Next time the federal government bails out the big business morons, they really need to attach some strings and some consequences.  It is absolutely ridiculous what the ABC15 reporters found. At first glance, the 2008 Asset Management Conference held this week at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix looked like a normal conference. However, the people who went to it were less than ordinary.  American International Group made efforts to disguise the conference, and there were no AIG logos or signs anywhere on the property (they were a $343,000 sponsor of the event which was not allowed under the bailout rules). The ABC15 Investigators went undercover at the resort and observed AIG executives having poolside meetings while drinking coffee and working out at the spa while other attendees were in conference rooms for seminars.  The executives were also seen at after parties drinking it up and having AIG pick up the tab (ie the taxpayers).  I wonder what else we picked up the tab for: taxi trips, travel insurance, room service? The hotel staff were told they weren’t even allowed to say AIG.

This, of course, comes on the heels of them getting another $40 million (or is it billion?) of taxpayer money to bail them out.  Yeah, I think we need to take the blank check away.  How about you? Obviously, AIG doesn’t get it.

All you bloggers out there — I know you’ve thought about it. A lot of us are aspiring writers and would love to see our work in print. There is one blog I read (and for the life of me I can’t remember the name) that all the posts are chapters of a fictional story. I also know that it is my sister’s dream to write a book. I don’t know if her plans included any Self Publishing, but if that helps get it out there, why not?

I love that there are companies out there that will help you fulfill your dreams. Wordclay is one of the easiest ones out there to use. They have a step by step guide to help direct you through the process. They also have a ton of ways for you to customize your book and make it your own. This isn’t a cookie cutter process. If you ever look at publishing, this is a place you should start at.

I seriously love this company. I have ordered everything from cheap address labels to magnets to postcards and I am sure a few more things too. Over the holiday weekend, I ordered myself some new business cards. I have added two blogs since last year (which was the last time I got cards), so I definitely needed to update my cards. I keep having to hand write the new blogs on there and that looks tacky. I think I put the order in on Saturday. Being a holiday weekend, I did not expect to hear back from them anytime soon. However, I got an email Tuesday morning letting me know that my cards were already printed! I am impressed.

The other part of their business that impresses me is that I was able to upload my own image (granted, it did cost me an additional $4.99). However, their wizard made is super easy to create my own card, and I had it done in less than 15 minutes. Also, once you are a customer they send you emails with awesome deals. For example, I am getting the 250 premium business cards I ordered for free. I just have to pay the shipping and the upload fee.

Seriously, how can you go wrong?

As many of you know, I use to a jewelry consultant for lia sophia. Well, I have received addiction treatment for my jewelry addiction (its called having kids - lol), and I am going to be selling off about 70 pieces! However, I don’t know what the best way to do this is. I am selling everything for 50% the retail price.

I’d like any advice on how I should do this. Is Ebay the way to go? Or should I advertise a few pieces on here each week? Should I give some of it away in a contest each month or week? I’d love to know all your thoughts!

Now that I have pretty much quit selling lia sophia, I come across a site that I could have certainly used. Why? Potomac Display sells all sorts of jewelry displays to use when you are doing shows. I saw several displays that would have worked well when I was doing my lia sophia shows. This site is one of the most comprehensive ones that have all the products I was using plus quite a few I wasn’t. I would definitely direct any current lia sophia advisers to check them out. They also have all sorts of other kinds of displays too. For example, you can get pocket watch displays. I had no idea there was even a need for it, but they look really cool. You can also get displays to hold golf balls, baseballs, etc.  They are a one stop shop for all your displaying needs.