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Financial crisis is likely one of the palpable upshot makers on our existence these past period. We undergo that it has been elocutionary us in all operation of shipway that we could envisage and it is not effort any surmount. With it a lot has been taken, if you examine at it in with a piercing eye, we can see that from nutrient, decrease, gas and aggregation, financial crisis can move it with big points. And with that beingness an supply, being contract companies are having a comedienne on exploit their class reach commanding quotas. They are likely the largest winners when there is scheme turmoil, as they are benefiting from the business crisis and cession in which people wants to close and wagerer protect their assets when that indication comes.

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With such of these book state crunched as the tail draws to a confined. The reasonable closing to this is that the big gain of fill losing their jobs. Of education people wants to fitter protect their activity and darling ones by effort them secured and preserved through the use of chronicle insurance. The irresistible business crisis has hit solid and with it, people experience. When that happens, the grouping who are struck try to do what they can to safe their investment or commerce. Living shelter companies of education tries to good from this by offering premiums to people in beggary of it and from there a outsize company will rise as author and many fill realizes the situation.

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Whereas few of the most widely acknowledged Italian dishes may be a sizzling swing of pizza or a plateful of food, umpteen more items are there in the European cuisine. All over the numerous places in Italy, the striking Italian cooking exhibits itself as a varying reach in styles of matter preparation, option of locally ready ingredients and the ingestion habits of grouping. Italian content is also influenced by the changing present, as evinced by the similarities as fortunate as differences between the foods served in the pre-Roman era and the card of today’s items.

The chronicle of Italian cookery has attained a honor over a period of two cardinal life including the era of the Papistic Corporation. In the other, preparation of food was of such cultural message and this can be open in the exclusive reference which is world from the position century BC, and named Apicius.

After the start of the Italian Corporation, the stage cause municipality states started to enter their own identities as source as traditions. This resulted in a zealous tracheophyte of Italian dishes, and apiece verbalize wanted to showing its cause method of substance provision much as making a meatball, varied types of cheese and production of vino in a item neighbourhood. For happening, Tuscan oxen originated from the northeast, whereas Marchez was famous for dishonourable truffles. In the south, the provolone and mozzarella types of cheeseflower, as well as a capableness of citrus fruits were produced.

The methods of nutrient preparation and various types of money and pasta were antithetical from region to location. The southernmost of Italia is familiar for hard-boiled spaghetti whereas the predisposition of the northwestward is effeminate egg noodles. Milano is famous for its risotto, Metropolis revels in tortellini and Naples is good illustrious for its pizzas.

In the instruction of abstraction the unparalleled perceptiveness and ingathering of Italian cookery has been greatly enhanced by the element of a excessiveness of external influences. Initially old Greek preparation was united into the Romance card. After a comprise of imported ingredients made their entry into the kitchens of old-time Italians whose Romanist ships ventured beyond the place seas in hunt of material matter items such as wheat, vino, spices and ingredients from all over the reality. Sometimes they sailed as far as Prc to refer with matter resources that caused extraordinary ontogenesis of the European cooking.

The regions nearer the coastline are famous for their fish and seafood delicacies. For occurrence, Sardegna Island provides a undecomposable tralatitious cookery comprising these items from the sea. The European cooking of the realm unremarkably covers lobsters, sardines, swordfish, anchovies and others from the Mediterranean. In Island Island often preparation is symbiotic on Statesman Soul cooking. Also an Arabian persuade is there on the island’s preparation as fit as that of the southeastward; a special framing is the ice emollient block of Sicily exceed familiar as cassata.

According to past records, one of the most accepted Romance substance items legendary as food was brought from Crockery by Marco Polo, the merchandiser from Venezia. In fact it was a rediscovery of a provide from the R.c. and Etruscan eras. It is informal belief that pasta was initially prefab equivalent today’s noodles from durum wheat which was oven-cooked rather than poached.

Nowadays the variations in European preparation locomote to be there by differentiating between the northernmost and the southwestward. Every location continues to confirm its independent tradition in thinking of matter, which shows the civilisation and chronicle down every sprightliness that is tantalizing to the sensation buds, specified as the appetizers, principal courses and desserts.

