The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered “Man…. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices mo [...]
Read moreThe Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered “Man…. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Does the wages still matter when you’ve just found the much awaited job?
After months of research and scores of interviews, you’ve finally found the company that offers you the work space and the job you wanted so badly. One single detail hasn’t come up to your expectations: the wages.
The first thing you should have in mind is whether you can afford to accept the respective wages, whether your current expenses and the comfort level you’ve been used to can be satisfactorily settled with what you’re offered. Then balance your professional satisfaction with the level of your material gains. Take into consideration that a very well paid job which, however you’re not so mad about, won’t make you happier, but on the contrary.
On the other hand, in a job where you can use your experience and grow professionally, the wages shouldn’t be the key element. It’s very likely that after a relatively short period of time, your responsibilities grow and along with them, your salary too.
Usually chain letter mails are but bla-bla in the air, or convey superstitions as childish menaces such as “you’ll get ten pounds in weight if you don’t send this forward” etc. Yet sometimes, besides the Oriental mantras or the humanitarian calls, I happen to read deep and meaningful lines. The lines below touched me and I wanted to share them with you. 
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
Do you run through each day
on the fly
When you ask "How are you?"
do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste,
not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time
to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
In this packed-out with consumerism world, this short story is like a peppermint: let it melt within you and re-frame your values and principles.
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?”
Hands started going up.
He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked, “Who still wants it?”
Still the hands were up in the air.
“Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.
“My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.
We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it!
Some see it as a sign of snobbery, others consider it normal. Would you pay the outrageous prices mentioned below to indulge in a fine piece of veal or a yummy cocktail?
1. Saffron
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Its price is given by the difficulty they 
harvest and process this fragile spice which is actually the pistil of the saffron crocus. To reap 500 grams of saffron, they need approximately 75,000 flowers harvested on a surface equivalent to a football field. Besides the cultivation process, there comes another delicate one, that of harvesting, drying, sorting and transporting the saffron, which, in the end makes the price of one kilo going up at $11,000.
2. The Macadmia nuts
Here they are, the really tough nuts! Both literally and metaphorically speaking; regarding the shell and the price. The Macadamia nuts are the most expensive nuts in the 
world, since the tree making them, needs about 7 to 10 years to reach its ripeness and requires intense and pricey fertilizations. Those who want to pass beyond the hard shell to get the creamy core of this nut containing over 80% oils and approximately 4% sugar, have to pay $300 per kilo.
3. Beluga, the Iranian caviar
The most expensive caviar in the world is not the Russian one as you might think, but the Almas caviar (Iranian term for diamond). The price of this caviar, rare and therefore very expensive, is given by the fact that is produced by a sturgeon that has at least 100 years. The luxurious caviar comes from this sturgeon that survived the dinosaurs and that exists on Earth for 120 million years. This Iranian caviar reaches the USA market and sells for $5,000 per kilo. Yet another reason for eating caviar thriftily.
4. White truffle
The most expensive mushroom is by far the fruffle, but not the black one, but its much more rare variety, the white one. Originating from Langhe, Piedmont region in the Northern Italy, the white truffle grows up to 12 inches in diameter and can reach 500 grams in weight. These truffles cost $2,000, in other words $ 4,000 per kilo. But their price explodes when sold at auctions. The most expensive truffle was sold in December 2007 to Stanley Ho, the owner of a casino in Macao, who paid $ 330,000 for 1.5 kg of white truffle. That is to understand what the rareripes are! 
5. “La Bonnotte” Potato
We consider potato a food at hand because is cheap. But now we speak about the most expensive stuff. The most expensive potato in the world is a variety from France – “La Bonnotte”. Only 100 tones are grown annually, and the growing place is Noirmourtier Island exclusively. Why is it expensive? Because a special fertilization with algae of the growing soil is needed, as well as a special climate, near the sea. As this species is near extinction, the fight for this variety is great, 1 kilo reaching up to 500 euros.
6. Kobe beef
The most expensive beef in the world is obtained from Tajima-Ushi Japanese species. Cows are fed with the best grass and raised by a strict tradition in the Kobe region (fed with beer and massaged every day). The meat is tender, tasty and has a great texture with streams of fat evenly distributed, which gives it a mottled aspect. Although there are American and British variants that are sold as Kobe beef (daily fed with beer and massaged), the real Kobe beef reaches $100 for 200 grams of lean meat. Used at sashimi, shabu-shabu, teppanyaki, Kobe beef differs from the less “successful” copies also due to the nourishment that is better and more expensive than that on the American continent.
