A new study suggests parents have become more ambivalent about the Internet, with fewer of those surveyed considering it good for their children.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project says 59 percent of Americans with children ages 12 to 17 who were polled in 2006 consider the Internet a positive influence on their kids. That's down from 67 percent in 2004. Meanwhile, those who don't believe the Internet has had any effect one way or the other increased to 30 percent, up from 25. A senior research specialist at Pew says parents are not in a "honeymoon period" with the Internet anymore, adding they realize the Internet is something with good and bad things. More than 900 sets of U.S. parents and children were surveyed by phone in October and November of 2006.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Got a super sarcastic teen?
Deal With Tweenage Attitude
Margery Rosen
Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10 (earlier if older siblings are around) your mostly sweet-tempered munchkin, the one who broke into a wide grin the second you walked in the room, will look you in the eye and sneer, "Why should I?" when you remind her, again, to pick up her clothes and hang them in the closet. Perhaps she'll lob a sarcastic "So what?" when you inform her that unless she does, she won't be going to her best friend's birthday party. Her rude outbursts are piercing and you can't help but wonder: isn't she old enough by now to know better?
Yes, she is -- but she also needs to test her preteen mojo. "The middle school years are a time of huge physical, emotional, and cognitive change," notes child and adolescent psychologist Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., director of the Parenting Institute at New York University's Child Study Center. Your child is trying to figure out who she is and how she feels about things. "One way to do that is by flexing her verbal muscles and challenging your authority," says Dr. Gallagher. "She's purposely pushing you away, letting you know she's her own boss." When she questions everything you do or say ("And your point is?"), or cuts you off mid-sentence with a sarcastic "Mom, I just told you that," she's also learning to assert her own needs and ideas. "Who better to do that with than someone who will always love her?" he adds.
The problem is, middle schoolers don't have the maturity to know when they've crossed the line. The pre-frontal cortex -- the area in the brain that affects reasoning, impulse control and the ability to recognize the consequences of their actions -- isn't fully formed until the late teens or early 20s. What's more, it's overshadowed by the highly reactive amygdala, which triggers the brains' automatic fight-or-flight reflex. "When this area fires up, a child may instantaneously interpret just about anything you do or say as hostile -- and react accordingly," explains Steven C. Atkins, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Dartmouth Medical School.
Then, too, our society fosters this kind of behavior. "I call it the Bart Simpson affect," says Dr. Atkins, who is currently revamping the behavioral curriculum of a New Hampshire middle school to address issues of insolence. "We live in a racy, rude world. Kids listen to raunchy CD lyrics, read cruel posts on the Internet, and watch reality TV where the humor and drama is derived to a large extent from putting others down. And they witness the cynical, taunting comments of classmates at school." In the guise of being "cool," a child may adapt the tone of voice or verbal bullying of peers in order to fit in, explains Atkins, who is also coauthor of Because I Said So: Dealing with Family Squabbles. "His friends get away with it, so he figures, why not try it out?"
An Attitude Makeover
No one wants to raise a rude, bratty child. Yet what parents do, and don't do, causes insolence to escalate. "Parents are time-famined," says psychologist Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of Don't Give Me That Attitude. "We're overtired and overworked. We yearn for good times with our kids, without arguments." We let snarky comments pass, or pick those clothes off the floor and hang them up ourselves.
Plus, so much of our culture is geared toward a child's success -- in school, on the athletic field -- that building moral character gets short shrift. "No one gets a trophy being kind, helpful or generous," says Borba. In fact, she sees a strong uptick in mouthing off among preteen girls. "Parents are so focused on teaching their daughters to advocate for themselves, they fail to show them how to be assertive without being aggressive and disrespectful," she notes.
While the best defense against kid attitude is an early offense, it's never to late for a makeover. Most likely, you won't banish the back talk forever, but these tips will help you mitigate it -- as well as develop a thicker skin:
Figure out what's behind it. Sometimes an obnoxious attitude is a reaction to stress, disappointment, or even too little sleep. Middle schoolers are trying to prove themselves academically and socially, and it can be a challenge to keep negativity and cynicism at bay when they're emotionally depleted. If your child had a fight with a friend, or is doing poorly in school, a flippant, "so-what" tone may conceal fear or anxiety. If she hears you or a spouse speak rudely to others, she'll copy that behavior.
Target one attitude at a time. Do you bristle at his fresh mouth or sense of entitlement? Are you most offended by her barely-under-the-breath remarks or the way she rolls her eyes when you speak? While there may be several things you wish would disappear instantly, focus on one at a time.
Nurture the attitude you want to see. Once you've targeted the offensive attitude, zero in on what you'd like to see instead. For instance, an insensitive child needs to be caring and empathic; the non-compliant child can learn to be respectful and dependable; the demanding child should be considerate. "Don't try to do this alone," warns Borba. "Attitude change requires the cooperation of other family members, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and coaches. Get their input, so you can figure out whether she's acting impudently with everyone or just with you."
Stay cool. Like the schoolyard bully who hones in on the one kid he knows will cry, your child wants to see that he's ticking you off -- and he's probably quite good at it. That's why you need to plan ahead. "Pretend you're on Oprah," says Borba. "Memorize a short script so you can clearly but calmly respond to a child's hostility in the heat of the moment." Never lash back ("Don't you dare speak to me that way, young lady!"); she'll focus on your anger, not what you're saying, and before you know it you'll be embroiled in a power struggle. Instead, repeat your zero-tolerance policy and, if she continues, ignore her or walk out of the room. You can say, "When you're ready to speak respectfully, you can find me in the kitchen."
