As you reach 30 and beyond, you encounter a very frightening phenomena.
At first you hardly notice it. Don’t want to notice it. Can’t accept that it’s happening. But little by little, recognition dawns – as does the shock.
First there’s your hairdresser, whose blank eyes seem to be focused on anything but your dyed locks her practiced hands are dressing.
Then there’s the bank-teller, looking as though he should still be at school, explaining to you the finer points of banking procedure too loudly and too clearly, almost as if he thinks you’ve just dropped in on planet earth and banking is a novelty to you.
And then, the bitterest blow of all.
You’re sitting on a bar stool, new hair-do, new outfit, looking absolutely drop-down gorgeous, when you see this young fellow smiling warmly as he begins to move in your direction. In the middle of your own gratified answering smile, you realize with horror, that he’s smiling at your neighbour. A fifteen year old with a fake ID and make-up put on with a trowel.
That’s when it hits you. You’re becoming invisible.
In a culture that will see the majority of men and women marry more than once – and sometimes when they’re fifty, sixty and even older – it’s difficult for an older couple not to notice the effect they’re having on the younger generation. If they also happen to choose a honeymoon playground largely patronized by the very young, they can’t avoid seeing how their togetherness seems to arouse smiles and nudges.
To counter the feeling of reduction, and to assert themselves as people in their own rights, older couples tend to react in two different ways. There are those that adopt all the attributes of the very young – acting, talking, dressing as if they were, in fact, twenty years younger than they are. At the other extreme, they become the grumpy old men and women who fail to see anything of value in the youth-worshiping world of today.
Those imitating youth, sooner or later reach the conclusion that acting like a young goat is not only not satisfying, but actually gives them that hollow feeling of being less than they are.
But just because they decide to stop imitating youth, doesn’t mean that now they have to go the way of the grumps. Perhaps the world isn’t the way it used to be, but being open to new ideas as youth tends to be, allows you to feel less like a visitor in your own world. It may even help you to enjoy life on your own terms.
Vlady Peters, who is a Civil Marriage Celebrant, is an author of three books, “The Complete Book of Australian Weddings”, “The Small Organisation Handbook”, and an ebook, “Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle?” which you can see on her website http://www.vlady-celebrant.com
In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, Jewish wedding rings play a very important role. In Jewish law, a verbal declaration is not enough to be married.
According to Jewish law, a formal, physical consecration must be made. Usually this is done with the giving of a Jewish wedding ring, however in ancient times, it was merely something of valuewith the minimum value of what is now a penny.
Don’t worryI know you won’t be that cheap! 
The ring must be of solid uninterupted gold with no holes breaking the circle. The continuity of the rings represents the hope for an everlasting marriage.
Requirements for Jewish Wedding Rings
The ring must be the bridegroom’s property at the time of the Jewish wedding ceremony. While only one Jewish wedding ring is required by Jewish law, (given to the bride), many couples exchange rings.
Orthodox Rabbis refuse to perform a double ring ceremony, because they feel it invalidates the idea of the groom acquiring the bride as a wife in exchange of something valuable.
A Reform or Conservative denominational Rabbi may incorporate a ring exchange between bride and groom with little problem usually.
What Hebrew Wedding Rings are made of…
Most Jewish wedding rings are made of simple solid gold bands, although recently embellishment with Hebrew letters on the band has become quite popular.
Many rings can even now be fully customized with many different Hebrew phrases, or even the couple’s names either inscribed or raised inside the band.
How To Buy a Jewish Wedding Ring
Buying a Jewish Wedding Ring can often be a confusing and frustrating adventure. There are so many Jewish jewelry stores, and with the advent of the internet, there are even more than ever before.
However, the internet has proven to be a big advantage for buyers. Low overhead and large online demand have driven prices for expensive Jewish Wedding Rings that used to go for $800-1000 down into the $320-600 range, depending on 14k or 18 gold, ring size, etc.
Look for merchants with these types of price ranges. Anything cheaper will be a ring of inferior quality. Anything higher is the seller making huge profits – off of potential buyers.
Another advantage of the online retailers is customization and options. Some Jewish wedding ring retailers can completely customize any engraving, either with hebrew phrases or the bride and groom’s names. Look for websites who include customization in the price, rather than upsell the customization.
A Jewish Wedding Ring goes on WHICH finger?
