Photo by: Krissa Cavouras

Getting Started

The first step to having an organized Christmas is to buy a small notebook that you can keep with you all the time. If you are a PDA person, then use it. To get started, write down on separate pages any holiday events you may have or things you need to accomplish. Here are a few suggestions of how to get organized with page titles you need to have:

• Christmas gift list
• Christmas card list
• Hosting a holiday party, date and time
• Holiday parties or events you are attending
• Travel Plans
• Holiday Guests
• Decorating

Next, you need a calendar of December you can put on your refrigerator, a day timer or PDA. Take a moment and fill in the events of everything you have going on in December. Don’t forget times and locations!

What should be on the list?

Now, you are ready to really get organized with your Christmas lists. Here are some ideas of what needs to be included in these lists:

• Names, sizes, price range for gifts. Don’t forget gifts for white elephant, hostess, teacher, coworkers and always have a few extras.
• Christmas cards, addresses, and if you don’t have your card list set up in contacts on your computer, do it now so you can print labels from it every year. Don’t forget stamps!
• List all food, toiletry and household items you need for parties and holiday guests.
• New clothing you may need for parties.
• New decorations such as table clothes, candles, Christmas candy, etc.
• List of music you want to play at a party.
• Names and addresses of people you want to invite to a party.
• Time line for having your house clean and ready for guests.

Once you have all this set up, just glance at it for 5 minutes every morning and night, make any changes necessary and check off anything you have completed. When you leave your Jacksonville apartment everyday, make sure you take your notebook or PDA with you. As you go to the mall, check your lists to remind yourself of what you are looking for. When you stop at the grocery store for a gallon of milk, check your lists since you may be able to take advantage of some weekly specials for your holiday party.

Taking an evening now to get your lists set up, will save you time, money and most of all stress during this holiday season. So…make your lists and check them more than twice!

Photo by: Stephen Sizemore

Built on the beautiful St. Johns River, the landing in Jacksonville is home to some of the area’s hottest establishments. The landing offers a little something for everyone. It has a perfect family atmosphere during the day and early evening hours. At night, the landing comes alive with entertainment, dancing and partying.

At the Landing you can…

Shop

If you like shopping, you’re going to really enjoy the landing in Jacksonville. The destination is home to more than 30 stores and specialty boutiques. Some of the stores to browse include The Body Shop, Nine West, The Toy Factory, Hana & Her Sister, Lee Nails, and the French Novelty. There’s even a bookstore and other specialty venues to explore.

Dine

It is impossible to go hungry at the landing. No matter what you have a hunger for, this spot can deliver. Jacksonville Landing is home to some incredible full-service restaurants with riverfront views. Some of the destinations for dining include Dona Maria’s, Hooters, Benny’s Steak & Seafood, The American Café, and Vito’s Italian Café. The landing in Jacksonville also has food court eateries including Rio Burrito, Sbarro, Calvin’s Cajun Express and the Bourbon Express.

Photo by: Judy Baxter

Dance

The landing in Jacksonville is also the place to be to dance the night away. The destinations here include The Twisted Martini, which offers drinks, dancing and dining; and Mavericks, a “rock n’ honky tonk.” This venue features a massive dance floor, bull riding, bars, an entertainment stage and more in a whopping 21,000 square feet. National acts are known to frequent Mavericks, which makes this a favorite for locals and tourists alike.

Experience special events and live entertainment

The landing hosts a number of events throughout the year. Live entertainment is on tap weekends during the summer and at other times during the year. The Puerto Rican Parade comes right by the venue, an annual car show is staged here and it’s a top spot to be during college football season, too.

Located at 2 Independent Drive, the landing in Jacksonville is the place to be for lunch, dinner and nighttime partying. This is one destination that anyone living in apartments in Jacksonville will not want to miss.

Photo By: Streyeder

Jobs – If you’ve moved into apartments in Jacksonville and you still need to find a job, you’ll find the economy here is rather diversified. While the economy here is a little shaky at present, like it is everywhere, the Jacksonville job market is still chugging along quite well. Opportunities here can be found in the healthcare, telecommunications, insurance, education, military, banking and pharmaceutical industries. Some of the biggest employers here include the U.S. Navy, Publix Supermarkets, Baptist Health System, the Mayo Clinic, Shands Jacksonville Healthcare and Bell South Telecommunications.

Where to find information on schools – If you have little ones in tow and need to find out about Jacksonville schools, you might just go into overload. The Duval County Public School district oversees more than 160 schools, including 105 elementary campuses, 28 middle schools, 19 high schools and a variety alternative and exceptional student centers. This city of Jacksonville is also home to a number of private schools and plenty of colleges and universities. It is home to the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Columbia College and the Florida Coastal School of Law.