Draw your line in the sand. During a peaceful moment, patiently point out the attitudes you're concerned about. Make it clear that, while you understand her feelings and opinions, you won't tolerate her response. You could say: "I know you think I'm not being fair, but I won't be spoken to like that." Or: "That may be the way you talk to your friends, but it's never okay with me." Give her another chance to respond in a kinder, gentler way: "If you'd like me to help you, ask politely," or "You call me clueless and that hurts my feelings. Can you say it another way?" Dr. Atkins' mantra is: "You can be mad, but you can't be mean."
Follow through with consequences. If your child has slipped into the habit of being disrespectful, he really may not be aware of it or, in the heat of the moment, realize how wounding his words are. Still, Borba advises that you "flat out refuse to respond until he does." If it continues, ground him or take away privileges: no cell phone or X-Box, an early curfew, missing an important social event.
Notice the good times. "You'll need a thick skin to ignore infuriating comments, but the more you do, the quicker they'll stop," says Gallagher. When they do, let your child know you're proud of her. And hang in there: by the age of 14 or 15, the nice kid you used to know will come back.
Margery Rosen
Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10 (earlier if older siblings are around) your mostly sweet-tempered munchkin, the one who broke into a wide grin the second you walked in the room, will look you in the eye and sneer, "Why should I?" when you remind her, again, to pick up her clothes and hang them in the closet. Perhaps she'll lob a sarcastic "So what?" when you inform her that unless she does, she won't be going to her best friend's birthday party. Her rude outbursts are piercing and you can't help but wonder: isn't she old enough by now to know better?
Yes, she is -- but she also needs to test her preteen mojo. "The middle school years are a time of huge physical, emotional, and cognitive change," notes child and adolescent psychologist Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., director of the Parenting Institute at New York University's Child Study Center. Your child is trying to figure out who she is and how she feels about things. "One way to do that is by flexing her verbal muscles and challenging your authority," says Dr. Gallagher. "She's purposely pushing you away, letting you know she's her own boss." When she questions everything you do or say ("And your point is?"), or cuts you off mid-sentence with a sarcastic "Mom, I just told you that," she's also learning to assert her own needs and ideas. "Who better to do that with than someone who will always love her?" he adds.
The problem is, middle schoolers don't have the maturity to know when they've crossed the line. The pre-frontal cortex -- the area in the brain that affects reasoning, impulse control and the ability to recognize the consequences of their actions -- isn't fully formed until the late teens or early 20s. What's more, it's overshadowed by the highly reactive amygdala, which triggers the brains' automatic fight-or-flight reflex. "When this area fires up, a child may instantaneously interpret just about anything you do or say as hostile -- and react accordingly," explains Steven C. Atkins, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Dartmouth Medical School.
Then, too, our society fosters this kind of behavior. "I call it the Bart Simpson affect," says Dr. Atkins, who is currently revamping the behavioral curriculum of a New Hampshire middle school to address issues of insolence. "We live in a racy, rude world. Kids listen to raunchy CD lyrics, read cruel posts on the Internet, and watch reality TV where the humor and drama is derived to a large extent from putting others down. And they witness the cynical, taunting comments of classmates at school." In the guise of being "cool," a child may adapt the tone of voice or verbal bullying of peers in order to fit in, explains Atkins, who is also coauthor of Because I Said So: Dealing with Family Squabbles. "His friends get away with it, so he figures, why not try it out?"
An Attitude Makeover
No one wants to raise a rude, bratty child. Yet what parents do, and don't do, causes insolence to escalate. "Parents are time-famined," says psychologist Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of Don't Give Me That Attitude. "We're overtired and overworked. We yearn for good times with our kids, without arguments." We let snarky comments pass, or pick those clothes off the floor and hang them up ourselves.
Plus, so much of our culture is geared toward a child's success -- in school, on the athletic field -- that building moral character gets short shrift. "No one gets a trophy being kind, helpful or generous," says Borba. In fact, she sees a strong uptick in mouthing off among preteen girls. "Parents are so focused on teaching their daughters to advocate for themselves, they fail to show them how to be assertive without being aggressive and disrespectful," she notes.
While the best defense against kid attitude is an early offense, it's never to late for a makeover. Most likely, you won't banish the back talk forever, but these tips will help you mitigate it -- as well as develop a thicker skin:
Figure out what's behind it. Sometimes an obnoxious attitude is a reaction to stress, disappointment, or even too little sleep. Middle schoolers are trying to prove themselves academically and socially, and it can be a challenge to keep negativity and cynicism at bay when they're emotionally depleted. If your child had a fight with a friend, or is doing poorly in school, a flippant, "so-what" tone may conceal fear or anxiety. If she hears you or a spouse speak rudely to others, she'll copy that behavior.
Target one attitude at a time. Do you bristle at his fresh mouth or sense of entitlement? Are you most offended by her barely-under-the-breath remarks or the way she rolls her eyes when you speak? While there may be several things you wish would disappear instantly, focus on one at a time.
Nurture the attitude you want to see. Once you've targeted the offensive attitude, zero in on what you'd like to see instead. For instance, an insensitive child needs to be caring and empathic; the non-compliant child can learn to be respectful and dependable; the demanding child should be considerate. "Don't try to do this alone," warns Borba. "Attitude change requires the cooperation of other family members, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and coaches. Get their input, so you can figure out whether she's acting impudently with everyone or just with you."
