Money can be a complicated aspect of marriage, especially when it comes to merging finances. Finding a system that works for both individuals can help couples achieve financial harmony.
“Figuring out a fair and comfortable way to share responsibilities and expenses can be challenging,” said Sam Goller, award-winning co-author of “Yes, You Can ... Achieve Financial Harmony” and contributor to YesYouCanOnline.info. “But it’s essential for a healthy relationship. Couples should look at their monetary values and beliefs and work together to decide what type of system allows them to achieve their dreams as a couple.”
Talking about finances can be difficult for many people. Jim Stowers, the other author of “Yes, You Can,” recommends asking questions to begin a dialogue.
“Asking questions is a good way to toss the conversational ball into the other person’s lap,” Stowers said.
Goller suggests couples ask themselves the following five questions:
1. How many bank accounts will we have?
2. Who will pay the bills?
3. Are we getting our money’s worth for what we buy?
4. What are our money histories -- what did our parents teach us about money?
5. What dreams do we have as a couple? What do we need to do financially to accomplish these dreams?
Goller offers three options for couples looking to merge their finances:
The joint account – Whether checking or savings, this type of account allows couples to combine all of their financial resources, and can make life easier by centralizing the household finances. However, if one person is in charge of managing the account, the other person can feel left out of the financial picture. It also requires that both partners diligently share when they use funds out of the account.
Separate accounts – Some couples prefer the autonomy of separate accounts. With this system both people are responsible for maintaining their own account, which may include paying some of the bills. For this option, Goller cautions that individuals may need to work harder to be equally involved in the financial relationship. “Just because you have separate accounts, doesn’t mean your financial decisions have separate consequences,” Goller said. “You still need to meet on a regular basis and discuss how you are using your money to achieve your common goals.”
A combination of accounts –
A combination of joint and separate accounts is another viable alternative. This option allows both partners to contribute while maintaining their autonomy. Couples often determine a percentage of income that will be put in both the joint and separate accounts. Individual accounts can be used for personal purchases. The joint account can contain funds for bills and joint purchases. With a clear definition of who’s paying which bills, couples can work together to bring financial balance and emotional harmony to the relationship.
For more information on merging finances as a couple and achieving financial harmony,visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info.
(Courtesy of ARAcontent)
‘Visions of Victory’ on display at San Antonio Museum of Art
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Runners cross the Manhattan Bridge during the New York City Marathon. Courtesy photos
By Karen Davis Guest Columnist
As the world prepares for the start of the Beijing Olympics Aug. 8, San Antonio has its own exhibition on the stars of past games, as well as other athletes, ranging from famed professionals to kids playing ball in a tenement alley.
“Visions of Victory: A Century of Sports Photography,”is an exhibition of almost 150 photographs, and on display at the San Antonio Museum of Art until Aug. 17. The museum is partnering with the San Antonio Sports Foundation to display these photos, which span a period from the 1870s to the present day and are arranged in chronological order so the viewer can see the development of photographic techniques over time.
Some names the viewer will recognize; others are obscure. Many are dramatic action shots, while others are posed stills. Originally, some of the photos were compiled for an exhibition in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics, said Jennifer Whitney, corporate communications manager for Mutual of Omaha, sponsors of the exhibit’s three-year tour that ends at Auburn University in Alabama this fall.
“The photos hadn’t been on display since the ’96 Olympics when our senior vice president of brand management, John Hildenbiddle, discussed reprising it in an updated form,” Whitney said. “We worked with the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha to update the exhibit and find the best museums to display it.” SAMA was one of those museums.
Track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee in mid-flight.
“We wanted an exhibit to coordinate with the Beijing Olympics, to bring in a new audience for us,” said SAMA spokeswoman Leigh Baldwin. “Then we heard about this exhibit, sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. They wanted to create an exhibition that could travel.”
And it does travel, as a trip down memory lane for anyone with an interest in sports. From Muhammad Ali to Babe Ruth to Jackie Robinson and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, top athletes are shown in their moments of triumph or defeat.
Several photos are dramatic “stop-motion” shots, including “Golf Drive,” taken of golfer Densmore Shute in 1938. It shows his whole golf swing from beginning to end in a series of images in the same photo.
Babe Ruth is shown during a game in 1931 and in another photo at Yankee Stadium on June 13, 1948 – his last appearance at the stadium before his death on Aug. 16 of that year. Other baseball greats are included – Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams, both in 1939. The talented African-American baseball pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige is shown in 1942, when he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the old Negro Leagues.