How to get around – If driving isn’t your thing, you’re going to need to know about the Jacksonville transportation authority. This agency oversees express and regular bus service, a downtown monorail, a weekday trolley and even a Stadium Shuttle.

What to watch out for in regard to crime – Jacksonville is a metropolitan area, make no mistake on that. While it is known for its beaches, the river and plenty of fun things to see and do, the city does have its share of crime (just like any other city). Keep up with what’s going on in regard to crime. The Jacksonville’s Sheriff’s Office offers crime data online.

As you get settled in Jacksonville, you’ll find this city offers everything you’d expect from a great metro area. From fantastic opportunities for learning and working to fun ways to get around, Jacksonville has its own distinct pace of life.

Photo by: smcgee

What is the FDIC?

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or FDIC is a government institution that provides insurance on deposits for member banks. Chances are your bank is a member, and your deposits are insured up to $250,000. Each bank is insured separately so you could potentially have more than $250,000 insured if you were to spread it out among different banks.

Also, the ownership of the account is taken into consideration. You could have $250,000 in an account in your name and have a joint account with someone else with $250,000 in it and be insured for $500,000 at that bank. IRA’s are also insured up to $250,000. Until 2008, accounts were insured up to $100,000, in October of 2008 the limit was temporarily increased to $250,000 until the end of 2009.

Why do we need the FDIC?

The FDIC was created in 1933 in response to the Great Depression. Since so many people were withdrawing money from the bank in fear of losing it, the banks went into bankruptcy due to the withdrawal of all their deposits. To deter people from withdrawing all of their money from the banking system, the FDIC insures your money so you can feel safe knowing that if your bank goes under, your money will still be there.

However, this theory doesn’t always play out so perfectly. Many people fear not having immediate access to funds in case they need it, so they withdraw their money even though it’s insured.

What else does the FDIC do?

Member banks have to keep a certain percentage of liquid capital on reserve. If the bank falls below a certain point, the FDIC can take over the bank and run corrective measures to get it back on track.

What does the FDIC Insure?

The FDIC only covers money in deposit accounts such as:

• Checking Accounts
• Money Markets Deposit Accounts
• Certificates of Deposit
• Savings Accounts

What doesn’t the FDIC Insure?

• Stocks and Bonds
• Mutual Funds
• Things in Safety Deposit Boxes
• Money Market Funds
• Annuities such as Life and Homeowners Insurance
• Investments backed by the US Government
• Accounts in Credit Unions (Credit unions have their own Insurance in the NCUA)

For more information on deposit insurance, regulations and news, visit the FDIC website.

Photo by: Ed Yourdon

Here are some less frequented Caribbean vacation hot spots you might not have ever heard of. Research and book your trip online, then be on your way. You just might not want to come back.

Vieques

Vieques is a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico. In recent years Vieques has become a hot spot, especially for celebrities. You won’t find many major resorts in Vieques, although the ‘W’ Retreat and Spa will be opening in April 2009. To fully enjoy the island life, most tourists choose to rent a vacation home and live as locals do. The
restaurant scene is growing, giving Vieques visitors more dining options.

Photo by: not_on_display

There aren’t any direct flights to the island so you’ll want to fly to San Juan and take it from there. Once in San Juan, choose between a 20-minute flight or a one-hour ferry ride. You’ll need a rental car to explore the hilly, undeveloped island. If you want to enjoy the remoteness and affordability of Vieques, get there soon. Tourism is expected to flourish on this island, making it a booming hot spot.

Saba

Photo by: Serge Melki

Saba is a tiny island in the Caribbean. It’s known as ‘The Rock’ because it has a rugged and mountainous terrain. Saba is a sister island to St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles. It is only 5 square miles in size.

Saba is a tranquil and mostly undiscovered island, perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and relaxation. Since the terrain is rugged, there are not many beaches on Saba.

Saba may not be a good destination for the nervous flier, its airstrip is one of the shortest in the Caribbean. You can reach Saba via a 15-minute flight from St. Maarten. There are only about a dozen hotels and resorts on the island, most notably The Queen’s Gardens, an elegant luxury resort.

Bequia

Photo by: Alex Watson

Bequia is one of 32 islands in St Vincent & Grenadines, a collection of enchanting islands and cays, west of Barbados. If you like a quiet environment to explore Caribbean beauty, you’ll love Bequia. Common past-times are scuba diving, sailing, swimming and fishing.

Because there is no international airport in the area, Bequia has remained unspoiled. Barbados is the best place to catch your 45-minute flight to the beautiful island of Bequia. There are not many hotels and resorts on this island but check out the highly rated Spring House.

