Paul the Millionaire Matchmaker: Part Two

 In case you missed my last post, in Paul the Male Matchmaker,  Paul inherits a matchmaking business from his aunt.  He thinks it will be a fun job matching people to their perfect mates... unfortunately it's easier said than done.  Paul has a positive attitude and good intentions, but his people skills are a little lacking...

My favorite episode from the series was episode 3 with Lisa Edelstein.  This is mostly because I have missed her face this season on House.  Her character in PtMM was seeking advice on how to get back into the dating world after a 4 year relationship ended.  I could TOTALLY relate to this because I was in a 11 year relationship and when it ended, the world of single (and not so single guys) was a big scary thing!  It was hard to know who to trust or who was feeding you lines.  (So I chose not to trust anyone!)  

I think there are many relatable moments throughout the series.  If you check it out, I'd love to get some feedback on which parts you related to the most.  As adults, I'm sure we've all experienced the dating world in some shape or form.

 I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Paul the Male Matchmaker.

Sunday Rant: Part Two

Resuming from yesterday's post...

But, I have never found myself in a situation where I've been around anyone doing anything harder than marijuana.  Why's that?  I don't associate with those kind of people.  And if I did, you can bet your turkey giblets that I'd be outta there as soon as I saw the slightest hint of shadiness.  I'm no legal beagle, but I'm pretty sure if the cops come to the door and you're in a room full of people doing cocaine, you're gonna get arrested and hauled off to jail along with them.  So yes, if you do hard drugs or hang out with people that do, I am silently judging you.

And my last bit involves children.  Am I the best mom in the world?  Of course not!  I wish I were more nurturing.  I wish that I played more with my kids.  But, I chose to bring my kids into this world.  They didn't choose to be here.  Therefore, I feel a sense of obligation to give them the best lives that I can.  I don't pawn them off every chance I get.  I don't expect anyone else to raise them or provide for them.  I WANTED them.  If I thought for a minute that I couldn't provide a good life for them mentally and emotionally, I wouldn't have had them grow up with me.

So shame on those parents who put their own needs and wants so far ahead of their kids that the children suffer for it.  If you follow the news, every day there are stories of kids dying, being murdered, etc. due to neglect by a parent or caretaker.  If you don't want your kid, give them to someone who does.

It blows my mind that the same parents are out drinking/partying every weekend because you just know someone else is taking care of their kids.  (Usually the grandparents.)  I work during the week and my kids have daycare/school, so isn't the weekend the best time to spend with them?  Children are a responsibility until they are 18.  It must be nice to pick and choose when you are going to be responsible for them.

And shame on the people who enable deadbeat parents.  If you can sit back and watch a child be mistreated or you enable the parents to shirk, their responsibilities, shame on you.  Every child is a precious human being.  As I mentioned, no child asked to be born, so why must we allow them to suffer because "there's nothing we can do?"  There is ALWAYS something that you can do...

Anyway, now that I've probably alienated quite a few people who may read this... I don't care.  If you suck as bad as these people in my examples to, I don't need you in my life.  Unfriend me and lose my number.

Sunday Rant: People Tork Me Off! (part one)

I'm sure upon reading this some of you are going to just pish posh my thoughts aside because you think I'm either being hormonal, cranky or off my meds.  Well, I can assure you the latter is not true.  It is just hard being the type of person who has not once had the testicular fortitude to tell someone how I really feel.  I have had user friends galore, been walked on, talked down to, yelled at, you name it.  And I just sit back and accept it as part of life.  Do I wish I knew how to stick up for myself or stick up for what I think is right?  Absolutely.  But my fear of confrontation and/or being murdered in my sleep keeps me from saying a peep.

Also, let me say that I am not a prude.  I consider myself to be extremely open minded and I accept people for their flaws (as I expect people to accept me for mine.)  It takes a lot for me to completely drop all communication with someone.

Anyway, on to my point.  It amazes me how sad the human race is becoming.  I mean, there's the obvious that there are people murdering each other and that itself is ridiculous.  But, I'm referring more to things on a smaller scale.  For example, the other day on Facebook someone was bragging about driving home drunk and made a joke about being a wonderful role model.  Yes, because putting other people's lives in danger because you're too dumb/cheap to find another way home is REEEEAAALLLY hilarious!  People who tell me that college is the time for partying baffle me.  Really?  If I wanted to spend 40k on a party, it better be a lot more fun than any party I've ever been to!  And hey, if you're gonna party it up, just be sure to finish school while you're there.  Oh, you didn't?  Gee, somehow your theory that college was for partying didn't pan out because you missed the part about getting a degree at the end.