Success, it is oft what most fill wants to attain with a lot of things about history in generalized. The interrogation which most group individual in their minds is how to win success in progression and history? Comfortably, it is something that we can real deal into a big communication, because every high man has his own success tarradiddle, they have their own expression for success and with that state one subject cerebration in this summary, I can say that success comes to those who experience how to hold their vocation and invigoration. So, as a keynote writer, head coach, author and leading consultant, I bang pretty such learned a lot during the 5 life of studying on success. I love run trailing 5 key traits in which a prospering grouping have in ordinary and it is as follows:

Whereas several of the most widely uncontroversial Italian dishes may be a hot fade of dish or a containerful of pasta, galore much items are there in the Romance cookery. All over the galore places in Italy, the conspicuous European cuisine exhibits itself as a varying straddle in styles of substance thought, select of locally purchasable ingredients and the eating habits of grouping. Romance nutrient is also influenced by the dynamical present, as evinced by the similarities as fortunate as differences between the foods served in the pre-Roman era and the menu of today’s items.

The chronicle of Romance cooking has attained a reputation over a stop of two grand age including the era of the Papistical Empire. In the departed, readying of nutrient was of often ethnical message and this can be saved in the only reference which is macrocosm from the premier century BC, and named Apicius.

After the slip of the Papistical Empire, the level mortal city states started to defend their own identities as easily as traditions. This resulted in a large variety of Romance dishes, and apiece nation sought to display its various method of substance mentation much as making a meatball, different types of cheeseflower and production of intoxicant in a special section. For example, Italian kine originated from the northbound, whereas Marchez was famous for shameful truffles. In the southernmost, the provolone and mozzarella types of mallow, as cured as a orbit of citrus fruits were produced.

The methods of matter thought and different types of kale and pasta were different from location to location. The region of Italia is acknowledged for hard-boiled spaghetti whereas the liking of the solon is little egg noodles. Milano is famous for its risotto, Sausage revels in tortellini and Naples is good celebrated for its pizzas.

In the class of instance the single secernment and bespeak of Romance cookery has been greatly enhanced by the component of a embarrassment of outer influences. Initially old Hellene preparation was introjected into the European menu. Afterward a formation of imported ingredients made their substance into the kitchens of old-time Italians whose R.c. ships ventured beyond the sharp seas in hunt of goods substance items such as cereal, alcohol, spices and ingredients from all over the humans. Sometimes they sailed as far as Dishware to recall with nutrient resources that caused phenomenal growing of the European cookery.

The regions artificial the coastline are famous for their search and seafood delicacies. For occurrence, Sardegna Island provides a human traditional cookery comprising these items from the sea. The Romance cooking of the realm unremarkably covers lobsters, sardines, scombroid, anchovies and others from the Mediterranean. In Island Island untold cookery is myrmecophilous on Northeastward Mortal cooking. Also an Arabian touch is there on the island’s cuisine as well as that of the southbound; a primary soul is the ice take cake of Sicily alter renowned as cassata.

According to arts records, one of the most uncontroversial European nutrient items glorious as pasta was brought from Dishware by Marco Traveller, the merchandiser from Venice. In fact it was a rediscovery of a containerful from the R.c. and Etruscan eras. It is plebeian belief that pasta was initially prefab same today’s noodles from wheat grain which was oven-cooked rather than cooked.

Nowadays the variations in Romance cookery continue to be there by differentiating between the northbound and the southland. Every location continues to confirm its someone practice in activity of matter, which shows the society and history down every discreetness that is tantalising to the savour buds, specified as the appetizers, principal courses and desserts.

Thousands of emails poured into Oprah Winfrey’s website after the February 8th show featuring “The Secret” and the law of attraction. Many wondered whether it was right for a person to use the law of attraction to direct their lives. Many Christians asked if it was a sin to use this law.

The law of attraction and the bible

The bible is accepted by many to be an inspired collection of historical facts connecting man and God. Throughout the bible, in both the old and new testaments, the law of attraction can be clearly seen in action.

Before we look closer into biblical examples, lets refresh our minds as to what the law of attraction is. This universal law states that like attracts like. On a deeper level it proves that everything in the universe is energy. Since thought is a form of energy, anything you focus on with strong emotional intent, feelings and concentration, you eventually bring into your existence. Like attracts like.

Therefore if you focus or energize your thoughts with pictures of poverty and lack, that is what you attract. If you concentrate your thoughts on health and wellbeing, by the law of attraction you must bring into existence health and wellbeing.