Make your Caribbean travel plans today and enjoy a brand new vacation adventure this winter.

Here are seven great ideas for saving money on wedding costs without sacrificing memories in the process:

1. Find an Affordable Location

A wedding and reception do not have to be held at the biggest hotel or in the fanciest church in Jacksonville to be spectacular. If you’re looking for ways to save money on a wedding, consider using the city’s natural beauty as the backdrop for your affair. Try a local park with a beautiful setting or if you live near a beach, could you ask for better scenery? Also, you might want to check with your Jacksonville apartments on renting out the clubhouse for a reception.

2. Handle the Invitations Yourself

You can save a ton of money by using your own printer and high quality paper to create your own invitations. Or if you don’t want to skimp on the invitations, at least make your own “save the date” cards. The USPS store offers a great tool for creating custom postcards.

Photo by: Josh Pyles

3. Get Help with Food

A lot of brides and grooms are turning their big day into a display of family culinary arts. There is nothing wrong with catering the affair personally. In fact, if there are good cooks on either side of the family, chances are the fare will be even better. The rehearsal dinner could easily be made and hosted at a friend of family member’s Jacksonville home or apartment.

4. Create your own Arrangements and Centerpieces

You can cut down a huge expense by crafting your own bouquets and boutonnieres. Flowers are usually one of the most expensive items at a wedding. Try finding a location with natural beauty so you can avoid having to purchase a lot of flowers. Or create arrangements without flowers.

Photo by: The Eggplant

5. Make the Favors

There are tons of wedding favor ideas on the internet available to help brides and grooms make their own wedding day favors. While this is a small expense in the grand scheme of things, it can add up with other savings to really keep the costs down. Get creative with the favors, and make it something that’s unique to you and your fiance.

6. Shop Smart for Attire

Remember wedding gowns and tuxes will only be worn one time. If there’s no desire to hang on to the duds after the event, consider renting instead of buying. Rent tuxes for the men and choose bridesmaid dresses that can be worn again. If you do want to buy, shop around. Finding a beautiful wedding gown at an affordable price is possible.

Photo by: Lan Bui

7. Keep it Small

This is one of the best ways to learn how to save money on a wedding. Just keep it small and simple. If you pare the guest list down to a dull roar, the affair will be elegant, intimate and very memorable.

There is no reason to spend a fortune on a wedding unless you really want to. When the right money saving strategies are put into play, the event can be one to remember without breaking the bank.

Photo by: Cathérine

Take a Look at Your Morning Routine?

Are you late for work or dropping your child off at school in the morning on a regular basis? It’s time to take a hard look at how you spend your time in the morning. Consider putting your child on the school bus instead of taking them to school yourself. This could save a significant amount of time and perhaps allow you to sit down to breakfast with your family, instead of rushing out the door.

If your commute is a nightmare in the morning, one option for you may be to start utilizing public transportation. If you can catch the bus, trolley, or skyway to work, you’ll have time during the ride to get a jumpstart on your day. Answer some email or prioritize your work for the day.

Which Quick Tasks Turn Into Time-Consuming Undertakings?

We’re all guilty of going online to check our email and 2 hours later we find ourselves still on the internet, shopping on ebay, paying bills, and reading our favorite blogs. Limit the amount of time you spend online after work because it’s so easy to let time slip away from you. And, to avoid those unwanted work calls after hours, turn your cell phone off at a certain every night.

How Much Time Do You Spend Doing Chores?

Saturdays are supposed to be a day off from work, but do you ever get a break? Do you spend your weekends catching up on household chores you’d rather not be doing? Now, if you love gardening, don’t give that up. But don’t feel bad about outsourcing the work that you have no desire to do. Hire someone to mow your lawn and let the neighborhood kid wash your car.

It’s not impossible to make time to do the things you want to do. Just eliminate or alter the things you don’t want to do. It’s all about the small changes. They can have big impact so sit down and reevaluate how you are spending your time.

Some of the best indoor house plants that are simple to care for include:

Photo By: Cat and Bang

Peace Lily

Of all the indoor house plants you’ll come across, this one might be the most stunning to add to décor. And some research shows, they’re good for your health! The elongated leaves of the peace lily look beautiful whether the plant is in bloom or not. When in bloom, the striking white flowers tend to be showstoppers. The peace lily thrives best at room temperature and does not like direct sunlight. It should be kept moist and the leaves sometimes require spraying with water.

Philodendron

The beautiful heart-shaped leaves of the philodendron look fantastic in any home. This plant is often best displayed in a hanging basket. Philodendrons do best in medium light and they do require moist soil to thrive.