And finally, let me get on my high horse about drugs.  Again, I'm not some holier-than-thou person (although I'm probably coming across as one now.)  I've made it 30 years without drugs.  I have three older siblings and I'd wager a big chunk of money that NONE of them have done drugs.  I'm talking anything above alcohol.  Man, how have we made it this far in life without doing drugs?  Gosh, what a waste of life we have all had! 

I get it- people smoke pot.  I used to be frustrated with the idea, but I quickly realized more people were doing it than I realized.  I've accepted it.  I'm okay if they legalize it.  I guess I'm a little clueless on its purpose, but I don't avoid people knowing that they do it.  And I've been fortunate that the friends I've had that do, respect me enough not to try to push it on me. 

Part Two of this rant will post tomorrow... I bet you can't wait!!!

My Thoughts On: Chelsea Houska from Teen Mom 2

I'm going to have to preface this quite a bit before I go into my rant.  Yes, I know that I am publicly admitting that I watch Teen Mom 2.  Yes, I know that I don't KNOW Chelsea Houska personally, all I know of her is what I see on TV, which is an edited version of her life.  So, what I am going to say is all based on what is being made visible to the audience.  She seems like a very sweet person and clearly loves her daughter, so I'm making no personal judgments against her. 

Now onto my beef:

Women who obsess over men that aren't worth the air that they are breathing make me sad.  I don't recall if I watched Chelsea's episode of 16 & Pregnant, but I think I did.  And I know I've seen each season of Teen Mom 2.  But Adam (Aubree's daddy) is NO PRIZE.  A guy who treats the mother of his child so horribly, a guy who cheats on the mother of his child and abandons her in her time of need, a guy who picks and chooses which week or month he sees his daughter... is NOT a guy worth your time.

And does MTV not get the repetitiveness of Chelsea's story?  Aside from pursuing her GED (which she'd have had a long time ago if she hadn't wasted her time on Adam) and working at a tanning booth (I wish her friends would tell her not to tan so much) every episode is EXACTLY the same.  Chelsea cries because she misses Adam.   Adam calls and she gets all confused.  She sees Adam out or she hears Adam was out and she is upset.  Everytime someone asks her why she wants to be with him her answer is "I just love him" and she goes on to say how she remembers a point in time where he told her he loved her and how good it felt.  Really?  That's what you're holding onto?

I understand that she lives in South Dakota and is clearly from an area where pickings are slim, but really?  Her poor dad has to watch his daughter be "victimized" by a heartless deadbeat over and over and over again while he supports her in everything she does.  Adam treats her badly in front of her family, friends and even her daughter.  Doesn't it say anything to her that her daughter cries whenever Adam comes to get her or tries to pick her up?

Chelsea does not seem dumb, but if I have to go through one more season of her pining for Adam, I may give up on the show entirely.  To see someone with such a supportive family and such an adorable child ruin any chance she has at a healthy relationship to be with such a loser... it's like watching a train wreck.

My Bonus Mom! by Tami Butcher

My Bonus Mom! Taking the Step out of Stepmom by Tami Butcher




I was very excited when I received the opportunity to review this.  As my avid followers know (all two of you) I divorced over a year ago and am currently in a relationship with a wonderful guy who lives with myself and my children.  As I can't be inside my kids' heads, I am often curious about the things they don't tell me that they are feeling.  I have to say, they have taken the whole thing very well and still come across as happy, healthy children!

Anyway, so this book is written so that children in the middle of a divorce can understand what it means when their parent has moved on and settled down with a new person.  In this case, it was the dad finding a new wife who became the children's "bonus mom."  I absolutely love how the subject was handled, very tastefully with a child's feelings in mind. 

The writing was in verse and it flowed extremely well.  It was great listening to David (my kids' "bonus dad") read this to them.  They listened intently and when it was over, A told David that he was her bonus dad. 

Here are a couple of my favorite verses:  "I felt kind of angry/I felt really sad,/What was the trouble/With Mom and with Dad?"... "Sometimes Moms and Dads/Just can't get along/But it's nothing about/The kids doing wrong."... "She won't replace Mommy/But she'll be my wife/Let's call it a 'Bonus'/That she's in our life."... "And at the end of the day/If you think it all through/Bonus Moms, Bonus Dads/Means more love for YOU!"

