How Wage Workers Will Survive The Side Effects of ObamaCare

By Te-Erika Patterson

The scope of American health care will change completely once President Obama's Affordable Care Act is implemented. The premise of the new law will require employers to provide health insurance for their full-time employees.

Workers who have previously been unable to afford healthcare are applauding this effort while on the opposite end of the spectrum, businesses and corporations struggling to regain their composure in the wake of this country's recession are seeking creative ways to offset the costs of this new initiative.

According to FoxNews.Com, Florida restaurateur John Metz, who owns and operates more than 40 restaurants across 3 states, is planning to reduce the hours of his employees while adding a 5% surcharge to the bills of the customers who frequent his restaurant.

Although the Affordable Care Act will impact a variety of businesses, those in the customer service industry will feel its effects most notably. For workers who depend on hourly wages, this may force them to seek additional employment causing them to spend less time at home with their families adding to the stress of those living at or just above the level of poverty.

What can we do to prepare for these changes?

We, the workers of the service industry who have become dependent on trading the hours of our day for wages must not be caught off guard by this transition. To prepare for this change I suggest that we:

• Minimize our lifestyles by learning to live on less income right now.
• Cut back on expenses, beginning with entertainment. Ex: Instead of spending money on alcohol at bars, buy a bottle and relax at home.
• Trade unhealthy habits like smoking and drug use for self care like exercise and sports, which in turn may allow for additional income once mastered by participating in competitions or teaching courses to others.
• Develop a skill that allows a stream of income outside of working for wages. Ex: Cutting hair, babysitting, lawn care, recycling.
• Learn to view wage work as supplemental income instead of primary income by becoming entrepreneurs.

We live in a world where self preservation is not only an instinct, it is key. Corporations will strategize to protect their best interests and so should you. Developing the mentality to move away from government assistance and dependence is the key factor in surviving during these new transitions.

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‘Salary’ Tops Poll of What US Women Want to Change Most About Their Partner

Curious to see if women would try and change their partner in some way, if given the chance, one of the leading coupon code websites in the US has conducted a survey to discover what personality traits in their partner, if any, and other things they would most like to change.

CouponCodes4u.com surveyed 2,073 American women to discover their thoughts on the matter. The survey, formed part of research into relationships and whether women would be happier to change their partner than men.

All respondents that took part in the study were in a relationship and had been with their partner for at least 6 months. All respondents were asked whether or not there were things about their partner that they wanted to change in any way, to which 65% admitted that there were. Just 18% said they wouldn’t want to change their partner in any way, while the remaining respondents were unsure. Respondents who admitted they would like to change something about their partner were then asked to list the attributes that they would change immediately, given the chance, and could select all that applied from a list of possible answers.

The top ten attributes that women would most like to change about their partner if given the chance were as follows:

1) Salary 71%
2) Attitude 69%
3) Cleanliness 54%
4) Physical appearance 46%
5) Manners 43%
6) Skills in bed 38%
7) Friends 35%
8) Family 31%
9) Fashion sense 28%
10) Hobbies 25%

Furthermore, when asked if they had ever almost broken up with their current partner over what they deemed to be “flaws”, 45% of respondents said that they had. When asked if they’d attempted to change anything about their partner in the past, 36% said that they had, with ‘fashion sense’ being the top trait that they’d attempted to change.

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Make some noise! VOTE!

 by Kitty K. Free

The election is near. No matter which side you're on, you need to make some noise and vote. If you're one of the fortunate Americans eligible to vote, DO IT!

If you complain like I complain, and you're a citizen who is able to vote, those complaints are invalid if you don't go to the polls. If you're not registered, in most states, you have 30 days before the election to do so. The election is November 6th, so you need to register NOW! Go to the US Election Assistance Commission or Rock the Vote, to find out about registration for your state.

Already registered, but need to verify your status, or your voting location? Go here to confirm your voting information. And PLEASE vote for the legislative branch. Voter turn out is always less for Congress (see stats from the US Census Bureau's "Voting Hot Report"). Voting for your senators and representatives is just as important as voting for the president. Our government is intentionally set up so that the president doesn't have absolute power. Without a Congress that's willing to work with the president, as well as call BS when they see it (which ever side your on), it simply can't work. Part of that checks and balances is us, the citizens. If we don't contact our congress, and take them to task for their actions, then they will keep acting without favor to our needs and goals.

