Category: Life Lessons
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Beware: Microsoft Tech Support Scam
Yesterday morning I received a phone call from a gentleman claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support. He informed me that their servers had received notification from my computer that my computer had been corrupted by some sort of malware or viruses that would render my computer unusable unless I allowed him to help me…
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Advice to new graduates: Create a legacy
My family has a three generation history of delivering commencement addresses. First, my Nana was the valedictorian of her Batesville High School (now South Panola High School) Class of 1933. In 1966, my mom delivered her commencement speech, What I’ve Willed I’ll Do, at Tarpon Springs High School. In 1969, her brother and my uncle…
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Advice to new graduates: Invest for retirement NOW
Welcome to the real world grads! No, no, no. Not the Real World, the REAL WORLD. The one where you become financially independent (hopefully, sooner rather than later), work at a job (ideally one that’s full-time, in your desired field, and has benefits), live on your own (your mom is begging you to do this),…
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Letters to a new mom: A ChicagoNow series
Over the course of this week, ChicagoNow bloggers have come together to provide our collective wisdom to new moms. This series came to be thanks to the efforts of Mary Tyler Mom. It was her suggestion and it caught on like wildfire. To date, there are 41 posts by both moms and non-moms alike. As…
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Letter to a new mom on Mother’s Day: Healthy relationships start with you
ChicagoNow bloggers are joining forces today in support of new moms as they celebrate their first Mother’s Day, although the advice below is just plain good life advice for everyone. Want to read all the posts written for Mother’s Day? We’ve Storified them and you can find them all here. Dear New Mom, Congratulations on your…
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12 Tips for Buying a Used Car
4/24/14 NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect a 13th tip that I inadvertently forgot to include. It’s a very important step, so please check it out. Two weeks ago, I unexpectedly put myself in the market for a new car when I totaled my car. The good news is that no one was…
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DONE: 1 Year, 160 New Experiences
One year ago today I set out on what I believed to be an incredibly ambitious journey and one that I wasn’t sure I could complete. Today I celebrate the successful completion of that journey and reflect on the lessons I’ve learned and the new person I’ve become. My life was in a rut, both…
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Better Safe Than Sorry or The Chronicles of My Cat Scan
Thursday night, after my car accident, I went to bed feeling fine. A little stiff, but fine. Friday morning I woke up with a pretty sore abdomen. I had a few errands to run and ran them, still feeling a dull ache. Late in the morning, my awesome State Farm agent called to talk about…
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Do You Make Your Bed?
If you know me at all, you know I tend to lean towards the OCD side. I’ve never been diagnosed or anything, but my uber-organized ways, along with my love of office supplies, and constant desire to be surrounded by cleanliness, is ample evidence of my tendency. One of the ways this comes out is…
Jessica L Gardner 