I definitely recommend reading this book to your children if they are in a situation where one of the parents is remarrying or in a committed relationship.  Although this book is very idealistic, it is unfortunate that I don't think you will find too many divorced parents who are as caring as the ones in this book.  It would be great if everyone could make life easier for their children, but most people are too selfish to care.

However, the author of this book does a fantastic job and I think this would mean a lot for either a parent or a "bonus" parent to read it to them.  Divorce is a very confusing time.

MOTR Grade: B+

President's Day Fun Facts

Kiddie Academy, a national education-based childcare provider, has compiled this timely list of fun facts about the Chief Executives that could spark some lively dinner table discussions.


Presidents' Day Fun Facts for Families

A minimum of 300 billion portraits of Abraham Lincoln have been created - that's how many pennies have been made since 1787.

Sixth President John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator that lived in a bathtub at the White House.

The first President born a U.S. citizen was Martin Van Buren. His birthday was December 5, 1782, making him the first president born after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence, and they both died on its 50th anniversary, July 4, 1826.

Nine presidents never attended college, including Washington and Lincoln. However, Lincoln was an avid reader and self-educated.

At 6' 4", Abraham Lincoln was the tallest U.S. President. The shortest, James Madison, was 5' 4" tall.

When he became President, George Washington had only one tooth. He wore dentures made of human or animal teeth, ivory and lead, but never wood.

George Washington is the only president that never lived in Washington, D.C. during his presidency.

Andrew Jackson was the first president to have been born in a log cabin, and the first to ride a railroad train.

Ronald Reagan was the oldest president inaugurated (age 69); the youngest was John F. Kennedy (age 43)

Last Night's Weird Dreams

Lately I'm lucky to sleep long enough to have a full length dream, but last night I had two!

Dream one:  It started with my toe hurting and I stood in my parents' kitchen trying to figure out what was wrong with my toe.  Then I realized I had something sharp sticking out of my leg right under my knee.  It seemed like some kind of wire.  So, I started pulling on it and it was some kind of weird metal thing with like metal thorns on it.  As I pulled it out, it started peeling my leg and the skin was hanging off at some kind of right angle.  It didn't hurt at all, but a large flap of skin was hanging and I took the sink sprayer and started cleaning it out cause it was infected.  That is all I remember of that dream.

Dream two:  I was in some kind of weird situation that seemed more like a movie than real life.  I know I was involved in some kind of heist thing.  There was a ship that you could hide cars in (it felt like they were being buried cause they died.)  We had loot in the trunk and had to hide the car.  Well, somehow that morphed into a bunch of "family" having to move to an island to get away from hitmen because it seemed safe.  Well, for some reason I let them take my daughter.  Like what felt like a year later, I went to go get her and she was at school when I got there.  I was looking around the house at the pictures of her and she wasn't smiling in any of them.  It broke my heart to think she wasn't happy.  Then she got home and I heard her call one of the "family members" Mom and I was sad by that too.  I just broke down crying and told them I couldn't stand being away from her and I was taking her home with me.  That's about when I woke up.  I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness when I woke up.  It wasn't cool.  Oh, and I put "family" in quotes because they were my family in my dream, but they weren't actually people I know in real life.

Anyway, that's it.  I just thought I'd share because I'm sure you all care!

Paul the Millionaire Matchmaker

In Paul the Male Matchmaker,  Paul inherits a matchmaking business from his aunt.  He thinks it will be a fun job matching people to their perfect mates... unfortunately it's easier said than done.  Paul has a positive attitude and good intentions, but his people skills are a little lacking...

In season 1 Episode 3 Jillian played by Lisa Edelstein seeks out Paul’s advice on how to get back into the dating world after being in a 4 year relationship with her ex boyfriend. In this episode Jillian gets matched up with a ‘dummy’ for a date. 

I know what it's like to be out of the dating game and feel like you're swimming in an ocean with no land in sight.  After my divorce, I went on several dates here and there.  Mostly they were guys that I met while out and about or participating in group activities, so I didn't really have to worry about not knowing the people.  I did however get set up on ONE blind date and I don't believe I'd ever do it again.  The guy was really nice, but he was quite a bit older than me and the date was very blah.  Luckily it was just meeting for drinks, so I didn't have to feel guilty about him buying one drink when I could tell about 10 minutes in that nothing was going to come of this pairing.  I tried to be polite and friendly and gave him a hug and said it was nice meeting, but we never spoke again after the date.  Of course I should have known it wouldn't work before I met him- he didn't like to text.

What are some awkward dating moments that you have experienced?  Have you ever ended a long relationship and found it hard to date again?

