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Everything posted by JUSTUSTWO
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Getting out of debt - best financial advice/plan?
JUSTUSTWO replied to ErinB's topic in Random Thoughts
I'm watching the rebroadcast of Oprah now. Suze Orman is on & for the next week she is offering her new book SUZE ORMAN'S 2009 ACTION PLAN, KEEPING YOUR MONEY SAFE & SOUND, online for FREE. Here's the link: Suze Orman's Free Book Download She is also having a free webinar next week, January 15th & you have to sign up on Oprah's website. She basically said that everyone's goal for 2009 should be to get rid of credit card debt. There were 225 people in the audience at the show today & in total, they had $2 million dollars in credit card debt. She went thru her credit card payment plan which is: 1) line up all of your credit cards & pay off the high interest cards first 2) at the same time, maintain your minimum payments on all of the other cards but if you can, try to pay more than the minimum payment 3) you should try to pay all of your cards on time & never go over your credit limit because that's when your interest rate goes up These 3 things also help you improve your fico score. Something that was also interesting is that she said you should get out of credit card debt before you have a savings account. You shouldn't be trying to save when you have cc debt. You should get rid of the debt first & then save. HERE'S HER SPENDING ACTION PLAN: http://www.oprah.com/article/money/p...ws_suzesteps/4 1) sit down with your expenses & separate "WANTS" and "NEEDS" 2) circle all expenses that are "WANTS" 3) If you have debt or no savings, eliminate "WANTS" HER SAVINGS ACTION PLAN: http://www.oprah.com/article/money/p...ws_suzesteps/5 1) save enough to cover 8 months of expenses...you have to get there somehow 2) decide how much you can save each month & add 20% 3) search around for a savings accnt with higher interest rate RETIREMENT ACTION PLAN: http://www.oprah.com/article/money/p...ws_suzesteps/6 1) don't panic when the market goes down 2) keep investing monthly in your 401k or ira 3) if you need money within 5 years take it out of the stock market This is the entire 5 step plan: http://www.oprah.com/article/money/p...ws_suzesteps/1 2009 ACTION PLEDGE: 1) Don't spend any money for one day 2) Don't use any credit cards for one week 3) Don't go out to eat at any restaurants for one month Sorry for my thoughts being all over the place but it was just a really good show! Even though these are things that I've heard her say before, I guess its time to just buckle down & get this done sooner rather than later, especially considering how the economy is. -
We set up a group contract/room block & the resort required a deposit of one night's stay for each room. The minimum for a block was 10 rooms & the group room rate was less than the published rate. Also, we had to cancel the rooms that we did not think we were going to use by a certain time & the final payment was also due by a certain time which I think was like 30 days before our arrival. It definitely helps to an idea of how many rooms you need before you get into a contract. Also, we made our guests give us their final payment about 2 weeks before the deadline date that the resort had given us. We wanted to make sure that we had everyone's money on time! If you go this route, definitely read every line of your contract & pay attention to penalties.
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Saw this in todays Metro newspaper. Thought it was interesting. I wonder if the number of weddings will increase just because of this. metro In a bid to make "City Hall" weddings a destination, instead of a last resort officials unveiled a new, expanded marriage bureau yesterday. New York is trying to woo couples into taking the plunge at a new marriage bureau. Marriages come with a City Hall backdrop for memorable photographs. New office for wedded bliss in city by amy zimmer / metro new york Manhattan. Move over Vegas. New York hopes to be the place to get hitched. After decades of couples going to the Municipal Building’s sterile and cramped Room 257 for their vows, the city will officially open on Monday a new marriage bureau at 141 Worth St., transforming the cavernous space that once housed the Department of Motor Vehicles with two wedding chapels wired to accept music from your iPod. A one-stop wedding teller process paperwork with instructions in 170 languages. After getting their license, couples must wait 24 hours before they marry. “We want to be the wedding destination of the world,†said First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris. For the unprepared betrothed, flowers, stain remover, bobby pins and certificate frames are available for sale. No more prepping over the sink — bathrooms in the new digs have full-length mirrors. There’s even a fake City Hall backdrop for photos. The city spent $12.3 million for the renovations in a bid to boost the more than the 16,000 couples who typically marry in its Manhattan marriage bureau. City officials expect to increase the $35 marriage license fee (major credit cards accepted). Las Vegas charges $55, but there’s no wait. A New York nuptial, on the cheap: Marriage or domestic partnership license: $35 Chapel fee: $25 Costume ring at CityStore: $9 Tissue with hearts printed on them: $1.75 Flowers: Ranges from $50 for the “passion†bouquet of roses to $4 for the “admiration†carnation.