Spider Plant

This is an excellent plant for indoor gardening. The spider plant can add beautifully to home décor with its long, wispy leaves that resemble a spider. This plant does not love direct sunlight, but does need a bit of natural light to survive. Water spider plants about once a week for the best results.

Pothos

The pothos plant has beautiful heart-shaped leaves that are emerald green in color. Of all the easy care house plants, this just might be the easiest to keep up with. The pothos requires low light in its solid green form and medium light when variegated. For proper house plant care with the pothos plant, which is also known as devil’s ivy, let it dry out in between watering. The abundance of growth the pothos can produce lends itself well to indoor décor. It can look spectacular sprawled out on shelves and counters.

Photo By: BekiPeti

Christmas Cactus

This bushy member of the cactus family is known for its pink to red flowers that bloom in the winter. The Christmas cactus does well in bright light and can still thrive in low light conditions. It doesn’t require a great deal of water to thrive either. This plant is perfect for use as an accent in any room.

Easy care house plants can add the perfect decorating touch to any apartment. Even someone with a black thumb can enjoy the look plants have to offer if they choose carefully.

Member Discount Cards

Most grocery stores now offer member cards that are good for store discounts and savings every time you shop. You sign-up once, add the card to your key chain and you’re ready to save. Some programs even have added incentives,like cheaper gas if you spend a certain dollar amount in their store each month.

Photo by: Racine

Top 4 Places To Find Grocery Coupons In the Store

Peelers- These coupons are found on the packaging or boxes of grocery items in the store. You can usually redeem them at the time of purchase. Just peel them off when you get in the checkout line.

Blinkers- These are the red machines that you’ll find right in the aisles. They blink to get your attention and they dispense coupons, often for the product they’re closest to. These coupons can be redeemed at the point of sale also.

Flip your receipt over and you will find a lot of coupons not only for grocery items, but for local services and restaurants.

At the front of the grocery store, usually near the entrance, you will find an advertisement with all of the specials going on for the week. If you don’t see it at the front, go to customer service and ask them for their weekly ad.

5 Tips To Save Big At The Grocery Store

Buy Store Brand Products- The packaging is less appealing, but the discounted prices make up for it. These generics often have them same ingredients, too. Compare the labels and see for yourself.
Eat Before You Go In- Don’t shop on an empty stomach. You’ll be more apt to buy things that are not on your grocery list.

Do the Math- When considering a product that’s sold in different sizes, it’s helpful to look at the price-per-unit to determine if you’re getting a good deal. You can find this information on the price tag that’s displayed on the shelf.

Watch The Scanner- Check your receipt to make sure you’re getting those advertised discounts.

Take Cash to Curb Impulse Buying- Especially if you’ve got a weekly or monthly budget for groceries, take cash to the supermarket, no credit cards, and only shop from your list.

Set up a monthly budget for your Jacksonville apartment to determine just how much money you have for groceries, then grab your supermarket loyalty card and go!

Photo by: WisDoc/Michael

Some of the hot beaches near Jacksonville include:

Atlantic Beach – Found in Duval County, this beach community is technically consolidated into Jacksonville. The city maintains its own government, which oversees the beaches and parks in the area. Public beaches here allow leashed dogs, and pets and owners are allowed to swim together during certain hours.

Neptune Beach – Also a part of the consolidated Jacksonville, this beach community is a barrier island that is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. The city keeps lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Alcohol is not allowed on the city’s beaches, but leashed dogs are.

Photo by: Valeriano Della Longa

Jacksonville Beach – This Duval County city is part of the consolidated Jacksonville. The little city has more than 4 miles of beaches and has lifeguards on duty during peak season.

Ponte Verda Beach – Located in nearby St. Johns County, so it will be a short drive to check out this spot. Many of the beaches here are open to the public. The community itself is also famous for its golfing.

St. Augustine – Although this historic city is a short drive from Jacksonville proper, it is considered worth it by many Jville residents. In the St. Augustine area, you will find miles of pristine Atlantic Coast beaches, beautiful lighthouses, incredible dining and lots of historic sites to explore.

Other Hot Spots – Depending on your willingness to travel a bit away from your apartments in Jacksonville, you will find some other incredible spots along the East Coast of Florida. Nearby you will find the famous Fort Laderdale and Daytona Beach. If you’re interested in a trip to the Panhandle or the West Coast, the beaches of Destin and Tampa Bay are well worth the drive.

If you love visiting the beach, Jacksonville is a great place to live. The local beach guide alone should keep you busy enough, but within short driving distance you will also find some of the state’s most notable beaches.