Stay cool. Like the schoolyard bully who hones in on the one kid he knows will cry, your child wants to see that he's ticking you off -- and he's probably quite good at it. That's why you need to plan ahead. "Pretend you're on Oprah," says Borba. "Memorize a short script so you can clearly but calmly respond to a child's hostility in the heat of the moment." Never lash back ("Don't you dare speak to me that way, young lady!"); she'll focus on your anger, not what you're saying, and before you know it you'll be embroiled in a power struggle. Instead, repeat your zero-tolerance policy and, if she continues, ignore her or walk out of the room. You can say, "When you're ready to speak respectfully, you can find me in the kitchen."
Draw your line in the sand. During a peaceful moment, patiently point out the attitudes you're concerned about. Make it clear that, while you understand her feelings and opinions, you won't tolerate her response. You could say: "I know you think I'm not being fair, but I won't be spoken to like that." Or: "That may be the way you talk to your friends, but it's never okay with me." Give her another chance to respond in a kinder, gentler way: "If you'd like me to help you, ask politely," or "You call me clueless and that hurts my feelings. Can you say it another way?" Dr. Atkins' mantra is: "You can be mad, but you can't be mean."
Follow through with consequences. If your child has slipped into the habit of being disrespectful, he really may not be aware of it or, in the heat of the moment, realize how wounding his words are. Still, Borba advises that you "flat out refuse to respond until he does." If it continues, ground him or take away privileges: no cell phone or X-Box, an early curfew, missing an important social event.
Notice the good times. "You'll need a thick skin to ignore infuriating comments, but the more you do, the quicker they'll stop," says Gallagher. When they do, let your child know you're proud of her. And hang in there: by the age of 14 or 15, the nice kid you used to know will come back.
Another reason for kids to trim down
Obese children and those at risk for obesity show early signs of heart disease -- similar to that seen in obese adults, U.S. researchers say.
"In the patients who are obese, the rate of motion of heart muscle changed," Dr. Angela Sharkey, an associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and a pediatric cardiologist at St. Louis Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "As a child's BMIA (body mass index for age) increases, we see alterations in both the relaxation and contraction phase of the heartbeat. Many of these changes that have been seen in adults were assumed to be from long-standing obesity, but it may be that these changes start much earlier in life than we thought."
About 19 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 and 17 percent of those ages 12 to 19 are overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"In the patients who are obese, the rate of motion of heart muscle changed," Dr. Angela Sharkey, an associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and a pediatric cardiologist at St. Louis Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "As a child's BMIA (body mass index for age) increases, we see alterations in both the relaxation and contraction phase of the heartbeat. Many of these changes that have been seen in adults were assumed to be from long-standing obesity, but it may be that these changes start much earlier in life than we thought."
About 19 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 and 17 percent of those ages 12 to 19 are overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That pain "down there"
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) at the National Institute's of Health (NIH), in partnership with other federal and non-federal partners, announced the launch of the "Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign." Vulvodynia, also referred to as "the pain down there" or "feminine pain," is chronic discomfort or pain of the vulva, which is the area around the outside of the vagina.
It is a persistent condition for which there is no apparent cause and no single effective treatment. Vulvodynia can have stressful effects on every day life and relationships. A lack of sufficient consumer and health care provider information may contribute to a delayed diagnosis and the ultimate long-term suffering of vulvodynia patients. Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of women will experience symptoms consistent with vulvodynia.
It is a persistent condition for which there is no apparent cause and no single effective treatment. Vulvodynia can have stressful effects on every day life and relationships. A lack of sufficient consumer and health care provider information may contribute to a delayed diagnosis and the ultimate long-term suffering of vulvodynia patients. Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of women will experience symptoms consistent with vulvodynia.
The Boat Show
Going to the boat show this weekend? The world's largest boat show opens today in South Florida! The 48th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs from today through Monday.
More than 2 billion dollars worth of marine merchandise is being shown off at six different locations across South Florida. From kayaks to super-yachts, you can browse, buy and learn what the marine industry is doing to go green.
Need details? Just click here.
More than 2 billion dollars worth of marine merchandise is being shown off at six different locations across South Florida. From kayaks to super-yachts, you can browse, buy and learn what the marine industry is doing to go green.
Need details? Just click here.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Take stress out of your office space
Want to live a healthier life? Start in your office! Here's some workplace intel, and what you need.
1. A well-placed monitor- the top of your computer screen should be at eye level, and about 18-20 inches away from you. And avoid the glare that can make you tired; do not put your computer in front of a window.
2. A calming color for the walls in your office; cooler hues like light blue or lavender are calming, and will help lower your stress level. Hang a picture of the ocean, the sky or a country field.
3. Soothing sounds- background noise, like the traffic outside, ringing phones, or the constant din of conversation can stress you and make you eat more. Try a fan for some white noise, or a sound machine or iPod to help block it out.
4. A neck-saving phone-get a headset to avoid neck and shoulder pain from cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear.
5. Last? A window, if you can- natural sunlight will help suppress the hormone melatonin, and increase the brain's levels of seratonin, a calming chemical, making you feel more alert, and less stressed!
1. A well-placed monitor- the top of your computer screen should be at eye level, and about 18-20 inches away from you. And avoid the glare that can make you tired; do not put your computer in front of a window.
2. A calming color for the walls in your office; cooler hues like light blue or lavender are calming, and will help lower your stress level. Hang a picture of the ocean, the sky or a country field.
3. Soothing sounds- background noise, like the traffic outside, ringing phones, or the constant din of conversation can stress you and make you eat more. Try a fan for some white noise, or a sound machine or iPod to help block it out.
4. A neck-saving phone-get a headset to avoid neck and shoulder pain from cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear.
