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Inferno Cantos 1 to 5 Questions for Analysis by Stacy Esch
Posted on October 24, 2013 by EILeditor
Inferno: Questions for Analysis, Cantos I – V
by Stacy Esch
[with illustrations selected by EIL staff]
Gustave Doré, Canto 1
(Dante lost in the dark wood)
www.artpassions.net
What is the "dark wood"? How did Dante get there? [see Introducing Canto I]
What's the significance of Dante "waking up" HALFWAY through the course of his life? He says he was so "full of sleep" that he can't even tell when he began to lose his way….why does he wake up HALFWAY through? [see Introducing Canto I]
What was the sleeping state Dante was in before? [see Introducing Canto I]
Let's stay with this image of waking up in a strange, dark, savage, tangled, rough place-a place you don't entirely recognize and which you can't remember getting to. It sounds like someone on a bender, doesn't it? A kind of hangover from drunkenness? What's that feeling, and why is there at the beginning of the Inferno? When you imagine yourself in those shoes, what state do you realize Dante is in as the poem opens? [see Introducing Canto I]
Why can't Dante leave the wood? What's the significance that "three beasts" block his way? What do you think these beasts signify? Do they have symbolic meaning, do you think?
Light appears and disappears here at the beginning of the book. What do you think the "light" and "dark" symbolize?
Not sure if he's "man or shade" Dante cries to Virgil for help, and Virgil offers to lead him on a "timeless" path through an "eternal realm." He seems to be offering Dante the chance to see things he's never seen before, things he needs to see if he's going to climb out of his "rut," his confusion and moral disorientation. When he realizes his guide is Virgil, Dante seems to have all the confidence in the world in him, because Virgil is one of his "heroes." Keep an eye on Dante's relationship with Virgil as the book progresses; notice how it changes and grows.
Dante sets out with confidence, but as we'll see at the very beginning of Canto II, his mood quickly changes to doubt. Why the roller coaster emotions, do you think?
Canto II, Persuasion
Daylight is departing as the Canto begins. What mood does that set? In what sense is he "alone"? What's the double struggle he names?
Mood = foreboding. For the rest of creation, the dark means rest, but for the Pilgrim it means going to war.
He has to struggle with the journey itself and the pity which this journey will evoke in him; his battle against pity is one of his major struggles in the Inferno. You'll notice he has a lot of it at the beginning, but that he gradually learns, grows, and changes. See if you can observe these changes in his level of pity.
Dante invokes the muses, not for inspiration exactly, but for the power to set down what's in his memory. Why the emphasis on "memory"?
Should we take him literally? His insistence on "memory" rather than the traditional "inspiration" makes the story he's telling seem more real, more believable. If it's memory, then it's not an "inspired fiction."
If he's remembering something he must have come through it all right. And he must have learned something along the way that makes the narrator telling the story now different than the character in the story, though they are the same person. The Poet is wiser than the Pilgrim.
Why does Dante compare himself to Aeneas and Paul?
Dante is referring to Book VI in the Aeneid and a Gnostic gospel called "The Vision of St. Paul," which was very a popular text and which describes Paul's journey into the underworld, which is mentioned in the New Testament, but not described there.
It might seem like false modesty, but he really seems to be emphasizing his self-doubt, his sense of personal unworthiness for this journey. Only the "greats" have made this trip. How will he compare? Does he have it in him? He seems to need Virgil's reassurance here. Virgil needs to persuade him that he'll be okay. It's a very human reaction, to feel unworthy, to feel foolish, to be filled with self-doubt.
Virgil comments on Dante's fear. He calls it "cowardice," and compares it to the "trick of vision" that "startles a shying beast." Notice how emotion, for Virgil, is linked to bestial behavior; you're not much nobler than a beast when you allow your emotions to rule you this way-that's the implication. What does Virgil do to "ease the burden of fear"? Why does Dante trip all over himself to write "like one who unchooses his own choice and thinking again undoes what he has started…"
He makes sure the emphasis is on "choice."
Fear is seen as an inferior emotion. Reason is always superior. Yet, Augustine taught (and Dante obviously believes, given the amount of fear he emphasizes at the beginning of the work here and elsewhere) that fear was a form of "grace" that was a kind of gift because it's a kind of energy. Your fear can be the catalyst that sets you back on the right path, as it does for Dante.
To ease his burden of fear, Virgil tells Dante the story of how Beatrice came to him in Limbo-where she came from, who sent her. Love is the force that moves her to entreat Virgil, and love is what moves Virgil to action as well. He concludes that with such help at his side, how can he possibly remain cowardly? He should be bolder, freer. More human.
Notice how Virgil questions Beatrice just as Dante questions him. Virgil doesn't know everything.
Beatrice is high up in heaven!! She's sitting around with "Rachel of old"—who is Abraham's wife, if you know your Bible, and Abraham is one of the major patriarchs of the Old Testament.
A little about Beatrice here [see notes on "Beatrice"]
Notice that Beatrice instructs Virgil to persuade Dante, knowing that no one can "command" him; he has to make the choice himself. How does Virgil persuade Dante to go on?
He tells him the story of how Beatrice came to him. Dante learns that he has three women in heaven "watching over him"-all the way up to the Virgin Mary (although she's never named).
Love is a saving grace for Dante here. He's willing, literally, to be led through the depths of Hell if Beatrice, his true love, requires it. He is such a devout servant of love!
Do you think love can be a saving grace elsewhere in the world, in our world today? In our lives? Is it naïve to think that love can "save us," that "love is all you need" (as John Lennon put it). How does this message square with your own experience?
What's Dante's reaction when he hears that his beloved Beatrice is involved in helping him?
Dante uses a simile (and he only uses these when he really wants to draw attention to something)-to describe how he "blooms" and he emphasizes that he feels "set free."
Notice, again, the roller coaster emotional ride.
As he sets out, he's blooming and full of confidence. This is quickly shattered as he enters outer Hell in the very next Canto.