7. The Platinum sandwich
The most expensive sandwich in the world – yup, there is also something like this! – is von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich. This three-layer delicacy has the finest chicken breast (Poulet de Bresse, considered the fourth gastronomic wonder of the world!), ham, quail eggs and white truffles. It is sold in Cliveden, Berkshire and costs almost $200. It has 1,182 calories and is on the list of “must taste” of freak gourmands from all countries.
8. The 8,300 euro Pizza
The most expensive pizza in the world can be tasted in Italy. With generous toppings of caviar and lobster, this pizza has a 20 cm diameter and an outstanding liquid topping – Remy Martin Louis XIII brandy. In this case do not ask for ketchup.
9. The $1,000 omelette
Le Parker Meridien restaurant in New York serves the world’s most expensive omelette. The $1,000 (or $700 if done at home) is not given by the 10 eggs used, but by the 200 grams of sevruga caviar and one whole lobster.
10. The $1,000 Ice-cream
Since 2004 in the Guinness World Records as the world’s most expensive ice cream, the specialty of Serendipity 3 in Manhattan, contains 5 balls of Tahiti vanilla ice cream , Madagascar vanilla, edible 23 K gold leaf and one of the most expensive chocolate in the world – Amedei Porcelana.
11. Chocopologie truffes
Rated as the most delicious and expensive chocolate products in the world, the “Chocopologie by Knipschildt” truffes cost neither more nor less than 2,600 euros per 370 grams and can be purchased only on demand. Handmade by a secret recipe, the delicacies contain, among others, black truffle and 70% cocoa.
12. Kopi Luwak Coffee
You might get high blood pressure only by thinking at this coffee, since only hearing its price might speed up the pulse of a hypotensive: over $1,000 per a hundred grams. The 
price of the Kopi Luwak coffee is determined not only by its taste being estimated as a particular one, but also by its rarity. Kopi Luwak is a coffee species that grows in a very narrow area, on Sumatra Island (Indonesia) exclusively; for this reason the annual harvest is only 15 kilograms of coffee. And it seems that those wanting it are more.
13. Tieguanyin Tea
If the price of the coffee makes you sick, don’t try the tea either. It might harm you. Especially if you want a Tieguanyin green tea.
The world’s most expensive tea shows us that in China they don’t make only large series and small price objects, but also rare and expensive teas. A single cup of this tea – made of 2-3 dried leaves – costs $15, and the price of one kilogram reaches up to $3,000.
14. Diamond teabag
If you think a Chinese tea is expensive, you’ll definitely find exaggerated this diamond 
teabag. And it is quite this extravagant effect pursued by the PG company, that made it to celebrate its 75th birthday. Hand-crafted with 280 diamonds to remind British how much they love tea, the bag costs 7,500 pounds. I think the English could remember they love tea in a more discreet way, too.
15. Pop the cork!
If you drink a glass of this champagne you probably have to drink another one just to celebrate that you came close to the world’s most expensive 
champagne. The most expensive champagne is called Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Blanc de Blanc. It’s not its age making it so valued – as it happens with the collection wines – but the fact it is made of specially selected grapes and sold in manually painted bottles. The price tag of such a bottle is around $1,500.
16. A truly rare whisky
If a few dinosaurs had probably survived they would have still been cheaper than this whisky belonging to the “fine and rare” category, and named as Macallan Fine Rare Vintage. I don’t know how refined this 30 year old distillate is, but for sure is rare. With only 85 bottles being released world-wide, tasting this 30 year old is a rare treat. You cannot drink much $38,000 per whisky bottle without a serious headache the next day.
17. A rum for rich pirates
The world’s most expensive rum doesn’t seem to be for the fearless seawolves, but rather 
for the drawing rooms of some eccentric millionaires. Wray Nephew White Overproof is definitely the most expensive rum in the world. Rare, and definitely tasty, this rum bottled in 1940 is the most precious liquor in its category. A single bottle – it’s not known how many might there be – costs $53,000.
18. Diamonds are forever. Even in cup
You couldn’t have had the Japanese, who drink golden foil champagne on New Year’s Eve to have a good and wealthy new year, not take extravagance to a new level.
