Here, it is intense summer…

We drive 2 miles inside a parking lot, just  looking for a small shade. We find that trees are our best friends! (But often, the beginning of a small civil war).

It’s so hot it seems that even my artificial plants are wilting.

Time to rest… it seems that we never have time enough to do whatever we want.

“In the deepest summer it’s when laziness finds respectability.” Sam Keen

Have a wonderful weekend ! ♥

In the new health system of America:

Even if some things will be in effect starting 2014, eg: charging more for women than men for the same insurance policy. Some key changes became law this year.

Here’s what you need to know now:

♦ More services will be paid for in full. – from now on, policies will be required to cover checkups, vaccinations and preventive tests such as cancer screenings and others. You won’t be charged co-pays or out-of-pocket costs, and the services will be covered in full, regardless of any deductible you haven’t met.

♦ Kids with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage. However, it’s not yet clear whether companies can charge higher premiums for children with prior health issues.

♦ Your children can stay on your policy until age 26. Before it was up to 18. Your bonus: peace of mind.

♦ Insurers have to spend more money on care. Eighty to 85% of company revenues must go toward health care (as opposed to, say marketing) And that may put money in your pocket. Starting in 2011, if they break the rules, the federal government can direct them to give you a rebate.

♦ Lifetime limits are history. Insurers will be prohibited from capping what they pay out.

(source: Sara Collins, Economist of the Commonwealth Fund and Kathleen Stoll, Family Public Relations USA)

This has already happened to me countless times!

I have gotten fully drained in a conversation, even on the phone…

Then I decided to pick up a book and read about it.

Here’s what I learned…

Types of ‘energy vampires’ that you find in everyday life:

◊  The Chronic Talker has a ‘motor mouth’ that doesn’t stop talking, hardly breathes. Staying with her and listening to her is super exhaustive.

◊ ’Garlic’ that you should use for this type of vampire: “I’m sorry, I have to go to the bathroom.

◊ The Sob Sister – A whiner who loves a captive audience. She is not interested in the solution, she just wants to vent and vent.

◊ The type of garlic that you should use: “I love you very much, but unless you want a solution, I’ve just got five minutes to listen.”

◊ The Blamer – This is the person who is always saying: “If it were not for you, we would not be in this mess.”.

◊ Garlic: don’t apologize or agree with the person. Gently but firmly, say: “when you talk like that hurts my feelings, please stop.”

◊ The Controller – This vampire likes to tell you (and and everyone else too) what to do.

◊ Garlic: Never try to control a controller. Speak up but don’t make it a big deal of it. Just state your needs by saying, “I appreciate your advice and warnings, but I would like to solve this on my own.” Then say it again, because with this type of species, and repetition is the key.

◊ Go-For-The-Jugular Friend: Wildly ambitious, this type of vampire cuts you down to build herself up.

◊ Garlic: try to remove that person from your life if you can’t, do not react to her zingers because what she wants is to see your expression of horror. Instead, visualize a protective armor around you, so her toxic comments can’t get to your gut.

Do livro: “Emotinal Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions” autora Judith Orloff

♦

And I’m talking about the Flea market… Because if you want to go, and are a novice on the subject, it’s good to know how to use your dollars wisely.

♦ First tip: do not waste time looking for things of value on the dusty shelves and countertops. I stay far away, because I’m totally allergic to dust… (and overspending).

Experienced sellers expose things that have some value, as visible as possible to the public. They’re right, aren’t they? I would do the same.

♦ Do not expect perfection in this kind of place. These types of markets sell second hand or even third hand things. So don’t point out defects in objects, trying to get a discount, it makes it sound like you’re saying that the seller is a dishonest person.

♦ Learn to haggle – Many people get tongue tied when it comes to negotiating. Keep it simple…

Do it this way, it’s very simple, say: “This is what I’m prepared to pay. You can part with it for X dollars? And then give your starting price, which shouldn’t be ridiculously low.

Never say “I don’t want to pay that much” or “I really I don’t need it,” as though it would compel the seller to lower the price…

Sellers are much more willing to lower the price, to someone they feel, that really are interested in their wares. So act as if you really want it rather than dismissing it as overpriced junk.

♦ Last tip – Get on the vendor’s good side, especially if you visit these places frequently.

If you have a kind of  ’friendship’ with him, you can get the best discounts… after all, and you’re a customer who always comes back…

They will even separate items that they think you’ll like.

If you only go once in a while to these places, talk to him about similar tastes and stories of the item you’re interested in before you start negotiating.

And don’t forget: if the subject here is $$. A bargain is not a bargain, unless you need it.