Canto III, Outer Hell
Hell has a "gate" (remember the Gate at the end of Genesis, Chapter 3)-it will contain a "city"-though we won't reach the actual city walls until Canto X, when Virgil and Dante get stopped at the Gate of Dis. But the fact that it's preceded by a gate makes this entire region seem like a specifically human place; it's the very opposite image of the "Garden" of Eden, which was built for everything, all of earth's creatures. A gated place, and especially a city, seems specifically for humanity. What do you think is the significance of making Hell into a city?
Maybe because the evils of the city would be familiar to us? The fact that cities are packed in with people?
But also that Dante's Hell is inspired by his classical sources. His underworld greatly resembles that of Virgil's (Book VI, Aeneid) and the underworld described in "The Vision of St. Paul." A lot about the structure of Hell is unique to Dante, however, which you would discover if you made a point of comparing these works systematically. The inscription over the Gate is all Dante, for example.
Read the inscription over the Gate very carefully. What does it tell you about this place?
You are entering a "city of woes," of sorrow, a place of "eternal pain" where "forsaken people" dwell. The city image evokes images of an urban, social, human place, while the eternal sorrow suggests it is ruled by animal emotion rather than reason, which is further emphasized by the "forsaken" people who are forsaken because they've "lost the good of intellect," as Virgil will explain.
"Sacred justice" is dispensed here. There's a causal relationship between your free will and your responsibility. How well you meet your responsibilities determines the nature of your punishment or reward.
"Divine Power, Love, and Wisdom"-God plays an active role in setting up this place. God has the Power to make it in the first place, so be assured about that; God has the Wisdom to run it properly, so don't question it; God created it out of Love-tough love, but love nevertheless.
"Eternal"-the emphasis on the eternal nature of this place takes us outside of time, outside of our temporal reality; we are in an "other" world
"ABANDON ALL HOPE, YOU WHO ENTER HERE." What can be said there? This is not going to be about rehabilitation. It is about punishment, pure and simple. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth justice. Divine justice does not rehabilitate, it punishes. How do we feel about that in 2005? Do we share this view?
Remember that this is a vision of an "afterlife," not actual life. Many people read the Inferno as if it is a metaphorical picture of our real world, but it also sharply contrasts with our "real" world. For instance, we still have our intellect (we haven't forsaken it entirely yet), and we can choose to use it; we can still choose not to forsake God/truth; we can make right choices, take responsibility; we are still subject to time; nothing is eternal in real life-real life is all about growth and change, and we can always change for the better. So in other words, we don't have to abandon all hope!
Dante asks Virgil to explain the inscription-notice the nature of their "teacher/pupil" relationship. Why does Virgil instruct Dante to leave his fear and his distrust behind?
He's emphasizing that he has to put his trust and faith in the divine love and wisdom that set up this place, and that he'll be protected as he goes through. This is a place of punishment; the sinners don't deserve pity. Of course, Virgil can tell Dante this, but Dante still struggles with pity.
As Dante learns to reign in his pity, he becomes what some readers consider a little cruel. That leads us to question whether or not Dante is "justifying torture." Some readers have been really put off by this book for that reason. It's a sensitive question.
Notice how Dante is reduced to weeping as soon as he passes the Gate? What is he reacting to? What does his reaction tell you about him?
He's overcome with pity and fear; you can see how sensitive and human he is. This divine justice takes some getting used to!
Who are the Neutrals? (Read "The Heirs of Canto III of Dante's Inferno" online)
When does the light bulb turn on-when does Dante really understand who these sinners are, and the meaning of what they've done to deserve their punishment?
What's the significance of the "dim" light? John Ciardi translates it as "infected" light, which I think is an even more powerful figure of speech than Pinsky's "dim" light.
Why won't Virgil answer Dante's question? Why does Dante feel abashed? Is this a rift in their relationship?
Charon offers an "anti-greeting" that's more like a curse. Notice how Virgil rebukes him. Also, notice how this kind of exchange between Virgil and the Inferno's demons develops over the next several Cantos, culminating in a crisis in Canto IX.
Look closely at the spectacular simile Dante uses to describe the movement of sinners towards Charon's ferry. He compares them to leaves falling from a tree, but combines that image with the image of a falcon lured by its master's call.
Why does Dante faint at the end of the Canto? What overwhelms him, in your opinion?
Canto IV, Limbo
Is there any significance to the fact that Dante misreads Virgil's pity for fear? Is Dante the Pilgrim being stupid, or is Dante the Poet trying to emphasize something significant here? Does this change their relationship at all?
Why does Virgil berate Dante for not asking questions? (Remember, he told him not to ask questions earlier.) Is this confusing, or does this inconsistency make some kind of sense?
What does Virgil reveal about himself when he claims to have no fear and still a lot of pity? (We can't answer this now, but we will be able to soon—that's the style of the book…it makes great use of "hindsight"—what you learn as you go on helps you understand where you've been. The past is always being integrated into the present.)
Why is Dante so covert in his question to Virgil about anyone ever leaving Limbo?
Dante is accepted into the ring of great poets. No false modesty there. What does this tell us about him, about this work we're reading?
Who lives in the Castle? We're learning, in a sly way, about hierarchies, class systems, degrees of punishments. There's a very elaborate order to this place. The lower level contains people of action, the upper level the more contemplative thinkers. The Castle seems an elaborate symbol for "higher learning"; it's a kind of ivory tower (wehre "goodness hides behind its gates" to quote Bob Dylan every chance I get). It also suggests a bibliography, in case any readers are interested in reading up and getting smart like Dante.
When Virgil and Dante walk on water, that's miraculous. It parallels another character who walks on water later, in Canto IX. Is there any link?
Notice the transition picks up the light/dark motif: they are peering into a place "with no light in it."
Canto V, Paolo and Francesca
Notice the funnel shape that's suggested at the beginning of Canto V.
Notice, another "gate," another entrance. Why are these entrances called attention to throughout the work? They seem to signal significant thresholds; they introduce rials the travelers must pass through. They are portals, in a way. Or hurdles on the straight path.
