February 25, 2014

MassMutual's State of the American Family Study- #HispanicDream , Ojo on Hispanic Families


Babushka was asked by Latina Mom Bloggers to join a blog tour on behalf of MassMutual Financial Group.
BB's time was compensated, pero the story and opinions belong to Babushka.





"Hispanics are a force to be reckoned with in the United States today."

So starts MassMutual's Study of the American Family; you know BB had to read it verdad??



HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls! 

Today Babushka shares with y'all the findings of a study MassMutual Financial Group did on Hispanic Families.  BB finds it interesante, and of course for this CAP (Cuban American Princesa), a story waiting to be told.


"The importance of respect, family unity, community involvement and loyalty permeate every aspect of 
life, including their attitudes and perspectives about finances" "As a group, Hispanics are vulnerable to potential financial setbacks. Over one-third (35 percent) have set aside less than three months of their monthly living expenses for emergencies, and 7 percent have no savings at all."



They ain't just whistlin' La Guantanamera there!!




According to the study, the American Dream of home ownership is the number one priority of Hispanic families, with credit card liquidation following second.  Apparently Hispanics tend to owe slightly more than others.  Personally BB believes it's because we don't want our children to feel "lacking" or inferior to others.  Not to mention we tend to dress more stylish, love our perfumes, and take more issue with makeup and looks.  At least that's this CAPs view. Quee?  Ok si, JU SO FONII!!! the last sentence doesn't fit Babushka too much ahora, pero cuando era younger? Beautifuls, Por Fa! Actually, my parents were never into the typical material things. Pero si, they did fit the lucha for home ownership.  I also believe they never wanted us to feel less than our classmates or surroundings.  My parents did very well for themselves and we were the first Hispanic family to live in Miami Lakes, an upper middle class community.  BB and siblings never lacked for anything thanks to mis padres and La Tata who most definitely outright spoiled us.  

The study goes on to say only 31% of Hispanics actually rank saving/investing for their children's education as important, though 50% of those asked say they will pay for the education themselves. Babushka in this showed her Anglo upbringing; my trio had a college fund paid into monthly, and the same is being done for the grandbabies.   



Another area studied was financial planning.  While 43% believe investing and financial planning should be a high priority, only 28% think they are capable of reaching their goals by themselves.  Thankfully my parents were able to reach their goals, unfortunately BB never quite grasped the idea. This leads to the next part of the study, financial education for children.

Babushka's first real job was writing checks for my father. He showed me how to organize the bills, write in the checkbook the "to" and "for", and write checks.  BB learned very well how to write checks; what I didn't learn well was my bank account was not as llenito or fluid as his. Te lo dije- a true CAP.

Lastly, the subject of retirement among Hispanics is discussed.  Apparently we're more anxious about outliving our retirement savings.  Bueno, para Babushka that's so very true because there ain't nana nina in the nest.  Good thing Sweetie brings home straw so we can start padding, because it's never too late.

Y ustedes My Beautifuls, what's your style of saving, do you have one?  How accurate is this to your financial history?  Que views do you have on the topic?  Are you saving for your children? Will you be vagabond viejos?  Please compartir, compart insights y dreams. Oh, and a couple of dimes would be nice too.  

; )

BB2U


This post was sponsored by:




facilitated by:

Latina Mom Bloggers



opinions & escrito by:



February 22, 2014

Totally Awesome Spring Tweety Tag Follow Page

HOLAHOLAHOLA MY BEAUTIFULS!!!

Welcome to Babushka's Tweety Tag Page for the Totally Spring Giveaway!!

Feel free to follow as many of these Bellas as you please.

The Main Entry Rafflecopter is here:

http://bohemianbabushka.blogspot.com/2014/02/spring-it-to-bb-baby-totally-awesome.html



Good Luck!!



















BB2U



February 21, 2014

Spring it to BB Baby!! Totally Awesome Spring $600 Giveaway



HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Because Babushka loves y'all so much, and because we had so much fun, and also because the grandbabies will be taking up 100% of my time this weekend, here's another EXCELENTE Giveaway!!