I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Paul the Male Matchmaker.

All the Single Ladies

I think the way people feel about Valentine's Day can be fit into 3 categories:

1) They could care less and it's just another day. 

2) They think it is a wonderful way to celebrate love with somebody special.

3) They are bitter about being alone and therefore refuse to even log onto Facebook because just seeing the words "love" or "Valentine's Day" sends them running for a box of tissues and a bucket of junk food.

I'd like to talk about the third category.  I'll be honest, the major reason I use Facebook is to stalk people.  I'm intrigued by human nature, by sociology, by psychology, by the number of people that dumbfound me on a daily basis.  I do get some good chuckles here and there from funny pics, but mostly I just like to people watch... Facebook style.

Well, I'm FB friends with A LOT of single people.  The majority of whom never say a peep about it, it's just a fact of life.  But then I have a select few who complain about being single quite a bit.  They ponder why no one wants them, they talk about how depressing and lonely life can be when you're a party of one.  And then Valentine's Day comes and they either rant or avoid Facebook the whole day. 

My view on Valentine's Day is this: it's kind of like your birthday, but thankfully you're not turning another year older.  The jist is that your loved ones will be nice to you on this day because it's a special occasion- just like on your birthday.  You get gifts- just like on your birthday.  I was with someone for 10 years that didn't believe in celebrating Valentine's Day.  I was okay with it.  This year I actually had to google whether or not the girl is supposed to buy the guy a gift.  I don't know the rules.  (If you're wondering, etiquette says that she can, but it has to be small potatoes so as not to overshadow his gift.)  And the thought of receiving an expensive gift makes me cringe.  I am not a great gift receiver, because frankly, if I want something, I buy it for myself.  Opening presents in front of people is nerve wracking.  I'd be happy with flowers and not getting yelled at for a day- that's would be my ideal gift.  (Or a puppy.)

Anyway, back to the single ladies.  I like to think that I think like a guy sometimes.  And other times, I will ask guys their opinions... but it seems as though the last thing that is going to attract a guy is complaining about being single on Facebook.  I HAD a friend who is my friend no longer that would talk often on FB about how she was ready to be in love again, ready for a long term relationship... unless you're looking for Captain Desperate, most guys are not willing to come running to your door because you are looking for a husband.  Supposedly, men  like a challenge...

I don't know, I probably sound super condescending and judgmental.  I'm sure the rebuttals I will get (of course not out loud) will be that I wouldn't know because I'm not single on Valentine's Day or that I'm a Capital B who doesn't know what I'm talking about, but come on... it's okay to do a little self reflection- heck, I do it every day!  I know what rejection feels like.  I also know how to smile and pretend it doesn't hurt.  I know what it's like to think someone is going to acknowledge you on Valentine's Day, but then they don't and you find out later they went on a date with someone else.  And that's why you always have a back up plan of your own!!  I also know what it's like to be sad because you realize you have never received flowers at work.  Luckily, some random guy (hi, random guy!) sends you a dozen white roses at work one day because he thinks you seem like a chica who should get flowers at work.

Moral of story: don't be bitter because you're alone on Valentine's Day.  Be bitter because you're letting the world know that you're bitter.  It's just a day.  It's a day where we fatten the purses of all these corporations that are probably run by old men who cheat on their wives and pay for hookers on the side.  I have two kids that prohibit me from going out and doing anything, but I chose to pop those suckers out, so I will acknowledge them today as well!  It's all about sharing love, not about who does or doesn't love you back.

New Easter Board Books from Random House

I LOVE having board books in my house!  They are great for those hands that aren't quite gentle enough for paper books yet.  Plus, they are a quick and fun read!

Random House has released a couple new Easter themed ones that would be great as gifts from the Easter Bunny.

DUCK & GOOSE, HERE COMES THE EASTER BUNNY! by Tad Hills

Can Duck & Goose find the Easter Bunny?

 

 

Duck & Goose are back! New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills brings our favorite feathered friends out to celebrate spring in this sturdy board book. 

 

Duck & Goose have lots of ideas about how to find the Easter Bunny, but will they succeed? Preschoolers won't be able to resist this latest board book featuring Duck & Goose, lots of colorful eggs, and the Easter Bunny. Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny joins the two previous seasonal books featuring the beloved Duck & Goose, Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin and Duck & Goose: It’s Time for Christmas! 

 

 

10 EASTER EGG HUNTERS: A Holiday Counting Book

by Janet Schulman; illustrated by Linda Davick

This Easter-themed counting book is now available in board! 

