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Savin money
Posted:Monday, 06/29/2009 at 04:06pm by Brian Middleton
How to Spend Like a Frugal Millionaire
Saving thousands while still spending.
Millionaires make up just 2 percent of the population. They get a bad rap during recessions for being wasteful with their money and are frequently used as examples of excess. It's the millionaires that you don't see that you can learn from in times like these. I call them the frugal millionaires and interviewed 70 of them to uncover ways we can all be smarter with money.
Nearly 70 percent of the economy is based on consumer spending. To keep the economy going we need to keep spending but not waste money in the process. This is where the frugal millionaires come in. They've been smart with their money all along and haven't lost it all and had to remake it. These are the kind of people you want to learn from when it comes to spending your money.
Spending philosophy.
Frugal millionaires are unique thinkers when it comes to spending money: 1) they can easily delay their need for gratification when purchasing; 2) they are resourceful in getting what they want by carefully timing their consumer purchases; 3) they make living below their means painless; 4) they don't like wasting anything (especially money); 5) their sense of "self-entitlement" is highly minimized: and 6) spending is OK with them...depending on what they are buying (think: appreciating vs. depreciating assets).
Buying tips.
These millionaires keep more money than they spend, that's why they are rich. Their tactics work for them so they'll work even better for you. Key Point: They don't view shopping as a sport. They shop efficiently and spend their time doing more important things with their lives. Here are their tips that will help you save while spending:
Cars: Buy used (or off lease) fuel-efficient cars, often with "certified pre-owned" warranties. This warranty can be better than a new car, plus the initial depreciation hit is avoided. Drive the car for a long time and never lease it.
Eating Out: Bring half of a meal home to eat later (this also saves the waistline). Eat at happy hours. Bring wine from home and skip dessert. Value food quality over expensive ambience.
Eating In: Eat better and less expensively by cooking at home. Make it a friends and family event. Get your kids involved. Bonus: You can have that extra drink without worrying about getting busted for driving under the influence. Also: buy day-old bread at the best bakery in town and freeze it. Eat oatmeal, because it's the most cost-effective breakfast food. Get a supermarket "club card" and buy food on special. Play the game of trying to see how much of a discount can be saved off the total food bill.
Clothes: When you buy something new donate something used to charity. Buy traditional clothes, but wait for the off-season to acquire them. Go for high quality - not high price. Buy vintage clothing and avoid logo clothing and keep people guessing who the designer might be. Hint: There shouldn't be one!
Consumer Electronics: Buy low-end gear that has the basic functionality of the more expensive stuff. Don't be the first to buy new technology. Wait at least one lifecycle so the bugs are worked out. Buy refurbished electronics whenever possible.
Computers: Buy more mainstream computers with proven technology. Select higher capacity hard drives, a decent amount of RAM (the memory that the program runs in) and a cost effective processor. Super fast doesn't always equal super good...unless you are building airplanes or bridges. Laptops are a good compromise between desktops and netbooks. Don't go through the pain of upgrading operating systems on existing computers, it's not time efficient and you will probably go insane trying.
Going green: Being green and frugal go hand-in-hand. Yet frugal millionaires don't readily fall for the trendy green hype machine. They typically buy green if it helps the environment and lowers their costs. They look at the timeframe when a product can pay for itself. They do use compact fluorescent lighting, turn off lights and equipment that isn't being used, monitor AC and heat usage (with programmable thermostats), drive efficiently, live in "right-sized" homes and turn off the water when they aren't brushing their teeth or washing dishes. Because they have trained themselves to not waste money they won't waste anything else either. They get into good habits and keep them going. You can, too.


Check these and save $
Posted:Friday, 06/19/2009 at 06:06pm by Brian Middleton
Saw this article in the Sun times, tried a few of these and saved some cash. Hey, cash is cash. Save it when you can. If any of these ideas help, shoot me an email, let me know...


Brian

Review your Homeowners and Car insurance policies. Personally, I was told to change car insurance carriers every 5 years or so, a new agent may cut you a deal to get your business.

Enroll in your natural gas company's budget program which will keep your monthly bill down. Call them and ask if your not up on this.

Call your credit card company and work out a better interest rate. Sometimes you just have to ask.