5. Last? A window, if you can- natural sunlight will help suppress the hormone melatonin, and increase the brain's levels of seratonin, a calming chemical, making you feel more alert, and less stressed!
Save big on a tiny income
19 ways -– and counting -- to save when you make next to nothing.
(from MSN.com)
By MP Dunleavey
Editor's note: Join columnist MP Dunleavey and a group of women as they seek to strip away the myths around money, liberate themselves from debt and find financial sanity. Follow the ongoing quest of the Women in Red every other Wednesday in Dunleavey's column on MSN Money.
When I wrote an article describing how some of the Women in Red could save more, I got an earful from frustrated readers, many of whom don't earn as much as the women in the group.
"Let's deal with the real world," wrote one woman, who declined to give her name. "If I had that kind of income I could save easily. Try (saving) on the incomes of most of us working, single moms, which is more like $2,500 a month! Cut our expenses? How???"
Carrie Bowers, 29, of Colorado, added: "How would the average service worker go about saving for retirement, a child's education (or even (her) own in hopes of moving up in the world) on less than $18,000 a year? Some financial advice for the public-transit set would be appreciated more than you know."
With her dunce cap on, this writer decided to unearth smart savings strategies anyone can use, no matter how much they earn -- from real-life tips contributed by women on our blog, to the abundance of savings stories right here on MSN Money.
As you might expect with such a wealth of ideas, there are many ways to fire up your inner-savings goddess. Try one, try 'em all.
Spare change = big bucks
Stash a dollar in a jar every time you do the laundry, says blogger LBL.
Save all your $5 bills in a coffee can. (My husband and I do this so we have extra fun money.) Or save all your $20 bills in shoe box ("I saved for a trip to Europe this way," says Bowers, who earns $1,800 a month working in a cafe.)
Cash in your spare change. Many banks and credit unions will sort your change without charging a fee. Or, do it yourself: "We invested in a $30 coin sorter, which has paid for itself three times over," writes a reader who calls herself darcie1590.
Salt away all those little rebates, refunds and reimbursement checks.
Take free money. Now some institutions, like Bank of America and even PayPal, are offering what you might call "spare change" savings plans. Bank of America will round up any purchase you make and deposit the extra change in a savings account for you. For a limited time, they'll even match your spare change up to $250. If you use the PayPal debit card, they'll refund 1% of your purchase immediately, wrote Kit on the blog. Other cards may offer similar deals; don't let free cash pass you by (but beware of hidden fees).
Don't even think about it
Even if you love to save, it can be hard to sock away that cash -- unless you let Mother Technology do it for you. Nearly everyone on the blog -- and in the WIR -- has an automatic transfer set up from their checking to their savings.
You can do this anywhere you bank, but a number of readers favor ING Direct.
At 3.4%, ING pays a lot more interest than you can get on most no-minimum savings accounts.
Because the account is online -- and there's no direct ATM access -- you can't touch your savings without thinking about it.
Savers can set up multiple sub-accounts at no extra charge -- for different purposes (vacation, new roof, Sally's sweet 16).
To test-drive ING's basic savings plan, I set up an account in 15 minutes to have $25 a week taken out of checking and put into a little account I nicknamed "Happy Money." I'm richer already!
Play little money games
Create bank errors in your favor. "If I spend $2.16 on a coffee, I deduct $3 (in my check register)," writes AJ. "It really adds up." Several readers share AJ's strategy, including a blogger named Natalie, who even rounds down her paycheck. A $425 check would become $400 in the check register -- and the $25 is saved.
Make a fair trade. One reader swapped her cleaning skills for day-care time for her child; Beth of the WIR recently helped a neighbor build a fence in exchange for some pocket money; in exchange for some editing, a friend is going to organize my messy apartment. The swaps are endless -- and the savings can be huge. "You can get together with friends and have a clothes or furniture/house item swap," adds Nancy.
Switch from paper to plastic. A surprising number of women are mega-advocates of relying on credit cards as a way of controlling spending. Some get cash back or miles; some just feel handling cash is too risky. "I don't carry cash, I don't use cash," writes Chris. "This has helped to curb impulse spending, which equates to effective saving." Caveat: These responsible souls pay the card balance in full each month, often depositing the cash for purchases in advance. Ahem!
Divide and conquer. Divide the total amount of your car insurance (or other irregular expense) by 12 and sock away that amount each month so you don't get caught short. Lea says she won't blow her holiday budget this year because she's used this system to save each month for gifts.
Never pay full price
Buy non-perishables in bulk (i.e., cereals, rice, pastas, dried fruit and canned goods); bulk prices are much lower.
Share the savings. Bowers says one friend will buy toiletries and such at a warehouse store and divvy the spoils up with friends.
Buy generic instead of brand-name products. "I've stopped eating Cheerios in favor of Toasty-O's -- my paycheck loves me for it, and my tastebuds don't know the difference," writes Chada.
Research before you buy. Most readers say bargains can be found for any item if you put a little time into finding discount Web sites, clearance centers, warehouse outlets and the like.
"Look at the Pottery Barn catalog, shop at Goodwill," writes Chada again. "You'd be amazed at what you can turn into a masterpiece with a little paint and stain."
Fly cheap. Renee recommends mobissimo.com and itasoftware.com -- both travel search engines that comb the Web to find the lowest of the lowest possible prices.
Build it, grow it, make it, cook it yourself
A big way to save on a small income is to embrace DIY as your financial salvation. In addition to sewing, making gifts and homemade cards, cooking at home, and baking everything from scratch, here are some other creative ways to save:
"We've made lamps, a window seat, a bar, our headboard, a corner sofa and various tables and shelves," writes Kelly. "It's saved us a fortune."
