iPhone app – Grocery IQ

iPhone app: Grocery IQ – This app is great. I can input my entire grocery list with or without brand names. Just click the plus sign, type in the item, choose quantity,  and click done! In the Aisles tab I rearranged the the aisles to match my grocery store’s layout. Then I go shop and everything is pretty much in order for me to shop and check off. When I’m done shopping I click the little shopping cart at the top and move all the checked items to history. So at any time I can add to my list from my history or favorites list. I can even email the my list to Stacy and send him to the store! Very nice.

Loans That Change Lives

I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for.  And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

I made small $25 loans to two different African women. One is a seamstress and the other owns a small cosmetics boutique. I find that helping this way make me feel much closer to what is happening with my money and who and how it is helping. The fact that it is such a small amount and that it can be reinvested when it the loan is paid back is an excellent reason to get started right now.

Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time.

Thanks!

If you sign up you can note my referral with my kiva.org email address (chandra  @  bobohead .com).

Etsy Betsy Cupcakes

Etsy.com is a great site to find cool handmade things. I spend long periods of time browsing and daydreaming about being inspired and crafty enough to start a shop of my own. Every few months I think I have something worth trying, but it never pans out. Soon! Perhaps, I could sell personalized cat boxes. Here are a couple of my current favorite shops.

Alexlady Designs has lovely pieces that are made by my friend, Alex. She is an actor, singer, and creative craft mastermind!

I’ve been happily wearing these tangle ball earrings for weeks.

This my other fav from her shop: Tree of Knowledge Pendant

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MigotoChou’s Shop makes me coo! Seriously, when I look at her super cute designs I make an audible cooing sound. Some of the designs even smell like cupcakes!

You can get customized Tiny Bead Cupcakes. I just purchased a necklace. I can’t wait!

I hope you find some good stuff on Etsy. It’s fun to support the art of crafts!