It's only 3PM, and whether you're a stay at home mom, working 9 to 5 or just busy with life, you probably feel that you've already accomplished a lot with your day. Take a moment to relax, recharge, and join the weekly Pick-Me-Up chat, a time to focus on you and to get a boost of energy and motivation from your Gather friends.
The Pick-Me-Up chat takes place TODAY from 3-4PM ET in the comment section of this article. Today's discussion question is:
- What are your to-do's for the future? What accomplishments would you like to make in the next year, five years, and 10 years?
Share your thoughts on this topic and provide helpful tips to others.
Five participants who join the live chat will get a free sample of Cranergy® Energy Juice Drink from Ocean Spray®, a healthy, natural, and tasty pick me up. Of these five winners, one will also receive a $10 gift card of his or her choice from Gather.
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Lead a whirlwind life? Share ways to get through your busy days, snag some energy-boosting ideas – and find way more of that coveted "me" time at ToDoDivas.gather.com.
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Comments: 277
i should be able to be here:)
hoping to be here
I should make it.
I realize that I've asked this question in several locations today, but as it is also applicable here I will duplicate my query below...
QUESTION: Since members must pay taxes on the value of most prizes received from Gather, are only U.S. residents eligible to receive the gift card for participation in the chat?
Thank you.
Only Gather members who are U.S. residents are eligible for all giveaways. However, Gather members who are U.S. or non-U.S. residents are eligible to receive products for writing Gather reviews.
I hope this answers all the questions you posted. If anyone has asked you this specific question, you can also point them to the group Gather Giveaways where this statement is included in the Announcement section of the group.
Thank you for the clarification!
Hopefully you will include this information on all of your posts that relate to giveaways impacted by this policy. Listing it only in the group is not adequate for the provision of information to members impacted. I would be happy to post a comment on each future post notifying members of the policy, if that works out better for you.
Again, thanks for the response!
I think I will be able to make it. see you all here!!
I will try!
Hmmmmm, interesting!
I will try even though i have a meeting then
I will be here.
I am hoping to be here
I was just thinking how much I was missing the chats!
And I was just thinking of whipping up a to-do list for today now that the critical items are finished.... Perfect timing. I'll be back for the chat Stefanie.
To Do Today:
* Follow up on last week's judgment against Fisher Price, who used lead paint to coat items in th play-doctor kit I gave my neices and nephews for Christmas (purchased from a retailer well after the company had discovered the lead)
* Turn in this week's assignment for a class I started on Monday on personal finance reporting for Hispanic publications. I'll be reviewing three financial news stories to analyze why those held my interest.
* Touch base with my editor for an article I turned in yesterday, and ask about the open position there doing what I'm doing now on contract on staff instead. (This could be a very interesting option if it pans out.)
* Follow up with Stride Gum about the results of the halted Stide NonStop Gum Renaming Contest. ; )
As you can see, my "future" is pretty immediate. So many things are evolving right now that there is a lot up in the air. That's good in that I'm excited about the future. It's bad that it does leave some uncertainty. Indeed, the results of what I'm doing in the immediate future could drastically change what I'll be doing five or 10 years from now.... ; )
I will be there
Wish I could make it but I'll be by the pool since I don't have to work the rest of the day.
What are your to-do's for the future? pay down debt
What accomplishments would you like to make in the next year, five years, and 10 years? pay down debt, retire and have grandchildren!!
have grandkids lol, you sound like my mom, she is already bugging me to give her more grandkids;)
I would like at least one grandkid, sometime in my life, lol.
Hi Everyone:)
Hi DN how are you feeling?
my to-do's for the future..
hmm i have already started Christmas shopping for the kiddos:) Would like to be done before halloween:)
I haven't started thinking about christmas yet, I need to get started soon!!!
I run a Christmas charity so i shop for Christmas all year:)
thats great, i need to start shopping for christmas too, i buy as things go on sale:)
Thats me, i like to find toys and things cheap thru out the year. Seems the closer it gets to Christmas the higher things are:)
Every year since I was a kid I'd save my frugal/free finds throughout the year for one big stocking for my folks. This year I'm expanding the stocking gift list! With the half a dozen free samples I received just today in the mail (online registration through places like Walmart.com), free Hershey's candy bar coupons (every Friday at https://secure.realchocolate.com/), buy-one-get-one-free coupons, and other goodies picked up from tradeshows and such, I'm well on my way.... ; )
My to-do's for the future are to pay off all debts and be able to live comfortably. To see my son grow up and continue to be here for him. To own my own business and to write books for children.