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Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride That is so bizarre!! Does he have any merit doing that?? How did he decide on the $1.5M...why not $1M or $2M?? Weird!! Quote: Originally Posted by Kristy! I heard onthe radio this morning that the kidney is "valued" at $1.5 million, so that's where that amount comes from. This is a tough situation. I'm definitely interested to see how it plays out. Here's how he came up with that amount: "If he can't get the kidney, his attorney, Dominic Barbara of Garden City, said Wednesday that his client wants $1.5 million -- which, he said, reflects in part the value of the kidney transplant." Barbara said the $1.5 million his client feels he's entitled to reflects damages, including how much money she made as a result of being able to continue working and not having to go on dialysis. "A price can't be placed on a human organ but it does have value," he said. Quote: Originally Posted by carly That's just crazy. First of all, it was 8 years ago. It isn't like she took his kidney and then told him, I want a divorce, I used you for your kidney. Also, you can't BUY organs (legally), so what makes him think he should be paid for giving one up? Dude, move on. I mean, it sucks that they ended up this way, but they are two totally unrelated things. She didn't cheat because of the kidney or get the kidney for not cheating, or whatever. Carly, like you said, giving an organ is considered a gift: "Medical ethicists agreed that the case is a nonstarter. Organs in the U.S. may not be bought or sold. Donating an organ is considered a gift." Newsday Arthur Caplan of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics said the likelihood of Batista getting either his kidney or cash was "somewhere between impossible and completely impossible." Robert Veatch, a medical ethicist at Georgetown University's Kennedy Institute of Ethics, noted that "it's illegal for an organ to be exchanged for anything of value." Organs in the United States may not be bought or sold. Donating an organ is a gift and legally, "when you give something, you can't get it back," he said. Last but not least, what about this: Manhattan attorney Susan Moss said, "The good doctor is out of luck and out a kidney. This is similar to cases where a husband wants to be repaid for the cost of breast implants and the such. Our judges are not willing to value such assets, so to speak." There are people who want to be reimbursed for the cost of breast implants? Actually, now that I think about it, I have seen these kind of cases on Judge Judy but I can't remember the outcomes! The outcome of this will definitely be interesting!
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Saw this on Good Morning America today, then saw it in the local paper. Interesting! He wants the kidney back but says that he knows that's unlikely. So since he can't get the kidney back, he wants $1.5 million dollars! I know it sounds crazy but do you think you'd go this far if you donated an organ to your spouse to save his/her life, then found out he/she was having an affair? Long Island doctor Richard Batista to estranged wife: Give me my kidney back or $1.5M Long Island doctor Richard Batista to estranged wife: Give me my kidney back or $1.5M By LARRY McSHANE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS Updated Thursday, January 8th 2009, 2:30 AM Richard Batista can live with his broken heart. He just can't bear his cheating wife living with his healthy kidney. The Long Island doctor wants the one-time love of his life to pay $1.5 million for the organ he bestowed on her eight years ago in a gift meant to save her life and their foundering marriage. "There's no deeper pain you can ever express than to be betrayed by the person you devoted your life to," Batista told reporters in Garden City Wednesday. "I saved her life. But the pain is unbearable." Batista charged his wife, Dawnell, repaid his gesture by first sleeping with her physical therapist - and then denying him access to their three kids in an increasingly bitter divorce. Adding to his anguish, Batista insists his decision to donate his kidney in 2001 was in part a failed effort to rescue their troubled relationship. "My first priority was to save her life," the 49-year-old doctor said. "The second bonus was to turn our marriage around." Dawnell Batista survived. Their marriage lasted just another four years, with the wife filing for divorce in July 2005. The once-happy pair met two decades ago when he was a resident and she a training nurse at North Shore Hospital. They were married in August 1990, celebrating with a lavish Long Island reception, and were soon living in a $1 million Massapequa home. The couple shared the joy of three daughters, but Dawnell was battling kidney failure and the couple's relationship turned shaky. Her husband - a surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center - injected her three times a week with medication as part of her health care regime. Dawnell's health continued to deteriorate. After two transplants failed, her husband volunteered to donate one of his kidneys - and discovered he was a match, a 1-in-700,000 shot. "I was the first and only one to step to the plate," the doctor recalled. Without his donation, Dawnell faced a long wait: There are 6,748 people awaiting kidneys in New York State, the New York Organ Donor Network says. Successful surgery followed at a Minnesota hospital on June 28, 2001. Batista said he was looking forward to happier times with his now-healthy bride - but his hopes proved futile. "Nothing changed," he said. Dawnell Batista viewed the kidney as a new lease on life, too. She returned to school to earn a master's degree in nursing, and took up karate, her husband said. After an injury suffered while trying to earn her black belt, she began physical therapy - which evolved into an affair with her therapist, Batista said. "It put a hole in my heart that still exists," Batista said of his wife's disloyalty. "To this day, I'm a man of pride. To be betrayed that way, humiliated - I can't even began to say." Dawnell Batista was not at her home Wednesday. Her lawyer did not return a call for comment. Batista said the ongoing ugliness began on day one of their divorce. "She slapped me with divorce papers when I was in surgery trying to save another person's life," he fumed. The case was apparently the first of its kind in New York State. Julia Rivera of the New York Organ Donor Network said she never heard of anything similar. "This is extraordinary," the spokeswoman said. Batista insisted his cash-for-kidney claim was a direct result of his wife's behavior. He said he hasn't seen his three daughters - ages 14, 11 and 8 - in months. "This is my last resort," Batista said. "I didn't want to be in the public eye." Despite the animosity, Batista insisted he would donate the kidney all over again to his hopefully soon-to-be-ex. He fondly recalls a visit to her room on the day after surgery. "There was no greater feeling on this planet," he said. "As God is my witness, I felt as if I could put my arm around Jesus Christ. I was walking on a cloud."