One of the most famous sportswomen of the 20th century was Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, who qualified for five track and field events in the 1932 Olympics. A dramatic photo taken in 1945 shows her preparing to throw a javelin.
From the 1950s, baseball greats Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle are pictured. Basketball star Wilt Chamberlain is shown at Boston Garden in 1959.
Tennis greats Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors are shown, as well as the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” when the U.S. hockey team beat the Soviets in the Olympics.
Track star Florence Griffith Joyner – “Flo Jo” – is shown in 1988 in a photo that emphasizes her lean, muscular physique. Jackie Joyner-Kersee is shown in mid-flight, with her shadow beneath her. Gymnast Nadia Comaneci appears at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
The list goes on and on. One dramatic photo of the New York City Marathon shows runners on a bridge, shot from high above, and in another, NBA legend Michael Jordan goes airborne at an NBA slam-dunk contest in 1988.
Not everyone depicted is famous, though. There are shots of volleyball players, including one game of “foot volleyball” in Malibu. Female swimmers pose in the modest bathing costumes of the early 20th century.
“It’s a multigenerational exhibit,” Whitney said. “A man can come with his grandson and share his memories of the athletes of his day.”
The exhibit is open during regular museum hours and is included in museum admission of $8 for adults, $7 for seniors age 65 and up, $5 for military and students, and $3 for children ages 4 to 11. Admission is free for everyone from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays. The museum is closed on Mondays. For more information, call 978-8100 or check the museum Web site at www.samuseum.org.
Karen Davis, a veteran San Antonio journalist, will write an occasional arts column for this paper. To send her comments or suggestions for coverage, e-mail her at
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Former UIW standout in Major League Baseball’s farm system
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Former University of the Incarnate Word baseball standout Chris Solis signed his first professional contract and is seeing action as part of the Washington National’s farm system.
After Solis inked with the Nationals, he was immediately assigned to the Vermont Lake Monsters of the Class A short-season New York-Penn League, which is a three-division, 14-team organization. The Lake Monsters are in the Stedler Division.
Solis, a catcher, and his team started play in a 76-game season June 17, and the season ends Sept. 6. The Lake Monsters are based in Burlington, Vt.
Major League Baseball conducted its 2008 draft the first weekend of June and Solis was picked on the 27th round by the Nationals, the 811th player selected overall. All totaled, there were 1,504 first-year players drafted.
At the end of his three years with the Cardinals, the Castroville and Medina Valley High School product posted a career batting average of .356. He drove in 139 runs and finished with 32 home runs, which tied the school mark for a career.
SOCIAL SEEN: Hey, social lady, take a walk on the wild side
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Zoo Ball Chairs Patty and Mike Colvard recently unveiled the theme and logo for next year’s gala event.
Story and photos by Carole Miller
Things got wild this week in high society. It began with the Friends of the San Antonio Zoo and finished with a flourish of fireworks on the Fourth of July. Not wanting to be left out, I donned a fantastic pair of heels and went for a walk on the wild side.
It all began with a little monkey business at the San Antonio Zoo where Zoo Ball Chairs Mike and Patty Colvard, along with Brad Lawton of the Bradford Lawton Design Group, unveiled the new logo and announced their theme for next year’s spectacular, black-tie “Zoobilation Gala: Monkey Business.”
Designer Brad Lawton stands behind his work — in this case, the logo for the 2008 Zoobilation Ball.
Among the wildlife at the unveiling were dedicated committee members Chris Bathie, Phil and Jena Barker, Mark and Allison Franklin, Amy Ramage, Don Robin, Kevin Kiser, Robin and Paul Casseb, Kay and Phil Neer, Trace Burton, Clayton Harrison, Jamie and Keith Eismann, Lisa Delgado, Libby and John Williams, Kim and Mark Wohlfarth and Steven Pritchard.
With a fun group like that, Zoo Ball 2008 will truly be a very mischievous year!
Terrell Hills Councilwoman Michelle Brady, Liz Medley and Leslie McFadden
And just when it seemed like things couldn’t get much wilder, it was time the Terrell Hills Fourth of July parade. Co-Chairs Charlotte Milner and Liz Medley were afraid it would rain again this year but those two ladies (who have seen more than their fair share of soggy parades) not only managed to keep the rain away but they managed to get what appeared to be every single resident of Terrell Hills to show up for the parade as well as the after-party on the Geneseo esplanade.