I agree with you on paying off debts, we have to do that too
It's the hard thing since I no longer work and tool and die isn't doing so well right now!
It's hard right now, the economy is horrible.
Good reminder. I'm slowly paying off the one credit card I still use, so I know the feeling. The good news is that I have negotiated interest down to 0 percent through the end of this year, so at least I'm not adding to my debt in the process!
I wish the 0 percent!!! we moved into our home 3 years ago and we had to stay at my sister's house and I forgot to pay on one of the cards and they raised us to 30% and we have been paying and paying not much difference. this was are first time being late too. My husband calls all the time trying to get it lowered but they come up with a new reason why they cannot lower it.
hello to eveyone!
hi:)
hi ashley!
Right now, I'd just like to fully recover from this horrible health year, and from this most current surgery in particular. I'd like to get my house organized, and possibly move to a better location. I'd lilke to return to school and finally get my degree and nail tech liscence. I'd like to be able to get a part time job, or work from home. I'd like to be able to be more involved at my son's school in the 2009-2010 school year.
Honorable goals Elizabeth. Here's wishing you the best on your quest.
Hi Adamsmommy:)
i'm here
hi des
hey you
My to dos for the future are to be a good wife and mom and to set dh and myself up in a postion to enjoy our future retirement:)
In the next year i want to get pregnant again and have another baby. In five years i want to be an active parent in my childrens schooling and in 10yrs i will also still be active in my childrens lives and i want to have our home paid off:)
Great goals on yout to do list!
hi Dnbuster how are you doing?
What are your to-do's for the future? What accomplishments would you like to make in the next year, five years, and 10 years?
Next year: Move to Orlando, Florida with my husband and I going back to school (we are both enrolled for the Spring '10 semester)
Five years: Get my accounting degree, hubby will have graduated his school and hopefully working at a Harley Davidson Dealership down South within 2 or 3 hours of his kids so we can see them more often.
Ten years: Be settled down on our own land in the house that we built, learning how to manage a small homestead while both of us working and seeing his kids regularly. Nic building bikes in the garage. Hunting and fishing. No mortgage or any other debt.
Oh - and in 10 years I hope to be working as an accountant and a financial counselor on the side, and heavily active in a church where we are settled down.
Accounting degree huh? I don't think I could endure that much math. I've got enough math for my nursing degree to last me for a life time.
I figure I've already done accounting work by contracting work for my Mom's company in the past (she's an accountant without a degree - been doing it for almost 30 years) and there will always be jobs. I love math, so that part doesn't bother me. I just hope I can get through the part about tax laws! Bores me straight to sleep!
Good afternoon. We're in the middle of storms so I may have to pop off with no notice.
My goals:
Pay off debts (we should be completely out of debt in 2 years and that includes our house)
A play in NYC
Win a major playwriting prize
A de-cluttered house
yay for being debt free:)
You are well on your way Trish!
I would like to have a de-cluttered house also. Its hard to have a clean house, as my husband loves to shop.
Definitely keep us posted on your playwriting prize quest Trish. That would be so great for you!!
I will keep you posted Ms. Meacham: Money Maven. I was a finalist in two contests earlier this spring.
My to dos for the future.......finally get married, (so what if he hasn't officialy asked me yet) get the courage to ask my landlord if they want to sell this house, then buy it....nothing big at all!
Some great goals.
lol two of the biggest things you do, get married and buy a house:) Good luck
My friend planned her whole wedding before her boyfriend actually proposed. Good thing she did too cause she only has a couple months to pull it all together. :) See your not the only one...
Hey, if you are going to dream???
I find that most of the little stuff takes care of itself:)
CyberGwen, two programs that might help you get your dream off the ground this year are the Individual Development Accounts program and the fed's $8,000 tax-return-cash-back-on-home-purchase offer.
The IDA option matches as much as $3 of every dollar you save toward the purchase of a home. Cobble together $10,000, and with the 3:1 match you'll be able to bring a down payment of $40,000 to the table. The federal rebate check can then be used for paying down the mortgage or other expenses.
In short, don't hesitate to ask your landlord whether he would consider cash for your property, either as a paid-in-full bank loan (using the match to bring your down payment to 20 percent of the cost) or as a seller-financed or lease-to-own arrangement. I'd look into a seller-financed proposition with you guys paying a bit more each month but with a) money matched by the IDA and b) the $8,000 as a balloon payment. With the lease-to-own option you'd likely be paying more, but with a portion going toward the eventual purchase cost.