Notice the depiction of Minos. This is a character borrowed from Virgil, who borrowed it from the ancient Greeks. In Greek myth, Minos was a great judge. Virgil makes him the judge of the underworld, a judge of the dead. But Dante transforms him further into what we see here: a monster, a kind of demon, like Charon with his flaming eyes. Minos is a kind of "machine"; he's flawless in his efficiency, a grotesque "functionary." Throughout the Inferno you can observe Dante borrowing characters from classical literature and history and transforming them to his own artistic purposes.
Minos, like the other gatekeepers in the story are powerful reminders of where we are; they help readers navigate through the Inferno memorably. They are a kind of memory place holder, helping to distinguish one circle from the next.
Notice the "contrapasso." The souls of the lustful, the carnal sinners are rent by hurricane-force winds that ravage, rend, and twist them like they allowed themselves to be be swept away by their passions while alive.
Observe the bird imagery. Dante uses the images of three kinds of birds throughout this Canto to make vivid the images of the souls in the air, swept by the winds. Starlings are unattractive, dirty, theiving…flying in big flocks. But the cranes, who were more admired, are the souls of the higher-brow sinners, the literary and historical legends who are more prominent, more individual. The dove (pidgeon) imagery is reserved for Paolo and Francesca, the lustful lovers who committed adultery and were murdered together.
Carefully observe Francesca's speech to Dante.
Love is the force that propells Paolo and Francesca towards Dante; his love pulls them out of the wind (remember the theme: love is the primal force).
Francesca claims to speak for Dante's benefit, but her speech is completely self-serving.
Francesca ironically quotes Dante's earlier love poetry; by putting his own youthful words in Francesca's mouth, he shows he's willing to be self-critical.
Francesca tells her story, but her telling is distorted in order to exaggerate her own innocence. She doesn't accept an ounce of responsibility for what happened.
Francesca says, "Love, which absolves none who are loved from loving made my heart burn…" Yet, if this were true, there'd be no souls in Hell! (God's love, which would be that much more irresistable, would save all.) Francesca is merely covering her tracks, abdicating responsiblity for the seduction, blaming Paolo, the book, anything and anyone but her own self and the choices she freely made.
Many readers find it romantic the way Francesca and Paolo are together even in Hell, and they interpret this to mean that true love survives even an inferno. Paolo still clings to Francesca…. Is it romantic, or tragic? Romantic, or comic? It's essential to be aware of the way in which Francesca is still trying to seduce. She's trying to seduce the reader into believing she is innocent. Is she? Why doesn't Paolo speak at all? He merely "weeps at her side"? What happened to him? Why can't he speak? We must note that Dante, hearing Francesca's tale, has enormous pity for the lovers. He hasn't quite figured out that Francesca is talking about lust while he is thinking about love. He bows his head in utter defeat, hearing this tale, perhaps thinking of his own affairs, his own books. Are they seductions? Virgil seems to recognize that there's something going on, and he asks Dante to confide in him. Dante admits to pity, not to guilt. Was Virgil picking up on something Dante isn't ready to admit to himself, or does he actually have no guilt?
Next: Questions/Analysis on Cantos 5 – 11
Return to list of Stacy Esch resources
Stacy Esch teaches composition and literature at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She is an avid supporter of the liberal arts tradition in higher education.
This article is reprinted here for educational purposes only, with the permission of the author who retains copyright to this work. Many thanks to Professor Esch for letting us reproduce this resource, which was originally published on her website: http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2004/inferno-analysis1-5.html
This entry was posted in E5-Resources and tagged analysis, cantos 1 - 5, dante, eil, gustave dore, inferno, questions, stacy esch, study guide. Bookmark the permalink.


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The marvellously named Moksha Medicine Men - who played beautifully at the recent Project X event - featuring the nimble fingers of Rohit on Sitar, with bass and tabla playing some wonderful and intricate Indian music.
John Gerighty playing classically inspired acoustic guitar influenced in part by his Christian spirituality.
And finally, Eve and the Garden offering a feminine trio of vocals, harp and violin with Celtic and folky influences to the fore.
Plus I'll be playing a set of my meditative piano music on the big grand.
It should be a lovely evening - its an 8pm start in the inspirational setting of St Marys Chuch (the big Church overlooking the Village) and its free in although your donations would be most welcome.
I usually get some refreshments sorted for the interval - a glass of red wine or orange juice can only help with the vibe!


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Neha has commented on the ongoing news about the relationship between herself and Himanshu, that they are together from the time of 'Yariyaan' itself. We are very good friends and now we have become a traveller because we travel mostly because of work. We are good friends and want to take the new love story one step further.
Neha has just recently shot a 'Hamsafar' song with Himanshu and she is romancing him in the video. This song is sung by Neha and her brother Tony Kakkar. According to reports both of them had celebrated New Year and Valentines Day together. Both of them may not express their love, but the manner in which the news is coming from, everything looks as clear as a mirror.
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English football's dying breed of strike partnerships
Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole
Roberto Di Matteo's decision to deploy Eden Hazard as his most attacking player in his final team selection as Chelsea manager may not have met with the approval of club owner Roman Abramovich.
But the Italian, sacked just hours after his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat by Juventus, was certainly in keeping with a tactical trend.
Beardsley was the perfect foil for Lineker
With Barcelona's free-scoring Lionel Messi as their model, various managers have attempted to do without a traditional centre-forward. Most recently, Brendan Rodgers asked Jonjo Shelvey to plough a lone furrow in attack in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Young Boys in a Europa League game.
Former England and Tottenham forward Gary Lineker took to Twitter to bemoan a "dying breed" under the hashtag #prayforstrikers.
On Monday at 19:00 GMT, ex-England, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United frontman Michael Owen will debate the dearth of genuine strike partnerships when he appears on this week's edition of Radio 5 live's Monday Night Club.
So it seems the perfect opportunity to look back at a time when teams played with not just one but two men up front.
Premier League strike partnerships:
1993-94: Andy Cole & Peter Beardsley, Newcastle United, 55 goals. (42-game season). Promoted to the Premier League the season before, Newcastle stormed the top flight, finishing third as Cole and Beardsley plundered the goals under an attack-minded Kevin Keegan.