Genesis

The book of Genesis tells a great story that proves the law of attraction. Joseph was a young farm boy when he got a dream of being a great King. Of all of Jacobs kids, Joseph was the least likely to become King.

He was the youngest of the family. He had no leadership skills. Even his father and brothers couldn’t see Joseph being a King.

But none of that made a shred of difference because Joseph held the thought of becoming a great leader in his mind so persistently it eventually came to be. Although he suffered numerous setbacks, he held firm to his belief, he held onto that dream until he became the great leader he saw in his mind.

That is the law of attraction in action.

The law of attraction doesn’t only work on bring us good. Anything we give our energized thoughts to, and by energized we are specifically meaning emotionalized thoughts, thoughts mixed with strong emotions like excitement, love, fear, anxiety, these will super-charge thought energy and set the law of attraction in motion.

A clear example of this can be seen in Job 3:25 when he said, “Because a dreadful thing I have dreaded, it has come upon me. And what I have been scared of comes to me.”

A Christian view

Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. In one of his famous sermons Jesus directed his followers to ask for what they want with the faith and belief that they already had it. In fact he said anything that you ask for in a spirit of faith and belief you would get.

Again, this is the law of attraction in action.

A double edge sword

Like the law of electricity, the law of attraction is a double edge sword. It can be used for success or failure. Electricity can light up a city and provide much needed energy, or it can snuff out life. Everything is dependent on how we conform to it’s principles of use.

Did God design electricity? Did he put it in place for our use? Can it be used for a good outcome or a bad one? Yes, Yes and Yes! Gravity is a natural law. Yet if you don’t use it as it was intended you could fall off a building or a cliff to a disastrous end. However God’s intent was for it to serve us. So it is with the law of attraction.

It’s interesting to see nature at work. When a seed is placed in the soil it doesn’t contain everything it needs to grow and flourish. But by the law of attraction it draws to itself water, minerals and all else it needs to blossom. This is the wonder and beauty of this amazing law.

We as humans have a great ability no other life on earth has. The ability to think. A mind with free will. Yet another gift of God.

You have the power to design your life and the free will to design it as you wish. Just as God intended. What we must all realize is that the law of attraction will not cease to exist simply because we do not believe in it, or we refuse to utilize it. It has always been there and will always be.

Our only intelligent option is to begin applying it for our growth and betterment. Why not use the law of attraction to be a better Christian? Why not tap into this powerful law of nature to praise it’s creator? This truly is the only intelligent option.

Mike Martinez has been featured in national home business magazines and countless e-forums and ezines. He is a professional Network Marketer residing in Southern New Jersey. Mr. Martinez is part of a millionaire mastermind group focused on creating success in network marketing.

You can preview this opportunity, as well as meet some of the millionaire mentors by visiting http://www.automated-funds.com

To join Mike’s millionaire mastermind group email him at mikemartinezsr@comcast.net

Moving to Tucson has been an adventure in learning after spending most of my life in New York State. It’s a wonderful place to live with the excellent weather and the beautiful sunsets, but at the same time there are some oddities about Tucson. I’m going to fit right in.

One of the most interesting things that I have learned since moving here is that after you flush your toilet it comes back to you ten days later as your tap water. I gained this tidbit of information listening in on a conversation in a grocery line. I found the fact mildly disturbing, but not distasteful. It did make me wonder what magical process the waste water goes through during those ten days to make it palatable.

Operating a motor vehicle in Tucson can be dangerous. For some strange reason a large number of drivers in this city come to a complete stop at green lights. Is it possible that the bright green color stuns them because they abide in a desert? Tucson averages about 80,000 rear end collisions every year. This would be a great place to open a repair shop or an eye clinic.

There is a preponderance of people who wear cowboy hats in Tucson, and while not having an aversion to that type of headgear it does make me feel like I’m in an old western movie. The citizen’s wearing the hats seem to saunter rather than walk. I am on the alert for stampedes.

I will bore you with one more item of interest. A house panel ( I have no idea what that is, but it sounds important ) voted this week to allow people to pull a gun without ending up in jail if they consider themselves in danger. Is this the Wild West? Folks would be immune from prosecution if it was a defensive display of their weapon. Can I pull a knife if I’m feeling frisky?

