Although I’m not a Halloween fanatic, it can be fun to get a good scare once in a while, whether it’s October or not. This Denver Halloween, the best way to get scared is to visit haunted houses or to watch a scary movie. There are plenty of scary movies that can get your heart beating rapidly any time of year.

Personally, I think Seven and Nightmare on Elm Street (Freddy Kreuger childhood nightmares) are the scariest movies. I have heard that Saw, 28 Days Later, and The Thing also top the charts as the scariest movies ever. Other scary movies include Amityville Horror, Blair Witch, Pet Sematary, Open Water, The Fly, Scream, War of the Worlds, Saw, and Hellraiser.

Entertainment Weekly voted these to be the top 20 Scariest Movies, listed here in no particular order. Interestingly, most of these movies were made in the 1970s and 1980s. Tell us what you think is the scariest movie you’ve ever seen.

1. The Shining (1980)

2. The Exorcist (1973)

3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

4. Silence of the Lambs (1991)

5. Jaws (1975)

6. Halloween (1978)

7. Psycho (1960)

8. Seven (1995)

9. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

10. Poltergeist (1982)

11. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

12. The Thing (1982)

13. The Evil Dead (1982)

14. Carrie (1976)

15. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

16. The Omen (1976)

17. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

18. Henry: The Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990)

19. The Hitcher (1986)

20. Lost Highway (1997)

My husband and I recently purchased a new home and it feels like we now have a 30 year monkey hanging on us.  Not that we are financially struggling to make our mortgage payments, but as the biggest debt we have ever incurred (like most Americans), it would be nice to pay of the house in less the thirty years.

A good friend introduced us to the Money Merge Account, a mortgage payoff solution created by United First Financial.  A web-based software program, the Money Merge Account enables homeowners to pay down the mortgage principal balance, reducing the interest that accrues on the loan, and thus allowing people to pay off their mortgage quicker. 

With dedication and discipline in using the Money Merge Account, a mortgage can be paid off in as little as eight to twelve years.  Now, I don’t know any homeowner that wouldn’t like the sound of that! 

Americans sure love their toy pups!  In 2006, the Yorkshire Terrier became the second most popular dog in the United States, beating out a number of long-standing big breed favorites, such as the lab and golden retriever.   

And it seems as though we aren’t afraid to spoil them either.  Whether it is the influence of the celebrity culture (think Paris Hilton toting her chihuahua “Princess” around) or just that we adore our furry companions, people are spending more and more money on man’s best friend.  From a luxury dog carriers to designer puppy clothes to gourmet treats, I think some dogs get treated better than I do!

But I suppose if I had more money than I knew what to do with, my little shorkie puppy (a shih tzu and yorkie) mix would probably be just as spoiled.  Without a steady man or kids (yet), she remains my loyal companion and best friend, so why not treat her to the best?  For now though, she will have to make do with the premium Purina puppy chow and soft fleece bed, although I am saving up for my next purchase: a beautiful dog carrier purse, fall’s hottest accessory! 

My husband recently started his own company and as a small business owner, he understands the fine line of smart budgeting in order to be profitable and smart purchasing. 

Some things he (wisely) can live without; others not so much.  Take for example, his new Mac computer he had to have “in order to conduct a successful business” or the Avaya IP Office he is having installed.  Not that I am complaining!  Both may have been a hefty initial price tag, but things are starting to pay off as his company starts to take flights. 

On the other hand, he has held off hiring another employee until his monthly profit increases and he knows for sure he can support an additional salary. 

I am slowly but surely learning the ways of a small business.  He is very patient and supportive of my “endeavors” to help him.  Wish us luck!

A successful business is dependent upon documents: correspondence (letters, emails, and memos), contracts, reports, etc.  Each document is record what the business does.  Whether on paper or electronically, it is imperative these documents are kept organized and systematized to keep any business on track. 

 The process, known as record management, is in place so companies know which documents to keep, where to keep them and for how long; such factors establish if information and documents are available when you need them. 

Record management is imperative because it allows companies to help control costs and diminish issues that may arise due to lost records and documents.

If your company is like most companies, you probably don’t follow your company’s document retention policies, leaving your documents at risk.

Yet there is compliance software that helps you to meet your company policies and track documents easier. You can easily track the trail of your documents, through changes in email, hard drives, and other sources, and identify which copy is the most up-to-date version. This helps you save the final copy on the server, eliminating the loss of documents on inidivual hard drives.

In other words, it is an easier way to do business.

America is the land of possibilities…there are so many types of jobs and industries to go into - you can be just about anything you want!

Despite the high number of jobs available (thanks to the good economy - with the exception of the mortgage/real estate industry), there are some that are more lucrative than others. Broadcasting is a job that many people want to get into - be it for the pay, the notoriaty, or whatever.

When jobs are extremely competitive, such as broadcasting, you really need a foot in the door. Getting a broadcasting internship can be the way to go. It helps you make connections, meet people, and learn about the industry as you try to get a permanant job.

There are many resources you can turn to to find an internship. Get A Mentor is one of those great companies that not only train you, but they can help you get an internship, and eventually help you land that dream job.

One would think that a profitable company would invest in a custom, quality on hold marketing message rather than irritating and pushy recordings for their customers that are left waiting on hold. 

Not so. At least in my experience as of last week.  I called a company’s customer service line to deal with some billing issues and was (of course) put on hold, only to be subjected to obnoxious sales pitches and poor quality music.  What is up with that?  The company was a larg, national establishment and yet apparently have not realized the impact of their crappy unbearable on hold recordings.

My husband and I try to travel somewhere different each year for our annual “romantic” getaway.  With no kids and an entire week to ourselves, we like to travel to exotic, new places and try new adventures. Last year we went to New Zealand.  This year it’s hiking the Haute Route in the gorgeous Swiss Alps. 

My husband is an outdoor fanatic; I would not go so far as to describe myself the same, but I have definitely become very tolerable fond of nature, thanks to him.  Actually, I am really looking forward to exploring the beautiful scenery amidst massive glaciers, peaks, and lush green fields and staying in quaint and charming inns at night. 

We are having our luggage sent each day to the chalet we are staying at that night previous to our arrival.  It surely is the only way to go!  It will be so nice not to have to worry about hauling our luggage everywhere and to be able to leave from our final destination rather than having to travel back to our starting place.

If you are looking for an adventurous yet romantic trip, consider hiking the Swiss Alps!  I will be sure to let you know all about our trip upon our return!

I was at work the other day, and I had to make some calls to some clients I work with. When I was on hold waiting to be put through, I had to laugh. The hold music was the most creative hold music I’d ever heard! It was custom designed for my client’s company, complete with lyrics for their own “jingle” to promote their company!

I hadn’t ever heard anything like that before, but I think it’s such an American thing to do. I can’t imagine any stuffy European companies with silly or creative hold music. It was nice to listen to, and it made the wait time seem a lot shorter for me. Perhaps Verizon should take this idea to heart…listening to elevator music gets old, especially with the long wait times I have to suffer through…