For more information and to purchase your tickets online, please visit the following link: http://www.high.org/experience/exhibitions/exhib_content.aspx?id1=2477

Atlanta is a great place to spend Halloween. From one of the best haunted houses in the country, to a historic cemetery, to fun Halloween events for kids, to a locally produced horror movie released on DVD, one can enjoy a historic or modern view of the spirit world in Atlanta this Halloween season.

If you are looking for the Best haunted house, my personal favorite is of course Netherworld.

For additional Halloween Entertainment, click the following link: http://atlanta.about.com/cs/artsentertainment/a/halloween.htm.

"THERE WAS A TIME WHEN A FOOL AND HIS MONEY WERE SOON PARTED...BUT NOW IT HAPPENS TO EVERYBODY." Adlai E. Stevenson

The latest Retail Sales numbers showed the consumer is still out there spending...but many of our expenditures have gone up right under our noses, without us getting any extra enjoyment out of them. Rising gas prices, increased interest rates for borrowed money, higher minimum monthly credit card payments...expenses are getting higher every day, and it may be crimping our normal monthly spending style. And not knowing where your money is going each month often gives you a general sense of unease when your head hits the pillow at night...and may eventually cause you a major financial hardship.

There are many phenomenal budget programs available for your computer, such as "Quicken" or "Money", but starting with even a little simple planning can put your mind at ease and allow you to spend, knowing that you have control of your monthly income and expenses. Don't worry if the word "budget" gets you feeling uneasy and makes your palms sweat - hey, relax. Just think of a budget as you would a healthy diet. You don't have to starve, but you may just have to cut back on a few tasty expenses to accomplish your goals. And who knows...you may actually be better off than you thought, and can splurge a little. Let's take a look.

A good budget is written down and includes as much information as possible. Start by determining your current monthly income. Use the net income (amount received after taxes and any insurance benefits are deducted) and anything additional such as part time work, interest, rental, or bonus income. Next, determine your monthly expenses. Obtain and keep a receipt for every item purchased, especially if you frequently use cash for purchases. Receipts should include everything from groceries to Starbucks coffee...even minor purchases can add up quickly. Although you usually need to have some pocket cash on hand, many people choose to use debit or credit cards more often than cash, purely to have a better record of money spent. At the end of the month grab the receipts, your checkbook, and any credit card statements and start categorizing your expenses.

Expenses should be classified into the following categories:

·         Household - this would include rent or mortgage, utilities (gas, electric, water, etc.), cable television, Internet, phone, and any additional items such as a housecleaning service or pool service. This category could also include the many things you frequently buy for your home such as paper towels, cleaning products, plastic baggies, lawn and garden supplies and the like.

·         Food - separate food expenses by groceries and dining. Dining out would include lunch and dinner expenses for every member of the family.

·         Transportation - this would include all expenses related to an auto (e.g., auto payment, insurance, fuel, and maintenance). Additionally, include public transportation, tolls, and parking expenses.

·         Healthcare - include monthly health care fees such as medical, dental, prescriptions, and insurance co-pays.

·         Looking good - all of the items that make you, you. Clothing, shoes, dry cleaning, toiletries, haircuts, manicures, etc.?

·         Entertainment - include all of the "just for fun" items. Movies, concerts, vacations, subscriptions, sporting event tickets, and hobbies.

·         Miscellaneous - include all additional monthly expenses such as banking fees, credit cards, savings, education, gifts, donations...and don't forget pet expenses.

Need a simple, free, easy to use monthly budget sheet that can be used by you or your children? Just hit this link: Sample Budget

It is important to note, some expenses will vary on a monthly basis and an average will need to be calculated. For example, utilities can change each and every month. To come up with the average, simply add the actual amount paid for twelve months and divide the total by twelve to create a monthly average - and adjust as needed over time. Additionally, any expenses such as insurance premiums that are paid annually should be divided by twelve to create a monthly average as well.

Once all items have been categorized and listed, simply total the income and subtract all of the expenses. The remaining number will clearly determine if you are coming up short, breaking even, or have money left over. If you have money left over, meet with your financial planner and discuss investment strategies that will maximize those extra dollars.

If you come up short or barely break even, it is important to determine areas that you can trim expenses. Look at trimming dining out, entertainment, or looking good expenses. Although it may sting a little in the short run, you'll know that you are on the path to a great financial future.

The holidays can put a dent in your savings especially if you're planning to buy a home, complete a home remodeling project, or even save for college tuition. But there are several ways to cut costs so your finances aren't in the red by New Year's Day.

Consider the following money saving tips:

• In lieu of buying presents for every family member, suggest a gift exchange and draw names out of a hat.
• Agree on a spending limit for gifts for friends and family and stick to it.
• Make your holiday meals a potluck and assign each guest an item to bring.
• To prevent the urge to overspend when shopping, use cash and leave your credit cards at home.
• Consider buying a joint gift rather than individual gifts for a family such as a zoo membership or movie tickets.
• Instead of holiday wrap, buy monochromatic wrap in holiday colors such as green, red, or gold that can be used all year.
• For young children, half the fun of holidays is often opening the gifts. Wrap small, inexpensive items separately - coloring books, crayons and picture books or novels, even stocking stuffers work well. Or recycle hand-me-down toys by wrapping them up and putting them under the tree.
• Instead of spending a lot of money on gifts from the mall, give homemade treats like fudge, truffles, cookies or jams and jellies.
• To cut down on postage and holiday card costs, send mail only to out-of-town friends and family you're not likely to see throughout the year. Or send e-cards, which are usually free.
• To keep your electricity bill down, use a timer to turn outdoor lights on and off at designated hours.
• If you know you won't be able to pay your credit card off right away, make sure you use a single low-interest card to make purchases - that way you can easily track them.
• When traveling during the holidays, try to fly on the day of the actual holiday (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). It's usually cheaper and there are plenty of seats.
• Subscribe to receive e-newsletters from your favorite online merchants. They will often e-mail coupons to use for savings on purchases and shipping costs. Or subscribers may receive private sale information.
• Sometimes buying an item online is cheaper than going to the store since many sites don't charge sales tax and offer free shipping. Use the savings to have the gift mailed directly to the recipient instead of standing in line at the post office.
• Instead of buying an expensive gift, make a donation to a worthy cause in a friend or family member's name.

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Chocolates Made Just for You- Our Chocolate is like no other in the Atlanta area.  We blend two different Cocos in house to get our unique chocolate blend.  We blend all of our chocolate right in the store.  We use the age old European method of "Tempering" to get the smooth and creamy texture in our chocolate for which we are known.  We create a variety of our regular treats as well as monthly and sometime daily specials.   The process of hand dipping and forming the chocolate is what James, our chocolatier,  lives for.  You can come in the store and watch him through our glass wall as he creates the delights - and maybe even get a chance to taste one of his "experiments."  From our hand dipped fresh strawberries, amaretto cherries, chocolate covered popcorn and custom molded designs for our corporate customers, we take great pride in offering you a true chocolate experience.