Foods you might want to try
Posted:Saturday, 06/06/2009 at 04:06pm by Brian Middleton


Improving your health can be as simple as eating these items.
Eaten many coconuts lately? How about cherries or blueberries or grass-fed beef?
You should, because these are all foods with powerful health properties. However, few people pack their grocery carts full of these items.
Take kiwifruit. It's chock full of vitamin C--a whopping 115% of what you need to eat in a day. It's also low in calories--just 45 per fruit, sans skin.
"In America, most people don't eat three servings of fruit and vegetables a day," says nutritionist Jonny Bowden, author of seven books including, most recently, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. According to him, there are 10 very healthy foods we don't eat enough of.
IGNORE THE FOOD PYRAMID
Bowden says many Americans are misled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid, which is a graphic, pyramid-shaped depiction of nutrition guidelines, updated every five years, that tells Americans what to eat according to food groups. Bowden dismisses it as the product of interest group politics.
"It demonizes fat," notes Bowden. "Fat is an essential building block for many important compounds in the body." This is why Bowden puts grass-fed beef, wild salmon and, yes, coconuts, on his top 10 list.
Salmon, in particular, is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with heart and brain health as well as bringing down blood pressure and triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease. Omega-3s have also been found to improve mood and reduce inflammation, says Bowden.
Another food packed with nutritional value that's present--but not necessarily front and center in every grocery store--is kale. A member of the cabbage family, which Bowden dubs "vegetable royalty," kale contains indoles, a compound found to fight cancer. Kale is also rich in antioxidants, which also help prevent cancer, says Bowden.
If that's not enough for you, kale is also full of sulforaphane, yet another cancer-prevention agent. Kale has calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and K, and two nutrients that are great for the eyes, including zeaxanthin. Kale's pièce de résistance: Two cups packs three grams of fiber. Try sautéing it with garlic and butter, recommends Bowden. Or eat it like salad, with pine nuts, cranberries and olive oil.
Then there are coconuts, a terribly misunderstood food, according to Bowden. The fat in coconuts is a particular kind that's good for you. It's called MCT, or Medium-Chain Triglycerides. The body doesn't store MCT as fat, says Bowden, but rather uses it as energy, like a carbohydrate. Coconuts are also high in lauric acid, a fatty acid that tends to kill pathogens. In addition, coconut oil is great for cooking since it has a very high smoke point.
EAT MEDITERRANEAN
For Bowden, sticking to a Mediterranean-style diet is the healthiest way to eat. That means plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lots of olive and nut oils. The Mediterranean diet has indeed been proved by study after study to have multiple healthful properties.
If all that sounds just too darn healthy, consider the 10th food on Bowden's list: dark chocolate. Rich with a phytochemical called flavanol, found by a 2005 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology to improve cardiovascular health, chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content should be a regular on your shopping list.
Chocolate and coconut anyone? OK, but not until you've finished your kale.


Just in time for Summer: Daniel Craig on a Stick
Posted:Tuesday, 06/02/2009 at 04:06pm by Brian Middleton
James Bond Fans can cool down this summer with the Del Monte Daniel Craig Popsicle. Available in a variety of flavors, get one before they are gone. (limited quantities)
Paste this in your browser to see it:

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/06/pic-daniel-craig-popsicle-cool-as-ice.html

Sweet Corn anyone?
Posted:Saturday, 05/30/2009 at 11:05am by Brian Middleton
Many people don't bother, they just grill the corn and eat. The method below will yield "WoW" Corn, trust me

Brined Grilled Corn on the Cob

Makes: 8 servings

8 ears of corn, husks and silks removed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup salt

4 quarts cold water

Dissolve salt in the cold water in a large vessel. Add the corn and soak for at least 30 minutes, up to but no more than 8 hours.

Prepare grill for direct cooking over medium heat

Clean and oil cooking grate, Let grate warm up for 5 minutes if using charcoal, 15 if using gas.

Place corn on grill and cook (covered if using gas) until kernels are lightly charred all over, about 10 minutes, turning the corn every 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer to a serving platter, brush with butter.

Another Method:

Soak Corn in the Husk for 10 minutes, throw on the grill in the Husk til leaves start to blacken....WOW

Stuff to Trade?
Posted:Tuesday, 05/26/2009 at 03:05pm by Brian Middleton
Two sites that I have come across may help you save some $ this summer.

www.totsswapshop.com

www.swaptree.com

Totswap is for younger kids clothes, Swaptree is for Books, Dvd's, Cd's. Here's how it works.