Other potent pairings
1995-96: Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore, Liverpool (42 goals).
1996-97: Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand, Newcastle (41 goals).
2001-02: Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United (40 goals).
2009-10: Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea (40 goals).
1999-2000: Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, Manchester United (39 goals).
A 21-year-old Cole had arrived at St James' Park as a club record £1.75m signing in February 1993, with Beardsley, at the opposite end of his career, following in a £1.5m move from Everton in July at the age of 32.
The movement and finishing instincts of Cole allied with Beardsley's intelligence in a slightly deeper role provided a devastating double act.
Cole, who made one league appearance for Arsenal as a youngster, found the net in his third top-flight appearance for the club - a 1-1 draw at Manchester United - and went on to score 34 league goals.
Beardsley managed 21, which was the most prolific campaign of his career but the pair's partnership lasted only one whole season, with Manchester United prising Cole away from Tyneside in January 1995.
1994-95: Alan Shearer & Chris Sutton, Blackburn Rovers, 49 goals (42-game season). Owner Jack Walker once again signalled his intent for Blackburn when he broke the British transfer record to sign Shearer from Southampton £3.3m in 1992 and Kenny Dalglish's side finished fourth and second in the following two seasons.
'The SAS' celebrate their Premier League win.
But the arrival of Sutton from Norwich for £5m, in what was another record deal, in 1994 took Rovers to another level.
The Shearer and Sutton partnership was quickly nicknamed 'SAS' as they battered defences. Both powerful front-men, they were given reliable service from wingers Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox and were also capable of stunning long-range efforts.
Shearer scored a total of 34 goals, while Sutton provided 15 as Blackburn won a first league title since 1914.
1999-2000: Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn, Sunderland, 44 goals (38-game season). Just like Newcastle had been six years before, the Black Cats were the Premier League's surprise package in their first season after promotion largely thanks to this little and large combination.
Phillips had been playing non-league football at Baldock Town five years before but wasted no time in taking to the Premier League and ended up with 30 goals.
Target-man Quinn was 32 when Sunderland returned to the top-flight and contributed 14 goals of his own, his second highest tally in the top flight, as Peter Reid's men finished seventh.
English football's other deadly duos:
Shaw and Withe spear-headed Villa's success
John Toshack and Kevin Keegan (Liverpool 1971-77). The classic big and little man duo, Toshack and Keegan once took telepathy tests and dressed up as Batman and Robin as well as forming one of the most potent partnerships in the history of the English game, winning three league titles and the European Cup together.
Gary Shaw and Peter Withe (Aston Villa, 1980-82). Withe arrived from Newcastle in 1980 and scored 20 goals in his opening season as Villa won the league in 1981, which saw Shaw voted PFA young player of the year, and then scored the winner in the European Cup final victory over Bayern Munich the following year
Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush (Liverpool, 1980-87). Rush is Liverpool's record goal-scorer with 346 across two spells at Anfield and his combination with the creativity and similar scoring power of Dalglish was crucial for the Reds in the early 1980s.
Wright and Bright fired Palace to promotion and a cup final.
Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley (England, 1986-92). Years before he was paired with Cole, Beardsley helped get the best out of another poacher. Lineker, who rates Beardsley as the best strike-partner of his career, was the top-scorer at the 1986 World Cup with six goals and the partnership was still going when Bobby Robson's side reached the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Ian Wright and Mark Bright (Crystal Palace 1987-91). There was more to this partnership than rhyming surnames and, after sharing 45 the previous season, they scored 44 goals between them to get the Eagles into the top division in 1989. They reached the FA Cup final in 1990 and the following season Wright and Bright fired Palace to a third-placed finish - as well as both scoring hat-tricks in an 8-0 League Cup win over Southend.
And from the lower leagues:
Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister (Bristol Rovers 1973-74). The two Yorkshiremen were labelled 'Smash and Grab' by someone on the Rovers' marketing staff and they scored 40 goals between them on the way to promotion from the third tier.
Clough suffered a "Smash and Grab" at Brighton
During their incredible campaign, they scored seven between them in an 8-2 victory at Brighton, who had recently appointed Brian Clough as manager.
"I got a hat-trick in the first half and big Alan got four," Bannister told BBC Sport. "Big Alan had a cut on his eye and he was going to get some stitches. Cloughie came in and said 'What's up with you lad? It must have been self inflicted because we didn't get within 20 yards of you all afternoon.'
"Someone at Bristol Rovers had thought up the catchphrase 'Smash and Grab' and put up 'Wanted' posters with us on all over town. We just clicked straight away. He's a big fella and was a very good player on the ball. It's just a matter of reading each other. I could play him in or he could get a touch or a flick and I'd say 'Thank you very much' and stick it away."
Bull and Mutch were prolific at Molineux
Ken Wagstaff and Chris Chilton (Hull City 1964-71). The east Yorkshire club's top-two goal-scorers of all time were once described by Brian Clough as the best two players not to play in the top-flight.
A prolific striker with Mansfield before his move to the Tigers, Wagstaff, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday, was voted player of the century by fans of both clubs.
Stocky and powerful, he combined perfectly with the taller and equally predatory Chilton, who is Hull's top scorer of all time with 222 goals in more than 400 appearances. Wagstaff almost matched him, finishing with 197 goals.
Steve Bull and Andy Mutch (Wolves 1986-93). In their first full season together, Bull and Mutch scored 53 league goals between them to earn the West Midlands club promotion from the old Fourth Division.
They shared 58 more to earn another promotion the following season, with Bull, still officially a third-tier player, winning the first of 13 England caps, scoring in a 2-0 friendly win in Scotland.
Signed from fierce local rivals West Bromwich Albion, Bull went on to score more than 300 goals for Wolves, with Mutch bagging just over 100.
The Monday Night Club, BBC Radio 5 Live, Monday 26 November, 19:00 GMT
Motty's top-10 PL signings
Read more on John Motson's top-10 Premier League signings

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hi everyone, time for another Sketch N Stash challenge and also time for another 'free choice' sketch. If you'd like to join in, just check out the archived sketches at the top of the challenge blog and choose your favourite, but don't forget to pop a picture of it on your blog with your card to be entered into the challenge.
