How can we make this more affordable?

My husband purchased a Chicago Bears Jersey at the School auction. Good Cause and he likes these sorts of items. So being a good wife I went to price getting it framed. Yes I can figure it out how to DIY this framing job, but work is getting busy and the TIME to MONEY scale is sliding towards the Money side ... so I have significantly less time and will pay for some services, with in reason! 

How can we make this more affordable?

VISITING MICHAEL'S Crafts FOR FRAMING, CHICAGO

The line was long. I waited. Excited to buy this frame for my husbands new gleaming jersey. I got a very well informed sales rep. VERY WELL INFORMED. She was very good at how to up sell in her job ... and I just was disappointing at every corner for her.

I had to frame a couple of items in my corporate days as gifts for special VIP coming to meet executives or certificates for employees, etc. I had been around the block with frames. I did a little homework on framing Jerseys before I went into the shop, to see if things have changed in options, and features. Not really, mostly what I was familiar with. So I drew out my plan (like I do for every project, a few doodles) and headed to the store, children in tow.

My kids behave really well, they get a little silly, but nothing they can't handle in line while I order a frame. They tagged along.

Two Mats versus 3 Mats in Framing

You know when you look at a frame of a photo and the mats inside the frame. We prefer 2 mats, because they have the slight white edge to it. That white edge comes from the cutting process on the frame on the mat. However Michael's crafts assumes people don't know that. So they automatically lay in a white mats in between your top color and your bottom color. Obviously this is one way to drive the price up unless you specifically asked that they not put that middle mats in. The clerk exhaled, obviously enough for me to hear it, and removed the middle mat. 

Acrylic vs. Glass

Think about where you're going to be hanging your piece in the house. Because Michael sells this very high-end UV glass protection that keeps 99% of the sunlight out. I don't know about you but I'm not going to hang my valuables in direct sunlight. Because fading is clearly one of the biggest problems. Again I'm the type of person who thinks these things through before going into a custom framing shop. So I instantly asked for acrylic. Were hanging sports memorabilia. "Our jersey, will be hanging in a sun free room. So UV light is not an issue." So instantly when I asked for an acrylic glass, the woman gave me a look like ? Wait, it she harassing ME?

Folded or flat

I had laid the Jersey folded up, for measuring on the counter. She proceeded to UNFOLD IT and measure. I then said "actually ... let's plan to have the bottom part of the Jersey folded up just so enough of the number was exposed with about 2 inches at the bottom. There, like this." This saves me on the size of the frame and the mat (cutting down on some length). Most stores charge per inch of what you're using on frame and mat. Again not a happy clerk re-measuring.

I wanted to certificate of authenticity included. She wanted it done a certain way where "I would be cutting into the mat." She actually was so considerate to sketch out two options for me, both of which were cutting into one of the maths - which would've been some sort of laser cutting that, of course, was more expensive. "Which choice do you prefer." Excellent up sell. I paused, admiring her sketches. "It's so nice." So opened my purse and took out my sketch of how I was considering the jersey framed. An impromptu moment, that not one appreciated as much as me. When I showed her I wanted to Jersey as if it's in one frame and the certificate  below in another. She was very frustrated with my fruitfulness and choice #3.

The Frame. 

We are getting to the frame, at last. The clerk steps in back and brings out this great frame option that's of course All Solid Wood, which is of course more expensive. I saw her place two previous orders and they did not get this road show of frames and mats. So I ask her "how can we make this more affordable." Again, she goes into her schpiel about the size of my piece and what the wait is to have it produced and if we go with a lower weight frame we simply can't use glass, in a tone of voice as if it was a tragedy.

"I'd like acrylic."

Remember the acrylic versus glass part, me too. "Oh, I said I would prefer acrylic please." Again, she goes to the back and brings out a simple acrylic frame, which has a lot of detail on it. I said "this is simple as we can go?" She says well "you are going to want something a little more decorative." I said "thank you but I prefer it to be simple." I took this opportunity before I got one more "gon in the back" suggestion to point out very specifically the style I'm looking for, then I said show me just 2 frames, in these colors, that is that simple. 

THE Final Price.

I have priced frames at my former job. I had done some pretty cool etching on glass, carving names into wood and adding trim details, etc., etc., etc., so I pre-planned and expected $250 or so for the framed jersey, all finished + tax.

Clearly this woman knew her job very well. She knew how to upsell me at every turn. 

She sat at her computer, and tallied a few more things. Who knew frame selections when simplified over and over took 25 minutes to order. I am certain Micheal's doesn't want you to feel like you wasted your time investing in these selections... thus the lengthy process. 