The ring ceremony consists of the groom placing the ring on the bride’s right index finger. Afterwards, most women move it to the customary “ring finger” of the left hand.
The reason for this Jewish wedding tradition goes back to the time of the Talmud and the differences in beliefs at that time about which finger is closer or more direct to the heart! Christianity taught the ring finger; Judaism taught the index finger.
When the Jewish Wedding Ring is Given…
In most ceremonies, the bridegroom repeats a Hebrew vow after the Rabbi, with the giving of the ring. The bridegroom would declare, “Behold, thou art consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel.”
In hebrew, this phrase is Hare at mekudeshet li betaba’ at zo k’dat Moshe v’ Yisrael.
With a little practice, you can easily learn to roll this phrase off of your tongue in no time at all. If you can’t speak Hebrew, don’t worry! On our website, we have a page where you can hear this phrase being said, right through your computer.
This statement that husband and wife are holy to each other. It is as if they were saying, “As Shabbat is to Jewish time and as Jerusalem is to Jewish space, you will be to me.”
With this buyer’s guide to Jewish Wedding rings and their traditions, you can be confident of making a good choice in choosing your rings for your special wedding day.
About the Author:
Josh Singer and Shira Frimer are authors and owners of http://www.about-jewish-weddings.com containing completely FREE articles on everything from A-Z you should know about Jewish Weddings and Jewish Wedding traditions.
They also offer beautiful, completely customizable Jewish Wedding Rings, hand-painted custom Ketubahs (Jewish Marriage Contract), as well as hand-painted silk Jewish Wedding Chuppahs.
Visit their website and receive “101 ways to save on your Wedding Costs” – a $69.00 value – absolutely free, no strings attached.
© 2005 Josh Singer and Shira Frimer. This article may be republished, as long as it remains unchanged, carries this copyright and reprint notice, and has a live link to our site.
A beach wedding is a romantic’s dream. The sand, water and sunshine make it such a peaceful location for a wedding. With any outdoor wedding there comes many considerations. A beach wedding also brings extra concerns because of the sand and water. The following gives considerations that any couple should make when planning a beach wedding to make sure that everything goes off smoothly.
1. Weather. This is a typical concern for any outdoor wedding. Beaches are windy, open spots, so there are more weather concerns than if the wedding were to be held in a backyard. Winds can get strong and therefore anything that could blow away or tangle up in the wind should be avoided or secured. The sun is also strong at the beach. Guests comfort should be considered. Guests should be made aware so they can bring sunscreen and dress appropriately. Shade should also be provided. Rain is always a possibility, so the couple should rent a tent just in case.
2. Special Beach Concerns. Beaches are made of sand. People sitting in chairs sink into the sand. This means a couple should rent a floor for the ceremony. The tide is another consideration. The couple should know when the tide comes in and how far, so they can plan the wedding in an area where they will not be flooded out. Due to the windy, noisy nature of the beach sound is another consideration. The couple should think about having a sound system to broadcast their wedding so guests can hear. If the beach does not have restrooms then the couple will have to rent those as well. Another thing for the couple to think about if using a public beach is that other people may be around. It is important to not stage the wedding in a popular spot. The rules of the beach must also be followed, so the couple should check those out ahead of time.
These two points mention the major things couples often overlook when planning a beach wedding. Of course the size of the guest list may affect some of these considerations. Whether or not the reception will also be at the beach may bring on more things to think about as well. Beach weddings are romantic and they often go smoothly. When couples really plan out the event a beach wedding can make this magical day even better.
For those looking to find glasses, there is a large selection that can be tracked down through a variety of different stores or online at different ecommerce sites; but it would be far more convenient and take much less effort if you were able to view and peruse options available for purchase all in one central spot. Whether it is a selection for regular glasses or perhaps reading glasses or even sunglasses, an ideal would be to find what you are looking for without having to shop around at multiple places to track it down. One such example would be if you are looking for round glasses. Although they are an original design when it comes to glasses, they have become increasingly hard to find. Most stores rarely have them on hand; and if they do, you are likely to find a very limited selection from which to choose.
Luckily a site like eyeglasses.com offers can meet the ideal criteria when it comes to its selection. As a bonus, you can use the helpful information online to properly select the right frame, lens, and fit. You can determine if those hard to track down round glasses will actually be the best shape to compliment your face.