I opted for Sketch #91 although I changed it around a little.
I'm really excited that we are being sponsored this time by the lovely Krista from Saturated Canary, who generously shared some of her gorgeous images with the DT.
She is also offering our winner 2 free digis of their choice, so what are you waiting for?
Don't forget to take a look at the other DT cards on the blog and check who won our last prize and made it to our Top 3.
Chrissie, this is so beautiful and your coloring is wonderful! I love looking at your creations, as always. I've been a bit off-line lately but am working my way back. Sending you hugs!
Oh what a wonderful, cute card.
Lovely card Chrissie. I love the image and pretty die cut.
This is gorgeous sweetie. Love the colours and your layout is great.
Hi Chrissie this is so beautiful I love the colours, papers, design and that stunning image, superb card.


The Maltings Ltd (Gridlock, Turn Left, The Next Doctor, A Good Man Goes To War, Deep Breath, ): 0.21 miles.
Enfys Television Studios (): 0.27 miles.
Inchmarnock Street (Ghost Machine): 0.32 miles.
Lady Margaret's Terrace (Ghost Machine): 0.34 miles.
Adamsdown Place (Ghost Machine): 0.34 miles.
Gwendoline Place (Ghost Machine, Sarah Jane Adventures Series 4/5): 0.34 miles.


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Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, after a meeting at the White House, Tuesday, June 30, 2020 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democrats Propose Sweeping Bill To Curb Presidential Abuses
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats on Wednesday proposed a sweeping bill to curb presidential abuses, a pitch to voters weeks ahead of Election Day as they try to defeat President Donald Trump, capture the Senate from Republicans and keep their House majority. The legislation, a wide-ranging package...
FILE - This Nov. 4, 2019, file photo shows cargo cranes at the Port of Tacoma in Tacoma, Wash. U.S lawmakers are pushing for a ban on exports from an area of northwest China following a report that found widespread use of forced labor. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
September 22, 2020 - 2:23 pm
Congress Seeks To Block Goods From China Over Forced Labor
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan bill aimed at keeping goods out of the U.S. that are made with the forced labor of detained ethnic minorities in China passed overwhelmingly Tuesday in the House of Representatives despite concerns about the potential effects on global commerce. The House voted 406-3...
FILE-In this June 13, 2018 file photo, an Indian woman separates grain from the husk in a paddy field in Mayong village on the outskirts of Gauhati, India,. Amid an uproar in Parliament, Indian lawmakers on Sunday approved a pair of controversial agriculture bills that the government says will boost growth in the farming sector through private investments. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File)
Indian Lawmakers Pass Farm Bills Amid Uproar In Parliament
NEW DELHI (AP) — Amid an uproar in Parliament, Indian lawmakers on Sunday approved a pair of controversial agriculture bills that the government says will boost growth in the farming sector through private investments. The two bills were approved even though most opposition parties and some allies...
FILE - In this July 10, 2020 file photo, Poland's ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, left, attends a police-guarded ceremony in Warsaw, Poland. An official with Poland's conservative governing party said Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, that the the country's right-wing coalition government has collapsed. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, file)
Polish Ruling Party Forming Minority Govt, Rejects Partners
An official with Poland's conservative governing party said Friday that the country's right-wing government coalition has collapsed. Marek Suski said the Law and Justice party will continue to run Poland as a minority government, without the junior partners that were part of the coalition dubbed...
FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 file photo, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street to attend the weekly session of Prime Ministers Questions in Parliament in London. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has strongly defended his controversial plan to override sections of the Brexit deal that he negotiated with the European Union, arguing that the bloc has an "extreme" interpretation of the treaty that could jeopardize the future of the U.K. In a column Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 in The Daily Telegraph, Johnson said the Internal Market Bill is required to end EU threats to impose a "blockade" in the Irish Sea that he argues could "carve up our country." (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file)
Uk's Johnson Defends Planned Law, Says Eu 'unreasonable'
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday defended his plan to unilaterally rewrite Britain's divorce deal with the European Union as an insurance policy against the bloc's unreasonable behavior — even as his former attorney general joined the ranks of once-loyal lawmakers...
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, approaches the microphones accompanied by, from left, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., at the start of a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Gop's Slimmed-Down Virus Bill Expected To Fail In Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) — A scaled-back GOP coronavirus rescue package appears certain to fail in a Senate test vote Thursday as the bipartisan spirit that powered earlier relief bills has given way to election-season political combat and name-calling. The vote is likely to end hopes for coronavirus relief...
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, walks to his office from the Senate floor, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
House Panel Approves Bill To Combat Doping In Horse Racing
WASHINGTON (AP) — A key House committee on Wednesday gave bipartisan approval to legislation to create national standards for the horse racing industry to prevent fatalities and discourage illegal medication practices. The Senate's top Republican said he would press to pass the bill before the year...
FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2019, file photo, electronic cigarette pods are displayed for sale at a shop, in Biddeford, Maine. Vaping giant Juul Labs has donated thousands of dollars to court state attorneys general. But the lobbying strategy may be backfiring. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Florida Governor Vetoes Bill Because Of Liquid Nicotine Ban
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill to raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 because it would have also banned the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products used in vaping. The Republican governor said in the veto letter released Tuesday night that federal...
FILE - In this April 23, 2020, file photo House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, takes her mask off to speak during a signing ceremony for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, H.R. 266, after it passed the House on Capitol Hill, in Washington. Maxine Waters said she started focusing on police violence in 1979 after Los Angeles police shot a Black homemaker, Eula Love, during a confrontation over an unpaid gas bill. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Black Lawmakers Reflect On Civil Rights Then, And Now
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation is once again at a crossroads over racial inequity, marking the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech," yet torn apart by the Black Lives Matter protests against the police shooting of another Black man, this time in Wisconsin...