The final price came out to a whopping $743 for the frame. I simply stood there in silence. Then she applied there fabulous discount of 60% off. $393. I asked again "how can we make this more affordable." 

She was hesitant to offer me the even cheaper frame that I knew was available. I did my research before going in. She hesitated to offer me to making my frames even smaller, which was still an option. So while Michael's, is a very good at the up sell, as the customer PLEASE do not be afraid to ask how can we make this more affordable? 

The clerk said: "Affordable for who?"

I looked at my older son, who was leaning on me near the counter, observing the interesting banter. I took my purse and said common kids, time to go get lunch! 

The clerk shouted, yes, in a loud voice:

"Where do you think you will get what you want? Affordable for who?"

"DAMN IT! Affordable for me! Because you Ms. Clerk aren't paying my bill!"

The route we ended up taking

Michael's wants $160 for a custom shadowbox jersey frame, +40% off with their coupons. I'll find one on Amazon or on the web for slightly cheaper. Also a customer was there getting just a mats cut to size. I didn't know they have this option. So I will buy the $7.99 mats - 2 (or 3) and have it cut to size once I have my box frame and do my own measurements.

As for the certificate of authenticity.

I think I'm going to simply double up on the mats towards the bottom and frame that section myself. It'll stand out nicely against the larger mat and the Jersey. And then, as for a double mat, I'll mat around the Jersey too, and then I'll also put in an inch or so of that mat on the actual frame and glass to give it a little bit more depth, she was doing this already for me and didn't tell me until the very end after I had asked how do we make this more affordable.

The clerks must work on commission, because this woman just kept saying no to me on options that were evidently available at any other normal custom framing shop.

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh Out Loud when people try to over charge you.

Prenatal Iron Supplement helped me change my Life & Health

When I was pregnant with my first son I decided to stay home and be what we lovingly refer to as “family manager.” My method of learning is to read everything I can get my hands on and see where the opinions range from Left or Right, and then I decide where I stand. So I started reading about pregnancy tips, and symptoms of carrying a baby. I started to learn about the bodies natural way of dealing with illness and more importantly the natural remedies to helping some of my common troubles.

Of course I talked with my doctor about my concerns, but even in that instance there was a variety of opinions. My prenatal care and delivery doctors was a practice of five women OBGYN. The process was that you had an assigned primary doctor but then you also saw the other four women in the practice on a rotation, since we don’t know our delivery dates, anyone could be on call.

My first sons doctor said I was anemic and prescribed a prenatal iron supplement – which also caused constipation. So with that prescription I also received over the counter prenatal vitamins with a stool softener. A common issue in pregnancy apparently. Well as many moms know there are natural ways to relieve constipation for a baby. Prune juice, mixed with water is gentle enough or babies still developing intestines and is a great support for adults to. By my sons 2nd birthday I was learning even more about nutrition and things like the importance of Omega 3 fatty acids, and fiber in the diet or the lack there of as was in my case…

I was now pregnant with my 2nd son and had a different primary doctor in the same womens OBGYN practice. My anemia was significantly less of a problem (by now I had a new diet eating fairly healthy with lots of green leafy vegetables – a great source of natural iron). But here is the kicker. My doctor said "I could take a supplement for the iron but the way that iron was absorbed in pill form it wouldn’t make a significant difference for me. And it has not been proven to be an absolute necessity in pregnancy."

But do you notice what’s lacking in the information from both doctors? No discussion of nutrition or healthy eating. Granted the 2nd time around my doctor was more conservative in her "prescription" approach, but still didn’t mention overall the need for iron in my diet or during my pregnancy by encouraging specifics on healthy eating. But neither doctor (even though they were both great!) said eat more green leafy vegetables and broccoli! Wouldn’t that be the easiest solution. Yes it would.

I am not going to tackle if that’s the doctors main role in my pregnancy. An OBGYN is there to care for mom and the unborn baby within reason. Mostly looking for something wrong. If I wanted nutrition advice I should see a nutritionist right?

Well I did something about it. I continued reading and learning. I paid attention to specials on “alternative programs” on public television, snipits on evening news broadcasts about new studies, and even followed some celebrity authors on these subjects. No, I am not a celebrity junkie, but I do understand the power of the media. Celebrities use there fame to get onto talk shows to inform the public about serious issues facing us today.

How to change?

Mostly importantly I understand how hard it is to change our lifestyle. It is so much easier to pop in a frozen dinner or use a pre-made meal in a box for dinner. Who wants to cook when they get home from a high stress job, a long commute and still have homework and bath time all before 9 p.m. I realize not everyone has the benefit of staying home but for our healths sake we have to find the time to make small changes.