Second marriages can be a tricky situation for a variety of reasons. There may be problems with step kids, ex spouses or even some religious stumbling blocks for the marriage taking place. However, when we talk about the etiquette for buying gifts for those going through a second marriage, it is a fairly straightforward process.
It is the norm for a couple going through a second marriage not to ask for, nor to expect, wedding attendees to bring gifts. Traditionally people received gifts at their first wedding to help them set up a home for their new life together. It is considered that couples going through second marriages already have all the trappings of modern life and do not require the gifts usually received at a first wedding.
If you have been invited to a second wedding and have received an invite that makes no mention of gifts, then that is good. It shows that the bride and groom have taken note of etiquette and have not requested gifts on their invitation. However, it is permissible and not uncommon to give gifts at a second wedding. If you are related to the future couple you may wish to give a gift anyway, if you are not married then you may politely enquire if the bride and groom have a gift registry, so as to make sure if you do by a gift for a second marriage, you get them a gift that they want.
Wedding Party Gift information and resources at http://www.1weddinggifts.co.uk.
You’re in love. You’re ga-ga. Let’s face it… you’re both crazy!
Yet you somehow summoned the presence of mind to make a life-changing decision: to get married.
When the chemistry is right between two people, and there seems no other clear path than to tie the knot, the time is ripe for marriage. Amid the general confusion and effusion and delusion, this is probably the only really serious decision you’re capable of at the moment, as a couple. It’s natural, it’s right, it’s obvious. Now all you have to do is back up your vows…with a lifetime of love.
Simple? Not hardly.
Love comes on strong, grabs you both by the lapels and shakes until the rings fall out of your pockets. It’s just the nature of the beast. But that does not diminish the lifetime of dedication and respect two people willingly give each other long after the crazed-in-love period wanes.
Whether you write your vows or repeat the time-honored, “Till death do us part” phrases, just take a moment, before you make your promises, to reflect upon the words you choose to say to each other.
Maybe you gravitate toward Aristotle’s famous quote, “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” Maybe you came across Thomas Moore’s idea, “Marriage is an Athenic weaving together of families, of two souls with their individual fates and destinies, of time and eternity–everyday life married to the timeless mysteries of the soul.” Or possibly you both prefer the lighter, albeit somehow more poignant, perspective of Winnie the Pooh: “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
Whatever you decide to promise, mean it with every fiber of your being. The meaning of your wedding depends upon the depths of your sincerity. And your journey together on Planet Earth does too.
Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides wedding tips on www.your-best-wedding.info
After filing for bankruptcy several years back, I had to figure out what I needed to do to improve my credit score and have been diligently working toward this end ever since. Now, while still not perfect, my credit score has been improving ever since because I took the steps to learn about what I needed to do to improve it. In this article, I provide some of the steps I’ve taken and some of what I learned in my research to improve my own credit score.
Your credit score determines the amount of interest you will pay for credit cards or other loans. This includes loans such as car financing and mortgages. There are also non-interest types of costs your credit score can have on your life, such as the cost of insurance; your ability to rent an apartment or secure utilities without having a co-signer; and in some cases it can affect whether you will be selected for a job. Increasing your score by just few points will make a big difference in your life overall, but mainly in the interest rate you will pay for a purchase, especially important for those big purchases. A High credit score generally equates to getting the best loan rates and terms for car financing, mortgages, credit cards,
etc. You get the idea. However, a low credit score can have a negative effect even on some of the most basic necessities of life.
While how your credit score is calculated is not public knowledge as the exact formula has been kept a secret by Fair Isaac Corporation, there are some basic approximations to consider.
Here’s the basic breakdown:
1 – Paying your bills on time – about 35 percent of a credit score
2 – How much you owe – about 30 percent of your credit score
3 – Credit history – about 15 percent of your credit score
4 – New credit – about 10 percent of your credit score
5 – Types of credit – about 10 percent of your credit score
Here’s some information that can help you improve your credit score and in some cases help you identify whether or not you’ve been the target of identity theft:
Step One: Know what’s in your credit report
Your credit report is an important life document. When I first received mine, I was surprised at all the information it contained about my life and me. My entire life from the time I had turned eighteen to the present was contained within the report. Every place I had lived, worked and every loan I had taken out was contained within the report. Needless to say, if anyone else got a hold of my credit report, they would indeed have some valuable information.
Since your credit score is based on your credit report,
you need to begin by knowing what’s contained in the credit report and whether it’s accurate.