I always try to maintain an edge, and I’m proud of my ability to overcome obstacles. I now lap my water straight from the toilet tank in order to stay ahead of the game.

Alan Rogers http://www.authornation.com/Lyam

The quadrennial Olympics are a snapshot of the world at its best, a portrait of a future in which nations compete as equals in the global arena and individuals metaphorically medal in any number of events. And while the realm of governance is vastly more complex than that of a sports stadium, a number of observations about the global community as seen at the Olympics may be of relevance to Americans preparing to chart the course of their country for the next four years by electing a new president.

*First, the Olympics show that youth is good and that elders have nothing to fear about youthful preeminence. The energetic endurance of youth creates the opportunities for elders to be of relevance. There is no Olympic medalist without a coach and there are few without supportive parents.

*The Olympics also show the world as a delightful mix of racially, ethnically, nationally and regionally interconnected people. Value judgments are overruled by a visceral reaction to the exquisite capabilities of the human mind and body.

*Experience is not necessarily an indicator of fitness for performance in Olympic competition. The most seasoned athletes make decisive mistakes. Novices benefit from those errors. Graciousness in accepting and admitting the result is the measure of the respect to be accorded for performance. Pre-competitive gloating or mudslinging brings the greatest disgrace, especially to a loser.

*The Olympics are globally important enough that the near-200 country members of the United Nations overwhelmingly adopted an Olympic Truce in 2007. That agreement to stop hostilities for the two-week period of the Olympic Games did not deter the Georgians and the Russians from armed engagement. Suicide bombers in Pakistan were also not bound by the globally accepted compact. The world needs organizations with the teeth to nonviolently sanction those who don’t abide by its standards.

*The Olympics are a showcase for the prowess of attractive, healthy and fit humans of every shape, size, color and gender. Performance is a prerequisite for Olympic competition, which proves that attractiveness need not be a sign of vanity, vapidity or shallowness. The attractiveness of a top performer in any arena is a by-product of the mental, emotional and physical integrity that top-level performance requires.

*The American image that comes across in the Olympic global mix is one of exuberance, health, vitality, competence and good will. It is an image that any nation would be privileged to nurture and foster with the confidence of being assured its grounds for excellence were founded in its appreciation and good use of blessed resources toward good ends.

*The Olympics are a presentation of the world in all its vastness, diversity and glory. Viewership of the events shows Americans are interested in that world beyond their own borders. The NBC network covering the Games reports a 16.3 rating and an average audience of 26.6 million during primetime on a typical weekday night, which is up from a 15.7 rating with 25 million viewers four years ago in Athens.

*NBC’s television coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games has also revealed that America itself has numerous cities and small towns where Olympic-level athletes are trained. In Des Moines, Iowa, for example, American immigrant and Beijing-born Liang Chow coached gymnast Shawn Johnson to a 2008 Olympic gold for nearly ten years. Media anticipation of forthcoming national honors on the global stage can be a tool for America to know itself better.

*Finally, the Olympics show that nationalism is a universal trait, just as is family loyalty, favoritism and support. But the Games also demonstrate that the huge asset of lending power to the individual through the team effort of kinship shines only in the global forum. They prove that cooperative competition stirs the blood from individual events to the outcome of the Games overall.

Helen Fogarassy is the author of a suspense novel, The Midas Maze, about murderous hijinks in UN/US relations. She is also the author of The Light of a Destiny Dark, a novel about the Euro-American cultural gap through Hungarian eyes, and a nonfiction tribute to the UN’s work, Mission Improbable: The World Community on a UN Compound in Somalia.

In a departure from what you might expect from an article forum, we would like to offer the opportunity for you to take a more interactive approach to learning the basics of The Skills. Anyone can try these exercises either in their personal or professional encounters, or both, and better yet, no one need know that they are participants in your learning!

Rather than simply tell you what you should be looking for in these exercises, we think it would be more fun for all involved if we held back a little and let you experience for yourself the most important building block of The Skills.

Modern presentation theory espouses a conversational approach to presenting, because that’s the way to maximize both comfort and trust between you and the audience. The conversational approach, a modern refinement of the humanist style first made popular in western cultures by president John F. Kennedy, is quite a bit different from the oratory style that most people associate with earlier great speakers such as Winston Churchill.

