By Nici Perreault, GalTime.com

Personalized Gifts for Every Occasion

Are you stuck on the gift giving hamster wheel? Sometimes it can feel like you are celebrating one event after another, week after week. There are weddings, birthdays, and the births of new babies to commemorate with a present. But buying all that stuff can put a dent in your bank account... not to mention the time and energy is takes to find unique items that will be meaningful for the recipient.

When it comes to great gift giving, be thoughtful and economical. No matter what the occasion, escape the stress with personalized gifts ideas.

Personalized Gift Ideas

1. Customized Wine Label - Perfect for a wedding, anniversary or birthday gift for anyone over 21 years old. Bottle Your Brand allows you to design a wine bottle from scratch or customize hundreds of already made beautiful designs. You can also create labels for water, beer, soda, and even bottles of M&Ms if wine doesn't suit their taste.

2. Customizable Products from

Rita Rocker

Enjoy the positive rapport and results that come from these easy and effective tips when working with external (and internal) customers:

• Check your body language, words and voice. Your non-verbal signals tell the real story of how you feel. Ensure that if your words are positive, your body and facial expressions are too. Tight fists or angry eyes with positive words will tell the listener that the message is not sincere or truthful.

• Shift your concentration and put the spotlight on the customer. This is a powerful way to break down barriers and gain cooperation.

• Watch your opening signals:
-> Give a friendly greeting and identify yourself
-> Reassure them they have the right person (if your are) or that you are directing them the right person
-> Invite them (by your voice and words) to move forward: "How may I help you?"

• Adjust the way you speak according to the type of person your are talking to; i.e., raise or lower your volume if it is easier for the

by Brandi Savitt - June 21, 2012

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How Many Deals Have You Let Expire?

Are you the type who thinks that every daily deal offered in your inbox is the best thing since sliced bread? So you buy that Pilates package for half off - even thought it's ALL the way across town? Or you snap up those classes at the climbing wall for $65 and have every intention of starting next week - but never do? If this is all sounding a bit familiar, trust us, you are not alone!

The amount of deals bought on sites like Groupon and Living Social that expire before redeemed are staggering. But NOW is the time to get your voracious appetite for a killer bargain in check. Before you scoop up another "deal" - focus on cashing in your recently bought - and possibly even expired - deals, before you lose out completely!

Don't Be Like Big Money BenCompras-Online-800x571

My friend Ben recently told me about the time he bought an extremely discounted deal for five domestic airline tickets - anywhere Virgin America

10 Things You Will Never, Ever, Hear An Entrepreneur Say

Welcome to Monday.

Working for yourself is a funny thing. It can be challenging, isolating, frighting and exciting…sometimes all in the same day.

When you run the show, you just can't walk up to your assistant and say, "I have no idea what I'm doing." Entrepreneurs don't have water coolers to meet around.

Related: 10 things NOT to do on Twitter when you're the boss

For us, Twitter became a virtual water cooler, where we go to share the daily ups and downs of work. We also share them with each other. Being able to get a trusted opinion about a new project or decision from someone whose feedback you will actually take is a very special thing to have.

Sometimes on rough business days, we joke around about the many ways that all of this entrepreneur stuff could be worse.

So for all the entrepreneurs out there, here is our list of the Top 10 Things Entrepreneurs Never, Ever Say AKA 10 Reasons Why Being An Entrepreneur Is Awesome.

When you're an entrepreneur

Are you taking a trip this summer? Consider putting a hold on some of your monthly services to save enough to offset the cost of some of those souvenirs and restaurant meals.

Services to Suspend
YOUR PHONE SERVICE: Ask your wireless or landline provider for a voluntary suspension- you'll still have access to 611 and 911. Also turn off your smartphone's data-roaming and auto-check functions to avoid paying for e-mail that comes through if you're traveling abroad.

YOUR CABLE SERVICE: Depending on the provider, you might be able to put this on hold, or score a "seasonal plan." If not, see if you can switch to a more basic, lower-cost plan during your vacation.

Related: Lower (or eliminate!) your cable bill

YOUR DIRECTV: As long as you don't have a balance on your DirecTV bill and aren't ending service for more than six months, it won't cost you anything to suspend it. Remember to ask before you act. When you request a hold on your services, find out if there are any fees or any time

Repairs, renovations and upgrades are a must-do before you put your house on the market. All existing systems, including windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical must be in perfect working order. You may not have to replace or upgrade every item. But you need to know that buyers in this marketplace expect that the home they purchase is in perfect working order. The benefit for you is that this buyer pays you top dollar for a home that is "toothbrush ready." That's a real estate expression that agents often use to signify a house that is move in condition without any further preparation. "Just bring your toothbrush."

4 Reasons Why Repairing Before You Sell Saves You Money

1. Your potential buyers won't be distracted by problems and repair items; they will focus on your home's positive, not negative, features.
   
2. Your actual cost to fix items will always be less than a buyer's estimate.
   
3. Your purchase negotiations won't drag on and on over minor repair issues.
   
4. You won't

Home buying trends have changed over the last decade, and in today's new market, more single homebuyers are entering the real estate market than ever before. Single women have now outpaced single men as a percentage of homebuyers. A whopping 21 percent of all new home purchases are credited to single women. But as far as must-haves, what do singles tend to look for? A single man or woman or newly married couple wants to be closer to where the action is-great restaurants, nightlife, theaters, movies, sporting events, shopping, etc.

If you're looking at jumping into homeownership solo, here are my 5 top things to consider:

1. Stay within your budget-Buying a home on your own is a fantastic move and great step toward your financial future. But make sure it's a home you can afford if there is a momentary-or longer-blip in your financial profile. If you lose a job, you have a health issue, or anything else happens that could affect your ability to cover your monthly mortgage and other