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Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by ~Andrea~ It's about a mile or so away from the Gardens. We are getting married there and I love to talk to people who've been there! I've only seen a few small pictures. Oh, okay. Well as beautiful as Shaw Park was I can't imagine the hotel being anything but beautiful as well, especially if its only a mile away. -
Welcome to BDW & Congratulations! You're definitely in the right place. You'll find lots of info here on Jamaica. Happy planning & good luck!!!
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Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by ~Andrea~ You didn't happen to visit Shaw Park Beach Hotel did you? No we didnt. Is that close to the Gardens? -
to BDW Tracy! Definitely check out the Jamaica forum if you're thinking of Jamaica. You'll find lots of reviews & pictures. Good luck & happy planning!
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Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by jodylynn007 Hi there!! My hubby and I booked a cruise (the same itinerary you were on) for March of 09. We have booked shore excursions for all ports except Ocho Rios... was wondering what you did there that made you love it? We are thinking a trip to Dunn's River Falls but another thought was when I was a teenager my family went to Jamaica on a cruise as well and my brother and I went horseback riding on the beach. I LOVED my day in Jamaica and was leaning towards that again however my hubby didn't like it when he was there (nothing planned) and would like to see the sights. Any recommendations? We did 1 tour that included Dunn's River, Shaw Park Gardens, Shopping at Island Village/Taj Mahal & then lunch at Margaritaville! We did Shaw Park Gardens first, which was beautiful, if you're into Botanical Gardens. Then they took us to Dunn's River which was followed by shopping at Island Village & I think Taj Mahal shopping center. When they dropped us off after the tour, I think we had like an hour left before we had to board the ship. So at that time, the ship was docked right next to Margaritaville so we went there to try authentic Jamaican food. I really enjoyed the day there sooo much! I think it was the best port with the exception of Grand Cayman altho Labadee was pretty nice too, even though its their private island. If you do that tour, definitely take a change of clothes for after Dunn's River. Someone gave us that tip & it was nice to be able to change after climbing the falls so that we weren't drenched while we were shopping. We were able to leave our belongings on the bus since the tour operator & driver stayed there while we did the climb. And don't forget your sneakers or water shoes!!! -
Getting out of debt - best financial advice/plan?
JUSTUSTWO replied to ErinB's topic in Random Thoughts
Erin, you're soo not alone as this has been a goal of mine as well. I think I'm doing much better so far & I've seen a difference in credit card bills. I don't have any "professional" advice but only what I've always heard in reference to credit cards which is try to pay off the higher interest cards first. Have you ever looked at your statement & paid attention to how much of your payment goes towards the actual balance & how much goes to finance charges Its crazy that sometimes we don't realize that more than half of a payment goes to interest/finance charges. No wonder the balance never seems to go down! Once I started paying attn to that, I made sure to always try to double those minimum payments. What I found that works for me is that I pay a little on my cards, every week when I get paid. Even if its $20-$25 bucks, I pay it. I mean, $25 bucks every week adds up. I never realized how many little rinky dinky store credit cards I have, that I don't use often but still have balances from I don't know what!! Again, its not a professional strategy but I've found that it does help. So that means I go without my wants pretty often, such as not eating out as much & cutting down on my non-essential shopping sprees, but I want to get rid of these cards asap! Good luck with your goal & I hope that you find a strategy that works for you! FYI..Just heard that Oprah will have Suze Orman on tomorrow discussing financial advice as part of her Best Life series. -
bought my dress, but...