In this image from video, Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., speaks during a virtual video hearing before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on the U.S. Postal Service during COVID-19 and the upcoming elections, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs via AP)
Tough Choices For Gop Over A Postal Service Trump Belittles
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans in tight reelections are in a precarious position over the embattled Postal Service as its bosses impose cost-cutting measures on one of the government's few beloved agencies. And as often happens, President Donald Trump has made the political fallout for...


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HMRC's competence questioned after it loses another IR35 case
In HMRC
Recruitment consultancies are likely to question whether they can continue trusting the government over its handling of IR35 tax reforms in the wake of a dramatic victory for a contracting professional against HMRC this week.
HMRC had claimed that a contractor who had provided his labour through a personal service company (Jensal Software Limited) and through Capita to the Department of Work and Pensions between 28th May 2012 and 4th April 2013 was inside IR35. But the judge presiding over the case in the First-Tier Tribunal Chamber this week found that, contrary to the HMRC's case, the worker's contract was outside IR35.
The judge arrived at this conclusion principally because of the absence of sufficient control over the contractor's working methods to justify an inside-IR35 determination, but also disagreed with the HMRC's interpretation of mutuality of obligation and the right to substitution.
Seb Maley, CEO of the tax advisory consultancy for contracting professionals, Qdos Contractor (which represented the freelancer in this case), believes that a significant consequence of the ruling will be intensified scepticism amongst recruiters over whether they can trust the government's IR35 expertise.
This is especially significant, he explained, as it is now the contract worker's fee payer, frequently a recruitment agency, that will be held liable for any resulting penalties. He added:
"Despite HMRC implementing and enforcing the rules, this verdict shows they can't accurately assess a contractor's IR35 status. The Government is serious about clamping down on what they believe to be non-compliance, but worryingly, can't recognise whether a contractor belongs inside or outside IR35."
He called on HMRC to embark on a root-and-branch rethink of its IR35 strategy and simplify the regulations, adding: "Clearly, this is no time to extend public sector changes to the private sector."
Also responding to the judge's ruling was the CEO and founder of ContractorCalculator, Dave Chaplin. He wondered why HMRC brought this case against the contractor in the first place since the evidence against their argument – the existence of a completely legitimate right of substation, no control over working methods to speak of, and insufficient mutuality of obligation – was so compelling.
This is but the latest tribunal failure for HMRC. Just two months ago in March, a contractor won a case against the HMRC after the tribunal found that he had insufficient control over his working methods to warrant an inside-IR35 designation, and also had no access to employment rights to justify deeming him an employee.
HMRC have recently confirmed that they have no reliable evidence for the accuracy of their own self-assessment tool, CEST, which contractors are expected to use to reach an IR35 determination.
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Abstract: The international standard CityGML defines five levels of detail (LODs) for 3D city models, but only the highest of these (LOD4) supports modelling the indoor geometry of a building, which must be acquired in correspondingly high detail and therefore at a high cost. Whereas simple 3D city models of the exterior of buildings (e.g. CityGML LOD2) can be generated largely automatically, and are thus now widely available and have a great variety of applications, similarly simple models containing their indoor geometries are rare. In this paper we present two contributions: (i) the definition of a level of detail LOD2+, which extends the CityGML LOD2 specification with indoor building geometries of comparable complexity to their exterior geometries in LOD2; and more importantly (ii) a method for automatically generating such indoor geometries based on existing CityGML LOD2 exterior geometries. We validate our method by generating LOD2+ models for a subset of the Rotterdam 3D data set and visually comparing these models to their real counterparts in building blueprints and imagery from Google Street View and Bing Maps. Furthermore, we use the LOD2+ models to compute the net internal area of each dwelling and validate our results by comparing these values to the ones registered in official government data sets. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.


Secure wireless networks - Leaving wireless network connections unsecured at best means neighbours can gain free access to the internet and at works leaves your home network exposed to hackers.
However you can take precautions to protect yourself from attack. Installing good virus software is critical these days, this will block any unwanted attacks from malicious sites or hacker attempts.
Another great way to keep safe is to protect yourself when checking your email box. Never open any mail your suspicious about and be very careful when opening attachments.
With the increase in social networking sites and instant messaging services has also come the increase in people looking for ways to gain access to your computer. Harmless looking friend requests or games, can often hide malicious code that can access your computer and cause havoc.
The internet is a fun place to be and relax. By taking the measures outlined above, you can make sure that, you surf, chat and tweet in safety.


What Does 'O.N.I.F.C.' Stand For?
Wiz Khalifa released his second album this week, "O.N.I.F.C." The Pittsburgh native sat down with the Hot 97 morning show to discuss the project along with his upcoming marriage to pregnant girlfriend, Amber Rose.
The name, "O.N.I.F.C." stands for "Only N---- In First Class." Wiz said the name is a reflection of his experiences in the biz.
True dat, Wiz. I doubt you'll see any other dudes with skunk hair and neck tats flying first class.


Regis started training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with Master Eduardo Rocha (Royler Gracie 4th degree Black Belt) at Fortaleza-CE. As he trained Regis developed the passion and desire to learn more about this secular art. Therefore, at the age of 20, he decided to move to Rio de Janeiro to have the great privilege to be trained and educated by Master Royler Gracie. Along with his training, he was able to receive the knowledge of teaching the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Art, Gracie Self Defense Course and Gracie Competition techniques. Regis received the honor of the Black Belt from Master Royler Gracie at age 24. The following year, Regis decided to come to the US in order to spread the knowledge he acquired throughout the years, and chose Philadelphia as the starting point. Regis stayed in Philadelphia for 8 years, where he was able to build a strong team with champions in many different categories. Regis still had more to offer in disseminating the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu art. With that in mind, he chose San Diego as his next step because of its proximity to the world's major competitive events so the Academy would become a common spot for students around the world to stop. San Diego also offers great weather throughout the year and great, friendly people as residents. He remains the head instructor of Gracie Philadelphia and visits several times a year, maintaining a strong and respected team on both coasts of the U.S.


Size/kW: 162kW single-axis Solaria tracker system and 17kW Semprius dual-axis tracker with string level inverter technology and 13.8kV tie-in.