 

 

Janet Schulman and Linda Davick’s latest holiday counting book is newly available as a board book and features the same adorable kids from the New York Times bestseller 10 Trick-or-Treaters, 10 Trim-the-Tree’ers, and 10 Valentine Friends. In this latest installment, the kids come together to count their way to Easter! 

 

Brightly-colored, adorable illustrations and a clever rhyme make 10 EASTER EGG HUNTERS a great book for reading aloud. Preschoolers are invited to help the kids find and count all of the eggs that the Easter Bunny has hidden in time for the Easter Parade. Booklist praised the book upon its release in hardcover stating “this will get children excited about Easter, the advent of spring, and perhaps even counting.”

It's Not Valentine's Day Without...

Don't be one of those people who goes to WalMart the morning of Valentine's Day to buy his woman some dorky stuffed animal or some other generic product that everyone else has bought for their loved one.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

EdenFantasys is a website dedicated to putting a little extra something in everyone's lives.  They have something for everyone at every stage in their romance or friendship.  From bath products to make-up, from gag gifts to novelty items and for the daring- sex toys, this site really has EVERYTHING!!

This is really a great website and I have been working with them for awhile.  I've found gifts for friends, gifts for myself, for my guy, and heck, once I even bought a mad libs game!  I can't say enough good things about them.

Right now, EdenFantasys has some cool promotions going on:

Win an iPod Touch! Purchase any Ohmibod product and be entered to win an iPod Touch & Freestyle W! More details here.

Save 20% on your order! Use coupon code ROSES to save 20% on your order.

My Son Drives me CRAZY

Let me preface with a disclaimer:  Yes, I love my son.  Yes, children are a gift from God.  Yes, I know how blessed I am.  Yes, I know there are people who have no children that would kill for an opportunity to have a child drive them nuts... blah blah blah, yeah, we all get it, but I also guarantee a lot of you can relate to this!!

My son is four.  He's been going through the terrible two's since he was 1.  Every year the doctor says it's a phase, so hopefully this phase ends before he goes to college or he's in big trouble.  Now, he's not a kid that terrorizes the neighborhood.  He doesn't break things for fun, he doesn't throw my phone in the toilet, he doesn't color on walls or cut his sister's hair in his sleep.  No, he's not a hellion.

He's NEEDY.
,
Oooooh my gosh.  I am sooooo not someone who likes to enable neediness.  I don't like needy pets, I don't like needy friends and I sure as heck don't like needy men!  So, when my daughter was born, I was over the moon when she started showing signs of independence.  Now that's she's six, I'm pretty sure she's capable of getting a job and living on her own.

But not my son!  Here's my issue.  He's always THERE.  And by there, I mean, like in my line of vision.   When I'm home, he's home.  When we're home, he's constantly harassing me in one way, shape or form.  I feel for SAHM's, cause it is the last thing I'd wanna do!  But, it seems like every 5 minutes he wants something.  And when he can't think of something, he will say he wants something to eat.  Now, this kid is plenty well fed, so we all know he's just coming up with an excuse to harass me.  He's hungry, he's thirsty, his neck hurts, his foot hurts, his finger hurts, his hair hurts, his eye hurts, his socks hurt, he's hot, he's cold, he wants gum, he wants gum, he wants gum, he wants gum...

ALL DAY... ALLLLLLLLL DAAAAAY!!!  So when I get off work, it's he and I for like 4 hours and this is what I look forward to.  I'm literally to the point I don't want to come home until it's time to get my daughter from school.  Oh, I forgot to mention every half hour he asks when his sister will be home.  This kid needs a hobby.  I can't afford to send him to daycare/preschool every day, so he only goes a couple times a week when I'm at work, but of course I'm at work, so it's not me enjoying quiet time.

Then comes night time.... this is NO EXAGGERATION: EVERY NIGHT since he was born, my son has woken up crying... NO LIE, EVERY NIGHT!!!!  Of course now he doesn't have to be picked up or fed or anything like that, but he will wake up crying, lie there and cry and then either go back to sleep or wake me up for no reason.  So, about 4 or 5 times a night, my door opens (which wakes me up) and I get to deal with, "I'm hot.  Is it morning?  Can I have breakfast in the morning?  I need to go potty."  Seriously??  I might as well have a newborn because I'd have to get up about the same amount of times every night.

And every year at his check up I talk to the doctor about it.  He offers no advice, solutions, etc.  I'm going to make an appt with his ENT to look into why he wakes up so much and perhaps there's a solution i.e. tonsils/adnoid removal. 