In the words of our wonderful Conductor of Concursos, Rebecca Fuentes:


We’re getting ready for Spring with a Totally Awesome Spring Giveaway! This month we have two awesome prizes up for grabs -- one winner will receive a $500 Amazon gift card and a second winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.  
For your chance to win, just use the Rafflecopter form below. There are a lot of entries to choose from so take your pick… or do them all! And don’t forget that we also have daily entries, so bookmark this page and come back everyday. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY
Prizes: $500 Amazon Gift Card & $100 Amazon Gift Card or cash (via Paypal)
Organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Besides the mandatory blog comment entry, all other entries are optional.
 Giveaway ends 3/21 and is open worldwide.


Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join an awesome group of bloggers!


And she ain't just whistlin' La Guantanamera My Beautifuls, not only are the posts semi written already, but your following will grown increiblemente! Talk about a BB Twofer!!

Buena Suerte 2 all!

BB2U






February 19, 2014

A Giveaway and Review: Disney's Sofia the First CD - Fun, Fabulosa y Free!







HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

Ok si, Disney's Sofia the First CD no es free- but definitivamente it is Fun & Fabulosa!!  


When Babushka was offered the chance to review this CD you KNOW La Princesa came to mind, and good Cuban Grandma that BB is had to aceptar!  Say no to Sofia the First??  JU SO FONII !!!

Now the review. 


Sofia the First- Songs from Enchancia





Did you notice it has Karaoke tracks?  Oh Si it does!!





As always, the artwork is digno of Disney with details and beauty.  


They've even included coloring book style artwork you can cut out to enjoy. 

So, the cover is Fun, but the musica- is it Fabulosa?




Bueno, BB enjoyed the first track "Sisters and Brothers" where the simple truth of sibalry is shared, but the favorite has got to be Track Ten.  Digan lo que digan, they can say what they want, but I still believe Sofia's got a bit of Salsa in her.  Ok, maybe she's like a lot of us latinos who don't speak Spanish well, or maybe not at all, but there's no denying la sangre- it's in the blood, and "A Recipe of Adventure" definitely has that Latin beat.  Besides, isn't that a perfect title? But of course Babushka would love that one- combo Broadway style music/Latin Beat/Food/Adventure.  Mas perfecto, more perfect it couldn't be!! Actually, it can be more perfect- you can get it free. 


 Si My Beautifuls, the wonderful people of Disney Music are going to give 3 of you a free copy of 
Sofia the First, Songs from Enchancia.


Pero, if you can't wait to win (and BB doesn't blame you)
 then you can go to iTunes  or Amazon to order your copy YA!









There you have it My Beautifuls. 


BB's Review, in her words, of Disney Music's Sofia the First Songs of Enchancia, facilitated by ENMNetwork and hopefully enjoyed by you as much as Babushka enjoyed listening to it.

BB2U




February 17, 2014

Month of Love- Months of Movement





HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!


February. In this month we've celebrated Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and Black History. That's a lot of activity, energy and love. It's also no coincidence.  

For Babushka a new year symbolizes hope, and Valentine's Day of course is love.  Black History is the history, both past and present, of the contributions made by blacks to our lives, the world.  BB sees it as a perfect combination.  We hope to bring enlightenment and love by sharing our histories with each other, and this is the month that the black community can share theirs with us so that we may have a better sense of their story.  And we all have our stories.

For Latinos, September starts Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15.  These are our days, our past and present will be highlighted for the world to see. Of course these months are used to celebrate the good, educate on accomplishments, and BB's all for that. But Babushka's also about keeping it real.

Pride is fine if it's for betterment, to help our youth strive higher, however Pride is a double-edged sword that's also stabbing our youth.  We are losing the future because we're hanging on to the past.  The past where being different, not being "strong", was either ridiculed or the person was ignored.  The Pride of solitary self-sufficiency and strength, very clear cut rules on what was sane and acceptable, is from another unelightened time, and we MUST leave it behind.  Unfortunately this is a common thread between both stories. Fortunately, we have a month for mental health enlightenment and share love for this too.

July is "National Minority Mental Illness Awareness Month."  Si, so great is the need that we have a whole month just for this.  According to the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health-

In May 2008, the United States House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, providing agencies with the opportunity to raise awareness about severe mental illness in diverse communities, while highlighting avenues for wellness and recovery." 

"Mental illness is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help".