Any of these options (even a "No") will get you one step closer. And what if the homeowner needs to unload it now for financial reasons? You could probably work a deal for saving him all of the work trying to get the home sold (and you'd save your living space in the process).
Okay, off my soap box.... ; ) You're the best CyberGwen.
We have the down payment, just dealing with the whole "do we get a loan in both of our names or just mine" issues. (see, it would be easier if we were married!) I don't think that we can qualify for the IDAs, I wish!
I think our biggest hurdle is that this was the woman's dream house with her first husband. He died and she remarried years ago, but I think that she is still attached. That being said, they haven't touched the darn thing since it was built in '77. It has some major issues, so I am hoping that by continuing to point them out, she will decide that it is time to pull the plug and sell.
They are staying in the guest house this week and I am going to have them for dinner. Maybe she will see how much we have put into it and let it go:)
Ohhh, you're so close. Good luck this week CyberGwen! My thoughts are with you.
Within 5 years I would really like to have my degree finished up, working as a RN and paying off my student loans.
Within 10 years I would really like to be able to buy a house. :o)
I would like to finish my degree too, but I don' want to rack up anymore student loans. I'll already be paying on thm for the next 20 years! LOL
We're paying on my hubby's now (who dropped out) and I'm sure we will be paying on mine for quite some time.
Definitely check into the Individual Development Accounts programs for home ownership in your area Ang! Now is the perfect time for you since you're income potential is lowered while in school.
in one year...not to much different...ny son will be starting pre kindergateb and I want to be able to help out in the class room as much as his teacher needs.
thats great, i had to put my son on the waiting list for school last yr before he was even one lol. He was accepted and im going to be on the board for his school. Im looking forward to it:) lol my son wont start kinder. till 2013 but he will start preschool in 2011:(
Adam was on the waiting list too. But with all the problems with his ears ~ I think that is what got him to the top of the list!
I'm glad he got moved up:) The school my son will go to is a private christian school. The waiting list is long due to the small class sizes, but because my little brother also goes to the school and my family knows the headmaster very well my son got accepted right away:)
that is awesome. My cousin teachers at a private christian school and she son goes there also. He loves it.
As a recent college graduate, my to-dos involved figuring out precisely what I need to be doing, and where. In the next few years, I'll probably end up moving out of the state, and hopefully starting on the road to running a horse rescue.
I also really want to finish writing one of the novels I've started, and maybe even get lucky enough to be published! We'll see, I suppose!
we could use a good horse and other farm rescue here in San Luis Obispo County CA, Tory. Our shelters have to rent out space.
This is good to know! I'm keeping various places in mind.
That would be quite a trek for me, and I'd be a country-span away from my family! But at the same time, I sort of feel that if I need to end up someplace far away, then that's fine... a bit scary, but also a new adventure!
I know I have at least one more year in NJ, as I signed my apartment lease back. When I get closer to that time next year, I'll be more seriously thinking about where to go...
Land isn't cheap, but it sure is beautiful. Can't beat the weather, unless you like those east coast winters.
While I like snow for Christmas, I mostly hate the cold! A warmer place would be nice :)
I'm going to have to go, we have tornado warnings. I hope it's a great chat.
Hope it turns out ok.
Take care!
I hope it is just a warning and that everything is okay!
take care of yourseld
Be safe Trish.
We missed the tornado and as far as I can tell it was a small one and no one was hurt, only property.
Well in the near future, moving successfully and getting a good job in Eufaula. And in five years from now, purchase a new home after we get our credit straightened up. Then have children. Pretty much start a business sometime after that.
On a less-far-in-the-future note, I'd love to actually get my apartment cleaned... including in the closets and the 'hidden nooks', lol!
Thats what I should be doing instead of gathering right now.
That is what I am taking a break from to be here.
lol i understand, dh and i cleaned out our closet a few wks ago. It's a walk in only it was so full you couldnt walk anywhere in it lol
Glad to know I'm not alone! I've been Gathering pretty much all day instead of cleaning the bedroom one... oops!
I need to do the same thing, but you notice I'm here. I've got time to do it tonight.
I at least managed to get the dishes washed, hooray!
sorry guys i am popping in and out of this chat and the Chat with Tom about the points program.