"There is little that can't be cleaned with (a mix of) vinegar and baking soda," writes ylm23. "We use the mix throughout the kitchen, bathroom, dining room -- and have scrubbed pots and pans with it."
"Don't forget gardening as a money-saving venture," writes a green-thumbed reader. "One year, I fed the four of us and a neighbor for almost four months from a 10-by-15-foot garden."
More savings than space
I wish I could go on, but I'm running out of room.
For those of you interested in reading more (and more and MORE!) ways to save, please visit the Women in Red message board, where this topic has inspired the most incredible gold rush of ideas.
Log on, share the wealth, feel the love -- and give us some of your ideas, if they haven't been covered already. And remember the most powerful money-saving secret of all: You won't save until . . . you start saving.
(from MSN.com)
By MP Dunleavey
Editor's note: Join columnist MP Dunleavey and a group of women as they seek to strip away the myths around money, liberate themselves from debt and find financial sanity. Follow the ongoing quest of the Women in Red every other Wednesday in Dunleavey's column on MSN Money.
When I wrote an article describing how some of the Women in Red could save more, I got an earful from frustrated readers, many of whom don't earn as much as the women in the group.
"Let's deal with the real world," wrote one woman, who declined to give her name. "If I had that kind of income I could save easily. Try (saving) on the incomes of most of us working, single moms, which is more like $2,500 a month! Cut our expenses? How???"
Carrie Bowers, 29, of Colorado, added: "How would the average service worker go about saving for retirement, a child's education (or even (her) own in hopes of moving up in the world) on less than $18,000 a year? Some financial advice for the public-transit set would be appreciated more than you know."
With her dunce cap on, this writer decided to unearth smart savings strategies anyone can use, no matter how much they earn -- from real-life tips contributed by women on our blog, to the abundance of savings stories right here on MSN Money.
As you might expect with such a wealth of ideas, there are many ways to fire up your inner-savings goddess. Try one, try 'em all.
Spare change = big bucks
Stash a dollar in a jar every time you do the laundry, says blogger LBL.
Save all your $5 bills in a coffee can. (My husband and I do this so we have extra fun money.) Or save all your $20 bills in shoe box ("I saved for a trip to Europe this way," says Bowers, who earns $1,800 a month working in a cafe.)
Cash in your spare change. Many banks and credit unions will sort your change without charging a fee. Or, do it yourself: "We invested in a $30 coin sorter, which has paid for itself three times over," writes a reader who calls herself darcie1590.
Salt away all those little rebates, refunds and reimbursement checks.
Take free money. Now some institutions, like Bank of America and even PayPal, are offering what you might call "spare change" savings plans. Bank of America will round up any purchase you make and deposit the extra change in a savings account for you. For a limited time, they'll even match your spare change up to $250. If you use the PayPal debit card, they'll refund 1% of your purchase immediately, wrote Kit on the blog. Other cards may offer similar deals; don't let free cash pass you by (but beware of hidden fees).
Don't even think about it
Even if you love to save, it can be hard to sock away that cash -- unless you let Mother Technology do it for you. Nearly everyone on the blog -- and in the WIR -- has an automatic transfer set up from their checking to their savings.
You can do this anywhere you bank, but a number of readers favor ING Direct.
At 3.4%, ING pays a lot more interest than you can get on most no-minimum savings accounts.
Because the account is online -- and there's no direct ATM access -- you can't touch your savings without thinking about it.
Savers can set up multiple sub-accounts at no extra charge -- for different purposes (vacation, new roof, Sally's sweet 16).
To test-drive ING's basic savings plan, I set up an account in 15 minutes to have $25 a week taken out of checking and put into a little account I nicknamed "Happy Money." I'm richer already!
Play little money games
Create bank errors in your favor. "If I spend $2.16 on a coffee, I deduct $3 (in my check register)," writes AJ. "It really adds up." Several readers share AJ's strategy, including a blogger named Natalie, who even rounds down her paycheck. A $425 check would become $400 in the check register -- and the $25 is saved.
Make a fair trade. One reader swapped her cleaning skills for day-care time for her child; Beth of the WIR recently helped a neighbor build a fence in exchange for some pocket money; in exchange for some editing, a friend is going to organize my messy apartment. The swaps are endless -- and the savings can be huge. "You can get together with friends and have a clothes or furniture/house item swap," adds Nancy.
Switch from paper to plastic. A surprising number of women are mega-advocates of relying on credit cards as a way of controlling spending. Some get cash back or miles; some just feel handling cash is too risky. "I don't carry cash, I don't use cash," writes Chris. "This has helped to curb impulse spending, which equates to effective saving." Caveat: These responsible souls pay the card balance in full each month, often depositing the cash for purchases in advance. Ahem!
Divide and conquer. Divide the total amount of your car insurance (or other irregular expense) by 12 and sock away that amount each month so you don't get caught short. Lea says she won't blow her holiday budget this year because she's used this system to save each month for gifts.
Never pay full price
Buy non-perishables in bulk (i.e., cereals, rice, pastas, dried fruit and canned goods); bulk prices are much lower.
Share the savings. Bowers says one friend will buy toiletries and such at a warehouse store and divvy the spoils up with friends.
Buy generic instead of brand-name products. "I've stopped eating Cheerios in favor of Toasty-O's -- my paycheck loves me for it, and my tastebuds don't know the difference," writes Chada.
Research before you buy. Most readers say bargains can be found for any item if you put a little time into finding discount Web sites, clearance centers, warehouse outlets and the like.
