Saving money can be a good feeling

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 17 March 2009 13:58

In addition to vibrant colors, delicate patterns and fresh silhouettes, a new trend this spring is quickly becoming a wardrobe staple—and not just for fashion gurus. And all this little-black-dress trend costs is the practice of frugality.

The media call it many names—thrift, penny pinching, economizing—but the goal is the same: saving money. I have enjoyed all the money-saving tips presented on local and national news broadcasts, particularly those geared toward practicality.

Enter the Coupon Mom (aka Stephanie Nelson). For Nelson, the nickname Coupon Mom isn’t just a promotional gimmick. She is a wealth of money-saving knowledge and was recently featured on “Oprah” and NBC’s “Today Show” (and probably others, but...

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Women's minds: Unwanted pop-ups

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 17 February 2009 13:51

Reading books is not a love my husband and I share. However, a couple years ago he agreed to read a set of books that had piqued my curiosity. I came across the books while cataloguing for the Tabor College library, and decided they would be an interesting, if not enlightening, read.

In this particular case, I judged the books by their inviting covers and intriguing titles: “For Men Only” and “For Women Only,” written by a husband/wife duo of Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn.

The Feldhahns conducted national surveys and focus groups, coming up with impressive amounts of data to back-up statements about men and women.

As a chronic overachiever, I felt compelled to read both books. (Of course, part of what drove me was the desire to...

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Finding 'me time' benefits everyone

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 20 January 2009 14:08

I’ve always been a sucker for the TV sitcom.

As a kid, I would take a bath early on Friday night, get in my jammies and settle in for ABC’s TGIF—a full lineup of kid-friendly sitcoms including “Step-By-Step,” “Full House” and “Family Matters.” My sister and I would sit in our bean bags and laugh at yet another escapade resulting in Steve Urkel’s nasally “Did I do that?”

In college, I remember studying the rhetoric of popular shows and realizing the humor of a sitcom often comes from exaggerated, negative stereotypes stemming from gender, race or relationships.

Because I was engaged and married while still in school, I took a personal interest in dissecting sitcom relationships—particularly that of Debra and...

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Now we have something to write

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 16 December 2008 13:45

I can always tell my mail has arrived by the distinct squeak-clank the mailbox makes as letters and other miscellaneous items are placed inside.

On one particular day last week, I was going through my recently deposited stash—junk, recycle bin, junk, recycle bin—when there it was, the first Christmas card of the season. I opened it to find a photo-card with three smiling faces and a merry Christmas wish.

After opening the card, I went through three levels of emotion. First, a feeling of warmth—we were remembered this Christ­mas by friends living in Oklahoma.

Second, a feeling of good intentions—our family should send out greeting cards this year with the face of our adorable 8-month-old plastered on the front.

Third, a...

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