Size/kW: 50kW dual-axis tracker system with string level inverter technology and 13.8kV tie-in.
In addition to these American Helios projects, our management team has built 12 wind projects across the US totaling over 700 additional MW of capacity.


I was raised in a small town in Oklahoma, with only 26 in my graduating class. Since we were so small everyone participated in every sport in order to field a team. We had so few out for football we had to scrimmage one side of the line against the other and everyone played both offense and defense. After graduating in 1956 I attended college for one year then joined the Marine Corps in October of 1957. I went through boot camp in San Diego and ITR at Camp Pendleton. I was then assigned to the 7th Communications Bn, at Camp Horno as a Radio Relay Operator. In June of 1959, I was assigned to H&HS1 of 1st Marine Air Wing at Iwakuni Japan. I returned to the States in August of 1960 and received an early discharge to return to college.
I graduated East Central State College in 1962 with a double major in mathematics and physics and then attended graduate school at the University of Oklahoma for two years where I was a graduate assistant in the mathematics department.
I then spent a year as a computer programmer at the Air Forces Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, TN. At the center, the Air Force tested rocket and missile designs in wind tunnels and other facilities. I was there just long enough that I can say I used to be a rocket scientist. In 1964 I moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where I worked for a company that was developing a new line of computers. In 1968 I married and moved to Melbourne Beach, FL where I became a part owner in a software development company. I first started to run on a regular basis while living on the beach but did no organized running.
In 1972 I started my own company and moved to Birmingham, AL. It was in Birmingham that I first ran in organized races, primarily 10k's. In 1979 they had the first marathon in Birmingham, and I signed up on a lark completely unprepared. I managed to finish and continued to run marathons for the next 10 years. In September of 1987 my 16-year-old daughter was fatally injured in an automobile accident. I had signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon and was going to cancel but some of my running buddies convinced me to go ahead and run it with them to take my mind off things. We had also signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon, so I ran that with them also. I found that running was helpful in relieving the depression I felt, so I decided to run a marathon every month. The problem with that plan was that at that time it was difficult to find a marathon each month. Therefore, I decided to try running some ultramarathons, the first being Strolling Jim in May 1988. I continued running an ultra or a marathon each month for the next 30 months until I missed a cutoff in a 50-mile run.
I then continued to run marathons and ultras each year until 2002 when I retired, and my wife and I became guardians for our 12-year-old grandnephews. I took a 10-year break from ultras until October of 2013 when they held the 24-hour National Championship in Oklahoma City. I had run in the first National Championship in 1988, and every year thereafter until 2002. I even managed to win my age group one year when the leader stopped with 2 hours to go because his wife was not feeling well. I ran 87 miles at OKC and to my surprise won the 75-79 age group. I was used to running around 100 miles for a 24 hour so did not think 87 miles was very good. However, it turned out it was the best in the world that year according to DUV (http://statistik.d-u-v.org). Since then I have been ranked number 1 in the world every year in either the 24 or 48-hour run. I injured my knee in a trail race in 2014, and since then, due to arthritis, I do very little running, I just walk at a brisk pace for the 24 and 48-hour races I now do. In 2017 I did 161 miles at 3 Days at the Fair and set a new American and World Best Record for the 75-79 age group. I turned 80 in June and since then I have set American records for 12 hours on the track with 46.26 miles and 24 hours on the road with 91.1 miles and 48 hours on the road with 128.7 miles.
Over the years I have run around 200 marathons and ultras with most being ultras. I have run 25-30 races of 100 miles or longer. Some of my favorite races are Vol State which I have run twice – although at shorter distances than it is run at now, the 125 mile Mississippi Levee run that used to be run on the levee from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, a 48 hour run at the Naval Base in Pensacola that was run indoors at the base recreation facility on a 1/8 mile loop, Western States, and the marathons or longer I have run with each of my 3 daughters.
Finally, I am grateful that my family supports me in my efforts, especially my wife Deborah who is a world class crew and in demand by other competitors at my events. I plan to continue running/walking as long as I am able, and hope to meet MURCAns at the races I attend.


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Taylor Swift Intruder Arrested for Trespassing at Singer's Nashville Home
Nadine Cheung
Brian Ach, Getty Images
Gasp! When Taylor Swift was out of town celebrating her birthday with boyfriend Harry Styles, an intruder was arrested for trespassing at her Nashville home.
According to TMZ, 24-year-old Jacob Kulke was taken into custody on Friday morning after allegedly hopping a fence to get onto the property. Security detained the superfan, who said he took a bus from Wisconsin to be with the star on her birthday. When the police arrived on scene, Kulke said he was the boyfriend of the homeowner.
Kulke's record is already smudged. TMZ reports that the man was convicted of battery, disorderly conduct and drug possession in Wisconsin in 2010, and received 13 months probation. He is currently being held on $10,000 bond.
Thankfully, Swift was not home during the incident. The singer was spending her 23rd birthday in the U.K. with her latest love. Styles reportedly bought 23 cupcakes for the sweet star from Chapelford Village's Custom Cupcake Company, which specializes in unique delights.
The bakery is known for its bubble gum cupcakes, which feature a bubble gum center and bubble gum frosting. The company has even been commissioned to make special cupcake cocktails for 'X Factor,' which had vodka jelly inside.
According to E!, the cupcakes were a small part of a great day Styles planned for the country star, which included a long drive and lunch at a cozy pub. We're just glad Swift was, well, safe and sound!
Next: Vote for Your Favorite Taylor Swift Red Carpet Dress
Watch the Taylor Swift 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together'
Source: Taylor Swift Intruder Arrested for Trespassing at Singer's Nashville Home
Filed Under: Taylor Swift


Hi, my name is mapsgirl. I'm 35 years old and I love Sesame Street!
Sesame Street was part of my childhood. And now they are a part of my daughter's lives.
An amazing thing that the genius people who work at Sesame Street have done is incorporate artists that my generation knows and loves, reworded the songs and made it apply to things the kids need to know.
This one goes back a few years….
Before I get to the last video, I just want to thank Sesame Street for always being current…and for making content that even parents want to watch.