My to-do list for today is done! Phew. My (our) goal by the end of the year is to reduce debt dramatically and possibly be completely debt free by the time our teenager graduates high school in 2011. From that point on, our young man achieving his goals, doing anything we can to help him, will be our main focus. Possibly some short trips for my husband and myself to see many areas of the continental U.S. We chose early retirement to enjoy our time, and we have all intentions of doing just that.
My parents retired early and are loving it. I like it because whenever I need my mommy, she is available. LOL
Thats great, my dh can retire at the age of 45:) We are going to have everything paid off by then so we can enjoy his retirement and travel.
My husband was 49 when he took early retirement from the post office. He worked a few more years as a manager for a Borders Bookstore, then we sold our house in ny and moved to the deep south. Bought our home outright, no mortgage (a new construction too) and we just take it easy now and deal with day to day things, but very very laid back.
Hello everyone!
Im sure you will be helping people in 10yrs des:)
I hope so!
These sound great, Desiree
In the next five to ten years what's on my to do list. Well, I'm a very ambittious person with a lot of goals and things I would like to accomplish. Firstly, I want to complete my college education up to a B.A (two years left!) I'm doing a double major in Education and Family and Consumer Sciences with a minor in history and I want to graduate with honors (so far I have one and I'm working on going further). After that, I'll have loans to pay off which I want to pay off asap! I'll probably enroll in masters programs after that and after five years I'll need to get reaccrediated as a teacher. Hm...so also a good teaching job in the future. Enough about education though ;)
On a more personal note, marriage! I want to see the world, I want to visit Japan and Germany and go to Disneyworld again. The world is filled with so many things to do and see and I want to experience as much of them as I can. I also hope to be fluent in German and Japanese (completly-not partially). I also hope that other skills I'm working on improve such as my ability to make clothing and other things. I would like to have a house.
I think that's enough for now lol. I'm young so I have a lot of to dos just in a year alone!
what great goals Rebeeca!
very great goals
lots of wonderful goals!
some great goals ahead!!!!
My to do list for today is done except cook dinner lol. My parents and little brother are coming over for dinner. I'm making a big pan of Ziti and making garlic bread:)
I haven't even started on todays list. LOL
LOL how's it coming?
lol gonna start cooking after chat;)
I have half of todays goal done....just wondering if I finish the other half today.
What are your to-do's for the future? Put together a book of poetry, share new sports and activities with the children, pay off debt
What accomplishments would you like to make in the next year, five years, and 10 years?
Year - get my house organized, visit new places with the kids
five years - get together a book of poetry, learn new stuff with the kids
ten years - be a famous author :) watch my kids excelling in college, possibly relocate
Oh that sounds wonderful.
good luck with your goals:) I love poetry i use to write a lot when i was younger.
My to-do list today is crazy! I've been away due to family stuff and everything needs to be done! I'll be back, kids are coming from the bus...
My To-Do for the future: build my career as a writer so that I'm earning a livable income.
Within the next five years: continue to focus on my five children so that they are launched from my home with the skills they'll need.
Within the next year: Lost thirty pounds and put up my own professional website.
Immediately: Renew my gym membership and return to lifting weights so that my knees are better supported.
Hi everyone! :-)
5 kids! Wow. I bet they keep you busy!
The rest is totally doable:)
Writing is a wonderful goal, I hope you achieve it!
Sounds like my New Year's Eve Resolutions for so many years Susan! (Sans the five children). If anyone can do it, you can!!
My goal is to pay off debt's also. =)
paying off debt is a great goal.
Oh good one!
thats one of my goals to.
Good Luck with it:)
My other goal is to stop Murphy from chasing the rabbits in the front yard. I like that we have a bitty bunny family living out there, but he is going to scare them away.
my goals in 5 years to be debt free
in 10 years hope to be in a better neighbourhood and watching my daughter grad from highschool!!! :D
One of my goals will be difficult to complete in particular. Having kids is a challenge because we don't think my husband can have any.
I'm sorry, i hope there is something the drs can do. They have come a long way in fertility.
Tara, with so many new technologies, I hope something will help you out. otoh, adoption is a viable choice, though I know it can take a lot to embrace it.
I'm sorry to hear that. Adoption is something you can think about though? There are a lot of young kids out there that need a good home.
my best friend is unable to have children ~ her and her husband tryed for along time and went to every doctor they heard of. They have adopted and have four kids now.