This is an easy step and you can even get your credit report for free. Under a new Federal law, you have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from
each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies; Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. This can be done online or by phone. I suggest spacing out each credit report intermittently throughout the year so you can monitor any changes. Requesting your own credit report doesn’t negatively affect your credit score as long as you order from these companies rather than through a debt management counseling agency.
Step Two – Is your credit report accurate?
What else needs to be said?
Is your name right, your social security number, are there accounts that you didn’t open, anything negative that needs to be addressed, is there anything whatsoever that doesn’t fit? You need to make sure that everything on your credit report is correct and address any issue that might negatively impact your credit score.
Step Three – Pay Your Bills on Time.
This is the no-brainer. We all know that it looks bad if we pay our bills late and getting those late fees is nothing I like to wake up to. More than 30 percent of your credit score reflects your payment history. The rule of thumb is that it’s never too late to start paying your bills on time and doing so will definitely improve your credit score. Besides forgetfulness, late payments are generally a sign of financial difficulty. For lenders this can indicate a possibility that you might default on your loans.
Step Four – Be smart about your credit cards
There are several ways to be smart about your credit cards.
1. Don’t apply for unnecessary credit.
New credit is about 10 percent of your credit score and having a
lot of new credit can negatively impact your credit score for several reasons. First, it can reduce the length of your history by reducing your average account age. If you go on a spree and apply for all of those ‘get 10% off when you open a new account’
offers at Christmas time or any other time, you’ll be in for a big surprise when you check your credit score. Second, if you already have a lot of credit and your credit utilization is high, to a lender it can indicate a financial problem.
2. Keep balances low
After I filed for bankruptcy about 5 years ago, I made the decision based on my lawyer’s advice that I needed to e-establish my credit history. What he told me was that I needed to sign-up for a couple of credit cards, spend a little each month keeping the balances low, but be able to pay them off each month. In this way, I’ve been able to keep a good ‘utilization ratio’ while not getting in over my head.
The ‘utilization ratio’ is the amount of available credit you have in relation to the amount you owe in credit debt. This accounts for 30 percent of your credit score, so keeping the utilization ratio low is important. This is not just about paying off your credit cards each month; it’s about consistency and
debt management. You also want to keep your accounts active so that the companies continue to report.
3. Be conservative, but judicious about the credit you have
There are two things in balance here. For one, lenders want to see a well-managed credit history. Second, there’s been an increase in identity theft. Identity theft necessitates the need
to be more aware of what credit cards you have. Recently a friend of mine was the target of identity theft, and unfortunately, he was so spread out with loans that he had no idea what was his and what wasn’t. The lesson here, the fewer you have,
the less you have to manage. It really makes checking your credit report a lot easier, too.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to start closing accounts because you want to minimize your identity theft risk. Length of credit history is about 15 percent of your credit score and every little bit helps. You want to make sure that the credit cards you have are well established, meaning there’s a long credit history with that lender. Another thing to consider is that closing accounts changes your credit utilization ratio.
The author of this article runs OpinedMind.com and
is currently a Ph.D. student writing articles on the issues of
finding funding for college and debt management based on personal experience and many hours of research.
You need to fix your credit report if you are among the thousands of consumers turned down each year for credit cards, mortgages, student loans, other important loans and employment and housing opportunities, due to inaccurate information in their credit reports. You have the right to view your credit report, know what information is contained therein, and to dispute that information if it is wrong or outdated and have it removed to fix your credit report.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal statute, enacted in 1970 to protect the rights of consumers, and regulate the practices of those who provide information to the credit reporting agencies, the agencies themselves and credit report users. The FCRA allows you to fix your credit report, and states that a consumer can make a legal claim against, and sue the credit reporting agencies, creditors and debt collectors who report information that is wrong.
To fix your credit report, you will need to deal with the debt and the reporting separately. Your financial condition will only get worse unless you become proactive in protecting and/or rebuilding your credit standing.
If debt is the problem, the effort to fix your credit report begins with getting the debt under control. You must stop the financial hemorrhaging; take control.
It should go without saying, to fix your credit report, you must have household income. You must find and/or keep the most suitable employment. You may need to work two jobs. You might consider selling anything you don’t really need, especially if you are paying to have it stored. Live within your means – don’t spend more than you bring home.