JUSTUSTWO replied to JayBee's topic in Destination Wedding Dresses, Wedding Attire & rings
I went to a few bridal shops during my search for my dress. I eventually ended up back at RK bridal in NYC. I liked my experience & decided to purchase my dress there. My consultant was very up front with me, patient and totally not pushy! The main reason I went back to RK was because of their large selection & the service that I recv'd. The fact that they did do alterations there was also a plus. The one thing that I did not like was that they didn't allow pictures initially. But once I paid for my dress & when I went back for my alterations appt, I was able to take pics freely. I don't think that you made a mistake purchasing your dress at all, especially if its the one that you really wanted & the one that you love! And saving $500 does seem like a great deal. In terms of alterations, could the bridal salon recommend anyone to you? My one suggestion is to definitely do your homework before going with any seamstress. -
Guest wearing their wedding dress
JUSTUSTWO replied to heather007's topic in Just venting or funnies
Oh heck! Definitely crazy! I went to a friends wedding 2 years ago where one of her guests wore their wedding dress too! And to top it off she was like at least 6 months pregnant! I was absolutely shocked & appalled. At first I thought maybe that was all she had to wear & couldnt find anything else since she was so pregnant. But then I thought about it & figured she could've worn something else. I mean, she even wore the jacket that had a train attached!!! The good thing is that I know I wasn't the only one annoyed! Everytime she walked around, other guests were looking at her & whispering among themselves. I think they couldn't believe it either. So, as much as it may hurt & annoy you, IGNORE her. The other people around will hopefully make her uncomfortable & stare & whisper about her all day. I was also thinking is it too late to un-invite her?? -
Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by ~Andrea~ I've only been on Carnival but chose RCCL for our wedding cruise. It's so fun to hear all of this great stuff about RCCL because we are sailing with them in 3 weeks!!! We did the Western Caribb itinerary too on RC. Went to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios & one other place. We loved our short time in Ocho Rios so much that thats how we decided to have our DW in Jamaica. -
Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by YoursTruly Hey there-----I have a buddy that is a Cruise &hore!!!! They RAVE about Royal caribbean and I have only been on Carnival myself. But compared to the three--Royal Caribbean all the way. They have had some issues with some of the Northern cruises and with older ships so like Maureen said--go with the newer ships. You will have a blast!!! Cool! Thanks!!! I did Carnival & think that RC is better. But then it all depends what you're looking for. Carnival is exactly what it is, a Fun Ship! We had a blast at each port, but the daily activities that they had on the ship, on deck & by the pool were a bit too much for us. I know it's probably not by much but we even thought that the cabins were a tad bigger on RC...again, not by much but we thought it was noticeable. I also thought that the food was better on RC. I've just always been into trying new things...I mean how can you ever compare if you haven't tried something new? This is why this is such a hard decision. And you know when you're traveling with other people & they book based on your recommendation, you definitely want a good time to be had by all! Thats why I'm thinking of playing it safe & sticking to what I know in this case. But I will definitely try other cruise lines in the future. -
Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by carly Ohhhh, this is a good thread at the perfect time! I want to go on a cruise for our 1 year anni in May. Yolanda - what site did you use to find these? Everything I found yesterday when I searched was crappy. Do you have the links? Carly, this is the exact thing that I'm thinking, this is gonna be our anniv trip. Even tho its a month late, I thought it was still a good idea & a good value. I went to each individual website & found GREAT deals. RC is even having a sale right now & have reduced their deposit from $250 p/p to $125 p/p. I even got specials based on the fact that we reside in NY! Here's the link for Adventure of the Seas itinerary: Cruise Details - Royal Caribbean International= Here's for Serenade: Cruise Details - Royal Caribbean International= And here's Princess: Princess Cruises : Classic Southern Caribbean - Roundtrip San Juan : Details & Availability= When you go onto the sites, definitely change the state that you reside in & see if the prices go down. And also look at the "hot deals". The price that I had gotten for Princess was absolutely surprising. It was for a mini-suite & it was like $899 or $999...something like that. -
Cruise advice...need help choosing btwn Princess & Royal Caribbean
JUSTUSTWO replied to JUSTUSTWO's topic in Honeymoon Forum