"Look at the Pottery Barn catalog, shop at Goodwill," writes Chada again. "You'd be amazed at what you can turn into a masterpiece with a little paint and stain."
Fly cheap. Renee recommends mobissimo.com and itasoftware.com -- both travel search engines that comb the Web to find the lowest of the lowest possible prices.
Build it, grow it, make it, cook it yourself
A big way to save on a small income is to embrace DIY as your financial salvation. In addition to sewing, making gifts and homemade cards, cooking at home, and baking everything from scratch, here are some other creative ways to save:
"We've made lamps, a window seat, a bar, our headboard, a corner sofa and various tables and shelves," writes Kelly. "It's saved us a fortune."
"There is little that can't be cleaned with (a mix of) vinegar and baking soda," writes ylm23. "We use the mix throughout the kitchen, bathroom, dining room -- and have scrubbed pots and pans with it."
"Don't forget gardening as a money-saving venture," writes a green-thumbed reader. "One year, I fed the four of us and a neighbor for almost four months from a 10-by-15-foot garden."
More savings than space
I wish I could go on, but I'm running out of room.
For those of you interested in reading more (and more and MORE!) ways to save, please visit the Women in Red message board, where this topic has inspired the most incredible gold rush of ideas.
Log on, share the wealth, feel the love -- and give us some of your ideas, if they haven't been covered already. And remember the most powerful money-saving secret of all: You won't save until . . . you start saving.
Burn more fat during workouts
Would you like to burn more fat during your next workout?
Then take a break! Japanese researchers have discovered that taking a rest in the middle of your workout; for example, exercising for 15 minutes, taking a 10 minute break, then exercising for another 15, actually burns more fat than powering straight through.
Just don't make it a break to grab a cookie!
Then take a break! Japanese researchers have discovered that taking a rest in the middle of your workout; for example, exercising for 15 minutes, taking a 10 minute break, then exercising for another 15, actually burns more fat than powering straight through.
Just don't make it a break to grab a cookie!
Buckle down and be rewarded, kids!
Miami sixth graders with good grades, behavior and attendance records will be rewarded with laptop computers in a new program starting this month.
The Elevate Miami initiative is part of an education plan from the city of Miami and the Miami-Dade school district to infuse culture, life skills and technology into the traditional curriculum. Also under the program, third-graders will earn museum passes and tickets to cultural events. Eleventh-graders will have the opportunity to intern with top Miami employers. The program only applies to students living within Miami city limits, though school district officials say it may soon be introduced elsewhere in Miami-Dade County.
The Elevate Miami initiative is part of an education plan from the city of Miami and the Miami-Dade school district to infuse culture, life skills and technology into the traditional curriculum. Also under the program, third-graders will earn museum passes and tickets to cultural events. Eleventh-graders will have the opportunity to intern with top Miami employers. The program only applies to students living within Miami city limits, though school district officials say it may soon be introduced elsewhere in Miami-Dade County.
More weight means more risk for breast cancer
Putting on weight throughout adulthood can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer in middle age, according to new research.
Obesity was already known to be associated with post-menopausal breast cancer. But new findings link the risk of developing the disease after the menopause with weight gain from the age of 18. The pattern was seen in women who did not take hormone replacement therapy, which is known to increase the risk. Women who were not overweight or obese at 18, but were by the ages of 35 and 50, had a 1.4 times increased risk of developing breast cancer. Losing weight appeared to protect against the disease. Women who lost weight had the same risk as those whose weight remained stable.
Obesity was already known to be associated with post-menopausal breast cancer. But new findings link the risk of developing the disease after the menopause with weight gain from the age of 18. The pattern was seen in women who did not take hormone replacement therapy, which is known to increase the risk. Women who were not overweight or obese at 18, but were by the ages of 35 and 50, had a 1.4 times increased risk of developing breast cancer. Losing weight appeared to protect against the disease. Women who lost weight had the same risk as those whose weight remained stable.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Pumpkin patterns
From easy to super scary pumpkin patterns. Make your jack-o-lantern special with the latest patterns.
Parenting tips
How can I be a good parent?
There's not just one right way to raise children. And there's no such thing as a perfect parent--or a perfect child. But here are some guidelines to help your children grow up healthy and happy:
Show your love. Every day, tell your children: "I love you. You're special to me." Give lots of hugs and kisses.
Listen when your children talk. Listening to your children tells them that you think they're important and that you're interested in what they have to say.
Make your children feel safe. Comfort them when they're scared. Show them you've taken steps to protect them.
Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular schedule of meals, naps and bedtimes.
If you have to change the schedule, tell them about the changes ahead of time.
Praise your children. When your children learn something new or behave well, tell them you're proud of them.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, don't say, "You were bad." Instead, explain what the child did wrong. For example, say: "Running into the street without looking isn't safe." Then tell the child what to do instead: "First, look both ways for cars."
Be consistent. Your rules don't have to be the same ones other parents have, but they do need to be clear and consistent. (Consistent means the rules are the same all the time.) If two parents are raising a child, both need to use the same rules.
Also, make sure baby sitters and relatives know, and follow, your family rules.
Spend time with your children. Do things together, like reading, walking, playing and cleaning house. What children want most is your attention. Bad behavior is usually their way of getting your attention.
Who can I ask when I need help raising my child?
There are many ways to get good parenting advice. Sign up for parenting classes offered by hospitals, community centers or schools. Read parenting books or magazines. Talk to your family doctor, a minister, a priest or a counselor.
You can also ask your family doctor for parenting help. Don't be embarrassed to ask. Raising children is hard, and no one can do it alone. Your doctor can help you with issues like discipline, potty training, eating problems and bedtime. Your doctor can also help you find local groups that can help you learn better parenting skills.