Recently I came across this awesome song. It's by a celebrity, but it wasn't re-written.


With all noses to the grindstone and the festive season firmly behind us, this is an opportune time to plan your financial blueprint for the year ahead.
As with most things, your finances need constant maintenance. We've compiled a financial year plan to help you keep track of what you need to do this year.
With the rug rats back at school this week, you should already have a plan in place for school fees. If you have the funds to pay school fees upfront for the year, find out if you qualify for a discount and then compare that to the interest you would earn if you put the money into an interest-bearing investment instead. The money could earn you more interest than the school fee discount and you can make payments on a monthly or per-term basis. If you are going to make regular payments rather than a single upfront payment, make sure that you make payment arrangements with the school.
Boitumelo Mothoagae, head of customer retention and a financial adviser at Liberty, says now is the ideal time to start planning for any major expenses that you will have in the year ahead. "It might be a wedding that you have to attend and make travel plans for, a major car service if you are out of motor plan or an exotic end-of-year holiday. Start planning now so that you avoid going into debt later," she says. Mothoagae adds that if you have a savings investment due to mature this year, you should also plan how you are going to spend or reinvest the money and continue to save the amount that was going towards the investment.
This is a short month. Mothoagae says you should consult a financial adviser or tax consultant to help you optimise your tax return. Now is the time to get the taxman to pay for your retirement savings by topping up your retirement annuity. Make a note of your car mileage at the end of February if you use your car for business travel. Find out what expenses you need to keep track of and start getting your supporting documents in order for your tax return.
Review your short term and long term insurance. Check that you are not over- or under-insured. Find out if you are insured for the correct values on your car and household insurance. Shop around and compare quotations from other insurers but make sure that you know what cover each insurer offers for the premiums you pay. You may find that one insurer offers you cheaper premiums but will charge you a much higher excess when you make a claim. This can save you money each month but if you choose this option, then the money you save on premiums should go into an emergency fund so that you are able to afford the higher excess.
If you have lost a significant amount of weight or stopped smoking in the past year, notify your long-term insurer so that they can reassess your risk and possibly adjust your premium accordingly. You also need to reconsider your life assurance needs if you have had a child, married, changed jobs, been retrenched or received a raise.
Your budget, which helps you keep track of your expenses and your income, is not a static document but needs to be updated constantly. If you have not already done so, review your budget. "If you were paying R2 200 a month towards your credit card, which is now settled, build this amount into your budget. Rather than just blowing the extra money, use it to reduce other debt or put it towards an emergency fund," Mothoagae says. When you are budgeting, take into account the interest you pay on different types of debt and make sure that you pay off the highest-interest bearing debt as quickly as possible.
As the chill of winter creeps in, do an energy audit and find ways to cut down on your electricity costs in the months ahead. You could install a solar geyser, install energy saving light bulbs and make use of blankets to save on high heater costs. For example, if your average electricity bill today is R1 000, installing a solar geyser can save you R17 606 over a three-year period. Water heating alone accounts for between 30 to 50% of your electricity bill. The cost of a solar water heater varies between R7 000 and R35 000 and you can get a rebate from Eskom.
Revisit your estate planning. Check that your will is up to date, that you have appointed executors and make provision for your estate duty costs. If you have children, your will should stipulate who their legal guardians will be in the event of both parents dying.
If you haven't already done so, get a flu shot so that you have an improved chance of not getting the flu as winter kicks in. Too often, people check their medical aid benefits at the beginning of the year and then forget about it until their benefits run out. Check how much money is still available in your day-to-day savings account and plan your regular doctor visits such as dental and optometrist check-ups. If you have a self-funding gap, find out from your medical aid how much you will need to spend before you get past the threshold so that your medical aid will cover your costs.
This is savings month and a good time to review the fees on your different savings investments. Check that fees are not costing you more than they should by comparing different investment vehicles. "An endowment policy, for example, pays out tax-free but the investment company pays tax on your behalf during the course of the investment at a rate of 28%. If your marginal tax rate is lower than 28%, then this investment is costing you more than, for example, a unit trust investment would," says Mothoagae. However, she cautions that you also need to take other factors into account, such as your investment period, how accessible you need your funds to be and the minimum contributions required.
This is a good month for women to check the discounts available to them through different insurers and to review their budget. If you are in a relationship, it is important for both partners to be fully aware of their finances. Don't leave everything to your husband. "Too many financial advisers are faced with widows who don't have the first idea of how their own household finances are run, where money is invested or even where to pay basic accounts," Mothoagae says. Don't make the mistake of thinking that housewives don't need life assurance because they have no income. If you have children, you need to factor in the cost of aftercare, in the event of your wife's death.
Use the positive spring energy to spring clean your clutter and get your admin filed and sorted.Most schools now require a term's notice if you wish to change schools. So, if your child is going to be attending a different school in 2015, now is the time to hand notice to their current school so that you avoid forfeiting a term's fees.
The increases that medical aid schemes release at this time of year are average percentages across different benefits. Find out what the increase will be for your particular benefit option and then assess whether you want to change options or even medical schemes in the year ahead. Compare your medical needs with the benefits you can receive and the premium you are expected to pay for those benefits.
This is the time to plan how you are going to spend your December bonus or tax refund– before you get it. You could make a lump sum payment into your home loan so that you can pay it off sooner rather than later, and save interest. Or you could put your bonus towards annual costs such as school fees, a major car service or home renovations. Whatever you do, make sure you have a plan so that you don't blow the money in a frenzy of spending.
Possibly the hardest time of year for even disciplined savers, the festive season is a smorgasbord of temptation for spenders. Curb your impulsive spending habits and stick to your budget. "Don't forget that you still have to pay debit orders in December and account for them before you spend any money. Remember too that it is a long way to your January payday and after all the parties are over and the visitors have left, you still need to buy groceries and pay for electricity among other regular costs," cautions Mothoagae. If you can afford to, arrange with your creditors to take your January instalments or premiums in December so that you have some breathing space at the end of January.
This article was first published in City Press on 19 January 2014.