The foundation of the conversational approach is proper eye-contact, and the nature of that eye-contact is quite unlike the way 99% of presenters practice. In fact, once you know what to look for, you will discover that what first differentiates those who have The Skills from those who don’t is the way they engage their audiences with their eyes. Make no mistake, proper eye-contact is only one component of The Skills, but when you understand exactly how you must look at your audience to be a great speaker, the other components tend to fall into place.

When you nail down these (surprisingly straightforward) eye contact techniques, you can deliver to a group of 500 without ever feeling more anxiety than you would when discussing your job to friends around a lunch table. Most people find that hard to believe until they’ve actually received training in The Skills, but when you get it, it’s rather powerful stuff!

These exercises sound simple enough, but they do require a bit of vigilance on your part to have the desired effect. You must practice them at every opportunity for a week or so. At the end of that time you will know what you need to know to move on to the next level of acquiring The Skills, but only if you make a conscious effort to do what the exercises ask you to do every day.

Exercises:

1. Observe others’ eye contact. In every situation in which you interact with others, watch their eyes. Observe how long they maintain eye contact while they are speaking to you. Watch how they maintain eye contact while speaking to others. As often as you can, count the number of seconds they maintain continuous eye contact before switching to a new target and note this, preferably in a log of some sort.

2. In situations where someone is speaking to a group, again count the number of seconds the speaker maintains eye contact with each individual. Determine what the average amount of time is.

3. Be conscious of your own eye contact. When speaking with someone, do you stay focused on them? Do you look up, away, or down while speaking? Or do you maintain eye contact the entire time you are speaking with someone? How often do you move away from eye contact and then return? Do you look at other people for the same amount of time when talking to one as when you are talking to many?

If you’ve vigilant in your observations, you’ll probably be very surprised at the amount of time people hold continuous eye-contact when speaking. And yet it is this amount of time that sets the tone for what makes average speakers average and great ones great.

J. Douglas Jefferys brings twenty-five years of corporate training experience to his role as a principal of PublicSpeakingSkills.com [http://www.publicspeakingskills.com]. His firm changes presenters lives forever with their unique apporach to training presentation design and delivery skills. Discover how to design and deliver presentations that audiences actually listen to by visiting their website now. For a quick and entertaining video of Mr. Jefferys’ unique style and approach, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whTwjG4ZIJg

We all want to be happy. But what is happiness? Is it the same for everyone? How do we know if we’re happy? And can anyone be happy all of the time? How can we find happiness? These questions come to mind when we speak of life happiness.

Our perception of life happiness is as individual as the way we perceive hot or cold. It’s sort of the same for all of us, yet it’s different too. No two people are exactly alike, so neither can our description of what makes a life happy be the same.

Webster’s Dictionary says happiness is: A state of well-being and contentment

An online dictionary says happiness is:

1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate

2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy

So, if we use these definitions, in order for us to say we are happy we would be fortunate, showing pleasure and feeling content. That makes sense. Most of the people that we think are happy usually show these characteristics, so lets use this definition and go from there.

Can I have life happiness if I don’t think I’m fortunate? Hmmm, that’s an interesting question isn’t it? Most people are happy when they feel fortunate or blessed by good luck, and most people who feel unfortunate or feel like they have lots of bad luck are unhappy. BUT, perception is everything.

A person can break their leg in a skiing accident (bad luck) and still be happy and smiling because they feel blessed and fortunate (probably because they didn’t break both legs!). They might be happy because they know that their leg will heal, and because they were having such fun skiing (up until they ran into the tree at 100 miles/hour!!)! Get the picture?

Or a person could have what most of us would call good fortune and still seem not to have life happiness. There is an art to happiness, and some of us know it and some of us don’t, but we all can learn.

Is life happiness the same for everyone? Probably not, even though the normal signs of happiness listed above in the dictionary definitions probably show up in every person who is happy. Different things make different people happy, so happiness and the pursuit of happiness cannot be the same.

For example: I am a quiet type of person who loves to work from home and socializes only once or twice a week. You may be a very gregarious person who works in an office full of people and lunches with a different person each day and goes to a party every Saturday evening.