This is the cause for which the world’s most expensive cocktail was invented, and not the acute shortage of olives in Japan. As a matter of fact “Diamonds-Are-Forever” – not for everyone – has no rare ingredients, leaving aside the 1.6 carat diamond. If you are interested in such a cocktail you can find it in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Tokyo. For its $11,000 price tag I guess you don’t have to bother going down at the bar. You can ask for the room service.
19. Cheers!
I don’t know whether your friends know, but mine don’t know why the beer price has risen this much. Of course, not all the beer, only Vieille Bon Secours, the most expensive beer in the world. It’s hard to go out with the guys for a beer when just a bottle, exclusively sold in Bierdrome in London costs $1,000. And they don’t have sales on happy hours!
20. For powerful women
It’s not the content that makes this bottle of drink being named dovka instead of vodka for the sake of preciosity – probably because you read an anagram after seeing the price – but the packing. Diva Vodka, produced by the Blackwood Distillery in Scotland – yup, the Scottish make voka, too! – is the world’s most expensive vodka. Depending on the “crystal decoration”, the price of a single one varies from £35 to £540,000! Come on, admit it you miss the days you could buy booze in exchange for empty bottles.
21. Life water
There is a type of water that is literally more expensive than gold. And platinum. And many other rare and expensive metals. It is called Kona Nigari and is by far, the world’s most expensive water. The desalinated water high in minerals from the deep seas of Hawaii costs $17 per ounce.
There comes a time when we have no choice but to take a loan. In that moment you have to weigh well all the aspects involved. You don’t take a loan just to satisfy some whims. It’s got to be something important and serious. You’ve got to clearly define your purpose, assess your short and long-term actions and goals.
Maybe a list of pros and cons would be of help. What would these look like? The pros could include: you can fulfill your needs in a short time (e.g. buying a house or a car, founding a start-up, paying for education, etc), you don’t have to trim your budget and save up some quids every month; in the camp of cons we could find: the thought of being indebted, the rate of interest you have to pay.
So, when you’re absolutely sure you need that loan, who do you ask for it? Family, friends, relatives or banks and authorized lenders? Tough choice, isn’t it? Borrowing money from friends and relatives might spare you to pay a rate of interest (it’s not a rule, because there might be relatives who’d pretend to receive some extra pounds for lending you). We deal with a comfort zone in this case, knowing the lender and having some mutual degree of trust. Sensitive or highly emotional people are likely to take a loan from one of these categories, since they don’t see the risk so big as if borrowing from strangers, authorized lenders etc.
I think the second option is taken into account when you need a bigger sum, your friends cannot help, or you want discretion. When you have to deal with a stranger or the bank lending you, I say the psychological pressure is bigger. So that’s why you’ve got to be able to manage your finances thoroughly. Of course the pressure is bigger if you go for a long-term loan rather than a short-term one. It’s important that you stay calm and relaxed, have a high level of self-confidence and be convinced that you’ll succeed paying back the loan. Don’t let negative thoughts and the due date frighten you.
With all the hustle and bustle nowadays, unexpected or emergency expenses are so likely to occur. One of the easiest loans to get are the payday loans. They come with a very high APR but they are easy and fast to get. A trustworthy website that I strongly recommend when you are interested in payday loans is Payday Financial . Here you can get the money you need in a jiffy. It all happens online, you just have to fill in a form and money can be wired to your bank account within 24 hours.
Great piece of thought that which said music makes us feel better, bringing us back the optimism and the good mood. The rhythms and the blend of sounds, the whole magic of music is undoubtedly the sweetest and the most beneficial therapy for regaining one’s self-confidence. Music can bring the smile on our lips, the hope into our souls and the power for new beginnings. The proper music gives us strength and makes us stronger and more courageous. The right music wipes off our bad mood and gives us a mood of well being through harmony and balance. For the days when we want our mornings be more beautiful and more serene, a merrier and happier soul, the next 15 songs are just the remedy you need:
15. Bobby McFerrin -- Don’t Worry Be Happy
14. The Beatles -- Here Comes the Sun
13. James Brown -- I Feel Good
12. Gloria Gaynor -- I will Survive
11. Claude François -- Si J’Avais Un Marteau
10. John Paul Young -- Love Is In The Air
9. Kamakawiwo’ole -- Somewhere Over The Rainbow
8. The Shorts -- Comment ça va
7. Tina Turner -- Simply the Best
6. Amy MacDonald -- This Is the Life
5. Wham -- Wake Me Up Before You Go
4. The Pointer Sisters -- I’m So Excited
3. Manfred Mann -- Doo Wah Diddy
2. The Cure -- Friday I’m In Love
1. George Harrison-Got my mind set on you
Since music got me these days, I prepared for you a top of the most beautiful French songs. Everlasting songs, song of the eternal beauty that defeated the battle of time. A harmonious language that expresses the most beautifully the language of love and that of the joy of living. Enjoy your listening!