You offer up Childrens clotes, Cd's, books, etc. The site than calculates what you can buy or "take" based on what you have offered. Old cd's, trade them. Books? trade them.
Worth checking out. Many of my friends have used the two of these without problems, but with any site, you are using these at your own risk..

Brian



Info overload
Posted:Wednesday, 05/20/2009 at 05:05pm by Brian Middleton
We have been bombarded with Idol and DWTS, Survivor, the Biggest Loser......Time to give your mind a rest and lay on the Beach. 26 miles of Chicago beaches open Friday and are open daily through Sept 7. Admission is Free. Walk, eat, jog, catch some rays, bike, rollerblade (rent them along the lakefront). Park hours 11 to 7 daily.

If you have a dog, use the dog beach just north of Montrose.

Swimming Ban Notification System:

Green - Go Enjoy!
Yellow - Increased risk of illness(?)
Red - Swim ban in effect

I'm happy to report that the city says the beaches will be open no matter what color the flag is on any given day. (oh good)

Go to the Chicago Park Districts web site for "The Swim Report" containing info like water temp, air temp, visibility, sky conditions.

Going, Going, Gokey, Gone
Posted:Thursday, 05/14/2009 at 02:05pm by Brian Middleton
R U watching? Idol is on fire again. The final three last night was cool to watch as Danny Gokey said goodbye. The last couple of seasons saw declining ratings hence the judges new save feature and the strange performance orders this season. Were now down to the Pretty and the Pretty strange. Don't get me wrong, Adam is a true performer, wind him up and let him go, but a little over the top for some. Kris is the other side of the spectrum, small town, good looking, guy next door. I actually like them both and think this could be one the most even voting sessions ever for Idol! Now I ask you.....

Who will it be? and why? I'm torn at this point. Email me at Bmiddleton@wilv.com with your thoughts, I may post it here for everyone to read.

Love you MOM
Posted:Friday, 05/08/2009 at 03:05pm by Brian Middleton
The dedication, the sacrifice, hard to grasp what my MOM went through in a household raising three boys. How bout you? What are gonna do for MOM? Or if you are one, what would make you happy this Mothers day?. New movies out include: Adoration, a foreign film getting great reviews. Little ashes with Robert Pattinson, and Love N Dancing a drama/musical MOM might like. Maybe come downtown to check out Mary Poppins the musical or Legally Blonde opens in a couple of days at the Ford Theatre. Gifts are great, but you might want to put a little extra effort into this one, it is in fact MOM.

New Listener???
Posted:Monday, 05/04/2009 at 06:05pm by Brian Middleton
Hey I have no shame..... Yes, we play feel good favorites focused on positive vibe. But I have to tell ya, if you know of a song we are not playing, I want to hear about that too. We try to hit all the great songs, but if I'm missing your favorite during the day, call me 312-591-5683.
You need to call anyway, we need to catch up....GREAT FEEL GOOD CONTEST GOING ON NOW.

Brian
2p-7p

Fly Away
Posted:Monday, 04/27/2009 at 04:04pm by Brian Middleton
Got a call today from a woman on the request line thanking me for a trip she won from us recently. She claimed it was just what her and her husband needed, (just a little getaway). She felt renewed, refreshed and couldn't thank us enough. Your Next..................

WRITE YOUR OWN TICKET !!!!!

Qualify all this week by counting the songs in a 100.3 music marathon, call when we tell you, and go, go, go..
Details at WILV.com


H2o
Posted:Friday, 04/17/2009 at 06:04pm by Brian Middleton
Everybody is into the Health thing now a days and Drinking plenty of water is part of it, I get that, but are marketers taking this thing too far? Colored, oxygenated, Holy water, Vitamin, Jello water, is it getting outta hand? They now have Deep-sea Water drawn from 3,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean? Do I need this to Drive on the Ryan? What happened to just good ol bottled water, no ups no extras, no carbonation so my friends can see how cool I am,.................. Just water, besides how do I know It came from the depths of the Ocean, for all I know, it could have come from someones backyard in the burbs. I guess what I'm saying is, I'm not picky when it comes to water, nor is my body, or yours..... Save some money this summer, try tap water, not bad.