I love my kids to pieces, but some days, I seriously wish I had someone I could call and just say, "hey, will you take this kid for the day, week, month, cause seriously- I'm about to go bat $hit crazy over here!"

Anyone else feel this way or am I just a horrible monster?

Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off

Because you can never have enough SpongeBob in your life, Nickelodeon released another fun DVD on January 3rd.

If you're unfamiliar with SpongeBob SquarePants, it's about this cute little guy who lives under the sea, works as a burger flipper and has friends that are such creatures as a starfish, a squid and a squirrel. He chases jellyfish for fun, has a pet snail that meows and has a laugh the will drive you crazy.

SpongeBob is one of the rare cartoons that I actually don't mind watching with my kids.  In fact, I occasionally watched it BEFORE I had kids.  I think the writing is extremely witty at times.  Although, don't even get me started on how it irks me when parents demonize the show and think it destroys their children's fragile minds... I could write a book on my rebuttals to this.

"In “Frozen Face-Off,” while everyone in Bikini Bottom participates in a race to the South Pole, Plankton makes another attempt to get his hands on the secret formula and end the Krusty Krab’s fast-food supremacy for good. In addition to this epic battle, enjoy six other episodes from the current eighth season of SpongeBob SquarePants. As an added treat, enjoy four bonus episodes from Nickelodeon’s hit series, T.U.F.F. Puppy and Fanboy and Chum Chum.

SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob’s Frozen Face-Off Episode List:

Frozen Face-Off
Everyone in Bikini Bottom is participating in a worm-sled race to the South Pole. The big prize: one million clams! Will SpongeBob and the gang make it to the frosty finish line in one piece?

Accidents Will Happen
When Squidward gets hurt on the job, he threatens to take legal action unless Mr. Krabs agrees to wait on him hand and foot.

The Other Patty
Mr. Krabs and Plankton find a common enemy in the popular new “Flabby Patty” restaurant.

Drive Thru
Instead of paying to patch up a hole in the wall of the Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs decides to use it to make more money by turning it into a drive-thru window.

The Hot Shot
Tony Fast, Jr., the son of a famous racecar driver, teaches SpongeBob how to drive.

A Friendly Game
SpongeBob and Patrick build an indoor miniature golf course in SpongeBob’s house.

Sentimental Sponge
SpongeBob has trouble throwing anything away when he realizes how many memories are attached to all his possessions."

Family Time Factor:  You can't go wrong with SpongeBob.  I think it spans every age, from newborn to nursing home folks.

MOTR Grade: A





Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off is currently available on DVD!!!

Two Pieces of Financial Advice

If I could give the world two pieces of financial advice that you should never deviate from and always follow, it would be the following:

1) ALWAYS GET A RECEIPT:  One of my students in class today was upset because she said she paid her tuition with cash and they are saying she didn't pay.  Whether she did or didn't, she said she didn't get or ask for a receipt.   Ooooooh, people...  unless you are paying with a check (and it wouldn't hurt even then), you should ALWAYS ask for a receipt, in fact, demand one.  In this world, it's unfortunate, but you really can't trust anyone when it comes to money.  And you also never know when the receipt will come in handy.  People forget they got paid, people lie about getting paid.  And if someone refuses to give a receipt, that's shady and they don't deserve your money.  Even if you pay in money order and have the money order receipt, those can get rather tricky to track and you paid for them with cash, so it's best to get a receipt for those as well.

2) NEVER ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS:  No way, no how!  I don't care if it's your best friend, don't accept a personal check.  Hard times happen.  Good people don't intend for checks to bounce.  Things just happen and whether it was an oversight, your friend didn't get their paycheck when they were supposed to, things happen.  I don't know too many people that are so well off they can just leave checks lying around for weeks and not cash them.  We all need to get paid, we all rely on getting paid, so when a check we accept doesn't clear, a snowball effect happens and pretty soon your house is being foreclosed upon and your car is being repo'd.   Accepting business checks tends to be a little safer because most businesses are on good enough terms with their banks that if there is an overdraft, the bank will cover it.  And unless you hear rumors your employer is going out of business, payroll checks are generally the safest. 

Tip:  An addendum to this would be that if you do find yourself receiving a check you're wary of, only accept a local one and take it immediately to the bank it was DRAWN ON and get cash for it.  That way you are not liable for fees through your bank if it bounces, it is all put back on the account of the person who wrote the check.

Anyway, I don't often have words of wisdom, but these are a couple that I think everyone should learn!!!!