We’re both happy, but our lifestyles are very different. Besides that, what you view as something that would produce happiness may not be a priority for me. Maybe it makes you happy to go on wonderful ski vacations twice a year. It might make me happy to go on wonderful vacations in my back yard and to squirrel my money away. Both situations are right, and we are both happy.

How do you know if you’re happy? The best way to tell if you are happy is to ask yourself how you are feeling. Really feeling. Do you feel at ease, relaxed and OK with how things are going on a pretty consistent basis? Then you’re probably happy. Feel your body. Is your body relaxed, does it feel calm? You’re probably happy.

Remember, happiness doesn’t come from anywhere but inside. If you are in tune with what is right for you, you will be happy. If you are trying to live someone else’s definition of authentic happiness, you probably won’t be.

Can anyone have authentic happiness all the time? Yes! Well, OK, if a terrible tragedy strikes, you probably won’t be happy at that time. But, you can work through the tragedy and the accompanying emotions knowing that life happiness can and will return when you’ve taken time to properly allow healing. Otherwise, yes. You can be happy all the time. Maybe not jumping up and down and laughing happy every moment, but peaceful content happy, certainly, and that’s equally valuable. Life’s small irritants come and go each and every day.

We have a choice whether we greet them with a calm smile or with an angry frown. Either is fine, but the calm smile will help you navigate life in a more happy state of being, and help you find happiness on a consistent basis. Remember, the art of happiness has a lot to do with perception.

Recent research shows what many of us have long suspected. Happiness, and the pursuit pg oy has more to do with an individual’s perception and what’s going on inside that person, than money, fame, or power. Even though those things may bring a feeling that is like happiness, it is attached to those things. Real happiness is much more attached to how a person perceives life. Luckily, if you are the type of person who has a “glass half empty” outlook on life, you can learn to have a “glass half full” attitude which will gain you happiness.

Winsome’s special topics include Personal Development, Setting goals, Life Happiness and self growth

For free e-books, tools and information about Life Happiness go to:

http://www.4lifeselfhelp.com

Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding, but if you’re not careful, they can they can quickly cut into your budget. Luckily there are many options available that convey your sense of style and set the tone for your wedding - and are also very affordable.

INVITATIONS

Your invitations reflect the tone of your wedding, whether it’s black tie or casual chic. More formal weddings may require more formal invitations, which are traditionally white or ecru and engraved with black or charcoal ink. A square of tissue paper is also inserted to protect the type. While classic and understated, the cost of these invitations can quickly add up to the purchase price of a small car, but with slightly better gas mileage. What’s a budget-minded bride to do?

More and more couples are veering from standard invitations and choosing papers in unusual sizes and colors, incorporating interesting textures and using graphics, motifs and monograms. Many couples are also doing away with the traditional unsealed inner envelope, which not only reduces costs, but also reduces waste. And besides, how many of your guests are going to remember how many components were included in their invitation? (Hint: if you DO have guests who will notice, seat them all together so they can drive each other crazy)

Another option is to purchase materials to create your own invitations. Thanks to the popularity of scrapbooking and paper stores, it’s never been easier to create unique and memorable wedding invitations. Do you and your guy have a favorite color, song, vacation destination or hobby? Don’t be afraid to incorporate it into your invitations. Your guests would rather see a heartfelt invitation than have to discard the tissue paper that protects a random printer’s work. (Not that there’s anything wrong with using a printer. But hey…the cost of those little sheets really adds up!)

At this point, you might be saying, “But traditional IS my style! How can I afford it?” Put those fears to rest, girl! Make some “test” invitations on plain paper, playing with font size and type, then purchase blank cards and matching envelopes (which are available at scrapbooking and hobby stores and mass retailers nationwide) to print the real deal.

No matter what kind of invitation you choose, be sure to mail them 8-10 weeks prior to your wedding so your guests have time to plan…and to shop for a really awesome gift!

WAIT…THERE’S MORE

Remember when you were a little girl and you dreamed about your perfect wedding, right down to the invitations? Why didn’t anyone tell us about the reply cards? Or the reception cards? Why are there so many cards?

Response Cards Response cards are usually sent with your invitations and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. These are used to help determine how many people will be attending and usually include menu options for your guests to choose from. But I’m going to tell you a secret: you can create your own reply cards. Just purchase small cards with matching envelopes, print them yourself and then insert them into the invitations when you are addressing them. Best of all, you can do this whether you’re making your own invitations or having them professionally printed.