I heard a congressman say that if 25 people call his office about the same issue, he takes notice. We complain about lobbyist, but we are the most important lobbyist of all, because without votes, they can't keep their job. They are fully aware of that. But they are also aware of many American's general ignorance about the way our government works, and they bank on that.

If it was up to me, the Constitution, and political science, would be as mandatory as math in school. Government would be taught from the 1st straight through the 12th grade. Foreigners getting their citizenship know more about our government than many Americans. Worried about letting Congress or the government know who you are? Don't worry; they already know. So make your voice known to them. Email them, call them, write them. Be friends on Facebook with them. Tweet them. I think about the fact that It's been during my lifetime that black Americans have had the right to vote. People died so I could vote. So even in situations where I don't like either guy, I still vote. It would be completely disrespectful to the people before me, and irresponsible as an eligible American, for me not to. People in other countries are dying so they can have their voices heard. We have that right, and too many of us take it for granted. So please, vote! In every election!

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How Friends Can Revive Your Spirit

By Teresa Lopez

There are so many things in the world today that damage our spirits and dampen our enthusiasm for life. The evening news is filled with reports of crime and scandal, our jobs often frustrate us, and even family can be very demanding. In the midst of all this difficulty, having friends can be a life-saver. There are things only friends can do to revive your spirit, encourage you, and set you on the right path.

Here are several things that friends do to help you flourish.

• Your Friends Love You for Who You Are, not What You Do.
This is the key characteristic of any true friendship, and it does wonders to heal your soul. After a tough day at work, your friend can remind you that it’s not about what you do – you are worthwhile because of who you are. This will help you take on the next day with renewed confidence.

 • They Bring Out the Best in You.
Great friends make you want to be your best and do your best. When you are feeling discouraged and beat down, meeting a friend for coffee can be just the encouragement you need to get back up and get in the game again.

• Friends Give You A Shoulder to Cry on.
Sometimes you just need to vent, or cry, after a really difficult time. Good friends are ready to be there for you, listening, consoling, and helping you release your feelings so you can move on in healthy ways. Whether it’s a tough break-up or a jerk of a boss, your girlfriends are there for you.

 • Friends are Good for Your Health.
Studies have shown that people with strong social networks are less likely to get sick and even sleep better. Knowing you have friends on your side will keep you healthier and allow you to rest easy at night. Keep in close contact with your best friends, and you may even live longer, according to a 2010 study!

 • Good Friends Relieve Stress and Help You Cope.
When you are going through a truly difficult time, having your good girlfriends to lean on can be a real lifesaver. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, illness of a child, or unexpected loss of a job, your friends can help relieve stress and help you cope with your situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help - good friends may bring food, clean your house, or do other chores you normally do yourself. But if you don’t ask, they won’t know how to help. The best thing about good friendships is that not only do your friends help you, you help them in all of these ways also.

Friendships are an amazing way to revive your spirit, regain confidence, and make it through life’s tough events. This post was written on behalf of Psychic Source. For an online reading from the best psychics, visit their site today!

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How To Create A Positive Outcome

By Evelyn Robinson

We often sit around and fantasize about our perfect life. Most of us have the same goals, to be wealthy, successful or to find love. Whatever you imagine, we are all guilty of the same thing, sitting around and daydreaming instead of taking action. How can we break this cycle? How do we get out there and start finding the life we want?

Act the part 
There are many studies that back this up. They show that if you go out there and act like the kind of person you want to be, then you can become that person. OK, so it doesn't mean that going out and pretending to be a millionaire will instantly make you rich, but that certain physical actions can affect your mind and help you to reach your goals. For example, smiling, even if you don't feel like it, can make you happier. It also shows that adopting a power pose can make you more confident, useful when you're in situations like job interviews and feel kind of overwhelmed! Why not use this in everyday life? Next time you go out, walk tall and be proud. Act positively towards people and see how they respond to you. You'll often find that keeping a good attitude, even when you're angry, will get you a lot further in life.

Look into the future 
Visualizing your future is important, and can help you to achieve your goals. Psychologists from the University of New York found that people who thought of their goal happening as likely, did better in a range of situations than those who just fantasized about something happening. How can you apply this to your life? Well, if for example you're looking for a certain job, it's better to start thinking 'I AM going to get this job' than 'I would love to get this job'. Yes, there may be disappointments along the way, but you will overcome them. Moving on and constantly finding different goals can really help.