There's not just one right way to raise children. And there's no such thing as a perfect parent--or a perfect child. But here are some guidelines to help your children grow up healthy and happy:
Show your love. Every day, tell your children: "I love you. You're special to me." Give lots of hugs and kisses.
Listen when your children talk. Listening to your children tells them that you think they're important and that you're interested in what they have to say.
Make your children feel safe. Comfort them when they're scared. Show them you've taken steps to protect them.
Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular schedule of meals, naps and bedtimes.
If you have to change the schedule, tell them about the changes ahead of time.
Praise your children. When your children learn something new or behave well, tell them you're proud of them.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, don't say, "You were bad." Instead, explain what the child did wrong. For example, say: "Running into the street without looking isn't safe." Then tell the child what to do instead: "First, look both ways for cars."
Be consistent. Your rules don't have to be the same ones other parents have, but they do need to be clear and consistent. (Consistent means the rules are the same all the time.) If two parents are raising a child, both need to use the same rules.
Also, make sure baby sitters and relatives know, and follow, your family rules.
Spend time with your children. Do things together, like reading, walking, playing and cleaning house. What children want most is your attention. Bad behavior is usually their way of getting your attention.
Who can I ask when I need help raising my child?
There are many ways to get good parenting advice. Sign up for parenting classes offered by hospitals, community centers or schools. Read parenting books or magazines. Talk to your family doctor, a minister, a priest or a counselor.
You can also ask your family doctor for parenting help. Don't be embarrassed to ask. Raising children is hard, and no one can do it alone. Your doctor can help you with issues like discipline, potty training, eating problems and bedtime. Your doctor can also help you find local groups that can help you learn better parenting skills.
Is it always women and children first?
If a flu pandemic broke out who would be taken care of first?
Pregnant women, babies and young children would be at the front of the line to get a scarce vaccine if a flu pandemic breaks out, according to a plan drafted by the government.
Doctors, soldiers and emergency workers would also be at the head of the line.
At the end? The elderly and healthy young adults.
Pregnant women, babies and young children would be at the front of the line to get a scarce vaccine if a flu pandemic breaks out, according to a plan drafted by the government.
Doctors, soldiers and emergency workers would also be at the head of the line.
At the end? The elderly and healthy young adults.
Breast cancer mastectomies study
The number of women having both breasts removed after a tumor is found in one increased by 150 percent over a five-year period, researchers reported Monday.
The procedure, however, is being performed despite a lack of evidence showing that double mastectomies increase survival in most women.
Current guidelines for treatment of a localized breast cancer call only for removal of the tumor and not for a mastectomy — much less a double mastectomy.
But an increasing number of women, particularly young white women, are pushing for the more aggressive procedure for reasons that are not totally clear, the researchers said.
They surmised that some women think the health-care system did not detect their tumor early enough and that continued screening would not be effective, while others might have been traumatized by chemotherapy. Improvements in reconstructive surgery also have made a double mastectomy a more acceptable alternative.
The procedure, however, is being performed despite a lack of evidence showing that double mastectomies increase survival in most women.
Current guidelines for treatment of a localized breast cancer call only for removal of the tumor and not for a mastectomy — much less a double mastectomy.
But an increasing number of women, particularly young white women, are pushing for the more aggressive procedure for reasons that are not totally clear, the researchers said.
They surmised that some women think the health-care system did not detect their tumor early enough and that continued screening would not be effective, while others might have been traumatized by chemotherapy. Improvements in reconstructive surgery also have made a double mastectomy a more acceptable alternative.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Laughing all the way through old age
Mike Slosberg is not giving in to old age. He's fighting back -- with poetry. The ancient Japanese kind, of course, called Haiku. His book called Pimp My Walker: The Official Book of Old Age Haiku is brimming with 60 poems. So how , you ask, can a poem fight arthritis or bring back memory? Well, actually it can't -- but the ones Slosberg pulled together are packed with humor and have turned old age into an art form. Check these out:
I can remember / When sex was better than food/ Now vice is versa
Grandkids are a joy / Play a while, and hand them back / Just like a Hertz car
High school reunion / Everyone looks so ancient / Except for yours truly
Mike Slosberg is no slacker, though graying on top himself. He's written two novels and a book of cartoons which he wrote and illustrated himself. He's currently working on a third novel, a children's book, a play and, believe it or not, a time machine... really!
Jeff Martin shared this one with me:
I'm Fine, Thank YOU
There is nothing the matter with me.
I'm as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
Arch supports I have for my feet
Or I wouldn't be able to be on the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I'm all right.
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is this, as my tale I unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It's better to say "I'm fine" with a grin
Than to let folks know the shape we are in.
How do I know that my youth is all spent?
Well, my "get up and go" just got up and went.
But I really don't mind when I think with a grin
Of all the grand places my "get up" has been.
Old age is golden, I've heard it said;
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed
With my ears in the drawer my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
Ere sleep overtakes me, I say to myself,
"Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?"
When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick my heels over my head
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But I still could dance the whole night through.
Now I am old, my slippers are black,
I walk to the store and puff my way back.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
And pick up the paper and read the obits.
If my name is still missing, I know I'm not dead
So I fix me some breakfast and go back to bed.
Author Unknown
I can remember / When sex was better than food/ Now vice is versa
Grandkids are a joy / Play a while, and hand them back / Just like a Hertz car
High school reunion / Everyone looks so ancient / Except for yours truly
Mike Slosberg is no slacker, though graying on top himself. He's written two novels and a book of cartoons which he wrote and illustrated himself. He's currently working on a third novel, a children's book, a play and, believe it or not, a time machine... really!