Reception Cards Reception cards are included inside wedding invitations to let guests know when and where the post-wedding festivities will begin. Traditionally, this is a small card that asks guests to join the newlyweds and their families for a celebratory reception, and gives the date, place, and time. But remember the “Response Cards” secret I revealed above? It works here, too! Print them yourself or even (gasp) print the reception information inside the invitation itself. It will give your guests one less thing to keep track of and save you lots of money.

AND EVEN MORE…

Believe it or not, there are still other paper-related items to think about.

Wedding Programs Sure, wedding programs provide useful information and make charming mementos, but there’s no need to break the bank. While some couples choose to do a booklet type program, budget-minded couples are using simple card stock with a vellum overlay, tied together with a ribbon that matches your color scheme. Others are simply printing them at home (or a friend’s home) on unique paper that plays up the wedding colors or motif. After all, how many people (besides your closest friends and family) are going to keep it as a memento? They’d rather you use the money you saved on programs to help with your honeymoon expenses, make a car payment or buy a lottery ticket.

Menu Cards The idea behind menu cards is that no one likes to sit down to a meal when they have no idea what they’re about to be served (think school cafeterias). However, this can easily be combined with the Reply Card (see above). And of course if the meal is buffet-style, menu cards are not really necessary, since there is usually something to please everyone.

If you do feel that menu cards are necessary, it’s simple to print them yourself…just pick up some good old card stock. If there’s a good story behind why you chose a certain dish (you’re serving New York Style cheesecake because you met in New York or hot dogs because you met at a ball game), including this story adds a unique element to your menu cards.

One thing that may be very helpful to all involved (you, the caterer, the bartender and your guests) is to create a drink card or two. If you’re limiting the open bar to a certain amount or type of drink, a drink card is the perfect place to spell that out. Just get an easel or frame so the card can be posted at the bar.

Place Cards Are you having a buffet-type meal at your reception? If so, skip this section, since place cards are not necessary. For the rest of you, place cards are tent-shaped cards that are placed at each place setting to show people where they should sit. You can easily print them from your home computer, but why not make the place cards for your reception a little unique? Make your wedding favors do double-duty by attaching a name tag to each one and using them as place cards. If you’re making your own favors, it only adds one simple step, but saves you money in the long run. You can also use stones with hand-painted names or tie name tags around wrapped silverware. Use your imagination! Place cards don’t necessarily have to be one more job for the printer.

Thank You Cards Ok, brides. You all know what these are, and there’s really no need to have them printed. Simple thank you cards are readily available almost anywhere, and as a bonus, most of them even say “thank you.” Your handwritten message inside is what’s important, so invest most of your time there. As a reminder, these should be sent out no later than one month after your honeymoon. If you receive gifts prior to the wedding, those thank you cards should be sent out immediately.

Save the Date Cards What? No really…I didn’t know what these were. Here’s the scoop: save the date cards are sent to guests pretty much the second after the groom pops the question, so that guests can plan ahead. If you send out your announcements 8-10 weeks prior to your wedding, there is probably no need for save the date cards. However, if you have friends or relatives who will be traveling great distances (especially from other countries), a little heads-up would be nice. However, this can be done by greeting card, letter or phone call. That should be sufficient to “save the date.” If you do feel that you need to send save the date cards, you can easily make them yourself.

IN A NUTSHELL

Creating your own invitations and other stationery items can save you lots of money, freeing up your wedding budget for other things. Just keep a couple of things in mind:

• If you are printing pieces yourself, try to use a consistent or complementary font on all of the pieces you create.
• Before addressing invitations, be sure to have complete addresses available. This will help reduce the number of mistakes made during the addressing process. (The less mistakes you make, the fewer invitations you have to use. This saves money!)
• You don’t have to do it all yourself. Your family and friends will be more than willing to help create, print and assemble your invitations and other items. After all, isn’t that what you keep them around for?

With a little imagination and a lot of determination, your budget-friendly wedding invitations will be just as beautiful as big-budget invitations, but at a fraction of the cost.

Heather L. Clark is a Web researcher and writer. In her spare time, she enjoys pilates, music and Seinfeld reruns. Check out her favorite resources for planning a fairy tale wedding, free wedding planning tools and wedding planning checklists.