What can I do with my life? 
An important part of this is to set goals that are realistic. Not many of us can join the incredibly rich, but we have the potential to get a good job that we enjoy and can keep us comfortable. Some people like to keep a 'bucket list' of their goals, a list of things to do before they die, but how do you even go about deciding what to add? Psychologists have found that it's better to choose things that also affect those around you, so try to think of some goals that include the people you love. If you want to achieve something very specific, it's sometimes helpful to ask yourself why you want to do it. Do you want your dream job because it'll impress others or because it's something you really want to do? Do you want to visit a certain country because you love it, or do you just want to show off about your expensive vacation? Remember that your goals are to keep you happy, so don't just make them about money or owning things.

Take care of the mental and physical 
Of course, if you have a more serious issue with negative thoughts, you could be suffering from depression. There are many ways to overcome this from licensed prescriptions to therapy, but it's important not to suffer in silence. For many people, even short-term treatment can get them back on track and help them to think more positively. Your health in general often affects your mental state, so staying healthy in all regards can help your behavior patterns. Eating healthy, seeing a doctor when you are sick and getting plenty of sleep are all simple things, but they are very important to your mental health and helping you achieve your goals. Sometimes we have to take care of the basics before we can move onto the big things, so make a plan to feel healthier and stick to it. Whether it's having some alone time, seeing friends or going for a walk, whatever you feel is best for you.

Do it today 
There is no better time to start these goals than right now. Are you reading this article because you are putting something off? Go and do it, and make sure there's a smile on your face as you do! We don't all achieve our dream lives, but with a great attitude a happy life is something achievable for everyone.

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How To Prove Your Worth In One Step

If anyone ever asks you to prove your worth, just do this.

You don't ever, ever, EVER, EVER have to prove your worth to anyone. You are valuable because you say so. Your work and life speaks for itself. Walk the hell away and let them find someone else to bully.

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3 Ways To Recognize Your Free Spirit

You are already free but for some reason you don't know it. Shake off the shackles and recognize just how free and easy your life really is.

1. You don't have to ask anyone for anything.

You work for what you have and you don't need to beg, borrow, steal or manipulate anyone to get what you want. If you want it, you buy it. If it pleases you, you do it. You don't need anyone's permission to live, love or treat yourself- and that, my sister, is priceless.

2. You enjoy your own company the most.

You don't need a crowd to have fun. You don't require a consensus to enjoy a night out. All you need is your ID, 20 bucks and your GPS. The rest of the night you are the star in creating your own adventure.

3. You know everything's okay.

There is no such thing as bad news. All roads lead to a new adventure and you love it. Whether you get what you want or not or whether you win or lose, you understand that you are the authority who decides what should be labeled good or bad. You can make the best out of any situation and look good while doing it. You don't demand that life follows your prescribed path and you are happier everyday because of it.

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How To Raise Your Standards For Life

We all have a set of expectations for our lives which include the way we allow others to interact with us, the kind of jobs we pursue and the relationships we have in our lives. If for any reason, you find yourself wanting more, it's okay to raise your standards, in fact, it is imperative.

Raising your standards for your life is a risk that many will not undertake simply because it requires effort and many of the people, places and things you were used to will have to be removed. Similar to a life change like a relocation, upgrading your life in any area will cause you to feel scared and uneasy because until you actually achieve the upgrade you will wonder if it is even possible for you.

It is.

You can have it.

You can have the better job with better pay.
You can have the man who adores you and never disrespects you.
You can have the friends who uplift you.
You can have the healthy body.

The strongest drawback to raising your standards for your life is the fact that when you make the decision to raise your standards, your whole world will seem to be against your decision.

When you decide that you no longer want to work a wage job, you will find that sharing this news with your wage-job working friends will cause unrest because they won't understand or accept your decision. They may berate you, belittle you or even try to sabotage your efforts. For some reason when others see that you want more for your life and they believe they can't have it, they will try to prove to you (sometimes unknowingly) that you can not have it either.

Raising your standards will take great effort on your part because you will have to be strong enough to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. You have to be willing to lose everything you have to gain what you believe you want when there is no guarantee that you will ever be able to have it.

The key is to live your life as though your standard has already been met, accept no substitutions and be willing to let go of anything that does not meet your new qualifications.

Yes, they will laugh at you and tell you that you think you are better than they are. Yes, it will hurt as the world you know comes crashing down and you enter into new territory. No, it won't feel good to have to say goodbye to family, fake friends and familiar complacency. It's going to be tough but until you set a new standard, you won't move forward in life.

