I don't know how far your group goes for a road trip, but I'm in SW Iowa, just on the far side of Omaha. We get people from the west side of Lincoln coming down, I don't know how many would want to drive from N. Platte. The IPPCA president is based in Lincoln. That is a little closer. Maybe give Lauritzen Gardens a call, they may have info for your area, or the extension office for your county. As far as resources, this is one of the best. Being able to ask specific questions and get a variety of answers is better than any pond book on the shelves. There isn't much in the middle of million dollar projects and DIY ones you buy at the big box stores that all say the same thing. And quite honestly none of them really care about day 100, just day 1.

Well it looks like this it the finally list: TODAY'S UPDATE and FINAL LIST OF MEMBERS: 01. ncgardengirl-Fran***** 02. medontdo-Michele 03. markcase1964-Mark***** 04. lgslgs-Lynda 05. misskimmie-Kim 06. conniesc-Connie***** 07. heatherbon-Heather 08. dirtdiggin-Toni***** 09. gardeningbingo 10. grolikecrazy-Chris***** 11. douglasls-Lisa 12. beverlysc-Bev 13. aphroditelaughs-Ellie 14. sissifriss-Myriah***** 15. chellflower-Chell***** 16. mary_grether-Mary 17. poisondartfrog-Alana***** 18. grovespirit-Iris 19. lindaruzicka-Linda***** 20. angelady-Angela***** 21. dimples31312-Dorothy 22. strmywthr3-Barbi 23. smokymist-Cheryl***** 24. jas_il-Jasmine 25. kristlindgren-Kris 26. ishareflowers-Lisa***** 27. purpleacres-Tracy***** 28. countrygirl_sc-Gail 29. fleethart-Fleety 30. hmacdona-Heather***** 31. echinaceamaniac-Clint 32. lakedallasmary-Mary 33. diana_lynn-Diana Lynn 34. smitties 35. ashle999 36. yotetrapper***** 37. mcbdz-Pattie 38. graanieb-Bea 39. sassybutterfly_2008-Wendy***** 40. threeshyacres-Jodi***** 41. blue_ivy-Tola 42. ibartoo-Linda 43. jaleeisa-Kathy***** 44. molanic-Molanic 45. rane_grow-Iris 46.gardenmom2-Nichol 47. southerncharm1-Kathy SC1 48. kilngod-Tina***** 49. luvgardening2-Nancy***** 50. rbrady-Rhonda***** 51. dessieb-Dessie I will be emailing out my address shortly IF you do not have an email from me PLEASE make sure you email me for my address. Thanks so much I am sure we all are going to enjoy this swap. :) Fran

Yep you're hooked! Next you'll be making sauerkraut like the rest of us. I have to tell you the marmalade is the best. I've had it on toast every morning. I've got to make some before I run out. RR makes it look so easy. This sounds stupid but I have to find some time to cook. I haven't even had time to cook a 30 minute meal. There are so many great recipes in the book though I can't wait to get started. Tracey

Comprehensive financial planning involves a lot of issues - legal, familial, financial. If you are comfortable handling EVERY aspect of your lifestyle situation, then by all means go to a 'specialist', e.g., a broker or investment advisor for your financial affairs. There is nothing wrong with this; I do all the integrated estate planning for my DH and I. But the time I spent working in the CFP's office, as I mentioned, made a BIG difference in my understanding of the various issues that clients and their families face at various stages of their lives. However, many people are not knowledgeable or interested in integrating all their affairs in a comprehensive and wholistic manner. As has been often proven, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, as is doing things half-way but not thinking things through to their logical conclusion. And even if you are comfortable handling every aspect, is your spouse? Are each one of your children? Do they all work together well? Be honest with yourself about these questions. So many people accumulate a sizable estate, only to have the family fight over it, or waste the assets because they really don't understand the various tax/legal implications of their inheritance. There are still way too many people in this world who are less than 60 and think that having a million dollars means they are on Easy Street for the rest of their life. My MIL, for instance, thinks that if she wins the lottery for $3M, that's more than enough money for all three of us - she, my DH, and me - to take early retirement and live in comfort the rest of our lives. By the time you take Cash Value instead of Annuity Payments, that $3M is down to $1.6M. Taxes will take another 40% between Fed and State. Hmm, she's down to $960K already, and even just the dividends off that have popped her up 2 tax brackets in annual income. Nope, not a lot of money at all, in reality. This is why I insisted we find a CFP to handle her affairs. Her financial knowledge is nada/zip/non-existent. Her DH left her financially secure, but completely ignorant. And at age 79, she isn't about to learn how to handle her affairs. She is the poster child for an elderly person ready to be swindled by the first smiling, friendly, respectable-looking broker who's introduced to her by one of her 'friends', who are as sophisticated as she herself is - which is to say, not at all. For instance, do your children and spouse know how to handle an inherited IRA? Do they understand the difference between an IRA that has never been drawn down, vs one where RMDs (Required Minimum Distribution) have started? Do they understand the tax implications of selling out of mutual funds? Do they know where to go to get the cost basis? A good CFP has the fiduciary responsibility to see that your assets are passed along in the best possible manner and that your heirs have all the information they may need to make their own decisions about what to do with their inheritance. This is why only certified planners can do "financial planning". It isn't a simple "nuts and bolts" affair for everyone, although it can be for some people. But the more assets you accumulate, the more value comprehensive financial planning advice is likely to give not only you, but your heirs. If the shoe fits, you can wear it but you don't have to. However, there's no doubt that a sizable amount of $$$$ has gone to lawyers, state and the Federal governments, from estates that could have benefited from the original owners spending a relatively small percentage on their assets on quality professional advice.