15. Jean Jacques Goldman -- Comme toi
14. Natasha St-Pier -- Toi qui manque à ma vie
13. Mylène Farmer -- Désenchantée
12. Jacques Brel -- Ne me quitte pas
11. Salvatore Adamo -- Tombe la neige
10. François Feldman -- Le mal de toi
9. Dalida & Alain Delon -- Paroles, paroles
8. Charles Aznavour -- La Bohème
7. Patricia Kaas -- Mademoiselle chante le blues
6. Sophie Milman -- La vie en rose
5. Edith Piaf -- Non, je ne regrette rien
4. Joe Dassin -- Et si tu n’existais pas
3. Desireless -- Voyage, voyage
2. Enrico Macias -- La Femme de mon ami
1. Lara Fabian -- Je t’aime
As all the good things you can find in Italy, the Italian music has a special flavour. That’s why it wasn’t easy to draw up this top of the most beautiful, loved and known Italian songs of all times. Here it is, freshly baked for you to enjoy!
18. Lucio Dalla -- Caruso
17. Umberto Tozzi -- Gloria
16. Umberto Tozzi -- Ti Amo
15. Vasco Rossi -- Senza Parole
14. Ricchi e Poveri -- Sarà perché ti amo
13. Gianna Nannini -- Meravigliosa Creatura
12. Amedeo Minghi -- Ricordi del cuore
11. Adriano Celentano -- Azzurro
10. Tuto Cutugno -- Insieme
9. Tuto Cutugno -- Quanti Amori
8. Andrea Bocelli -- Con te Partiro
7. Massimo Ranieri -- Perdere l’amore
6. Eros Ramazzotti -- Cose della Vita
5. Laura Pausini -- Strani Amori
4. Umberto Tozzi -- Tu
3. Ricchi e Poveri -- Voulez Vous Danser
2. Toto Cutugno -- L’italiano
1. Al Bano Carrisi & Romina Power -- Felicita
Money can be not only our friends, but our enemies too. When we have it we are the happiest on earth, we buy everything our heart wishes for and stroll through the shops to buy ourselves presents we deserve. The bad part is when we face an economic crisis out of which we seem not to find the exit, everything is black in front of our eyes: we take bad decisions, we have debts, the stress overwhelms us and our life is on the wane.
What must we do to avoid such crises?
Here are 4 things every woman should know about money:
It matters a lot that you be optimistic in life, but when it comes to money, it’s better to take into consideration the rainy days too. If you have money in a certain period of the month or year, this doesn’t mean you’ll also have in other times. There will be problems, hardships or other moments in life when you’ll need more money than usually.
That’s why you shouldn’t throw the money out of the window. No one forbids you to buy what you need, it is however advisable not to exaggerate with the shopping. If you are a shopaholic limit yourself to the things you really need. The best is you make a shopping list before going out the door and try to stick to it.
I know, it’s hard not to spend everything you’ve got, but you should also think there will be moments when money is going to be a problem. That is why it’s good to save a few money in order to feel that you’re in control of your financial life. On each wage, put a part of the money you get in your money box. If you are supporter of the modern methods, you may make a savings account, from where you can take money when you need.
Nowadays, money really is a difficult problem. It’s pretty hard to buy your own house or car, considering the difference between the wages earned and the market prices. Although it is quite difficult to save your whole life, the best would be not to purchase anything, unless you have all the money.
The debts and loans can destroy your life and, even more seriously, it may leave you without certain goods without which you cannot survive. Try to avoid the contracts with the banks or to borrow money from friends. The most advisable is that you save up, tighten your belt and wait until you reach the necessary amount.
I know, it sounds pretty weird to think from now about the old age. But, considering the old folks’ situation, I guess the most advisable is to take a look at your future. For how long are you going to work? Where are you going to live in your old age? How will you manage to support yourself? All these questions should find an answer in your mind.
It would be good if you keep approximately 10% of your wages for the old days. Those pennies will gather up as time passes by, and you will not be worried about it anymore.
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