Brian

How peeps are made?
Posted:Saturday, 04/11/2009 at 06:04pm by Brian Middleton
It's that time of year!!!! You may or may Love'em, here's how they get made...

http://www.wgntv.com/photo_gallery_landing/?galleryID=16932

Happy Easter



Let's go to the Drive-in
Posted:Tuesday, 04/07/2009 at 04:04pm by Brian Middleton
If your the right age, you certainly remember the Drive-in. Guess what? It's makin a come back. A virginia couple loved the Drive-in concept so much, they decided to open one later this year. Just today it was announced that another one will open driven by Wind power. As we all rethink values right now, it might be cool to load the family into the SUV and head to the Drive-in. My parents used to take me, I remember playing on the little playground they had during intermission and eating green hotdogs from the Snack Bar. Ahhhh Memories..........

Brian Middleton

Should I stay or Should I go
Posted:Tuesday, 03/31/2009 at 04:03pm by Brian Middleton
Ya have to ask yourself that question, do you want to spend the Cash to board a plane, pack your stuff, just to go relax for a while?

Well at 100.3, we get it... You have a life, kids, soccer practice, meetings at work, tax returns, so flying somewhere fun right now might not be an option. Our solution?

A STAY-CATION

3 nites of relaxtion and fun with Stylish accomodations downtown, dinner, a great show, tickets to Great America, Museum ticktes for a year and more. Check wilv.com for details and listen daily to qualify...

Brian

Please read me again
Posted:Wednesday, 03/25/2009 at 06:03pm by Brian Middleton

8 things to do when stress is a factor......

8 WAYS: FIND YOUR PLAY STYLE



A life of rigidity, lacking in creativity. A life without joy, minus sustained pleasure. The opposite of play isn't work, he adds, but depression. During his 40-year career, Brown has peered into the bubbling inferno, studying what goes wrong when people do not play. He has conducted more than 6,000 play studies on everyone from serial killers to substance abusers to career-driven CEOs.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: California

Please read this
Posted:Tuesday, 03/24/2009 at 05:03pm by Brian Middleton
This article appeared in todays USA Today, I thought given the times, I would share it with you.

Enjoy,

Brian Middleton


Experts say play time can relieve stress in bad times
Updated 21h 6m ago

Eat a Hotdog
Posted:Wednesday, 03/18/2009 at 04:03pm by Brian Middleton
Everybody's talkin about the economy... blah blah, tax. late pay, blah blah, tax time, soccer, shower curtain tax. If things start swirling in your head like they do mine, Go get a Hotdog, Yessssss a Hotdog. A warm dog in a Soft bun, savory mustard, crunchy pickle, sweet green relish, sharp onion, mellow tomato and lip-smacking celery salt. Has it got ya yet???

Hot Doug's on California and Wieners Circle on Clark are two of the best. You have a great Hotdog place? email it to me a Bmiddleton@wilv.com, I want to try every and all locations by the end of the summer (somebody has to).

Go Get a Hotdog... Everything else will fall into place!
(cheese fries optional)

Brian


AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaChooooo.......(sorry)
Posted:Monday, 03/16/2009 at 06:03pm by Brian Middleton
Great news, Chicago is not in the Top Ten for most allergic cities. If you suffer from allergies, let's take a look at some solutions...

Consult an Allergist (Duh)

No shoes indoors, that not just gum your tracking in, it's pollen.

Avoid exposure, close windows and doors to keep pollen out. I'm not a fan of this one, why not just wrap yourself in shrinkwrap.

Wash your hair at night instead of in the morning.... Get the pollen out before it hits your pillow......

Maintain home filtration system, change your filters, oh, and buy a good filter..

Do not dry your clothes outside, use a dryer....

Cover up, wear a mask outside when doing yard work, (hey, whos that racking my leaves?)

Buy an air Purifier

Clean Linens, especially pillow cases..

Clean your carpets/rugs

What's in a name
Posted:Thursday, 03/12/2009 at 06:03pm by Brian Middleton
Sure you saw it today. Like many, The United Center, The Cell, now they will change the name of the Sears Tower to the Willis Tower. Hey I'm Sure The company sees it as a way to build the name Willis, I can't blame them for that. Matter of fact, I'm thinking about selling my own "name" to a third party, just for the Cash..... Instead of Brian Middleton, I oould be Sam Adams, Oscar mayer, or how bout Betty Crocker (that one would be extra)

??????
Brian

Wanna save some Money?????
Posted:Saturday, 03/07/2009 at 05:03pm by Brian Middleton
Those that know me, know that I've never been afraid of change, I'm a huge fan. Let's make it faster, smaller, better, less expensive, I'm in. Same with internal change, sometimes reinventing yourself, what you do, or how you do it, can be refreshing (still with me?). I recently looked at my monthly outgoing expenses, and made some changes. See if any of these apply to you.

