Image via Wikipedia At one time in America, there was a generally accepted picture of what constituted a middle class family - two kids, owning a home, two cars in the driveway, access to material wants and money in savings. Today, that definition has become blurred because the times have changed and defining middle class has become "a squishy concept." Simply stated, it depends... According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2005 the middle class income range was $36,000 to $57,657. If the range is expanded to include the lower and upper-middle class, it expands dramatically on either end … [Read more...]
Upper Class – Fact and Fiction
June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Image by Beverly & Pack via Flickr One of the elusive questions in the United States surrounds what it means to be rich and upper class in America. The reality is that very few people actually know what defines upper class or "rich." For starters, "the rich" have greater wealth and influence in society. They also overwhelmingly dominate corporate America and maintain a disproportionate influence over other institutions. Sociologists estimate that the wealthiest one percent of Americans have a net worth of at least $1 million. There are also a lot of conflicting statistics as to … [Read more...]
Beyonce’s Humble Beginnings Explode Into a Fashion Sensation
May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Like many super stars in the music scene, Beyonce Knowles has humble beginnings that have exploded into a music and fashion sensation. Fashion forward girls keep a close eye on mega personalities, like Knowles, for the latest trends and styles. Like Beyonce in her early days, these young women are having to find bargain fashions in order to grow their wardrobes. Beyonce's grandmother used her thrift and keen eye for design to make exciting, yet affordable clothes for her kids. Today that vision has exploded into one of the hottest brands on the market. House of Dereon is … [Read more...]
Materialistic Vs Spiritual Life – Why Enter Into A Dogmatic Debate?
May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Image by Getty Images via @daylife How does the generation gap affect the quest for materialistic pleasures? Well, nobody can give up something that he or she has not enjoyed till date. The real meaning of abstinence is to know how enjoyable a thing can be before giving it up. This is the reason why youngsters often roll their eyes at the talk of spiritual living. Such youngsters always feel that this is a common refrain amongst those individuals who have had their share of materialistic pleasures and now want to advise others on the best way to give it up. A person who behaves like … [Read more...]
Surviving Divorce: Your New Lifestyle
May 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Couples get divorced for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the divorce comes after a long period of separation. Other times, the divorce happens shortly after one spouse discovers the other spouse has done something that results in a profound loss of trust. Regardless of the reason - and data from the federal government shows 1 out of 5 first marriages end in divorce within five years - it's possible to move forward in a positive way and embrace a new lifestyle. Deal With the Big Stuff Whether you're coming out of a contested divorce or a more amicable split, you'll need to begin … [Read more...]
Adapting to Married Life
May 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Image via Wikipedia When it comes to setting up a home, the time quickly comes when you think about all of the empty spaces inside and out and wonder how to fill them. Some of your purchases have already been made, but others, like the new entertainment center and deck furniture are just now beginning to crowd your mind, and you wonder how you will ever be able to afford it all. The good news is that you shouldn’t purchase everything you need and want in the beginning anyway. There’s something to be said for using the foldout chairs under the kitchen card table, and … [Read more...]
Lifestyle Changes During Your Pregnancy
April 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Being pregnant means changes to your life the moment you find out you are expecting. Nothing will be quite as drastic as the changes that will occur once the baby arrives, but the changes you will feel leading up to it are going to be significant and it’s best you get used to them now, before they catch you off guard. The first thing that’s going to change is what you put into your body. While you understand that you are not to have cigarettes or alcohol, what you might not know is that it takes hold of your whole diet as well. You must be careful about everything that you are putting … [Read more...]
Intricacies after Relationship Breakups
April 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Dissatisfaction gives birth to problems between couples which ultimately leads to break ups. Couples fail to recognize the fact that every relationship has periods of highs and lows and they develop a high expectation that life would be a fairy tale all throughout their life. It is important not to keep these expectations to pass the litmus test when they have problems in conforming to each others wishes. Ultimately they break up which sometimes give them more sorrow and leads to more problems and they long to come back. But they are afraid to do so as they fear those times of fights … [Read more...]
TRADITIONS: FEMALE LONGEVITY & AGE DIFFERENCES IN RELATIONSHIPS
April 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Image via Wikipedia Recent studies confirm that there is another major key to human survival. (Men – listen up…) Women married to YOUNGER men are living longer than expected. The new socially-accepted lifestyle term for this apparently fortunate woman in the relationship is termed the "Cougar". HOWEVER, women married to significantly OLDER men (better referred to as "Kittens") are expiring much sooner than expected! Does Being Married Help Your Mental and Physical Health? We have known for a long time that marriage is correlated with longevity in regard to both … [Read more...]
How Do I Love Insecurity
March 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
There is nothing worst then being in a relationship with someone you love and later find out that they have insecurities. You might have seen the signs, but shrugged it off because you thought it was other issues. Truth is many relationships fail because of partners not trusting their better half. One of the main signs of insecurity is jealousy. Many couples have issues when another man or woman is talking to their lovers. There also known to asking many questions about your whereabouts and who you’ve been with. Constant calling during the day or night is another sign hoping to catch you … [Read more...]