OK my fellow family manager moms your day is hard, I know, and you manage A LOT, I know. For all of us it is really a matter of priority in our lives. Do we want to live long or should we be made a part of this big chemical experiment?

How to change? Slowly, yes slowly. Nothing changes overnight.

1. My first goal was to start thinking about the issues and what I was putting n my mouth. Yeah, that’s right, if you just start thinking about the issues discussed here you will start to change because you will inherently know what’s right for your family. There is no one formula for everyone, but a small change, any change, is positive. (For example eating white hard cheese are healthier then orange cheese, there you just made a change.)

2. I simply acknowledged that some of these things talked about regarding health and packaged processed food did affect my life. "Maybe" is a common family illness so are some of those pre-made boxed products in your pantry.

3. And finally I started actively “paying attention.” Look I know your busy in the hustle and bustle of life, but take a moment to pay attention to what’s around you right now. That means if you hear about a study on the news and it sparks your interest, just pay attention. Think about the story and how it impacts your life. Maybe its an online article or newspaper article.

I have listed 3 examples below of what you can “pay attention” to in your life RIGHT NOW. Read the examples below, pick one, do it and then keep reading, and try the next perhaps.

For example:

Do you buy canned fruit – go to where you store them and read on the front label how many cans are with “light syrup, "heavy syrup” or “in natural juice.” When you cant buy fresh fruit, buy canned fruit in its own natural juice. It's cuts down on the excess sugars in the syrup version.

Did you recently spray your home with a disinfectant and you now have that “clean” smell? That's the smell of chemicals in your home. We Americans have been conditioned to think this smells are clean, meaning germ free and keeping us healthy. Not so!

What kind of laundry detergent do you use, what does it say on the Packaging? “Eco-Friendly,” key words like “Free” or “Clear,” or it just says it’ll clean your clothes?

This is my favorite tip::

Go to your medicine cabinet, take a look at your prescriptions, vitamins, lotions potions and get a mental picture – or jot down a few items on a pad of paper. Are you constantly taking mess to calm your stomach, anti acids, allergy relief, etc. maybe the problems what your eating CAUSING you these stomach issues.


Doing nothing and just continuing to do things like we have always done is no longer an option. Whatever it is to male you start to make a change, you'll be glass you did. Start somewhere now. It's not just about me or you anymore, we have babies to care for.

"The days are long, the years are short."

The Evolution of What’s Good for Your Baby and Good and Changing Advice

What we hear one day, changes on the next. Yes, new or updated information can get frustrating, but its so important as a parent to pay attention. And them there's your mother's advice and every stranger thinking they can give you great baby tips!

One day you will be reading that something (insert subject here) is good for your baby. Then you will read that same something is bad for your baby, or a variation of how much, when, or where is good, or bad, again, for your baby. UGH! Frustrated with the constant change in information, well me to! But you need to remember knowledge is evolution. We are on a journey through this thing called parenting.

Yes, advice from doctors and scientists is always changing because everyday are learning more. If you picked up the book that I recommend for everything baby and kids, Dr. Spock’s is a great example of how information, advice and science changes through the years. The book gives you current advice, and it highlights some things that haven't changed (like taking babies and kids outside everyday for at least 20 minutes of fresh air).

So when you hear advice, on TV, from your co-workers, fellow mom, or anywhere, remember to always think about what you are hearing and make a conscious decision about it.

Please, don't just ignore the latest information. Or be assuming that "it always changes and really doesn't matter" as a friend once said.

I like to consider new-er information like this:

· Is this a trend? (Like the 2006 movement to start potty training babies at birth, yes really! Or how baby signs are getting bigger in popularity and studies say better for baby and showing higher IQ scores.)

· Is this a health concern? Then listen up! (High intake of antioxidants has even touted for a few years, but recently on Dr. Oz they talked about how excess amounts of berries and other high antioxidants can actually be countering the benefits of moderation.)

· Is this a Consumer Issue? Is some company making money on selling you a new "must have item?" Well then listen with caution! (One of my favorite items in this category is masked as a "health" concern but I think it's mostly sales. Reflux in babies. Yes, I am certain there are cases where babies have legitimate reflux, but many times in my personal experience with family and friends it's been mom over feeding the baby formula!)

· Does this fit in my lifestyle?

Most importantly, take the new information in, think it over and decide IF it works for you. And make adjustments as needed.

"The days are long, the years are short."