmakingcoach you’ll find someone to date, asking these questions can help youunderstand the service better and make an informed decision about whether thematchmaking coach is the right fit for you.

How to Stay Connected in Your Relationship! | Practical Tips!

Romance author and relationship coach, StellaEromonsere-Ajanaku shares tips on how to remain connected as a couple.

Please leave your comments and subscribe to her channel.

How Safe is Your Personal Data on Dating Apps

Have you ever wondered what information youprovide on a dating app is actually private from prying eyes? Well, wonder nomore. Some dating apps may not protect vital information, exposing you toprivacy issues that can be at risk. According to research, 80% of datingplatforms may sell your information to sites that may have nothing to do withdating.

Photo by cottonbrostudio 

The privacy of personal data on dating apps canvary significantly depending on the app’s policies, how it handles data, andthe user’s own privacy settings. Here are some key factors to consider whenusing dating apps:

Dating apps typically collect a range of personalinformation, including your name, age, gender, location, photos, and interests,messages sent and received, matches made and interactions, IP address, devicetype, and operating system, and information from linked social media accounts orother integrated services.

Photo by SoraShimazaki

The company may share information withadvertisers, analytics providers, or other third parties. Some apps might sharedata with other dating services under the same ownership.

Look for apps that use encryption (HTTPS) toprotect data in transit and at rest. Dating apps, like anyonline service, can be vulnerable to data breaches. High-profile breaches haveoccurred in the past, exposing users’ data. Users can often control who seestheir profile and can block or report abusive users. Some apps allow users todownload their data or request deletion of their account and associated data.

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Apps operating in certain regions must complywith regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR (Europe),or the CaliforniaConsumer Privacy Act (CCPA (California),which provides users with rights regarding their data.

Photo by MatiMango

Only provide necessary information and avoidsharing sensitive data. Use strong, unique passwords for youraccounts. Periodically review privacy settings and the app’sprivacy policy for updates. Back in 2015, hackers targeted andhacked a popular matchmaking site for married and single people seekingaffairs, stealing millions of accounts, and highlighting the risks of exposingsensitive data.

While dating apps can offer a convenient way tomeet new people, it’s crucial to stay informed about how your data is beinghandled and take steps to protect your privacy. ♥

Virtual Book Tour - Meet Amy Craig, Author of The Starlight Motel

 

THE STARLIGHT MOTEL

By

Amy Craig 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

GENRE - Contemporary Romance 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Experienced muralist Kada tookcharge of her family's Palm Springs motel to give her mother time to grieve. Asa grant deadline approaches, Kada must convince her mother to manage the motelso she can return to her art. Late in December, Kada encounters a horsemanapproaching the property. Dane, the reserved son of a local farming family, isa loyal workaholic with limited spare time or experience outside the valley.When lightning startles his horse, he lingers at the motel and stirs up Kada'semotions about leaving the desert oasis. Wary of mixing business with pleasure,she struggles with her attraction. As New Year's Eve approaches, will thecowboy convince her to chart a new course? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I’mDane Palmer,” the man on the chestnut horse said. “My family owns the land nextdoor.”

 

“Oh,thank goodness.” She shaded her gaze. “I’ve heard about you.”

 

Foras long as her family owned the motel, the Palmer family owned the surroundingfarmland. Once or twice, the Palmer patriarch offered to buy the StarlightMotel, but Pops resisted and counted the family as friends. They produced thearea’s top vegetable crops, cultivated table grapes, and managed fields offruit trees. Every once in a while, Dane’s mother, Mariah, came by the motel tovisit and give her business advice, but Dane and his younger brother remainedenigmas. She exhaled. “I’ve met your mother.”

 

“I’msure,” Dane said. “She gets around.”

 

Thesecond man laughed like a rusted pail swinging in the wind.

 

Daneglanced at the seated cowboy. “This is Walter. He’s the farm’s crew manager.”

 

Tippinghis hat, Walter nodded.

 

Shetented her gaze. “Could you two get down? Between the horses and the low sun, Ican’t see you to save my life.”

 

Hanginghis hat on the saddle horn, Dane handed his horse’s reins to Walter. He threwhis leg over the horse’s saddle and slid down its side with an easy, athleticgrace.

 

Amy Craig, Romance AuthorAmyCraig lives in Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. Shewrites contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring intelligentheroines. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’shoney-do list. Before writing, she worked as an oilfield engineer, projectmanager, and incompetent waitress. For more information and giveaways, visitwww.amy-craig.com or follow her on social media channels.

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Is It Important to be Best Friends with Your Partner before Saying, I Do?

Photo by NatalieBond

When couples are asked about the secret to having a long and successful marriage, many say, “We were bestfriends first before we got married.” I firmly believe in that statement.

 

While it's not strictlynecessary to be best friends before getting married, many experts and couplesbelieve that having a strong friendship as the foundation of a romanticrelationship can be very beneficial. Here are a few reasons why being a bestfriend with your partner before marriage can be significant:

Photo by RickyEsquivel

Best friends typicallycommunicate openly and honestly with each other. This level of communication iscrucial in a marriage for resolving conflicts, discussing important issues, andunderstanding each other's needs and desires.

 

A deep friendship ofteninvolves a high degree of trust and mutual respect. These qualities areessential for a healthy and lasting marriage.

 

Friends usually enjoyspending time together and have common interests. Sharing hobbies andactivities can strengthen your bond and create lasting memories.

Photo by TristanLe

Best friends provideemotional support during tough times. Having this kind of support systemwithin your marriage can help both partners navigate life's challenges moreeffectively.

 

Being best friends oftenmeans you understand each other's quirks, flaws, and strengths. Thisunderstanding can lead to greater patience and compassion in a marriage.

 

Marriage should also beabout having fun and enjoying life together. A foundation of friendship canensure that you continue to have fun and cherish each other's company, evenwhen the initial romantic excitement grows into a deeper connection.

Photo by PolinaTankilevitch

It is also important torecognize that romantic relationships and friendships can have differentdynamics. While a strong friendship can greatly enhance a marriage, it's alsocrucial to maintain the romantic and intimate aspects of the relationship.Balancing friendship with romance is important to a fulfilling and enduringmarriage.

 

In the end, whether you need to be best friendsbefore getting married depends on the individuals involved and what works bestfor their relationship. What matters most is that both partners feel connected,supported, and committed to each other. 💗