Jeff Martin shared this one with me:
I'm Fine, Thank YOU
There is nothing the matter with me.
I'm as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
Arch supports I have for my feet
Or I wouldn't be able to be on the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I'm all right.
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is this, as my tale I unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It's better to say "I'm fine" with a grin
Than to let folks know the shape we are in.
How do I know that my youth is all spent?
Well, my "get up and go" just got up and went.
But I really don't mind when I think with a grin
Of all the grand places my "get up" has been.
Old age is golden, I've heard it said;
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed
With my ears in the drawer my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
Ere sleep overtakes me, I say to myself,
"Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?"
When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick my heels over my head
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But I still could dance the whole night through.
Now I am old, my slippers are black,
I walk to the store and puff my way back.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
And pick up the paper and read the obits.
If my name is still missing, I know I'm not dead
So I fix me some breakfast and go back to bed.
Author Unknown
Swearing at work good for morale? @$#!%
A new study found that regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit and morale among employees, allowing them to better express their feelings and develop social relationships.
The researchers said the key for managers is knowing when such language is appropriate and when it's not. For instance, swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be a no-no, while in other situations it helped build solidarity among workers and allowed them express frustration, stress or other feelings.
The researchers said the key for managers is knowing when such language is appropriate and when it's not. For instance, swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be a no-no, while in other situations it helped build solidarity among workers and allowed them express frustration, stress or other feelings.
Cube Monkeys: A handbook for surviing the office jungle
Boss-to-English Translator: What your boss says and what he really means
Do you ever feel a trip to your boss's office is like a trip to a foreign country? Nice view, but no speaka dee English? In order to ensure that none of the buck passing, put- downing, or one- upping is lost in translation, make sure to bring along this cheat sheet so you know what the big enchilada is really trying to say.
"Great job on the report!"
Translation: "I'm taking credit for your work."
"I have to attend an off-site meeting."
Translation: "I'm having an affair."
"Let me give you some broadstroke ideas and you can fill in the rest."
Translation: "I still haven't learned how to create an Excel document."
"Headquarters has assured me we will not be affected by the merger."
Translation: "You are going to be fired."
"I'm not sure if what you are suggesting is in alignment with our core competencies."
Translation: "What exactly do we do again?"
"I'll be out of the office for a couple hours with senior management, but you can reach me on my mobile."
Translation: "I'm playing golf."
"I'll be off-site and unreachable for the rest of the afternoon."
Translation: "I'm playing golf and I expect to be very, very drunk."
"It's good to see you take such bold initiative!"
Translation: "You are a threat to me. You will be fired the next time we so much as run out of coffee."
Do you ever feel a trip to your boss's office is like a trip to a foreign country? Nice view, but no speaka dee English? In order to ensure that none of the buck passing, put- downing, or one- upping is lost in translation, make sure to bring along this cheat sheet so you know what the big enchilada is really trying to say.
"Great job on the report!"
Translation: "I'm taking credit for your work."
"I have to attend an off-site meeting."
Translation: "I'm having an affair."
"Let me give you some broadstroke ideas and you can fill in the rest."
Translation: "I still haven't learned how to create an Excel document."
"Headquarters has assured me we will not be affected by the merger."
Translation: "You are going to be fired."
"I'm not sure if what you are suggesting is in alignment with our core competencies."
Translation: "What exactly do we do again?"
"I'll be out of the office for a couple hours with senior management, but you can reach me on my mobile."
Translation: "I'm playing golf."
"I'll be off-site and unreachable for the rest of the afternoon."
Translation: "I'm playing golf and I expect to be very, very drunk."
"It's good to see you take such bold initiative!"
Translation: "You are a threat to me. You will be fired the next time we so much as run out of coffee."
Meningitis vaccine for little ones
The approved age range for the bacterial meningitis vaccine Menactra has been expanded to include children ages 2 to 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said last week.
The vaccine had been approved for people ages 11 to 55. Previously, a product called Menomune was the only meningitis vaccine approved in the U.S. for use in children ages 2 and older. Both Menactra and Menomune are made by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and offer protection against four groups of the bacterium that can cause meningitis. In the United States, about 2,600 people become ill from bacterial meningitis each year. About 10 percent of those patients die and about 15 percent suffer brain damage or limb amputation.
The vaccine had been approved for people ages 11 to 55. Previously, a product called Menomune was the only meningitis vaccine approved in the U.S. for use in children ages 2 and older. Both Menactra and Menomune are made by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and offer protection against four groups of the bacterium that can cause meningitis. In the United States, about 2,600 people become ill from bacterial meningitis each year. About 10 percent of those patients die and about 15 percent suffer brain damage or limb amputation.
A new chemo drug for breast cancer
A new chemotherapy drug called Ixempra has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to treat women with advanced breast cancer who haven't responded to three other types of chemotherapy.
Ixempra, which belongs to a new class of drugs called epothilones, is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. It does this by targeting a protein called tubulin that helps cells proliferate, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bristol-Myers also is studying the use of Ixempra to treat earlier-stage breast cancer, as well as ovarian, prostate, renal, pancreatic and non small cell lung cancers.
Ixempra, which belongs to a new class of drugs called epothilones, is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. It does this by targeting a protein called tubulin that helps cells proliferate, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bristol-Myers also is studying the use of Ixempra to treat earlier-stage breast cancer, as well as ovarian, prostate, renal, pancreatic and non small cell lung cancers.
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