Say goodbye to your old life. Raise the bar for your expectations and what you will accept in love, career and social interactions. Stick with it. Fight for it. Be willing to be alone if you can't have the relationship you want. Be willing to downgrade your lifestyle if you can't have the job you really want right away. Be willing to go out to dinner alone if you can't surround yourself with the type of people who reflect what you really want from life.

It takes sacrifice and it hurts to be the odd woman out but in the end, your life will shift and all of those people who would not support the shift will be a distant memory.

You can do this.

Set a new standard.

Stick to it.

Receive it.

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The Unforgiveable Sin: Dating A Broke Man

We're not teenagers anymore. We don't fall in love based on how cute he is or what promises he makes. We don't fall in love with his potential or how cute the kids might look. We don't fantasize about a lifestyle that a man has yet to prove he can provide.

This is not about finding a man to take care of you; you are one of My Savvy Sisters, you can easily feed and pamper yourself. You've worked hard to be able to establish yourself, at least keep company with men who have done the same so you can share secrets to success and support each other in your growth. You shouldn't be the only person offering resources and wisdom. Please don't be bamboozled into caring for a grown up child. If you have children, you don't need another one to take care of just for the sake of companionship.

You must never date a man who has not proven that he can care for himself. That is not respectable and it is truly disgusting. You're worth more than that. Some women have no problem going dutch on dates, but you should. If he can't provide a simple meal for the woman who is sharing her mental and physical time with him then he has a lot of work to do on himself in the areas of etiquette, personal pride and self care and he should not be focused on a relationship. If you truly care for him, tell him to work on himself and give him the space to do that without having to lead the way.

At no point should you:

1. Believe the sad sob stories of his childhood which he uses as an excuse for why he is unable to provide for himself.
2. Believe that if you are the one person who supports him then he will eventually get himself together. You are not his savior. Stop trying to be.
3. Equate sexual pleasure with love. In fact, you shouldn't even be sleeping with a broke man at all. He doesn't deserve the cookie if he can't feed you. He doesn't deserve to touch you if he can't teach you how to prosper.

Raise your standards and learn how to masturbate. Have fun with men, flirt, laugh, accept invitations to go out but never, EVER try to save them. They'll respect you more for giving them the space to learn on their own and if they don't, there are plenty of desperate women out there who would love to take care of them. It won't be you.

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7 Ways To Relieve Stress Without Lifting A Finger

We experience stress when we feel that we are faced with situations that we can not control. Whether you are stressed about the actions of others or situations that seem like they are too much for you to handle, there are ways to relieve the pressure of ALL stress from your life.

Try these 7 Tips for mental stress relief. Consider them promises for your life. 

1. Relax. Life doesn't have to be obedient to your demands. In fact, it won't, and that's okay.
2. Let your children (and friends) live their lives the way they want to. You can't control them or save them and you shouldn't try to because it robs them of their chance to learn and grow.
3. When you don't get what you want, understand that it's truly the best thing that ever happened to you.
4. Your body is your greatest gift. It provides transportation for your spirit and allows you to experience the pleasures of life. You aren't a teenager anymore and you don't have to look like one to feel beautiful. Fall in love with your curves.
5. What you need to continue on your path is already on its way to you. It's coming.
6. Your relationship status does not define you. You define yourself. You make the rules. You are loved. You ARE love. Recognize the love that is already around you and passionately return it.
7. However you want life to be, don't wait, simply DO it. Live your life that way right now without waiting for permission or the proper equipment. Think outside of the box and go back to your childhood play. Yes, you have it now.

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How To Talk To Your Child About Cancer

The Silver Pen, an inspirational website for women created by Hollye Jacobs offers women a special gift in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Hollye, who overcame a battle with breast cancer just one year ago created the site to honor the silver linings she celebrates through all life situations as her own life value blossomed due to her awakening.

Please take a moment to view the video series she created to share her story and wisdom for helping your family to communicate more effectively when dealing with a life threatening illness like breast cancer. In the first video she explains why it is important to speak openly to children about cancer and the best way to approach the subject.

Thank you Hollye for such a remarkable and thoughtful video.

The Silver Lining: Tools for Talking with Children about Cancer from Hollye Jacobs / TheSilverPen.com on Vimeo.

To learn more about Hollye and her efforts to support women through an extreme life transition like cancer, please visit her website, The Silver Pen.

