Articles written by Barb Hopkins

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About me - Barb Hopkins

Barb Hopkins is currently a stay-at-home mom with a degree in Theatre Arts Management. Prior to her current position, she worked professionally as a marketing director for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

During her marketing career she wrote many press

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Personal Finance > Smart Spending How to plan your grocery list to avoid impulse purchases: 1 of 90
As grocery prices continue to skyrocket, the best way for the average weekly shopper to stay on budget and save money is to shop with a planned list. A shopper who is able to stick to his planned grocery list will ultimately save money and significantly reduce his impulses to purchase items that are not part of his budget.Mak... More..
Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Feed your brain and sharpen your mind: 1 of 59
Mark Twain once said, "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."To feed our brains, sharpen our minds, and minimize memory loss as we age, we need to make healthy choices that not only benefit our bodies but brains as well. As an organ, the brain requires oxygen plus physical and mental exercise. If we keep our b... More..
Entertainment > TV Characters & Personalities Memorable TV cartoon characters of the past and present: 1 of 45
The most memorable cartoon characters have, over several decades, evolved from simple characters in animated cartoons to icons of pop culture. These characters are immediately recognizable not only visually but by their unique voices and characteristic mannerisms. They have entertained audiences in films, on television, and e... More..
Home & Garden > Buying & Selling Homes Tips to help you sell your home: 1 of 40
Selling a home quickly and for top dollar requires planning, effort, and a little knowledge. A home for sale must become a product: a house for sale. Consumers will not spend hard-earned money on products that are over-priced, difficult to find, or in shabby condition. Sellers must remember that potential homebuyers are consu... More..
Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership Is owning a pet right for you?: 1 of 29
Pet ownership requires responsibility, knowledge, compassion, and the ability to invest money in another living creature. The choice to become the guardian and caregiver of another creature should only be made after careful deliberation.Responsibility and knowledge.As a living creature, a pet has basic needs that must be met.... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Cultures (Other) How long you have to live somewhere before you're considered "from" there: 1 of 24
When my husband asked me to move from our city of 60,000 to a town of 3,600, I was vehemently opposed. I had never lived in a small town. I had never lived in a town where you needed to drive at least 30 miles to get to a Wal-Mart. I did not want to go, but despite all my negative feelings I conceded that this would be the be... More..
Food & Drink > Dining Etiquette Most important basic table manners: 1 of 23
Behaving mannerly when eating should be second nature by the time we reach adulthood, but it is the sad truth that many can use a reminder of the most important basic table manners. For a refresher course of basic table manners or for table manner wisdom to share with the younger generation, consider these ten table manner t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues Ways to save water at home: 2 of 42
"Most people in North America use 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors each day and about the same amount outdoors, depending on the season." (EarthEasy) By conserving water, we can save significantly on rapidly rising water bills and help prevent pollution in our lakes, rivers, and other water sources caused by overconsumption.... More..
Health & Fitness > General Health (Other) What is a colonoscopy?: 1 of 20
The colonoscopy, an outpatient procedure, is an internal examination of the entire length of the colon. It is performed using a colonscope, a small camera attached to a flexible tube. Why do I need a colonoscopy? The common procedure is scheduled for several reasons including: * As colon cancer screening if you are over 50 y... More..
Entertainment > Music (Other) Is listening to music at work calming or distracting?: 1 of 19
I have always listened to music when I was working. Sometimes the music was piped in through the office P.A. system and other times it was through my own radio or CD player. At home, I would listen to music as I cleaned or cooked. For years, it seemed as if there was always music in the background of my life. After having bee... More..