Their website goes on to say, "During National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, help raise awareness in your organization or community. Encourage your family, friends, loved ones and clients to learn more about improving mental health and illness."

And this My Beautifuls is what I'm asking of you.  My #StopTheStigma campaign has not stopped, and neither has Babushka.  And neither has the climbing rate of suicide among our young.  PLEASE, POR FA, help spread the word about this very important month.  Any event is welcome and needed.  It doesn't even have to be a fundraiser, just a chance to start the conversation going.  We need to have these conversations. 


Being Black History Month BB will share this post from NAMI's Feibu Page-






This is for February; what do you have in mind for July?


A long time away you say?


JU SO FONII!!!



Babushka Besos a todos.   Cuidensen.


highlights various minorities, and is a page worth the "like".








February 07, 2014

Mingling in Ming Tree Garden - Chinese New Year in Crawfordville



HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!


For those that follow the Chinese New Year, this is the year of the horse. Para BB, this year is about appreciating where one is in life and seeing home with new eyes and an open heart. Babushka’s  last  post on Chinese New Year, was about keeping it real- 2014 is about seeing the real and noticing the love that is there.


In the tradition of the Great BB Twofers I will combine the Celebration of Chinese New Year and home town family love. Queee??  JU SO FONII !!! Of course we celebrate Chinese New Year in Crawfordville, and we keep it real.  At the Ming Tree Garden “Mom and Dad” know a true party must have:



Delightful Decorations








Charming and Generous Hosts



"Mom and Dad" 
Si, Ming Tree really is a Mom and Pop business 
and they treat all their patrons as family, so con mucho amor that's what we all call them.



Friends



Good guest list.
Bottom Row: Mom, Ms. Red, Dad  2nd pic: Mom, Dad,BB, My Little One
The first pic Babushka couldn't get them all because they were too busy w/the- 



Great  Food!!!



Naturally this wasn't all there was, but naturally Babushka was running Cubantime 
so the hunger didn't let me take pics of the other tables of food.

Very aprobo that this would be the Year of the Horse
because BB comio como un caballo- ate like one. 






Si, you can most definitely say Babushka's a fan.

; )


HAPPY NEW YEAR MY BEAUTIFULS!!


Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.



P.S.  Here's their Feibu link: https://www.facebook.com/Newmingtreecrawfordville
P.P.S.  This was not a sponsored post, just a sincere Gracias to my hosts and home town for being real.







February 06, 2014

Love & Laughs on the Go & In the Moment- Try HotOrNot.com

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!


Just the other day Sweetie and BB were talking Valentine’s Day and Anniversary.  Quee??  JU SO FONII !!! Si, it’ll be one year for us on March 1.  Wow and Woah. Continuing.


We were reminiscing and joking about our first date. As some of you may know, we met at the park to “walk and talk”, but did you know that almost didn’t happen?  Three years ago the online dating sites weren’t as sophisticated as the ones nowadays and definitely not as fun!! Sweetie and I were stuck for hours in front of our computers- that’s now a thing of the past. Ya gotta be mobile if you wanna be in the game. Today there are apps that entertain, and if luck is on your side, you might make some great friends and even find “the one”.  And which app is “THE ONE” for this kind of app?  






Think of it as a combo Instagram, IM, Tumblr and Feibu for dating.

 And speaking of Feibu, their Feibu page is Cutisimo!! https://www.facebook.com/TryHotOrNot  

For when you're sitting in front of your computer .





You KNOW the trio would have experienced that correcto??  Matter of fact, I went ahead and started a profile just to show you.  Oh yes BB did!!  Super Sencillo- Super Easy.







Por supuesto there’s gotta be a twofer here right??  You know me too well My Beautifuls!! 


 Straight from their Feibu post:

"$25,000 Video Contest: http://nudge.us/HoNVC

Videos aren't your thing? Pin2Win: http://nudge.us/HoNP2W

No Pinterest Account? No problem. Just enter the standard sweepstakes to win $1,000: http://nudge.us/HotOrNotSweeps "


A Sweeps and a chance to be swept off your feet
 ESO!!!


So go ahead and take the fun on the go with  Hot or Not’s mobile app download link: http://www.tryhotornot.com .


BB2U


P.S. This sponsored post was another way the S Sisters are showing me the world of apps,
and another post with opinions that are all BB's.