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Breaking The Cycle of Teenage Pregnancy

“No matter how much talking and bopping them upside the head you do, they still have to make the decision on their own.” ~ Tarmika Patterson

She was 16 when she took her first pregnancy test. She was in love, or so she thought, and figured that having a baby with him would make the relationship last so she never considered abortion. Seventeen years later, 33-year-old Opa Locka, Florida resident Tarmika Patterson is celebrating her eldest daughter’s birthday and the fact that of all the women in her family, her daughter is the first one who didn’t become a mother before 10th grade.

“My Mom had me when she was 19, but she had my older sister when she was 16. Her Mom had kids at an early age too,” Tarmika remembers. As a teenager at William H. Turner Technical High School in Miami, Tarmika says she was afraid to have sex but also curious about what the mystery was.

“I heard all of these rumors from friend girls who said they were doing it. I felt like I was in love and he was pressuring me so I did it,” she says. “It was not all hyped up like they told me it was. I could have waited.”

Tarmika’s mother knew something was wrong when she didn’t have to buy as many sanitary napkins during the month for her four teenage daughters. “She approached me and my sister Poochie late one evening and said, ‘One of you must be pregnant,’” Tarmika recalls. “I looked at my little sister Poochie, who was 14 at the time and she looked at me. Neither of us said a word because both of us were pregnant.”

This is why last week Tarmika proudly celebrated her daughter VionShay’s 17th birthday with a photo tribute that read: We Finally Broke The Cycle.

Was there anything Tarmika’s mother could have done to prevent her daughters from continuing the legacy of teenage pregnancy? “It was about communication,” Tarmika asserts. “My Mama didn’t communicate with me about sex or anything. First of all, she could have come to me and told me that when you get your period, you can now have a baby. She could have told me about protection. She never really sat me down and talked to me about my body, about boys or becoming a woman or STD’s, none of that.”

Besides not having an open communication line with her four daughters about sex related issues, Tarmika bore the weight of low expectations from other family members. When she gave birth to her first child at the age of 16, Tarmika remembers her grandmother visiting her in the hospital and cooing over the newborn. “She’s so pretty,” her grandmother stated. “Wait around, she’s gonna have her baby by the time she turns 10.”

Tarmika was crushed by the thought and decided then and there that her daughters would not fall into the same trap. It was during a visit to the emergency room for an upset stomach that she first introduced her daughters to sex education.

“My girls were five and three years old and they were with me in the emergency room. When the doctor gave me a pregnancy test and they asked about it, I told them about how women get pregnant,” Tarmika shares. “As they grew older I made it a point to teach them about all the ways sex could go wrong. I would get on YouTube and show them videos of women having babies. I would even look up websites that showed pictures of STD’s and show them the pictures. I talked about the things that I missed out on because I had children so early too.”

“I always tell them if you have sex let me know first so I can have the boy tested for STD’s, both of you can go together,” Tarmika says. “I never try to tell them not to have sex because I feel like if you drill that in their head, that is what they are going to do.”


Although her childhood dream was to become a teacher, Tarmika is now studying nursing at Miami Dade College while she cares for her four children VionShay, 17, Joe’Kwanna, 14, Tyrese, 8 and Tyrele who is 4 years old. She uses her creative ability to create gifts, decorate and plan events to bring in extra income while her husband of 8 years supports the family.

VionShay, who is a junior in the medical magnet studying dentistry at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, has also been a cheerleader since the 9th grade. During report card time, Tarmika proudly posts pictures of VionShay’s report cards on Facebook so the world will know what an awesome daughter she has.

VionShay feels the same pride about her Mom. “She’s always talking to us and telling us stuff,” the 17 year old says. “She’s really involved, which can be annoying sometimes, but I get it. She really cares.”

While Tarmika celebrates one daughter who has broken the cycle of teenage pregnancy, VionShay’s rambunctious 14-year-old little sister Joe’Kwanna “Kwannie” is at the stage in her life where she thinks she knows it all. “I’m still working on her,” Tarmika says. “Kwannie is a whole different story.”

For mothers of teen daughters that are trying to teach their daughters not to make the same mistakes they did Tarmika says to do what you know to be right and true, communicate with them about the dangers of teenage pregnancy, tell them what you expect for their lives and don’t be so hard on yourself if your daughters still make poor choices because, “No matter how much talking and bopping them upside the head you do, they still have to make the decision on their own.”

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