I hate to brag (OK, we all know that’s not true) but I got to be a “celebrity judge” during the parade. Among the other celebrities I spotted mingling amongst themselves were Kitty Palmer, Brian and Melinda Biggs, Chuck and Amy Voorhies, John and Jenny Ulm, Clark Mandigo, Josh Bhatia, Dr. David and Laurie Miracle, Karrie Ross Landrum, Richard Riley, Bob and Melissa Vaughan, Rosemary and Gordon Boldt, Jim and Suzie Martin, Marshall and Shelley Harrell, Charlie and Jean Heaner, Nancy Smith and Joe Miller.
Charlotte Milner, Joe Miller and Nancy Smith at the July Fourth celebration
And later that evening, Chris and Liz Medley hosted a Fourth of July blast at their beautiful Terrell Hills home for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a front-row seat to watch the fireworks.
Bill and Lucy Rasco, retired Gen. Pre Ball and his wife Patty, Gil Hernandez, Michelle and Bob Brady, Rick and Tricia Vely and Leslie McFadden were among the partygoers at this firecracker of a celebration.
And, while I’m on the subject of gettin’ wild, I recently discovered that Thurman Love, the owner of Water Street Oyster Bar, is having a 20th birthday “Shellabration” on my birthday, July 31. (How he knew I was turning 20 is beyond me.)
Patty and Ret. Gen. Pre Ball know how to celebrate the 4th of July.
All the proceeds from the event will go to the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and Ruthie Foster, one of the premier singer/songwriters on the Texas musical scene, will be entertaining.
I’d love to see all my newest best friends there so everyone make your reservations today. See you there!
Karen and Drew Meyer, Northridge Park Baptist Church Senior Pastor Dr. David Miracle, Abby Miracle, Laurie Miracle, Jamie Browning, Summer Scott, Jim Ragsdale, Shelley and Josh Prichard, Chief (the very sweet American Pit Bull Terrier) and student minister Phillip Musick handed out cold drinks with a smile after the Terrell Hills parade.
Bennett Voorhies, Phillip Clement and Marshall Voorhies won first place for Most Original Entry in the Terrell Hills Fourth of July parade.
True Italian gelato dished up at Paciugo
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Patty and Carroll Schubert have become gelato enthusiasts since returning from an Italian vacation. Photos by John Bloodsworth
By John Bloodworth Contributing Writer
Neighborhood noshing just got a lot sweeter with the opening of Paciugo Gelato in Lincoln Heights. And with all-natural flavor combinations like Mediterranean Sea Salt and Caramel Pannacotta (wedding cake), this is not your ordinary ice cream parlor.
Lincoln Heights residents Patty and Carroll Schubert have become gelato enthusiasts since returning from an Italian vacation where Patty fell for the delicious sorbets of fresh harvested fruits and creamy homemade creations. With visits to Florence, Capri, Pompeii, Sorrento and Rome before traveling to Paris, the couple had time to taste the tantalizing treat in true Italian style.
“I loved Italy and think about it everyday,” proclaimed Patty. Enjoying a Chocolate Turtle Gelato, she declared the dark chocolate must be eaten at home because you will be making “yummy” noises, it’s so decadently delicious! The high cocoa content in the Belgian extra-brute chocolate makes the dark chocolate gelato luxuriously rich and creamy.
Carroll opted for the smooth Cappuccino paired with Pistachio for an Italian classic. Paciugo makes each batch by hand every morning using third generation Italian techniques and recipes. Paciugo gelato is made with fresh fruit, pasteurized homogenized milk and high quality chocolates and nuts.
With more than 30 flavors daily from which to choose, ingredients are selected from local farmers and specialized Italian artisans. Candied black cherries (amarene) are used to create the tangy Black Cherry Swirl that won favor flavors with this writer.
With more than 30 flavors daily from which to choose, ingredients are selected from local farmers and specialized Italian artisans.
Co-owner Josh Bhatia prepared a mesmerizing mixture using my favorite gelato, Black Cherry Swirl, infused with carbonated Pellegrino water, creating a Gelato Frizzante summer thirst quencher. An Italian masterpiece, the Affogato al Caffe combines three scoops of velvety gelato melting in the warmth and intense flavor of espresso garnished with a gourmet biscotti and fresh Paciugo whipped cream.
As we enjoyed our gelatos, Carroll commented on the growth in the neighborhood and the new dining destinations that are popping up in the area. This is a great place to meet and catch with friends. Since Carroll left public office as a San Antonio City Councilman, he has kept busy with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the Military Transformation Task Force and the Austin/San Antonio Commuter Rail District.
Paciugo Gelato is located in the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center, 999 E. Basse and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
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