1. Get new quotes online for home and auto insurance, I was with the same company for years 10 years, just saved a bunch by switching..

2. Refinance your mortgage. Make sure your current company charges 0 closing costs.

3. Change your home phone package to an all in one, or eliminate it all together. Voice over Ip companies are less expensive.

4. Don't go shopping when your hungry. I know it sounds stupid, but it's effective.

5. Shut off lights in your house when not in use, I used to always leave my Computer on, stopped doin it.

6. Get rid of your 6cy car for a 4cy. Better gas mileage saves money. Dealers are dealing big time now.....

7. Buy Bulk..... I buy cases of paper towels and TP, I don't know why, I just like to never run out.....

8. Convert to smart Bulbs.
9. Higher medical deductibles.....look into it..

10. Wilv's Classifieds, Craigslist, or for sure, LEARN EBAY!!!! You have stuff you just don't need anymore, streamline....... Sell it now

Change your financial footprint. Oh, if you have some other ideas, pass them along......

BMiddleton@wilv.com





Seconds anyone???????
Posted:Friday, 02/27/2009 at 06:02pm by Brian Middleton
Thanks to everyone who called about Mexico this past week. Today in the 5pm hour we gave a qualifier a 3 night all-inclusive Tropical "Feel Good Flyaway" to the Occidental Grand Xcaret.

beep beep beep beep
BEFORE WE CONTINUE, THIS JUST IN!!!!!!!!!!
beep beep beep beep......

We will give away another trip to this fabulous place next Week!

YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GO!!!!!!!!!

Listen all weekend for details, we start qualifying on Monday. Become a VIP and get the exact time at WILV.COM

Good Luck

Brian

Pancakes
Posted:Wednesday, 02/18/2009 at 05:02pm by Brian Middleton
When times get tough, make Pancakes a bunch of different ways: The TOP topings are


A pancake a day: 31 ways to dress them up, reprinted.

So here's the list ready for you to print out and tape to the refrigerator door.
Pancakes

1. Butter
2. Maple syrup
3. Confectioners’ sugar
4. Whipped cream
5. Creme anglais
6. Grand Marnier
7. Raspberry jam
8. Strawberry jam
9. Orange marmalade
10. Apricot jam
11. Major Grey’s chutney, pureed
12. Flaked coconut
13. Fresh mint
14. Fruit compote
15. Lemon curd
16. Sour cream and cornichon pickle
17. Caviar
18. Cranberry-orange relish
19. Hot fudge sauce
20. Rum-glazed bananas
21. Berry-cardamom sauce
22. Tomato salsa
23. Hoisin sauce and green onions
24. Bourbon-glazed bacon
25. Chopped peaches
26. Peanut butter and jelly
27. Applesauce
28. Honey
29. Broiled rum-glazed pineapple
30. Cocoa powder

What would do it for YOU!
Posted:Tuesday, 02/17/2009 at 02:02pm by Brian Middleton
Go ahead ask anyone, you won't meet a single person that hates music. It's comfort, a memory, a snapshot in time, and a vibe all rolled into one. Realizing the effect that music can have on a person at any given time, what song would change your day? Journey? Rick Springfield?, the Jonas Broth...... Oh wait, not that one. Call me today from work or the car, let me know what would change your day right now. Maybe it's a song that you don't hear us play, I want to know that one too.

312-591-5683, try me, I'll pick up now.

Brian Middleton

The worlds a changin
Posted:Friday, 02/13/2009 at 05:02pm by Brian Middleton
Headlines

Starbucks to introduce Instant Coffee? True, next week, let me know how it is. Microsoft to open Retail locations like Apple did a few years back. Smart move? or is it a "vista" idea.

Kevin Costner with a new baby Boy. Name? Hayes.......

Peter Gabriel refuses to play at the Oscars because he will only wind up with 1 minute of airtime? Don't blame him..

Based on the state of the economy, many people will celebrate Valantine's day at home with maybe a quite dinner for two? Alec Baldwin and the Jonas Brothers on SNL.

Happy Valentine's day

Brian