Pay off or settle as many outstanding debts as possible. Then, reduce, and keep, your balance on all revolving credit accounts to below 45% of your gross earnings. This will demonstrate that you do not live on credit, and have planned for possible unforeseen needs of that available credit.
Once you have taken the above steps to reduce debt, it is time to fix your credit report. We are often asked, “How can I fix my credit, and raise my credit score?” Under the FCRA, you can dispute information in your credit files with the three credit bureaus, and the creditor is required by law to verify the disputed information. That which can’t be verified within 30 days must be removed.
While credit report repair can be a do-it-yourself project, it is time consuming and tedious. Restoring your own credit is like repairing your own transmission or representing yourself in court; it is possible, but you must decide if you’re willing to take the time and assume the risks of doing it yourself. RMCN Credit Services specializes in credit repair, restoration and education. Let’s fix your credit report.
While many brides are fretting over their wedding colors or centerpieces, they all have the same opinion regarding their wedding music.
String quartets are the number one choice of brides and grooms according to Chandler Judkins, owner of the most popular musician contractor company in Las Vegas called Las Vegas Wedding Music.
Las Vegas Wedding Music receives more requests for string quartets than any other music group, even though they offer dozens of options including jazz quartets, piano soloists, big bands, and more.
“Our string quartets alone have doubled, if not, tripled within the last two years,” Judkins said. “Las Vegas is fast becoming an elegant city to be married in and that means, more string quartets.”
DJs are known for their affordability and usually nothing more. So couples on a budget might hire a DJ to save a dime, but they are oftentimes disappointed in the service and atmosphere. Those same brides and grooms are quick to state that if they had the funds, a string quartet would be their number one choice of wedding music.
However, string quartets are also starting to outrank DJs in costs. In Las Vegas, DJ costs are skyrocketing and in many major wedding chapels, couples have to foot a $2,000 to $5,000 bill. Judkins thinks this is outrageous.
“Las Vegas Wedding Music will never gouge couples to make a buck just because this is Las Vegas,” Judkins said. “We want to promote live music so we keep our prices as low as possible. Any string quartet hired for a wedding should cost less than $1,000 for a few hours of performing, and if the quartet is only for the ceremony, it should cost less than $800.”
Judkins said that couples should check prices before making a commitment on their wedding music. Couples should also be careful because sometimes wedding coordinators aren’t always honest about live musician prices.
“It’s easier for wedding coordinators to use the same DJ for every wedding, so they don’t have to bother finding a band,” Judkins said. “So many times they state that a string quartet will cost a lot more because of the time they will end up putting in to find that string quartet. They often take a cut off the musician’s price because they have to work to find the perfect band.”
Judkins advises brides to find their own string quartet through a wedding musician contractor. That way they know the musicians will show up, they can hear sound demos of the band, and brides won’t have to pay a coordinator hidden costs to do the work for them.
To see an example of a musician contractor’s site, go to www.LVWeddingMusic.com.
“Those who come to me are the brides and grooms who truly know that nothing compares to live music for their wedding,” Judkins said. “No matter what DJs offer, they can never offer the same benefits that a live string quartet offers.”
Renae earned her journalism degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She is currently a wedding consultant for www.vegaswedlock.com“>www.vegaswedlock.com.
Climate change and the financial crisis, these twin apocalypse have spared the European Alps, at any rate for Christmas. However it may have been so altogether polar. Before Christmas hamlets in the La Grave locale were cut off when snow rained down. Motorway passes such as the crowded Col du Araches-la-Frasse were severed. In that location there was no power or telephones, home owners had to be moved out to make shift dwellings, it looked as if it were the repeat of 1998.
Perhaps all promotion is good promotion. Val Thorens appeared every evening on national news bulletins. As soon as power was reconnected inquiries began to come in, drawn in by the superior skiing conditions.
Val Thorens and nearby Alpe d Huez have virtually 3.5 m base on the top areas at 2400 metres altitude and 2 meters at the base of the resorts. At the moment a record for the Alps. Isola 2000 claims there is four m at the top of the resort. Unluckily snow storms have demolished a pylon of the drag lift which serves the domain. They are broken until the middle of February.
Elsewhere in the French Alps inquiries have increased 20% in Gourette, Grand Massif and Samoens. Espace Killy has 99.7% occupancy and distributed a record number of passes last Saturday. This is good for main snowboarding businesses and with luck this will aid the summer alps season.