Quote: Originally Posted by TA Maureen I have not personally been on both of these cruise lines. However, I have clients that have. I try to gather feedback from all my clients. So here's what I will tell you in my opinion, stick with RC. Everybody always loves RC. In my professional experience Princess is a great cruise line but it tends to be older couples. RC tends to draw a younger more fun crowd and vibe. That being said I always recomend going with a newer ship no matter what the cruise line is. Thanks for your advice Mo!!! Although I know its always good to try new things, I've been leaning towards RC just because my experience has been so good. Quote: Originally Posted by TA Dina Caribbean Princess and Adv of the Seas will be similar ships. Lots of activities to do day/night. Larger ships (more passengers). Serenade of the Seas is not as large and it a little bit more laid back. Little more "elegant" looking ship. Still the normal RC activities, just slightly different than the Adv of Seas. The Adv will be very similar to the Mariner. Both lines are similar in terms of dining (food is about equal altho personally I think Princess squeaks out just a little bit better). I also think they (Prncess) are a little better in the onboard service dept. Not that service on any of those ships would be lacking, but I've done both so it's easier for me to compare. As far as other passengers, on some Princess itins I agree, the clientele is a little older. But for the Caribbean itins I've not experienced that myself. I don't think you can go wrong with either line. Are the itineraries the same? That would be how I'd decide. My vote is Princess (for all that's worth in your decision making Their itineraries are very similar, nearly identical & are as follows: RC Adventure: San Juan, At Sea, Barbados, St.Lucia, Antigua, St.Maarten, US Virgin Islands, San Juan. RC Serenade: San Juan, St.Thomas, St.Maarten, Antigua, St.Lucia, Barbados, At Sea, San Juan. Princess: San Juan, At Sea, Barbados, St.Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, St.Thomas, San Juan. Out of all of those places, the only places that I haven't been to are St.Lucia, Antigua, & the Virgin Islands/St.Croix. And I do appreciate your advice!!! -
beach ready shoes...
JUSTUSTWO replied to boscobel's topic in Destination Wedding Dresses, Wedding Attire & rings
If you are thinking of wearing some type of flip flop or sandal in the sand, then I suggest you definitely practice walking in those shoes on the beach, when you arrive so that you can see how it feels! I thought that I'd have no problems walking in my wedge type flip flops, but I did! I absolutely stumbled the entire way down...LOL...it was hilarous & uncomfortable. If I hadn't had all eyes on me, I would've kicked them off halfway down the aisle. -
I'm thinking of going on a cruise either in April or May of this year and I'm having trouble deciding on 2 possible cruises & was hoping for some help. I've been on Carnival (Destiny) & Royal Caribbean (Mariner of the Seas) before but haven't been on Princess. I'm trying to figure out if I should expand my horizons & try Princess or stick with what I know & go with RC. Right now my choices are Adventure of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas on Royal Carib. And Caribbean Princess on the Princess line. Has anyone had experience on both cruise lines or cruised on either ship before? If so, which would you recommend & why? Courtney posted a similar thread sometime ago which was very informative but I was just wondering about these 2 cruise lines in particular: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t24265 Thanks!
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!
JUSTUSTWO replied to albertabride's topic in Destination Weddings in Jamaica
Congrats & hope you have the best time! -
Help! Considering shipping Flowers to Jamaica
JUSTUSTWO replied to beyondsmitten's topic in Destination Weddings in Jamaica
I agree with Erin! I wouldn't do it. I mean, you said that you've shipped all of your other stuff without any problems, but I still would not take the chance. Why not DIY all of the arrangements that you need & just carry them on the plane with you? I carried on all of my bouquets myself & had no problems. -
I guess it depends on what info your looking for the RSVP to give you. Do you want them to RSVP with a firm confirmation & deposit or do you want an RSVP to assess general interest? KWIM? We based our RSVP date on when the resort needed the initial deposit. I think the date was a few weeks before the actual deposit was due just to make sure everyone was on time.
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Welcome to BDW Lindsey! We honeymooned at Grand Wailea & loved it. We also saw a wedding while we were there. Its a really pretty resort. I'm sure you will love it! Congratulations!
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Weddings at Noon, dinners at 6......
JUSTUSTWO replied to divadivine25's topic in Destination Weddings in Jamaica
Quote: Originally Posted by divadivine25 What times do they have the weddings at the Riu? I know they do up to 3 weddings per day, but I'm not sure of the exact times. I know there have been BDW brides who've gotten married at 12pm & 4pm. I think there's an 11am time slot too. I just went to Riu's website & tried to do a new wedding request. I picked a date & it gave me a choice of the following time slots: 11am - 12pm 12pm - 1pm 1pm - 2pm 2pm - 3pm 3pm - 4pm So I'm guessing that the schedule for any given day depends on the time slot that was chosen by a bride. -
Anna83's Planning Thread
JUSTUSTWO replied to Anna83's topic in Destination Wedding Planning Journal
Everything looks great! I absolutely love your DIY bouquets & bout. You did an excellent job with those. Have a wonderful time!