The Golden Link

Here are the winners of the Worst Way to Break Up contest. Included are some of the great submissions we received from great teens. Thanks to all who participated. Check in to the Gold Coast public library regularly for more contests and programs!

They send you an e-card saying "Life is like a roller coaster, we've had our ups and downs and now we are over" with a dancing smiley face attached. By Kim

You write in a Valentines Day card. You write the worst possible things about them and then write you want to see other people, then write I never want to see or talk or hear you again! Then you ask them out to a really romantic restaurant and order really nice food. Slide the Valentine's Day card across the table. (The outside of the card is really fancy with hearts all over it) Then leave after the person reads it. By Kira

"I have found someone richer and prettier than you". By Keara

"If I'm wrong I don't want to be right, I kissed her sister last night, it ain't my fault. I guess her sister is my type". By Jerome

"What we had was fun, but I found someone better"
"Just leave. I don't like you anymore". By Taylor

"You stink, literally B.O.".
Tell the person they have halitosis.
"Sloppy appearance and you are so self centered".
Talk about previous relationships. By Kelsey

"I don't like your friends". By anonymous

It's not me, it's you! By Ceren

You go to a romantic restaurant with roses and rent a limo. You order appetizers and the main course but break up with them when the appetizers are served. Do not stay for the main course but take the limo and don't return their calls. By Serena

Need to find the least expensive prescription drugs? Need to compare prescription prices? Well now finding answers to these questions are easy. A new state website allows consumers to access drug prices for the 150 most common prescribed drugs at their neighborhood pharmacies. The website www.rx.nyhealth.gov can search drug prices by zip code, city or county. Brand name and generic drug prices are listed as well as the pharmacy's telephone number and address. This website is maintained by the Department of Health.

The Morningstar Investment Research Center Database list reports and up to date information on stocks and mutual funds. Morningstar also features a Help and Education section that provides tips on investing. The following are tips for staying out of DEBT.

Before people can invest for retirement, college, or other purposes, they have to have money left over after paying their bills. People have plenty of excuses for running short each month, but there's no good reason, if they have the desire to save.
Sue Stevens, CFP, CFA, CPA/PFS, and Morningstar's director of financial planning, urges people to follow these five steps to reduce their debt:

1. Know what you owe.
This boils down to keeping a record of every penny you spend. You'll be surprised how those occasional coffees, little treats, packs of gum, for example, add up to real money. You can't save it if you don't know you're spending it.

2. Set up your budget and pay down your debt.
A budget on a spreadsheet allows you to think through your expenditures and find places to cut back. And if you do nothing else, pay off your credit cards. Their high interest rates practically guarantee a lifetime of debt.

3. Lower your borrowing costs.
As you're working to free yourself of debt, take advantage of low-interest offers.

4. Set up an emergency fund.
Unexpected expenses, like car repairs, or income reduction, like a layoff, can plunge you right back into debt. So set up an emergency fund, funnel money into it, and keep it out of sight in a money market fund.

5. Live within your means.
Gratifying every whim is a sure prescription for trouble. Know your limits and live within them. You'll not only be richer, you'll be happier, too.

Click on comments and share your thoughts on how to save money.